Let's look at the BRIGHT side!

[scacchi]

All of this negativity has got to go! Yeah we lost Pierce, Coles and Smoot, and didn't really acquire any flashy free agents, but we have a real coach..................for two consecutive years in a row. I have total trust and confidence in Gibbs. For the last 4-5-6 yrs. we have been the talk of free agent acquisitions. The Redskins signed so an so, the Redskins are going to be real interesting next year, and what has been the result of all of these productive offseasons? Yeah, we have lost some good players for sure, but we have saved money in the future and have weeded out some bad seeds. The Eagles and the Patriots have been doing this for a while and they seem to be doing pretty good. Philly was ripping their front office apart for letting players such as Trotter, Vincent and Taylor go in the past. Their defense didn't lose a step. Let's have some faith and look at the bright side of things.

[SlingingSam]

Amen :flower1:

[Redskinmayhem]

All of this negativity has got to go! Yeah we lost Pierce, Coles and Smoot, and didn't really acquire any flashy free agents, but we have a real coach..................for two consecutive years in a row. I have total trust and confidence in Gibbs. For the last 4-5-6 yrs. we have been the talk of free agent acquisitions. The Redskins signed so an so, the Redskins are going to be real interesting next year, and what has been the result of all of these productive offseasons? Yeah, we have lost some good players for sure, but we have saved money in the future and have weeded out some bad seeds. The Eagles and the Patriots have been doing this for a while and they seem to be doing pretty good. Philly was ripping their front office apart for letting players such as Trotter, Vincent and Taylor go in the past. Their defense didn't lose a step. Let's have some faith and look at the bright side of things.


I totally agree. Everyone complains about the off season spending sprees then when we actually spend wisely, everyone wants to jump off a building. COME ON people!!! Everyone has been asking for continuity on the O line- so we resigned Sam. Of course there are those that don't like that. I guess they want continuity on the line but without Sam, With Raymer, and with Ray Brown :rolleyes:

I just don't see why everyone is panicing. Was Pierce good? yes. Irreplaceable? NO! If he was So good, why was he an UFA when he came to the skins? He's a smart guy, but Samrts will only take him so far. The opposite is true as well.

As for Smoot, Well, we all loved him but let's face it. He's NOT a top 5 corner. Yes he played with as much heart as Pat Fischer, but he simply was not worth the money he was asking for. Not only that but we couldn't afford him and still fill our other more pressing needs. Think about it, The Upgrade from Raymer to Rabach is much bigger than the Downgrade from Smoot to Harris(if it turns out to be that way). We had to take the hit on Smoot. Plus he always got manhandled by larger recievers. He always gave average recievers a huge cushion to run an out pattern on a 3rd and short. People, please realize that Smoot wasn't the 6'1" 205 pound shut down corner you all think he was. He was a very good #2 corner. All 5'10" 174 punds of him. Hi heart was his biggest asset and he used it to it's full potential as a Redskin. I will be sad to see him go. I'm wondering though, how he will fare 2 times a season against the big boys like Roy Williams, Javon Walker, Charles Rodgers, Mushin Muhammed, David Terrel(ok not scary but BIG), and depending on the bears draft, either Edwards or Mike Williams. Thos are all Big recievers. Oh and He'll see some speedsters as well, like Hakim and, Berrian, and, Driver Ferguson. Remember he's moving to turf. things are alot faster on turf. He did well on grass which equalizes the speed of faster players to that of the slower players.

Bottom Line- Have faith people. We haven't lost Joe Gibbs or anyone that's irreplaceable.

[RedskinsDave]

We lost three of our six best players from last year. I'm ecstatic!!!! :banghead:

[allberts]

Hell Im going to get my tickets for Detroit and the Super Bowl now.

[chad101]

You need to remember , Cap Hell played a major part in the lack of FA signings.

[MoeRedskins]

I believe in such a thing as positive critaism and that is what this site offers. Losing
smoot and pierce does not put us in the same category as SF via 2004 or this years Titans, but it doesn't help matters. Plus it is nice to vent. I don't see anybody being less of a redskins fan due to the last few weeks, I see a lot less smoot and pierce fans, but the redskins base has remained the same. Besides, the only teams right now that arent' complain, IMO, would be the eagles, pats, raiders (although they should, their D is terrible) and Ravens. Outside of that, I bet every other fan base is complaining in some way shape and form about the off season moves made.

