What do we need personnel wise to be great?

OK, Ive accepted the fact that once again we are not going to the playoffs, but we are better than we were a year ago. The question then is, where do we go from here? This is just my opinion/wish list. I know most of this ain't gonna happen, but if I could magically control the shots here's what Id like to see:

1. Get a proven GM. We have debated the free agency moves and draft picks of the Snyder/Cerrato era ad nauseum, Im not going to get into that again. No one can deny that our mid round picks over the last 7-10 years have been terrible. A proven GM can find picks in the mid rounds that contribute to the team. We lock those picks in at bargain basement prices for 4-5 years, avoid salary cap hell, and use free agent money to add 1-2 free agents.

2. Get whatever we can for Patrick Ramsey. At this point, I really don't think we are going to get more than a 3rd rounder for him. We need draft picks, we need to build this team more through the draft and an additional 3rd rounder would certainly help.

3. Focus on the D-line in both the draft and free agency. We need a wide body in the middle and a pass rushing DE. The Bears D is good this year because their front 4 cause tremendous pressure. We on the other hand have to blitz our DBs and LBs to get any pressure whatsoever. I hope we use our 2nd rounder on a D-lineman, and go after a solid player in free agency, probably not a bad ass, but solid.

4. Use at least one mid round pick on O-line. One are in which we have been lucky is the health of our O-line, which is lucky because we sorely lack quality backup talent. If either one of our tackles goes down, we're in trouble. If our center goes down we're in trouble. We need better depth here.

5. Finally, we need a legitimate No. 2 wideout. I don't think we have a legit No. 2 on our team. I don't think we try to draft this, because history indicates that wideouts take at least 2 years to get going, usually 3. A No. 2 free agent WR should be readily available in free agency.

OK, that's my wishlist for next season. I know many of you will disagree, which is fine, that's why we post, let's just keep it civil.

priority imo is dline. a good end pref.

1. We need depth on both the O and D lines.

2. A true pass rushing DE

3. A decent nickel CB

4. Some more depth at the Safety position

5. A good #2 receiver, and maybe a #3 (slot)

6. A solid, young blocking TE who can catch passes occasionally.


Thats my list....

1. We need depth on both the O and D lines.

2. A true pass rushing DE

3. A decent nickel CB

4. Some more depth at the Safety position

5. A good #2 receiver, and maybe a #3 (slot)

6. A solid, young blocking TE who can catch passes occasionally.


Thats my list....


I like your No. 6. Last year in the draft, I was screaming at the tv for the Skins to use No. 25 on Heath Miller. Can you imagine having Cooley in at H-back and Miller at TE, defenses wouldn't have any idea if we were running or throwing.

1. We need depth on both the O and D lines.

2. A true pass rushing DE

3. A decent nickel CB

4. Some more depth at the Safety position

5. A good #2 receiver, and maybe a #3 (slot)

6. A solid, young blocking TE who can catch passes occasionally.


Thats my list....

I agree with most of the list, but I think Walt Harris is a decent nickel back. He has been exposed as a starter this season, but in general (I said in general, not all the time) has been pretty solid. I think with his experience he can play the nickel very well. But I do agree with getting some corner depth, because Ade Jimoh scares me whenever he is in. As my friend said, "Pay me! I can also go in there, look confused and do nothing!"

Also, has anyone considered the possibility of cutting Patten? I personally am undecided, but if we need to clear a little space he has a pretty cut-friendly contract. Most of his bonuses are in the form of option bonuses, which start in 2006 with a 900k bonus...the signing bonus was only in the 2.5 range.

Since we dont have a #1 pick in next years draft, we need to focus on scouting a good DE or DT through the draft. Rumor has the jets trading Abraham for Ramsey, which would work out well.
I do think we need some help at depth with the interior of the O-line. Gaurd in particular. We drafted a couple of tackles last year in the later rounds, and I think one of them is still on the team.
I think we need some help in the secondary with respect to cover corners and cover safeties. Clark and Bowen are both pretty decent at supporting the run, however are not quality cover guys. Taylor is awesome at cover , but over the next couple of years will definately help with run support due to his ability to cause fumbles and rush the passer on blitzes.
one thing I have not heard much about is a quality MLB. Marshall is ok, but we need that imposing MLB that force teams to run outside. Marshall was better than OK filling in for LaVar last year, at OLB.
and last but not least, a FREAKIN PUNTER. Hopefully Tupa will be healthy, this frost dude is horrible.
and find somebody that can return kicks and punts. We give up too much field position with guys that can't get past the 25, and with Trash calling for a fair catch everytime instead of trying to make something happen. I have seen him quite a few times call fair catch with atleast 10 yards of room between him and closest defender.

to me MLB is one of those positions that you don't overpay for (see Jeremiah Trotter). i think marshall is one of those guys that fits well with our defense. maybe not as good as pierce but i wouldn't pay pierce/trotter money when we have other, more gaping, holes

Priority 1 - Caponomics

1) Renegotiate the following roster & workout bonuses due in 2006:
Sean Taylor - $2.2 million
Clinton Portis - $3.0 million
Casey Rabach - $2.1 million
Shawn Springs - $3.1 million
Cornelius Griffin - $2.5 million
Marcus Washington - $2.5 million
Lavar Arrington - $6.4 million
Chris Samuels - $4.5 million

In total, those bonuses stand to count $26.5 million against our cap. By renegotiating them into signing bonuses, we can reduce that figure to approximately $10 million in FY 2006, freeing approximately $15 million in salary cap space.

2) Trade Patrick Ramsey. Get whatever we can, even if it's just a 4th rounder, because moving him will free $2 million in cap space.

3) Release Brandon Noble. This will free up $1.7 million in cap space. I like the guy, but since he's coming back from injury he's a question mark. And I like $1.7 million in cap space more than I like a likeable question mark.

4) Release Matt Bowen. This will save $2 million in cap space.

5) Release Lennie Friedman. This will save $1 million in cap space.

6) Do the smart thing, lock up Cooley to a long-term deal now, before he becomes a very very expensive player 3 years from now. Might want to think about the same thing for Taylor, assuming his legal situation clears up.

7) Consider releasing John Hall, but only if we can find a better alternative, or an equally good one for less money. Releasing him would save $1.2 million in cap space.

Between these salary restructures and cuts, and assuming the cap is set at about $92 million next year, we should have enough salary cap space to acquire a stud DE, acquire a viable 2nd WR, hopefully acquire a good blocking TE, and otherwise bolster the team's depth.

Considering all the draft picks the skins have given away they are going to have a heck of a time addressing these issues.

Considering all the draft picks the skins have given away they are going to have a heck of a time addressing these issues.

Well, I think we'll be able to address a number of things through free agency. See my post above, if the team is able to play its cards right, the cap space should be there.