What Changes Should We Make Going Into 08?

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Here we go again...

NOW we know it's the offseason.

[MTK]

It was only a matter of time.

[Defensewins]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

It was only a matter of time.

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

Here we go again...

NOW we know it's the offseason.

I did not realize this thread was limited to changes only Matty72 and TMC agree with.

[JoeRedskin]

What we really need to do is sign some CFL player and announce it as the first signing of the off-season. Then, we can debate the efficacy of signing CFL players when we have such glaring needs at other spots. Eventually, we can turn it into a flame war and lock this thread down.

[Paintrain]

Additions-Lance Briggs (only major addition), a starter and depth at CB (move Springs to FS and Landry back to SS), youth at DT, depth at DE, depth at G.. I'd love to add a Chad Johnson or another LEGIT #1 WR but not at what it will likely cost..

Subtractions-Brunell, Lloyd, Frost and Shiusham if upgrades are available.

[mheisig]

These threads always serve as notice that the modern football fan is WAY too influenced by fantasy football.

"We need to sign Chad Johnson and Randy Moss as our #1 and #2 guys, then trade Portis for Tomlinson. Then get Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher and Shawn Merrimen as LBs. Resurrect Ronnie Lot, draft Champ Bailey's illegitimate but talented child and then sign Lavar Arrington and Lawrence Taylor as well.

After that we'll draft an offensive line that are all identical clones of the Patriots offensive line. Then we'll take Peyton Mannings brain and stick it in Jason Campbells head.

That's the formula for a Super Bowl! Redskins FTW LOLZ!!!1!"

[SmootSmack]

That is emphatically not true! I have to agree with the moves as well

Seriously though, a new GM is not going to come in and overrule Snyder and Gibbs on their philosophy of how to run the franchise. Gibbs, Snyder, and Cerrato have shown that they can work together and with their scouting team to find unheralded players that can be developed into solid to good to great Redskins and keep our key players when we want to. Whether we have to restructure or not, so what? We keep hearing people complain about the cap every year, but every year we're ok.

[Defensewins]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

That is emphatically not true! I have to agree with the moves as well

Seriously though, a new GM is not going to come in and overrule Snyder and Gibbs on their philosophy of how to run the franchise. Gibbs, Snyder, and Cerrato have shown that they can work together and with their scouting team to find unheralded players that can be developed into solid to good to great Redskins and keep our key players when we want to. Whether we have to restructure or not, so what? We keep hearing people complain about the cap every year, but every year we're ok.

We can agree to disagree then.
All I said was before Gibbs arrived Cerratto and Snyder proved they were not very sucessful, see our season W-L and our salary numbers and playoff wins/appearances under the Cerratto/Snyder front office era. We consistantly had one highest payrolls and not very good W-L records. Not a good combination. How many playoff wins did we have under the Snyder/Cerratto front office?
We are fast to get rid of players that don't perform to a certain ability, why do we not rate our FO the same way?

In regards to "so what...every year we are ok" about having to restructure player contracts, again we disagree. I am not ok with the results since Snyder took over. As a life long Redskins fan I can say that.
Shawn Springs last offseason did not want to restructure his huge cap number. His number will be even bigger next year. We have a problem. When you cut or trade them it accelarates and creates even a worse cap problem. We are at the mercy of begging the players to restructure.
Plus every time we restruture a contract we make our future salary cap issues worse. I know this going to piss everyone off, but New England does not have to restructure contracts to the extent we do? Our past excesses from the FO of Snyder/Cerratto has us in the situation. Why are they not accountable?

[Drift Reality]

I think a lot of the contributions in this thread are tactically focused. That is good, but I'd start with an over-arching strategy. I think traditionally our strategy has been focused on acquiring players in their prime for above-market value while often times neglecting homegrown talent.

I think Gibbs has helped changed the thinking here and I'd like to see a continuance of this trend.

I think our strategy needs to continue to place increasing emphasis on using the draft and acquiring young talent who can learn within the system while using free agency in a very targeted fashion to bring in a player who fits our system and fills a need (not necessarily the biggest name out there) - who we can acquire at or below market value.

Using this strategic approach I would identify the following weaknesses in our personnel in '08:

1. Youth along the offensive line - We have a quality, veteran line, but a number of our top-line starters are maturing and probably have a remaining shelf-life of 2-3 years. I think we need to look at bringing in 2 talented offensive linemen - one interior lineman and one tackle. Because I believe we have the coaching in place to develop talent in this unit, I would argue here that we should use the draft as opposed to FA to acquire depth in this area. A top-tier guard can be found in the 2nd or 3rd round. Starting guards can normally be found on day 2. Top-tier tackles are normally found on day 1 however but I don't believe this is as much of an area of need as guard.

2. Youth at linebacker - Two of our starting linebackers probably have a shelf-life of 2 years. We have one quality youth linebacker who is coming off serious knee surgery and one other possible starter (Blades). It would be great to bring in one young, promising outside backer. I would actually argue against Briggs because we would have to pay above-market value for him. I think we could get a guy like Dansby for near market value. Quality linebackers can be found on day 2 of the draft, which is something we should consider.

