Off season pick ups and then some....
 

I was wondering if anyone would have an idea as to what Buress would want for us to get him? How much would be too much for him? And if the Steelers do not keep him, should we go after him and how much would he help our team?


Also, how good or bad would Stephen Alexander be in this offense? Would he work better than our current TE's?

Just some stuff to talk about what do all of you think?

If Burress hits the open market I'd expect he'd be at the top of our free agent list for WR. He's not going to come cheap though.

As for Alexander a big NO THANKS. The guy is always banged up and even when healthy he is a disappointment.

Burress could be a nice pick up...but he's the deep threat for the Steelers. Does anyone know if he has consistant hands?? It doesnt take much to be better than gardner

Pittsburgh is famous for letting their FA's walk, so chances are good he could hit the market. Burress would be a huge improvement over Gardner.

Burress had the ball in his hands in the endzone yesterday and dropped it. The play was crucial and would have brought the Steelers to within a touchdown late in the AFC championship game. For a guy who gets so much talk around the NFL as a premier wideout, he [I]must[/I] make those types of plays.

You can't judge an athlete on just one play, but you cannot deny that this guy is too often an underachiever.

Last year, Plaxico Burress was not happy with the Steelers because he wanted a contract extension and they would not give him one. So the team had a "minicamp/voluntary session" in mid-May and Burress skipped it. He said the reason he skipped it was because he was spending Mothers' Day with his mother. He might have gotten away with that until he added that he was devoted to family first and since the Steelers had not made him feel like part of their family, he didn't think he should spend that weekend with the Steelers.

I don't think that is what Joe Gibbs calls a "true Redskin".

Burress should have had that catch in the endzone I agree, he doesn't seem to go after the ball as aggressively as he should at times. Still, is there a better option out there in free agency?

Don't even say Mohammed who's 32 coming off a career year and will be looking for a monster payday.

Houshmandzadeh could be an interesting choice if he tests the free agent waters. I honestly don't know a lot about him though. Just looking at his stats though he doesn't seem to be a big play guy but that could be due to the system and other factors. Still, his numbers this year were certainly more impressive than Gardner's that's for sure. 73 catches, 978 yards and 4 TD.

Burress doesn't expect to be back at Pittsburgh
 

[url]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/steelerslive/s_296187.html[/url]

[QUOTE=Mattyk72]Burress should have had that catch in the endzone I agree, he doesn't seem to go after the ball as aggressively as he should at times. Still, is there a better option out there in free agency?

Don't even say Mohammed who's 32 coming off a career year and will be looking for a monster payday.

Houshmandzadeh could be an interesting choice if he tests the free agent waters. I honestly don't know a lot about him though. Just looking at his stats though he doesn't seem to be a big play guy but that could be due to the system and other factors. Still, his numbers this year were certainly more impressive than Gardner's that's for sure. 73 catches, 978 yards and 4 TD.[/QUOTE]

Since it seems to take rookie wide receivers at least 2-3 seasons before they really start making an impact, in addition to our recent outcomes from first round draft pick wideouts, I tend to favor upgrades at that position through free agency as well. The only names I've heard that are available are the three that we've mentioned here. I'm sure there are others.

Just as we went after Laveranues Coles when all the talk was about Peerless Price a few years ago, my choice would be Houshmanzedah out of those three. Of course, I'd rather see the same type of success as the Pats when they draft guys from the 6th or 7th rounds who step up.

Ideally, I'd like to see Coles, Taylor Jacobs, Thrash and McCants be the answer, with a late round draft pick waiting in the wings. But somehow, I just don't think that would be enough to get the job done.

After watching yesterday's games, it is obvious to me that we need a speed burner, someone like the Pat's Branch to spread out the D. I don't see that kind of player currently on our roster. But is a WR the number one priority.....how about this for priorities in the offseason:

1. SPEED WR
2. CENTER/OL
2a. DB IF SMOOT LEAVES
3. DE

I would offer that we are pretty set at the following positions:

OT- Samuels/Jensen/Brown
G- Thomas/Dockery [MAYBE AN UPGRADE FOR DOCKERY]
TE- ROYAL/COOLEY
QB- RAMSEY
RB- PORTIS/BETTS

K- HALL
P- TUPA
KR- BROWN

DT- GRIFFIN/NOBLE/SALAVEA
LB- PIERCE/WASHINGTON/ARRIGNTON/CLEMONS/MARSHALL
S- CLARK/TAYLOR/BOWEN
DB- SPRINGS/SMOOT {IF HE STAYS}


Here would be my priorities in the

I personally like the Houshmandzadeh idea better. We really don't need a downfield WR, we have that in Jacobs and McCants. We just need guys to play their part and produce when they should. Take lessons from the Patriots. 15 years from now when they are naming stars on that team you will remember 1, maybe 2 names. Tom Brady and possibly Corry Dillon, but I expect him to start playing sub par again next season.

