Offseason Focus: Defensive Line

[FrenchSkin]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

J.P. Finlay of CSN Mid-Atlantic reports the Redskins have yet to open contract negotiations with impending free agent DE Chris Baker.

The same is true of DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, and Vernon Davis, suggesting the Redskins are waiting until the coaching staff is finalized before making any personnel decisions. Baker has 10.5 sacks the last two seasons and is clearly the best defensive lineman on the roster, but reports suggest Washington is lukewarm on bringing him back. If they do not want him, Baker should have plenty of takers on the open market.

Why!!!???

Gawd. There's a chance this offseason could be the most headscratching ever. Gotta hope this is just a matter of time. Like so many others redskins' issues.

[Bangee7]

Originally Posted by FrenchSkin

Gawd. There's a chance this offseason could be the most headscratching ever. Gotta hope this is just a matter of time. Like so many others redskins' issues.

Is it an age thing? Some teams don't sign F/A's over a certain age to large contracts.

Brandon Williams 27, Bennie Logan = 27

Baker=29

[dmek25]

just read they are looking at brandon williams, NT, ravens

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Brandon Williams and Bennie Logan are both better than Baker, especially Williams and to me Baker has always been an average player. Nothing really special about him to me.

[SirLK26]

Baker was our best d lineman so i just assumed he'd be back, but if hes asking for more than 7ish per year I'd let him walk. I dont like how he takes plays off, also that play a couple years ago where he was celebrating with a loose ball right behind him has always stuck with me

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by EARTHQUAKE2689

Brandon Williams and Bennie Logan are both better than Baker, especially Williams and to me Baker has always been an average player. Nothing really special about him to me.

If we settle and give big money to Brandon Williams, but we passed on a much better NT Snacks Harrison last year...Ive lost some respect to the front office. This make absolutely zero fucking sense.

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

If we settle and give big money to Brandon Williams, but we passed on a much better NT Snacks Harrison last year...Ive lost some respect to the front office. This make absolutely zero fucking sense.

I dont think Brendan Williams is settling, I think he and Snacks are on the same level

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by EARTHQUAKE2689

I dont think Brendan Williams is settling, I think he and Snacks are on the same level

yeah...Ill take the guy. I was looking online yesterday and he was reviewed as one of the top run stuffing DT/NT in the league the last couple years. That's what we need...I don't know if he is a 3 down player. I just haven't seen him play enough to know.

Snacks is a 3 down DT and more of a disruptor. Rushes the passer, ballin out in general.

[KI Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

yeah...Ill take the guy. I was looking online yesterday and he was reviewed as one of the top run stuffing DT/NT in the league the last couple years. That's what we need...I don't know if he is a 3 down player. I just haven't seen him play enough to know.

Snacks is a 3 down DT and more of a disruptor. Rushes the passer, ballin out in general.

I recall that many people here posted about how stupid the NYG were to sign Harrison to a big contract. There was nobody clamoring to sign him, as I recall. Please correct me if my memory is faulty on that point. There was also some residual fear of another Fat Albert situation. The "plan" - amongst us, anyway - was to draft DL early and often. But that didn't happen.

We were not in as favorable a situation with the cap last season and our defense hadn't yet performed like a sieve against the run yet again, so there wasn't the same sense of urgency that exists this season.

This season Harrison counts $10.6M against the Giants cap and he is guaranteed $24M over the length of his contract. Apparently, the Skins didn't want to carry that kind of cap and financial burden to sign him last year.

It doesn't matter if Harrison is better than Williams because we can't choose between the two of them. We can only learn from what the Giants did to improve their DL last season. I think we can find some DL help in FA this season if Scot decides to go after one or two of them.

[DYoungJelly]

Originally Posted by EARTHQUAKE2689

Brandon Williams and Bennie Logan are both better than Baker, especially Williams and to me Baker has always been an average player. Nothing really special about him to me.

Agree. Being the best of the worst doesn't mean you pay him him a huge contract.

[Schneed10]

I've got no problem with going into free agency treating Baker as if he's any other D Lineman on the market. They want to get the best players they can for the dollar. If that ends up being Baker, fine. If they end up with somebody better, then great.

They just better not end up with somebody worse and still have cap space unused or beatings will continue until morale improves.

[Defensewins]

I think there a serious lack of understanding the value of space eaters d lineman. Guys that will not get pushed around and hold their gap responsibility.
Everyone looks at stats like sacks and tackles behind the line and that is their determining factor on what lineman should make.
For every sack or spectacular tackle behind the line a speed guy gets, there are powerful d lineman doing the unglamorous work of occupying o lineman.
We do not have the unglamorous hard working heavy lifting space eaters.
After the miserable defense we had last seaso, we now understand their value and they need to be paid for their hard work. They are not cheap.

[Chico23231]

You reaching out to the Jets...after a terrible season for them..to see if a 3rd round pick for Muhammad Wilkerson would be cool?

[KI Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

You reaching out to the Jets...after a terrible season for them..to see if a 3rd round pick for Muhammad Wilkerson would be cool?

The Jets may have had a bad season but trading Wilkerson for a 3rd Round pick would be ridiculous on their part. It would take more than that to get him. It couldn't hurt for the Skins to try to pry him away, though.

[Chico23231]

Per John keim:

Chris Baker is in a good spot. Redskins talking to him. Likely an offer Tues. but: others have come strong too. Wanted man.

Boom