If I were G.M.

[memphisskin]

I would much rather see them pay too much than to be mad because our FO wouldn't cough up a 2nd round pick for our guy. If you want to know how that feels, simply look down at Big D where they refused to give up the 2nd round pick for Corey Dillon and drafted a young, smallish RB in the 2nd round.

I don't have a problem with acquiring Portis, and he was only on the block because he was unhappy with his contract, which paid him well below market value for a top 5 running back. And he is top 5. He'll get plenty of carries, I can't wait to see him running the ball for us.

I also think we could have waited for Brunell to get cut, but I see it as being a positive to go out and aggressively trade for your guy. Look, Brunell is only 34 and he's had success in the league before. He may not be as mobile as he once was, but he's always made plays with his arm anyway. PLus he's still not a statue in the pocket, he'll be able to move around in the pocket if necessary. I think he'll be properly motivated to prove Gibbs right.

I don't care what anyone says, Stephen Davis is the guy in Carolina. DeShaun Foster is a good change of pace and made some plays in the playoffs, but Davis is the guy for them. He's the one that people said was the best free agent pickup. And if he didn't sprain his ankle late in the season he would have been even more effective in the playoffs. That said, I like Betts chances in this offense. He's big and was scoring in the red zone until he got hurt. I can't wait to see how Gibbs uses the backs, I bet Betts will get a lot of action to keep Portis fresh. But no doubt, Portis is the man in our backfield and I look for him to be as effective as always.

[SkinsRock]

Originally Posted by DAVE

I'm getting in on this thread late, but I heartily agree with its originator that we've botched a lot of decisions in the offseason. I have a tremendous amount of belief in Gibbs as a coach, but not as a GM. If they had followed through and got Bobby Beathard to fill that position, he probably would have stepped in at some point and said, "You know what, Joe, I'm sorry, maybe twelve tight ends is enough. Let's find some defensive linemen."

How many Tight Ends can we possibly use? How many wide receivers? How many running backs? Unless we're plannnig on fielding the offenses for both teams this year, I think we've invested a little too heavily in those positions. (Meanwhile, we're reportedly going after yet another tight end right now. It's like that Fillipino first lady and shoes.) Some of this money could have gone to a big, beefy run-stopper, or resigning Smoot.

It's called the offseason roster. EVERY team overstocks on some positions, just to see who breaks out from the crowd. Just because we are overloaded at TE (or any other position) now doesn't mean we will be when the season starts.
Also, there is virtually no fullback in Gibbs' offense. The H-back fills that void, and players who will play that position can be listed as a TE or FB. It just happens that most of the ones we have are TE's.

[BrudLee]

Originally Posted by DAVE

I'm getting in on this thread late, but I heartily agree with its originator that we've botched a lot of decisions in the offseason. I have a tremendous amount of belief in Gibbs as a coach, but not as a GM. If they had followed through and got Bobby Beathard to fill that position, he probably would have stepped in at some point and said, "You know what, Joe, I'm sorry, maybe twelve tight ends is enough. Let's find some defensive linemen."

How many Tight Ends can we possibly use? How many wide receivers? How many running backs? Unless we're plannnig on fielding the offenses for both teams this year, I think we've invested a little too heavily in those positions. (Meanwhile, we're reportedly going after yet another tight end right now. It's like that Fillipino first lady and shoes.) Some of this money could have gone to a big, beefy run-stopper, or resigning Smoot.

In Defense of Joe Gibbs - we have seven TE's on the roster now, and will likely run a lot of multiple TE sets. By the way, those TE's include some likely cuts. I sincerely doubt more than five will make the roster of 53 - and as SkinsRock said, the H-back is an offshoot of the TE anyway.

It should also be noted that the highest paid TE on the roster makes league minimum, so we aren't killing ourselves here.