it seems we're stuck with the draft...

Alot of free agents to be are either being franchised (14) or signed by their original teams. Also alot of teams seem to be under the cap, so late cap cuts are expected to be minimal. The less free agents there are means that the ones who make it to free agency will be more overpaid than usual. The Skins will definitely not be able to significantly overpay free agents. We are stuck with the draft which will be good for our future, but makes me very pessimistic about this upcoming season.

There are still plenty of players who will hit the free agent market next week. What we're seeing are the big names being locked up before they have a chance to hit the open market.

We may not get anyone who will be considered a "big splash," but that doesn't mean we can't find some value. Vinny and Zorn have both said cost will be a big factor in FA, so guys like Jordan Gross, Vernon Carey, etc probably wouldn't have been in our price range even if they didn't receive extensions.

I wouldn't say we're "stuck" with the draft. There will be some FA's out there who can help us.

I don't see a solid season for the next few years. We'll be lucky to get the average results that we've had.
With that said we should take advantage of it. If we know we can't do anything in FA, we'll ok. We can get a few guys here or there that fit our schemes that can play. They might not have a big name but they'll not have that big pay check either.
If there is a capped year in 2010 then we'll be well under it and be able to spend some cash. Even if it isn't we'll still be able to spend cash, short an economic depression.
Maybe now that the FA is no longer an option the FO will take care to draft better players. The last time we had four draft picks we got Sean Taylor, Chris Cooley and two OTs, I think.
So look at the bright side.

Still early for this thread but I would welcome an all draft 2009 unless a good punter turns up FA.

I'm still not ready to give up on next year. I still think our "O" will be better with a little line adjustment if for no other reason then JC and our receivers having another year under their belts in this offense.

We still have some interesting prospects within the roster that I think will flourish + whoever we draft.

Alex Buzbee
Rob Jackson
Matt Sinclair
Devin Clark
Chad Rinehart
Alfred Fincher

Id be surprised if any of thoseguys touch the field once....

Bugel needs to coach Rhinehart up...get him some reps...see if he can make any impact at all...the rest of em...not good.

We still have some interesting prospects within the roster that I think will flourish + whoever we draft.

Alex Buzbee
Rob Jackson
Matt Sinclair
Devin Clark
Chad Rinehart
Alfred Fincher

Buzbee-Seen as a pass-rushing specialist from what I understand, but they have high hopes he'll start to contribute this year

Jackson-Haven't figured out what he adds to the team

Sinclair-Special teamer at best I'd imagine

Devin Clark-Not sure why he's been talked up so much this offseason. Wish we had kept Crummey

Rinehart-He needs to play. Maybe with Thomas' neck/spine injury, and I hate to think this because I'm a big fan of his, there might be an injury settlement down the line this offseason?

Fincher-He'll battle for playing time and wouldn't be surprised to see him emerge as our new Khary Campbell (special teams leader)

There's also Kareem Moore who should have a bigger role this year. And one guy who we're not talking about at all but who is more highly regarded around the league than I would have ever imagined is Justin Tryon.

I guess if you're only looking at the big names you could say we're "stuck" with the draft. I don't think the Skins are looking to go big anyway. I think we'll see them focus on the 2nd tier guys and depth type of players.