O-Line Edition: Free Agency and the Draft

[Lotus]

Don't forget that June 1 cuts may leave us with viable RT, ILB, and S candidates. And by that time we might have more cap space back via appeal.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Lotus

Don't forget that June 1 cuts may leave us with viable RT, ILB, and S candidates. And by that time we might have more cap space back via appeal.

The way agents structure deals these days kills June 1 as a meaningful cut date. I suppose cap-strapped teams like the Cards, Steelers, and Jets might cut a guy or two after that date, but contracts are being written to include roster guarantees within a week of the league year beginning. Those clauses are just being written in to prevent teams from holding onto a guy for three additional months if they know he's not going to be back.

The Raiders and Kam Wimbley are a great example. Under the prior CBA, Wimbley would have either been a June 1 cut, or would have been paid a roster bonus by the Raiders. But now agents are smart enough to pull that option away from the team, and force a decision in March.

The only position where June 1 still might matter is with quarterbacks who get $20 million+ signing bonuses and then have a disaster season that causes the team to find someone else one year into the contract. But it has to be a position or a player who the team is making a significant financial committment to. Like, for example, if Peyton Manning were to be horribly ineffective in 2012.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Evilgrin

Tulloch is still available at ilb, and he's good, but fletch is better. I don't get why we overspend either, but really I think the only 2 overspent contracts are Carriker & Garçon. I feel like they could have kept Carriker for half that contract. Was someone else high on Carriker?

Carriker's contract was market value, and essentially boils down to about 1 year/4 million or 2 years/7 million. That's a starters salary, and Carriker is more of a priority backup in both skill and on our depth chart, but it's a team-friendly contract. Team friendly (when I use it) basically just asks two questions: 1) can the team get away from the contract one year in without significant cap implication, and 2) are there enough cheap years on the back end where the team might actually want to hold onto the player at the terms agreed upon. In Carriker's case, the answer to both questions is yes (although he holds an option to get out of the contract after one year).

Garcon's contract was market value as well, but the Redskins bought in a sellers market, and bought an asset that was priced like a top receiver (like Sidney Rice a year before), despite the obvious difference that Garcon has never played like Sidney Rice did in 2009.

If you can stomach it, you can look and see what Seattle got for their investment in a no. 1 receiver a year ago:

Sidney Rice NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

And keep in mind that Garcon has not yet proved he can perform at that level, although he also hasn't missed significant time with injury.

The way the receiver market is these days, you have to be able to draft and develop, or you need to be able to pluck good ones in trades (like we did with Gaffney). You can't use the free agent market. It's just pissing your cap dollars into the sewer.

That goes for Tampa Bay and Jacksonville as well, obviously.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Carriker's contract was market value, and essentially boils down to about 1 year/4 million or 2 years/7 million. That's a starters salary, and Carriker is more of a priority backup in both skill and on our depth chart, but it's a team-friendly contract. Team friendly (when I use it) basically just asks two questions: 1) can the team get away from the contract one year in without significant cap implication, and 2) are there enough cheap years on the back end where the team might actually want to hold onto the player at the terms agreed upon. In Carriker's case, the answer to both questions is yes (although he holds an option to get out of the contract after one year).

Garcon's contract was market value as well, but the Redskins bought in a sellers market, and bought an asset that was priced like a top receiver (like Sidney Rice a year before), despite the obvious difference that Garcon has never played like Sidney Rice did in 2009.

If you can stomach it, you can look and see what Seattle got for their investment in a no. 1 receiver a year ago:

Sidney Rice NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

And keep in mind that Garcon has not yet proved he can perform at that level, although he also hasn't missed significant time with injury.

The way the receiver market is these days, you have to be able to draft and develop, or you need to be able to pluck good ones in trades (like we did with Gaffney). You can't use the free agent market. It's just pissing your cap dollars into the sewer.

That goes for Tampa Bay and Jacksonville as well, obviously.

Pretty astute observation IMO. Every SB team going back to 2002 fits the bolded, with the probable exception in Tampa (2003).

[Bubba305-ST21-]

lofton is still out there too

[SBXVII]

How do we know the plan isn't to draft a RT in the 3RD?

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

How do we know the plan isn't to draft a RT in the 3RD?

For that I'd nominate the following.

Brandon Mosley - Auburn
Levy Adcock - Oklahoma State


And possibly the cream of the potential third round crop, Andrew Datko - Florida State

"Not a mauler. Lacks lower body strength to drive blocks. Will leave his feet on occasion and fails to finish a bit too often. However, he is a very effective zone-run blocker. Has a quick first step and does an outstanding job with his blocking angles. Consistently gets into position and plays with good balance in the run game. Is a technician in the run game. Shows some upper body power. Very good awareness in space and consistently hits the moving target. "

Datko actually reminds me of Eric Winston's situation coming out of college. Tons of talent, but injury concerns led to him falling.

[mbedner3420]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

How do we know the plan isn't to draft a RT in the 3RD?

I thought we determined we traded up for kalil?

[Kope]

what I have been pondering since FA started and our lack of attention to the line is:

What if after reviewing the tape the coaches we happy with the opportunities created by the line? 5 of 6 games to end the year we had a 100yard rusher, I cant remember the last time we ran that well over that many games (the playoff run when Portis stepped up?). This to me is the first real sign that our offense is starting to click....could we be approaching the fabled continuity?

What if they were very unhappy with how the skill players took advantage of those opportunites?

I think you would have an off season that looks not different that this. I still think we will address the line, but maybe not the total revamp a lot of folks are calling for. This line of thinking also reduces the suprise if TW is traded for draft position.

[T.O.Killa]

I think that everyone is forgetting, we have three RT candidates on our roster now. Tyler did a pretty good job for us, in the games he played in. He is also 27 this year. Willie Smith also did a good job. I think in the four games the were in, they gave up 12 sacks. 2 a game. That was pretty good considering they played the best pass rushers in the game. Not to mention, we are paying a guy 6 million dollars this year that is on the roster. If he is finally healthy, he could be the answer.

[30gut]

Originally Posted by T.O.Killa

I think that everyone is forgetting, we have three RT candidates on our roster now...

See post #123
We know there are inhouse candidates but I would hope the FO aims for a more certain solution and upgrade at the RT position.
Afterall we have our franchise QB to protect.

[MTK]

Still holding out hope Brown can get back to form. If not we have some decent depth behind him.

[T.O.Killa]

What the Redskins need is a couple of young C/G prospects. Sign a couple low level free agents and Drft one. I like Mo Hurt, I hope he continues to improve and another gaurd to replace Cook. I also, believe that Brown can have a good season. I like where the line is and think we are in good position to build it thru the draft.

[MTK]

Hurt is definitely an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on. I'd be surprised if we don't draft another lineman or two this year.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Hurt is definitely an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on. I'd be surprised if we don't draft another lineman or two this year.

I don't know why but I have this ominous feeling of us drafting a CB or a LB with our 3rd round pick this year. Maybe even a TE.