WP: Redskins Targeting London Fletcher, Nate Clements

[MTK]

This article states it was a cap move

Michael Eisen - Story - 3/10 Giants Release LB Mike Barrow - Giants.com

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by That Guy

unless i'm remembering incorrectly, that's why the giants let him go, and that's why he didn't get a huge deal from someone else.

I think you are "mis-remembering". He hadn't missed a game in either 6 or 7 years and that team sucked so he had little incentive other than money to stay there We offered more and he hurt his knee like first day of practice or something and the rest was history. I think the big thing about him when he was signed was that he never got hurt.

Edit: Ok so they cut him for cap reasons.

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by That Guy

great, tell that to zach thomas or donnie edwards. last i checked they had damn fine seasons too.

there are always exceptions to the rule. didn't you learn that in english class. For every 32+ year old player having fine seasons, there are just as many or probably more riding the bench, playing sparingly, or injured all the time. I think people are misunderstanding what I am saying. I am not saying the guy can't play!! I am just saying I would prefer us to go in a different direction in regards to signing players that old. I would imagine there is someone younger just as good. He has had a very solid career, I know that and yes last season he had a pretty damn good one. But why is it players of that age play their ass off in a contract year, especially at that age, then crap out. I am not saying he would or will. just my stance on signing new players at that age.

[Mc2guy]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

Well first off Rocky is an OLB and despite what many seem to think MLB and OLB are not just interchangeable. Especially in GW's system. In this system the MLB is the QB of the defense. He has to know what everyone is supposed to do so he can adjust when he diagrams what the other team is doing. For some reason I highly doubt anyone at Redskins park is willing to go into the next season with a guy who showed he can play the position average(Marshall) and a second year player who couldn't even crack the lineup at his natural position until mop up time. Rocky is not the answer.

As for trading down I agree it would be great to trade down and pick up several quality players but there are some problems with that too. First and foremost people make the statement 'trade down and pick up some more picks' just like they make the 'hire a GM statement'. Like it is some magical formula where you can go to the GM store or the Tradedown store and magically everything is fine. Well I have news for those people, trading takes two teams and if no one is willing to offer anything of value it won't happen. It is NOT a sound strategy to PLAN ON TRADING. You plan and prepare on NOT TRADING DOWN and if an opportuniy arises then you re-evaluate. The same for a GM. Just because we have a GM doesn't mean everything is fine. He would need to be a GOOD GM. There are plenty of teams who have traded down and ended up with scrap pieces because they traded away a shot at a difference maker and ended up with decent roll players. And there are plenty teams that never win championships with GMs.

That being said, you go into free agency looking to fix as many holes as possible so you dont have to rely on drafting to field 22 decent starters. Then the draft is used for depth. If we can bring a guy who knows the systems and can play why would his age be a problem? No one is expecting the guy to come in be the MLB for the next 8 years. We are talking about getting a good player to play for us while we build depth at the same position and others also.

I totally fail to see why his age is even a consideration other than for health reasons.

Thank you for some providing some sanity to the board. Trading down at this point is NOT the smart option. We need a difference maker on the D-line and we're likely to get one with this pick. Secondly, announcing that you would like to trade down immediately diminishes the value of your pick. I personally would like to see a solid d-line starter come out of this draft as opposed to a couple of "project" players. If a team comes along and really want our slot and is willing to give greater value on the Jimmy Johnson draft points system, then I would consider, but until then, go with the pick.

Also, when evaluating a player, I wish more people would ask the questions in an order relevant to "field value". For example:

1 tie) Can this guy play in my system
1 tie) Does he have the physical talent to improve my team
3) Is he injury prone
4) Is he a quality character person or a PITA
5) Will his numbers fit my cap plans

Age doesn't come up unless it's relevant to #3 IMHO.

3)

[MTK]

Originally Posted by #56fanatic

there are always exceptions to the rule. didn't you learn that in english class. For every 32+ year old player having fine seasons, there are just as many or probably more riding the bench, playing sparingly, or injured all the time. I think people are misunderstanding what I am saying. I am not saying the guy can't play!! I am just saying I would prefer us to go in a different direction in regards to signing players that old. I would imagine there is someone younger just as good. He has had a very solid career, I know that and yes last season he had a pretty damn good one. But why is it players of that age play their ass off in a contract year, especially at that age, then crap out. I am not saying he would or will. just my stance on signing new players at that age.

So you'd rather bring back a banged up Arrington and put him out of position at MLB?

Have you even checked the market for MLB's this year?? It's painfully thin, Fletcher like it or not is easily the best option out there especially considering he's had success playing in this defense before.

