2013 FA Thread (Updates on OP) New: Merling, Brace, Pashos, Trueblood, EJBig, Tapp, White, Williams, MATTHEWS; Re-up: Rex, Hall, Davis, Paulsen, DY, RJax, Lich, Sundberg, Baker, Sav, Golston, Kehl, Polumbus; Paycuts: Carriker, Moss, BMeri, J. Wilson

[NoCalMike]

We could probably sign a decent CB if we cut someone in exchange.

Also, as far as the TE position goes, if Niles Paul could just hang on to the ball more I think he could surprise folks. He has the physical tools, he is actually faster than I expected. Maybe going into his 2nd year as a TE will see his game jump up. I like Logan Pauslon, but not as the #1 receiving threat at TE.

Also, as far as the Salary cap penalty. Is this a situation that Goodell has the power to step in and reverse? If so, why is he standing idly by when it is obvious this penalty was strategically placed to target NFC East foes as other teams were caught doing the same thing and went un-punished. Does Goodell think it would look bad on him to "meddle" in these types of affairs?

I still am quite confused as to why this penalty was ever held up in the first place.

[brandymac27]

I think the question people need to ask themselves is this; what's more likely? That we win games by relying on our offense, or that we win game by relying on our defense?


Teams like the Bucs and the Rams hindered their quarterbacks development severely by not going out there and investing in putting as much talent as possible around their quarterbaks, as early as possible. I see the sentiment that our offense is "fine" or that it's productive...well, for one, it's a by-product of years with an dynamic offense at all, so now that we have the appearance of one people sort of say "Okay, well that part is fixed."

I don't think our goal should be having an offense that's just fine or productive. I think the goal should be to make our offense as hard to defend as humanly possible, to put as much stress on opposing defenses as possible. You look at the Texans offense in 2009 and 2010, then look at it in 2011 and 2012 where they haven't really spent the money or the draft picks to improve it, and it looks very different.

So I get the idea that we're cap strapped and our secondary is being held together with some duct tape and some chewed gum, but I don't think the focus is going to be just on improving defense.

You make valid points. Personally, I'd love to be in a situation where we can rely on both our offense and defense to help win games, but I know because of the situation we're in financially that's not really realistic. At least not right now.

All I know is I'm glad I don't have to make decisions on who to cut/resign/etc. It seems like an almost impossible task this year, and I have to give a lot of credit to everyone who is involved in making those decisions and making the numbers work.

Honestly, I'm really at the point that I wouldn't care if we didn't sign any FA CB's and just drafted some guys they think can be productive. Even if they don't pan out, our offense will hopefully be set, we can take the lumps on defense this year b/c of the cap, and draft heavy on defense next year.

---------- Post added March-14th-2013 at 01:13 AM ----------

I still am quite confused as to why this penalty was ever held up in the first place.

Aren't we all? Not meant to be a smart ass answer, I just honestly don't think anyone other than Goodell and a few others know why. And if that's the case, I highly doubt the reason(s) will ever be made known to the public.

[thesubmittedone]

If I were one of Lorenzo's now-former teammates, I would call him up and say "Dude...Moss is taking a pay CUT to stay on the team and help with the cap...and he's basically a starter. Think about that..."

---------- Post added March-13th-2013 at 11:36 PM ----------

there's that word "collusion" again

A source with knowledge of the NFL market tells Profootballtalk.com that "multiple teams" plan to wait for the weekend to push for top-shelf free-agent cornerback Sean Smith.
The teams want to go "bargain shopping" after a slow initial 30 hours on the cornerback market. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a top-five free-agent corner, settled for a one-year deal. Chris Houston got an affordable $5 million annually and was a top-seven or eight cornerback. It's fair to wonder if NFL teams are engaging in collusion, avoiding Smith, Aqib Talib, Brent Grimes, and to a lesser extent Keenan Lewis in order to keep their price tags down.

Welp, the morons with the NFLPA can't do crap about it if they are. The NFL clearly pwns them on this matter as proven last year, March 12th, 2012 when those penalties were applied. Good job, fellas.

---------- Post added March-13th-2013 at 11:37 PM ----------

Wow luck is going to have a much improved team.

But he'll be facing a decent schedule this time around. We shall see.

---------- Post added March-13th-2013 at 11:38 PM ----------

Thing is he didn't really "prove it". The best you could say was that he played okay---the fact that he made the Pro Bowl was a huge ****ing joke.

Damnit, and the Colts just raised the prices on Safeties if a guy like Laron can get that much.

[NLC1054]

Am I the only one who wants to try and get Nnamdi and the super cheap?

...I am, aren't I?

[Monk4thaHALL]

I'm with you. We could be more dynamic with a TE of his (healthy) caliber, but we proved its not necessary. Plus, I think he's generally overrated by many here. There are guys I'd draft in the 3rd/4th that could do what he does, make less, and be here long-term without the health questions.

And that's the big point. Get the production for much less the cost.

I too feel like there are a handful of guys in the draft that can come right in and produce, not all of them though. At some point, there's a drop to where Davis would be better, because he after all was a starter level guy in the NFL.

But those draft guys just have to be there into the 3rd and 4th when the Skins select, of course that's a guessing game. The trend has been that TEs do slide on draft day, so that's at least reassuring.

