1st?

I remember being 1st back in October before it was cool to be 1st. Is it cool? I know I'm not.

Okay, my thoughts: Move the draft around. What does New York have that other large cities can't pretend to have? DC could work. Lots to do, lots of hotels, Snyder could probably throw in some Six Flags family fun packages...

I remember now why I took a hiatus away from the RI. I just spent 30 minutes reading Sean Taylor jokes instead of working on a project for grad school. Nice. Keep those coming guys.

i live in NC but I would DEFINITELY drive up to DC for that.

Bring it on!

Saw you on ESPN today, picking Landry in the mock draft, boy did the talking heads hate that pick. I know you personally prefer Okoye and were just saying what you thought the Skins will do. But if that's a sneak preview we will get blasted by ESPN if we stick at 6 and go with Landry.

Hosting the draft in DC might actually encourage The Danny to keep a few picks that year.

I'm on the fence between fun and maybe a little boring. Where could they have it here that would lend the proper atmosphere?

Best player in the draft, Joe says - at least LL is on the D side of the ball

They could have it at Love - hosted by Agent Zero

That wasn't loseable type double moving me! Hiccup! '.''.

Yeah I could only think of clubby things. The draft at the 9:30 club. I wonder if a cool band could be found to play such a geeky event.

Okay now Clutch will perform while the Vikings make up their fn minds.

Don't think it's the sort of thing I'll be going to.

We're a marathon runner who's hit the wall.

I'd like to see it here in Los Angeles. That would give me at least one opportunity to see Skins players live in Los Angeles outside of the nightclubs in Hollywood. Chaaaaa

How about the Sydney opera house hosted by kost?

Great idea. Let's also take the probowl on the road. Hawaii is great for players, but the game should be for the fans.

I might consider going to "The NFL DRAFT on Ice" at the Verizon. You think The Snyde could market that baby?

Kudos to Cindy for throwing out another topic for us hamsters. But you know, frankly I could care less where they hold it.

How about at the circus - I heard that's a great date place?

I need another drink. It was a tough day. Don't fumble the momentum folks.

Night, night. I'll hit it hard again in the a.m.

Peace and get bizy night shift Hamsters!

Had to take the baby to the doctor today. She's fine. I'll do double blog duty tomorrow

SFskin:

I was disgusted with the way Ron Rivera was dissed. But that's the bad thing about going deep in the playoffs. You aren't available to interview like the others. I'm glad he didn't wind up in Dallas; he'd be hard to beat there. Not sure what they were thinking with Wade Phillips.

I'm sure Ron will get his props here in the next season or so (maybe the Seahawks). I still look for Cowher to come to DC at the end of this coming season.

Move the draft whereever. They should do it in hawaii, imagine starting at ... some ungodly hour local time; watch these poor schlubs shuffle up to the podium at 5:30AM.

any of you hamsters going to fedex for draft party? never been...

4-12, sorry to hear about the baby... when the little ones are hurting, it's tough to stand by.

Not sure about the internet access at FedEx...

you MUST keep your priorities straight!

Having the draft here would be great! I do get sick of seeing the fans of the NY teams on camera making asses of themselves. Other fans deserve that same opportunity.

Let's give old Wade P a chance. From what I've heard, the players are actually responding to not having a big scaly tuna fish constantly up their arses. Wade may have bigger boobs but I don't think he's as big a pr...

Just killing it up here. I haven't caught up with all the 700+ comments, but I love it.

It may take us to Saturday night to hit 50k -- though I still see us blowing past it by noon Saturday -- but it won't be due to a lack of effort across the board.

HAIL

Did anyone see that abysmal attempt of a mock draft on ESPN tonight at 9? They "forgot" Okoye was on the board, and didn't realize it until the 25th pick. Obviously ESPN prepares their drafts as well as the Skins FO does.

This is not going to be bring your child to the blog night.

as always, good point cload
priorities....

nate
save yourself a tylenol pm and don't read all 700 - just get us going...

SMACK, there's bust size or whatever it's called when they measure all the way round (circumference?), and then there's cup size, like the moob itself. I bet Wade is bigger around than the Tuna, but would actually win in cup size.

Ugh. Why did I type this?

I'm trying to decide if I'm going to the draft thing at FedEx this weekend. I'm going to see John Legend Saturday night, and I don't really want to do too much stuff that day. I really would like to commiserate/celebrate with other fans as the Skins do what they do with the draft, though. I think I may go. Besides, I'll get the see the Lombardies up close.

You see, it was bring your child to work day n all. So I tried really hard not to swear at work, and now I'm all out of fn trying.

Montana -- just like the Rooney Rule, there's now a Rivera Rule, where you can interview an assistant a second time while he's still in the playoffs.
I can't say it would've helped Rivera; I have no earthly idea why most of the later coaching selections were made (Turner and Phillips being the primary examples). But at least those who follow behind won't be locked down in the same way.

Nate, glad to have ya back. FYI, you have now been deemed Blog General (this happened at some point last night ...)

Yeah I'll agree to hosting the Draft from the Sydney Opera House! That'll mean you guys can stay up until 2am to see the start of the draft, and I can see it at a reasonable hour!

if someone blogs, and Nate doesn't read it, does it still count toward the total?

I want to know what's really going on in NYC. Right about now Cyn City should be schmoozing with the commish, riding around Gotham in one of those stretch limos with the hot tub built in, with Lupica howling out of the sunroof.

Nate, I assume you are still at the old place, because if moving within Portland is anything like moving around here, you will not have your cable and internet service restored until the next lunar eclipse.

"I bet Wade is bigger around than the Tuna, but would actually win in cup size."

Were you think the Tuna would win the cup competition? I see no conflict here.

Again, I was away from a computer with internet access all day again, so I'm gonna catch up w/ some thoughts I had from the previous blog post in this one. Normally, I'd refrain, but we got goals to meet.

We still need to see Nate and Larry Bud with just the right alcohol content.

Shaken, not stirred.

If someone blogs, and Nate doesn't read it, we all get sucked into a black hole.

LMGO, SMACK. In fact, I had to find a wifi-enabled bar in the new 'hood because... wait for it... Comcast screwed up the install appointment today.

Actually I have to give props to Mrs. Nate. She noted that we were both fading and hurting from the internets jones, so she went off and hunted for a place while I hung out with the boy. (Who by the way is INSANE running around the new house.) She found an awesome bar, got her web fix, and came home so I could have a turn.

F COMCAST.

So Nate, how goes the move? I'd be over to help, but I can't find the new address...

hopefully the Blog General doesn't care too much about quality...kind of like spring break ...numbers bro

Glad you guys are here. It was about to get really ugly with the limericks.

I'm only a few sips into a delicious pale ale called Caldera out of southern OR, but given my sleep deprivation and move exhaustion I am already feeling a wee buzz. Which means it's time for me to say how much I love all you guys and gals. You're like the horde of brothers and sisters I never had.

Besides, I can only lift the blog archives. I've got them right here....

