Biggest Offseason Priority

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 12-07-2004, 11:34 PM

With the Redskins still in the playoff hunt (even if they have to make a 1,000 yard pistol shot to make it), it's early to talk about the offseason. But oh, well here we go.

My priorities are:

#1 Retaining Gregg Williams
#2 Re-signing Fred Smoot
#3 Re-signing Antonio Pierce
#4 Signing a New Center
#5 Signing a Pass-Rushing DE

I know 4 of the 5 priorities are on defense (hardly our weakness), but I strongly believe that Gibbs, Portis, Ramsey, Coles, Jansen, Samuels, Cooley, and Thomas constitute a strong building block to build around. Other than a solid center and some depth around the O-line, I don't think our offense needs anything but time. Offenses need time to develop and we haven't given Gibbs the opportunity to get things squared away on offense.

The defense however, needs continuity. Gregg Williams was undoubtedly the single biggest offseason victory for the 'Skins and we can't afford to lose him. Gibbs' run teams need a solid defense and that's what Williams can deliver.

Smoot is the second offseason priority because he is a locker-room leader, a very solid corner, and I just happen to love (in a plutonic way) the man.

As noted in tomorrow's Washington Post article, Pierce has been a key to transferring Williams' system from the playbook to the field. Without Pierce, I don't think our defense ould be nearly as good against the run; he's been a monster.

A new center is need for obvious reasons; pass rushers have been getting somewhat decent pressure up the gut, and our run blocking has been atrocious. Jansen should help add some credibility to our line but we still need help at center.

Defensive end is not so much a priority as a wish. I'd love to see what our defense would be capable of doing if our linebackers were able to drop back into coverage (which Arrington, Washington, and Pierce are all capable of doing) and we were able to get consistent pressure just from the front four. A guy like Saints' DE Darren Howard (who should become a UFA at season's end with the Saints cap situation and abundance of DEs and DTs) would look really nice next to Cornelius Griffin.

View Poll Results: What is the 'Skins' biggest offseason priority?
Retaining Gregg Williams	46	65.71%
Re-Signing Smoot	17	24.29%
Re-Signing Pierce	0	0%
Signing a run-blocking center	2	2.86%
Signing a pass-rushing DE	3	4.29%
Other	2	2.86%
Voters: 70. You may not vote on this poll

12-07-2004, 11:34 PM	#1
Sheriff Gonna Getcha Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 45 Posts: 8,317	Biggest Offseason Priority With the Redskins still in the playoff hunt (even if they have to make a 1,000 yard pistol shot to make it), it's early to talk about the offseason. But oh, well here we go. My priorities are: #1 Retaining Gregg Williams #2 Re-signing Fred Smoot #3 Re-signing Antonio Pierce #4 Signing a New Center #5 Signing a Pass-Rushing DE I know 4 of the 5 priorities are on defense (hardly our weakness), but I strongly believe that Gibbs, Portis, Ramsey, Coles, Jansen, Samuels, Cooley, and Thomas constitute a strong building block to build around. Other than a solid center and some depth around the O-line, I don't think our offense needs anything but time. Offenses need time to develop and we haven't given Gibbs the opportunity to get things squared away on offense. The defense however, needs continuity. Gregg Williams was undoubtedly the single biggest offseason victory for the 'Skins and we can't afford to lose him. Gibbs' run teams need a solid defense and that's what Williams can deliver. Smoot is the second offseason priority because he is a locker-room leader, a very solid corner, and I just happen to love (in a plutonic way) the man. As noted in tomorrow's Washington Post article, Pierce has been a key to transferring Williams' system from the playbook to the field. Without Pierce, I don't think our defense ould be nearly as good against the run; he's been a monster. A new center is need for obvious reasons; pass rushers have been getting somewhat decent pressure up the gut, and our run blocking has been atrocious. Jansen should help add some credibility to our line but we still need help at center. Defensive end is not so much a priority as a wish. I'd love to see what our defense would be capable of doing if our linebackers were able to drop back into coverage (which Arrington, Washington, and Pierce are all capable of doing) and we were able to get consistent pressure just from the front four. A guy like Saints' DE Darren Howard (who should become a UFA at season's end with the Saints cap situation and abundance of DEs and DTs) would look really nice next to Cornelius Griffin.

Biggest Offseason Priority

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