Smoot Has Gut Feeling He'll Be a Free Agent
 

[url]http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1956018[/url]

If they let him go, I'm going to start calling for Gibbs' head on a plate. Gibbs is in control of player personnel decisions and if he lets Smoot go after the Brunell-fiasco, I will renounce my loyalty to Gibbs.
:cussing:

JUst out of curiousity, do people now believe that having an extra $10 million of cap space (currently eaten up by dead space) would be nice? And the salary cap doesn't affect us? It may just cost us Smoot.

The salary cap won't cost us Smoot. Smoot will be here if the Redskins want him here. The FO may cost us Smoot because they don't realize how important he is as a Redskin!

Give the coaches the 2 weeks that they want to put together thier requirements for next year. I bet when everyone looks at everything, they will realize just how important Smoot is to the system on top of being a true "Redskin".

Am I the only one who thinks $10 million of dead space affects our (in)ability to re-sign someone or get someone in free agency? We are always up against the cap, so if we had an extra $5 million, wouldn't that help us somehow? Geez.

It's a problem, Ramseyfan. However I really feel Smoot loves Washington and is willing to make sacrifices to stay. I don't believe this very often, but Smoot seems to be dedicated to the club. I feel that if he leaves, it's because Gibbs doesn't want him around, not the other way around.

[QUOTE=Daseal]It's a problem, Ramseyfan. However I really feel Smoot loves Washington and is willing to make sacrifices to stay. I don't believe this very often, but Smoot seems to be dedicated to the club. I feel that if he leaves, it's because Gibbs doesn't want him around, not the other way around.[/QUOTE]

I pray that you are right D that Smooty wants to be here. If Gibbs doesn't want him around here, I'm going to be first in line to call for his early termination. I can forgive a 5-11 start. I still have faith in Gibbs. But if gets rid of Smoot (especially after picking up Brunell), any faith I have in him will be gone.

I hope we can work a deal out.............perhaps Brunell will restructure as well as some others......how much is Gardner costing us??? I'd be willing to let go of him......
I'm tired of seeing him drop passes....

Gardner will cost us $2.1 million next year....not bad for a #2 wr.

Without straying too far from the topic, $10 million in dead space is a TON. As I pointed out earlier,[B]Clinton Portis, Jon Jansen and Laveranues Coles will have a combined cap figure of $10 million in 2005. [/B] So, I think the $10 million in dead space we are going to have next year will likely have a pretty sizeable impact on our negotiations with Smoot.

Ramseyfan:

Just wait for about 3 minutes and someone here will point out that all we have to do is slap the freanchise tag on Smoot and that will take care of everything because if he doesn't sign that will get us 2 first round picks...

That's the answer every year. ONly problem is - - it never works out that way.

Examples of how it does not work out that way are:

1. Champ Bailey

2. Jeremah Trotter

But if you are just a bit patient, someone will try to calm you down with that argument.

Either way we shouldn't just let Smoot walk. I would tag him and trade him. There are teams that would trade for smoot.

skins009:

Bailey had a MUCH higher reputation around the NFL last year than Smoot does now. And to move him along, the Skins had to toss in a 2nd round pick in order to pick up Clinton Portis.

So Smoot's trade value with a franchise tag stuck to his back is at least "questionable".

Oh, and no one even wanted Trotter - let alont to trade for him - when the Eagles franchised him so he came to DAnny Boy and just got what he had been asking for all along. The Skins paid and got next to nothing in return; then they cut this former franchise player who is now starting for the team who will have home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

The franchise tag is not a magic wand; in fact, it usually doesn't even work very well.

I have a gut feeling I'd puke if we lost Smoot.

He's a very important piece to our puzzle, I have a hard time believing we'd let him walk.

"Smoot is in the final days of a modest four-year, $2.6 million contract he signed as a second-round draft pick from Mississippi State in 2001."

Looks to me like he has been under paid the last 3 years. Time for the Skins to compensate him.

I love smoot to death and his cockiness, but if gibbs thinks we need another corner than i guess we need another. there is also another fa corner out there like charles woodson who could be more physical than smoot with the same vocalness and cockiness. how does a combination of wood, springs, taylor and bowen sound for 2005. that group could be the best in the league next year but we would have to see.