[akhhorus]

You need to remember , Cap Hell played a major part in the lack of FA signings.

yeah, that makes sense since the skins started FA with 12-16 million of cap room. The skins didnt want to shell out the money--they could have if they wanted to.

[akhhorus]

We lost three of our six best players from last year. I'm ecstatic!!!! :banghead:

Please. Smoot and Pierce werent part of the Top 6 players on the Skins last year.
-Lavar, Portis, Springs, Washington, Coles, Taylor or Griffin.

[PhillyPhil]

Sometimes the right decisions for the organization are not the most popular. Seems like the Skins are on ther right track, just takes time to develop the young players through the draft.

[RedskinsDave]

Please. Smoot and Pierce werent part of the Top 6 players on the Skins last year.
-Lavar, Portis, Springs, Washington, Coles, Taylor or Griffin.

Huh? Lavar? Taylor? Neither one played in every game. Lavar didn't do squat last year. Taylor had too many personal fouls to be in the top six. They are two of the most talented we have but were nowhere near as valuable to the team last year as Pierce, Smoot and Coles.

[akhhorus]

Huh? Lavar? Taylor? Neither one played in every game. Lavar didn't do squat last year. Taylor had too many personal fouls to be in the top six. They are two of the most talented we have but were nowhere near as valuable to the team last year as Pierce, Smoot and Coles.

I guess we'll just have to disagree then. Smoot had his share of penalties this year. And I would say Taylor was more valuable in the end than Smoot.

[chad101]

yeah, that makes sense since the skins started FA with 12-16 million of cap room. The skins didnt want to shell out the money--they could have if they wanted to.


Actually with the upcoming Coles situation those figures were probably known to Gibbs as false. I mean didn't the Coles trade lower your Smoot offer?

[akhhorus]

Actually with the upcoming Coles situation those figures were probably known to Gibbs as false. I mean didn't Coles tradelower your Smoot offer?

Nope, it didnt change. And I must have missed where they were bound to trade him, it was a choice. So those cap figures were true until any deal went through. With Smoot, the Skins were considering pulling the offer, but they never did.

[skins111111]

We lost three of our six best players from last year. I'm ecstatic!!!! :banghead:

so who were our top 6 players? Coles, Pierce, Smoot.....Portis, Sam, Thomas, Taylor, Springs, Washinton, Griffin and Phillips

I got 3 of out top 11.............our WR core may be better with new scheme and upgraded , healthy O-Line.......Barrow could be healthy and MLB wouldn't loose a beat......... and Pac Man or Rolle probably a big upgrade over Smoot..............SWEET

[silveranblack]

There has been whole lot of trades this season, I think the pats got the worst of it. Redskins actually did good with the free market they got Moss and Patten which will spread the field and if they have no one in the box you can use portis.

[akhhorus]

so who were our top 6 players? Coles, Pierce, Smoot.....Portis, Sam, Thomas, Taylor, Springs, Washinton, Griffin and Phillips

I got 3 of out top 11.............our WR core may be better with new scheme and upgraded , healthy O-Line.......Barrow could be healthy and MLB wouldn't loose a beat......... and Pac Man or Rolle probably a big upgrade over Smoot..............SWEET

In our top 6 players, you have to include:
Portis, Randy THomas, Marcus Washington and Springs at least. So either Smoot or Pierce isnt one them at least.

[hailgibbsy]

Hey, folks... the more I think about it, the more confident I am that losing Pierce and Smoot ain't all that bad. I know what the media consensus is, but take a deep breath and try to remember where Pierce and Smoot were valued BEFORE Messers Gibbs and Williams entered the picture. Overall, I'm THRILLED we didn't overpay for guys who would have tipped us into tilt. We'll be fine, either with Wilds at corner (who looked mah-velous) or a sleeper draft pick. Speaking of which, I hope we don't follow the mocks I've seen so far and reach at 9 for when we could trade down and grab Heath Miller AND a second. While end and corner seem need picks, there is plenty of later value, esp. if we pick up a HUGE possession TE to slide underneath while our new burners blaze up the field.

