Jay Gruden you are our only hope

[JoeRedskin]

To a certain degree, when it came to the roster, we have been handicapped by the penalty the last couple of years. Going forward, I think BA needs to be held to a higher standard.

With that said, the Luavo signing is the only one I think was a complete wash because better guards for the same price were available. For an amount comparable to what we spent, we could have had Asamoah or Beadles. Both would have been solid additions, particularly Beadles as we was from Denver's zone blocking scheme. At the same time, there wasn't a whole lot of talent out there.

As for Porter & Clark, they were in positions of high demand - particularly Clark. As much as I originally wanted him, glad J.Byrd got his bazillions from someone else. It was frustrating to watch Delmas, Whitner, Ward & Jenkins all go for what seemed affordable contracts. At the same time, between injury concerns, age and prior play, none of these seemed a particular upgrade except possibly Ward. Still wish we had taken a flyer on Delmas, but the others have not demonstrated that the FO's opinion was all that wrong. Bottom line, Clark was the leftover on a pile of warmed over mediocrity.

As for Porter, he was intended to be a cheap slot corner - at most. Never saw him as anything other than competition for the 3rd CB position with no guarantee to even make the roster - that he did speaks volumes for the lack of young depth. Our starters were supposed to be Hall and Amerson. Well, that didn't go as planned. At the same time, Breeland is getting some great experience and next year, our top three should be Amerson, Breeland with (hopefully) Hall coming in as the 3rd CB and/or generic DB depth. I am good with that. Breeland & Amerson as the top 2 going forward makes me really, really happy. Throw in Hall as depth/slot corner and we have a real strength going forward.

To me, it is hard to judge Roberts, I still like him. I think he plays solid and runs good routes - but drops some balls he shouldn't.

Jackson & Hatcher - great & good signings. D.Jax fell into our laps and I am glad BA pounced on it. Hatcher has been very good at times and is part of D that has a lot of solid players but no real playmakers.

We overbid on no one and most of us were pretty happy with that. I am hopeful that in the future we continue to look ot the draft (mainly) for parts, lock up our good young players, and resist the urge to win the offseason. It may not be much, but that is - IMHO - one of the few non-dysfunctional things the team has done lately (UFA frugality) and, hopefully, something that they continue to build.

Better scouting seems to be needed but we have had a lot of mid-round hits of late and (other than potentially RGIII) not a lot of busts (Robinson, Breeland, Alf Mo, Helu).

With all that said, - I just don't know how this team makes it out of the quagmire of "bad team land."