The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the Redskins' wait and see approach to free agency.

They said they were going to be patient, and so far our big free agent haul consists of re-signing backup QB Todd Collins. In years past we would be sitting here talking about at least 2-3 big signings by now and tens of millions of dollars in new contracts.

Are you in favor of this new approach? Or do we wish we were our usual aggressive selves?

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

Agressive spending does not always mean agressive football. I anticipated some spending, however, due to all of the recently re-done contracts.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

I'm 100% supportive of this approach. Especially because the Redskins have a new head coach in place and I don't think they entirely know what to expect yet.

I think they are finally starting to mature in their approach to team building, and realize that a team's core should be built via the draft.

Additionally, I think they have made a decision that the talent in this year's free agency market is lower than previous years - it is a seller's market - and they simply have decided to stand pat. That is just good business.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

I do have a feeling that they are going to be able to go out and sign one top-tier free agent this off season, and that they may find a couple second-tier guys later on in the market period.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

[quote=Mattyk72;427881]Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the Redskins' wait and see approach to free agency.

They said they were going to be patient, and so far our big free agent haul consists of re-signing backup QB Todd Collins. In years past we would be sitting here talking about at least 2-3 big signings by now and tens of millions of dollars in new contracts.

Are you in favor of this new approach? Or do we wish we were our usual aggressive selves?[/quote]

I like the fact that we aren't throwing money around like crazy. But is it a new approach or is it born out of necessity? We have no money to spend. With more draft picks this year than we've had in a while, we need space to sign them. We're just barely under the cap. If we were $15M or so under the cap at 12:01AM yesterday, I find it hard to believe the Danny wouldn't have made a play for a big name. I really don't think there's too much to read into on this one.

As a matter of fact, I'm not even going to agree that this is a new approach. We created this situation by the past contracts we've given players, so here we are.

Now, if there was any year in recent history to be facing no cap room, this is it. Free agency is a poor market this year. Cleo Lemon got $3M a year. Jerry Porter just got a $30M contract. Madieu Williams $33M. Are you kidding me?

My hope is that the Skins find success in 2008 despite not being a big player in FA, and The Danny gets a case in point about why you DON'T always need to back up the Brinks truck every February/March.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

Personally I'm loving the fact that we are sitting here now talking about all these other teams are overpaying but we aren't talking about what free agent the Skins just gave a huge contract to. I hope it stays this way too, it sounds like DS and Vinny have really made progress from their mistakes.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

I have mixed feelings on it. On the one hand yes it's good we're showing some restraints and this does stick with the whole "continuity" flow.

However, we need to improve in several areas and the answers won't all be found in the draft. I like that we're not overspending but I think we still need to get players either via free agency or trades. I think we'll start to get more active later in the week.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

This is the exact approach that I have been screaming for for years now. I only have one problem though, IT IS BORING AS HELL.

As much as I hate overspending for older players i have to admit I would get just as excited as the next guy with each signing. I now find myself listening to my Sirius just hoping they mention the Skins during the 2 min drill and checking NFL.com every hour hoping for something.

It is all for the best....I think solid FA pickups like Rabach and Preilou while not nearly as splashy also go a long way towards strengthening a team. We just have to be patient.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

I think we'll be able to find suitable free agents in the second tier who'll be just as effective as those getting 50mil contracts with 20mil signing bonuses. Our best free agent signings in the last 5 years have been not the big name guys but the solid additions like Griffin and Washington. I am betting by the end of next week we'll see some movement. Probably on a WR and maybe on the OL somehow. But we wont see any 20mil signing bonuses.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

[QUOTE=SmootSmack;427887]I have mixed feelings on it. On the one hand yes it's good we're showing some restraints and this does stick with the whole "continuity" flow.

