Ok, my head is going to explode. Calvin freakin' Johnson??? A wide receiver?? Say it ain't so, Joe!

And for the umpteenth time, Portis is an explosive, game-changing back, while Betts is just a very nice backup... as long as you don't mind his coughing up a fumbulll now and again.

I knew I should have broken that to you more gently, Nate.

My head is all ouchy too...

I think I need to follow golf instead.

Well then,

It is all shabingused now. I think we are just trying anything... up, down, staying pat... trying to fool someone into trading too much, or trying to convince ourselves to make a dumb trade....

Sometimes it is better to stay quiet, not let anyone know what you are thinking... but we have gone the opposite way and said every possible scenario... maybe Gibbs is senile?

The Space Cowboy is going to make me have a nervous breakdown. I can't tell you how frustrated I have been with the guy in his 2nd go-around.

Trade up??? A WR?? PLAAAAAYYYYYOFFSSS?

This is just crazy. TRADING UP? What are we going to give up? Next year's 1st, 2nd and 3rd? PLEASE STOP THE INSANITY!

Wow. I hope Gibbs is just blowing smoke up everyone's arse. Just say no to Briggs, no to trading up, no to W (oops, wrong blog), and YES to trading down for more picks.

I wish the NFL would impose sanctions on the Redskins when it involves trading draft picks...

If they cannot see that we need an impact player on the defensive line as our TOP priority, then there is no hope.

Why the hell would we want to trade up? Is everyone at Redskins Park a dumb arse. It seems like every time you think things are worse, the skins say something even more stupid and illogical. Why would we need another receiver. We just freakin cut one to save what a mill off the cap. And is it me or does it seem like every time the team thinks they have a "need" to fill, they overfill. Example, last year we needed a receiver, just one to complement Moss, and we sign 20. This year we need a LB, we sign Fletcher and now want Briggs. I swear a monkey could run this organization and they wouldn't miss a beat. Did Vinny get molested by Mel Kiper or something? I mean why does this team hate the draft so much? I wish I had millions of dollars given to me by the fans through overpriced tickets and food to waste on useless, selfish talent. Oh it's ok, Danny boy will just add another 10,000 seats to the stadium to make up the difference, and maybe he'll start charging reporters to cover the skins. It's ridiculous and it's time for this to stop!

pulp previous thread

scouting report accurate on D green. Never had good technique, never had good hands often was not in position to get both hands on the ball to intercept, would get one hand in knock it away.

The scouting report couldn't predict the heart and desire and charactor of the man or that he would maintain his super human speed for 20 yrs, thus certain HOF.

I know Cindy couldn't wait to post this new thread and read our reactions. Right Cindy?

Sometimes it is better to stay quiet, not let anyone know what you are thinking...

Posted by: PDSquared | March 28, 2007 01:22 PM

Amen. Or as the saying goes "Its better to stay quiet and let the world think your an idiot than open your mouth and remove all doubt."

Perhaps they know exactly what they want to do but want the league to think otherwise. Wishful thinking? At least it sounds like the Briggs thing isn't imminent.

No, it can't be...

"I tried to think of the most harmless thing. Something that could never destroy us. Something I loved from my childhood. The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man! He was on all the packages we used to buy when I was a kid. We used to roast Stay Puft marshmallows at Camp Waconda!"

Patience. It's all smoke and mirrors. I'm waiting for the dust to settle before I believe anything.

The one thing I am certain of is that they do not know what they are going to do. Which may be a good sign.... follow me on this one.

When Snyder wants something, it happens. When Snyder wants someone, Vinny makes it happen. When Grilliams wants someone, Snyder/Vinny makes it happen. When Gibbs want someone... it happens....

so maybe, just maybe they are being shrwed, telling everyone that anything is possible and seeing who will bite. Past years some teams might have thought that we are going in one direction and they could not change it. Now they dont know, or at least know all possibilites are open, and might make a pitch.

One question... what do we have to offer to move up? 6 and next years what... 2 & 3? Then next year rinse and repeat?

At this point I honestly wish we would take the phone off the hook. Don't make calls, and certainly don't take them, especially from Denver.

It's kind of like the little old granny who picks up the phone and gets talked into buying millions of dollars of earthquake insurance in the middle of Nebraska. Sounds great to a 99-year old woman wearing diapers, who after talking to Slick Rick, now thinks she lives direcly on a fault line in SF or Japan, right? Well not if you don't pick up the phone, you senile ding bat.

Now I am rooting for Briggs move...

I would want that 100 straight times than trading up to draft a WR.......

"Homer J, how did you gets such a full head of luscious hair?"

"Rinse and Repeat, my dear... Always rinse and repeat"

What total nonsense.

When they should be doing everything to move down 5 to 10 spots and get a few more picks. They are trying to move up?

Shambles.

A player like Johnson comes a long once every 10 yrs or so. He is the only can't miss talent in the draft.

if they do this they better be right.

Lurker - agreed. Looks like they're just exploring all options. No sense getting all bent out of shape. Yet.

Aye!!! - Mi Cabeza.

Optimist Prime:

Lets trust Gibbs, he knows what to do. Shoot, he reared us and helped mold us into the blood-crazed Skins fans we are today.

Pessimistico:

History has shown that this regime is pretty consitent at grabbing "marquee" veterans at a cost that drastically hinders the franchises stability and player pecking order. To put it lightly, they make very silly personel decisions and just dig deeper holes. The funny thing is, every year do the same thing and every year they expect a different result. As the Hulkster would say, "Listen Brother, that's the true definition of insanity."

Man is that learning curve steep at the park.

I can see it now:

With the second pick in the 2007 draft, acquired by the Redskins for all 3 first day picks in 2008, Washington drafts Calvin Johnson, WR, GT.

Like someone else said earlier, forget the 10 mill we gave Lloyd, forget the 11 mill we gave ARE, forget about the fact that we have 2 starting running backs on the roster on a run oriented team, forget about our lack of depth at other critical positions...

Oh, and after the draft selection, Gibby will be heard saying the following:

"We think Calvin is going to be a great player down the road for us UP HERE, but right now I want to apologize to the fans for not stopping the bus back in November."

They've said they're moving back in the Briggs trade, and now they've said they're moving up. In EACH instance, people have had the same reaction. The amazing thing is that all they have done is TALK. They have done NOTHING CONCRETE, and people just want to jump off a bridge, and bash the organization.

Here is a novel concept, how about actually having something HAPPEN, before having a knee-jerk reaction.

Calvin Johnson if we're LUCKY. I'm worried about them trading up for a QB!!

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The researchers used these compounds, a class of polysaccharides known as fructans, to create tiny microspheres that are able to carry drugs to treat colon diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease.

Greg(Boston), look at the last 10 years of "happenings" and you'll realize why Skins fans have every right to be pessimistic.

No disrespect meant, but you HAVE to be able to see that.

If they trade up to draft Quinn, I am seriously done. I might as well put it on record now.

Beantown Greg- Because then our blogging would consist of, "So Nate, how's the rain in the PDX today? Still wet? Huh, imagine that."

What is the point of making stupid personnel moves and finishing at the bottom of the league every year if you trade away all your draft picks in advance? At least Matt Millen holds on to his draft picks.
If the Redskins share scouting resources with anyone, it must be with the Lions.

Here is what Maske wrote for the print edition. Note his use of the quotation marks:

'Gibbs said the Redskins have spoken to two teams about trading up in the draft order. He said the Redskins have a "couple players" in mind if they were to land a top-five selection, and hinted that one of them might be Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson.'

A COUPLE OF PLAYERS? That means someone in ADDITION to CJ! QB or LT or RB!!! What's wrong this with picture!?!!

loco mullin, do you know hwhere I can get some of these compounds? St. Joe is giving me irritable bowel syndrome.

Oh no... we don't want to trade for more picks... especially not a 2nd rounder:

2nd Round, NFL Draft: How many pro-bowl interior linemen will I produce--Sears, Grubbs, Kalil, Blalock.

