PennSkinsFan
02-20-2004, 03:23 PM
Maske (http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/04/sp_sports_maske022004.htm)
Williamstown, Pa.: When the free agency period begins, which players can we expect the Redskins to make a run at, especially on the defensive line?
Mark Maske: I think the biggest thing is to see whether Tennessee puts the franchise tag on Jevon Kearse. You would think they would. But they're way, way over the cap, and they might not be able to do it. That's a guy the Redskins would have to go after as a pass rusher. Everyone around the league seems to think the Redskins will be after Warren Sapp, but that's one I don't know if I'd do if the price gets too high. He's an aging player on the down
College Park, Md.: Mark,
Why do they keep spending all this morning on other teams players instead of keeping their own? It's frustrating to see Champ out on the market. Will they get smart and keep him and will the draft the best player at #5-Sean Taylor? The Brunell move isn't a bad move, although it seems like they bid against themselves. Help soothe a frustrated fan and please explain. Thanks. - Andy
Mark Maske: The players they have haven't been doing them much good. I think Brunell is a good move. He's not the quarterback he once was, but I think he still has a little bit left. Patrick Ramsey will have to live with it.
With Bailey, the Redskins will either keep him or get a lot--A LOT--in return. With the franchise tag on him, the Redskins can let other teams potentially do the work of negotiating the contract with Bailey that the Redskins couldn't. Bailey will either see that he simply can't get as much money as he wants, or he'll agree to a deal and the Redskins then can match it and keep him--and have the contract done for them--or work out a trade.
At this point, I do think Sean Taylor will be the player the Redskins draft, but plenty can change between now and April 24.
I think Patrick Ramsey is the long range answer to the Redskins QB situation. How do we keep him happy as a non-starter for two years before we turn the team over to him? Is it possible?
This is the way of the NFL, and Patrick Ramsey will have to live with it. He is under contract.
Washington, D.C.: Do you think that the lack of harsh criticism of Gibbs (in Washington and abroad) over the potential moves: trading for Brunell, trading Champ, trading Ramsey, speaks more to Gibbs's H.O.F. credentials, or respect for the prudence of the moves?
Mark Maske: I think it is all about the three Super Bowl trophies sitting in the lobby of Redskins Park. Joe Gibbs put them there. The irony is that judging and picking players never was his strength the first time around. He was lucky to have Bobby Beathard around. Now he is taking a much bigger role in the roster-shaping process even while he learns the salary cap and the new system that the NFL has put in place since he left coaching. But he is still Joe Gibbs, one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, and he deserves the benefit of the doubt.
Winchester, Va.: With Brunell in the fold do you think the Redskins trade Ramsey and Bailey and aquire two more first round picks?
washingtonpost.com: Redskins, Brunell Reach Deal (Post, Feb. 20)
Mark Maske: I think Ramsey stays, unless the Redskins get an overwhelming offer and have another quarterback up their sleeve somewhere. I think Bailey is 50-50. If I'm another team, as good as Champ Bailey is, I don't give him a contract with a $15 million-plus signing bonus and give the Redskins a player and first- and second-round draft picks. No way. He's a great cover cornerback but he doesn't make game-changing plays, and there will be other very good cornerbacks available in free agency who won't cost me draft picks
Arlington, Va.: Speaking of the other great CB's, who do the 'Skins get if Champ does go, in order of preference? Also, could the Champ move be some kind of precurser to their dumping Ramsey and moving up in the draft to get Manning or Big Ben?
washingtonpost.com: Bailey Given Franchise Tag By Redskins (Post, Feb. 19)
Mark Maske: If Bailey goes, I would keep an eye on Shawn Springs.
Fairfax, Va.: What's the story with P. Ramsey's boorish attidude towards any competition? Has he alienated Coach Gibbs with his publich complaining that he should, in effect, be exempt from competing for his starting position?
Mark Maske: I think that can be fixed. All Ramsey has to do is come into the offseason camps and not make waves, just show he's healthy and trying to win the job. I don't believe there's any permanent damage at this point
Washington, D.C.: Will Betts and Cartwight get most of the carries this year? or will the team get a RB in free agency or the draft?
Mark Maske: I see Betts being part of the plan, but as a backup. I don't see Cartwright being in the tailback rotation any more. I think the starting tailback entering next season will be someone who will be added in the offseason, not a guy off the current roster. I don't rule out Corey Dillon, but I don't see the Redskins or anyone else giving the Bengals a draft pick to trade for him. They could wait until June to see if the Bengals release him, but you'd have to be very patient for that.
