The Vinny and the Scouts Appreciation Thread

[freddyg12]

Whatever or whoever is repsonsible deserves some props, just as this thread states. It's been so long since we've had this many late round & undrafted guys making contributions & winning. Can anyone remember the last time? Probably in Gibbs I.

Of course I'm excited for the playoffs, but the draft & free agency will be interesting in 08. Will the Danny et al look to sign Briggs & make other big deals, or be willing to spend less in free agency & focus on the draft?

My guess is that there has probably been some serious tension w/in the front office including Gibbs about personel decisions. I think the college scouting staff has probably lobbied to Gibbs about the virtues of drafting & scouting undrafted free agents, and these recent successes may be all they need as evidence.

The Danny will never want to totally abandon his aggressive free agent moves, but seeing the success of the young unheralded guys may cause him to temper his moves a lot.

[Bill B]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

Whatever or whoever is repsonsible deserves some props, just as this thread states. It's been so long since we've had this many late round & undrafted guys making contributions & winning. Can anyone remember the last time? Probably in Gibbs I.

Of course I'm excited for the playoffs, but the draft & free agency will be interesting in 08. Will the Danny et al look to sign Briggs & make other big deals, or be willing to spend less in free agency & focus on the draft?

My guess is that there has probably been some serious tension w/in the front office including Gibbs about personel decisions. I think the college scouting staff has probably lobbied to Gibbs about the virtues of drafting & scouting undrafted free agents, and these recent successes may be all they need as evidence.

The Danny will never want to totally abandon his aggressive free agent moves, but seeing the success of the young unheralded guys may cause him to temper his moves a lot.

I hope you are right about this. What I can't understand about this is from a financial standpoint I would think that not having to spend huge amounts on signing bonuses and getting better on field success from unheralded free agents and draft picks would actually be more enticing to most business owners - what is it about trying to go out and buy the biggest free agents? Yeah it may create a offseason excitement and help in the sales of jerseys/merchandise, but I would think most Redskin fans really care about the Lombardi Trophy and as this year is proving your chances of success improve when you take the less heralded approach. Look at this season's big spender if you need a stark reminder - the San Francisco 49ers - all the money spent and what was their great record - a pathetic 5-11 - records speak for themselves and buying a championship is an approach that keeps failing - when are teams going to finally realize this?

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Bill B

I hope you are right about this. What I can't understand about this is from a financial standpoint I would think that not having to spend huge amounts on signing bonuses and getting better on field success from unheralded free agents and draft picks would actually be more enticing to most business owners - what is it about trying to go out and buy the biggest free agents? Yeah it may create a offseason excitement and help in the sales of jerseys/merchandise, but I would think most Redskin fans really care about the Lombardi Trophy and as this year is proving your chances of success improve when you take the less heralded approach. Look at this season's big spender if you need a stark reminder - the San Francisco 49ers - all the money spent and what was their great record - a pathetic 5-11 - records speak for themselves and buying a championship is an approach that keeps failing - when are teams going to finally realize this?

I think the Danny probably sees his free agents signings the same way he did hiring people to work for him before he owned the Skins. As a young guy who was making money in an era when corporate benefits were waning & transience was more common than loyalty, he understands that today's best workers know their value & want to be well paid. His philosophy was never bad in theory, but hasn't worked in football for a no. of reasons. He's had his own learning curve to go through & hopefully he's learned enough to build a consistent winning team.