Biggest Offseason Priority

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

With the Redskins still in the playoff hunt (even if they have to make a 1,000 yard pistol shot to make it), it's early to talk about the offseason. But oh, well here we go.

My priorities are:

#1 Retaining Gregg Williams
#2 Re-signing Fred Smoot
#3 Re-signing Antonio Pierce
#4 Signing a New Center
#5 Signing a Pass-Rushing DE

I know 4 of the 5 priorities are on defense (hardly our weakness), but I strongly believe that Gibbs, Portis, Ramsey, Coles, Jansen, Samuels, Cooley, and Thomas constitute a strong building block to build around. Other than a solid center and some depth around the O-line, I don't think our offense needs anything but time. Offenses need time to develop and we haven't given Gibbs the opportunity to get things squared away on offense.

The defense however, needs continuity. Gregg Williams was undoubtedly the single biggest offseason victory for the 'Skins and we can't afford to lose him. Gibbs' run teams need a solid defense and that's what Williams can deliver.

Smoot is the second offseason priority because he is a locker-room leader, a very solid corner, and I just happen to love (in a plutonic way) the man.

As noted in tomorrow's Washington Post article, Pierce has been a key to transferring Williams' system from the playbook to the field. Without Pierce, I don't think our defense ould be nearly as good against the run; he's been a monster.

A new center is need for obvious reasons; pass rushers have been getting somewhat decent pressure up the gut, and our run blocking has been atrocious. Jansen should help add some credibility to our line but we still need help at center.

Defensive end is not so much a priority as a wish. I'd love to see what our defense would be capable of doing if our linebackers were able to drop back into coverage (which Arrington, Washington, and Pierce are all capable of doing) and we were able to get consistent pressure just from the front four. A guy like Saints' DE Darren Howard (who should become a UFA at season's end with the Saints cap situation and abundance of DEs and DTs) would look really nice next to Cornelius Griffin.

[cpayne5]

As much as I love Fred Smoot, we must retain Gregg Williams.

[Redskins_P]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

As much as I love Fred Smoot, we must retain Gregg Williams.

I agree, Fred has become one of my favorites but you can't replace a guy like Gregg Williams.

[PSUskinsfan11]

I agree but I thought I read an article in the WP that said he was going to stay and take over after Gibbs. So if he staying I say sign Smoot, he is young,gutsy, and playing great. Then I would say draft a DE either Marcus Spears, Erasmus James, or Chris Canty. We can always get a good center later.

[Redskins_P]

If Williams stays, then I think next would be Smoot, and then resign Pierce. He's having a monster year.

[SmootSmack]

It's a tough call but I think priority number one should be resigning Fred Smoot...because my name isn't greggsmack

Seeing as to how Smoot will be an UFA, whereas I believe Gregg Williams is under contract, his departure is more of an imminent threat and therefore a higher priority.

The only way Williams could leave, I think, is if he gets a promotion. That is to say, if he gets a head coaching gig. Losing Williams because he's getting another head coaching gig would be an easier pill to swallow than Smoot just going to play CB for another team. Not that either would be easy.

[Gmanc711]

I put resign Smoot. I really feel good that him and Williams will both be back next season, and they are both huge, you really cant make a difference between them. Williams is a genius, but seems commited to being here. I think if he had stoped head coaching 3-4 years ago, we would have a bigger worry. However, I think he will still take more than the one season off, becasue he struggled so much @ Buffalo. I hope he takes over here after Joe.

[Daseal]

wow. This is hard. Smoot because I don't feel we have to do anything to keep Williams. I think he likes his position, personel, and paycheck here!

[CROOKEDSKINS]

i voted for smoot
i think williams will be back
but i would hate to lose pierce,hes had a hell of a year and should only get stonger in
this system and with lavar back at full speed next year

[skins009]

I don't think WIlliams will get a head coaching job this year. I remind everyone that Dick Lebeau is also doing a great job in pittsburg, but he's not gonna be a head coach next year either. THere are too many guys ahead of those two guys right now. Like Charley Weiss, Romeo Crunnel, Jim Fassel,

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by skins009

I don't think WIlliams will get a head coaching job this year. I remind everyone that Dick Lebeau is also doing a great job in pittsburg, but he's not gonna be a head coach next year either. THere are too many guys ahead of those two guys right now. Like Charley Weiss, Romeo Crunnel, Jim Fassel,

I really like Williams but I think Weiss and Crennel should get their first shots before Williams gets his second. And I'm not saying that for selfish reasons. It's possible that Williams will be a better coach the second time around but it's also possible that he's just a great defensive coordinator and that's as good as he'll be.

[MTK]

I'd say it's got to all start with retaining Williams.

Smoot is a close 2nd.

[BrudLee]

I chose Smoot, because that's something we can control. In all honesty, we've done what was necessary to hold onto Williams already. He's paid $1.8 million a year, which prices him out of several markets. He has complete control of his scheme and players, which some head coaches don't even get (Raiders, Cowboys). The teams that will likely need head coaches either don't have the resources to pay him well enough, or don't have the talent level to make winning likely - which after his first experience in Buffalo has to be a priority for Gregg. I think we can retain him this year. After all, this isn't a situation like Marvin Lewis where he just wants his shot. Williams has been to the mountain - he knows the situation has to be ideal.

With his retention in place, the question becomes personnel. Smoot is more than a good corner, he is a spokesman and focal point for the team and the fans. Losing him would mean a great deal to the spirit of these Redskins. Pierce has shown himself to be a very talented LB, and I hope we can keep him - but not at the cost of Smoot.

The other personnel changes would be nice, but I don't know how necessary. I'd prefer to go into next season with our current roster - healthy -than with a new center or DE. Let's evaluate the need for additions with Bubba Tyer, not with Vinny Cerrato.

[FRPLG]

I put Williams as I think he would be a monster loss for this team. I mean like a huge terrible insurmountable loss. Gibbs and Synder MUST do whatever it takes to keep Williams around. Smoot is my current favorite Redskin but I honestly think at this point it'd be easier to replace him than Williams. In any case I think all 5 choices are important.

#1 Retaining Gregg Williams
#2 Re-signing Fred Smoot
#3 Re-signing Antonio Pierce
#4 Signing a New Center
#5 Signing a Pass-Rushing DE

[Big C]

i thought we alraedy had pierce for like 4 years or something