Busy Offseason???

Theres a lot of talk on this board about draft picks and how we are in for another busy off season. Im going to go ahead and disagree with everyone that thinks we are going to be the offseason king again this year. Talent is not the problem on this team, we have tons of talent. We have the least amount of talent on defense, and look how well they are doing. I think what we need is to have the same team next year, and actually have a year of consistency. Yes Brunell is a bust, but we have to hope Ramsey will pan out and be our future. A lot of people talk about our oline needing help, well Jansen will be back next year, Dockery will have two years under his belt, Samuels said he would redo his deal, Thomas is a stud. So what, mabye a new center?

I think the best thing that we could do is to keep our current roster, and any free agent we sign should be for depth. It wouldnt kill us to take a year off of signing huge contracts, it keeps biting us in the ass. Lets let our guys grow together and draft a DE.

I agree with the sentiments here. From a player's perspective, how much value is there to seeing the same faces, the same guys, as you did last year in camp. One thing that has been talked about on these boards over and over is how important continuity is to developing a winner in DC again. It starts with the coaching staff, but it's also just as important, I think, to keep the players together as much as possible. While there are some players that won't be resigned or cut at the end of the year, I think the most important job the FO will have in the off season is resigning guys like Smoot and re-working Samuels contract.

Samuels said he would redo his deal

Did he really? Last I heard he said he definately wouldn't, but that was a long time ago. That's great to hear that he's finally open to being more reasonable.

I completely agree with you though, and I think the team is closer then people give it credit for. Let's assume that the defense is as good next year as it is this year (and I think it could be better cos they will be even more familiar with the system, hopefully less injured, and plus we'll add a stud DE in the draft most likely) all the offense has to do is get to a point where they can generate 24-30 a game, and we will be up there with anyone in the league. Moreover, based on the talent we have - and assuming Ramsey works out of course - I think its reasonable not only to hope for, but actually expect that. You are right about the Oline too, which is the weak point this year. Jansen comes back and we get a better center and hey, 13-3 anyone?

Of course, I say this every single november, that all the pieces are in place for next year, and I am consistently wrong. So we'll see.

I think Gibbs will do a loot of weeding out this year, and we have to try to get more guys he likes in. It won't be busy as normal, but busy none the less.

the offseason should be more about depth than anything else... except for our first rounder and possibly 1-2 FA signings (DE, center)

Samuels kinda said he'd redo his deal. He said he didn't want to redo his deal with the lack of stability in the coaching staff. That isn't the same thing as saying he'll redo his deal this offseason.

The biggest moves we can make in the offseason are no moves at all. We have to lock up the guys on our team now, upgrade a our center, possibly our left gaurd. Draft a few Dlinmen, nothing major. Chemsitry is what this team has been lacking; and I think it could finnally come. Outside of our draft pick, the biggest move we should make is no move at all.

Gmanc711 you are excactly right. I don't claim to be a cap expert, but I know basic math, and 23 million over the cap in two years, means were gonna have to subtract not add. We'll make some signigs for cap purposes and either resign Smoot or extend Samuels deal. We NEED to have a good draft. Because that as we all know is cheap talent.

Busy offseason DOES NOT mean signing huge free-agents. It means a lot of player shuffling, which I feel we'll have.

Theres a lot of talk on this board about draft picks and how we are in for another busy off season. Im going to go ahead and disagree with everyone that thinks we are going to be the offseason king again this year. Talent is not the problem on this team, we have tons of talent. We have the least amount of talent on defense, and look how well they are doing. I think what we need is to have the same team next year, and actually have a year of consistency. Yes Brunell is a bust, but we have to hope Ramsey will pan out and be our future. A lot of people talk about our oline needing help, well Jansen will be back next year, Dockery will have two years under his belt, Samuels said he would redo his deal, Thomas is a stud. So what, mabye a new center?

I think the best thing that we could do is to keep our current roster, and any free agent we sign should be for depth. It wouldnt kill us to take a year off of signing huge contracts, it keeps biting us in the ass. Lets let our guys grow together and draft a DE.

I don't see us making a big splash this as well SC, I think we may look to deal Gardner for whatever we can get Morton as well, Samuels if he doesn't renegotiate, to help clear cap room and look to the draft for some lightning in a bottle bargain's, I could see us dealing out of the first round with our #1 pick and pick up pick's for this year's draft and next, draft a lot of player's with potential and hope some of them stick, I believe 1 of the most important position's that we should address is kick returner, we have to find a real burner Morton is not IMO a guy I want back there he's to week and goes down with a simple arm tackle the field position we lose compared to the 1 or 2 possible return's he may provide is just not worth it, the only way I keep that #1 is if a bonified pass rusher is avail. other wise I deal and start the wheel's in motion to alleveiate Brunell's signing bonus.