Our greatest assets are 1) Gibbs 2) Williams. The rest will happen. It all starts with philosophy.

Anyone not wanting to be here, I'd rather not have around.

Glad to be with you on the boards. Hope you don't mind me around...


Go SKINS!

[IowaSkinsFan]

Sometimes the right decisions for the organization are not the most popular. Seems like the Skins are on ther right track, just takes time to develop the young players through the draft.

I'm thinking the same thing Phil. Hail to Gibbs for bringing some restraint to the team and a calming influence.

[redwolf1218]

Hey, folks... the more I think about it, the more confident I am that losing Pierce and Smoot ain't all that bad. I know what the media consensus is, but take a deep breath and try to remember where Pierce and Smoot were valued BEFORE Messers Gibbs and Williams entered the picture. Overall, I'm THRILLED we didn't overpay for guys who would have tipped us into tilt. We'll be fine, either with Wilds at corner (who looked mah-velous) or a sleeper draft pick. Speaking of which, I hope we don't follow the mocks I've seen so far and reach at 9 for when we could trade down and grab Heath Miller AND a second. While end and corner seem need picks, there is plenty of later value, esp. if we pick up a HUGE possession TE to slide underneath while our new burners blaze up the field.

Our greatest assets are 1) Gibbs 2) Williams. The rest will happen. It all starts with philosophy.

Anyone not wanting to be here, I'd rather not have around.

Glad to be with you on the boards. Hope you don't mind me around...


Go SKINS!
WELCOME.

[RedskinsDave]

The reason we didn't "overpay" Pierce and Smoot is because of the guys we OVERPAID last year or the year before. Does anyone get that?

[IowaSkinsFan]

Hell Im going to get my tickets for Detroit and the Super Bowl now.

Do you fall under the category of disgruntled fan?

[redwolf1218]

The reason we didn't "overpay" Pierce and Smoot is because of the guys we OVERPAID last year or the year before. Does anyone get that?
and no way is Pierce worth more than Marcus nor Smoot more than Springs.

[silveranblack]

Thats how I was feeling also when charles woodson who signed a 10.5 mill contract that said he could not do business with other teams and still did the cowboys are trying to get him and ty law.

[jtpop]

This comes down to a money decision, with cap constraints comes tough choices which had to be made. If healthy Barrow will step into the middle and the defense will not miss a beat. Smoot was a good player, not great, but at a demanding position like CB he will be missed. Instead of going WR with the draft pick it may be we go DB instead or who knows Harris or Wilds might step in and do fine. I believe Williams like physical players and let's face it Smoot was not that physical.

[Redskin4Life]

Huh? Lavar? Taylor? Neither one played in every game. Lavar didn't do squat last year. Taylor had too many personal fouls to be in the top six. They are two of the most talented we have but were nowhere near as valuable to the team last year as Pierce, Smoot and Coles.
I would have to say that's a strange statement to say since these 3 top players were on a 6-10 team. Smoot's a #2 CB that broke out really this year in GW's system. Pierce TRULY broke out in GW's system. Coles numbers weren't as good as they were in NYJ (YAC @ Jets = 15.2 average whereas YAC @ Redskins = 12.7 average). Also with Coles toe not getting better (YAC down 4 yards per, seemed slower in the games, with Ramsey his YAC decreased near the end of the year) and Moss about to break out, I think it was a fair trade. I think we'll be a lot better next year (can't get worse than 6-10 in the weak NFC). There's hope as long as Gibbs is in town....

[hailgibbsy]

I dunno... though he was hurt much of last year, from sheer towering ability I'd put Arrington in our core group of impact guys. And Sean Taylor too. IMHO we haven't hurt the core whatsoever. And I look to Patten and Moss, just from what they've said so far, to become Smurfs II. While listening to the Patten audio I teared up - I can already see where Gibbs is leading the team back to values. And Patten knows how blessed he is to be playing for a legend. Imagine the legacy that guy will leave if he moves from 3 Super Bowls in 4 years to our new juggernaut under Gibbsy!