SportsNation Mel Kiper: (1:48 PM ET ) That's a very good point. In terms of the offensive lineman that fit into that category, you'd be looking at Marshal Yanda (Iowa), Arron Sears (Tennessee), Josh Beekman (BC), Justin Blalock (Texas), Uche Nwaneri (Purdue), Samson Satele (Hawaii...will be a C in the NFL), Andy Alleman (Akron)...Ryan Kalil (USC) could even end up in the 2nd round. You could have 6-7 interior lineman go in the second round.

This is all posturing at this point. Trying to create value for the 6th pick and bait someone into giving them too much for it. The 'Skins, being crazy and unpredictable for years, are in a good position to create all sorts of panic in GMs around the League who have a tremendous amount of affection for one player or another.

As fans, just sit back and relax. All will be clear soon enough...

is no one high on JaMarcus? if we could get him?

Wow! Everyone, everywhere across Redskins nation is going bonkers. Who cares what they do? Honestly... how many of you thought that in 2005 we were on the way back up after that terrible 2004 campaign? Not me.

If we draft CJ, then so be it, if we trade for Briggs then lets hope he doesnt clothes-line any more Redskin QBs, if we select LaRon Landry then lets hope he and Sean Taylor are an amazing duo, etc... you all get the point.

I like to know that we are looking at all possiblities. If CJ really is that "once in a lifetime talent" then find a way to get him!!! If Briggs is the missing cog to our defense b/c Rocky sucks and Marshall is old.. then get 'em!!! If we should draft the 19 old kid b/c he is going to be a stud for years and years then so f-ing be it!!!

Let all take a collective breath.

P Diddy, I hope you are right.

I'm like Pavlov's dog, except the bell is a "Redskins offseason rumor" and the salivating is "extreme rage."

All I'm saying is that, lets let something ACTUALLY HAPPEN, before you jump all over them.
I'm willing to allow a move to actually be made, before I cast my opinion.

It just seems like no matter what, move up, move back, stay at 6 people just want to b*tch, b*tch, b*tch.

I think a 5-11 season = b*tching about offseason trade rumors...

uh, lets all be serious for a minute. we (the skins) are going to suck next year no matter what they do. did any of you watch last year? You really think they are on the verge of turning it around? please. nicely put Inigo Montoya.

Indigo, and P-Diddy, the voice of reason.

So Nate, how's the rain in the PDX today? Still wet? Huh, imagine that.

Greg (Boston), come on, buddy, admit that your lunch threatens to reappear on your desk when you hear this stuff. The reason we get all hyped about these rumors is because so many outlandish rumors have come true for this team over the years.

We shouldn't even be hearing about conversations between our principal decision-makers and Drew freakin' Rosenhaus! Our team's answer to any inquiry from him re: Briggs should have been a flat NO!

We shouldn't even be hearing from our #1 decision-maker that we're dallying with the idea of trading up for a damn WR! I don't care if this guy is Jerry Rice 2.0, we actually have lots of bigger needs right now!

The frustration is that according to its words, this team still doesn't seem to know what it's doing, where it's going, who it HAS and who it NEEDS.

If this all proves smokescreen stuff, fantastic. But for now I am nervous, very very nervous.

Wow. what a bunch of nerds.

Coach Joe told me that Calvin Johnson was the best WR he'd seen since he traded up to draft me in 1992, and remember he said I had "no holes."

I think the talk of trading up is a little bit of misdirection. It could be to deflect attention away from the Briggs discussion.

And I appreciate your asking. It's a little cloudy, otherwise a nice cool spring day in Portland.

We've amply demonstrated that coked-up hamster dancing is de rigeur up here. We'll dance til the draft and beyond, my friends.

Just joining in the chorus here -

can't believe they're thinking about Calvin. Sure, he might end up being the next Jerry Rice - BUT WE DON'T NEED HIM!!!!! Stay where we are and get Adams or trade down for more picks - and not Briggs. Get DL help. Sheeez.

If something like this goes through - I think I'll just boycott the Skins until next Sept.

Pulp - Are you an Ex-NFL player or something?? If so, Shut the F*ck up cuz you had a not so good career. If you are not, Shut the F*ck up cuz that's I'm doing what fans do.

To make some corrections to your point. I had NOTHING to say about Rogers last year. Read you idiot. I was trying as best as possible to make my point in context. You wanna be a tough guy, save for the streets not a blog....

Nate - Not new, just new name.....

Nate, again, I'm going to wait for something to HAPPEN, before I start to get nervous.
Was there REALLY any conversation with Drew, or did Drew do what Drew does better than anyone, and that is to force the Bears hand? I mean, honestly, what would you prefer, that they came out and said EXACTLY what they are going to do, thus NEGATING our bargaining chip?

Wow,

Extremeskins has a temper

Cheyenne, the disgusting part about a putative trade up for Johnson is that it actually DOES make a trade for Briggs sound reasonable by comparison. Ugh.

Greg(Boston), don't you think saying NOTHING would be preferable to Gibbs' tossing out comments on each of these stupid ideas? That's what drives me nuts. Doesn't he know how we hang on his every word?? Doesn't he care about our feelings???

Oh yeah, and in addition to asking Nate about the lovely weather in the PDX, we could have our daily "what's for lunch" chat with our boy daveb55.
It's a 'Skins blog, about the 'Skins. The team that continually breaks our collective hearts. With the track record to go on since danny took over, the bee-yotching is to be expected.

All the sudden, throwing down some cash for a decent golf driver and getting out some more to play is growing all the more appealing, the way this preseason has been shaping up. If I'm going to suffer through agony, aggravation, and angst, it might as well be at my own hands, rather than riding the media express elevator to heck, going down.

Yes, I know we shouldn't be howling and lambasting things until things really go down. But another part of me is waiting for my flabber to be gasted at any moment, and apparently, I'm not alone. Too much buildup, not enough catharsis....

Ok, maybe, just maybe, Cindy is goosing us a bit with this post.

Maske's take is a little bit more evenly presented, citing that the Skins have had MANY serious trade discussion this week. Trading up and trading for Briggs are just some of the things being bandied about, apparently. Gosh, that makes me feel better.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/nflinsider/2007/03/gibbs_says_redskins_having_ser.html?nav=rss_blog

Serenity now. Serenity now.

Well, CC, I was concerned that this bit of news would cause a ripple on the blog (and decrease American productivity by about 18%)...I will caution you that I think every single team is open to the same three possibilities: 1) trading up; 2) trading down; 3) standing pat.
The next three-plus weeks will be filled with chatter and perhaps only 7 percent of what's discussed actually will happen.
Journalistically, we can approach this time in one of two ways: Wait till something concrete happens, then write a 60-inch story on how it came to pass or write what we know when we know it. I think that's why people read websites (and some even read papers), so we will tell you as much as we can. But remember that this can change in a flash and don't freak too much.

If this team gets Calvin Johnson they will have the best wide receiver in the NFL for the next 12 years.

Cindy- hold on a minute...the Post actually still exists in paper form? Who knew?

Wow, ExtremeSins - I sure hope you didn't break a fingernail during that typing tirade of yours. It would be hell if you couldn't type for the rest of the off-season after such an extreme injury.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6618234

You're killing me, 4-12!

If this team gets Calvin Johnson they will have the best wide receiver in the NFL for the next 12 years.

Posted by: Mike4169@aol.com | March 28, 2007 02:24 PM

And then he will be rejected by Hall Of Fame voters for the next 20 years after that.

Pulp, LMAO - that probably would be the case.

I don't think this is going to happen and definately hope it doesn't. But the possibility of Calvin and Santana at wide outs does sound pretty appealing.

a move up for this guy (johnson) is the only move up worth considering. could be smart to get involved in every possible sceniro to make our position stronger. could be all smoke or maybe all fire.

