Core of the Redskins problem: Greed

[Drift Reality]

Originally Posted by djdunick

DriftReality,

I couldn't agree with you more on most of your assessment. Bringing in free agents and paying big money to outsiders does have a demoralizing effect on your psyche. Plus chemistry always takes time. It's kind of like bringing in contractors to do your work (I'm a Gov Tech Lead and hate to bring in 'hired guns' to do your work but that's the govt' way, I digress). Cultivating draft picks is a much more long term successful way to build a Super Bowl Champ but this owner doesn't get it after 7 years. Is he insane or what. He keeps making the same mistake over and over. That's the definition of insanity. On top of the emotional effect all the free agents have on the team people are out of position at times. Free Agency should be a supplement to your team to fill gaps not a way to build your entire team.

PS. - That was a cheap shot and uncalled for; dealing out the racial card when comparing Taylor and Archuletta.

DJdunick, thanks for your perspective. I think most of us in the professional world realize what it would be like to bust your ass and then have management bring someone else in when you were up for a promotion.

I'm sorry if you felt the race issue was out of order. I thought about whether or not to include the point and ultimately, I honestly felt that it was accurate. I think we would have to be wearing blinders if we were to feel as though race is not a factor in professional sports today. I'm not saying it is right, but I feel that it is a reality.

Whenever they talk about the black/white issue at quarterback, it seems as though players are always being quoted on how the NFL attempts to turn black athletic quarterbacks into other positions. Don't you think that race must play an issue across the field?

[MTK]

I know we all want answers but this thread is really digging for something that isn't there. I think it's really dangerous to start throwing around the race card and insinuating that players are upset with what other players are making. This sort of speculation is a little over the top in my opinion. Let's get back to some of the more likely issues we're struggling. Adjusting to a new offense, no offensive identity, injuries, etc.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I know we all want answers but this thread is really digging for something that isn't there. I think it's really dangerous to start throwing around the race card and insinuating that players are upset with what other players are making. This sort of speculation is a little over the top in my opinion. Let's get back to some of the more likely issues we're struggling. Adjusting to a new offense, no offensive identity, injuries, etc.

I disagree with the race issue. However, I don't buy that fe agent additions don't hurt. Look at the Yankees, they don't win cause they don't have chemistry. It's kinda the same situation. Hell, baseball's hardly a team game. The Skins have to be on the same page or they get exploited. With constant turnover in the roster, you can't tell me that doesn't hurt.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by jdlea

I disagree with the race issue. However, I don't buy that fe agent additions don't hurt. Look at the Yankees, they don't win cause they don't have chemistry. It's kinda the same situation. Hell, baseball's hardly a team game. The Skins have to be on the same page or they get exploited. With constant turnover in the roster, you can't tell me that doesn't hurt.

We didn't have that much turnover this year. We have two new starters defensively. That shouldn't tear a defense apart.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

We didn't have that much turnover this year. We have two new starters defensively. That shouldn't tear a defense apart.

There are a lot of guys hurt right now, so there were 3 on the line yesterday, 2 in the defensive backfield and kinda 1 in the linebacking core. When you lose Springs and add a guy who can't cover it's gonna hurt. I think Springs getting back would help...a lot. However, Clark was much better in coverage than Archuleta and they were fine against the run last year, so why replace him?

[MTK]

Originally Posted by jdlea

There are a lot of guys hurt right now, so there were 3 on the line yesterday, 2 in the defensive backfield and kinda 1 in the linebacking core. When you lose Springs and add a guy who can't cover it's gonna hurt. I think Springs getting back would help...a lot. However, Clark was much better in coverage than Archuleta and they were fine against the run last year, so why replace him?

GW obviously sees AA as an upgrade. It's not like Clark was an all-pro or something. He's an average DB in this league. Do you really think having Clark right now would make them an entirely different defense?

Our front seven was shredded yesterday and hasn't held up well all season. You can't pin that on AA.

[Drift Reality]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

We didn't have that much turnover this year. We have two new starters defensively. That shouldn't tear a defense apart.

