Casserly Keeping his options open

[redsk1]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

I know I am. If anything, I would think the biggest change was bringing in Al Saunders. Imagine if we have all our starting players from the beginning to the end of this season. I bet things would end a bit differently. Pierson doesn't get hurt, he starts over AA. Springs doesn't get hurt, we see Springs defending than Wright getting burned for touchdowns every other play. Portis doesn't get hurt and we have a great 1-2 punch like we'll have next year. Saunders calls the plays RIGHT for this offense and we win at least 2-3 more games and are right in the thick of the playoff race. None of this is stuff a GM can plan for and fix. I'll have to say I'm extremely happy with the moves made in the past three years save for AA.

That's alot of what ifs. Injuries happen and quality teams have depth via drafting players that fit your "system." The FO has made a number of mistakes by overpaying and giving away draft picks when we didn't need to.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Yes, but a season is made and broken on what-ifs. I'll ask again: Does a GM fix what was broken this offseason? Does a GM tell Gibbs to run his OWN plays and say screw getting Al Saunders? Does a GM have intimate knowledge of Springs groin? I'd like to hope not. If we don't make a SINGLE CHANGE this offseason and everyone comes back totally healthy, the team is the playoff contender that it was in 2005...GM or not.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Originally Posted by redsk1

That's alot of what ifs. Injuries happen and quality teams have depth via drafting players that fit your "system." The FO has made a number of mistakes by overpaying and giving away draft picks when we didn't need to.

And we've talked about that term ad nauseum. Overpaying is a very relative term. If we paid Mark Brunell a million, billion, zillion dollars and we won the Super Bowl one year, I bet no one would be bitching about overpaying for free agents. Until we enter the ALWAYS upcoming cap-hell, no one has shown me that we've overpaid for anything. Sure, there are busts and gems along the way, but overpaying is way too relative to even factor it into the equation.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

I'll have to say I'm extremely happy with the moves made in the past three years save for AA.

I've posted this before, but here are a few points that need to be addressed when anyone defends the personnel decision making of Joe Gibbs the Personnel Decision Maker:

--Giving former wideout Darnerian McCants a $2 million bonus a week before he was declared inactive and subsequently released...

--Giving up a 3rd round draft choice for Mark Brunell who was going to be cut by Jacksonville anyway...

--Giving up Champ Bailey AND a 2nd round choice for Clinton Portis...

--Letting go of Antonio Pierce, who's made it his career long vendetta to bring his game of the year performance every time he plays the Redskins...

--Giving up a 3rd and 4th round draft choice, plus a $10 million bonus for Brandon Lloyd who won't come anywhere near his career averages for catches...

--Giving Randle El a $10 million signing bonus when we already had 3 capable kick returners in Thrash, Betts, and Cartwright...

--Giving up a 3rd round choice for T.J. Duckett who won't get more than 50 carries for the season...

--Trading up in the '06 draft for Rocky McIntosh, losing next year's 2nd round choice when he can't even unseat Warrick Holdman or any other of the incompetent buffoons we have playing on defense...

--Adam Archuleta -- do we need an explanation about him?

--The defense is old, needs to be completely overhauled and gutted, and we haven't nearly enough draft picks next year to address a third of the needs on that side of the field.

These are not the moves of a smart front office.

[724Skinsfan]

Man, ya'll are going to make TMC mad and then sumpin bad gonna happen'.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

Yes, but a season is made and broken on what-ifs. I'll ask again: Does a GM fix what was broken this offseason? Does a GM tell Gibbs to run his OWN plays and say screw getting Al Saunders? Does a GM have intimate knowledge of Springs groin? I'd like to hope not. If we don't make a SINGLE CHANGE this offseason and everyone comes back totally healthy, the team is the playoff contender that it was in 2005...GM or not.

Thank you.

I've heard Gibbs and Williams remark lately that this has just been "one of those years", and I tend to agree. Get these guys healthy, bring in some fresh blood on the defense, continue to groom Campbell in this offense, and we are a playoff team in 2007 without a doubt in my mind.

[Bill B]

Originally Posted by Hog1

Would the person in charge have three Super Bowl Championship rings, and a long proven history of success at the highest levels in the sporting world?

No - I am just asking that the person be graded not on past performance as the coach of the team but of his current performance of being a first time GM on the current 3 year history of the team - so basically I am saying grade him on his GM performance - remember that Bethard was the GM for his first stint that contained all thos rings you are referring to. Bethard was the one who got the ingredients for the team - and Gibbs was the one who cooked. Gibbs history of shopping the past 3 years in my book have been quite questionable.

If you don't believe me check out the article in the Washington Times today:

Oh, the choices he's made - Sports - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Thank you.

I've heard Gibbs and Williams remark lately that this has just been "one of those years", and I tend to agree. Get these guys healthy, bring in some fresh blood on the defense, continue to groom Campbell in this offense, and we are a playoff team in 2007 without a doubt in my mind.