Nate
Did you get our house warming gift? It was a JLC bobble head - should look nice on the mantle.

Blog General? That is quite an honor. I saw J-La gave me a shout-out on the last thread, which made me blush.

Dammit, I WILL read all those comments. Just not right now. I need some free-associatin' and bullsh!ttin' with y'all right now.

Big props to Mrs. Nate!!

50K is gonna be easy. I'm telling ya. I'm posting a 100 times today. We're a bloody committed bunch of coked up, wifi-ed Hamsters.

Who said they didnt like calling us Hamsters? In fact, the 50K t-shirt should have a hamster with a knight's helmet and joust charging at the PC screen...

Does Comcast host any blogs? I would think not, or everyone would get kicked off pretty quick. I have been escorted off Comcast physical plants in two states. And I am a nice guy.

Nate -- make the bar turn on the Outdoor Channel... you can catch the last few minutes of "Turkey Call" as they go turkey huntin' in Rocky Top...
A unique addition to the Portland Bar Scene...

How long is each team on the clock for? Is it 15 or 30 mins?

Larry Bud, if you're out there, I am 'planning' on a beery shabingus up here Saturday night, to celebrate our successful (by which I mean, not disastrous and embarrassing) draft AND our sprint past 50k.

Bad limericks? I can't wait.

Did you guys see I got so lonely up here I dropped some haiku last night? It was weird. Felt funny.

Nate - Where's that hammer? Smack to the back of the damn head for rubbing it in that you drinking a nice micro-brew. I miss a decent pale ale so much - nothing close to that in Asia. Right now I am trying to work a shipment of just some decent Sam Adams.

15 unless you're the vikes

Paps -- it's Lisa that has the negative connotation of Hamster Nation. She should keep in mind that it might've been 'Gerbil Nation' instead.

Sometimes the perfect is the enemy of the good.

kost, it's kind of complicated. The Raiders will have been on the clock for about five months and fifteen minutes when their turn is up. I think the remainder of the first round is 15 minutes apiece. 10 minutes a pick in the second, five minutes a pick thereafter. I think.

Ah, here we go...

http://www.answers.com/topic/nfl-draft

nate, that is highlarious! you're so dumb!
haaaahaaaa

SAY NO TO DRAFT!!! (just like the skins FO) we don't need it. it's only like 3 to 4 hours away from here already.

really NO! we got enough shti going down here every friggin weekend. and plus it's so cool to see other teams fans like NYers get laughed at on NaTV.

Lisa can be super-sensitive. Her protests were the main reason we dropped 'Lancers'. But that's why we love her up here.

dealer -- wouldn't there be some decent fares involved?

Well, that and the 24/7 monitoring of the NFLN -- she watches so you don't have to!

Ok the buzz just veered into a subtle but pervasive depression, and I wondered if it was the onset of full-body shutdown due to lack of sleep, and then I realized it's the Elliot Smith moaning through the speakers.

don't get me wrong, I love the late great Elliot when the time is right. I need some Ramones or something to kick my ass into gear right now.

Paps, the next round is in your honor. Switching to a local micro IPA.

You need some Pixies, Nate. (I suggest "Gigantic")

Vodka-Red Bull helps too. Heavy beer is going to do you in.

What's wrong with the local microbrew Miller Lite? And by local I mean 1000 miles away in Milwaukee.

Nate, I'm tellin' ya, the outdoor channel -- if only for the odd looks the other patrons will give you.

It would be nice for Jason to join us some evening ... anyone yet see that Redskins announcement he mentioned would be coming in a hour? Any predictions?

ugh, Miller Lite, the thought is leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

Meat Puppets on the box. Good stuff.

I'd be more than happy with a Kingfisher, Tsingtao, Kirin, Singha, Sapporo. Is there still Fiji Beer?

I like a little Clipper City Pale Ale.

ugh, Miller Lite, the thought is leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

Posted by: cload and daggar | April 26, 2007 11:13 PM

sorry - I'm simple and too fat

Most of those are Japanese beers -- good choices though. But Kingfisher? That one threw me - cant drink it. Worst hangovers from all the preservatives and bad water quality.

More pale ale taunting ... aargh ...

I need some Pixies AND the Outdoor Channel. That sounds like instant hallucination.

We rapped about Coachella and the Pixies reunion there a few years back. A buddy of mine is down in LA tonight catching the small-club warmup show for the Coachella reunion of Jesus & Mary Chain. Holy smokes how cool! Love those dudes.

The IPA has been poured and is waiting in the on deck cricle, it's called Terminal Gravity. Lord, help me.

Is Flat Tire popular on the West coast? Had it in Colorado recently and loved it. Apparently they don't ship east of Mississippi...

If "The Dan" hosted the "official Draft event" in DC, I wonder what kind of parking fee pyramid structure he would set up with all the city garages. Better yet I'd like to be a fly on the wall as he and his team of jackal's were sitting around in their high backed leather chairs, sipping single malt scotch and lighting cigars with 100 dollar bills.

Danny, "Vinny, look at these spreadsheets finance put together for the draft party" ..."the parking alone will cover all that dead cap money for Arch and Lloyd." Vinny, "How about gold painted folding chairs for the future players and their families, monagramed for an extra $10K per chair...they can have them shipped home as memorabilia for an extra $25K"..Dan, "Love it".... "get your raquetball gear on"...

I'm starting to hope the Redskins don't trade down for more picks, if they do, it could be a very long night!

Why don't the move the draft each year, to the team which has the #1 Pick? I suppose that won't always work as it may be traded.

Hamsters -- I'm clocking out for a bit - got a work meeting.

Great idea I'd love to see it in DC or another big market.

Fat Tire is huge here. First had it in Denver about 10 years ago. That stuff is good.

Ohh... Singha! There used to be an awesome little Thai place in Leesburg, VA. I would stop in after work and put in a to-go order and suck back a Singha (or two) while they fixed it up. The bartender lady would always have Jepoardy! on while she worked the crossword. Damn, that was awesome. Singha!

So, Jason talks about "the comedic genius of guys like nateinthePDX, Jm220 and haikuman." Okay, guys. Do it. Write something that displays your "comedic genius." We're all waiting.

You're all out to lunch, aren't you?

Posted by: KK | April 26, 2007 01:08 PM

KK, funny is in the ear of the beholder. And funny is as funny does. And... shut up, dude.

Gotta get into the Aussie Beer boys! And I don't want to hear anyone mention Fosters, that's the crap we ship overseas, it's very rare to find a pub or even a drive through which sells it, and to be honest I don't think I've ever seen it on tap.

VB, Crown, Carlton Draught, Cascade, Boags that's the way to go!

They should REALLY take the draft on the road. Do round one in DC on Saturday, round two in Baltimore on Sunday, round three in Philly on Monday, round four in Pittsburgh on Tuesday... a WEEK-LONG extravaganza, alternating AFC and NFC cities.

Go for it, Goodell, you crazy bastard!