---------- Post added March-14th-2013 at 01:43 AM ----------

Am I the only one who wants to try and get Nnamdi and the super cheap?

...I am, aren't I?

Well he and Alfred could compare really old and "ghetto" cars. Have a competition on who can get the oldest most obscure junker.

[Murphs56]

Am I the only one who wants to try and get Nnamdi and the super cheap?

...I am, aren't I?

I'll tell you one thing, RG III would never allow him eat lunch in his car by himself

[Shiv]

I'll tell you one thing, RG III would never allow him eat lunch in his car by himself

Am I the only one who wants to try and get Nnamdi and the super cheap?

...I am, aren't I?

I'm not against it. It's not like we have a lot to chose from.

[Redskinzfan30]

Am I the only one who wants to try and get Nnamdi and the super cheap?

...I am, aren't I?

I actually wouldn't mind trying to get him especially if he came cheap. Think it's a least worth a shot in hopes he returns to his former self.

[UK SKINS FAN '74]

HTTR24-7.com ‏@HTTR24_7
If you here about players restructuring then get ready for a signing. No need to push money around for nothing.#Redskins

HTTR24-7.com ‏@HTTR24_7
#Redskins have restructures and things lined up to gain cap room. They will do them as needed.

I've been saying this all along. The reality is we didn't want to overpay for the guys like Hall and Lorenzo irrespective of our cap situation.

Yes, cap space may be tight, but I'd say making $10m in additional cap space isn't too difficult for Bruce Almighty.

We're just sitting in at the moment watching the market set it rates,IMO.

[SkinsFanRob]

Right, the penalty hurts but what the front office isn't doing is trying to restructure every contract on the team to free up as much money as possible to make some big moves. They're trying to limit it as best they can to allow for future stability of our cap and avoid being in 'cap hell' in the near future. The NFL screwed us but we're not using it as an excuse to ruin our future years, it'll be rough this off season but once we get past this things will look up.

They really dont have much choice. Its either bite the bullet now or suffer later. In my opinion they are doing the right thing. Re signing the guys who got us the division last year to keep the continuity together. The entire situation sucks. I have such a deep rooted hatred for goodell and mara. It cant be healthy lol.

[AlvinWaltonIsMyBoy]

For some reason, that Marky Mark movie where he goes to an open tryout for the Iggles just crossed my mind.

If Zo complained about "yanking food outta his family's mouth", I wonder what DRC said when he only got a one year deal.

The biggest news in this thread is no more Madoo-doo. Celebrate the small victories fellas. With a haul of Rocca, Trueblood, and Pashos...we're straight ballin'.

[thesubmittedone]

For those getting antsy about everything right now I just wanna remind you, as well as myself, of guys we've developed and ARE developing. I think we need to remember that we've got a lot of guys who have played well for us without previously doing anything much in the NFL. The purpose of this exercise (in futility I'm sure ) is to calm ourselves with the knowledge that there most likely will be quite a few guys to emerge this year. It's happened EVERY YEAR and is continuously happening.

Guys we've drafted or brought in through FA that have developed as Redskins to be bonafide starters

Williams, Riley, Darrel Young, Kerrigan, Jenkins, RG3, Morris, Lichtensteiger, Montgomery, Bowen, Cofield and Carriker (yes, I know, he started with the Rams but was considered a bust there)

Guys we've either drafted or were inherited that developed into productive players who have contributed (some even earning starting jobs) at one point or another

Hankerson, Cousins, Neild, Helu, Gomes, Royster, A. Robinson, Hurt, Paul and Rob Jackson (Hank and Rob could arguably be put in the top list).

Guys we've drafted who have shown potential that we're currently developing

Baker, Crawford, Compton, Lerib, K. Robinson, Gettis and Bernstine.

Keep in mind this list only includes players still on this team. Guys like Anthony Armstrong, Ryan Torain, Banks, Polumbus, etc... who have contributed (albeit for a short period of time) only as Skins were left off. I also left off guys currently on the practice squad. We usually have at least one of those guys surprise us. One just has to look at all of those names there to realize we have a lot to look forward to next year, even if we don't nab a big time FA. We'll find guys and we'll develop them along with ones on our team already. This FO and these coaches can do it.

[sjinhan]

Emmanual Benton ‏@Manny_PPI
RT “@GeoffMosherCSN: CBs Chris Houston, Derek Cox and Greg Toler each got deals around $5M per year. Market starting to set...”

Soo Talib over/under that??

i still think Talib is going to be over and be out of our price range...

more interesting question is... is Hall going to come under or over what these guys are getting? If we can get Hall back here on avg of 3-4 mil per year then i am all for it...

[Murphs56]

i still think Talib is going to be over and be out of our price range...

more interesting question is... is Hall going to come under or over what these guys are getting? If we can get Hall back here on avg of 3-4 mil per year then i am all for it...

I wouldn't mind Hall back but unless this was prearranged between him and Shanahan, I don't think his ego as a former Pro Bowl Corner would allow him to come back

[RWJ]

I think it comes down to Talib. Looking over the news and googling his name, the Redskins are the only team associated with Talib. I THINK in the end he ends up in Washington.