Woodson is having an off year, is asking to be the highest paid corner in the league, has attitude problems, has off-the-field legal problems, and is a Class 1A a--hole. If we lose Smoot for Woodson, I'll flip my sh-t.

Like most of you I love Smoot. I think he is a core Redskin, a team leader, and a great CB. Not to mention smootsmack is a great tag name. I really hope we sign him.

But as always I have to look at the numbers.

From the article:
[QUOTE]"We've offered Fred to be a top-10 paid cornerback in the NFL." said Vinny Cerrato, vice president for football operations.[/QUOTE]

Last year the average cap hit of the top 10 cornerbacks in the NFL was $5.7M. It probably went up this year so let's call it $6M cap hit a year. To compare, Springs average cap hit is $5.2M.

Does Smoot deserve more than Springs?

IMO SS outplayed Smoot this year. Not to metion he already had his money, Smoot was playing for his (not a shot at Smoot, just a fact). Nevertheless Smoot has 'earned his stripes' as a Redskin and deserves some goodwill. He's also younger than Springs. So I don't think it would be unfair for Smoot to make a little more than Springs.

Does Smoot deserve to be paid like a top ten CB?

I think Smoot is a great CB and maybe top 10. He's also a team leader and always comes to play, even when he's hurt (except this week LOL). But he isn't infallable, as we saw when he went up against Keyshawn. To objectively say he is more than a top-10 CB I think is a stretch. In all, the $6M number sounds about right to me. It's more than Springs and puts him in the top-10. How much more does he expect?

As for the franchise tag, last year's tag price was $6.8M. This year should be $7M+. I'm not sure if we can really afford that, but then again we can't afford to lose Smoot and get nothing in return. If we can't resign him, I think tagging him is the only move.

At the end of the day, I can't see Snyder letting him go over a little money, but it all comes down to Gibbs valuation of Freddy. If Gibbs wants him, Snyder will find a way to keep him.

I also hate that Smoot is getting advice from Champ on contract negotiations. If Smoot really wants to be a Redskin (unlike Champ) I see no reason why he can't be. Snyder has never been known to be cheap, so what's the holdup? Smooty, Mr. Snyder, let's make this happen!

According to the Post article, Smoot is seeking a deal worth $30 million for six years. SIGN HIM!

The Post reports that......SURPRISE.....it's facing a salary cap squeeze.

"Coach Joe Gibbs has talked highly of Smoot and the importance of keeping core players such as Smoot on the Redskins. But Washington could face a salary-cap squeeze."

Apparently my concerns about the salary cap aren't so crazy.

[QUOTE=Ramseyfan]Woodson is having an off year, is asking to be the highest paid corner in the league, has attitude problems, has off-the-field legal problems, and is a Class 1A a--hole. If we lose Smoot for Woodson, I'll flip my sh-t.[/QUOTE]


I'll flip my sh-t, your sh-t and just about everyone on this boards sh-t at the same time.

I just dont get it. Why? Why on earth are we looking at the possibilty of losing this guy. In my opnion, this guy is the Redskins. This is the guy who I thought was going to be the next Darell Green, maybe never that good, but a guy who put his ass on the line for the Redskins every week.

Now as I read that article, I see we offered to make Smoot a top 10 pd CB in the league.... how the hell did Smoot not take that? No offense to him, but I really dont know how many teams are gonna throw that kind of money at him, when he hasent been on top recivers a whole ton this year. Does anyone else think he'd get more money than the top 10 paid CB's in the league? Maybe CC has the current top 10 pd CB's cause I couldnt find the list.

To say I'm dissapointed to hear this is a huge understatement. This was the guy I wanted to get resigned this year. I was shocked to hear that today, I odnt want to have to waste our draftpick on Antone Rolle, or waste money on a Chareles Woodson who is just a big name, with a big price with a big additude. I really hope Smoots gut is wrong here, because this really sucks.

[QUOTE=Ramseyfan]According to the Post article, Smoot is seeking a deal worth $30 million for six years. SIGN HIM!

The Post reports that......SURPRISE.....it's facing a salary cap squeeze.

