Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

[url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/]Redskins Insider[/url]

Mark Maske reports that Vinny Cerrato spoke at the combine this afternoon and is promising a quiet free-agency period. According to Mark, Cerrato said: "Our cap situation is okay. I just think there's a limited number of guys in free agency. The price of what guys are going to be paid is astronomical. I don't foresee us being a big player. It'll be a shock to some, but I don't see us being a big player in free agency. I don't think Dan's plane will be getting fired up and ready to go. I just think it'll be a quiet start to free agency for us."

On Cartwright: "Rock was a very productive player for us. I think he wants to see what his value is on the open market."

On Collins, "I think he wants to see what's out there. I think he wants to see if there's an opportunity for him to be a starting quarterback. If not, I think he's very open to coming back."

On Springs: "I think we're on the same page with Shawn."

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

That's just like the V-man...right when he gets all the juice he shuts down Redskin One. What the hell are we supposed to do in March?

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

I dont think Cartwright will do well in the FA, so thats why I think he will be back if not this season, next season.

As far as a quiet FA goes, that is great news IMO. building through the draft is the best bet. I do hope we go after at least a couple middle-sized-named FA's to help develop our team in the WCO. We have a former QB coach at the head of a team with a great young QB who has tons of potential, we have a team that made the playoffs two of the past three years, and there is alot of great talent out there in the draft. I think we are going to be okay without having to sign every huge name FA out there in hopes of buying a SB ring. I feel kinda bad for the youngsters on this site. thats all they know and will be outraged by this thread.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

we need to go get vilma

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

[QUOTE=goingdeep;425315]we need to go get vilma[/QUOTE]
Why and where would he play? He's a MLB, we just spent $$ on Fletcher last offseason and he was our defensive MVP and we drafted Blades to back him up/replace him.. I don't see how he's a fit anywhere..

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

There are some nice players on the trade market. I we get that coveted wideout

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

[quote=sbaughone;425313]That's just like the V-man...right when he gets all the juice he shuts down Redskin One. What the hell are we supposed to do in March?[/quote]


Wear green

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

Read this article last night & almost put it in a new thread. Guess I was too tired and/or lazy. Thanks for starting this Matty.

surprised that it wasn't up earlier, this is the most "news" we've had since Zorn was hired. It's he & Vinny's first real take on the roster & offseason.

It sounds good to me & I think you have to believe Vinny for the most part. They might be still plotting on one big move, but cap realities would dictate maybe 1 big signing or a couple mid to low level salary fa's, similar to last year.

Think back to years past, by this time w/just under a week before fa starts, there would already be reports of who the Skins were going to sign, and they often came true. Other than the CJ rumor, there hasn't been any consistent reporting on who the skins might covet, just speculation from the outside.

Vinny, Zorn & Danny seem to be on the right track so far. I'm encouraged.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

[quote=Paintrain;425321]Why and where would he play? He's a MLB, we just spent $$ on Fletcher last offseason and he was our defensive MVP and we drafted Blades to back him up/replace him.. I don't see how he's a fit anywhere..[/quote]You took the words out of my mouth. With Fletcher starting and Blades providing depth, we have far more pressing needs than at MLB.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

[url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7831916?MSNHPHMA]FOX Sports on MSN - Jay Glazer - Sources: Cowboys land LB Thomas[/url]

Just saw where zack thomas is going to the cowturds. How can he do this? I thought free agency period has not started.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

[quote=Skins fan 44;425348][URL="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7831916?MSNHPHMA"]FOX Sports on MSN - Jay Glazer - Sources: Cowboys land LB Thomas[/URL]

Just saw where zack thomas is going to the cowturds. How can he do this? I thought free agency period has not started.[/quote]Perhaps there's a distinction between FAs whose contracts have expired and those who have been released. I believe that Thomas was released last week, so perhaps he was then free to sign with anyone immediately.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

[quote=SouperMeister;425358]Perhaps there's a distinction between FAs whose contracts have expired and those who have been released. I believe that Thomas was released last week, so perhaps he was then free to sign with anyone immediately.[/quote]

correct, teams have sole negotiating rights w/their players until 2/29 (start of free agency). If they release them, they release negotiating rights.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

This decision stems more from the lack of ability to be active in FA due mainly to cap restraints.