I'll take two of each kost
Just tell me where I can find it in ol DC

Why don't the move the draft each year, to the team which has the #1 Pick? I suppose that won't always work as it may be traded.

Posted by: kost52 | April 26, 2007 11:19 PM

And NY has had it so long, it would be unfair for Washington to monopolize it now.

They should REALLY take the draft on the road. Do round one in DC on Saturday, round two in Baltimore on Sunday, round three in Philly on Monday, round four in Pittsburgh on Tuesday... a WEEK-LONG extravaganza, alternating AFC and NFC cities.

Go for it, Goodell, you crazy bastard!

Posted by: Nate in the PDX | April 26, 2007 11:25 PM

Talk about calling in sick...there might be more "colds" that week than in the first week of the NCAAs

kost, Fosters is in the same category as Heineken and Amstel Light... they were in the game TOO EARLY and don't have any cred now that so many really good imports are available.

And I say that having quaffed several score Fosters at the Outback Steakhouse in Centreville or Chantilly or Centilly or wherever the hell that was, back before I was of legal age to do so. At that point, it tasted AWESOME.

You know what I like sometimes is to put down a Fosters Special Bitter oil can. That's much better than the 'Australian for beer' original, IMO.

Haha yeah that may be a problem!

Did a little google run - http://www.chowhound.com/topics/314668

Cindy, serious question for Goodell: when are you going to step in and do something about Ed Hochuli? That guy is a ticking time bomb.

He flexes so much when he indicates first down that eventually one of his jersey buttons is going to fly off and kill someone.

if your talking ausi beer kost52 you cant forget XXXX.. i can feel a XXXX coming on

SMACK, that was damned funny up above.

I'm in NYC for a few days next week, kost. May try to find one of those places for a pint of Aussie goodness.

Hochuli is by far the most legendary referee in the history of the NFL.. pre-game shoulder press/ high cleans?? no problem..halftime buddy curls?? no problem.. postgame bench off?..Eds got it

Cindy,
We would go crazy for the draft here. This is a football area (no matter how hard the Wiz, Orioles, Caps try, or the Nats don't try). It would be a packed event and the atmosphere would be crazy. At the same time, I think we should only be allowed to have the event if we have three first day picks and The Danny isn't allowed to sell ad space freely.

I don't see a new Skins story up on the site, as J-La teased. No guess as to what it could be.

By the way, the bar switched from Elliot Smith to Beastie Boys 'Sabotage.' Just in time, too -- I was nodding off and wondering about my next fix.

Sheriff, I agree. There are also so many transplants in the DC area (not to mention traitors, like local kids who turned out to be Cowboys fans, yuck!) that you would get tons of fans for almost every team.

seantay4prez, don't you wonder sometimes whether they should be testing Hochuli like they test the Tour de France dudes? He's out there making the D linemen feel puny. I heard he asked for double lead weights in his penalty flags.

Sherriff
The question is how do we get those 3 first day picks? Do we get a compensatory pick for Holdman or Rumph signing?

Holdman being gone is compensation enough.

pdx big ed makes merrimam look like a saint.. if they the league tested refs for roids hed be kicked out ten times over are snoops league out in long beach.. all i know is taht when he signals that first down his bicep takes up the entire screen of the jumbotron at fedex..

speaking of jumbotons at fedex.. when is dannyboy going to spring for some new ones?

And SpeedRumph, we hardly knew ye.

Must say, though, it was a fair trade for Taylor Jacobs.

Fat Tire is indeed good. Another CO brew to try if you find it is Left Hand Sawtooth Ale or most anyting by Odell's brewing

The magic of moving around the draft is it gives one more time on the calendar when a single NFL city can be in the spotlight.

They created the Thursday night season opener, and then they created the opening Monday night doubleheader. Long ago they added a Sunday night game. Weekly Thursday night games begin after the college football season ends. And so on.

More exposure, more bucks, one more can't miss event on the calendar... yeah, if they could somehow goose the interest in the draft, which already seems absurdly high (he says hypocritically), they will do it.

I would love to see the draft moved to different cities. The cities should be ranked by the length of time that they have had an NFL team.

Do they actually make money on the Draft other than TV? It would be cool to see it in Philly so Berman gets pelted by batteries and such like the Fox crew.

Good stuff Nate, make sure you let me know how you go with it! VB is probably our biggest selling beer, but it's a man's beer, semi-regular beer drinkers can't handle it. Carlton Draught is our best beer on tap, and the more prestigous beers are Crown, Cascade and Boags.

Couldn't find a beer list, but there seems like a few of these around! http://www.outbacksteakhouse.com/

The draft, like any special event, should never be held in Dallas or Detroit, who get spotlight games every year on Thanksgiving.

Which reminds me, the NFL added a Thanksgiving NIGHT game. It's only a matter of time until we have NFL games every night of the week.

RBD, the mental image of Berman getting pelted with batteries almost made me spit out a mouthful of this delicious brew.

It's delicious, but I'm going back to the pale ale for the next round. Oh wait, there's an amber on the tap farthest from me, just beyond the Portland-obligatory Pabst Blue Ribbon. Maybe it's amber time.

But you mean that in a good way, right Nate?

I think the idea of moving the draft around is great. Enough of the whining jets and gints fans. Give some coverage to the rest of us whiners.

article up....

I'm currently enjoying a Samuel Adams Honey Porter.
Recommended.

and it's a doozy

cload, as long as I can find a place to watch the Skins, I'll be happy. Look at college football... Tuesday and Wednesday games, and multiple games on Thursdays. We'll get there.

Cricket may be a harder sell.

OH NO

HAHAHA
JLC is gunning for 50k with that "blurb"

RBD202 - what article - I can only get the okoye one from earlier today

J-La is serious about getting to 50k. Last time we had to deal with the possibility of a trade for Briggs -- which is still a STUPID IDEA, by the way! -- the blog went apesh!t for days.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/26/AR2007042602711.html

speaking of spitting out my miller lite....they just can't let a good thing be ...can they?

Here we go again...

Aaaargh. I really, really let myself believe we were out of woods on this Briggs shabingus.

For shame, front office! I believed in you! For shame!

Kost --

when I visited Syd once, I had a great local bottled pale ale eating dinner in Wooloomooloo, started with a C ... Castle? ??

I think if the skins do start up the Briggs talks again, they should ask for a 3rd rounder as well. Push to gets as much as possible.

So -- Maske or Cyn Cyty:
"One measure he mentioned was educating players in the simple method of properly fastening chinstraps..."

that, my friends, is editorial poetry.

Redskins Brandon Lloyd and Shawn Springs were present on at least one of those nights, with Snyder asking their opinion of Briggs, sources said

I'm surprised they didn't ask Arch also....

I'm going to have to review the blog from Briggs rumor 1.0 to remind myself of the many ways in which this trade would suck.

I had a pet theory that the ONLY reason to do which would be shifting from 4-3 to 3-4, which we all agree up here just ain't going to happen on Grilliams' watch.