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by That Guy

uh, actually, that's not true. not even close. how many starting QBs were 1st round picks? how many were 3rd-4th and how many were 6th or 7th rounders? i mean, you may think grossman sucks, but the low round QBs on that roster are even worse, and that's probably why they weren't taken earlier.

uh..what are you trying to say? how is drafting a 1st, 2nd, 3rd an exact science. there is no guarantee that a 1st rounder is going to be a hall of famer, or a bust, or at least servicable. I am just saying, the more picks you have in the draft, year in and year out, you are more likely to find a player whether its a star player or a contributing player. If we consistantly have 1st rounder and a couple of 5th through 7th the likely hood of filling roster spots with contributing players or star player diminishes drastically. Thats why we have no depth. Thats why when springs goes down, we have no one to fill in. unless Mike Rumph, Kenny wright, Ide Jimoh is quality depth. Ide Jimoh is an outstanding special teamer, there is a reason he doesn't play on a regular basis on D. filling spots on the team with aging over paid free agents is the reason we dont have depth. not having picks in the draft is why we dont have depth. the signing people off the street, generally old, or overrated players is the reason our D struggled for the most part. No depth, no true or halfway decent talent if a starter goes down. Holdman sucks,Marshall is out of position,Salvae is not a starter, out safety situation last season was a joke! Our corner situation last year when springs was hurt was a joke too! this all goes back to how the team is run. Look at the pro bowl, Baily, Harris(big surprise) pierce. you dont think our team would have been better with at least one of those guys.

[RMSkins]

I like London Fletcher, I think he could be a solid at most 2 year solution for us at MLB, but his age really concerns me, and I can't but help to think that he would be another veteran fa redskins bust. I would much rather see us get Kawika Mitchell or Napoleon Harris at MLB, both are younger and won't command the contract that Fletcher will.

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

So you'd rather bring back a banged up Arrington and put him out of position at MLB?

Have you even checked the market for MLB's this year?? It's painfully thin, Fletcher like it or not is easily the best option out there especially considering he's had success playing in this defense before.

no, not a banged up Arrington. I said I would welcome him back if he is 100%. which is probably a long shot given his history over the last few years. Anyone can get hurt. someone mentioned Barrow, he was a picture of health before he came here, now he's out of football. that is a risk you take any time you step on the field. nature of the beast.
if Arrington was healthy, he is 28, and I would sign him before a 32 year old guy. but that is not happening so even worth concidering.

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

So you'd rather bring back a banged up Arrington and put him out of position at MLB?

Have you even checked the market for MLB's this year?? It's painfully thin, Fletcher like it or not is easily the best option out there especially considering he's had success playing in this defense before.

again, I am not saying he isn't a good player or maybe the best option there right now. I am stating my opinion on why I would not sign him. I would exhaust all other resources before doing so.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by #56fanatic

no, not a banged up Arrington. I said I would welcome him back if he is 100%. which is probably a long shot given his history over the last few years. Anyone can get hurt. someone mentioned Barrow, he was a picture of health before he came here, now he's out of football. that is a risk you take any time you step on the field. nature of the beast.
if Arrington was healthy, he is 28, and I would sign him before a 32 year old guy. but that is not happening so even worth concidering.

Arrington would be painfully out of position at MLB in this defense, you do realize that don't you?

You would rather do that than put in a guy in Fletcher who knows this defense and knows the position, just because of age?

[MTK]

Originally Posted by #56fanatic

again, I am not saying he isn't a good player or maybe the best option there right now. I am stating my opinion on why I would not sign him. I would exhaust all other resources before doing so.

What other resources?

The available MLB's are pretty thin, and we have other more crucial areas to address in the draft... so what specifically would you recommend if Fletcher is not on your list?

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

What other resources?

The available MLB's are pretty thin, and we have other more crucial areas to address in the draft... so what specifically would you recommend if Fletcher is not on your list?

isnt' the draft for addressing the areas on the team. I would trade down, get a 1st, 2nd and 4th. the 6th pick should be a prized pick and we should be able to get multiple picks for it. take a Dline man, and LB with the 1st two picks. not saying they will be immediate impact players, but picking a LB in the 1st, they should be able to play right away. but you never know. I think they are addressing the CB situating in FA. If we have to sign Fletcher, then we have to, but I would imagine there is a stud that can be had in the 1st or 2nd.
again, my opinion. I am getting the feeling you guys think I am crapping the idea of Fletcher, or I think he isn't a player. Like I have said multiple times, if he is signed, great I hope it does great, which I am sure he will. I just would be hisitant on it, that is all.

[MTK]

3 picks for the 6th overall??

LOL good luck with that one.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Sorry but bringing in Fletcher makes no sense to me. None what so ever. How about bringing in a MLB that is young and will perhaps have a chance to be with the team for several years. This is a total band aid approach.

We could do that...if we had any picks. If he can man the middle for just 2 seasons, we can draft a MLB next year in the first two rounds next season and cut Fletcher after 2008.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by hail_2_da_skins

STOP THE MADNESS...The Skins need to stop overspending for mediocre free agents. London Fletcher was good 5 years ago. Dropping a ton of money on him is like signing his ex-teammate Adam Archuleta. DON'T DO IT. Clements would be a nice pickup but at what cost. At some point the Redskins need to get their finances in order and start acquiring young talent. That's done through the draft. Stop giving away draft picks like they are Christmas presents. Every off-season, the Skins make a big deal of over-spending on these so-called big named free agents and getting the Skins fans excited. And every year its been the same result - DISAPPOINTMENT.

We certainly have to stop giving up the picks, but we can't just stop signing players to fill holes. The key with a deal to Fletcher is that it has to be cheap to get out of after the 2nd or 3rd year of it. Reasonable signing bonus, no massive roster bonuses before then, keep the base salaries low for the first 2-3 years.