Cerrato spoke of the astronomical amounts being paid to FA's, that has never seemed to be a deterrent in the past, we're faced with a situation that offeres little other choice.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

[quote=Longtimefan;425382]This decision stems more from the lack of ability to be active in FA due mainly to cap restraints.

Cerrato spoke of the astronomical amounts being paid to FA's, [B]that has never seemed to be a deterrent in the past[/B], we're faced with a situation that offeres little other choice.[/quote]

It started to be a deterrent last year with how FA deals absolutely blew up sky high. It will probably be more of the same this year.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

[quote=Longtimefan;425382]This decision stems more from the lack of ability to be active in FA due mainly to cap restraints.

Cerrato spoke of the astronomical amounts being paid to FA's, that has never seemed to be a deterrent in the past, we're faced with a situation that offeres little other choice.[/quote]

You may be right, but you also mention "that has never seemed to be a deterrent in the past" implying that we signed players for big $ in the past when common fiscal sense would dictate otherwise.

Obviously they're limited by the cap, but I think all here could agree that if Danny et al wanted to find cap space to sign somebody they would. Perhaps I'm wrong, but wasn't it pointed out by Schneed & Crazy Canuck that cutting Daniels, Griffin & Springs would free up some space?

I'm trying to look on the bright side & view this as a true sign of change. If they're keeping some vets in leiu of signing some free agents, that's one up for continuity.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;425388]It started to be a deterrent last year with how FA deals absolutely blew up sky high. It will probably be more of the same this year.[/QUOTE]


I remember, and I actually hope we continue to operate along these lines for the foreseeable future.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

also meant to add that maybe Danny & Vinny watched some of the big signings last year, e.g. 49ers, and see that it worked no better for them either. In addition, the Skins got great value out of a number of players this past season that were draft picks, undrafted or relatively inexpensive free agents.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

looks like it going to be all draft this year bad ofseason and season!!!!!

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

[quote=goingdeep;425952]looks like it going to be all draft this year bad ofseason and season!!!!![/quote]


and you are basing this on??????????????????????

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

From our good....friend Peter King:

7. The Redskins are telling agents they're not going to overpay in free-agency this year, which would take an incredibly valuable stalking horse away from the market. We'll see how long this lasts, but I hear Washington has put a number on its top free agents, and if the Skins are outbid, they will be willing to let them go rather than up the ante. Bad news for agents. Great news for teams who hate Dan Snyder paying jillions for the Brandon Lloyds of the world.

-----------------------------------------
I'm really starting to think that Cerrato is starting to become a positive influence on Synder. It also looks like he learned a thing or two from Gibbs about picking players and building a team. I will say that the way he came to power was sketchy, but the guy seems to be doing a good job of balancing between what his coaches want and doing whats best for the team.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

I really dont see us signing that many free agents to begin with maybe 3 or 4 but nothing spectacular. I dont even see us landing Briggs anymore

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

I like it. I don't think we need more than 1 to 3 low-key free agent acquisitions.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

I love this path the Redskins are taking! Let other teams overpay for aging veterans and lets stock up on draft choices and low to mid-tier free agents. Yes Drew Rosenhaus and other agents hate this, but how many times have the Skins paid through the roof and been burned with massive signing bonuses and loss of draft picks for average play? Redskin fans - this is a great thing I think the Redskins need to get away from "winning the offseason free agency title" as much as possible. Signing high price vets strains your cap, hurts the teams ability to sign descent depth, and also makes retaining your own talent harder when you throw more money on outside free agents. Let Redskin One sit idle on the runway at the start of free agency when all the stupid contracts are being signed and than go after the midlevel guys and stick to the draft to build the team.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