F trading for Briggs. F adding another Rosenhaus client. F this rumor flaring up again. AAAAAAARRRRGH!

I am so not surprised ... (sigh). Well, Saturday pm could suddenly be free from Draft watching.

Please note: no more than 1,000 posts consisting of the loud gnashing of teeth will be permitted on the Briggs deal.

I will be counting. Do not mess with it -- you will not win.

cload, you're right, there could be a backlash up here causing us to see FEWER posts. Egads. What a train wreck.

Some scouts believe his production was a result of Chicago's defensive system, which is designed for the weak-side linebacker to make plays in certain situations. The scouts also noted that the overall talent on the Bears defense -- middle linebacker Brian Urlacher may be the best defensive player in the game -- helped Briggs immensely. They cautioned against expecting he would automatically have the same impact in Washington.

Now is that JLC's opinion hidden in there?

I think they should ask the Bears to throw Archi in for the Briggs deal. Now that his contract is so much friendlier, he could play in our new "six LB" formation...

SO... trying desperately to think of something else up here.

Cindy, is Goodell the best-looking of the commisioners? Is Stern the best-dressed? Do any of the other dudes even talk to Selig? How is Commissioner Gordon doing?

Red Horse is the best Thai beer, imho, however for this week, I've been doing Chang Draught, which is a very good drop and a new one here. All of sudden Singha (beer sing in Thai) and the other brands discover making more than one type of beer. There's all this light beer here now. Not sure what the content is as most beers here are 6-7.5%.

Cload, I am not gnashing teeth ... you think Skins will now stonewall Chicago unless they throw in a 3rd/4th rounder? Will this make Hamster nation happier?

Back on board for a few - will read through posts above and comment accordingly.

Can't hardly keep up and am swamped with work. Can't post much until Sat - day ahead so no worries on the 50K.

Not sure Paps, I did find this though! Haha

http://www.cheapdrinks.com.au/pag_Piss-Beer.pub

HAHAHA Commisioner Gordon is classic -like the attitude Nate

There is more than a drop from 6 to 31... that's leaping off a precipice. Adding a 3 or 4 doesn't make it sweet enough for me. But my name isn't Vincenzo Spumante Cerrato.

I wish the Boys had pick #7, so I could antagonize you all a little more. But as our pick reflects, we were miles better than you last season, and nobody gives a rat's what's gonna happen at #22.

So who did Okoye go to at 24 on ESPN?

Oh, the gnashers will be coming. I just want to try to limit the damage... there are topics that will generate lots of comments, and topics that will have everyone stalking off to go sulk in a corner.

We can only afford one of those options.

Caldera, huh?

Do they sell that out-of-state? How does it compare to Sierra Nevada?

I hated this idea early on. However...if M. Washington's health is really suspect then it would make sense....as long as they kept Rocky. They could still draft a second tier DE like Moss, the kid from Georgia or Tyler the DT from NC state with the 31st pick. Would make for a boring draft for skins fans but who knows - it might work - Briggs ain't chopped liver.

skinswest, the phantom injury fear is what landed us a fellow named Thomas Jefferson Duckett last summer. I want PROOF. I smell a rat.

I take the unfashionable "rational actor" approach to the skins moves. You can even deconstruct last year's monstrosity in a logical way, although it always leaves me a bit queasy.
If the skins pull the trigger on Briggs, my analysis would be that there's concern about Washington's hip AND concern about RockyMac's ability to learn/play in a pro defense.

muga, check this:
http://www.calderabrewing.com/

The pale ale is better than Sierra, IMO. Best new beer I've tasted in a long while.

Screw the amber ale, I'm taking another trip to Caldera for my nightcap.

Nate, does KK have some sort of ongoing beef with you? what was with his comment earlier today?

Seems like a lot of pent up aggression there.

Megamuck, just wanted to point out that you misspelled your name again.

Kidding.

One more post!

I hear you Nate - I don't love the idea - just hoping there's a positive spin to it - call me pollyana - actually don't - but Marcus Washington's healty being questionable is the only way I see this thing making sense.

I don't actually hate the trade - guess I've been brainwashed by the FO - believing that proven talent is better than draft gambling...but I was convinced that this deal was dead and they were actually going to draft at #6. Maybe they have grown some onions and will pick up Briggs and a pick for the swap. That being said, I can only chuckle at the thought of JLC dropping this bomb on hamster nation.

What I hate about it is this persistent notion that what I perceive as the teams' area of greatest need -- D line -- is not what the team itself sees as its area of greatest need.

So either they've been hiding information about MWash's health or they think the incumbent D line is peachy keen. Either option sucks! I WANT TO TRUST YOU, you bastards.

And just to be clear, we can't be talking about Briggs as a fallback for Washington AND McIntosh, can we? A man for all seasons then, is he? I see, I see...

I propose that after draft day, and after we hit the 50K, we are not held accountable for allowing these messages to happen.

I was skimming the last thread -- still haven't read it through -- and caught that thing from KK. No context, I have no idea if he was joking or what followed. Just rubbed me wrong.

I have no beef with KK aside from this notion in the back of my mind that he posted something I thought was unusually and unnecessarily provocative/divisive up here. Was it something about race?

But that thing about 'comic genius' was an oblique attack on J-La. If J-La thinks I'm funny, I'm proud of that. To hell with anybody hating up here.

Ach, I should be getting home. A bit more unpacking, work in the morning and so forth.

And get this shabingus: I actually have to WORK at work tomorrow. Full day of meetings. You know that will be killing me if it keeps me off the blog. I NEED THIS.

I have a problem.

Nate, where are you on Gaines at 6

Well Wilbur Marshall was a great LB on possibly the greatest defense ever and still continued his greatness (how he's not in HOF discussions is way beyond me) after leaving the bears. Who knows? Perhaps Briggs can do the same. If they do this you can be danm sure that the Snyder won't sit at 31. He'll trade 2008 picks to move up and grab someone (Ginn, Branch, etc.?)

Good show Nate. Happy Housewarming from the adversary, not the enemy. Good night.

Kost-
You're a Sydneysider??? I'm in Coogee! And I'm a Tooheys drinker!
As for the Skins, I rehashing this trade talk is detrimental in more than one way. Not only would it be terrible for us if completed, but this trade talk hurts the value of our 6th if we try to trade down with another team in the draft! We were doing a decent job of creating value in our pick. Look at how hyped Lando is now! And Okoye before him. All I know is I want Jamaal Anderson, and I don't want a player who thinks that 7mil for one years work is "ridiculous" and angrily turned down a 33mil deal and is threatening to hold out for 10 games breaking up a very good team. What a spoiled brat. For a fanbase that absolutely loves their players, if Briggs became a redskin, he would be the least welcomed player I could remember.

skinswest
you took the words out of my mouth or keyboard or whatever
good bye 2008 first round pick...

