The 6 Million Dollar Shopping Spree

The Bucs are interested in Hackett. I hope the Redskins schedule a visit soon. The Bucs desperately need another WR, and I'd hate for a deal to get done with them.

Problem is the Bucs have a ton of cap room and can afford to overspend on Hackett.

Seems like the Skins aren't interested in overspending... wow did I just say that?

Problem is the Bucs have a ton of cap room and can afford to overspend on Hackett.

Seems like the Skins aren't interested in overspending... wow did I just say that?


Yeep you did - and that is sweet music to my ears! Due to the lack of quality free agents someone will overpay for Hackett so the SKins should go to plan B.

I was actually listening to an update that said what teams are interested in who, and I didn't near our name come up for Hackett at all..

I did finally see Ernest Wilford get some hype today, finally. If we dont get hackett we should grab this dude up quick.
Actually, even if we do get hackett we should still get Wilford.

You're right, no one is connecting Hackett to the Skins, but there's still a chance. There hasn't been much buzz about the Skins at all, but the thing is we don't need to go fishing for any of these guys this year. In other words, teams have ways of making it clear that they are interested in a particular free agent before he even becomes one, and that's what sets up the hype. Skins haven't been doing that this year, but any agent worth his salt would know to contact Snyder, if for no other reason than to say he has spoken to Snyder and thereby driving up the price. By virtue of our past spending, we become major players in the choices of free agents without even making a move. So I would consider Hackett a possibility, especially since he worked with Zorn.

Personally, I like him. WR is a critical position for us. At any point, we are a Santana Moss injury away from having Randle El as our #1 receiver, and considering how often Santana gets boo-boos, this is a big, big problem. Hackett's no superstar, but he fits perfectly with the new cautious approach that the Skins have adopted.

As as a general rule, no move is always a favorable alternative to the wrong moves.

It's the eve of Free Agency, so I thought we should preview the FA season with a list of what you'd do with as the Redskins GM. Key is, you are on a limited budget (because you are the Redskins GM), and you have to offer players a fair market value contract to come play here. Here's my Washington Redskins shopping list:

1. D.J. Hackett, WR
Contract Offered: 7 years, 5 mil SB in 2008, 5 mil SB in 2009, total value of 29 million. 2008 Cap Number: 1.5 million (0.78 base + .7 SB allocation)
Hackett is the number one guy on my list, so he gets the longest deal of any of my free agent targets. Hackett is two years younger than Randle El and Moss, so the hope is that he's the team's No. 1 receiver if not by the middle of the season, then no later than 2010.

2. Jeff Faine, C
Contract Offered: 6 years, 4 mil SB in 2008, 4 mil SB in 2009, total value of 21 million. 2008 Cap Number: 1.45 million (0.78 base + 0.667 SB allocation)
Faine is a 27 year old center (NFL starter since his rookie year) who could start for us right away if he could beat out Rabach in camp. Either way, he would be the interior staple of the OL of the future which would include a 2008 draft pick at guard, and Heyer at RT to compliment Samuels and Thomas.

3. Kris Wilson, TE
Contract Offered: 5 years, 6 million SB, total value of 17 million. 2008 Cap Number: 2.0 million (.78 base + 1.2 mil SB allocation)
Wilson would come right in as the 2nd TE for us, and would see a lot of playing time in the WCO. He would be a staple on special teams, and would force a camp battle between Todd Yoder and Tyler Ecker to make the team as the 3rd TE. Wilson is a good blocker who also is a threat to catch the ball (what a concept!).

4. Brian Kelly, CB/S
Contract Offered: 3 years, 4 million SB, total value of 11 million.
2008 Cap Number: 2.1 million (.78 base + 1.33 SB allocation)
Kelly would fill not only the role of the ever important nickel position while Rogers misses time, but also play as the third safety once Rogers returns. Kelly would likely only play one year here before we release him, but the 3 year deal gives contract flexibility.

5. Mark Brunell, QB
Contract Offered: $950,000 total value, no signing bonus.
2008 Cap Number: $950,000
Brunell would come in as the 2nd QB, but would have to compete for the job. If he gets cut, he gets no money.

These moves would allow the team to add depth for this season, with players who would progress into bigger roles in the future when their contract value skyrockets (another great concept!). The total value of those contracts would only be 6.4 ish million once the rule of 51 is accounted for. To achieve this, the Redskins simply have to restructure Betts and Portis, and then they will still have enough money for the rookie pool to fill all other holes on the team.

Post your shopping spree if you wish.

Nice post Tripp but I don't really think we need any of these guys except Hackett. Hackett would make a lot of sense. Rabach has been a solid center for us. I don't think there is a need to replace him right now. Do you? I'd rather us focus on replacing Kendall. I think Yoder had been a good back-up to Cooley. Kellly has played in the Tampa 2 defense his whole career. I'm not sure he's a good fit here. And there is no need for Brunell since Collins resigned. Collins earned the right to be JC's back-up. We really need to draft a young guy to bring along in the system as 3rd string and then 2nd when Collins retires.

As as a general rule, no move is always a favorable alternative to the wrong moves.

That sounds nice, but it's kind of a platitude. After all, a GM and an owner don't sit around saying, "Hmm, should we make no move, or a bad one?" The fact is, risks have to be taken. As far as the Skins go though, it might be good advice for no other reason than it recommends caution, the lack of which has been known to plague us.

That sounds nice, but it's kind of a platitude. After all, a GM and an owner don't sit around saying, "Hmm, should we make no move, or a bad one?" The fact is, risks have to be taken. As far as the Skins go though, it might be good advice for no other reason than it recommends caution, the lack of which has been known to plague us.

Yeah kinda sounds like the old hindsight is 20/20 deal. Nobody sets out to make a bad deal. Some moves are perhaps smarter than others, but sometimes no matter how smart you try to be shit just doesn't work out for whatever reason.

When your Tight End leads the team in catches and TDs it typically means you need to add to your WR corps. I mean I like Cooley and all, but we could use a good WR. True, the O-Line needs help (read the other threads) and so does the D-Line...but the WRs as well.

No, Cooley lead the team because it doesnt take as long for a TE to run his routes. It takes longer for a WR to go up the field.

No, Cooley lead the team because it doesnt take as long for a TE to run his routes. It takes longer for a WR to go up the field.

That's one of the more original explanations I've ever seen