Skins have a long standing history going back (george allen) of making deals moving draft picks for players. I bet we have been involved in more trades of draft picks and players then any other team in last 25 yrs or more. point is we are always aggressive and have taken a win now approach vs complete rebuilding. In the past we have had schrewd talent evaluators. I don't expect under the current regime that they will ever moderate that approach and ever totally rebuild and conetrate on mostly picks.I like our approach, we just need a better evaluator. But even sitting here I can see that Johnson is a rare combination and unlike TO seems to be a model teamate.

Well, the good thing about all these rumors is that the Skins can't trade for Briggs AND trade up in the draft this year. (Well, I hope NOT!)

Not only are you an A**hole, but you are not a funny one at that.....

Do you know me personally or something?? If so, we can talk about why the F*ck you are so angry at me because I said dude hasn't lived to his potential.

Where were you when every one was dogging 50/50, I mean Rod Gardner?

Again, save the BS for the streets not the blog.....

You must be Roger's BFF or something, huh?

Wow. This franchise is absolutely delusional. Trading up... for a WR no less. Someone traps those guys in a cellar and not let them out until training camp.

Does anybody at Redskins Park realize they have had the worst pass rushing defensive line in football for about 5 years.

Can anyone even remember the last time we had a DE register at least 10 sacks? I don't know the answer but I am going out on a limb here and saying Charles Mann. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

Is it just too hard to stay at 6 pick a stud DE or drop down a few slots, pick up a 2nd/3rd rounder and still get a solid DE or DT? Is it too much to ask for?

When they learn?

My buddy just made a great point.

We have shelled out 90 mill in contracts (and 2 mid-round picks) on our #1-3 WR's over the last 2 years. Of course it makes sense to mortgage the future even more to trade up and draft another WR.

I mean, it's not like the team has more success when they run the ball, right? It's not like we don't already have CP and Betts, right?

This better be false.

Charlie: Why not they can just trade their 1st rounder from the 09, 10, 11, 12 and 13 drafts. :)

RB- Were you able to catch the mailman in time? lol

Sky is falling.

sportstalk980 is saying the chicago times sun-tribune (???) has said the skins have agreed on a contract with briggs.. 20 mil guarenteed

oh the joy :-/

How much of the defensive struggle last year were personnel related and how much related to the scheme? I don't mean that rhetorically...

What gives me perspective in Houston is being able to listen to the fans down here still grousing about not taking Vince Young or Reggie Bush - everyone should just chill a bit - nothing has happened yet, nothing has happened

And one comment that I got about the Briggs trade - yeah, that would be GOOD - their linebackers s**cked last year, and the draft is deep in defensive lineman.

Cheyenne WY wrote:

How much of the defensive struggle last year were personnel related and how much related to the scheme? I don't mean that rhetorically...

I'm with you on that point, brother.

I'm not sure, because I'm at work now and firewalls won't let me look it up. But I think Daniels might have had 10 or more sacks in 2005, I mean he did have 4 sacks in the Dallas game at FedEx

John D;

The one thing you may not know (dont know if youre a skins fan) Marshall, our MLB filled in at WLB when Arrington got hurt 3 years ago and played very well. We let pierce go to the Gmen the next year and Marshall moved to the middle where he played well. Last year he was injured and was struggling in coverage.... forward to this offseason and we get Fletcher for the middle and move Marshall back over to WLB (only 229 lbs). Or Rocky Mac the 2nd rounder from last year..... that is why peeps have a problem. With Fletcher our LB;s should be much better even w/o Briggs.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/315865,CST-SPT-mully28.article

I guess it is safe to say were not going to the playoffs next year.

Alan Branch, Alan Branch, Alan Branch.

Paul Woody (JLa's Super Bowl cohort) had a good article down here in Richmond today about why we should draft him. He takes up a lot of real estate, can start right away, and have an impact. Remember how we got run on last year? We simply could not stop people up front. My favorite quote from the article was something like "if they trade for Briggs he might make a lot of tackles for them, but that won't do them any good if they're 5, 10, or 15 yards down the field".

I think we need a run stuffer up front, especially with our *slightly* upgraded secondary. But what do I know?

The Bears could take the No. 6 pick and trade down, but the Redskins have been trying to do the same thing and can't find a suitor. You don't move up that far in a draft unless you are hunting for a particular player. If the Bears were in love with Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, for instance, it would be a good move. In fact, they ought to consider that move because Quinn is the only player among the holy position triumvirate of quarterback, left tackle and cornerback who's worthy of selection in that slot.

Is the swap of first-round picks enough for Briggs? According to the point system teams use in their draft war rooms, the sixth pick is worth 1,600 points and the 31st is worth 600. The 1,000-point difference is equivalent to the 16th selection.

mmulligan@suntimes.com

******************************************
So it seems the Bears want Quinn, we want briggs... now it is a war of attrition since we made our pitch and they are going to wait until we get the itchy finger... but we should not since we could do a multitude of other options. We actually have the upper hand for once!

Is washingtonpost.com having an off day? Why aren't WE the first ones to hear about it? With all these sources telling us what is supposedly going on, where is the concrete truth?!

About the contract figures reported in the Chicago paper - the source was probably Rosenhuas. But if it's accurate it sounds like Briggs wants Dockery money.

John D---you are absoultely right, the draft is deep on the D Line side.

The problem being that this franchise doesn't value the draft. As of today, we still have no 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and/or 5th? Last year's coup to move up and snag Rocky was worth the 5th, but did they have to give up this year's 2nd on top of it all?

Giving up this year's 2nd rounder, to move up 6 spots? A microcosm of inepitude.

Nonsensical,

No, I'm definetely a 'Skins fan - and I agree about Fletcher - My opinion on this proposed trade is overkill, and it's bad because it contributes to the constant churning of big name free agents...

PD--with all your defending today, you may be a little punch drunk.

But I have to say, Marshall played the middle well last year? WTF? No team with a weak D line should deploy a 229lb middle 'backer....and expect to be good.

Marshall could not shed blocks and probably got hurt by being too small for that position. Granted, he is super smart, which probably explains why manboobs wanted to try him as AP replacement.

Fletcher seems more suited to the middle, no different than Marshall seeming suited to weak 'backer.

4-12,

Ha. No, I wasn't able to catch him. I can't wait to see what kind of upgrade I get.... my guess is nothing more than a row.

The Denver Broncos signed cornerback Dre' Bly to a five-year, $33 million contract, ESPN.com's Michael Smith reported Wednesday.

The deal includes $18 million in bonus money, $16 million guaranteed

JLC:

Let me just say I'm not your biggest fan. I'm an optimist and an unapologetic skins fan. So when I read your work, most of the time I get frustrated because I see a writer in a home town newspaper blast the home town team with out pointing out any obvious progress. With that said, I read your stuff and think you're a good source for info. I'm emailing you because I wanted to present you with a different perspective to why the "Trust in Gibbs" fans were outraged by the proposed Briggs trade. (Sorry about the length, but anger seams to feed the stream of consciousness thing)

Why One Fan is Losing Faith in the Burgundy and Gold-

I've been a skins fan through glory and failure. I come from the Trust in Gibbs theory of football. I remember the glory days and still have hairs stand up on my arms when I think about the times I skipped school to celebrate the parades for both the winning and losing super bowl efforts. I'd like to say I'm not a wussy, but at the last game at RFK, during the half time show, there may have even been tears shed. Even last years terrible record and the poor front office mistakes- mainly Duckett and Arculetta- don't bother me. Even though obvious mistakes were made, I see a Gibb's framework starting to develop. When you think about it- who would have guessed the Redskins would have earned a playoff appearance two years ago? The truth is I predicted it, only because I trusted in Gibbs. With that said, last year the skins disinigrated. Most people blame the poor trades on the front office and even though they were mistakes, there was sound logic behind the moves. The injuries at CB forced Arch to play to his weaknesses in coverage rather than his strength at run support. And, I if he didn't mouth off, he might have had a chance to redeem himself this year. With Duckett, the skins needed depth at RB and more importantly a short yardage back. He was a bad pick up, but again there was logic to the move. The other moves and trades that have been criticized- Lloyd, the new DE, Rocky- all haven't had a chance to play out yet. With the new offense and terrible D performance, I don't think anyone can determine the value of the moves until the end of this year. Which brings me to the predominate reasons for last years dismal season... and free agency moves had little to do with it.

