Somebody please try to convince me that the FO has a plan.

[Trample the Elderly]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

I understand being upset with some of the moves the FO has made, but theyve made far more good personnel moves since the 2007-2008 offseason than bad ones. Was the trade for Jason Taylor a panic move? Yes - but in the end, the only significant thing the move cost us was the 2nd round pick in this years draft. Could we have taken a great player with that pick? Possibly. But its also possible the guy we would have taken with the pick would be a bust - theres no way of knowing.

Overall, i'm very please with last years draft. We had all 22 starters from 2007 coming back, so we were able to pick up alot of project and depth guys - guys who didnt need to start right away. I think atleast 6 of the 2008 draft class are poised to play a significant role for the team in 2009.

As for this offseason - so far its been phenomenal. Free agency is two weeks old yet and so far weve signed:

Albert Hayneworth - Pro-bowl starter. Best DT in the league.
DeAngelo Hall - Pro-bowl Starter. Playmaker, interception machine.
Derrick Dockery - Starter
Ethan Albright - ST Starter
Anthony Montgommery - Starting quality DT
Kedric Golston - Starting qualtity DT
Alfred Fincher - Solid backup LB and great special teamer.

4 of those players will start in 2009. The other 3 will play extensively.

Right now our main needs are SLB, RDE, ol depth and RT (Kickers are positions we can address at any point.) We very likely will bring back Phillip Daniels to help out at DE. We may bring back Marcus Washington and Pete Kendall as well. So our immediate needs at RDE, SLB and backup OL are more or less solved. If we address RT somewhere in free agency, then we can enter the draft with the ability to pick the best player available if we stay at 13. Thats a great position to be in.

You say the FO doesnt have a plan? I see a front office that has already dramatically improved the main weaknesses of our team last year - the lines. I see a team that is getting younger and better. I see a team that is poised to add one stud player or several quality depth/future starters in this years draft. I see a team that will enter the uncapped 2010 season with a near-full complement of draft picks and very few glaring needs.

Sure the FO has missed on a couple things, but, with the exception of the Taylor trade, this team has showed a clear commitment to building for a stable, successful future the past two years. In my opinion,the franchise is moving in a better direction now than ive seen it move in a long, long time.

Thanks BHA, you even made me feel better.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by Trample the Elderly

You guys are all wrong! They use tea leaves.

Leaves or bags? I heard someone say Vinny was a teabagger. Whatever that means.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

Leaves or bags? I heard someone say Vinny was a teabagger. Whatever that means.

They call him the Tyrannical Teabagger!

Seriously though, it is too early to be worried about this. The draft hasn't happened yet, which is a big piece of the offseason planning (yes, even for our team). I think you need to wait until the pre-season to get a sense of how these changes are panning out.

[redsk1]

The FO really doesn't have long term strategy. We have, count them 4 picks in the draft this year. Let's take for example some random top performing, consistent teams in the NFL and determine how many picks they have:

Pitts: 8 1.32, 2.32, 3.32, 4.32, 5.32, 6.32, 7.17 (From TB), 7.32
Indy: 7 1.27, 2.29, 3.28, 4.27, 5.29, 6.28, 7.28
SD: 6 1.16, 3.14, 4.13, 5.12, 6.16, 7.15
Philly: 11 1.21, 1.28 (From CAR), 2.21, 3.21, 4.21, 5.5 (From CLE), 5.17 (From NYJ), 5.21, 6.21, 6.22 (From MIN), 7.21
Tenn: 6 1.30, 2.30, 3.30, 4.30, 6.30, 7.30
NE: 1.23, 2.2 (From KC), 2.15 (From SD), 2.26, 3.25, 4.24, 5.23, 6.26, 7.26

We have the lowest amount of picks in the NFL at 4. NO has 4 too. Cleveland has 5. You may say we have a different philosophy. Until I see our team as a consistent winner under said philosophy I will tell you it doesn't work. When we start being a consistently good team, i'll change my tune.

What else is there to say? We have some good talent but also have more gaps than draft picks.

[Trample the Elderly]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

Leaves or bags? I heard someone say Vinny was a teabagger. Whatever that means.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by KI Skins Fan

I am one frustrated Redskins fan. Here's what I see.

We've gone back to the same bad habits that have cost us draft picks and cap space and that I believe will surely doom us to continued mediocrity. The Jason Taylor fiasco, another of our customary panic moves, cost us dearly in draft picks. Albert Haynesworth, as great as he is, represents a whopping chunk of our cap space which seems to have precluded our making other FA moves.

