In a Perfect World: A Look Back at the 'Skins Major Offseason Moves

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by That Guy

coles, hall, morton, portis, washington, barrow, etc, etc, etc

its harder to screw up in the draft when you have 20 scouts and 2 picks too

yeah yeah, his first years sucked, he still overpays... but i think our last two offseasons have been pretty solid overall.

Last year's free agent pickups were very good (perhaps with the exceptions of Upshaw, Canidate, and Fiore). But last year was the first year in which I think Snyder paid for the future and not the past. I tried to articulate my belief that the Danny Snyder of 2000 might be dead by saying that he might be changing.

But, overall, since 1999, when Snyder bought the franchise, our drafts have been enormously cheaper and more fruitful than our free agency shopping sprees.

Portis and Washington are two great additions and Brunell will be very productive for two to three years. Springs and Griffin are worthwhile risks, but risks nonetheless as Springs has a bad history of injuries and Griffin appears to have underperformed the last few years. We overpaid for Griffin as well. Barrow and Daniels should be good for a year or two, but their age will catch up with them. So, for me at least, the jury is out on our free agent pickups of 2004 (even if one could argue that Portis alone makes the offseason great).

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

If there is anyone else out there who agrees with anything I say, please let me know because I feel like I am getting pounded harder than Tracy Lords in a frat house.

:smashfrea

[Hogskin]

Originally Posted by Ramseyfan

If there is anyone else out there who agrees with anything I say, please let me know because I feel like I am getting pounded harder than Tracy Lords in a frat house.

:smashfrea

Ramseyfan, I think the big thing here is, that Gibbs has probably been the most successful coach in Redskin history, and one of the best ever in the NFL. And right now there is an unbelievable wave of good feelings about his return, and a strong belief that he will do the right things for our team. So when you criticize his entire approach, and do it before training camp has even opened, you are certain to be met with overwhelming opposition. Now, you had the guts to present an opposing theory to "God", with absolutely no basis. If the team starts out 3-7, and your draftees are all stars, and you re-present this, you are a genius. EVERYONE will jump on your bandwagon!!!

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by Hogskin

Ramseyfan, I think the big thing here is, that Gibbs has probably been the most successful coach in Redskin history, and one of the best ever in the NFL. And right now there is an unbelievable wave of good feelings about his return, and a strong belief that he will do the right things for our team. So when you criticize his entire approach, and do it before training camp has even opened, you are certain to be met with overwhelming opposition. Now, you had the guts to present an opposing theory to "God", with absolutely no basis. If the team starts out 3-7, and your draftees are all stars, and you re-present this, you are a genius. EVERYONE will jump on your bandwagon!!!

Again, I'm a skeptic so I look for our weak spots even while I'm cheering hard for the team. In 2002 I was highly skeptical of Spurrier and my doubts proved well founded. Last year I was one of the most pessimistic Warpathers when I said we'd go 7-9 and our dline would be a huge weakness. I'm not trying to say I'm always right; God knows I'm wrong as often as I am right. But, I think I'm right about how this offseason will affect us down the road.

This year I think we'll go far (we'll get kicked out of the first round of the playoffs), but I am skeptical about how this offseason will affect our team over the course of the next 3 years.

[That Guy]

its just hard to argue with gibbs at least ou've thought it through and can defend your choices, but I think the last couple years have been good. I think drafting is much more cap friendly, but until cap hell happens or the FAs turn into busts, its hard to argue against FAs like coles and portis.

I agree we should draft more and not overpay, but the redskins always look so good in august that its hard to say they've done anything wrong. Its much easier in a disappointing december.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by That Guy

its just hard to argue with gibbs at least ou've thought it through and can defend your choices, but I think the last couple years have been good. I think drafting is much more cap friendly, but until cap hell happens or the FAs turn into busts, its hard to argue against FAs like coles and portis.

I agree we should draft more and not overpay, but the redskins always look so good in august that its hard to say they've done anything wrong. Its much easier in a disappointing december.

Well put. We disagree, but I agree with this post if that makes any sense.

[love them hogs]

The way I see it is we have a good mixture of players on the team.Some young proven players,Good cap friendly draft picks,and vets who have seen it all.So I cant really say that I am at all disappointed in this offseason.I do agree that Williams isnt going to be able to hide our weak d-line.All we can hope is that he can be creative enough to keep teams off balance by changing the personel and schemes around.

[RedskinRat]

We'll, I'm glad you're back. Thinks are not the same without your carefully considered and balanced comments added with a mild dash of incandescent fury.

Don't work too hard.

[That Guy]

it makes perfect sense ramseyfan we'll see how the current class ends up doing this season (and long term)... i agree that barrow and brunell aren't going to be around too long, but this season has much more promise than the last two... (after i saw spurrier win the preseason two years back, i knew we were in trouble).

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by That Guy

it makes perfect sense ramseyfan we'll see how the current class ends up doing this season (and long term)... i agree that barrow and brunell aren't going to be around too long, but this season has much more promise than the last two... (after i saw spurrier win the preseason two years back, i knew we were in trouble).

We definately have a lot more hope than we have had since Gibbs left. Unlike other years, I think this year's hope is well founded.

Last year (before the season began) I thought we'd go 7-9 but this year I think we'll be 10-6.

[That Guy]

thanks for an informative post, that's kinda what i'd figured... they'd just push it further down the road... it'd give them a disadvantage with dead money vs. other clubs, but as long as the growth continues, they can sustain the creative accounting for a while.

I didn't realize has much the cap has balloned in such a short amount of time though...

[skinsfanthru&thru]

yeah that's pretty crazy and pathetic that the salary cap has gone up $46 million in just 10 years.

[Hogskin]

Thanks for the terrific, informative post, Joe.