Did We Shoot Ourselves In The Foot??

[Tahoe Skin]

I've looked at the articles noting how the Coles/Moss trade seriously diminished our Cap space. I'm incredulous. My hopes for next year just totally dropped. My question is why would we do such a thing? I've always been a Snyder/Gibbs fan, but if the Cap analyses seem correct, the Coles trade was utterly stupid. I don't care how good Moss can be, or how disgruntled Coles would be. Can someone please give me a good reason as to why the Skins did what they did? I'm starting to think the elevator doesn't go all the way up to the Redskins' clubhouse!

[FRPLG]

I say better to take the hit now rather than keeping a guy who could be a complete distraction...a distraction of ridiculous proportions really...around. Can you imagine the upcoming season with Coles as a Skin. Every day players would be answering questions about Coles and the team. Big time problems there. Get rid of him and deal with the pain now rather than putting it off for another day. I think this shows the exact opposite of what you said. It shows responsibility and a willingness to do the right things.

[calia]

I agree -- this was bungled and badly. Does anyone else think Cerrato is struglling with the concept of walking upright? He must have a picture of The Danny with a goat or something, because he's ruining the team. Without more $$, Smoot is gone, which is a shame given that the guy plays with real heart (recall him playing with a busted sternum -- that's as tough as it gets).

Separately, does anyone know what the story is with Mike Barrow? If he's back and healthy (two big ifs), that will make the loss of Pierce a bit easier.

[redwagonskins]

Sometimes creating a TEAM rather than a collection of individuals hurts. Look to the Pats who give up big NAME guys every year but keep the core guys together. Coles was not a Redskin. His cap hit will hurt a bit but for the first time in years, the skins are exercising fiscal restraint and not going after names but after players. They did the best they could with the situation.

[hurrykaine]

After the Coles trade, we have approximately 1.85 million in cap room + an additional 2 million from trading Gardner. We're done trying to sign anymore big-name FAs this year. All told, approximately 4 million in cap-room for 2005 to sign Smoot, some of the vets like Ray Brown, and the draft rookie pool, which is more than sufficient. If Smoot gets anywhere from a 10-12 million SB from another team, we should be able to match. Otherwise, we draft a CB like Antrel Rolle or Pacman Jones in the 1st round draft and Harris starts, with Wilds and the rookie CB alternating at Nickel.

It was better to take Coles' cap hit this year - didn't leave us in the best of shape, but still minimal losses.

[MTK]

Why is anybody surprised that we may lose Smoot??

Even before the Coles deal went down the likelihood of re-signing Smoot wasn't good.

[offiss]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

I say better to take the hit now rather than keeping a guy who could be a complete distraction...a distraction of ridiculous proportions really...around. Can you imagine the upcoming season with Coles as a Skin. Every day players would be answering questions about Coles and the team. Big time problems there. Get rid of him and deal with the pain now rather than putting it off for another day. I think this shows the exact opposite of what you said. It shows responsibility and a willingness to do the right things.

I agree frplg, Cole's wanted out to keep him around would not be the best thing for the team. IMO this trade may be the best thing that has happened to us under Snyder, it will teach him disipline as well as the value of the draft, both he and Gibb's need a lesson in that department, now they have no choice but to tighten up the purce string's and be wise with the draft.

It's not like we recieved a scrub in return, Moss can be electrifying in more way's than one, you here all these draft expert's talking about Clayton this year, well Moss was a better prospect coming out of college and is more explosive so let's not look at this deal as if we recieved nothing for Cole's, we will clear him off the book's in 1 season let him be someone else's headache after that.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by calia

I agree -- this was bungled and badly. Does anyone else think Cerrato is struglling with the concept of walking upright? He must have a picture of The Danny with a goat or something, because he's ruining the team. Without more $$, Smoot is gone, which is a shame given that the guy plays with real heart (recall him playing with a busted sternum -- that's as tough as it gets).

Separately, does anyone know what the story is with Mike Barrow? If he's back and healthy (two big ifs), that will make the loss of Pierce a bit easier.

What does Vinny have to do with this??

He's a glorified scout and Snyder's racquetball buddy, he doesn't have much to do with making moves.

[BrudLee]

If Coles doesn't demand his release two years into a seven year deal, this doesn't happen. There are plenty of good reasons to criticize the Front Office - this ain't one of them.

[htownskinfan]

were talking like this trade has gone through,am I the only one worried Coles wont pass his physical because of his toe? if he doesnt,man were screwed,then we have a receiver who doesnt want to be here with a bad toe,personally,I wish Coles wanted to play here,he was my favorite redskin last yr,I thought he made some great catches and took some viscous hits but was always ready to play

[Tahoe Skin]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

I say better to take the hit now rather than keeping a guy who could be a complete distraction...a distraction of ridiculous proportions really...around. Can you imagine the upcoming season with Coles as a Skin. Every day players would be answering questions about Coles and the team. Big time problems there. Get rid of him and deal with the pain now rather than putting it off for another day. I think this shows the exact opposite of what you said. It shows responsibility and a willingness to do the right things.

I disagree. You play Coles if he's playing well, or you sit him down on the bench (or even lock him out of the clubhouse). Either way, you don't allow one player to ruin your ability to keep or get other players that will help the team. Coles is laughing all the way to the bank!

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by BrudLee

If Coles doesn't demand his release two years into a seven year deal, this doesn't happen. There are plenty of good reasons to criticize the Front Office - this ain't one of them.

EXACTLY! Coles authored this...neither the front office nor Joe Gibbs wanted Coles to leave. The only one who wanted him to leave was Coles himself. What are we supposed to do? Keep Coles against his will?

[dirtbag2112]

LC did not want to play for a hall of fame coach.

LC opted not to have surgery on his foot which could affect the rest of his career.

LC would only return a part of his signing bonus if released (for no value.)

I think we made the right move!

[offiss]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Why is anybody surprised that we may lose Smoot??

Even before the Coles deal went down the likelihood of re-signing Smoot wasn't good.

My thought on Smoot is this I believe the coaching staff believes we will be as good or better without Smoot, I think part of that offer may be out of loyalty and the fact that Smoot does give everything he has on the field, but a line has been drawn in the sand, Smoot want's to get more, and we believe he deserves less. I think the coaches are well aware of how good William's is capable of making a player look better than he really is, something tell's me they are really high on Wild's but still a little tenative to rely on someone unproven to start the season, personally I think at this point we should both part way's Smoot is not worth his asking price, I don't believe he's worth what we are offering to begin with, doesn't mean I don't like the guy, but it doesn't mean we have to overpay for a popularity contest either.

[Tahoe Skin]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

EXACTLY! Coles authored this...neither the front office nor Joe Gibbs wanted Coles to leave. The only one who wanted him to leave was Coles himself. What are we supposed to do? Keep Coles against his will?

You just don't let the mutineers run the ship!

And if we did want to let him have what he wanted, why didn't we insist on renegotiating his contract to lessen the hit?

Just hard to figure.