Meanwhile, we have holes to fill - big holes. We need a RT, a SLB, a RDE, OL backups, a Kicker, a Punter, a PR, and maybe more. Right now, it looks like we might bring back Daniels and Washington. That's nice, but, at this point in their careers they're only stop-gap solutions.

Even with Haynesworth, this doesn't look to me like a team that is poised to make a playoff run in the tough NFC East. Sure, I wanted Haynesworth, but what do I know? I'm just a dumb fan who loves to watch great football players do their thing in B&G. I don't need to have a plan. But shouldn't the FO have one? If they do, I just can't see it.

If you can detect a plan in all this, clue me in. Also, what do you think the plan should be?

I'm bored today, so I will try (even though I am not a huge Vinny or Danny fan) to convince you that there may be a plan.

Exhibit A: Get younger. Since the start of free agency, the Redskins have released or not retained 35 year old Pete Kendall, 32 year old Marcus Washington, 36 year old Phillip Daniels, 34 year old Jason Taylor and 33 year old Shawn Springs. While Washington, Daniels and Taylor haven't been replaced (yet) chances are we will draft a replacement in the 1st round of the draft. We got 7 years younger at LG with Dockery and 8 years younger at CB with Hall. If we draft DE/OLB at #13, which we absolutely should, that's a significant age difference too. Also, if Heyer gets the start at RT, he's at least 9 years younger than Jansen.

Exhibit B: Build through the draft. I know this is funny to some Redskins fans, but building thru the draft is a long term strategy, not to bear immediate results. Do you want to know why our rookies played like rookies last year? Because they were rookies! If after 3 years, if they mirror '08 production then call them busts. We had 10 draft picks last year, 9 made the team. Yeah the Taylor trade cost us 2 picks but the same people bitching about that now were celebrating the possibilities when we made the trade. Sometimes trades don't work out. Show me a team that's 100% in their trading history.

Exhibit C: Not the 'same old Redskins'. Yep, we spent a ton of money in the first 3 days of free agency. Yep, we got the biggest fish in the pond. Like John Clayton said, since when is adding the best defensive player in the league a negative thing? The media and some fans that just parrot what they hear bemoaned all the money spent on Haynesworth, Hall and Dockery. So we go out and get the best DL in the game. We retain a 25 year old Pro Bowl CB and re-acquire a LG that fills 2 needs (getting younger and more athletic on the OL). Again, tell me how that's a negative. The 'same old Redskins' would have signed Haynesworth, traded this year's #1 and next year's #3 for Julius Peppers, signed Terrell Owens and would be trying to trade for Jay Cutler. That's the 'same old Redskins.'

Do we have a plan? It seems like we do. Will it work? Who knows but rather than listening to the 'same old Redskins detractors' look at the evidence with non biased eyes and decide for yourself.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

Leaves or bags? I heard someone say Vinny was a teabagger. Whatever that means.

LMAO! Google it.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by redsk1

The FO really doesn't have long term strategy. We have, count them 4 picks in the draft this year. Let's take for example some random top performing, consistent teams in the NFL and determine how many picks they have:

Pitts: 8 1.32, 2.32, 3.32, 4.32, 5.32, 6.32, 7.17 (From TB), 7.32
Indy: 7 1.27, 2.29, 3.28, 4.27, 5.29, 6.28, 7.28
SD: 6 1.16, 3.14, 4.13, 5.12, 6.16, 7.15
Philly: 11 1.21, 1.28 (From CAR), 2.21, 3.21, 4.21, 5.5 (From CLE), 5.17 (From NYJ), 5.21, 6.21, 6.22 (From MIN), 7.21
Tenn: 6 1.30, 2.30, 3.30, 4.30, 6.30, 7.30
NE: 1.23, 2.2 (From KC), 2.15 (From SD), 2.26, 3.25, 4.24, 5.23, 6.26, 7.26

We have the lowest amount of picks in the NFL at 4. NO has 4 too. Cleveland has 5. You may say we have a different philosophy. Until I see our team as a consistent winner under said philosophy I will tell you it doesn't work. When we start being a consistently good team, i'll change my tune.

What else is there to say? We have some good talent but also have more gaps than draft picks.

