Gruden Says Start Cousins

[MTK]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Pashos in particular obviously outplayed Polumbus in the preseason. I think they really wanted to keep that group of five OL together because they anticipated it would get better (and that they could promote from within). It's gone the other direction.

The OL hasn't struggled from a lack of spending. They're spending $3, $4, and $5 million a year on their IOL starters and every member of the OL except Polumbus has made every start since Week 1 of last year. I don't know if the OL next year will be any better, but I'm pretty certain they'll spend less than this year.

That's not really saying much is it?

I agree I think they wanted to keep the starting 5 together and build off last year, I don't think they anticipated things going south so quickly with basically 4 of those 5.

[HailGreen28]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Could have done all that with the guys in camp in preseason too. Coaches chose to go with this group.

The safety situation seemed sloppier than the other position groups. I don't know for sure that this was their plan A, but I'm not sure who was available in August that they could have gone to get if only they had more cap dollars.

I thought tanard Jackson was their plan a

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by HailGreen28

I thought tanard Jackson was their plan a

I hope not.

[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.

[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.

[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 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.....

[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.

[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.

[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.

[BaltimoreSkins]

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.

I do agree that building through the draft is the way to go but I think your look at the importance of FA is too subjective. Ozzie newsome has struggled with drafting qb and wr (except for flacco) so he had to get McNair in FA to get them to the playoffs. Boldin too had to be brought in for the passing game. While I think you would use the term complimentary based on your analysis above, both acquisitions were integral in making the Ravens playoff contenders w McNair and Super Bowl contenders w boldin.

[SolidSnake84]

Other than Snyder in 1999, has anyone ever really built a fairly successful team based almost exclusively from free agency?

I know some have pointed to Manning and the few FA's they bought, but i mean has anyone ever did like we did in 1999 and just bring out the check book and buy everyone they wanted?

[MTK]

They had to have known the chances of Jackson being reinstated right away were slim to none.