Look at it this way. If Washington is hurt, and it looks like he'll take till Sept/Oct to be in game shape, then Marshall would fill the gap -- pretty well, IMHO. If RockyMac still doesn't seem to be starter material -- again, Marshall is there (in fact, wouldn't surprise me if RockyMac is the WLB backup behind Marshall).
In either case, you have enough depth to keep #6 and invest in a Pro Bowl prospect (DL, safety, whatever).
But, if you're worried about both SLB and WLB, then adding Briggs makes a fair amount of sense. The worst-case scenario is that you have too many good, healthy LBs. I imagine a trade could fix that.
We know that LB is important in the skins system, and it's not like they've lost all their DL talent -- it's just not clear how much talent is in the group.

My two cents - I love Gaines at #6. I know he's similar in size to Carter, so what. Good pass rushers are rare - If comparisons to Julius Peppers are legit it's a no brainer.

I wanted a D tackle from the start, SMACK. The highlight reels of Steven Jackson and Tiki merrily dancing through our D line have been in heavy rotation in the cinema of my mind lo these many months.

Trading down was always appealing, but I was convinced we wouldn't get an opportunity aside from something utterly STUPID like trading for Briggs.

It was only after a dedicated effort on the part of The Governor and ArtMonkToTheSticks that I warmed to the idea of Lando.

And then I started learning about Jamaal A and some of the D ends and warmed to that idea as well.

I'm a sponge.

Big fat run-disrupting, pocket-collapsing, double-team-drawing D tackle remains my #1 want for this draft.

Briggs isn't chopped liver but trading for him would turn the redskins organization chopped liver...if we pay briggs (a guy in a position we dont need) how will we be able to resign cooley or extend the reaper? I'd rather wait and hope that cleveland takes AP so we can swap with Miami and pick up a second (like 10 picks after what the only pick we would get for briggs). I'm not gonna even get into the million ways why this trade sucks. Anyone in favor of this is either a blind fan or a total moron.

Does Joe Gibbs remind anyone else of G W Bush lately by the way? telling us everythings great and everythings gonna be better next year after a 5-11 season despite no decent plan for solving our obvious problems. He doesnt admit to any legitimate mistakes they've made lately. I love the man just as much as the next guy...just food for thought

Unfortunately, you can't eliminate the possibility that it's just the DealMaker(tm) doin' what he does best.

SMACK, I said 'should' be getting home. Should. The siren song of the pale ale -- singing a duet with the internet herself -- has me lingering at the bar.

And when I do check out tonight, I'll see you guys back up here in about eight hours. Or the day shift. Or whatever.

SMACK, even adversary carries too heavy a connotation. You are part of the blog, my friend. You're one of us.

Okay - I'm caught up.

Caldera is only distributed in Oregon!

I may have to hit my local bar up for campaigning for a keg - there has to be a way to get it across state lines...

if we pay briggs (a guy in a position we dont need) how will we be able to resign cooley or extend the reaper?

Posted by: POC | April 27, 2007 12:40 AM

Agreed, but Snyder and his cap guys usually find a way when it suits them.

Sheriff Gonna Getcha -

Nah I'm a Melbourne boy. So are you an Aussie, or holidaying or what?

If the FO is seriously thinking about Briggs, then there's something we don't know, like Washington's health, or Rocky can't count past 10 while he's wearing shoes.

POC, I totally dig where you're coming from, but someone else made the same comparison up here recently, which led to a response that Gibbs' words and actions don't get people killed. The metaphor can only work to a point.

I just heard a guy behind me at the bar use the phrase 'super-smart.'

If we take Lando - don't we have like 25 mill locked up in our defensive backfield? The guy is a stud but isn't that too much money in one area? Sounds like the Knick backcourt...

First impression on the Briggs deal - both teams are feeling each other out, trying to see who is more desperate for the trade.

Nate, you are no pretender! Your team, we shall see. I am working on a better word, but instead of adversary, maybe "foil".

Did anyone else find the most surprising thing in the article to be that Williams is adopting large parts of the Bears D?

We're going 3-4?

I'm going to have to take back all of those things I said about Carriker.

gaines adams is a beast. I'd worry about our ability to stop the run in the NFC East with him, however, and those are the six games you want to focus on.
Still want Branch, cause huge, athletic, run-stuffers don't grow on trees and I don't have to worry about the rumormongering -- or being held accountable -- or paying the fat, lazy slob's salary.

Feeling each other out with TWO DAYS 'til the draft? I don't like it. As the sporadically great Rico Bell sang, 'There's a hole in the thing/And the whole thing stinks.'

If the Redksins are adopting the bears D, we could use a 5th linebacker

Foil is the perfect word, SMACK. But I'm the fool/clown up here, and the clown doesn't usually have a foil. I think we're looking for dcsween or someone to step forward and be the proper hero opposite your foil.

General Fool am I.

Blind fan? Maybe. Eternally optimistic to naive? Quite possibly (as long as Gibbs is still there - when he leaves - pessimism takes over).

Kevin Duckworth should have been on the list of dudes who came to DC specifically to put on weight and end their playing careers.

I'd rather build for the future with 6, but Briggs, a 3rd rounder and the 31st wouldn't be a disaster.

I'm still hoping for my trade scenario:

6 to 9, pick up #60 or #71 - miami can draft brady quinn before the vikings
9 to 12, pick up #90 - buffalo can draft Patrick Willis before the 49ers do

#12 - Jamaal Anderson, DE
#60/71 - Eric Weddle/Sabby Piscitelli, S
#90 - Josh Beekman, G

and maybe pick up that 370 pounder, Walter Thomas, later on who benches 475, squats 800 pounds, has run a sub 5 second 40 and is able to do backflips. (even if he doesn't get into a game he can join the cheerleaders)

skinswest, you gotta admit that the idea of Coach Grimm gets you excited. I he takes over there will be no room for pessimism.

Kind of funny that the Skns meet with the top 25 prospects, then might end up with the 31st pick - they won't have met any of the players they are looking at.

Sheriff, another pint of this pale ale -- or another scan of that Briggs article -- and I'll do a backflip off this barstool.

I think it's still just trying to get value for the #6. If Quinn the Eskimo is available come our turn, Miami and Minnesota wouldn't normally worry about the Skins choosing him. But if there's a chance we make a trade with Chicago, who is a big chance to choose Brady, they might have to make it worth our while to trade so they can get they man.

Well, Chicago plays a 4-3.

But I'd be shocked if you couldn't say that everyone is going to steal some ideas from Chicago. Their defense is too good not to, and the sheen is wearing off the cover-2...

Sheriff-

I love that scenario. Too good to be true. Would be happy with one of the 350 pounders out of Fresno State too.

cload - I agree about the problems with the run def. Just think you don't pass on a top pass rusher when you have the chance. Take Adams and hope they can get another Golston later and Griffin returns to form, play alot of 8 men in the box on 1 and second down, let Adams and Carter loose on 3rd. who knows?

I will donate $100 to the RI relief fund if anyone correctly guesses the Boys #1 pick before the draft.

