Room for disappointment in FA?

It's a simple proposition... after cutting Marcus our glaring needs this off-season were, and oddly still are, a starting (preferably franchise) caliber OT and a play-maker at SLB. FA has been exhilarating and equally impressive but the two biggest needs remain and now we're evidently tapped out on cap space to address either position in FA. So... we're left w/ the draft to make it happen. Trading down to get a 1st and 2nd round pick could yield two legit starters but may likely put a franchise player at either position out of reach (for example Andre Smith or Rey Maluauga). I'm not complaining here about the FO but just raising the concern. Our o-line was abysmal last year and needs further upgrading, but we're an injury away from being depleted at LB (already too thin for comfort). What should we do now...

well, the golston for a pick option still exists i imagine, but vinny said we're keeping our guys, so i assume that's that.

It's a simple proposition... after cutting Marcus our glaring needs this off-season were, and oddly still are, a starting (preferably franchise) caliber OT and a play-maker at SLB. FA has been exhilarating and equally impressive but the two biggest needs remain and now we're evidently tapped out on cap space to address either position in FA. So... we're left w/ the draft to make it happen. Trading down to get a 1st and 2nd round pick could yield two legit starters but may likely put a franchise player at either position out of reach (for example Andre Smith or Rey Maluauga). I'm not complaining here about the FO but just raising the concern. Our o-line was abysmal last year and needs further upgrading, but we're an injury away from being depleted at LB (already too thin for comfort). What should we do now...

I like this thread because it provides the counter point to the people who are head over heels with the Haynesworth signing. Although our free agent pickups were huge they were not many and we're still in the same thin depth position that we were last season.

If we suffer even minor injuries we go down hard like we did last season after going 6-2. People get so caught up in the celebration frenzy that they don't see the macro problems we'll face down the road because the fact is our depth is still terrible.

Haynesworth's contract could have yielded at least 3 or 4 above average players at needed positions. Depth was a major liability for us last year. Signing multiple players at our needed positions in addition to the draft would have improved that liability going into the approaching season.

I think the Haynesworth signing provides depth because it puts Golston and Montgomery back where they belong.

Plus lets not forget that we are only two days into free agency, we still have plenty of time to fill needs.

Yea we are thin at some positions but, we still have time to fill them

If Haynesworth stays healthy through out the year then our D will be disruptive perhaps causing 3 and out or interceptions giving us more chances with the ball. I'm sure some of the guys that are worried ie; Golsten, Montgomery, and Alexander might be rotating to relieve AH and others but they could be used at DE perhaps as our heavy package. I think Talor is going to be moved used as a LB/DE. We lose Marcus and pick up Taylor for that position.

If they can get more draft picks then I get the feeling it's going to be used for OL. I was concerned about our CB also. Yes we have Hall, Rogers, Smoot, Westbrook, and Tryon. The two unknowns are Westbrook and Tryon. If Westbrook was so good why havn't we used him in the past instead of keeping him on the practice squad? and since he has always been there aparently showing nothing why did we pick him back up? Tryon did ok. He made a couple of good plays and a couple of bad plays. However it was his rookie yr so it's expected. I'm baffled with the Westbrook thing though. Even Tryon as a rookie got on the field over Westbrook. So I presume we will pick up another CB in later rounds of the draft or invite some UFA rookies.

It would be nice to see us pick up a big RT then relegate Jansen to backup. Could Heyer move to Guard? Then our only other concern would be getting a big Center. Someone around 300+ and about 6ft something.

So to cap maybe RT, C, LB and CB. If we can pull of more picks in later rounds also then maybe we'd be good.

People have mentioned RB. I'm excited at the two we picked up. Dominique Dorsey from Canada seems interesting and Anthony Alridge. Both are the speedy slasher types. In my book it would be nice to have one take Rocks spot and use them as punt and kick returns and have them available to fill in as the slasher we need to get to the outside once and a while or for pass catching.

I like this thread because it provides the counter point to the people who are head over heels with the Haynesworth signing. Although our free agent pickups were huge they were not many and we're still in the same thin depth position that we were last season.

If we suffer even minor injuries we go down hard like we did last season after going 6-2. People get so caught up in the celebration frenzy that they don't see the macro problems we'll face down the road because the fact is our depth is still terrible.

Haynesworth's contract could have yielded at least 3 or 4 above average players at needed positions. Depth was a major liability for us last year. Signing multiple players at our needed positions in addition to the draft would have improved that liability going into the approaching season.

Whats up Skinny, I like the thread also. But according to our poll over 60 percent are uncomfortable with the money. And I have'nt seen anyone head over heals for Haynesworth. There might have been, but I did'nt see it.

I agree with you we are still thin but had we not sined AH, we would not have picked up 3-4 above average guys. Maybe 2 IMO.

I think, at least for me the celebration has more to do with what the FO was able to accomplish with what they had to work with. I like the fact that they paid Hall instead of letting him go. I like that they got Doc back.

As far as AH. Well again I'm Happy and Scared at the same time but I am becoming more confident with the choice to go after him. we have a team full of above average players. What we needed was a show stopper, a Lawrence Taylor a Reggie White type of player. And AH definatly represents that. IMO.

We also have to be realistic If we had picked up 3 or 4 above average guys, would we really have more depth? I think above average guys want to start. Which means we would have probably cut the positions they would have filled.

I think we need one more season to become solid on both sides of the line. with or without AH. we would still need one more season.

IMO FO made the right moves. I like the Hall/AH combo better than the Hall/Canty combo which would have left us low on $$$ as well.

Just my perspective on things.

It's a little to soon for me to start getting worried. We have'nt addressed all our needs but free agency isn't over and the draft has'nt started yet. We signed Hall when alot of us thought it was too late. Who would have figured we'd get Dockery? That means we just got younger with a starter at LG. Our d-line sucks! Sound familiar? I'm pretty sure AH improves our d-line. We've improved our team and have'nt even drafted yet. It is VERY possible to get a starting RT AND talented young OLB in the draft. Assuming we're done in free agency. The draft has'nt started yet and we've already improved our team. Maybe not the way we all would have liked, but I don't think there is any doubt we've improved. With only 4 picks in the draft we've already improved more than I expected, that's why I'm excited. To think we could address every need with our cap situation and only 4 picks would have been unreasonable but...... somehow we may still do it. Whether we trade down or not, we're still going to get some help in the draft.

Have we not set the standard for disappointed in FA?

well, the golston for a pick option still exists i imagine, but vinny said we're keeping our guys, so i assume that's that.

I wouldn't trade Golston, the guy has a motor and I think he will keep improving. If I trade anyone it would be Betts and draft a young RB somewhere in the draft.

I like our moves this year if the plan for the FO is to gather as much top talent they can this year in preparation for uncapped seasons following the '09 season. I'd really like that because that would mean that our FO actually has foresight.

But if that is the case this coming year is considered a gathering year and the following year is going to be slated as our competitive season. Once the cap goes away I think all this years spending is going to pay off. But if there is a cap then we are royally screwed this and next year....the Skins love their gamble.