Does character count?

I'm afraid most of the blame has to be placed upon the encouragement of having free agency like it is today in the NFL. Some guys are making millions of dollars even before they prove themselves worthy of such a paycheck. Sure, they might have been great in college, but that means jack once you're in the big leagues.

Having recently moved to Boston from Northern Virginia, I'm constantly inundated with the New England sports talk. Every once in a while, they decide to stop talking about the Red Sox for 5 minutes so they can mention the Patriots. While there's been a few issues in recent years with 'character issues' on the Pats team, it seems as though they by and large stay focused on the TEAM... hence the three Super Bowls in four years. Look at the transformation of former disgruntled Corey Dillon. He has TEAM written all over him now.

So how can the Redskins become a TEAM? Gibbs is talking the talk, shoot... everyone knows that's what he's all about. Then key is that the leaders on the field (players) need to step up and make everyone accountable. Get Moss and Taylor in the camps and make it known that TO-like behavior won't be tolerated on their team. You think the Redskins' teams of the 80s would have put up with a TO? Forget the coaching staff - we need stronger leaders on our team!

Unfortunately it looks like the skins will tolerate or at least reward TO-like behavior. Moss gets his contract fixed after holding out, Taylor's new contract is on the way. Like someone said, talent will make some tems put up with this crap for a little while. Too bad the skins seem to be one of those teams.

We had our share of problematic players in Gibbs' first stint. Riggins being the classic example.

Of course every team is going to have a couple of guys that don't fit your ideal mold, but the idea is to surround those couple of players with guys that do.

I don't think that Moss got rewarded for holding out. I think he just signed the contract that he was due. If we overpaid for him, yes, I'd agree that he got what he wanted by holding out. I just don't think we signed him for anything more than an average contract for a decent #2 receiver.

Malcolm, your statement seems to contradict itself. First you say he didnt get rewarded for holding out, then you say he got what he wanted by holding out. I'm confused.

I dont care what amount of $ he was paid or if it was in or out of line with other receivers, he held out and was rewarded for doing it. This is why the skins are in the mess that they are in, players that have never done anything come here for a payday. They know it, their agents know it and its killing this team.

If part of the agreement with Moss and the Skins was that he would get a new deal upon his arrival here (which apparently was the case), then I can't blame Moss too much for holding out. A deal's a deal.

If he has a monster season and then holds out again next year, I'll be irked.

Unfortunately it looks like the skins will tolerate or at least reward TO-like behavior. Moss gets his contract fixed after holding out, Taylor's new contract is on the way. Like someone said, talent will make some tems put up with this crap for a little while. Too bad the skins seem to be one of those teams.I would not put Moss in the category as a hold out. He only missed voluntary work outs. Yes he should have been with his team but I would have to save hold out for missing a mandator pratice or camp.

Malcolm, your statement seems to contradict itself. First you say he didnt get rewarded for holding out, then you say he got what he wanted by holding out. I'm confused.

I dont care what amount of $ he was paid or if it was in or out of line with other receivers, he held out and was rewarded for doing it. This is why the skins are in the mess that they are in, players that have never done anything come here for a payday. They know it, their agents know it and its killing this team.

Just like Matty said, "A deal is a deal." The contract was due regardless of holdout. He could have shown up at the park, been at all the workouts and still would have gotten a new contract. When I say he didn't get rewarded, I'm saying we didn't overpay him because of his holdout. We paid him, what I feel, is a typical amount for an above average receiver.

He may have stayed home from workouts until he got his contract, but that doesn't mean the Skins were giving into his demands. Signing him now was just smart business. The guy is a free agent after this season. He just came off a bad year, so now is the time to strike if you want to get him for a discount price. If he puts up 1100 yards and 8 TDs this year, I guarantee you he'll command a lot more than what we just paid him. His "holdout" isn't what motivated the Skins to sign him. They signed him because they felt they could lock him in long-term at a price that they think will prove to be very worth it.

Now, how good Moss really is can be debated. But if you think he's a #1 receiver, as they do, then signing him now was smart.

If you think he's a bum, then that something entirely different.