Gruden Says Start Cousins

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Apart from P Manning, I can't think of a single team that's gotten to the next level recently (great up to elite for example) based on FA. Brees before that. Hmmmm I see a pattern there with QBs lol. You can make the argument for Seattle here, based on Lynch, Harvin, Rice and several defensive players brought in via FA. But then you remember Rice and Harvin are non-factors, and Lynch never had this kind of success until paired with Wilson. The whole offense revolves around Wilson. And their drafted WRs are balling. Defensively, the best players are drafted guys like Sherman (6th rounder).

The point is it all comes back to the draft, with FA signings complimenting the core you build through the draft. I tried to give Mike lots of credit up to this year for building a core through the draft, but I think it's average at best given what we see. In four years he hasn't drafted a single impact WR and only one olineman (a can't miss prospect IMO). That's pathetic. Really, really pathetic.

All good points. Every year we see a team go out and over spend and it never seems to translate to more wins. Last year it was Philly, this year Miami. Yet come March, Redskin One will be gased up, free agents will be signed, new jerseys will be in the stores to sell and the fans will think it's X-mas.

However, because of the RG3 trade and the cap penalty, we have no choice but to go out and sign guys. I just hope that whoever picks the players knows what the hell they're doing. No more Josh Morgan, Josh Wilson signings.

[44Deezel]

Originally Posted by Fiversons

You think it's a circus in Washington now, start Kirk Cousins and see what happens... You don't play Cousins unless RGIII is hurt, period...

Here's another circus scenario - RGIII gets seriously hurt in the next to last game and everyone advocating for RGIII to take every single snap will collectively change their tune to, "why the hell was Shanny playing RGIII in a meaningless game at the end of a lost season? Fire Shanny!!!"

See also: Brees, Drew. Shoulder.

[donofriose]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

All good points. Every year we see a team go out and over spend and it never seems to translate to more wins. Last year it was Philly, this year Miami. Yet come March, Redskin One will be gased up, free agents will be signed, new jerseys will be in the stores to sell and the fans will think it's X-mas.

However, because of the RG3 trade and the cap penalty, we have no choice but to go out and sign guys. I just hope that whoever picks the players knows what the hell they're doing. No more Josh Morgan, Josh Wilson signings.

There will always be excuses for the Skins to spend money. It is all part of the insanity of being part of the Redskins organization recently.

[44Deezel]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

All good points. Every year we see a team go out and over spend and it never seems to translate to more wins. Last year it was Philly, this year Miami. Yet come March, Redskin One will be gased up, free agents will be signed, new jerseys will be in the stores to sell and the fans will think it's X-mas.

However, because of the RG3 trade and the cap penalty, we have no choice but to go out and sign guys. I just hope that whoever picks the players knows what the hell they're doing. No more Josh Morgan, Josh Wilson signings.

Well, I would hope they spend up to their full cap limit. Is there anyone who wants them to keep spending $18mil less than they actually can? While this regime hasn't batted 1000 (nobody does), they have shown a propensity to go after young free agents that don't necessarily break the bank. Pretty good value for the most part.

[44Deezel]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Apart from P Manning, I can't think of a single team that's gotten to the next level recently (great up to elite for example) based on FA. Brees before that. Hmmmm I see a pattern there with QBs lol. You can make the argument for Seattle here, based on Lynch, Harvin, Rice and several defensive players brought in via FA. But then you remember Rice and Harvin are non-factors, and Lynch never had this kind of success until paired with Wilson. The whole offense revolves around Wilson. And their drafted WRs are balling. Defensively, the best players are drafted guys like Sherman (6th rounder).

The point is it all comes back to the draft, with FA signings complimenting the core you build through the draft. I tried to give Mike lots of credit up to this year for building a core through the draft, but I think it's average at best given what we see. In four years he hasn't drafted a single impact WR and only one olineman (a can't miss prospect IMO). That's pathetic. Really, really pathetic.

The difference is every other team in the league is trying to improve their teams through free agency by spending the same amount of money they spent the previous year. The Skins will be trying to improve their team with $18mil more than they had the previous 2 years.

Doesn't guarantee success, but I, for one, hope they spend it on free agents. What are the other options? Don't spend it? Just give everyone raises?

[44Deezel]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Apart from P Manning, I can't think of a single team that's gotten to the next level recently (great up to elite for example) based on FA. Brees before that. Hmmmm I see a pattern there with QBs lol. You can make the argument for Seattle here, based on Lynch, Harvin, Rice and several defensive players brought in via FA. But then you remember Rice and Harvin are non-factors, and Lynch never had this kind of success until paired with Wilson. The whole offense revolves around Wilson. And their drafted WRs are balling. Defensively, the best players are drafted guys like Sherman (6th rounder).

The point is it all comes back to the draft, with FA signings complimenting the core you build through the draft. I tried to give Mike lots of credit up to this year for building a core through the draft, but I think it's average at best given what we see. In four years he hasn't drafted a single impact WR and only one olineman (a can't miss prospect IMO). That's pathetic. Really, really pathetic.

And every year teams improve dramatically or get dramatically worse with essentially the same personnel. And you think teams win the Super Bowl because they have the best Wide Receivers? That should be the focus?!?!

Guess that's because of all of the Super Bowl rings currently adorning the fingers of Larry Fitzgerald, Brandon Marshall, Megatron, Andre Johnson, AJ Green, etc.

[44Deezel]

Originally Posted by donofriose

There will always be excuses for the Skins to spend money. It is all part of the insanity of being part of the Redskins organization recently.

I bet they'll try to use the excuse that they have $18mil more to spend next year. Worst excuse ever.

[Jayroc24]

Originally Posted by 44Deezel

I bet they'll try to use the excuse that they have $18mil more to spend next year. Worst excuse ever.

Does anyone know exactly or close to what they will have to spend? I looked on the Cap Salary page it has not been updated in while. Just curious.....

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Jayroc24

Does anyone know exactly or close to what they will have to spend? I looked on the Cap Salary page it has not been updated in while. Just curious.....

Somewhere around $20 - $30M

[BaltimoreSkins]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Somewhere around $20 - $30M

And this is without resigning players a la London Fletcher or is this an estimate based on who you predict we will be salary dumping.

[Skins4L]

we were set back a year in free agency. weve been making subtle pickups the past few years nothing crazy. we didnt go after revis like we could have, vjax, we were set back. look at this team... look at the roster... its clear we havent been shredding free agency in recent years. its time now. we need a db and a wr (or two) a beast and a speedy project player possible returner. and a solid proven olineman looking to make a change. then we take our late picks. futures bright imo why not? we have some talent here.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by 44Deezel

Well, I would hope they spend up to their full cap limit. Is there anyone who wants them to keep spending $18mil less than they actually can? While this regime hasn't batted 1000 (nobody does), they have shown a propensity to go after young free agents that don't necessarily break the bank. Pretty good value for the most part.

To me it's more about getting guys that want to play football. People can argue that Garcon may or may not be a true #1. I think he's a lower #1 or a real strong #2. But that guy goes out every week and plays hard tough football. We need more signings like that one. Signing guys that want to play hard and play them at their natural positions.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by BaltimoreSkins

And this is without resigning players a la London Fletcher or is this an estimate based on who you predict we will be salary dumping.

This is without any re-signings. We have a lot of our own guys hitting FA so something to consider.

[Skins4L]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

This is without any re-signings. We have a lot of our own guys hitting FA so something to consider.

orakpo is on a contract year isnt he?

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Skins4L

orakpo is on a contract year isnt he?

Yup