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Originally Posted by Bill B
One point that maybe some of the posters can give insight - with the Hogs of the glory years how many of them were drafted compared to being acquired via trade/free agency? If I remember correctly weren't some of the hogs actually undrafted pickups? Also, I remember when the Skins traded Jay Schroder for Jim Lachey - when that was announced I was estatic and knew we got a steal when we got an all pro lineman.
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http://www.thewarpath.net/506536-post7.html
Now unfortunately in today's salary cap era I don't think you will ever see a trade like the Lachey one, but I think one area we need to focus on is to not only stockpile picks in hoping to find a dominant lineman, but we also should dedicate some resources to scouting and making sure if there are any undrafted lineman that have a chance to make an impact. Maybe just maybe we luck out on one or two linemen and solidy the rest through high draft picks and maybe one or two free agent pickups.[/QUOTE]
Scouting is a concern I think I brought up two or three years ago, and I believe they actually made a lot of changes at the lower levels last spring/summer so we'll see if it pays off.
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Also - as far as having patience through rebuilding seasons - I think a lot of us who are also Washington Capital fans saw what Ted Leonsis had to endure with the Caps but did not lose faith in the ownership. The Caps tried the free agency, big spending route by signing guys like Jagr to massive contracts but it didn't work out, so Leonsis understood that in order to create a long lasting quality team the best way is through the draft and adding a free agent or two. So he shed all his high priced talent - even acquiring some additional picks by doing so, and let his GM build his team through the draft. Leonsis understood that there would be some rough seasons but he also knew that if he let his GM stockpile young talent and then when the team got better they could add a good free agent or two (like Matty had mentioned in this thread earlier on how the Skins should go) than your chances to build a consistent winner get better and better as long as you have a good GM and get out of his way.
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McPhee is phenomenal, and props to Leonsis. But he also "benefitted" from a lockout that sort of forced his hand.