It's not like we didn't make offers for Pierce and Smoot. They simply decided to chase dollars. If that's the case, let 'em go. We already know how that scenario ends.

The value guys are the guys who know values.

[Redskinmayhem]

The reason we didn't "overpay" Pierce and Smoot is because of the guys we OVERPAID last year or the year before. Does anyone get that?

Correct- so by you're logic you want to continue down the same path another year??? Think about it, yes, we over paid in the past and maybe Smoot and Pierce walked because of that. So what we're doing now is showing some restraint so that when other guys like Taylor and Ram come up for FA(if they're good) we don't let them walk. Don't be so near-sighted. Look ahead. Plus by saving some loot now we won't be in cap hell later as everyone has predicted. You guys that are sweating this off-season would be irate if we'd spent big bucks on FA's *and* would be PO'd if we were in cap hell for the next few seasons!!!!

Well, with some of you on here it's damned if you do damned if you don't.


:rolleyes:

[joethefan]

Well, with some of you on here it's damned if you do damned if you don't.


:rolleyes:

Very good post..."You can't have it both ways.."..LOL

[RedskinsDave]

Correct- so by you're logic you want to continue down the same path another year???

No but the same folks who are applauding the current level of constraint by Gibbs aren't the ones who place blame on him for the Brunell and Barrow deals. YOU can't have it both ways.

[hailgibbsy]

Maybe I'm just a goof, but IMHO Gibbs got the formula just right. Of COURSE we're in cap hell from past indiscretions. What's past is past, and don't curse Snyder because we're really blessed to have an owner who cares so much to win. It takes awhile to learn that at least in the NFL, you can't buy a championship. Which is a great exactly why I've lost interest in baseball (beside the feel good stories that keep recurring, like Boston. 2005: Go Cubbies!). Who really cares if Steinbrenner buys another pennant? Yawn...

Our left tackle restructured. We've got our speed at WR. We've also got vets calling Gibbs to check in on what's going on (caring about the team) and Randy Thomas speaking about heart & soul.

Maybe we MIGHT have chased Smoot in another era. But honestly, I think having Mr. Williams is a bit like Tailback U. at Denver. While I adore Portis and think the world of Betts, I can't help but notice that Denver keeps plugging along.

The system is the secret. There's no one guy.

Oh, and Mr. Gibbs, if you're out there, I've got an idea: please pay the fines the No Fun League will levy and allow the whole fun bunch to jump for joy when we score. You've already mentioned we haven't "jumped around" in the end zone. So pay the fines and celebrate as a group. God, that was always a thrill.

Seeya at 12!

[akhhorus]

No but the same folks who are applauding the current level of constraint by Gibbs aren't the ones who place blame on him for the Brunell and Barrow deals. YOU can't have it both ways.

In the end, neither of those deals will cost nearly what their contract says.

[RedskinsDave]

In the end, neither of those deals will cost nearly what their contract says.

How so? Do we get to spend that money this year? Do we get that ridiculous pick back from Jax?

I'm not saying I think all the moves are bad but some people here are frickin lambs when it comes to Gibbs. I'm still on the fence regarding the encore.

[akhhorus]

How so? Do we get to spend that money this year? Do we get that ridiculous pick back from Jax?

I'm not saying I think all the moves are bad but some people here are frickin lambs when it comes to Gibbs. I'm still on the fence regarding the encore.

That pick was a waste, but its not like it was a first rounder. And both of them are costing little against the cap this year. Im on the fence, but Im willing to wait before I start trashing.

[RedskinsDave]

I just don't like people applauding the conservative approach as if they had much of a choice. I think Gibbs bought Snyder's approach when he came in last year and now, after a year to sit on it and talk to the people he knows, he sees you can't do that and be both successful and consistent.

[Keino]

The reason we didn't "overpay" Pierce and Smoot is because of the guys we OVERPAID last year or the year before. Does anyone get that?

Well at some point you have to break the cycle. We could have matched the Smoot offer, but we showed restraint, something we haven't done in the past. SO while we are tight on the cap due to prior overspending, I do not agree that prior overspending prevented us from overpaying this year. I believe restraint and structure prevented that.

[Redskinmayhem]

No but the same folks who are applauding the current level of constraint by Gibbs aren't the ones who place blame on him for the Brunell and Barrow deals. YOU can't have it both ways.


