NFCEast Blog: The Redskins' scary alternate universe

[SkinsHokieFan]

From the NFC E Blog and Bubba's Breaking New Forum

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post...rnate-universe (http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/37225/the-redskins-scary-alternate-universe)

This is why, regardless of how astronomical the price may have been, you can't say the Washington Redskins overpaid in the trade that scored them the No. 2 pick in this year's draft.

You following this quarterback stuff, Redskins fans? Are you watching what's going on in Miami, in San Francisco, in Denver, in Tennessee? In poor, miserable Cleveland? This is quarterback musical chairs, folks, and there aren't enough chairs for everyone. At least one of those teams is still going to be looking for a quarterback once Peyton Manning decides and Alex Smith figures out what he wants to do, and if you're a Redskins fan watching all of this, you should be thinking, "Whew. I'm really glad my team's not mixed up in that mess."

The Redskins know who their quarterback is going to be next year. Or at least they're sure it's going to be one they like. They assume the Colts will take Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick and they'll take Baylor's Robert Griffin III with the second, but if something weird happens and the Colts take Griffin, they at least know they get Luck. There are, by most teams' evaluations, two franchise-caliber quarterbacks in this year's draft, and by dealing three first-round picks and a second-round pick to the Rams, the Redskins ensured that they'd get one of them.

By doing it a week and a half ago, they also ensured that they would not find themselves in Dolphins' current situation — spurned by Manning and Matt Flynn, trying to steal Smith away from the 49ers and reportedly talking to David Garrard in case Smith stays put. They ensured that they would not be the Broncos, who wait to find out whether they get Manning or whether they'll need to ask Tim Tebow to turn water into wine on a weekly basis for another year. They ensured that they would not be the Browns — the team they had to beat out to get the Rams' pick, a team that's now looking at another year with Colt McCoy and hoping it gets Matt Barkley in next year's draft.

click on the link to continue reading

[Hitman21ST]

Yup. The QB carousel continues on and on, but we finally are not on it. 9ers could be the team out in the cold this time. Smith leaves for Miami or Cleveland, and the 9ers are stuck with Kaepernick. Might have to reach for Weeden in the first round...

[Boss_Hogg]

this article was already merged with another thread.

[dsciambi]

Not only that, but by making the decision early, it allowed us to get who we wanted (within our new limits). On NFL Network they're talking about how the Titans are kind of screwed since they didn't get Manning. They lost a lot of free agents and ones that they may have targeted were left out because of prioritizing Manning money. So now they've got lots of holes and not a whole lot of players out there to fill them.

Our front office did phenomenal this year.

[blueskin]

It is a good feeling to sit and watch other teams in 'journey-man QB' territory for a change. RGIII may or may not be the answer (Please God let him be the answer), but at least we have some semblance of stability at the most important position on the field. Sucks to be a Titans or Dolphins fan, eh? Maybe we'll let them have John Beck for a wet food stamp.

And I also hope Alex Smith screws the 9ers; he played great for them in '11, and as a reward they try to drop him for Manning? May he get a good contract elsewhere. Hey harbaugh, good luck next year with Kaepaerniakcsdodw or however his name is spelled.

HTTR (now with feeling again)!

[airforceskins]

Just thought about this, but imagine what the cost of trading up to the #2 pick would be right now if we hadn't made the deal early. I guarantee it would be significantly higher with the level of desperation out there

[HailSkins83]

Dan Graziano has really been spot on with his articles.... Nice read

[Dukes and Skins]

Dan Graziano has really been spot on with his articles.... Nice read

Such a nice change compared to Matt... I can't even finish his name without being angry haha

[MLSKINS]

Such a nice change compared to Matt... I can't even finish his name without being angry haha
Man, I couldn't stand that dude. It is nice to read some fair and balance opinion from someone in the media. He tells it like he sees it and there is never any bias in it.

[Duckus]

Read it this morning. Dan Graziano has been killing it recently.

[Riggo#44]

I read that article -- love the Graz -- and I thought "God it sucks to be Cleveland..."

Now there is still a chance RGIII bombs, but with his reported work ethic and character, it's unlikely. Really glad we made this trade rather than trying to wade into a very overrated FA market...

[AsburySkinsFan]

Just thought about this, but imagine what the cost of trading up to the #2 pick would be right now if we hadn't made the deal early. I guarantee it would be significantly higher with the level of desperation out there

That's what I've been thinking as I've been watching this whole mess play out, the longer it goes on and the more QB's find homes the higher that price for #2 spot would go up. Trading up the way we did, expensive as it was, is still the right move because we didn't suck enough last year and not sucking only cost us more...just like so many of us said it would as we squeaked out one meaningless win after another. Yet, we were derided with the "suck for Luck" tag only to find out that sucking would have cost us far less.

[LetThePointsSoar]

Hate to just repeat the sentiments, but it just needs to be said again- damn, Graz is such a breath of fresh air doing the NFCE blog.

[Skins3000]

Yup. The QB carousel continues on and on, but we finally are not on it. 9ers could be the team out in the cold this time. Smith leaves for Miami or Cleveland, and the 9ers are stuck with Kaepernick. Might have to reach for Weeden in the first round...