Matty, I think it goes deeper than what is on paper. I think there is a culture of a team, just like there is a culture at work - and that culture seeps into everything that happens. It is not only about the two new defensive starters, but it is all about the starters we don't have - guys who have come from nothing and really busted their asses but when it comes time to get paid, the Redskins are looking at other players with greater marquee value.

I think it is the culture that is at stake here.

[djdunick]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I. Adjusting to a new offense, no offensive identity, injuries, etc.

MattyK,

New Orleans has a new QB, coach etc. and they look like they're playoff bound. Big money free agents don't have the incentive that hungry players do and not just the money aspecet the chemistry aspect is crucial. Constant upheaval is not good. And as Shawn Springs was saying they're too soft, they don't have people who want to hit people in the mouth.

[Drift Reality]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I know we all want answers but this thread is really digging for something that isn't there. I think it's really dangerous to start throwing around the race card and insinuating that players are upset with what other players are making. This sort of speculation is a little over the top in my opinion. Let's get back to some of the more likely issues we're struggling. Adjusting to a new offense, no offensive identity, injuries, etc.

I think it is a really touchy subject and I thought long and hard before I wrote and posted it to this thread.

To be honest, NFL players (just like any other professionals) are very competitive about their salaries. I also think that race is a huge issue in the NFL, as well as in the general landscape. Now, I firmly do not believe the signing of Archuleta had much to do with race, but do I believe that some players might view it that way? Yes.

Is Sean Taylor already upset about his contract? Yes.

Do many of the Redskins feel that their personnel strategy favors outside free agents? Yes.

When people feel like they aren't getting their due, do they have a habit of looking for reasons to be bitter? Yes!

That's all I'm saying.

[JWsleep]

I'm throughly tired of the Snyder angle. Look, we can't have it both ways here: Gibbs is team president, head coach, the face of the skins, and intemately involved with EVERY decision the team makes, at pretty much every level. Snyder is an easy target becuase we won under JKC, Snyder came in, and we haven't won. Plus, his style rubs lots of people the wrong way. But do you REALLY think that Snyder is doing things that his boy hood idol and hero Joe Gibbs doesn't ask him to? He signs the people that Gibbs asks him to sign. Full stop. This is not 2000; this is not the Spurrier era. This is a Joe Gibbs football team, and it's successes and failures are his. I am a huge fan of Gibbs, and he is one of my heros as well. But he'd be the first to say that this is on him, and that Danny has only done what he's been asked to do by the football people at redskins park. And that means JG.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by JWsleep

I'm throughly tired of the Snyder angle. Look, we can't have it both ways here: Gibbs is team president, head coach, the face of the skins, and intemately involved with EVERY decision the team makes, at pretty much every level. Snyder is an easy target becuase we won under JKC, Snyder came in, and we haven't won. Plus, his style rubs lots of people the wrong way. But do you REALLY think that Snyder is doing things that his boy hood idol and hero Joe Gibbs doesn't ask him to? He signs the people that Gibbs asks him to sign. Full stop. This is not 2000; this is not the Spurrier era. This is a Joe Gibbs football team, and it's successes and failures are his. I am a huge fan of Gibbs, and he is one of my heros as well. But he'd be the first to say that this is on him, and that Danny has only done what he's been asked to do by the football people at redskins park. And that means JG.

I agree 110%. Snyder isn't to blame here.

[MTK]

AA hasn't picked up this defense very well. I think when he does he'll show what Williams had in mind when he brought him in.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

AA hasn't picked up this defense very well. I think when he does he'll show what Williams had in mind when he brought him in.

That may be and I try to give them the benefit of the doubt, but this disappointing start to the season is making a bit restless.

[jamf]

Drift, I agree completely.
Portis, Betts and Rock were pissed when they brought Duckett in. We had good chemistry with our backs. I getting the feeling that Gibbs pretty much benched duckett just to keep our RB's happy.

[Drift Reality]

Originally Posted by jamf

Drift, I agree completely.
Portis, Betts and Rock were pissed when they brought Duckett in. We had good chemistry with our backs. I getting the feeling that Gibbs pretty much benched duckett just to keep our RB's happy.

This would have been a much better example. I think I distracted the discussion by mentioning Sean Taylor and the race card.

For the record, I do not believe that the Redskins are racist.

I believe that professional athletes do consider things like others' salaries and others' race though.