The catch is you have to post your guess before midnight on Friday.

Certainly, keeping the Briggs deal in play should help drive other teams into the discussion.
And it wouldn't be the end of a once-proud franchise (although it might delay the emergence from ashes of a once-proud franchise...)

Our defense is a lot like Chicago's isn't it? The D-Line ties up the O-Line, so that the back 7 can make plays? Problem is, our D-Line is like a seive.

Kost-
Ah, sorry. Someone mentioned you/Sydney earlier. No I'm from northern Virginia, im just in Australia on exchange from UVA for a semester. Watched the Superbowl at 9am in Queensland. Got up at 6:45am to see the Colts/Ravens playoff game. Been up at 4am for March Madness games. It's been a strange sports year for me so far...

SMACK - Michael Griffin, S, Texas.

Okay, 4-3 for Chicago - that negates the last 20 minutes of my life...

If you had to put odds on it right now, what are the chances that Washing ton makes a trade with Chicago?

I'm thinking 8 to 1

Speaking of the draft:

Hop Pocket was a micro-brew winner, back in the DC area.

Snake River Pale Ale brewed in WY is very nice, but hard to find.

Mirror Pond Pale Ale from Deschutes Brewing, very popular.

My picks for low to medium gravity.

This is what it looks like, folks. The breakneck pace of the past few hours is what we need to get to 50k by Saturday noon Eastern. 80-100 comments per hour.

If we can do it up here with a skeleton crew cobbled together from across the globe, we can do it during the US day shift when so many of the blog peeps are on in full force.

Sheriff Gonna Getcha - I know what you mean, Draft starts @2am here, think it's 1am up there. Not fun if the skins start getting picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds!! hahaha

Sheriff, you're a UVa man? Wahoowa!

English '93 representing.

Nate - I think Grimm might make a great HC for the skins. He certainly knows about knocking heads in the NFC East. My only worry about him is he's never even been a coordinator. I know some guys have made the jump from position coach to HC (Mike Tice, Reid?, GB coach?) but not many. Yeah he's been around awhile but does he know how to gameplan? My gut reaction is probably yes but man I'd hate for him to struggle here especially with Snyder hanging over his shoulder. Although, could you see Snyder treating Grimm the way he did Norv? Pulling him into meetings immediately after losses and demanding answers. Grimm would pancake him through the linoleum.

SMACK

Robert Meachem, WR

If Adams can't handle the run, then they'll platoon him with Daniels and he'll be a third-down rush specialist. That's a lot of money for someone who won't play every down.
Daniels played pretty well when healthy; Golston and Montgomery played well for 5th/6th rounders, but they need to be supporters, not starters.
Adams is a legit choice, no doubt.

One more time, with feeling:

ROLL CALL

#6DoubleEL, 4-12, bangkokben, BT, Bucktown Skins Fan, CC, cdubb, Cheyenne, WY, chris Larry, cload and daggar, connskins, cosmofla, dcsween, dealer, EaglesFan (Adam), ES, etrod, Governor, The + ArtMonkToTheSticks (Blades of Glory pairs division), Greg (Boston), Hail to 'em, Inigo Montoya, jm220, John D in Houston, JonTKP126, JustMe, kost52, Larry Bud, LH AKA Learned Hand, Lisa, MrSpartan, mugamack, MV Dame, Nate in the PDX, Ocho-Ocho, Old School, Otter, P Diddy, Paps in Manila, Periculum, protosnot, Pulldownclaw, RBD202, Ricky Bobby, sfskin, skinfanman, Skinz, skinswest, SMACK, The Diesel, The Mole, Wes Mantooth

As suggested by our Sergeant-at-Arms, MV Dame, if your name is on this list, I implore you to do your best to comment, on average, once per hour from now through Saturday morning, Eastern time.

If your name is not on this list, post even more! If you're a veteran who's gone MIA -- SallieMae, 4th Floor, Megskin!!!, HaikuMan, Dorf, skinsfan@8kaboveMSL, Jeff Hayes, so many others -- now is the time! If you're a longtime lurker, become a first time commenter!

THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed so far. Keep it up! We need you now more than ever!

If they took a wide receiver with 31, I wouldn't be happy.

I'm worried, very worried

We're not too bad. But boy I'm glad JLC got a new thread going.

The real secret will be fanning the flames and getting like 5 or 6+ posts a minute during prime time tomorrow and Saturday.

It'll be hard to follow the treads, but who cares!

muga, if they pick offense before defense, we'll know this whole 'responsible' offseason has been a lie.

BOOFER!!! Come on bro!!

Nate- if I post 100 times on this board before morning, we need to do a six-pack exchange.

Fair warning - i'm off to the wine country tomorrow afternoon, with no internet, so someone will have to pick up the slack.

But I will do my part while I can.

muga, you're ON, brother! I'll be counting.

that's it for me, taking some dessert home to Mrs. Nate (good food at this bar too! loving the new neighborhood).

GREAT chatting with you all. be well. and keep hitting that submit button, no matter what you have to say. submit!

As for Draft location, I vote for Philly, every single year. Imagine those philly fans booing every top pick who isn't going to the Eagles.

Gotcha, cload and muga, interesting thoughts. I definitely was onto Meacham, the safety, not so much.

And imagine if Philly screwed up the pick? The McNabb boos would be nothing in comparison.

SMACK, you may have to repost your challenge (or I may have to do it for you) tomorrow morning - if enough people guess enough players, you'll be one charitable dude

So why doesn't anyone post on Maske's blog?
(of course now is not the time)

He must be jealous, right?

Cload - true but even a rookie DT (okoye) would likely be platooned at first. Maybe Adams starts as a 3rd down specialist but gets more play later in the season. It's been so long since they had a DE that actually scared opposing QB's. Wishful thinking on my part that Adams is such a DE? Possibly - just not as excited about a safety (Landry) as alot of others seem to be.

SMACK - I'll go with Chris Houston, you have Newman and Henry, but I'm pretty sure Newman is heading into the last year of his contract and could be looking for a big, big payday.

SMACK -- has Dallas had much 'draft intrigue'? I know there's a lot of swirl about who they're targeting at #22, but any talk of trades/swaps/etc.?

second choice, and it's a distant second, Boston. So many college kids, so much pre-game drinking, it could be a very hostile environment. But the level of heckling would be off the charts.

Mase GAVE UP the Redskins beat.

He is dead to me.

Maske, not Mase.

But as soon as Mama Celeste dies, he's going to the bottom of Lake Tahoe.

True about rotating DT as well, skinswest. But less situational and more performance/stamina related. Okoye might not play every down, but he could play any down.

Not the kind of critical difference you'd want to base your season on, but something to consider as you make your choice.

I've never been preoccupied with what Dallas is doing or saying.

Though the first place I've gone after the last three glorious wins over the "boys was the Dallas Star Ledger.

I actualy had my friend send me the Dallas sports section after the Monday Night comeback.

