Biggest Offseason Priority

I don't think WIlliams will get a head coaching job this year. I remind everyone that Dick Lebeau is also doing a great job in pittsburg, but he's not gonna be a head coach next year either. THere are too many guys ahead of those two guys right now. Like Charley Weiss, Romeo Crunnel, Jim Fassel,

I really like Williams but I think Weiss and Crennel should get their first shots before Williams gets his second. And I'm not saying that for selfish reasons. It's possible that Williams will be a better coach the second time around but it's also possible that he's just a great defensive coordinator and that's as good as he'll be.

I'd say it's got to all start with retaining Williams.

Smoot is a close 2nd.

I chose Smoot, because that's something we can control. In all honesty, we've done what was necessary to hold onto Williams already. He's paid $1.8 million a year, which prices him out of several markets. He has complete control of his scheme and players, which some head coaches don't even get (Raiders, Cowboys). The teams that will likely need head coaches either don't have the resources to pay him well enough, or don't have the talent level to make winning likely - which after his first experience in Buffalo has to be a priority for Gregg. I think we can retain him this year. After all, this isn't a situation like Marvin Lewis where he just wants his shot. Williams has been to the mountain - he knows the situation has to be ideal.

With his retention in place, the question becomes personnel. Smoot is more than a good corner, he is a spokesman and focal point for the team and the fans. Losing him would mean a great deal to the spirit of these Redskins. Pierce has shown himself to be a very talented LB, and I hope we can keep him - but not at the cost of Smoot.

The other personnel changes would be nice, but I don't know how necessary. I'd prefer to go into next season with our current roster - healthy -than with a new center or DE. Let's evaluate the need for additions with Bubba Tyer, not with Vinny Cerrato.

I put Williams as I think he would be a monster loss for this team. I mean like a huge terrible insurmountable loss. Gibbs and Synder MUST do whatever it takes to keep Williams around. Smoot is my current favorite Redskin but I honestly think at this point it'd be easier to replace him than Williams. In any case I think all 5 choices are important.

#1 Retaining Gregg Williams
#2 Re-signing Fred Smoot
#3 Re-signing Antonio Pierce
#4 Signing a New Center
#5 Signing a Pass-Rushing DE

i thought we alraedy had pierce for like 4 years or something

Retaining Greg Williams #1.
Jim Fassel? He should go under the same category as Spurrier and Norv Turner. Great coordinators but not a good head coach. Spurrier, Turner and Fassel do not have the leadership skills to keep today's players in line. They are too nice.
Weiss and Crunnel on the other hand have not had a chance to prove if they got it or not. I hate to mention it, but I think one of those guys is an african american, so his chances are less that he will become a head coach. I wish that was not the case for African American coaches, but it is the truth. Black coaches do not get the same opportunities for promotion in college and pro football.

The biggest difference with Fassel is he did at least get the Giants into the Super Bowl as head coach. Unfortunately, after that year the Giants were not consistant.

Turner might have been a different story after the '99 season if it wasn't for the deep pockets of Synder, of course now its would've could've should've.

Spurrier might have eventually figured it out, but I think the NFL required a little more dedication than what he was willing to put in.

I read in the post this morning that Antonio Pierce said "I want to come back, but you never know how much they want you until the dollar signs come." As great as he has been this season, i dont want him demanding a huge contract or only taking the biggest contract thats offered to him as criteria for signing.....

def keep williams but hopefully he'll wanna stick around for a few yrs b4 attempting a 2nd stint as HC. some ppl are just better coords than HCs. like dude said about lebeau. also i agree with everything r-fan said. get smoot, a center, and if not a superstar on the DL, at least some decent depth. hard to complain about our top defense. also i agree that in time the 'skins offense will click, much like it did vs. NYG. go skins!

and go hokies for winnin' the ACC in their first year!
w00t!

I don't see Fassel as a hot head coach prospect this year.

He didn't receive much interest last year and I don't see what's changed to make his stock go up any.