The Forgotten Buffalo Free Agent

With all this talk of Fletcher and Clements, I think we may be overlooking another free agent who has been really solid the last few years and could be about to hit his prime

Chris Kelsay (http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/396007)

Gmanc, what can you tell us about him?

Well having played in the leauge for 10 years, I clearly know that (oh wait, I'm just some 21 year old college kid who could barley cut it in HS)....


But Kelsay is very solid. I'd defintley put him above any of our current defensive ends right now (save Carter, since we kinda saw him be absolutley terrible half the year, then a great player the second half). He would clearly be an upgrade at the position, especially if we decide to shop our #6 pick around and trade down. Now Kelsay does have the pleasure of playing opposite Aaronn Schobel, who is an absolute beast and takes some pressure off Kelsay I would think. In any event he would be someone I'd welcome on the team, going into his 5th year, and its a guy Williams drafted so thats good too.

Honestly, I think the defensive end positions are more important than middle linebacker. I mean when we had constant pressure on the QB in 2005, Lamar Marshall was a beast, I still have alot of faith that he will make an impact on the team next year, but it could be the on the weakside.

I like the thinking . I would love to bring in a Kelsay or kearney < Atl > , both guys have a high motor and maybe not cost the team a ton of cash ? Either of them and Fletcher could give the team D some tenacity ! Hopefully we get a true gem at the 6 spot < or trade down and get more > , find a corner , we could have a nice 07 !

I just wished we could go back in time and bring in Charles Mann and Dexter Manley again. I think our defense line problems would be solved then...lol!

I like the thinking . I would love to bring in a Kelsay or kearney < Atl > , both guys have a high motor and maybe not cost the team a ton of cash ? Either of them and Fletcher could give the team D some tenacity ! Hopefully we get a true gem at the 6 spot < or trade down and get more > , find a corner , we could have a nice 07 !

kerney would cost a lot i think

I keep trying to understand how a line with Griffith, Daniels, Salavea, and Wynn looked so good just 3 years ago and so bad now. Some of the run problems must be placed on the linebackers.

The biggest problem appears to be at MLB and DT. We lost Pierce and Griffith lost a little bit each of the past years, as has Salavea. I think that a beast DT (draft) and a guy like Fletcher would help the run defense return to form. If a guy like Kelsay could be had at an affordable price, I think we move Daniels to a DT-DE rotation and release Wynn.

kerney would cost a lot i think

He looking for around 7 million a year

I keep trying to understand how a line with Griffith, Daniels, Salavea, and Wynn looked so good just 3 years ago and so bad now.


all are 30 or more now

GoSkins

How does a DL with Griffith, Daniels, Salavea, and Wynn look bad today when they looked so good three years ago? Let me try to explain...

First of all, they had a much more talented linebacking crew right behind them three years ago than they had last year. That made them look a bit better then than they really were. But that's not the main point.

Secondly, there is the "Father Time Factor". And no one dodges Father Time.

Third of all, there is the problem that lots of people - including unfortunately the Skins' FO -do not seem to comprehend the "Father Time Factor".

When a team is put together with guys who have made a solid name for themselves in the league, that means they tend to be in their late 20s or early 30s when the team (Skins) signs them. Sure, some players are still really, really good through the age of 35 or even 37. BUT most players are on the downside of their careers right after 30. If they are not on the downside, they aren't getting any better...

So the Skins tend to sign a lot of guys who have only about one - or at most three - years left in them where they even resemble the stud that the Skins signed as a free agent. Time and injuries take their toll. That's what happened to the four guys you mentioned on the DL. They aren't nearly the players they were 2 or 3 years ago, and it's not their fault. Oh and they dont' have nearly the level of talent behind them to cover for the increased number of times they get beaten these days so that makes them look all the more "deteriorated".

One of these years, the "football people" at Redskins' Park will catch lightning in a bottle and put together a spectacular team that will dodge the injury bullets and go really deep into the playoffs - - maybe even win a Super Bowl. But if the "football people" there continue with that philosophy, they are unlikely to repeat that performance more than one time because catching lightning in a bottle is neither safe nor highly probable.

So long as there is a salary cap in the NFL, that's a key part of the dynamic that has teams moving up and down in the standings.

So should we go after Kelsay, SC?