1. Injuries at a thin position- forced the safeties to play cover and run support suffered. As result, an aggressive defense became one dimensional and had to guess run or pass rather than dictate to the offense.
2. Age caught up to the QB, but more importantly age caught up to the D, and D-line.
3. Installed a new offense- new systems take two years for players to adapt.

So why is such a home teamer losing faith? It really boils down to who's making the operational decisions. Unlike many fans on this website, I'm not a Snyder hater. I see him as an ideal owner in the sense that he willing to open up that check book, over paying when necessary to give the coach what he wants to win. Snyder wanted to win so bad, he even managed to unretire the best coach in coaching history. Willingness to spend is by far the most important quality of an owner. And, ever since the Jeff George incident, I really think Snyder has stepped back and let the football people make the football decisions-- Which is the second most important quality in an owner.

The reason I'm losing faith is because when Gibbs gave up the offense, I wondered if Gibbs really made that decision himself or if Snyder forced the issue. The offense wasn't statistically performing and I can see a business mind say you need to reach this statistical output, and if not we are going to make x change. Good in business, maybe not so good in football. Football lives and breaths on emotion, not entirely on the cold, heartless analysis of a business equation. Considering the rumor source for the Briggs trade is Snyder himself makes me really question whether Gibbs is truly making the strategic decisions. I simply can't see Gibbs wanting to make this trade because there seems to be no logic behind this decision.

One of the worst qualities an owner can have is to not let the football people make the football decisions. And, if Snyder is really the guy pulling the trigger on this deal, he is doing more than just being meddlesome; he is betraying the Trust in Gibbs. Betraying trust in Gibbs is betraying the redskin fan. The optimistic- hang on to the glory days- Redskin fan- can unfortunately take many years of losing...bad personnel decisions...negative media dribble... But they simply won't endure the undermining of their Hall of Fame coach.

The Denver Broncos signed cornerback Dre' Bly to a five-year, $33 million contract, ESPN.com's Michael Smith reported Wednesday.

The deal includes $18 million in bonus money, $16 million guaranteed.

The signing should end any speculation Bly wouldn't report to the Broncos.

Neither Bly nor his agent, Kennard McGuire was available for comment.

Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan told the Denver Post that Bly initially wasn't happy when traded to Denver from the Detroit Lions, but he believes Bly will be happy with the Broncso.

"How much of the defensive struggle last year were personnel related and how much related to the scheme? I don't mean that rhetorically..."

Posted by: Cheyenne, WY | March 28, 2007 02:45 PM

Cheyenne, only b/c of the way you asked it, I would assign percentages. Quick answer is 60/40.

Forty percent attributable to scheme that relies so heavily on personnel to fit position, and relies heavily on the blitz to respond to the quickening reads by the adjusted offenses (esp. in the AFC), and did not adapt to the gap in pass coverage in the mid center field.

Of the 60 percent attributable to personnel, most of that was the collision course between injury and no depth. Prioleau's injury was the straw the broke the camel's back. Prioleau was the key to the passing game -- nickel SAFETY (rather than nickel corner), thus the first up in depth, including for corner. Take out Springs and get non-adaptation from Archuleta, and Prioleau's piece was the unfixable part of the mess. Desperation after that b/c the Skins pay so much for their starting lineup that depth has to come from journeymen. Of that 60 percent attributable to personnel, 90 percent of THAT was injury. The remaining 10 percent of the 60 (6%?) was what remains for positional upgrades of individual players. In my mind, Fletcher is a big upgrade there.

With apologies to Ghostbusters (again):

Gozer (Rosenhaus): Are you a god?
Dr. Raymond Stantz (Angelo): [hesitant] Uh...no.
Gozer: Then...DIEEE!!
[Gozer begins shocking the Bears with lighting]
Winston Zeddmore (Danny): Jerry, when someone asks you if you're a god, you say "YES!!"

Don't get caught up in the gamesmanship. What we've heard to this point isn't making sense because there the negotiation probably hasn't even started.

K, the year prior to last, I said the year after Pierce left or 2 years ago... this year i said 'Last year he was injured and was struggling in coverage....'

Phillip Daniels had 8 sacks in 2005. 4 came in 1 game. The last guy I recall is suprisingly Lavar. He got 11 under Marvin Lewis when he was forced to play DE on 3rd down but hated it and bit*hed all season long.

http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/columns/weblogs/entry/10033019

Be sure to scroll down to the 1:20 update. This account lays the whole thing more squarely at the feet of Rosenhaus.

Assuming all the "pieces" stay healthy and have at least a productive year, should we mortage at least two draft picks for this guy Briggs. it gives us great depth at the LB position, but what about the line.

As said earlier, id rather tackle the guy at the line as opposed to 15 yards down the field

I say that knowing that I will not actually be tackling anyone.

tities

In a far away galaxy a few days from now ...

Washington Redskins Hall of Fame Coach Joe Gibbs confirmed today that the team has completed a trade that sends their 1st Round pick in 2007 (the #6 pick) and WLB Roger "Rocky" McIntosh to the Chicago Bears for the Bears' 1st Round pick (#31) and the rights to WLB Lance Briggs. Gibbs intimated that contract terms for Briggs have already been reached with Mr. Briggs' "super talented agent" (Drew Rosenhaus) and will be announced shortly.

Gibbs also announced that the Redskins have traded "super versatile" WR Antwaan Randle El and highly-coveted CB Shawn Springs, along with the #31 pick in the first round of the 2007 draft, to the Detroit Lions in exchange for the #2 pick in the 2007 draft. "While we hate to lose 'core Redskins' like ARE and Shawn, we couldn't pass up this opportunity to move up in a year with so much exceptional talent at the top of the board. We really like a couple of these guys."

Finally, Gibbs confided that the Redskins are still discussing the possibility of sending all of the Redskins' 2008 draft picks to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for the #1 pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. Added Gibbs, "Dan and I are considering every possibility that will make the Redskins better this year."

No 'system' on earth could have provided good results when your starting CBs are Carlos Rogers and Kenny Wright (or a while), or your starting SS was Vernon Fox, your LB corps consisted of two injured LBs and Warrick Holdman, and your d-line had exactly one player that commanded a double team.

The successes of '04 and '05 made us (myself included) blind to how very mediocre our defensive personnel was last year.

I'm not enamored with Gregg Williams but Holdman? Andre "2 good games" Carter? Fox? Wright? c'mon, you try winning with those losers.

I think the Bly deal has to change the Skins' calculus on the draft. Intuition says it increases Springs' chances of staying put, and that Skins need to re-think corner depth draft-wise.

Further analysis (and inherent distrust of $nyder and Shanahan), however, suggests even greater likelihood for a Springs-Bly swap, where Broncos take Springs' shorter contract duration (w/Skins eating cap space) plus some picks (!) in exchange for a single player, Dre Bly, pre-negotiated. Any word about the size of Bly's signing bonus?

PD--my bad. Poor comprehension skills, due to boiling blood over pending disaster.

I read Bly's bonus was $16M.

That's waaay too much for a non-shutdown CB

Hell yeah, who wouldn't want Calvin Johnson. That isn't the point. I don't care if CJ scores a td a game, we couldn't even score 20 points last year so now when our D gives up 30 to everyone, we'll only lose by a little bit. DEFENSE, DEFENSE

"I read Bly's bonus was $16M.

That's waaay too much for a non-shutdown CB"

Posted by: Clinton Hill | March 28, 2007 03:30 PM

And way too much for the Broncos to eat on an accelerated basis. Regardless of the amount of money for this "non-shutdown corner," I think the move makes the Donkey secondary that much tougher. Bailey-Bly-Lynch-Foxworth. Its a relief the Skins don't have to face them ... until the end of the post-season ... wink wink.

http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/columns/weblogs/entry/10033019

Be sure to scroll down to the 1:20 update. This account lays the whole thing more squarely at the feet of Rosenhaus.