I think the Niners like Kaepernick but wants him to sit for at least two years. I see them not drafting Weeden but looking at young free agent qb's that can hold the fort for a year or two for Colin.

[MLSKINS]

Oh, we are going to start calling him Graz from now on??? I am down with that...

[Saqs]

Makes me sick just thinking of where we might be if we didnt do the deal. Ugh. Thank you Rams!! lol

[Dukes and Skins]

Oh, we are going to start calling him Graz from now on??? I am down with that...

Dont mess with the Graz..... :ols:

[Hitman21ST]

I think the Niners like Kaepernick but wants him to sit for at least two years. I see them not drafting Weeden but looking at young free agent qb's that can hold the fort for a year or two for Colin.

The other QBs out there aren't very attractive...

[RedskinsInFebruary]

It's good to have a quarterback.

[MrJL]

It seems kind of strange to me that guys like Orton and Campbell are signing on to be backups early in free agency, when they could have a least competed for temporary starting jobs once the few big names out there were settled.

[GoSkins0721]

It seems kind of strange to me that guys like Orton and Campbell are signing on to be backups early in free agency, when they could have a least competed for temporary starting jobs once the few big names out there were settled.

Meh...a bird in the hand?

[PerryMason]

Totally happy with the trade because I knew there was going to be a mad scramble for the FA QBs and quite honestly I liked none of them.

[Prototype]

F*** Mara, he must be shaking in his boots. We swept them last year, and now we have almost the same team, except with an excellent QB prospect with a cannon for an arm and happens to run a (unofficial) 4.38

[nnhvacjs]

good luck next year with Kaepaerniakcsdodw or however his name is spelled.


Funny, LOL!!

[Zzj]

Dan Graziano has really been spot on with his articles.... Nice read

Graz has been very fair to the Redskins. I actually think he's one of the biggest 'Skins apologists in the national media - not that I mind. It's nice to hear praise finally, but it just weirds me out how he always seems to agree with the moves we make.

[DogofWar1]

Graz has been very fair to the Redskins. I actually think he's one of the biggest 'Skins apologists in the national media - not that I mind. It's nice to hear praise finally, but it just weirds me out how he always seems to agree with the moves we make.

I think it's because unlike so many in the media, he doesn't instantly view all our moves as Danny backed shananigans. I think he only started a couple years ago, so the moves he's seen are the ones Mike and Bruce have been making, and in a wider context they are good moves. Most people won't take the step back and look at the wider situation, but Graziano does, and he can see how the team has gone from an absolute train wreck in 2009 to one that is a few key pieces from being in contention.

Most writers won't admit it, but the facts (finally) have a well known Redskin bias.

And his analogy of musical chairs at QB is the exact one I tried to use to explain why the trade was worth it to several friends. Some agreed, some didn't. The ones who didn't agree are now fully on board after witnessing the absolute mess that is Miami, the 49ers, the Browns, and even Seattle, what with paying Flynn a ton of money. For once we're not on the outside looking in. We're not exactly inside yet, but we're in the doorway (though John Mara keeps trying to push us back outside, the dick...also fun fact, Mara is japanese slang for male genitalia).

[Skins3000]

The other QBs out there aren't very attractive...

Neither is Alex Smith for that matter based on the fact no one is giving him a contract comparable to the one the Niners offered at 3 years 24 million, 10 million guaranteed. I believe Harbaugh believes in his system so Harbaugh feels he needs just a competent qb to get the job done that plays within his capabilities. Those qb's are typically average see Alex Smith that done nothing until Harbaugh's arrival except for one decent year under Norv.

[Riggo#44]

It really sucks to be Cleveland and Miami right now. I mean NO ONE wants to play for Miami -- not Manning, not Flynn, Fisher doesn't want to coach there -- they seem like the 2008 Redskins when the only coach we could get was Zorn.

One of those teams is going to seriously reach for Tannehill in April -- worse than teams reaching for QBs last year.

Mark my words -- the 49ers blew it this offseason. They should have locked up Smith for 2 more years. Instead they are going to do what every team that makes those huge year-to-year jumps: fade back into mediocrity. They still have a fantastic defense, but their offense is going to be even worse next year.

[pjfootballer]

Yup. The QB carousel continues on and on, but we finally are not on it. 9ers could be the team out in the cold this time. Smith leaves for Miami or Cleveland, and the 9ers are stuck with Kaepernick. Might have to reach for Weeden in the first round...

I can see Smith come groveling back to the Niners now that Gerard signed in Miami.

[Hitman21ST]

I can see Smith come groveling back to the Niners now that Gerard signed in Miami.

There's still Cleveland in need of a QB.

[SKINS'n'Spurs]

Per Rotoworld: http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/nfl/230301/football-headlines?r=1&rw=1 Report: 49ers finally re-sign QB Alex Smith
So basically thank god we aren't in the Brown's shoes. And I have a feeling we were pretty close to being there. Thank God for Shanallen...or whatever their combined name is. Best move EVER! Miami has fans picketing in the streets, People are probably just doing what they normally do in Cleveland and Some towns like Philly are thinking about Tebow...We have ducked a nuclear warhead in my opinion