Doing this now also is good for a not so obvious reason: It allows them to have the cap room to spend on a free agent in a future season if they are totally enamored with the guy.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

Off subject, but does anybody know when [I]ESPN's NFL Live[/I] is airing the redskins version of their current series, [I]32 Teams in 32 Days[/I]

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

Call me crazy but maybe Vinny and Danny have actually learned something. Whenever we've had "quiet" offseasons we've made the playoffs... while whenever we've gone crazy in free agency it's resulted in losing seasons.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

[quote=JParis3420;426022]Off subject, but does anybody know when [I]ESPN's NFL Live[/I] is airing the redskins version of their current series, [I]32 Teams in 32 Days[/I][/quote]


go in order of the draft i forgot who they had yesterday but the way they are doing it is in the order of the draft

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

[quote=Mattyk72;426096]Call me crazy but maybe Vinny and Danny have actually learned something. Whenever we've had "quiet" offseasons we've made the playoffs... while whenever we've gone crazy in free agency it's resulted in losing seasons.[/quote]


You're crazy[IMG]http://www.thewarpath.net/images/icons/icon12.gif[/IMG] But that is a very good point that more people need to realize.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

We'll see what they do. Does anyone actually have a list of all "hot" free agents by team and position?

Who is out there at CB besides Samuels?

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

[quote=GTripp0012;426021]Doing this now also is good for a not so obvious reason: It allows them to have the cap room to spend on a free agent in a future season if they are totally enamored with the guy.[/quote]

Good point, that's the way the Pats & hate to say, Cowpokes, have done it in recent years. Use free agency to add those 1 or 2 guys that put your team up there.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

[url=http://www.footballsfuture.com/freeagents.html]2008 NFL Free Agents[/url]

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

[QUOTE=EARTHQUAKE2689;426106][url=http://www.footballsfuture.com/freeagents.html]2008 NFL Free Agents[/url][/QUOTE]

Thanks. Seems like Snyder laying low is a product of weak free agents. Kawika Mitchell would be a nice problem to have!

With not many CB's Florence prie tag may shoot up. He did lose his job to a very nasty player so he would be a great pickup.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

I realize this is a ridiculous conspiracy theory but I get this feeling that they are holding back on free agency because they want to have room for a new coach next year to play around with the roster and go after whoever he may need at that time. Ok lemme backtrack for a moment, I think that the front office will give zorn a chance to succeed and if he doesn't greatly exceed expectations they will demote him to OC and then maybe chase a dream candidate (like say Bill Cowher who will be ready to come out of retirement).

I know there are a lot of if's in this thought process but something about the whole coaching search and the way things are shaking out just seems so unsettling to me.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

I believe it when I see it.. WHen Dan snyder see's how fast people are trying to scoop up FA's he wont be able to stand still.

And as for Vilma, he can play OLB as well.. S ohe could provide depth and he wouldnt cost ANYTHING near BRiggs wanted.. I think as long as you make smart signs, you will be okay.. as long as we let him play this year and dont offer him a new contract right away we can check out his play and then , if he is cut the jets will have already absorbed that hit and we wouldn't be so bad off. but Vilma is nasty, I dont see that being a problem.. He has just came off a leg surgery, that's the only thing.

Re: Cerrato: Skins won't be a big player in free agency
 

[quote=QBall;426101]We'll see what they do. Does anyone actually have a list of all "hot" free agents by team and position?

Who is out there at CB besides Samuels?[/quote]

[URL="http://was.scout.com/a.z?s=71&p=9&c=12&nid=83&lnid=83&yr=2008"]Scout.com: 2008 NFL Free Agency Rankings[/URL]

[URL="http://was.scout.com/a.z?s=71&p=9&c=12&yr=2008&nid=83&lnid=83&rc=16&pid=30"]Scout.com: 2008 NFL Free Agency CB Rankings[/URL]