I am charitable, but I did say anybody. That's a one time payment. Though I was going to make it either way.

anyone we pick on the D line will be rotating in at first. Who would get into the starting lineup first probably would depend on injury

SMACK

wasn't thinking you'd pay more than once, just that every possible player could be suggested before tomorrow night

I've gotten a little mileage out of the julius rumors, but I don't want to bore you. I got nothing. I was gonna ask JLC about any Cowboy rumors because our squad is pretty weak. But I thought I'd be laughed at by the man.

I loved drinking fat tire back when you could only get it in 22 ounce bottles.

I think Fat Tire was bought by a big beer company and is now distrubuted all over the west

Nate-
Good to feel a little Wahoo love. I know our team has been terrible but our new, freakishly athletic QB, Jamal Sewell, is gonna turn some heads. We still probably won't win a lot, but at least he'll make it fun to watch -- I guess I'll know what it's like to be a Falcons fan.
Side note on Jamal Sewell - my friends and I played Sewell and a few of the football players in a pickup game at the beginning of the year. My roommate, who's a pretty strong guy, as far as non-Division I athletes are concerned, stuffed Sewell as he went up for a layup...but Sewell literally just went through him and scored. We were stunned. My roommate goes, "Shut the f*** up!" Now where he's from, thats a compliment, like "I can't believe you just did that!". But Sewell turns around angrily and yells "NO YOU SHUT THE F*** UP!" My friends shocked/terrified face was priceless.

Nope

dead wrong

Fat Tire is employee owned - Pretty cool.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Belgium_Brewing_Company

Place I don't think the draft would work:

San Francisco. Weather is too nice and fans are seasonal. turn-out would be disappointing and there wouldn't be much reaction.

But a highlight film of the top prospects being led on a walking tour of the Castro District would be entertaining.

Why is it called Fat Tire? Is that how your stomach looks after drinking a few?

Calvin Johnson and Terrell Owens. Are you kidding me?

Yeah muga, if you want to get started it'll get us closer to our goal.

Same thing with San Diego, but the fun higlight film of the prospects would involve TJ and a personal bottle of tequila for each prospect. That Oakland Center who went AWOL before the superbowl would have nothing on these guys.

There's a picture of a "Fat Tire" cruising bicycle on the bottle label.

Yeah muga, if you want to get started it'll get us closer to our goal.

Posted by: SMACK | April 27, 2007 01:36 AM

___________

Huh?

I would have tried out for the Redskins, but I have Avian Bone Syndrome.

Hollow Bones

Hollow Bones

Draft in DC:

What about the draft in the the House of Representatives?

What politician could be against this? Everyone loves football...

I'm alone here, huh....

...so cold....

All this continued discussion of micro-brews and pale ales is getting me upset. I beg you, please stop ...

I can't so many are surprised this Briggs stuff came back. I thought it was well known both teams put it on a shelf until closer to the draft.

mugamack, the one man night shift show!

Chicago would make for an excellent Draft site. They realy know how to appreciate athletes in Chicago. everyone would get cheered. Great town. The only way to eat a hot dog.

Nate - I want in that beer exchange thing (i'm up to about 25 posts today). Hmm, how can you ship bottles safetly across the Pacific?

At the risk of saying something CONTROVERSIAL here is another draft scenario (if my trades don't go through)...
The Skins can't find a single trading partner. They're stuck in the #6 pick. They're looking at a Safety who fills a moderate need, and may have #6 overall talent, but invests a gross amount of money in the defensive backfield and probably fills a position with a potential superstar, when we need an immediate 'solid' role player. They're also looking at a potentially great DT who may be a few years away from contributing. Finally, they're eyeing a DE who could step in right away and contribute as a pass rusher and not give up anything against the run. He has long-term potential but an immediate impact as well in a position of our highest need. But...they could get him with a pick in the early teens and for A LOT less money than the #6 entails.

So what do they do? Wait. And wait. And wait. When you run out of your time on the clock they move you down and other teams get to pick. So if we don't have a trade partner then lets just slide to the 12-14 range, pick up Jamaal Anderson who fills our biggest need, and at 12-14 will cost much less than he would at #6. There's some truth to the idea that the absurd salaries at the top of the draft really do handcuff the bad teams who earned those spots and really makes it difficult financially for them to get better. So let's downgrade our financial obligation and take the guy we want.

I know what you mena Paps, 8 minutes until knock off time here, and I'm literally salivating! Might have to hit a drive thru on the way home and pick up a slab!

....hey, we needed something to talk about

Yeah, a Tooey's sounds good about now - I've still got 4 hours to go! (and painful internal meeting coming up).

Did Kwame Brown really just help the Lakers win a playoff game? You are sh*tting me ... 19 points.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=270426013

Sheriff-

What happens when San Francisco takes Anderson with the 11th pick?

Sheriff Gonna Getcha - I like it! Gonna pull the old Vikings switcheroo! Must say I'd imagine Mr.Anderson not being too happy with it though, he'd potentially be losing quite a bit of cash.......in theory.

Anyone care to wager on game four of the Suns/Lakers series? I'll take the Suns -15.

Another Lando note:

I liken the Lando situation to what happened in the NBA draft last year. Memphis traded Shane Battier to Houston for the rights to Rudy Gay. Rudy Gay was the most talented prospect in last years draft (not the most polished - Brandon Roy). He has seemingly limitless athletic potential and he has superstar potential as a cornerstone of a young team. So why would Houston trade that? Because that isn't what they needed. They wanted Battier because he's a 'glue guy'. He plays defense, passes, and hits open threes when superstars like Yao and McGrady are double teamed. Anyway, my point is that Lando is like Rudy Gay. He has huge potential and will most likely be a bigtime player in the NFL for years to come, but what the Skins need at Saftey alongside Sean Taylor is a glue guy - someone who will help with assignments, break on balls, and make the necessary tackles. The D-line could use a superstar, but the backfield just needs a glue guy to go with Taylor.

yeah, but letting our pick just slip basically gives away value, even if that value is only 5th or 6th rounder. and remember, its Danny's money not ours.

Oh and look what that Battier trade did for Houston. This is their best team in the McGrady/Yao era by far. GLUE GUYS!

Sheriff-

I love the idea of trading down to 12 nd risking losing Anderson to SF, but not for NOTHING.

Someone is going to be on the board that is coveted by the 7-12 teams. let's say it's Peterson and it should cost Buffalo an early 2nd round pick to move up to six. You are saying they wouldn't do it for a 4th rounder?

I like the idea, just don't think it works in reality.

Doesn't mean Vinnie won't try it though.

sheriff-

Once again, you have hit the nail on the head. While having Landry back along side Taylor would be a wildly interesting experiment, and might pay off in a way no one expects, it's insanely risky.

It could be as big a shabingus as Arch. Probably not, but why risk it if there's a chance to trade down and pick up a glue guy like Weddle.

Weddle is the ultimate glue guy.

Not a glue guy: Lance Briggs.

