The Redskins' new approach to free agency

[MTK]

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the Redskins' wait and see approach to free agency.

They said they were going to be patient, and so far our big free agent haul consists of re-signing backup QB Todd Collins. In years past we would be sitting here talking about at least 2-3 big signings by now and tens of millions of dollars in new contracts.

Are you in favor of this new approach? Or do we wish we were our usual aggressive selves?

[backrow]

Agressive spending does not always mean agressive football. I anticipated some spending, however, due to all of the recently re-done contracts.

[Drift Reality]

I'm 100% supportive of this approach. Especially because the Redskins have a new head coach in place and I don't think they entirely know what to expect yet.

I think they are finally starting to mature in their approach to team building, and realize that a team's core should be built via the draft.

Additionally, I think they have made a decision that the talent in this year's free agency market is lower than previous years - it is a seller's market - and they simply have decided to stand pat. That is just good business.

[Drift Reality]

I do have a feeling that they are going to be able to go out and sign one top-tier free agent this off season, and that they may find a couple second-tier guys later on in the market period.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the Redskins' wait and see approach to free agency.

They said they were going to be patient, and so far our big free agent haul consists of re-signing backup QB Todd Collins. In years past we would be sitting here talking about at least 2-3 big signings by now and tens of millions of dollars in new contracts.

Are you in favor of this new approach? Or do we wish we were our usual aggressive selves?

I like the fact that we aren't throwing money around like crazy. But is it a new approach or is it born out of necessity? We have no money to spend. With more draft picks this year than we've had in a while, we need space to sign them. We're just barely under the cap. If we were $15M or so under the cap at 12:01AM yesterday, I find it hard to believe the Danny wouldn't have made a play for a big name. I really don't think there's too much to read into on this one.

As a matter of fact, I'm not even going to agree that this is a new approach. We created this situation by the past contracts we've given players, so here we are.

Now, if there was any year in recent history to be facing no cap room, this is it. Free agency is a poor market this year. Cleo Lemon got $3M a year. Jerry Porter just got a $30M contract. Madieu Williams $33M. Are you kidding me?

My hope is that the Skins find success in 2008 despite not being a big player in FA, and The Danny gets a case in point about why you DON'T always need to back up the Brinks truck every February/March.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I like the fact that we aren't throwing money around like crazy. But is it a new approach or is it born out of necessity? We have no money to spend. With more draft picks this year than we've had in a while, we need space to sign them. We're just barely under the cap. If we were $15M or so under the cap at 12:01AM yesterday, I find it hard to believe the Danny wouldn't have made a play for a big name. I really don't think there's too much to read into on this one.

As a matter of fact, I'm not even going to agree that this is a new approach. We created this situation by the past contracts we've given players, so here we are.

Now, if there was any year in recent history to be facing no cap room, this is it. Free agency is a poor market this year. Cleo Lemon got $3M a year. Jerry Porter just got a $30M contract. Madieu Williams $33M. Are you kidding me?

My hope is that the Skins find success in 2008 despite not being a big player in FA, and The Danny gets a case in point about why you DON'T always need to back up the Brinks truck every February/March.

Sorry didnt read the post, but thoughts exactly.

[mooby]

Personally I'm loving the fact that we are sitting here now talking about all these other teams are overpaying but we aren't talking about what free agent the Skins just gave a huge contract to. I hope it stays this way too, it sounds like DS and Vinny have really made progress from their mistakes.

[SmootSmack]

I have mixed feelings on it. On the one hand yes it's good we're showing some restraints and this does stick with the whole "continuity" flow.

However, we need to improve in several areas and the answers won't all be found in the draft. I like that we're not overspending but I think we still need to get players either via free agency or trades. I think we'll start to get more active later in the week.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I have mixed feelings on it. On the one hand yes it's good we're showing some restraints and this does stick with the whole "continuity" flow.

However, we need to improve in several areas and the answers won't all be found in the draft. I like that we're not overspending but I think we still need to get players either via free agency or trades. I think we'll start to get more active later in the week.

