In a Perfect World: A Look Back at the 'Skins Major Offseason Moves

it makes perfect sense ramseyfan ;) we'll see how the current class ends up doing this season (and long term)... i agree that barrow and brunell aren't going to be around too long, but this season has much more promise than the last two... (after i saw spurrier win the preseason two years back, i knew we were in trouble).

I can tell you that by Week 10, you will be right. As I said in my initial post I think Brunell will lead us to the playoffs this season and definately next season. But I'm evaluating this offseason's moves in terms of its long-term impact as in 2-3 years from now.

Well, I did not merely mean that the Redskin record would show the validity or lack of it. I also meant that by week 10, there will be SOME clue as to the future of your draft selections. I would predict (based just on past statistics), that of your 5 picks (leaving Cooley out, who we got anyhow), At least one will no longer be in the NFL, and not more than 2 will have any significant impact whatsoever. Of course it will take longer for definitive results, but this would be a pretty good indication.

Well, I did not merely mean that the Redskin record would show the validity or lack of it. I also meant that by week 10, there will be SOME clue as to the future of your draft selections. I would predict (based just on past statistics), that of your 5 picks (leaving Cooley out, who we got anyhow), At least one will no longer be in the NFL, and not more than 2 will have any significant impact whatsoever. Of course it will take longer for definitive results, but this would be a pretty good indication.

Okay, fair enough....I'll take you up on that.

it makes perfect sense ramseyfan ;) we'll see how the current class ends up doing this season (and long term)... i agree that barrow and brunell aren't going to be around too long, but this season has much more promise than the last two... (after i saw spurrier win the preseason two years back, i knew we were in trouble).

We definately have a lot more hope than we have had since Gibbs left. Unlike other years, I think this year's hope is well founded.

Last year (before the season began) I thought we'd go 7-9 but this year I think we'll be 10-6.

Ramseyfan, I think the big thing here is, that Gibbs has probably been the most successful coach in Redskin history, and one of the best ever in the NFL. And right now there is an unbelievable wave of good feelings about his return, and a strong belief that he will do the right things for our team. So when you criticize his entire approach, and do it before training camp has even opened, you are certain to be met with overwhelming opposition. Now, you had the guts to present an opposing theory to "God", with absolutely no basis. If the team starts out 3-7, and your draftees are all stars, and you re-present this, you are a genius. EVERYONE will jump on your bandwagon!!!

Again, I'm a skeptic so I look for our weak spots even while I'm cheering hard for the team. In 2002 I was highly skeptical of Spurrier and my doubts proved well founded. Last year I was one of the most pessimistic Warpathers when I said we'd go 7-9 and our dline would be a huge weakness. I'm not trying to say I'm always right; God knows I'm wrong as often as I am right. But, I think I'm right about how this offseason will affect us down the road.

This year I think we'll go far (we'll get kicked out of the first round of the playoffs), but I am skeptical about how this offseason will affect our team over the course of the next 3 years.

The biggest prob. I have with what we did in the draft this year, was giving that 2nd rd pick for Portis, I think if we stuck to our gun's we would have pulled that deal off straight up for Champ, other than that I was very happy, RF, your plan leaves us week in the secondary, I don't know if I would have taken all the same player's, but I thought you did a fairly credible job with your pick's, on the other hand, I was prob. the first guy to start screaming Taylor, the day I found out we held the #5 pick, I just love this kid as a player, he could go down as an all time great, and I wouldn't give that up, I still feel he's the best player in a very deep draft, I know a lot of people where worried about signing Taylor on time, well look at the trouble jackson is giving the Ram's in that dept., and by the way, I like jones better than Jackson.

The biggest prob. I have with what we did in the draft this year, was giving that 2nd rd pick for Portis, I think if we stuck to our gun's we would have pulled that deal off straight up for Champ, other than that I was very happy, RF, your plan leaves us week in the secondary, I don't know if I would have taken all the same player's, but I thought you did a fairly credible job with your pick's, on the other hand, I was prob. the first guy to start screaming Taylor, the day I found out we held the #5 pick, I just love this kid as a player, he could go down as an all time great, and I wouldn't give that up, I still feel he's the best player in a very deep draft, I know a lot of people where worried about signing Taylor on time, well look at the trouble jackson is giving the Ram's in that dept., and by the way, I like jones better than Jackson.

The problem with that is that Portis was not OFFERED straight up for Champ. Our front office talked with them for days, and that was the best deal we could get. Remember, there was a time issue with Champ, and we were the big loser if no deal was cut to move him. I think the deal will prove to be absolutely spectacular!! And in addition to that, don't forget about the new "enforcement" that is going into place this year that will handcuff the DB's and open up passing games. Let's see how many WR's champ can shut down in the new environment.

This year I think we'll go far (we'll get kicked out of the first round of the playoffs), but I am skeptical about how this offseason will affect our team over the course of the next 3 years.

Maybe you will be right, but that is a prediction I could NEVER make with Gibbs at the helm. He is definitely not a "lose-in-the-first-round" guy. I hope they do make the playoffs. If so, I would see them making it at least to the NFC Championship.

And as far as the value of their moves 3 years down the road, don't forget a major intangible. Ramsey has some GREAT talents (strong arm, very accurate, extremely tough, great attitude), but has some critical problems that need correcting (very slow footwork, slow decision-making - in general, a slow release). Our opponents learned that very quickly and took advantage of it - look at the huge difference in sacks with Hasselbeck in there. A year or two learning under Brunell with some GREAT coaching will be HUGE in his development, and the best thing that could happen to him right now. So, 2-3 years from now when Patrick is tearing up the NFL, don't forget how important Brunell was to him (and the Redskins).

Good post Hogskin. But I think Ramsey’s biggest weaknesses are not necessarily his slow footwork or slow release, but his poor short-passing game. He seems to be much more accurate with his 20+ yard throws than he is with passes to WRs running 5 yard screen or 10 yard curl routes. That is a major problem, especially when you are slow footed and need to be able to dump the ball off in the face of a strong pass rush.

In any event, I pray to God that I am wrong about the long haul. In any case, it will be fun to watch us go somewhere this season.

anyone know if we will have our franchise tag next year or not? cuz I think if a player who's tagged is signed after march 17th and before july 14th I believe, the franchise tag is gone for however long the contract signed by the franchised player is, but I can't remember if champ signed before march 17th with denver or not.