I think the offense will get on track, maybe even be in the top five by the end of '07. But this defense has a long way to go. We need 2-3 players in the secondary, the defensive line, save for Griff, Carter, and MAYBE Salave'a needs an overhaul. And though everyone says Lemar Marshall was banged up all year, middle linebacker could still be a need.

I can see the Skins becoming the NFL's next version of the Chiefs or Colts in that their offense will put up the yards and the points, but the D will be their downfall.

[Bill B]

Originally Posted by 724Skinsfan

Man, ya'll are going to make TMC mad and then sumpin bad gonna happen'.

Like what?

[Bill B]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

I've posted this before, but here are a few points that need to be addressed when anyone defends the personnel decision making of Joe Gibbs the Personnel Decision Maker:

--Giving former wideout Darnerian McCants a $2 million bonus a week before he was declared inactive and subsequently released...

--Giving up a 3rd round draft choice for Mark Brunell who was going to be cut by Jacksonville anyway...

--Giving up Champ Bailey AND a 2nd round choice for Clinton Portis...

--Letting go of Antonio Pierce, who's made it his career long vendetta to bring his game of the year performance every time he plays the Redskins...

--Giving up a 3rd and 4th round draft choice, plus a $10 million bonus for Brandon Lloyd who won't come anywhere near his career averages for catches...

--Giving Randle El a $10 million signing bonus when we already had 3 capable kick returners in Thrash, Betts, and Cartwright...

--Giving up a 3rd round choice for T.J. Duckett who won't get more than 50 carries for the season...

--Trading up in the '06 draft for Rocky McIntosh, losing next year's 2nd round choice when he can't even unseat Warrick Holdman or any other of the incompetent buffoons we have playing on defense...

--Adam Archuleta -- do we need an explanation about him?

--The defense is old, needs to be completely overhauled and gutted, and we haven't nearly enough draft picks next year to address a third of the needs on that side of the field.

These are not the moves of a smart front office.

Why can't a lot of the posters see this! Also add to the "smart move" giving up a 6th rounder for James Thrash - why when you can draft someone like Colston of the Saints who was taken in the 6th round - than you don't need to give out $10 million to both ARE and Llloyd.

[724Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by Bill B

Like what?

I don't know, he's a lot more imaginative than I am.

[MTK]

I don't see the defense in need of a major overhaul. I'd call it a reloading if anything.

[Bill B]

Originally Posted by 724Skinsfan

I don't know, he's a lot more imaginative than I am.

Listen - I am not trying to fight amongst all you guys in that we are all presumably diehard fans of the Redskins and want the team to win today and 5 years from now. I hope that I am totally wrong next year and the Skins run the table and Gibbs wins the executive of the year award.

I just get frustrated when these free agents come to Washington to collect the huge bonus paychecks and laugh all the way to the bank. Even though it is Synder's money and I could care less about Synder, I want players to come to Washington because it should be an honor to wear the burgundy and gold and because they want a chance to play for the chmapionship.

[redsk1]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

And we've talked about that term ad nauseum. Overpaying is a very relative term. If we paid Mark Brunell a million, billion, zillion dollars and we won the Super Bowl one year, I bet no one would be bitching about overpaying for free agents. Until we enter the ALWAYS upcoming cap-hell, no one has shown me that we've overpaid for anything. Sure, there are busts and gems along the way, but overpaying is way too relative to even factor it into the equation.

I'm not saying that we need a complete overhaul, as we do have talent and have made some good choices. Yes, this team could be a playoff contender in 2007.

Yes, I know the same things keep getting brought up and we're all tired of hearing it, but overpaying imo is not the best thing for team morale.

So let's step into the shoes of say, Sean Taylor. A "core" guy. You have been busting it here for three years or so and you are one of the top safeties in the league. You play every play like its your last risking injury on every play. A guy comes in (AA) and is paid alot more than you are when you've been here busting it. On top of that the guy isn't even on your level. It's only natural to feel a little cheap. I would. That's what i call overpaying. Guess what, Taylor at the very least will require more than AA. I don't mind overpaying a little for our guys.

Gibbs mentioned this when Smoot left saying that we couldn't pay him more than springs. I guess they changed their philosophy a little.

Maybe it doesn't matter to players on the field but it pays to keep your employees happy.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Since I had to leave the office for a while, I'll just respond in general to the others. Since hindsight is 20-20, can anyone say for sure that we'd be any worse for wear if we'd have RETAINED all those draft picks and/or money? It's not like there's been a year where we're like, "DAMMIT! If only we had the cap space to make that happen!!!" nor a year where we say, "Wow, if only we had that pick, we could have picked X player."

If we had a GM these previous years, we MIGHT not have Campbell, we'd either be dealing with Ramsey or some washed-up vet. There's a lot of choices and changes that would have been made. Would we even have selected Taylor in the draft?