Posted by: skinfanman | March 28, 2007 03:23 PM

Skinfanman:

The 1:20 update was from yesterday... the one on top is from today. So we have made the proposal.

born;

I agree. Our D needs help. With the continued development of JC, and our ground game.... Moss Cooley and whoever steps up as our 3rd WR option should have our offense in good position.

Ever noticed how Clark Judge and that guy who played "The Wiz" (mattress salesman) on Seinfeld are never in the same room together?

Looking at the numbers of guys per position on the Skins roster, which now includes the offseason pickups and practice squad promotions, there are eight guys at each of DT, DE, S, and WR. There are only 6 corners. I recognize that lots of these guys are place holders for training camp and destined for removal on Whacking Day, and that the actual quality of the guys in the positions vary, but given that the Skins already parted ways with Rumph and Wright, doesn't it seem like the pickins are still a little slim at corner going into the draft? [Springs, Smoot, Rogers, Eubanks, Torrence, Jimoh]

I see a little resemblance sween. Hook him up with a crown and septor and you may be able to sell me.

Before everyone reading this blog busts a gut, maybe somebody should consider that the NFL draft is mostly hype nowadays! How many of these 1st rounders turn out to be anything significant in their first four years. Most of them are busts. Most prove to not be worth all the measuring and tape study and workouts. It's all hype that is overblown by the league and their agents. 32 first rounders each year. How many ever become what they were hyped to be? 1, 2 maybe 3.

Trade up, trade down, trade sideways who gives a flying f--k! Execution is what makes winning teams. Why are the Beagles better than the Skins? Mostly it's because they execute their plays better. The players come and go but they still win. The Old Skins used to be the same way. Who in RFK didn't know that RIGGO was come right down the pipe? Everybody knew but nobody could stop it! Cause the Hogs executed. Calvin Johnson, Lance Briggs, Alan Branch it doesn't matter if they don't learn how to line up right and execute the play. That's the difference between Portis and Betts. Betts lines up and runs where they tell him. Portis thinks he knows better tries to run right then left then gets tackled for a 2 yd. gain. Then it's 2 and 8 and after a incomplete pass it's 3 and 8... No execution. We need player who will play team ball and execute the plays called.

Just a comment to all the people who say for us to not say anything until it happens... once it does happen will you then not b#tch about it happening or about it being a bad trade until next season is over and we know whether or not we got a good player and a good pick @ #31? How bout a couple of seasons down the road?

Probably not b/c what is the fun in that.

The best outcome would be the Skins trading down a few picks, picking up a second or third rounder in the process, and drafting Okoye. We need D line help!

I thought that what you wanted to do in the run up to the draft is to avoid signalling your moves and to confuse everyone about your true intentions. Well, who has done it better, so far, than the Redskins?

My only fear is that they might also be confusing themselves. On the other hand, if you're totally confused then you're entirely unpredictable by the rest of the league.

I don't think Joe Gibbs is easily confused although some of the people he works for might be.

DMAN;

When Portis went on his tear two seaosn ago over the last 6 games and we won all 6, how was he running then? There was some smashmouth but zone plays got him in the endzone, and a number of times at that.

Now I will not argue Betts isn't more patient and better at reading his blocks. But he never broke them to the endzone. Big play potential versus steady running is more important to me since we would get near the goal line and stall. But Portis running it in from 30 yards out is a much nicer sight than going first and goal and kicking a field goal.

DAMN DMAN- All the questionable players on this team, and you call out CP? WTF??

DMAN, who are you? Betts' agent? You forgot to mention Betts' execution of the move perfected by Tiki Barber -- the fumble. I don't mean to tool Betts, but your take is seriously skewed.

Anyone who thinks Ladell Betts is a better RB than Portis does not know football. Or simply can not remember more than the past 5 games. Yeah Betts is a nice back and was running the hell out of it the last half of the season. But the O-line was playing heads and shoulders above what they were early in the season and they were re-dedicated to the run.

So with Bly tied up, where do the Skins go next for another (quality) corner they can afford? I remember David Macklin came (or was supposed to come) for a visit. Don't remember what happened with that. Also remember the Skins, at one point, were interested in Jamar Fletcher (am I remembering that right? or was it Quentin Jammar?). Fletcher only signed with the Lions for a year, so he's available now. I don't remember why he wasn't signed last year ... probably b/c the Skins were as psyched about Speedrumph as they were once about Taylor Jacobs. Fletcher had a better college campaign that many CBs.

I'm ready for Jason to come back. Is paternity leave over yet?

If the Skins somehow acquire CJ and put CJ and Moss and Cooley out on the field at the same time, they'll need to score 40+ points a game to win. Reminecent of when Sonny was throwing to Charlie Taylor, Bobby Mitchell and Jerry Smith.

It's been known since March 15th that we were THINKING about trading up. That's when Snyder, Gibbs, Cerrato, Saunders, and Burns attended Georgia Tech's Pro Day. The only Pro Day (so far) that drew ALL of them.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/analysis/individual_workouts

There's speculation the Falcons might have their eye on Okoye at the 8th spot, so any idea the Skins would trade down and take him may not be a good idea.

Its all posturing. They have reportedly made the offer to the Bears... now they need the Bears to accept. The Bears want to wait until they know the guy they want is there at 6.

We are floating the other rumors so they get worried and make a move before the draft. We have the advantage since they dont get stuck with the 31st and no Briggs. If the Bears do not jump we still have the advantage since we can just keep 6 and get a DE.

I feel we are actually playing it right for once. THe other possibility is that we are using the bears and this deal to get someone else to move on our pick now. We have our DE we want, depending on how the draft plays out, but I know we want to make the move, if at all, before the draft so we can eval our position and who might be there.

That is why I love the draft trades and the like, very cat and mouse, very Stratego!

DCSWEEN,

Who are you man? Last I checked it wasn't DCSWEEN's Blog!

Where do you get off criticizing other peoples opinions? Clinton Portis is exactly what is wrong with the SKINS and your to stupid to know it! HE IS UNCOACHABLE. Precisely why he got kicked out of DENVER, JACKASS! We gave Denver a 1st and 2nd and our best player for a guy who takes himself out of games when he gets tired.
People like you keep blaming Gibbs, Snyder, and Uncle Vinny for the problems with this team. The real problem is the those guys don't play in the games. The guys on the field need to step up and be accountable for their lack of execution. Players like Portis never do b/c guys like you who only know fantasy numbers are always taking up for them. Guys like Betts line up and do what they are told and voila! All of a sudden a team that couldn't run on anybody w/CP in the backfield, was running on everybody with Betts. Its just like it was when Riggins was here everybody favored the teams with Eric Dickerson cause he looked so pretty running with the ball. Problem was Riggins was the guy who was taking his team to the Super Bowl.

Skinfanman:

The 1:20 update was from yesterday... the one on top is from today. So we have made the proposal.

Posted by: | March 28, 2007 03:41 PM

You are right, unknown poster.

I still question, however, if they have the details right as to what the proposal was, and exactly what the contract offer was to Briggs.

Anybody have the address of Mark Maske's Blog?

Thanks in advance.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/nflinsider

Do to the lack of jm220 being here today, double smack to the back of your damn head with the hammer dman. Who the F are you? sween's been up here since this blog started. Your name just popped up recently. You think CP is the problem with this team? Damn. That's all. Damn. And you are now on the ITA list.

DMAN - You're right. Portis does take himself out of the games periodically if he is winded. However, Coach Gibbs preaches that to Portis! He'd rather have a fresh back in the game at all times, not a back who is tired every 3 or 4 plays.

In the interest of disclosure I admit I wondered what kind of trade value that CP would have after Betts went wolverine bezerker style on opposing defenses last year.

But, Im not sure I can agree with questioning CP's toughness...that's a no brainer. That guy is a gamer from whistle to whistle.

Sorry DMAN;

You are out of your league here buddy. That is exactly what you do on this blog, criticize, argue, posture and rant.