Glue Guy: Jon Jansen

Washington has the largest NFL stadium and the wealthiest NFL franchise. We are not worthy.

Vinnie is like a white geisha

We have the largest NFL stadium becasue they don't make stadius big enough to handle the number of fans who are willing to pay the highest prices in the league to be at the games. The Redskins are the wealthiest because they have the most fans who are willing to spend on the team.

How are we not worthy? We are the best fanbase in the world.

I'm thinking the D isn't going to be so miserable next year, no matter what we do in the first round. The injury bug killed us last year, and injuries rarely destroy teams two years in a row (I have no facts to back this up).

I think it all comes down to Soup.

The running game will be there, but teams will stack against the run to make Soup prove himself.

muga - I think 49ers would take Willis. But if you'd be worried about that then slipping to 10 does the same thing.

paps - That is sort of my point with the financial aspects. A draft pick is usually seen in two dimensions. 1. Value - how talented he is, how much potential, basically just how good he is. 2. Need - how much he fills a major deficiency of the team. Many NFL draft pundits will say you should never draft for need. You take the best player in the best spot. But this theory is never 100% true. Nowhere near it. That is why the Skins aren't even considering Adrian Peterson. He may be one of the best talents in the entire draft, but we-do-not-need-him. So now we're getting into a complicated relationship between value and need. Of course, you always want the player who is a perfect combination of both - perhaps if Joe Thomas dropped to Arizona or if Buffalo got Patrick Willis at 12 in this draft. But, my argument is that the financial implications of drafting a player at the top of the round offsets these two factors. It does so by decreasing the value of a player. I look at it as a team aggregate value. Because of the salary cap, even if a player is amazing, the portion of the cap he eats up affects his value. We can mostly agree that Peyton Manning is the most important player in the NFL, but if he ate up half the payroll he would severely limit his team from getting other good players. Manning, Marvin Harrison, Tarik Glenn, Reggie Wayne, Ryan Diem, and Dwight Freeney are the reason the colts lost so many players every offseason. They can't afford to keep other players because their stars make more than other teams 'stars'. Now at the top of the draft, players are getting GUARANTEES in the 20million range. Some are saying that if JaMarcus goes 1 this year he will get 30 mil in guarantees before ever playing a game. Now what if he is a bust? Look at Houston with David Carr. They have had to invest so much money into unproven players every year that they can't afford to keep standouts or shop for FA. My point is that if you get a player from the top of the draft you WILL pay a boatload of cash to him, but he may not perform for you. So a player's value at the top of the draft is somewhat deceptive because even though he is very good (and he may not be in the NFL), he costs so much that he keeps the team from entertaining other financial possibilities. Perhaps resigning players or even FA could help the team more per dollar than signing an untested rookie for dozens of guaranteed millions.
In conclusion, you obviously want to receive compensation for dropping down in the draft, but dropping down to avoid absurd monetary responsibilities may actually be seen as just as much value as picks. If dropping down let us keep Sean Taylor and Chris Cooley for 5 more years,isn't that worth something?

If Soup can beat man-to-man coverage, the Redskins can do damage. But that is the difference between 5-11 and 11-5.

And it may take Soup 3 or 4 games, so then we would be at 8-8...

But I have faith in Soup. If he wants that Chunky Soup contract, he has to earn it.

Sheriff-

I think you are avoiding the reality that teams will trade a 4th rounder when the draft chart says a trade calls for a 2nd rounder. why shift down without SOME compensation?

Wow, sorry for that long rant. And yes, I know it sounds absurd but I think there is some truth there.

Muga-
I think you and I will consider Saturday a success if we end up with Eric Weddle. You're right, he is the ultimate glue guy. Hopefully we get some d-line help too, but with our FO anything is possible. Maybe we should just be happy if we don't end up with Patrick Ramsey back from Denver somehow???

Okay, I'm over 50 posts with this topic... halfway to beer.

Everyone's favorite glue guy: Chris Cooley.

"I think he has scurvy... he keeps asking for lemon..."

Sheriff - I'm with you on the value/need argument. Listen I would be overjoyed if they traded #6 into a basket of 2/3/4 rounders. But this team has consistently shown it will just make harsh cap adjustments if and when necessary (they take a punt on how much the cap will increase year to year), and not bother matching contracts with position value.

You wouldn't rather have Ramsey as 3rd QB?

I always felt like Ramsey got a raw deal...

I remember him driving down the field in a philly game at the end of the 4th quarter and the receiver dropping the ball that would have been a winning touchdown...

He just didn't have the talent around him.

By the end, he started hearing footsteps...

muga-
True. Teams would give up less than market value. Both scenarios would have interesting consequences. If we took a 4th rounder this year instead of a 2nd, then teams might not offer market value in any future trade. But obviously my scenario is very unrealistic. And it's interesting because in my scenario teams are actually looking at value much MORE, rather than less (in a weird way). Because they are saying "Jamaal Anderson is a #10 value, not a #6 value". And letting that decide their decision (though it's still completely financially driven). I'd apologize for babbling and spreading crazy ideas but we're trying to get to 50k so I figure it's ok.

Plus I think there's some truth in your statement about the defense (not about injuries never happening 2 years in a row). We really were hit hard by injuries last year. But the other two unavoidable factors were Aging and Meshing. Obviously our d-line is pretty old. But also, coaches didn't know how to use Carter for a couple months and Archuletta didn't mesh at all. Smooter and Fletcher should mesh very well given their backgrounds. So I'm optimistic

Maybe I missed it but why is it that we still have not heard a peep on who is going to replace Dock? If we will rely on the running game, we will need 5 guys on the OL to open up those holes for Portis/Betts

People should check out Mike Grier's goal tonight for the Sharks against the Red Wings. puck passed down the center of the ice, Grier does a 360 slap shot while in motion, puts it through the 5 hole. Thing of beauty. Should be up for an espy.

Wade will replace Dock.. We haven't heard anything more on it because there haven't been any minicamps yet.

Sheriff-

don't get me wrong - I love the idea and that you've raised it here, just trying to give an honest response. I think we're on the same page - Redskins should get to a place where they are getting maximum cap value, even if it means taking an extrea pick in a trade that doesn't offer full draft chart value.

paps - True, we are the masters of the financial guessing game. But once again, I'm not saying we should do this (or any team should), I'm just saying it theoretically has some merit.

muga - Honestly I don't know about Ramsey. I think I'd rather have new, young prospect from a late round choice or unsigned. I remember Ramsey having some bright spots but I also remember a lot of other things. I agree he got a raw deal, but I view him in similar light as Kwame Brown. I think both had/have amazing potential and were put into bad situations with absurdly high expectations and once their confidence was broken from repeated failure, they will most likely never be the great player they could/should have been. I'd rather have someone with promise and a fresh start to their career. Hopefully they will never see the light of day as a starter anyway - Soupy! By the way, has any backup QB ever been as valuable to a team as Matt Schaub was??? Played in a few games here and there with no real responsibility or expecation and then they get a fortune for him in trade.