"Coach Joe Gibbs has talked highly of Smoot and the importance of keeping core players such as Smoot on the Redskins. But Washington could face a salary-cap squeeze."

Apparently my concerns about the salary cap aren't so crazy.[/QUOTE]

That deal sounds fair to me. The cap isn't the issue. I think both sides are negotiating thru the media.

[QUOTE=CrazyCanuck]That deal sounds fair to me. The cap isn't the issue. I think both sides are negotiating thru the media.[/QUOTE]


Urgh! Never like to hear that. I dont know, I'm really upset about this. That is a very fair deal, if that is what was offered. I belive Smoot wants to stay a Redskin, but common. We cant break the bank for him, were in enough trouble as it is. Please Fred Stay, I'll wash your car for free to make up for the extra money!

Both sides are just posturing right now, I wouldn't look too far in to this just yet. My gut feeling is we'll re-sign him.

I hope you're right Matty! I have the same feeling, Smoot seems to love being a skin too much!

I remember the same thing happening when he were trying to re-sign Jansen. At one point the Washington Times reported that Jansen returning looked bleak, then I think it was the next day he re-signed.

[QUOTE=Mattyk72]I remember the same thing happening when he were trying to re-sign Jansen. At one point the Washington Times reported that Jansen returning looked bleak, then I think it was the next day he re-signed.[/QUOTE]


Man I hope your right. I cant imagine Smoot anywhere else next season.

[QUOTE=Ramseyfan][url]http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1956018[/url]

If they let him go, I'm going to start calling for Gibbs' head on a plate. Gibbs is in control of player personnel decisions and if he lets Smoot go after the Brunell-fiasco, I will renounce my loyalty to Gibbs.
:cussing:

I like Smoot, but come on. My loyalty to Joe Gibbs for what he has done for the Redskins goes much deeper than for any player past or present. Joe Gibbs is the greatest Redskin in history. I want Smoot back but only at a cap number that works for the team. Gibbs has said he wants Smoot back anyway so this is not even about Gibbs and Smoot. Gibbs does not negotiate contracts all he does is give recomendations as to who he wants on the team and I am certain he would like his entire #2 ranked defense back. I can take critisism of anyone or anything except Joe Gibbs. They could lose every game for the next 4 years and i will find 1000 other people to blame before I point a finger at that man...

[QUOTE=celts32][QUOTE=Ramseyfan][url]http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1956018[/url]

If they let him go, I'm going to start calling for Gibbs' head on a plate. Gibbs is in control of player personnel decisions and if he lets Smoot go after the Brunell-fiasco, I will renounce my loyalty to Gibbs.
:cussing:

I like Smoot, but come on. My loyalty to Joe Gibbs for what he has done for the Redskins goes much deeper than for any player past or present. Joe Gibbs is the greatest Redskin in history. I want Smoot back but only at a cap number that works for the team. Gibbs has said he wants Smoot back anyway so this is not even about Gibbs and Smoot. Gibbs does not negotiate contracts all he does is give recomendations as to who he wants on the team and I am certain he would like his entire #2 ranked defense back. I can take critisism of anyone or anything except Joe Gibbs. They could lose every game for the next 4 years and i will find 1000 other people to blame before I point a finger at that man...[/QUOTE]


You said it all Celts. I think people would turn on every player in the organization before they turned on Gibbs. People who were so high on Ramsey have turned on him. People who were so high on Portis have turned on him. People who were so high on Coles have turned on him. People will probably turn on Jansen once he's back in the lineup.

Does anyone think the talent on offense exceeds the talent on defense? LeMar Marshall, Joe Salave'a, Ron Warner, Ryan Clark, Chris Clemons, an injured Brandon Noble, Renaldo Wynn, Ade Jimoh, et al are not more talented than the guys we have on offense. Yet, for some strange reason, our defense is dominant and our offense stinks.

Has anyone possibly thought that our offensive coordinator WHOSE PLAYCALLING SUCKS might, just might have something to do with that?