Portis was hurt all year long. Brunell did not scare any Defenses, so they stacked the box. Saunders was too pass happy. When Betts was churning out yards (but not scoring TD's), he was the recipient of 30 plus carries. When Portis was in he was getting 15 - 20. We were more dedicated to the run and Jason Campbell showed people he had an Arm. All you have to do is look at all of the recievers stats those first games. Brunell could not get it to them.

POrtis was not kicked out of Denver, he was a 2nd rounder being paid sh#t money. He produced the best first 2 seasons of ANY RB. Denver doesn;t pay RB's because it is 'the System'. Trade ensued cause Cahmp was in the same Boat, not wanting to play for a team that turns over coaches so much.

Dont blame Portis b/c our staff were not running the plays he was good at. It is THEIR fault for picking up a Square peg and trying to fit it into a round hole.

Your real name Is Ladell Betts isnt it.

The owners meeting is like an Arab market place. Everyone is trying to sell or buy something. Everyone is haggling for the best deal. One may end up with a bargin or one may end up with a dud. Nothing may happen at all, but it is fun.

Also as Cheyenne pointed out... have you watched Portis block LB's and Safetys, he annhilates them. Betts is a shoddy blocker. If you want to criticize portis for anything, his recieving skills are lacking.

DMAN (is the D for douchebag?), you are exactly right. Portis doesn't execute because fans who only know fantasy number are always "taking up for them". And Betts improved his rushing yards because he executes plays, not because the Skins actually starting rushing the ball instead of repeating the 3-and-out passing game. Betts fumbles (but maybe that was part of the play he was executing). Get a grip, Saunders. After the back makes it through the hole in the line, his job is to find daylight and the end zone. If the hole isn't there (maybe b/c the O-line hasn't quite got pass blocking in zone coverage down for the new O-coordinator), then the back still has to find daylight. What gives on the Portis bashing?

Portis

Rushing Stats
YEAR TEAM G ATT YDS AVG LNG TD
2002 DEN 16 273 1508 5.5 59 15
2003 DEN 13 290 1591 5.5 65 14
2004 WAS 15 343 1315 3.8 64 5
2005 WAS 16 352 1516 4.3 47 11

He was traded from Denver because he wanted a new contract not because of lack of productivity obviously. Can't really look at last year because of the injuries but I know he hung 100 on Jax who is one of the best D's in the league.

I'm ready for Jason to come back. Is paternity leave over yet?

Posted by: dcsween | March 28, 2007 04:11 PM

dcsween, the front office has traded JLC to the Chicago Tribune along with the #6 for nothing. Just so they can say they were the first one to trade a reporter. That is how absolutely bizarre all these rumors are

The only true thing taht JG said in Maske's column was that the running back duties will be split more even next year. I belive that, and you can take that to the bank.

I'm a HUGE supporter of Betts and Portis splitting the carries. Keeps BOTH guys fresher at the end of games, and throughout the season.

Not to mention Greg, that most other teams have discovered that as well. You need two good RB's this day and age. Either ride one, and when he breaks down ride the other, or split the whole season. But RB's take some shots and D players are getting bigger, nastier and faster.

DMAN, sorry for calling you a name and being sarcastic. My bad on taking it personally; that's not how its done at RI.

"I'm a HUGE supporter of Betts and Portis splitting the carries. Keeps BOTH guys fresher at the end of games, and throughout the season."

Posted by: Greg(Boston) | March 28, 2007 04:48 PM

I am in total agreement on this. If the NFL is a copycat league (and it is), and everyone is going to copy the success of the Super Bowl teams with a two back set (except for the Colts and the Bears themselves, letting go of Rhodes and Thomas Jones, respectively), then the Skins have the BEST two back combo in the NFL ... or at least among the top two (if the Chargers hang onto Turner).

Peter King:

If I Were the (Draft) King
Here's what I'd do if I were picking for the teams with the first five choices this year:

1. Raiders
Trade down to No. 6 for the Redskins' first- and second-round picks in 2008 plus WR Antwaan Randle El, and choose QB Brady Quinn. (Washington takes WR Calvin Johnson.)

2. Lions
Trade down a spot for Cleveland's pick and the Browns' 2008 first-rounder and select LT Joe Thomas.

3. Browns
Move up to No. 2, choose QB JaMarcus Russell.

4. Tampa Bay
Make the safe pick: DE Gaines Adams.

5. Cardinals
Make another safe pick: DT Alan Branch.

I'd even venture to give some carries to Rock, but his fumbling scares me. Maybe returning kicks has fixed that problem? Not to mention giving Sellers the rock 2-3 times a game.

I actually think that trading up to get Calvin Johnson may not be so bad. From what I know, he's a special player...not your every day receiver. I think the Redskins are damned if they do damned if they don't. Now if they drafted a QB then that's another story.

Rob that gold nugget is yesterday's news. Peter King is as reliable as a Mexican Space Shuttle.

Apology accepted!

4-12: It doesn't matter if I showed up 1 minute ago. You guys don't own this blog. People have a right to express their opinion. Don't denegrate them cause you don't agree with their position. You have no right. The idea is for people to participate. You guys chase people off who don't buy into your logic. I am a REDSKINS FAN. Whether they are 0-16 or
16-0! From what's advertised on the WP this is the REDSKINS BLOG. Your not going to chase me off by trying to bully me.

Point I'm trying to make is that TEAMS win individuals don't. You guys are upset that

DMAN, I think 4-12 was taking you to task for name calling, not for having an opinion.

Also, no one denies that teams, not individuals, win games. Though I'm not sure what your point is about singling out Betts over Portis (a couple of individuals).

I just pray that the Redskins are doing this because they think LB/DE Anthony Spencer will fall in the 31st pick.

Also, does anyone have any IDEA what we would offer OAK or DET to get Calvin Johnson? Core-Redskins and next year's 1st round draft pick?

DMAN- The point is, dcsween called your take "skewed". He didn't call you names.

You came back at him with "your to stupid to know it". [sic] That 2nd grade name calling is always going to get you the hammer. We do criticize other's opinions up here, among other things.

peter king is king of the peters

Peter King and other NFL gurus love seeing the Redskins f@ck things up becuase they hate the Redskins and will take any oppurtunity to take advantage of them

Peter King, talk to the hand. This amateur GM needs to hang onto Randel-El as the #3 QB so I can cut Todd Collins (until Bramlett steps up ... in which case, I still only fire Brunell). That said, a trade for Randel-El can't happen until Josh Wilson is in the house, but you're right that ARE did not turn out the PR he was signed to be. Waffling yet again as I type, ARE was tons more than Lloyd, so the Raiders can have him instead. What am I talking about? The Skins can't afford Calvin Johnson any more than they can afford to cut Lloyd! Peter King, you're fired (again!)!

peter king is a gay micheal strahan humpin f*ck up

"You guys chase people off who don't buy into your logic."

Really, DMAN? I think we chase people off who are jerks, who come in here and don't add to the conversation but instead bring meanness and negativity. But what the heck do I know?

peter king aint got sh*t on George W. Bush

peter king wears purple speedos when he vacations to the caymens with michael strahan

I am obsessed with peter king

apparently.

peter king sleeps in an old T-shirt that saya "GO GIANTS" what a looser

peter king sells himself to old ladies in his spare time.

becuase of peter kings discusting actions we shall not write his name any longer on RI but instead refer to him as peker krum.

Does the FO ever get with some of the "core skins" to get their feeling on personnel moves.

I know you dont want the inmates to run the asylum, but they should know what they need on the field.

Now that we got that sorted out, DMAN ...

" ... Betts lines up and runs where they tell him. Portis thinks he knows better tries to run right then left then gets tackled for a 2 yd. gain."

and

"Clinton Portis is exactly what is wrong with the SKINS ... HE IS UNCOACHABLE"

What are you talking about? You have this opinion and I completely disagree! On what do you base this opinion? And don't say you are being bullied because I disagree. Come correct, son, come correct. Trash talkin' the Skins' feature back is just trash talk, not an opinion. Gimme a game or something. The guy played in 9 of them this past season. There were a few seasons before that. Enlighten me.

