Do We Have A Legit Shot At Nate Clements?

[SouperMeister]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

If the Redskins were smart, they'd go ahead and resign Chris Cooley to a long-term deal now. I don't want to see him reach the end of his (very inexpensive) deal after the 2007 season and then be a threat to hit the open market.

If he starts to sniff free agency, he's going to either test the free agent market, or demand that the 'Skins pay him market value to keep him. Which should be considerably high.

Resign him now before that happens, and he might relish the opportunity to take a big payday now, even though it's less than what he'd likely get if he waited two more years.

Basically, take a page out of the Eagles' playbook. Draft a player, watch him develop into a good player in two or three years, and resign him long term before he hits the open market. Gee, keeping your homegrown talent. Imagine that.

I've been preaching the Philly way ever since I started posting here. The Eagles almost never allow their young core guys reach free agency. By re-signing core guys early, they get a significant discount. Too bad we didn't have cap space to resign Smoot and Pierce during the 2004 season. If Gibbs ever wakes up to this more effective philosophy to keep a core group intact, I agree that Cooley should be the first guy we offer an extension since his contract runs out after next season. Mike Sellers becomes a free agent at the same time, and I'm sure teams would be willing to give him more than we want to pay if he's allowed to hit the open market.