I generally agree with much of your posts Ramsey, I just don't agree that Joe Gibbs is or has ever been anything but a solution to problems not a cause of them. Joe Gibbs did not suddenly forget how to run an offense. If there is a problem with the offense it is that Gibbs does not fully trust his offensive line to pass protect or his QB to not make mistakes in a more wide open offense. If Gibbs gets a dominant O-line he has proven that he can win with less talented skill position players. Hopefully, next year our O-line will be better and it will give Gibbs the confidence to take more chances in the passing game. This team needs time to jell for the most part. The fact that all the games are so close says that they do not need to be dismantled. They just need a couple modest additions and few if any subtractions.

Crazy Canuck says he has to look at the numbers and when you do that you come to the conclusion that there is something else going on in all these negotiations/posturings.

When Champ left, the Redskins turned around and signed Portis for comparable money - it was a little less but not enough to change the entier team salary cap structure. So they had the room for Champ but chose not to use it. Champ Bailey and his agent and the Redskins' FO got into a pissing match and it got to the point where Bailey decided he would go and play elsewhere.

Now, Bailey and Smoot are talking. What message do you think Bailey is giving Smoot? The money is there in Snyder's checkbook and the cap room can be massaged by adding a year or two at the end of Smoot's deal to make the signing bonus hit next year relatively small. But Smoot says he isn't sure the FO wants him. That's exactly what Champ was saying late last year.

IF Smoot leaves, - and I'm hoping he doesn't - start to look at the people who are negotiating deals with the agents because this will te twice in two years that a far batter than average CB and his agent can't seem to get together with the FO on a deal. NOT GOOD folks...

[QUOTE=celts32]I generally agree with much of your posts Ramsey, I just don't agree that Joe Gibbs is or has ever been anything but a solution to problems not a cause of them. Joe Gibbs did not suddenly forget how to run an offense. If there is a problem with the offense it is that Gibbs does not fully trust his offensive line to pass protect or his QB to not make mistakes in a more wide open offense. If Gibbs gets a dominant O-line he has proven that he can win with less talented skill position players. Hopefully, next year our O-line will be better and it will give Gibbs the confidence to take more chances in the passing game. This team needs time to jell for the most part. The fact that all the games are so close says that they do not need to be dismantled. They just need a couple modest additions and few if any subtractions.[/QUOTE]

I am thankful that someone generally agrees with my posts.

I don't mean to say that Gibbs needs to go, that he can hack it, etc. What I meant to say is that: #1 the playcalling this season was horrible (regardless of whether he trusted this person and distrusted that person); #2 he'll get it straight, but it'll take time; #3 as you pointed out, because we are just a few players away from the playoffs, let's not turn over the roster.

How many would be great calls never materialized before our eyes becasue the blocking blew up or the QB missed the read or the WR blew the rout? I don't think anything is as black and white as we sometimes make it. We are not privy to the coaches tape or meeting rooms to see exactly what happened and who screwed up. I just simply will not believe that Joe Gibbs somehow forgot how to call an offensive game. Many times a long pass is called and if the ball is not thrown long for whatever reason we assume that it was never called. Perhaps the only plays our offense could execute were the short routes. Who knows. I do know that Gibbs is simply the only person in the Redskins current organization who has the trackrecord to deserve the benefit of the doubt.

I definitely agree, celts32.

didn't a lot of people question the FO's stance with Bailey last year and thought there was no way Springs could ever fill the role left by Bailey but I think Springs did that and then some this year so what's to prevent Willaims from finding or molding another cb to fill the role of Smoot? I love smoot but he ain't in the top 10 cbs in the league and sure as hell doesn't deserve the top 5 cb money it sounds like he and his agent r looking for. I want Smoot back, especially in the locker room, but this year's main need doesn't involve our defense but is instead on the offensive side(most of which would be fixed by bringing in a more modern OC.) With a bit more than the money Smoot is looking for we could probably upgrade at center, sign our 1st round pick, and make a run a an above average cb which Williams has shown the talent for turning into upper end cbs. so yeah I'd love to have smoot back but let's not make it seem like it'd bring the downfall to our team if he isn't resigned cuz he wants more money than he deserves/the team can give/or a contract that wouldn't leave room for our more pressing needs.
and yeah it sucks about the dead cap space, but with the bloated salaries today and the occasional(or frequent as the skins go lately) FA bust, the skins aren't the only team in this type of predicament.

IMHO Peirce is a much more important player to lock up and resign.