Couple of questions I'd like to hear people's responses to

From fat Lenny P:
"Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney now has more sacks (40) in the first three seasons of his career than any player in league history. That is significant because it means that Freeney, the club's first-round pick in the 2002 draft, has triggered a substantial "escalator" clause in his contract, one that boosts his base salary to $5 million for 2005. Looks like owner Jim Irsay, who has already opened his checkbook wide to retain Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison, and who has vowed to keep tailback Edgerrin James off the free agent market, will have to dole out big bucks now to Freeney as well."

According to this Freeney is under contract for 2005 so I don't know why we are even discussing him being available?
LOL end of that discussion

Question 1: Hard to answer based on just that, but I'm 95% sure I'd want him here for at least another year. Because as far as I'm concerned 8-8 is a big step up from 5-11 or 6-10. As I've said all along - he has 3 years, and I think he can do it.

Question 2: As much as I hate to say it - no. If we're paying someone Champ Bailey money I want a lockdown corner. Smoot is one of, if not my favorite player, but he's not the best Cornerback in the land. He's solid, he's fast, he's cocky, he talks, and I love him. However, he needs to look at this years stats and realize that he gave up some big plays and isn't exactly a top tier CB. Now, if I had a choice between keeping Smoot for a reasonable price and say McCallister (I know he's not a FA, just for argument sake) I'd keep Smoot. I think he's that important, but we can't bust the bank for him.

Question 3: If Samuels restructures keep him around. Another year with Bugel, and hopefully a majority of fmailliar faces on that line (1-2 changes) and they can get some chemistry together. Plus - LTs are expensive. Let's utilize what we have. I'll go as far to say sign him to a long contract if we can get him for fairly cheap.

Hrm... That's hard. Freeney has established that he can tear up tackles without a whole lot of help from the Colts defense. He has also shown he can beat double teams. That being said, Mike Williams has a ton of talent and gives us a Chad Johnson type. All in all - I'd take Freeney. It's hypothetical, but I'd take him. He's already proven himself, and DEs are so tricky to draft.

If we have a top 5 defense next season, an average offense, and we miss the playoffs next year with an 8-8 record, would you want Gibbs gone?

If Smoot wants Champ Bailey money, would you retain him (knowing he's the emotional leader on defense)?

Clearly, if Samuels doesn't agree to a restructuring, he's gone. What if he agrees to restructure? Do you still upgrade at the LT position?

If the cap situation is such that you could either sign Dwight Freeney, or Mike Williams (mind you Ramseyfan, this isn't cap hell), which one would you sign?

No to Gibbs gone

No do not retain Smoot

No you don't need to upgrade

Freeny as a Free Agent signning and Williams as a pick. Go for both.

Daseal,

We can't bust the bank to re-sign Smoot. Dan Snyder's bank is un-bustable. And if you were talking about that so-called salary cap, didn't anyone tell you, we don't have one. Plus, this "salary cap" as people call it, doesn't apply to players a franchise re-signs.

Freeney AND Mike Williams! What are people smoking? You're talking almost $100 million between the two of them. I'm glad people identify with Daniel Steinbrenner, but did anyone see our defense? It isn't exactly in desperate need of help. So why sign a free agent who is going to be asking for a $60 million deal? That's like signing Randy Johnson when you've got A-Rod.

I'd like help on the d-line, but via the draft.

If we have a top 5 defense next season, an average offense, and we miss the playoffs next year with an 8-8 record, would you want Gibbs gone?

If Smoot wants Champ Bailey money, would you retain him (knowing he's the emotional leader on defense)?

Clearly, if Samuels doesn't agree to a restructuring, he's gone. What if he agrees to restructure? Do you still upgrade at the LT position?

If the cap situation is such that you could either sign Dwight Freeney, or Mike Williams (mind you Ramseyfan, this isn't cap hell), which one would you sign?

1: No. Not unless Gibbs agrees to step down so that Gregg Williams can become head coach.

2: No. I don't know if he's better than Springs. That said, he doesn't want Champ money, he says he wants Shawn Springs money (6 years, $30 mil), they should give that to him.

3: No, I think Samuels can be a great Tackle. He's been hurt all season and was last season, too. I think if he agrees to restructure, you keep Samuels.

4: Dwight Freeney. Upside is a dangerous thing and Mike Williams has a lot of it, but I also think that a lot of you on this site overrate him. By most accounts he was the best WR available in last year's draft, but what about this year. He hasn't played in a year and that is enough to make me shy away. Also, Freeney is one of the best DE in the league, I would sign him in a heartbeat if he became available.

Ramseyfan - The FO has been doing an amazing job with our cap thus far, and until I see us actually losing critical players to the cap, I'll assume they're still doing so.

Im pretty sure the Freeney or Mike Williams question was hypothetical, so I answered it accordingly. Our defense would greatly benefit from an increased pass rush (Freeney) and I feel lead to more turnovers. As of now we struggle getting pressure without blitzing.

Stephen Davis wasn't enough?

Stephen Davis was far from critical. Look at him tear the league up!

An average offense would be quite a step up from this year wouldn't it? Gibbs stays

In spite of my username, I'm a Redskins fan first a Smoot fan second. If letting Smoot go is ultimately what's best for the team he has to go

Tough call on Samuels. I guess my concerns about him would be eased if I didn't feel that he was vastly overpaid for average performance. I'm just glad he didn't make the Pro Bowl this year, maybe this will open his eyes to the fact that he's really regressed