However, we need to improve in several areas and the answers won't all be found in the draft. I like that we're not overspending but I think we still need to get players either via free agency or trades. I think we'll start to get more active later in the week.[/QUOTE]

My feelings exactly. We will likely get 1 immediate starter and, hopefully, 2-3 more future starters or good backups out of the draft. We likely need 2-3 new starters and 3-4 backups. I like the more reserved approach to free agency, but I don't think the status quo + draftees is going to put us where we need to be.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

One thing I want to applaud Vinny for (so far) is being honest in stating that they weren't going to be super active. I like having a "true" finger on the pulse of the team for once. Zorn is keeping with that idea so far as well.

I do agree it's boring, but being fiscally responsible is. If we can get a DJ Hackett, Bryant Johnson or Drayton Florence (at least 2 out of the 3) I'm going to be a happy camper. I think the offensive line depth can be found in the draft as well as a couple key areas of need.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

I am very happy that we're demonstrating some restraint. I want to see far more emphasis on building this team through the draft. We certainly would have been better off with the two #3 and two #4 picks that were wasted on Lloyd and Duckett.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

Yeah. I am in the SmootSmack, SGG and Malcolm camp. Nice to show restraint, but we do have needs that we probably can't address completely with the draft.

BUT, it is only day 2 of free agency. Briggs is still out along with Florence, Johnson and some others. Hopefully, the reverse of the "win in offseason, lose during the season" is true.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

I thought this was an interesting article, it makes a lot of sense.
[url=http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AoOg96ry15Xi7DytJQ90Wkmb2bYF?slug=ap-redskins-freeagency&prov=ap&type=lgns]Hold the plane: Redskins could sit out 1st days of free agency - NFL - Yahoo! Sports[/url]

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

I guess some just can't believe that the Skins are holding true to their word.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

Spending all the money and draft picks in the world does not matter if they don't produce!

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

[quote=WhereRURiggins;427920]Spending all the money and draft picks in the world does not matter if they don't produce![/quote]

Yeah, and if your Aunt had balls she'd be your Uncle.....but that goes without saying.[IMG]http://www.thewarpath.net/images/icons/icon7.gif[/IMG]

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

I love this fa period so far. I agree w/GMScud though, it's hard to call it a change in philosophy just yet, we did the same thing in 05 & 07 when cap room was limited. The difference is that this year Vinny said in the begginning that it would be a quiet fa.

There are a lot of guys on the market that will come cheap, mainly players released. Question is how much can they contribute? We'll see if the front office can bring in the right ones. Maybe they've been reading the warpath & are enamored w/the vet minimum philosopy of the board!

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

Look where it got us a couple of years ago with Lloyd and Arch. Just build thru the draft and get a couple good solid back ups off of free agency. Look at the Colts of there starters last year they drafted the majority if not all of them.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

[QUOTE=Skins fan 44;427925]Look where it got us a couple of years ago with Lloyd and Arch. Just build thru the draft and get a couple good solid back ups off of free agency. Look at the Colts of there starters last year they drafted the majority if not all of them.[/QUOTE]

Look at the Giants... last year they drafted 8 players, all of which made the final roster. Looks like Danny and Vinny are ready to EARN a ring instead of try to BUY one.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

I just feel that some talent like Moss is can't miss, so we should make a run at him. Plus I think its a great trade market that we should take part in. Lastly I think many agents are upset that we have taken this approach to free agency.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

I think that we picked a pretty good year to sit tight. Last year, we needed to spend to improve. Next year, we will probably want to spent to either rebound or sustain the results of this season.

But this year, we have a QB who isn't quite in his prime yet, a new HC, a defense that is in the process of having younger players replace the aging vets (because we are adding the draftees while keeping the vets on the roster), and a minor rebuilding process on the OL.

All signs point to the goal being to sustain our playoff level of play so that we can ride Campbell when he's a 5th year pro in 2009. By not spending this year, we will have some cap room next year to build the team that might lead Jim Zorn to the top.

Plus we have a roster that [I]could [/I]go further than last year if we get really lucky.

This situation was kinda forced by the cap mess we got into back in 2006, but teams are slowly starting to catch up to us in spending. Taking a year to let them is always a good decision.