Well then ron mexico can you PLEASE STOP writing about peker krum!!!

jab. jab. hook. uppercut. haymaker!! Down goes DMAN. Down goes DMAN. Down goes DMAN!

peker krum loves you carpetbagger (I am assuming you are a gay bastard like peker krum)

Julius Jones in Dallas is a better rusher than Portis

I wrote the last post as DMAN...I just wanted to read the reaction.

...And DMAN gets up off the canvas in an obvious state of delirium....

DMAN sounds a lot like BOOFER. Skins fan my arse. If you were what you claim, you wouldn't bring that weak ass sh*t up here about Julius Jones.

DC--don't pay attention to this beatch. Your knowledge has always been tight, this piece of crap is not worth your time.

If we draft Calvin Johnson, you might as well just shoot me in the head

You can laugh and joke all you want but I will continue to post whether you guys like it or not. Whose being childish? All you guys know how to do is resort to name calling and using someone elses title how childish is that!
HUH..HUH..HUH..HUH. LMAO

Most of you have Portis on the brain. The fact of the matter is that Portis' own offensive line doesn't like to block for him because he never hits the right hole and he seldom follows his blockers. His own guys were saying as much when Betts got in. My point remains until this team executes the game plan the record will not improve. Maybe that's who you guys are?
Let's see theres Sheriff SMACKY JACKY, Dollar Bill and Arse Whipe oh yeah I forgot ole Failed to Practice he's over there next to Gibbs on the bench. Why didn't I recognize you guys earlier?

As a Redskins fan, I had my name legally changed it reads sf "knee jerk reaction of a coked up hamster" skin. Thus my head is exploding as we speak in slo-mo.

Move up for a WR?!?!?!?!?!?! Does he double as a DE/DT/CB? I'm sorry I didn't realize that our glaring problem was at WR especially after the cagillion dollar contracts we've handed out at WR in the last few years. GRRRRR!

As for the Briggs deal - a straight up #6 for Briggs + #31 would be the least offensive but I'll still be running down the street screaming.

To stop myself from crying right now I'm muttering PPTP. . .no I'm not past it yet.

Hey Ron Mexico in all seriousness why do you resort to gay comments as an insult?

blah, blah, blah, blah, blah

My point remains until this team executes the game plan the record will not improve. Maybe that's who you guys are?

Posted by: DMAN

Sure dont sound like a skins fan...

well then.

whoever kept asking "who farted, this blog stinks?" now has their answer.

So, hmmm, how do you respond to someone with insider knowledge about what the O-linemen are thinking. So I google "Randy Thomas Clinton Portis" ... and get a hit ... from the ES blog site, on the day they let fans ask questions of Randy Thomas:

redskins4life234

Hey Randy.
Whats it like blocking for Clinton Portis. How do you perfer His running style and with the coaching system to other ones you have blocked for? You are doing a great job. Keep up the work.

Randy Thomas

Quote:
By the way thank you, thank you, thank you for recognizing that. Clinton is a special runner. We just need to get him more carries and more opportunities to get into the end zone. When he's doing well you can tell because he's having fun. We just got to find a way to get him the ball.
__________

Sounds to me like "The fact of the matter is that Portis' own offensive line doesn't like to block for him."

I should take my own advice, if you don't ITA, they don't go away.

Some of this furor over possibly drafting Calvin Johnson is nuts. The skins do have other more pressing needs, but posts saying "who cares if he's Jerry Rice 2.0" That's crazy talk. You wouldn't take the greatest WR of all time if given the chance? Now if he turned out to be Michael Westbrook 2.0.... well that would suck beyond words.

and with that final flurry, the ref jumps in and stops the fight. TKO, round 2

wells put dscween...cant argue with that

unless your name is ----

I"ll dive into the Dman v dc spat.

My guess is that betts had advantage of playing with a QB who could throw the ball anywhere on the field, not just short and left. renewed commitment to run the ball to protect said QB. defenses where forced out of yes 9 in the box. Betts downhill style well suited to our running game. Concern is not the right word, but Portis is a different back than I thought he was. he doesn't have great vision and stops his feet to change direction, so he doesn't see daylight or bounce or cut back as quicly as i thought. He does how ever have very good staight ahead speed, is much, much, much tougher and more physical a runner than i thought.

I glad we have both (for Now) who is a better fit can they co exist and both be productive we will see.

Not to beat a dead horse...but would trading for Briggs be that bad? Gibbs is obviously in a "win now" frame of mind. Taking a proven talent would be in his best interest I would think. Obviously we need some DL help but there are no guarantees in the draft - especially with highly regarded Dlineman. Having 3 stud backers would have to help this team. Apparently Rocky is not the 2nd coming of Wilber so why not create an all star linebacking corps? Skins LBs were pretty awful last year - yes injuries and a mediocre line didn't help - but 3 studs could go a long way to shutting down the run and even pressuring the QB.
Trading up for a WR sounds ridiculous to me so I will pretend I didn't hear about that one.

"Over the last four games, with Ladell and the offensive line, that's kind of what we like to be on offense," Gibbs said. "It starts with a strong running game. But you've got to make plays.

"The first part of the year, that's what was killing us. We were kind of all over the place. J.G.

Gibbs also indicated that while he expects Clinton Portis to remain the Redskins' starter at tailback next season, the workload probably will be divided more evenly between Portis and Ladell Betts than it has been in the past. Betts thrived as the Redskins' primary ball carrier in the late stages of last season with Portis hurt and re-signed with the club before becoming a free agent.

"A lot of times it will be kind of in [Portis's] hands, but down the stretch I don't know if anyone played better than Ladell," Gibbs said.

Well I guess I might keep Portis in there because DCSWEEN and 4-12 and Cheyenne WY, well they think that Portis is the final answer to World Peace and also in Final Jeopardy. NOT!

Do any of you guys have 3 Super Bowl Rings? JJ Gibbs didn't win them in a crap game like you. He won his coaching on the field. If the Head Coach seems to think we need a little more Betts and a little less Portis I guess that puts me in good company boys!

I guess your going to refute Gibbs now.

On a completely different tangent on Portis - Please remember how he got hurt last year - running down a defender on an interception return in the FIRST PRESEASON GAME - now, you can argue the sanity in that, but you cannot say that the guy does not want his team to win...and that's got to be seen by his teammates

"Clinton's an exceptional player," coach Joe Gibbs said. "He's a proven product, 1,500 yards every year. When you have a player who's that physical as a running back, it means a lot to your team. He consistently makes the right cuts. Sometimes, you ... say somebody else could've done that, but the reality is not many people could do it. Clinton certainly means a lot to us."

"hmmm.........maybe we should draft Adrian Peterson. Wonder what Dan thinks?"

I don't know why anyone in the world could think Betts is Better than Portis. It doesn't make sense. One half of a season he plays well and now he is better than a top 5 NFL back. Please. Remind you Portis finds the endzone and Does NOT fumble.

More hamster coke, please, I am fading.

RBD202, it's the thought of turning over 2/3 of our linebacking corps -- which was NOT the biggest area of need on this troubled defense -- and relying on big additions from other teams that kills me on the putative Briggs deal.

And skinswest, yes I was making a joke about draft hype in saying 'Jerry Rice 2.0,' but I am not kidding that we don't need another damn wide receiver on this team.

We need to stop the run on D and run the ball ourselves. We need to add one or two stud D linemen and figure out who replaces Dockery.

Trading up for Johnson would mean sacrificing draft assets which could have gone towards helping the D line, the area of greatest need. That is the beginning and the end of my argument against it.

"I think drafting Peterson would only make sense if we trade up with someone, make sure to give up a lot. Maybe next years first and second rounders? We need to grab all the first day attention we can."