Stephen Alexander, as you might remember, was a skin, and was never impressive in blocking or receiving. I would rather nab one of the undrafted or late round guys. There are a few serviceable TEs in the draft and they all will fall. Maybe 1 of them in round 2, but the rest will be late round picks.

kingerock:


Having Jacobs and McCants as your downfield/stretch-the-defense weapons on offense is like going to the gunfight at the OK Corral with pea shooter.

1. McCants is a possession receiver who is not all that fast.

2. Jacobs has been around for 2 years and has yet to do ANYTHING in a real game that is even notable let alone spectacular. Take Jacobs stats for the last two years; add them together; now double the result. What do you have? A marginally decent WR at the very best.

Wasn't Coles supposed to be our downfield receiver? He's a lot faster than Burress (who is fast) even with his toe injury.

Does it really help to have a downfield threat if our coach doesn't trust our QB to throw it deep? It's pretty to see a receiver downfield, but it hurts to see him open, waving his arms, and jumping up and down after the ball is chucked about 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage on a flanker screen.

Also, Burress is going to want something like $13+ million SB (a deal comparable to Coles'). So let me get this straight, we're going to sign a "downfield threat" when we don't attack downfield and we can't afford to keep Smoot, but we can sign this guy?

Burress has a bigger name than his talents would suggest. He's tall and fairly speedy, but his hands aren't excellent and he's overpriced. A perfect fit for Danny boy and other fantasy football/Madden players.

If you're the #1 receiver it's hard to be a down field threat cause the safety is always coming to help on your side.

p.s. Burress is a bitch made fish who doesn't eat plastic.

I am not sure that Buress is what we need, we need a speed burner, whether in the draft or in FA. Coles when healthy is that individual, but I don't know that he is or will be healthy.

I dont know if Hoshmanzada is going to want to come here. Isnt he the one that had the problems w/ Sean Taylor??

I dont know part of me dosent want any "Big Names", but I would like to get a couple small market guys or somthing. However its hard to hit a HR with one of those guys. Buress Does scare me, as he does drop alot of balls.

I would be surprised if we try to sign Burress first of all due to budgetary constraints. I think we will draft a wide receiver, and sign a free agent who isn't as expensive as Burress, and who has speed to stretch the defenses.

Stan Dixon thinks that Taylor Jacobs is going to be a major contributor next year, and I think he will become a starter. From the small amount of opportunity he has had, some feel he is very promising.

I don't think Coles is someone we can rely on as our top receiver anymore, until and unless his injury heals. His speed is no doubt hampered by this injury - we do need a player that can stretch the field.

Gardner and McCants are most likely gone from the indications the Redskins have given. Thrash is an excellent possession receiver.

So to me it looks like we will start Taylor Jacobs and probably Coles, and work a rookie into the mix as soon as possible, and find another good player in free agency or in the draft who has excellent speed.

If we trade Gardner and can pick up a second or even maybe third round pick I would like to see us go after Troy Williamson from South Carolina. Last season he had 43 catches 835 yards 19.4 avg. 7 td's for a solid but not amazing south carolina team. He could be a steal if we could get him in the second or early third round and he has great speed. We could use the 9th pick to pick up a pass rushing DE or even trade down and get a late round 1st and maybe a third or fourth rounder. We could still get a nice DE later in the draft, maybe Chris Canty or Marcus Spears, plus pick up a pick toward the o-line or secondary. Just an interesting side note.....in my madden franchise with the 'skins I drafted a WR with the 11th overall pick. He is amazingly similar to Mike Williams....6'4" 228 runs a 4.5 and catches everything. Right now he is averaging about 5 catches for 60+ yards and a TD. Could be a sign that Williams is the way to go.

Another option at WR in the second or third round could be Roddy White from UAB.....he has size 6'3" 205 and had anasty year 1330+ 13td's

I'd love to see Coles maybe go ahead and get that surgery and see if he can come back full speed. I love his toughness, but to make him the player he once was, he needs to get that taken care of.

[QUOTE=sportscurmudgeon]kingerock:
Having Jacobs and McCants as your downfield/stretch-the-defense weapons on offense is like going to the gunfight at the OK Corral with pea shooter.

1. McCants is a possession receiver who is not all that fast.

2. Jacobs has been around for 2 years and has yet to do ANYTHING in a real game that is even notable let alone spectacular. Take Jacobs stats for the last two years; add them together; now double the result. What do you have? A marginally decent WR at the very best.[/QUOTE]

LOL
Thank you for stating the obvious. I hope Jacobs can turn it around, cause he has been a no show and waste of a second round pick. We need him to be more than a great practice player.
In my opinion we need to address the offensive line and blocking TE position more than WR. A power run block center and guard are needed. Derrick Dockery has taken along time to develop and he is still not that great for his size. Plus he is mistake prone. I am amazed how San Diego drafted center Nate Hardwick in the third round and Right tackle Shane Olivea in the seventh round. They both started for a 12-4 team and played great. Why are our bottom round draft picks not very good?

Jacobs should finally get the chance to show what he can do. Let's just hope he's not another former gator flop.

I agree Matty, with his speed, Jacobs could be a pretty good player if he can get open and catch the ball, even though that's what ANYONE needs to do to be a good player at wide receiver. :)

Is it just me or does Jacobs seem to be soft. From getting the ball stripped, to getting hurt. He just gives up this perception of being soft/wimpy.

