Redskins Making Right Moves So Far

[bulldog]

One can make the argument that PREVIOUS regimes should have taken care of Samuels' contract or not given Coles such a large signing bonus, etc. but so far Gibbs and the Skins have made the right moves:

1. Don't move in and set the market for key skill position players. For too many seasons the Redskins were fresh out of the gate setting an artificially high ceiling on guys like Coles and Randy Thomas and going back in time guys like Stubblefield. Allow the desperate teams to set an inflated pace and then move in and grab a mid-tier receiver or corner at reduced cost. We can see the beginning of this process in bringing in David Patten, a veteran receiver who has made plays to help his team win some big games. But certainly not a player expected to receive a large scale bonus. We can also see this in the club's restraint in rushing to make a deal on bad terms with Fred Smoot or causing a shock wave by offering a guy like Samari Rolle a mega deal

2. Concentrate on the offensive line first. This was one of the clear areas of concern heading into the offseason and acquiring a versatile veteran like Rabach that can start at center or guard is a quality move. The team also completed, perhaps a little belatedly, a contract extension for Chris Samuels to get stability at LT going forward and providing additional cap room to fill other holes. Lastly the team resigned long snapper Ethan Albright, probably the most underrated player on the team. Anyone remember the botched snaps in the 1999 playoff game vs. the Bucs or the Giants botched snaps against San Francisco a couple of years ago? Mistakes on special teams cost teams games.

3. Pass on Antonio Pierce at $6.5 million. The Redskins offered $5.0 million, which to me is fair for a guy who started just one season for the team at age 26. At 6'2 and 230 I have questions about Pierce playing behind a pair of DTs less rugged than the Redskins group of Griffin, Salave'a, etc. Do the Giants have the inside players to protect him in the run game? The other clear factor here is the Redskins already have a large portion of their defensive dollars invested in Marcus Washington and LaVar Arrington. Together with the resigning of Lemar Marshall, the Redskins simply could not responsibly add more to the LB position and not endanger the club's ability to improve depth at CB and DE. There are less expensive options at MLB. I think Gregg Williams will find one.

4. Continue to work the phones and try to finalize a deal for Coles. I don't see any way that Coles can return to this team after his doubts about the staff were made public. Even though he is no Randy Moss or Charles Woodson in terms of clubhouse lawyer and malcontent, his comments obviously haven't sat well with teammates and Coles' selfish wish to both gain his freedom from his contract and ensure recovery of every penny of his bonus money from a new suitor, shows he is a prima donna both about playing time and about the money.

[fwo40]

The only thing that bothers me about the moves is that restructuring Samuels exclusively to be able to deal Coles (absorbing the cap hit) is not a great idea.

Say what you want about Pierce or Smoot, but if we are letting them walk in part b/c we want to have money to deal Coles than that is insane. We won't get fair value for Coles...and we'll be watching two starters on d leave.

You can say what you want about what people are "worth", but in this league what they are worth is going to go up every season. Smoot would've been worth 12-14 just on the free agent pool rolling around again. It's too bad it catches us now....

Use the Samuels money to do more than deal Coles...cause we are going to get screwed on it.

[bulldog]

I don't believe that the Samuels deal was redone exclusively to allow for a Coles trade

I think you will see that once we get nearer the draft and we have the list of free agents the Skins have acquired.

I look at Patten as a guy that can come in and quietly become an effective player for us.

He isn't going to catch 100 passes for 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns, but he will be a dependable receiver on third down, something that Ramsey didn't have in 2004

[Barney B]

Quality post, BDog, as always.

Regarding point #1.
Do you think that the brain trust is taking a page from the Patriots handbook? If so, that could bode well for the future.

Point #4.
While I too would love to see Coles depart, I think it's maybe possible for the Skins to keep him if necessary, for two reasons:

1- He's been called a loner, so that may mean he's not so likely to be affected by any animosity from his teammates. And his teammates won't be affected as much by his presence.

2- Some players have been literally hated by their teammates, and still had productive careers. Mark Gastineau might be the poster boy for this phenomenon, but there've been many.

[RyansRangers]

great points bulldog..

Who needs a #1 wr anyway.. the pats have done well without a #1.. having 4 solid recievers is more valuable

[Danny Montana]

Um, I'm waiting to see what we actually paid Patten. If it's a small contract, then it's a good signing. But it's just as likely at this point that we overpaid for him like we have done all too often in the past.

But I totally agree with you on the Rabach signing and passing on Pierce.

Now I just hope the FO gets over their infatuation with Santana Moss and steers clear of that deal.

[TXREDSKINS44]

Great points Bulldog!! You made me feel alot better!!

[garg8050]

I agree with most of what you said. It took Gibbs and the coaching staff one FULL offseason to really understand how todays NFL works. Last year, the coaches pretty much got every player on their wish list (and one player we all wished they hadn't gotten...). This year, they seem to realize that you can only spend so much money at certain positions and that a BUDGET is necessary. If that means losing 'core' Redskins, then so be it.

I like the signings of Rabach and Patten. I would like to get something in return for Coles though I'm not sold on Moss. I would rather get a late 1st round pick or even early 2nd round pick. That would give us enough ammunition (#9, late 1st/early 2nd round pick and Gardner) to make the necessary moves and get one of the top 2 WR's. Of course, all of that is assuming the coaching staff considers Edwards and Williams worthy of a pick that high.

[SkinsHokieFan]

Patten=Irving Fryar

[Dead Money]

What did someone ban the chicken-littles from this thread? Nice post BD and good points. I too will wait to pass any judgement until the contract figures are revealed. I do believe in veteran, blue collar types and hope that is what we got.

[Phat Hog]

Good post bulldog. We’ve gotten so used to being the highest bidder for the biggest bull that we have forgotten about how to build a team. You don’t need a monster at every position…just disciplined players that can play their part in making this a winning team. Seems that the FO has also learned a lesson from their free-spending ways – let’s decide what a player is worth, and stick to our self imposed ‘budget’. If a team wants to overspend, let it not be the Redskins anymore – we have learned all to well that it does not translate into winning seasons.

Hail to the Redskins!

[Awesome]

I say we keep Coles. It's not in the Skins best interests to move him. It's unfortunate that Nunyo had to be such a scoop-getter on that one b/c you gotta believe players request to be released all the time and it doesn't get leaked.
No, you keep Coles, toe, attitude and all, and make him earn that money we paid him. and he will, he's too proud and competitive not to.

[Bat~man]

great post bulldog , i feel a little better about this signing i wasnt kinda unsure , i wanna see what we paid as well but i htink he can be solid here for a bit til we get this franchise straight again