Ok Brunnell was a mistake- but who knew???

Barrow- who could've predicted that? Who knew that one of the most durable MLB's in football over that past 5 or so years was going to have an injury like that? He passed his physical didn't he?

[Brokenstriker]

We lost three of our six best players from last year. I'm ecstatic!!!! :banghead:

?? 3 of 6 ... splain that to me. I see at least 6 or 7 of last years best players still on the roster
Washington
Taylor
Cooley
Portis
Samuels
Arrington
Springs

and that's avoiding grey areas like ...
Thomas
Thrash (Special Teams)
Sellers (Special Teams)
Ramsey
Marshall

plus Jansen is coming back
upgrade at Center
upgrade at #2 WR
possible wash at #1 WR

*but I am interested in what you are talking about ... who do you think were the 6 best last season?

[RedskinsDave]

I think Springs, Smoot, Coles, Portis, Pierce and Washington were the best six last year. I'm not talking about potential or just how the season wrapped up. I'm talking about the whole season.

[Redskinmayhem]

I think Springs, Smoot, Coles, Portis, Pierce and Washington were the best six last year. I'm not talking about potential or just how the season wrapped up. I'm talking about the whole season.

Pierce was definitely an important cog in the wheel but we didn't miss a beat when Smoot was out and we played minnesota. Oh btw, must I remind you that Pierce was an important part of a 6-10 team? Not a play off team, heck not a wild card team. We're talking about a 6-10 team. In reality, no one from that team is IRREPLACEABLE!!! Even our best player- LAvar, was out for the majority of the season.

[RedskinsDave]

Pierce was definitely an important cog in the wheel but we didn't miss a beat when Smoot was out and we played minnesota. Oh btw, must I remind you that Pierce was an important part of a 6-10 team? Not a play off team, heck not a wild card team. We're talking about a 6-10 team. In reality, no one from that team is IRREPLACEABLE!!! Even our best player- LAvar, was out for the majority of the season.

Well call me crazy but I've always been in favor of keeping good players.

[Spence]

Dave, you've got a very good point when you write that the motivation for the sudden fiscal responsibility is the hangover from last year's irresponsibility. It's a shame the Redskins have to learn their lesssons the hard way, but at least we can now hope they're learning them. Not the best situation to be in, but certainly preferable to the last five years. I agree that the Brunell deal is one we can't have back. That makes it all the more important that such disasters are not repeated.

Like you, I'm also in favor of retaining good players. But not at any price. Pierce and Smoot both priced themselves out of the market for sensible general managers. Giving that sort of deal to Pierce and Smoot is what I would have expected from Snyder. Therefore, I'm glad someone else did it this time.

[COUNCILMAN]

Please. Smoot and Pierce werent part of the Top 6 players on the Skins last year.
-Lavar, Portis, Springs, Washington, Coles, Taylor or Griffin.

This is the most rediculous post I have heard!

So 3 of the top players on the Skins last season turn out to be:

1) A linebacker who didn't play each week because he was injured(Lavar)

2) A back who averaged 3 yards per carry

3) A receiver who caught 1 TD pass

Just shows you that some homers can justify ANY trade, cut, or player loss.

The reality is that Marcus Washington is the only Skin who had an all pro year, but certainly if you wanted to make a list of the top Skins players you would have to start with the defense since that group kept the Skins in every game. And with that said, except for Washington, I think a case could be made that all the players on the defense were equal because this was truly a "team" effort. Griffin played great....but so did Lemar Marshall replacing Lavar...and Springs had 5 QB sacks....and Sean Taylor started to make an impact, especially on running plays. This is a good solid team on defense...and I doubt that either Smoot or Pierce cannot be replaced, but lets not give so much credit to other players as individuals because in reality NOBODY on that team made the pro bowl or really came that close except Marcus Washington.....and he truly was an impact player.

[C-7]

Let's look on the bright side






OK, were is it?

[BurgundyNGold]

"Always look on the bright side of life... [whistles]". If it's good for Monty Python, it should be good for us.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and give my annual forecast of a 10-6 finish and making the playoffs a whole month early this year!