The Redskins' new approach to free agency

[hooskins]

honestly I dont really see a "new" approach. All I see is that the Skins are constricted by the cap and some of the big deals they made in the past are gonna start having a bigger impact on the payroll therefore the Skins are conservative because they have to be.

I don't get this hype about a new "style", it seems to be the regular approach constricted.

[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.

[Meks]

honestly im really anxious for a decent signing

[DynamiteRave]

Originally Posted by Meks

honestly im really anxious for a decent signing

I'm with ya. I'm wondering if we're really going to sign any decent FAs this year. I wouldn't be totally bummed if we didn't but the draft is forever away. Anxiety's a bitch.

[Meks]

lol i kno, theres not alot to talk about in the near future unless we make a damn move!

[redskinsfanatic]

maybe the staff feels really comfortable with the players it has?they have to sign another 3rd string qbmol,and anpther few players for depth.

[Monksdown]

It could be all three, or not:

1. We don't have the money to spend on the VERY few worthwhile free agents.

2. It's a paradigm shift in Dan and Vinny's philosophy. Probably brought on by Dan's obsession with the media. Don't forget his marketing background.

3. We have a new first time head coach. Coming into a high pressure situation with many high profile players. Taking over for a playoff team. With the caveat in place of needing to take care of some depth issues, Jim Zorn is sending the message to his new team that he thinks they can get it done. A lot of personel change following a massive coaching shakeup could be a snowball effect straight down to the NFC East cellar.

[hail_2_da_skins]

I really like this approach. Wait until the dust settles, then the real free agent bargains are available. When I say bargain, I'm talking about comparably talented players for reasonable contracts. Bryant Johnson WR ARI is still available.

[EXoffender]

I'm for it. But the real feelings will show if we lose out on FA WRs Johnson and Hackett and have to possibly reach for a WR in the draft who fans may not be initially sold on...

[QBall]

We have a good roster and many big contracts already. We're not in the position to sign a Samuels and Clemons like Philly did. Good for them but it does not always work out. What happens when Donovan goes down again and they're screwed?

Giants have not made any big moves either and they won it all.

I think that we can find 2-3 starters or impact players in this years draft that will help us make a playoff / division run in 08'.

We'll be fine.

[SmootSmack]

Never mind going after other free agents, there are several of our own free agents I'd like to re-sign. Actually, just Reche Caldwell. The others I don't think are a huge priority.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by hooskins

honestly I dont really see a "new" approach. All I see is that the Skins are constricted by the cap and some of the big deals they made in the past are gonna start having a bigger impact on the payroll therefore the Skins are conservative because they have to be.

I don't get this hype about a new "style", it seems to be the regular approach constricted.

JLC's latest blog points out that Springs is the only guy to take on Danny & still be on the team. If that's true then it points to at least some sort of change.

As I recall from looking at Schneed & C. Canuck's cap sheets, there are a few vet players that could be cut to free cap room. If that's true, then there is at least a change to the extent that danny & vinny are not cutting the vets we have in order to sign new ones. there are a no. of ways to free up cap room, but it looks like they're not utilizing all methods, instead opting to stay put w/the roster for the most part.

It's early still. I wonder how much they'll be willing to pay for a guy like hackett or johnson.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

JLC's latest blog points out that Springs is the only guy to take on Danny & still be on the team. If that's true then it points to at least some sort of change.

As I recall from looking at Schneed & C. Canuck's cap sheets, there are a few vet players that could be cut to free cap room. If that's true, then there is at least a change to the extent that danny & vinny are not cutting the vets we have in order to sign new ones. there are a no. of ways to free up cap room, but it looks like they're not utilizing all methods, instead opting to stay put w/the roster for the most part.

It's early still. I wonder how much they'll be willing to pay for a guy like hackett or johnson.

Yeah that is a good point that I don't think has come up yet. Maybe Danny has learned a thing or two over the years.

They could definitely free up more space if needed, so I don't buy this talk that we're not making moves simply because we can't afford to. This is Snyder we're talking about after all.

[Paintrain]

While I'm happy that we're not out spending dumb doo doo dollars on everyone out there, I still think we have some legitimate needs (CB, DL, WR) that need to be addressed and we could be missing out. I'm disappointed we weren't in the mix for the DT from Green Bay, Corey Williams or Randall Gay from NE.. I hope we don't hope that we're going to find all of the pieces we need in the draft. Bringing in Hackett or Bryant Johnson is a must IMO since we didn't pick up Ernest Wilford.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

They could definitely free up more space if needed, so I don't buy this talk that we're not making moves simply because we can't afford to. This is Snyder we're talking about after all.

Except if we restructured everyone in order to make signings, half the signings would be cut by next year, and the other half by 2010, just so we could erase the 30 million dollar red zone we made for ourselves.

I mean, this was all planned out from the beginning back in 2006, (build the team of the future in 06/07, and let it win in 08/09) when we spent so heavily to try to build a winner, but this "patience" is just the next phase of a plan that has been mildly successful to date.