Leroy Hill A Free Agent!!

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Swinging Rak to LB would just increase his bust risk IMHO...it's not smart to throw a ton at a rookie. Keep his hand in the dirt all year...like GT said probably at RDE but if Rak can bulk up a bit and become for stout against the run I want to see him at LDE.

Exactly. As a rookie, we should only ask him to play one position, and at this time, that postion should be DE.

[Superman13732]

Here is something to mull over: "According to Sando, Seahawks coach Jim Mora spoke with Hill on Sunday morning, and the linebacker seemed "shook up" and "disappointed" at the team's decision to withdraw the tag. It's possible that Hill's agent Todd France may be able to draw some nice offers from other teams, but the original offer that the Seahawks made of $36 million over six years is unlikely to be matched, and the $8.3 million tender Hill would've earned under the franchise tender is a pipe dream at this point."

[Superman13732]

Originally Posted by Superman13732

Here is something to mull over: "According to Sando, Seahawks coach Jim Mora spoke with Hill on Sunday morning, and the linebacker seemed "shook up" and "disappointed" at the team's decision to withdraw the tag. It's possible that Hill's agent Todd France may be able to draw some nice offers from other teams, but the original offer that the Seahawks made of $36 million over six years is unlikely to be matched, and the $8.3 million tender Hill would've earned under the franchise tender is a pipe dream at this point."

This is the part I kind of liked... he will probably still be out of our range though. I like him because he is a somewhat proven young guy.

[GTripp0012]

It generally pisses me off that the franchise tag is viewed as a negative. Your salary is going to be insane for one year, and then you can get even more money the next year. The only negative is that you bear the risk for career threatening injury. But, since you've only been responsible for that during the entire rookie contract, I just don't get it.

Signing the tender is free money. And the agents recommend that the player not do it. It's nonsensical.

[Superman13732]

"After a year off, Daniel Snyder's back to flirting with the biggest names he can find. He was successful in acquiring Albert Haynesworth, who should help strengthen a pass rush that had only 24 sacks a year ago, as well as a rush defense that, according to our adjusted line yards statistic, ranked 28th against runs up the middle. Expect to see Haynesworth combine with defensive ends Andre Carter and Brian Orakpo, their first-round pick, on the same style of stunts and twists Haynesworth employed with Kyle Vanden Bosch in Tennessee.

Unfortunately, his arrival meant the end of Jason Taylor's short stint in Washington, depriving the Redskins of their most fancied pass rusher. The Redskins also cut injury-riddled linebacker Marcus Washington and don't have an obvious replacement; that should be their biggest hole in 2009, and one that teams will exploit with passes to their tight ends.

Snyder and GM Vinny Cerrato then went after both Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez unsuccessfully, despite the fact that Jason Campbell's improved his completion percentage, threw for more touchdowns and decreased his interception percentage in each of his three seasons as the Redskins' quarterback. The only offensive change they made was swapping out veteran guard Pete Kendall for former Redskin Derrick Dockery, a cap casualty in Buffalo. Dockery is a better pass blocker than Kendall, which should help curb Campbell's one noticeable flaw, his rising sack rate."

There is another interesting quote from ESPN, not sure it applies to this thread, but what the hell it mentioned linebacker as our weakness.

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by Superman13732

There is another interesting quote from ESPN, not sure it applies to this thread, but what the hell it mentioned linebacker as our weakness.

But they are right, we do not have an ideal replacement for MW.. Redskins were just trying to find someone to fill in the gap, that's all.. Beside Rocky's knee is questionable.. When Rocky's knee holds up, he's great player but when it is not, his productivity decreases.. Only solid LBs we have are Fletcher (he's aging, as well) and Blades, they both are small sized..

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by GridIron26

But they are right, we do not have an ideal replacement for MW.. Redskins were just trying to find someone to fill in the gap, that's all.. Beside Rocky's knee is questionable.. When Rocky's knee holds up, he's great player but when it is not, his productivity decreases.. Only solid LBs we have are Fletcher (he's aging, as well) and Blades, they both are small sized..

Short...London and Blades are short. They are the heaviest of the LB corp and actually heavier than most at their position league-wide. It's a disadvantage in coverage but otherwise i think the guys w/ this kind of stature/build are very well suited MLB cuz they can absorb a ton of tackles and punishment.

...btw in all this searching for a SLB has Fincher not even been considered. He was as impressive in pre-season as anyone on the roster...even more impressive actually. Why not give him a shot?

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Short...London and Blades are short. They are the heaviest of the LB corp and actually heavier than most at their position league-wide. It's a disadvantage in coverage but otherwise i think the guys w/ this kind of stature/build are very well suited MLB cuz they can absorb a ton of tackles and punishment.

...btw in all this searching for a SLB has Fincher not even been considered. He was as impressive in pre-season as anyone on the roster...even more impressive actually. Why not give him a shot?

Yes, you are right.. Fletcher and Blades re heavy but like you said, they both are suited to play MLB.. Other than Rocky, we have no proven LB.. This does not mean I advocate us to find a LB such as signing free agent LB (Hill and Foote comes in the mind).. I'm all for giving Fincher a chance for the spot at SLB.. Or whoever else roster who has a shot at that position..

All I am saying is that they are right - as of right now, our LBs corp are not strong until one of our players like Fincher or others prove they can be starter..

[Superman13732]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Short...London and Blades are short. They are the heaviest of the LB corp and actually heavier than most at their position league-wide. It's a disadvantage in coverage but otherwise i think the guys w/ this kind of stature/build are very well suited MLB cuz they can absorb a ton of tackles and punishment.

...btw in all this searching for a SLB has Fincher not even been considered. He was as impressive in pre-season as anyone on the roster...even more impressive actually. Why not give him a shot?

See what happens with Fincher in the Pre-season, but I'm still not sold on him or blades.


Anyone remember when it was Lavar, Pierce, and Washington? Sigh, those were the days.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by Superman13732

See what happens with Fincher in the Pre-season, but I'm still not sold on him or blades.


Anyone remember when it was Lavar, Pierce, and Washington? Sigh, those were the days.

Yeah those days were special...too bad that unit wasn't kept together longer. I think our defense can be elite w/o getting a guy like Hill but it requires 1) the return of Marcus and a resurgent season from one of my favs or 2) a real surprise from someone currently on the roster. I think we know what we'll get from Blades...good solid play but not a gamechanger. Thomas is a backup and spot-starter at WLB probably...maybe he surprises but i doubt it. Fincher and Wilson are wildcards. Wilson has better size but honestly I don't expect anything from him. Fincher is Marcus Washington Jr from what I can tell. Brings that rare intensity and passion to the game however he's a bit smaller and probably lacking some talent. Again I'd like to see us keep Blades in the middle...subbing for London if we ever pull way out ahead in a game. Hopefully Marcus is back and Fincher can get some time in the regular season.

[skins89moss]

Originally Posted by GridIron26

But they are right, we do not have an ideal replacement for MW.. Redskins were just trying to find someone to fill in the gap, that's all.. Beside Rocky's knee is questionable.. When Rocky's knee holds up, he's great player but when it is not, his productivity decreases.. Only solid LBs we have are Fletcher (he's aging, as well) and Blades, they both are small sized..

I hate to bust some Redskins fans bubble but Marcus Washington was on the decline last season. We will miss his leadership and enthusiasm but his skills in pass coverage was awful. I still got the away Dallas game win he got beat bad on a Jason Witten TD. That play showed he has no business out their in pass situations. How much do you pay him to play 2 downs?

[The Goat]

Fin