FOX Sports Says Pierce is Gone

Welcome to the forum AndySkinUK. One of our moderators (RedskinRat) is a UK expatriot, so perhaps the two of you can discuss kidney pies and other inedibles. ;)

The Pierce offer is a blow - primarily because he is the best availble young MLB with 4-3 experience. Bell is similar, but since he has played so much more, he has a lot more wear on him. Hartwell is a stud, but has played 3-4 for the bulk of his career.

I have a lot of faith in Williams' ability to prepare his players. Pierce became an extension of Williams on the field, which helped everyone learn the scheme. The majority of our starters will have experience now, so the loss isn't as bad as it could be. Still, if that's the offer on the table and we can still match it, I'd do so.

Losing Pierce is a big loss to the team, but he can be replaced with the guys we have.
We do need to re-sign Smoot and find some help on the D-line. We also need to upgrade the receiving corps. Signing Rabach is a big plus for the offense.

I would love it if the Pierce stays true to his word and gives the Skins a chance to match it, and they do....but I just don't know if they will. If he goes, it sucks that it is to a division rival , but considering how they did last year, Williams should be able to just plug someone else in there.
I still hope they find a way to keep him though.

:mad: Not what I wanted to read when I got to work this morning. What the F#*K!! I guess I'll give Williams the benaffit of the doubt that he knows Pierce's worth. But does he have to go the the f#*king Giants?? :frusty:
I sure hope we can sign Smoot!!

I would like to know the offer that the 'Skins had on the table. If it's close, it shouldn't be problem to match. You got to commend Pierce for giving the team time to match. He isn't restricted and it shows where his heart is. Do we release Coles to retrieve the $5 million dollar bonus to make the deal? Knowing that top FA WRs are scarce? :oink:

I really like pierce(liked if this signing does take place ;) ) and I was one fan who wanted him resigned the most out of our free agents, but that deals a little too rich IMO. He's an incredibly intelligent player but he's not the most physically gifted LB and as others have posted he played in a incredibly well put together system. Averaged out that's over 6 million a year (I know that it could be restructured to be back loaded and probably is) and I personally don't feel a player who's had one really good season, preceeded by a few average seasons, warrants that big of a portion of our cap when our DC has shown he knows how to get the best of anyone he plugs into a spot and young talent waiting in the wings. If pierce leaves, I don't see us signing anyone major to take his spot but they could easily draft someone in the 3rd or 4th round and use a mixture of Barrow, if healthy, and Marshall in the middle. Plus no matter who we put in at MLB, they won't be in too bad of shape with a pro bowl lb on either side of him.

Brud - hasn't Pittsburgh been playing 3-4 for some time?

what's williams history with coaching up MLBs and how successful have his others been after leaving him? and are any of his old players on the table?

I'm assuming they let pierce go and it wasn't the gints bumrushing him to take the offer on the spot...