The bad is that we are definately letting pass a few guys who could make this team much better, but it does no good if you have to tear it down in two years. We simply aren't close enough to warrant that.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

There are still a couple of guys to restructure that will free up room. If a guy like Briggs or Hackett is still around next week & their price drops considerably, we'll see to what lengths vinny & danny will go to meet their demands.

With J. Smith signing w/SF, I wonder if they've still got another 20mil contract offer for briggs? I have a feeling that his asking price is way too high & that around the league LB is currently a osition w/a lot of parity + other free agents on the market that can do the job, though they're not stars.

If Briggs is willing to drop his price considerably I wonder if the danny will make a move, considering that they tried to trade for him last year. IMO that will be a litmus test for this new approach.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

I believe that VC and DS maybe have learned somewhat from thier past. Vinny has a history with the cap and it's ramifications. Between his days at SF and his time with the Skins he has had some cap numbers blow up in his face. His statment regarding the player working out the full terms of his contract is reassuring. Some of the deals in the past you say to yourself "no way that guy sees year three of that deal, much less year five or six." I see some of the moves that have been made becoming a part of a lower key-higher yield nature. Do not get me wrong. Never a fan of Cerrato in the past. However, listening to him on Riggo's show as of late leads me to believe that he is more grounded in the "value" aspect of a prospect, more than being merely impressed by a name or a breakout season. In short the Skins will have probably two more seasons of this nature before they will put the pressure on Zorn to "make it happen" now that we got the lateset and greatest free agent prospect. I kinda like being the lunchpail Skins again.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

[QUOTE=diehardskin2982;427932]I just feel that [B]some talent like Moss is can't miss[/B], so we should make a run at him. Plus I think its a great trade market that we should take part in. Lastly I think [B]many agents are upset that we have taken this approach to free agency[/B].[/QUOTE]

Really? Ask the Raiders about his can't miss talent. I will agree that he is a top player when everything is going right (i.e. Tom Brady is dishing the ball to him and they run off 18 straight) but the slightest bit of adversity and the guy goes off the deep end (i.e. walking off the field at FEDEX and his entire time in Oakland). Why overpay for a less than sure thing (although we do know he can find his way to the locker room without any directions)

And who gives a crap if agents don't like us because we are no longer the stalking horse. If it means not getting a guy like Briggs because he can't get paid mega-bucks so be it. Last year the guy threatened to sit out. Now that we are no longer pushing the market, he gets a much smaller than expected contract. It just shows how we overpaid in the past and if that means we don't get the next Archuletta and Lloyd, I'm ok with that. Players go where they want to go, not where their agents say. I think it's actually a relief that we aren't a pawn of the agents running up the market for useless players.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

Last year was a wait and see... boom 9-7.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

[QUOTE=redwagonskins;428160]Really? Ask the Raiders about his can't miss talent. I will agree that he is a top player when everything is going right (i.e. Tom Brady is dishing the ball to him and they run off 18 straight) but the slightest bit of adversity and the guy goes off the deep end (i.e. walking off the field at FEDEX and his entire time in Oakland). Why overpay for a less than sure thing (although we do know he can find his way to the locker room without any directions)[/QUOTE]

I think he played hurt most of 2006. But when he was with Oakland in 2005 he was as good as any receiver we've had in a long time.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

[QUOTE=SmootSmack;428176]I think he played hurt most of 2006. But when he was with Oakland [B]in 2005 he was as good as any receiver we've had in a long time.[/B][/QUOTE]

As good as any receiver we've had is not exactly a bench-mark for paying the guy the big $ that he wants as well as taking on the potential baggage. As for 2005 he had 60 catches for 1005 yards and 8 TDs. In comparison, Santana had 84 for 1483 and 9. Laveraneus (in NY) had 73 for 845 and 5 and the year before had 90 for 950 and 1. He does match up with the output of our guys and former guys but I wouldn't pay big $s for any of these guys either.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

