I also think it would be smart to franchise Smoot, but only to trade him.

We won't get 2 first rounders, but we can take less. We might not get anything great in return but anything is better than nothing.

As for keeping him, the tag price will be $7M+, which I think is too expensive.

[QUOTE=cpayne5]We put the franchise tag on him, then traded him to Denver.

I think it would be worth it to franchise Fred Smoot. If we can't trade him, or sign him, then we'd have to pay him $5-8 million (don't know the exact numbers here). That's not really a cap killer. It's better than letting him leave for nothing.[/QUOTE]

you're right about the tag I forgot about that

We already have two good CB's in Walt Harris and Shawn Springs.
Walt Harris (cheap- only $955K in 2005) is finally healthy and will have this offseason to improve as opposed to last offseason where he had knee surgery and was just trying to get back to walking much less playing football. When healthy he is a proven good Cb in the NFL and will be better this coming year as oppsoed to last season.
Plus we have these two impressive rookie corners in Garnell Wilds and Rufus Brown.
Add to that a player or two we draft or sign as free agent, we should be fine.
We should not commit to paying Smoot $7m+ next year, he is not a shut down corner, we should not pay him like one.
I hate the fact we will already be be paying in 2005 (if they do not agree to salary redutions) Samules $9.6M, Lavar Arrington $6M, Renaldo Wynn $4M and Mark Brunnell $3.4M next year. These four guys are not worth are not worth $23m. The Redskins could cut these over paid guys and still be just as good as they are now. We played almost the entire season with out Lavar and our defense was still #2 in the NFL. NOw you want to add $7M+ for Smoot? That is crazy, he is not that good.

PT.2
We do not need compensation for Smoot. Look at the top 3 teams this year: New England, Pittsburg and Philly. They each lost some important veterans from their D (Philly lost both of their starting CB's) this offseason, replaced them with cheaper players and they still are the best teams in the NFL. Lets not act like Smoot is irreplaceable.

[QUOTE=CrazyCanuck]I also think it would be smart to franchise Smoot, but only to trade him.

We won't get 2 first rounders, but we can take less. We might not get anything great in return but anything is better than nothing.

As for keeping him, the tag price will be $7M+, which I think is too expensive.[/QUOTE]

Hmmm an intriguing thought... what would be the prospects of franchising Smoot and trading him for a solid Center or proven pass-rush DE?

[QUOTE=LongTimeSkinsFan]Hmmm an intriguing thought... what would be the prospects of franchising Smoot and trading him for a solid Center or proven pass-rush DE?[/QUOTE]

Not sure if we could get a solid center or DE for Smoot, but that would be nice. The best case scenario would be to deal for a solid guy that is not happy on his current team (ie Portis last year).

[QUOTE=Defensewins]PT.2
We do not need compensation for Smoot. Look at the top 3 teams this year: New England, Pittsburg and Philly. They each lost some important veterans from their D (Philly lost both of their starting CB's) this offseason, replaced them with cheaper players and they still are the best teams in the NFL. Lets not act like Smoot is irreplaceable.[/QUOTE]

That's true and considering how our defense played overall...I don't believe it would hurt us too much if Smoot goes....I would rather keep him though....

If the Redskins were looking at DRAFTING a center, I would look at Jason Brown from North Carolina. I was doing some research and this guy is a BEAST at 6'3", 330 lbs.

Here are the top prospects for centers and I know that Bugel knows how to mold them.

1 Ben Wilkerson Sr. LSU 6-4 300
2 Vince Carter Sr. Oklahoma 6-3 290
3 Greg Eslinger Jr. Minnesota 6-3 285
4 Richie Incognito Jr. Nebraska 6-3 300
5 Jason Brown Sr. North Carolina 6-3 330
6 Jason Respert Sr. Tennessee 6-3 310
7 Chase Johnson Sr. TCU 6-3 305
8 Drew Hogdon Sr. Arizona State 6-2 295
9 Jelani Clement Sr. Hampton 6-2 310
10 Alex Herron Sr. South Florida 6-3 280

Another quick thought...

"8(8). Washington Redskins

*Mathias Kiwanuka Defenisve End Boston College

Renaldo Wynn and Ron Warner are the starters so looking for a young stud to give the team a pass rush would be welcomed. Kiwanuka also adds the ability to disrupt the passing lanes even when he doesn't reach the quarterback. Kiwanuka has a rather large wingspan and he already stands 6'7, that is 4 inches taller than any defensive end currently on the Redskins roster."

6'7"?!?!? And I've never even heard of this guy.

I saw one BC game, he played alright. I really don't know much about him but have heard good things.

I want Richie Incognito. Simply for the name.

Incognito is transferring to Oregon or Oregon State, and is a head case.

jhold4th:

He is "transferring" because the Nebraske coaches told him to stay away from the program at Nebraska.

Sounds like a "problem child". And after the Redskins' extensive background invesitgation into the rehabilitation of Darrell Russell (remember that fiasco?), I don't think this is someone this franchise needs to take a chance on.