My feelings exactly. We will likely get 1 immediate starter and, hopefully, 2-3 more future starters or good backups out of the draft. We likely need 2-3 new starters and 3-4 backups. I like the more reserved approach to free agency, but I don't think the status quo + draftees is going to put us where we need to be.

[GTripp0012]

I think that we picked a pretty good year to sit tight. Last year, we needed to spend to improve. Next year, we will probably want to spent to either rebound or sustain the results of this season.

But this year, we have a QB who isn't quite in his prime yet, a new HC, a defense that is in the process of having younger players replace the aging vets (because we are adding the draftees while keeping the vets on the roster), and a minor rebuilding process on the OL.

All signs point to the goal being to sustain our playoff level of play so that we can ride Campbell when he's a 5th year pro in 2009. By not spending this year, we will have some cap room next year to build the team that might lead Jim Zorn to the top.

Plus we have a roster that could go further than last year if we get really lucky.

This situation was kinda forced by the cap mess we got into back in 2006, but teams are slowly starting to catch up to us in spending. Taking a year to let them is always a good decision.

The bad is that we are definately letting pass a few guys who could make this team much better, but it does no good if you have to tear it down in two years. We simply aren't close enough to warrant that.

[freddyg12]

There are still a couple of guys to restructure that will free up room. If a guy like Briggs or Hackett is still around next week & their price drops considerably, we'll see to what lengths vinny & danny will go to meet their demands.

With J. Smith signing w/SF, I wonder if they've still got another 20mil contract offer for briggs? I have a feeling that his asking price is way too high & that around the league LB is currently a osition w/a lot of parity + other free agents on the market that can do the job, though they're not stars.

If Briggs is willing to drop his price considerably I wonder if the danny will make a move, considering that they tried to trade for him last year. IMO that will be a litmus test for this new approach.

[Hogs Breath]

I believe that VC and DS maybe have learned somewhat from thier past. Vinny has a history with the cap and it's ramifications. Between his days at SF and his time with the Skins he has had some cap numbers blow up in his face. His statment regarding the player working out the full terms of his contract is reassuring. Some of the deals in the past you say to yourself "no way that guy sees year three of that deal, much less year five or six." I see some of the moves that have been made becoming a part of a lower key-higher yield nature. Do not get me wrong. Never a fan of Cerrato in the past. However, listening to him on Riggo's show as of late leads me to believe that he is more grounded in the "value" aspect of a prospect, more than being merely impressed by a name or a breakout season. In short the Skins will have probably two more seasons of this nature before they will put the pressure on Zorn to "make it happen" now that we got the lateset and greatest free agent prospect. I kinda like being the lunchpail Skins again.

[81forHOF]

This is the exact approach that I have been screaming for for years now. I only have one problem though, IT IS BORING AS HELL.

As much as I hate overspending for older players i have to admit I would get just as excited as the next guy with each signing. I now find myself listening to my Sirius just hoping they mention the Skins during the 2 min drill and checking NFL.com every hour hoping for something.

It is all for the best....I think solid FA pickups like Rabach and Preilou while not nearly as splashy also go a long way towards strengthening a team. We just have to be patient.

[FRPLG]

I think we'll be able to find suitable free agents in the second tier who'll be just as effective as those getting 50mil contracts with 20mil signing bonuses. Our best free agent signings in the last 5 years have been not the big name guys but the solid additions like Griffin and Washington. I am betting by the end of next week we'll see some movement. Probably on a WR and maybe on the OL somehow. But we wont see any 20mil signing bonuses.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

One thing I want to applaud Vinny for (so far) is being honest in stating that they weren't going to be super active. I like having a "true" finger on the pulse of the team for once. Zorn is keeping with that idea so far as well.

I do agree it's boring, but being fiscally responsible is. If we can get a DJ Hackett, Bryant Johnson or Drayton Florence (at least 2 out of the 3) I'm going to be a happy camper. I think the offensive line depth can be found in the draft as well as a couple key areas of need.