Here's my take on it. When we were big players in free agency, the contracts weren't quite as big. We would spend draft picks in order to get proven talent. We massaged the cap pretty well, and it worked. However, our players weren't getting the type of contracts and guarantees players are now. Nate Clements is a good DB, but was he THAT good? The guaranteed money is just too much now.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

[quote=Daseal;428194]Here's my take on it. When we were big players in free agency, the contracts weren't quite as big. We would spend draft picks in order to get proven talent. We massaged the cap pretty well, and it worked. However, our players weren't getting the type of contracts and guarantees players are now. Nate Clements is a good DB, but was he THAT good? The guaranteed money is just too much now.[/quote]Good point. Just because we went hard into the market 2 years ago, and dabbled with a pair of players last year that really no one wanted, doesn't mean we can afford to be players in this market.

I think we kind of knew that 2 years ago, which is why we tried to mass shop at a bargain price. It just turned out that we bought a pair of contributors, and a pair of useless players. Either way, we were going to be in this type of cap situation, but the idea was to have the ability to win a pair of super bowls in 06 and 07.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

honestly I dont really see a "new" approach. All I see is that the Skins are constricted by the cap and some of the big deals they made in the past are gonna start having a bigger impact on the payroll therefore the Skins are conservative because they have to be.

I don't get this hype about a new "style", it seems to be the regular approach constricted.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

[quote=GMScud;427885]I like the fact that we aren't throwing money around like crazy. But is it a new approach or is it born out of necessity? We have no money to spend. With more draft picks this year than we've had in a while, we need space to sign them. We're just barely under the cap. If we were $15M or so under the cap at 12:01AM yesterday, I find it hard to believe the Danny wouldn't have made a play for a big name. I really don't think there's too much to read into on this one.

As a matter of fact, I'm not even going to agree that this is a new approach. We created this situation by the past contracts we've given players, so here we are.

Now, if there was any year in recent history to be facing no cap room, this is it. Free agency is a poor market this year. Cleo Lemon got $3M a year. Jerry Porter just got a $30M contract. Madieu Williams $33M. Are you kidding me?

My hope is that the Skins find success in 2008 despite not being a big player in FA, and The Danny gets a case in point about why you DON'T always need to back up the Brinks truck every February/March.[/quote]

Sorry didnt read the post, but thoughts exactly.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

honestly im really anxious for a decent signing

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

[quote=Meks;428415]honestly im really anxious for a decent signing[/quote]

I'm with ya. I'm wondering if we're really going to sign any decent FAs this year. I wouldn't be totally bummed if we didn't but the draft is forever away. Anxiety's a bitch.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

lol i kno, theres not alot to talk about in the near future unless we make a damn move!

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

maybe the staff feels really comfortable with the players it has?they have to sign another 3rd string qbmol,and anpther few players for depth.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

It could be all three, or not:

1. We don't have the money to spend on the VERY few worthwhile free agents.

2. It's a paradigm shift in Dan and Vinny's philosophy. Probably brought on by Dan's obsession with the media. Don't forget his marketing background.

3. We have a new first time head coach. Coming into a high pressure situation with many high profile players. Taking over for a playoff team. With the caveat in place of needing to take care of [I]some [/I]depth issues, Jim Zorn is sending the message to his new team that he thinks they can get it done. A lot of personel change following a massive coaching shakeup could be a snowball effect straight down to the NFC East cellar.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

I really like this approach. Wait until the dust settles, then the real free agent bargains are available. When I say bargain, I'm talking about comparably talented players for reasonable contracts. Bryant Johnson WR ARI is still available.

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

I'm for it. But the real feelings will show if we lose out on FA WRs Johnson and Hackett and have to possibly reach for a WR in the draft who fans may not be initially sold on...

Re: The Redskins' new approach to free agency
 

We have a good roster and many big contracts already. We're not in the position to sign a Samuels and Clemons like Philly did. Good for them but it does not always work out. What happens when Donovan goes down again and they're screwed?

Giants have not made any big moves either and they won it all.

I think that we can find 2-3 starters or impact players in this years draft that will help us make a playoff / division run in 08'.

We'll be fine.