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Williamstown, Pa.: When the free agency period begins, which players can we expect the Redskins to make a run at, especially on the defensive line?
Mark Maske: I think the biggest thing is to see whether Tennessee puts the franchise tag on Jevon Kearse. You would think they would. But they're way, way over the cap, and they might not be able to do it. That's a guy the Redskins would have to go after as a pass rusher. Everyone around the league seems to think the Redskins will be after Warren Sapp, but that's one I don't know if I'd do if the price gets too high. He's an aging player on the down
College Park, Md.: Mark,
Why do they keep spending all this morning on other teams players instead of keeping their own? It's frustrating to see Champ out on the market. Will they get smart and keep him and will the draft the best player at #5-Sean Taylor? The Brunell move isn't a bad move, although it seems like they bid against themselves. Help soothe a frustrated fan and please explain. Thanks. - Andy
Mark Maske: The players they have haven't been doing them much good. I think Brunell is a good move. He's not the quarterback he once was, but I think he still has a little bit left. Patrick Ramsey will have to live with it.
With Bailey, the Redskins will either keep him or get a lot--A LOT--in return. With the franchise tag on him, the Redskins can let other teams potentially do the work of negotiating the contract with Bailey that the Redskins couldn't. Bailey will either see that he simply can't get as much money as he wants, or he'll agree to a deal and the Redskins then can match it and keep him--and have the contract done for them--or work out a trade.
At this point, I do think Sean Taylor will be the player the Redskins draft, but plenty can change between now and April 24.
I think Patrick Ramsey is the long range answer to the Redskins QB situation. How do we keep him happy as a non-starter for two years before we turn the team over to him? Is it possible?
This is the way of the NFL, and Patrick Ramsey will have to live with it. He is under contract.
Washington, D.C.: Do you think that the lack of harsh criticism of Gibbs (in Washington and abroad) over the potential moves: trading for Brunell, trading Champ, trading Ramsey, speaks more to Gibbs's H.O.F. credentials, or respect for the prudence of the moves?
Mark Maske: I think it is all about the three Super Bowl trophies sitting in the lobby of Redskins Park. Joe Gibbs put them there. The irony is that judging and picking players never was his strength the first time around. He was lucky to have Bobby Beathard around. Now he is taking a much bigger role in the roster-shaping process even while he learns the salary cap and the new system that the NFL has put in place since he left coaching. But he is still Joe Gibbs, one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, and he deserves the benefit of the doubt.
Winchester, Va.: With Brunell in the fold do you think the Redskins trade Ramsey and Bailey and aquire two more first round picks?
washingtonpost.com: Redskins, Brunell Reach Deal (Post, Feb. 20)
Mark Maske: I think Ramsey stays, unless the Redskins get an overwhelming offer and have another quarterback up their sleeve somewhere. I think Bailey is 50-50. If I'm another team, as good as Champ Bailey is, I don't give him a contract with a $15 million-plus signing bonus and give the Redskins a player and first- and second-round draft picks. No way. He's a great cover cornerback but he doesn't make game-changing plays, and there will be other very good cornerbacks available in free agency who won't cost me draft picks
Arlington, Va.: Speaking of the other great CB's, who do the 'Skins get if Champ does go, in order of preference? Also, could the Champ move be some kind of precurser to their dumping Ramsey and moving up in the draft to get Manning or Big Ben?
washingtonpost.com: Bailey Given Franchise Tag By Redskins (Post, Feb. 19)
Mark Maske: If Bailey goes, I would keep an eye on Shawn Springs.
Fairfax, Va.: What's the story with P. Ramsey's boorish attidude towards any competition? Has he alienated Coach Gibbs with his publich complaining that he should, in effect, be exempt from competing for his starting position?
Mark Maske: I think that can be fixed. All Ramsey has to do is come into the offseason camps and not make waves, just show he's healthy and trying to win the job. I don't believe there's any permanent damage at this point
Washington, D.C.: Will Betts and Cartwight get most of the carries this year? or will the team get a RB in free agency or the draft?
Mark Maske: I see Betts being part of the plan, but as a backup. I don't see Cartwright being in the tailback rotation any more. I think the starting tailback entering next season will be someone who will be added in the offseason, not a guy off the current roster. I don't rule out Corey Dillon, but I don't see the Redskins or anyone else giving the Bengals a draft pick to trade for him. They could wait until June to see if the Bengals release him, but you'd have to be very patient for that.
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