3. A starting DE - Phillip Daniels has certainly played well throughout his tenure here but I think we really could bring in a top-tier end and turn this position into a real strength for us. Justin Smith or Jared Allen would be good top-tier acquisitions for us here. Using a day 1 pick here might not be a bad idea if we can't bring in a top-tier FA. Most top-tier ends come on day 1 in the draft.

4. 4th Cornerback - I think not only do we need to retain Sean Springs, but I would like to see us bring in a quality fourth corner back. When Rogers went out and Torrence stepped in, we saw what a liability having a sub-par nickel back was for our defense. Historically, top-tier corners have been acquired with 1st round picks. If there is an opportunity with our 1st I think it might be worth consideration but I believe there are other areas of greater need that we should consider using with our 1st rounder.

5. Wide Receiver - I believe we should retain Caldwell and give him an opportunity to compete for a starting role. At the same time, I think we should consider using FA or a day 2 pick to target a large wide receiver who could also compete, along with Espy and whoever we choose to bring back, for a a WR spot on our team.

To sum it all up, I would look at FA to fill the following positions: DE, LB, possibly WR.

I would use day 1 of our draft to look at DE, CB or T while I would focus on day 2 on LB, WR, and G.

[dgreen]

Originally Posted by Drift Reality

5. Wide Receiver - I believe we should retain Caldwell and give him an opportunity to compete for a starting role. At the same time, I think we should consider using FA or a day 2 pick to target a large wide receiver who could also compete, along with Espy and whoever we choose to bring back, for a a WR spot on our team.

Nice overall post.

I couldn't disagree more, though, with giving anyone on the current roster a shot at a starting WR spot with Moss. I think they need help there.

[Drift Reality]

Originally Posted by dgreen

Nice overall post.

I couldn't disagree more, though, with giving anyone on the current roster a shot at a starting WR spot with Moss. I think they need help there.

Really? I thought ARE did a pretty solid job in there. Not an ideal solution I agree but I thought we were solid there.

I guess the other issue I see at receiver is the difficulty involved with acquiring a good receiver. It seems like so many top-pick receivers have simply not panned out. I think there are safer bets in the draft than receiver.

[dgreen]

Originally Posted by Drift Reality

Really? I thought ARE did a pretty solid job in there. Not an ideal solution I agree but I thought we were solid there.

I think ARE is a solid WR3. I think he did about as good as you can expect this year.

I took each team's top two WRs by receptions. Washington's WR1 and WR2 (Moss and ARE) were below league average in receptions, yards per game, plays over 40 yards, and plays over 20 yards. Only Miami had less TD receptions from their top 2 WRs. The only area they fared well was in YPC, where they were 10th.

Overall, the WRs did not produce what this offense needed. Of course, there could be other reasons for this. But, I think you have to look at the WRs and say they need help. And, of the two who are currently starting, ARE takes a back seat to Moss.

I guess the other issue I see at receiver is the difficulty involved with acquiring a good receiver. It seems like so many top-pick receivers have simply not panned out. I think there are safer bets in the draft than receiver.

True.

Personally, I wouldn't mind trading for an established receiver. Roy Williams has said he wants out. There may be others who are a little cheaper.

[Drift Reality]

Incidentally, I think conjecture about specific moves or specific picks is all a shot in the dark.

Also, anyone who thinks we can get anything for Lloyd...I think you're dreaming. He is a June 1st cut along with Brunell (although they will leave under different circumstances - sort of like one honorable discharge (Brunell) and one dishonorable discharge (Lloyd))

[SmootSmack]

I guess we will have to agree to disagree. You said before Gibbs arrived Cerrato and Snyder had proved they are not successful.But Gibbs is here now and it's apparent that Cerrato answers to both Gibbs and Snyder in shaping the team. And our overall philosophy of developing and retaining players has vastly improved over the past few years.

I don't know what you think would be accomplished by firing VC, other than to just fire the guy for his decisions of 7-8 years ago. Furthermore, I don't know why you think some new "GM" will just walk right in and overrule Gibbs or Snyder. You must know that's just not going to happen so long as the two are here.

[Defensewins]

I agree a potential replacment for VC would never overrule Gibbs. Gibbs runs the ship and he has final say. I am fine with that. Gibbs is doing a good job of turning around the team. However back in the 80's we had Bobby Beathard, but under him we had a very good assistant Charlie Casserly and a group of scouts that were credited for fairly consisantly finding incredible hidden gems like Joe Jacoby, Monte Coleman, Darryl Grant, Jeff Bostic to name a just a few. Beathard like Gibbs today run the draft, but the guy under Gibbs (VC) has not been producing year to year. It wasn't until Gibbs arrived that it has started to change. We can respectfully disagree on this point, but VC has had his chance and I do not see any great track record. After a certain amount of time it is good to make changes when things are not working well. especially when there are other great talent evaluaters out there. It is not like VC is the only guy available. Just my humble opinion, that is all. I am not trying to be an ass about it nor do I hate VC. I just think it is time for a change. Which is the title of this thread.