So you're basing this on this year alone that the FO office doesn't have a long term strategy? Ok let's take a look at the team's lack of long term strategy:

- Jason Campbell - drafted by the team, now a good starter
- Chris Cooley - drafted by the team - developed into a damn good player
- Derrick Dockery - drafted by the team - we lost him, but got him back
- Laron Landry - drafted by the team - became a starter almost immediately
- Rocky McIntosh - drafted by the team - became a starter eventually
- Chris Samuels - drafted by the team - Pro Bowl tackle
- Carlos Rogers - drafted by the team - became a solid starter
- Golston & Montgomery - drafted by the team - solid backups
- 2008 Draft Picks
* Kelly/Thomas - potential replacements for our 30something wideouts
* Davis - Can/will become a compliment to our Pro Bowl TE
*Horton - a diamond in the rough who became an immediate starter
*Brennan - potential solid back up, could become a starter some day

While the Redskins have made terrible moves in the past by giving away draft picks in the past, they have drafted and developed players as well. And last year we drafted 5 potential starters, so if that's not "future planning" I don't know what is then.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

So you're basing this on this year alone that the FO office doesn't have a long term strategy? Ok let's take a look at the team's lack of long term strategy:

- Jason Campbell - drafted by the team, now a good starter
- Chris Cooley - drafted by the team - developed into a damn good player
- Derrick Dockery - drafted by the team - we lost him, but got him back
- Laron Landry - drafted by the team - became a starter almost immediately
- Rocky McIntosh - drafted by the team - became a starter eventually
- Chris Samuels - drafted by the team - Pro Bowl tackle
- Carlos Rogers - drafted by the team - became a solid starter
- Golston & Montgomery - drafted by the team - solid backups
- 2008 Draft Picks
* Kelly/Thomas - potential replacements for our 30something wideouts
* Davis - Can/will become a compliment to our Pro Bowl TE
*Horton - a diamond in the rough who became an immediate starter
*Brennan - potential solid back up, could become a starter some day

While the Redskins have made terrible moves in the past by giving away draft picks in the past, they have drafted and developed players as well. And last year we drafted 5 potential starters, so if that's not "future planning" I don't know what is then.

I just have my fingers crossed big time that Kelly and Thomas don't turn into Rod Gardner and Cliff Russell.

[BDBohnzie]

The free agent acquisition comparison between 2000 and 2009 is getting quite old.

In 2000, Snyder went for broke and signed Sanders, Smith, Carrier and George, respected veterans (well, George maybe not) who were definitely on the down slope of their careers. Carrier and Sanders lasted a season, George 2 games into his 2nd, and Smith lasted 4 years. It was Super Bowl or Bust in 2000, and it fell flat on their faces.

Fast forward to 2009. BHA pretty much sums the portfolio up in his post, but these guys are nowhere near the Georges and Sanderses that Snyder blew money on 9 years ago. The Skins are finally learning from their experience and doing what they can to fill the holes.

And while the Taylor situation is very questionable, I honestly think it will work out in the end. It opened up cap room and allowed the Skins to spread his 8+ million around to more than one player.

Do I have complete faith in the FO? Not really. However, I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I just have my fingers crossed big time that Kelly and Thomas don't turn into Rod Gardner and Cliff Russell.

Damn it...me too...way to kill my hopes. LOL.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

They don't have a plan. They tack up pictures of free agents and draft picks and toss darts at them. They also get a lot of their info from playing Madden and simming through the franchise mode.

LMAO... I think this is worthy of sig-status.

[CRedskinsRule]

I believe part of the plan is to not let on that there is a plan, thereby confusing the opposition and rendering all their plans moot. Thus the lack of known plan leads directly to the lack of a need for a real plan, hence the best laid plan is no plan at all.

Originally Posted by BA

Aw, Hannibal, is this one of your plans supposed to go down 1, 2, 3? You always forget 4, 5, and 6.

Murdock: Just think, if we get a pardon, we may never have to eat a nuckle sandwich again.
BA: I wouldn't bet on it crazy man! Looks like Hannibal is on the jazz again.
Murdock: No, you tell me, right now you tell me, right in my face you tell me, that you don't have a plan!
Hannibal: Well, I... I was thinking like Berny and George, what are we gonna do, when this thing's over? I mean what are we really qualified to do?
Face: Go after thugs in a park...
Hannibal: And outlawed motorcycle gangs, organized crime figures, why there's a world of slime balls out there.
Murdock: I knew it! I just knew you had a plan!
Hannibal: Comforting, isn't it.
BA: I'll get the van!

Originally Posted by Hannibal

I love it when a plan comes together.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by GMScud

LMAO! Google it.

I was just trying to lighten things up.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

They don't have a plan. They tack up pictures of free agents and draft picks and toss darts at them. They also get a lot of their info from playing Madden and simming through the franchise mode.

Matty I'm curious to know what you or any of the other mods think of our front office. It seems like you guys take the side of the FO. Maybe I'm wrong but it just kinda seems that way. Do you actually think they're good at what they do?