This came from Clayton on ESPN, what he observed from the owner's meeting:

The Bears received the formal trade offer from the Redskins, a swap of the No. 6 pick in the draft in exchange for Bears linebacker Lance Briggs and the 31st pick in the first round. The Bears are mad. They think it was unprofessional for the Redskins to team up with Briggs' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and try to make a public trade offer without talking to them first. The Bears will study the proposal over the weekend, but they say the way this was handled makes it tougher for the trade to happen.

Joe Gibbs said Wednesday morning he could trade up from the sixth pick in the draft. Gibbs said he's had two or three conversations with teams about moving up and there is a better chance of the Redskins moving up from No. 6 than moving down based on trade talks. Those possibilities could end if the Bears accept the Redskins' offer on the Briggs trade. Clearly, the Redskins don't want to draft at No. 6. They want out. It's either Briggs, trade up or trade down. The Redskins are on the move.

And this Betts versus Portis debate is ludicrous.

Is the argument that the O linemen hate blocking for Portis because when he's carrying the ball they have to run downfield to block when he breaks free, or because they hate celebrating touchdowns? Please.

No Nate,

The argument is about whether you get to say who is right and who is wrong!

nate - I hate the turnover as well and we have plenty of needs other than LB. But the danny and JG are trying to win in '07 - not build a future. I would love to see them blow the team up and rebuild a la the Nats - well not that drastic - but there is no way that is going to happen so why not take a proven guy where we can get one? I have no faith in drafting an instant stud...If we could trade for a stud DT - would you do that?

Some of you are amazing...is it that you never want the Redskins to make deals ever again. We're damned if we do damned if we don't. Calvin Johnson is special and if we have a chance to get him then we should...then we draft D-Linemen. You all forget. Kedric Golston was DRAFTED by the Skins in the 6th round and he ended up being a solid starter and is on the rise. Damn...why does everybody get pissed as soon as they want to make a deal?

Oh yeah...the Redskins do draft...

Chris Samuels
Jon Jansen
Jason Campbell
Sean Taylor
Carlos Rogers (?)
Chris Cooley
Ledell Betts
Cedric Golston

We've drafted busts...just like any other team in the NFL (Taylor Jacobs, Rod Gardner, etc.)

DMAN, since you asked, I am right, and you are wrong.

And it's nice and sunny this afternoon in Portland, around 53 degrees.

Thanks very much for your interest.

I think we need to trade the 6th pick for a top 15 pick, 2nd and 3rd or 4th. Take de or dt w/ Top 15 and do the same with 2nd rd. Use the 3rd or 4th to geta tight end or corner. God forbid Cooley ever got hurt, I don't think Todd Yoder would be the answer. And at corner after Springs,Rogers,Smoot we need a decent corner in case one of them gets hurt.Use our 5th rdr and do the same cb or te. Then use our 6th for a young olb to play behing Marcus Washington on the stong side. Let Marshall,Mcintosh compete for playing time on the weak side. We found Mont in the 5th and Golston in the 6th last year so we can pickup decent backups w/ these picks. we would still have the a 6th from the Arch trade and a 7th rdr left. Even though some people don't value those picks, remember Tom Brady was a 6th rdr. Antonio Pierce wasn't even drafted. So their is always a sleeper, hopefully we don't screw it up. And if we just stay put at 6th, hopefully we can get Adams, but Branch or Okeye wouldn't be bad. Then use the 5th for a de or dt. Just please don't trade for BRIGGS. He is a hell of a player, but with Marshall and Mcontosh on the weak side already, this don't make sence. And even though I think Calvin J would be great alongside Moss w/ Randel El as the 3rd rec, giving up more picks to get him when we need d-line help is stupid. And finally,not to anyone on this blog, but for people who hate on Gibbs saying he is washed up and can't coach in the new era is a f"in" idiot. I love Gibbs and I bet we make a SB run, yes I said SB run, before he hangs it up again. He is a class act and a hell of a coach. The Skins biggest problem is Vinny Cerrato. Marty Shott got rid of him and tried to clean up are mess in his only year but Snyder still brought him back. Although, I think Snyder tries his best to win at any cost, we need a GM to start looking at the team down the road and not year to year. People need to stop worrying, we lost alot of close games last year. A little luck our way and we would've been 10-6. If hall made the kick against Minn and we won in ot, our whole season would've been different. the (Atl game lost 24-14 after 14-0 1st Qtr lead,Rams 28-14 3rd qtr lead, Phi at home we left 2 td's off the board 1 at the end and when they stuffed at the goal line, and they returned a int on us for a td. I still don't know how we let TB beat us, If B.Lloyd didn't drop Campbell's 1st nfl pass for 50 yds to start the Tb game we wouldn't have lost. We are real close to being real good and if we don't F k the draft up we will be fine. Hey, atleast we beat Dallas at home. Gibbs is 3-3 vs Dallas since his return. We were 1-14 against them before that. So atleast he's done that. I'm predicting a 11-5 season and a home playoff game and after that who knows. As long as Gibbs is here I will always feel we will field a winner.

RBD202, I would be thrilled if we were talking about a trade for a stud veteran (good to great, not-too-old) run-stuffing DT. But we're not, unless that's among the 'other serious conversations' Coach Joe is having at the Meetings. We're talking about this Briggs fellow, who in my opinion is a dude we don't particularly need.

But as I continually prove (or is it continuously?), I am just up here making noise, "...it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing."

Hello my friends!!! Profootballtalk.com is reporting we have made a formal offer to the Bears...guaranteeing 20M to Briggs. It's in Chicago's court now...

I have often thought the best way to build a franchise is to overspend, blow draft picks and rely on the good will of the fans to keep spending. Beer used to be $5 a game, but at the new and improved Lexus cafe, its now a solid $9!!! What a profit. Seriously, bring in big names, then slowly but steady increase the price of everything...WHO NEEDS A WINNING TEAM!!!

Although I think another 3 draft picks in addition to the 6th pick in the draft should be just the ticket!!!

OH NO! DMan - aka DCMan88 on the Wizards blog - is here to torture Skins fans. He lives on the Wizards blog, HATES Gilbert Arenas and calls everyone names on there. He has called me c$nt and moron because I do not agree with him. EVERYONE hates him on the Wizards blog and wishes he would just disappear.

He appears to have a problem with players who have big personalities (Arenas and Portis). Just ignore him.

At the owners meeting, Gibbs was standing up for players showing emotion on the field - thinks by taking away the spike, endzone celebrations, etc. that the NFL is taking the fun away from the game. Said penalizing the players for so many things was "Mickey Mouse." It was kind of surprising to hear him talk that way but I liked it.

There's word the Bears are also talking to SF about Briggs.

Lisa, does DCMan88 call people out for commenting on basketball without having played in the NBA? That was an especially amusing gambit he used earlier today, up here. Not surprising to hear he's a known troll, but angry about his attacks on you in particular.

Anyway, glad we can wrap this up and agree to ITA.

I'm a Redskins fan from Oz, who has lived in Melbourne all my life. And even from here I can see that Briggs isn't what we need. CJ isn't what we need either, but it's a better scenario than Briggs! Joe PLEASE DON'T DO THIS! Stay at number 6, take Adams, or Okoye. I can't believe Snyder, they say money can't buy happiness, apparently it can't buy logic either!

How could the guy who coached the Fun Bunch be anything but a supporter of emotional displays and on-field celebration? That was the best TD celebration ever, because it celebrated not just the individual who scored but the TEAM. Loved it.

Now I want to go youtube some Fun Bunch clips.

Nate, DCMan88 (aka DMan) is EVIL ON THE INTERNET. On the Wiz blog, he calls everyone terrible names - homosexual names in particular. He then says that everyone else started it - not him. I understand he is on several boards and everyone hates him there as well. The best thing to do is just ignore him - although it can be difficult. If he continues, we should ask Cindy to step in and ban him. Unfortunately, they have not done that on the Wizards site.

kost52, hello and welcome.

You gotta tell us the back story of how a lad (or lass) growing up in Melbourne came to be a Skins fan.

We have an honorary Aussie on the blog, one P Diddy, but I don't recall any other real Aussies posting??

Lisa - I'm si