BTW, when someone here goes off to find Burriss' stats for the year and the numbers come up pretty anemic and that becomes the reason everyone uses as to why the Skins should not try to sign him, please remember that he missed 5 games outright and most of a sixth game with an injury...

That said, I would not spend the kind of money he will be looking for to bring him to Washington.

[QUOTE=lifetimeskin]Is it just me or does Jacobs seem to be soft. From getting the ball stripped, to getting hurt. He just gives up this perception of being soft/wimpy.[/QUOTE]

To be fair to him the one major injury that really set him back was a total freak internal injury.

I like Jacobs talent possibilities, even though he does seem a bit soft.

[QUOTE=TheMalcolmConnection]I like Jacobs talent possibilities, even though he does seem a bit soft.[/QUOTE]

the guy is a cream-puff.

Regarding his freak accident, in the final preseaon game of 2003, he dove for a low pass and landed on someone's foot. Not what I would call a big hit. It took him a month to come back.

[QUOTE=Beemnseven]Burress had the ball in his hands in the endzone yesterday and dropped it. The play was crucial and would have brought the Steelers to within a touchdown late in the AFC championship game. For a guy who gets so much talk around the NFL as a premier wideout, he [I]must[/I] make those types of plays.

You can't judge an athlete on just one play, but you cannot deny that this guy is too often an underachiever.[/QUOTE]


I agree, but I do think that play is indicative of how he play's, Burress is nothing special and I wouldn't waste big money on him.

How have we seen enough of Jacobs to make any sort of determination about what kind of player he is?? He's soft? What makes you guys think that?

It's one of those instinct type of things. Just seeing the way he responded when he got hit. I'll give him credit where credit is due. Just my first impression.

I agree with Malcolm on this, it is just a perception....just like the perception of ST is that he is one mean SOB (and he actually maybe). I just have a feeling that Jacobs is capable of a Pinkston.

[QUOTE=Mattyk72]How have we seen enough of Jacobs to make any sort of determination about what kind of player he is?? He's soft? What makes you guys think that?[/QUOTE]


Totally agree!

Decision's are being made because of his lack of production and not his talent which many factor's can come into play why a player hasen't been productive and not alway's will they be his fault, I believe he will be a good reciever for us but not more than a 3rd reciever but he will be a very good 3rd reciever.

i'm wary. Burress = Peerless Price

no alexander thats the mistake that we did with Raymer, and the TE we got from the Saints who we let go of later in the season. let draft heath ,and get plaxico. thats the best SMART thing to do.

price is a #2 WR. we don't need a number one we have one, coles we need a compliment to coles and for him to be healthy. that would be good to have buress to take the pressure off of coles

[QUOTE=Mattyk72]How have we seen enough of Jacobs to make any sort of determination about what kind of player he is?? He's soft? What makes you guys think that?[/QUOTE]

doesn't Jacobs play special teams every time? if he's soft, what's Betts.

[QUOTE=lifetimeskin]After watching yesterday's games, it is obvious to me that we need a speed burner, someone like the Pat's Branch to spread out the D. I don't see that kind of player currently on our roster. But is a WR the number one priority.....how about this for priorities in the offseason:

1. SPEED WR
2. CENTER/OL
2a. DB IF SMOOT LEAVES
3. DE

I would offer that we are pretty set at the following positions:

OT- Samuels/Jensen/Brown
G- Thomas/Dockery [MAYBE AN UPGRADE FOR DOCKERY]
TE- ROYAL/COOLEY
QB- RAMSEY
RB- PORTIS/BETTS

K- HALL
P- TUPA
KR- BROWN

DT- GRIFFIN/NOBLE/SALAVEA
LB- PIERCE/WASHINGTON/ARRIGNTON/CLEMONS/MARSHALL
S- CLARK/TAYLOR/BOWEN
DB- SPRINGS/SMOOT {IF HE STAYS}


Here would be my priorities in the[/QUOTE]

I would say you are right on for the most part. The O line is a big need! I sure hope we can keep Smoot!!! Then we can look at the o line,DE and WR. Maybe free agent market can fill the O line needs! If anyone can get this done it is GIBBS. The one thing we don't need is a big time free agent!!! We need to fill our needs, keep Smoot and pick some players late in the draft the can be back ups and starters down the road!

while I'd be for Burress being pursued if the asking price is reasonable, what about going after David Givens of the Pats cuz I beleive he will be a free agent this year?

Allegedly Coles has resisted surgery because it could end his career. That has to be sobering for him. I really hope he will get a great surgeon and take the chance because we need him back. If he doesn't I think we have to go forward working to getting to the point where he is just a third receiver. I think Jacobs is going to be a big player for us for years to come, personally.

Playing special teams doesn't make you any more of a man. Making TACKLES on special teams is a completely different ballgame and I don't remember Jacobs making any tackles.

Not to confuse this with any of my previous statements, I DO think he has promise. I just think that he might be a tentative.