Hooray!

I am disgusted...plain and simple.

First, Gregg Williams is stabbed in the back. He could have gone elsewere to be a head coach two years ago, but was assured the head coach position here following a Gibbs departure. HE WAS LIED TO!

Then, promoting the biggest no talent in the history of football personnel men to be your head football guy.

Then, the circus to hire a new head coach.

Then, hiring a neophyte head coach.

Then, totally sitting back while good players of all price and skill level are snatched up by other teams, when you are in desparate need of filling holes and creating depth.

Then, acting as if Hackett is the second coming of Jerry Rice!

Are you FREAKING kidding me?

Is the Danny looking for the NFL eqiuivalent of a tax write off? Are we secretly trying to go 0-16 to get someone on the Danny's wish list in next year's draft.

At this point, we need to take the Caps approach from a couple of years ago...

Step 1. Trade all high priced older players for draft picks.

Step 2. Package those draft picks together to get higher draft picks.

Step 3. Draft well.

My list for potential trade bait is as follows:

1. Clinton Portis
2. Jason Campbell
3. Shawn Springs
4. Marcus Washington
5. Santana Moss

All of these, but Jason Campbell are on the down slide of their career. As for Jason, he will never develop to be an NFL caliber quarterback.

If we house clean in this way, it clears cap room for future free agents, and allows us to get some hungry, young blood in here.

If we don't bite the bullet now, we'll be eating that bullet next season.

I love the decision to use Alexander on both sides of the ball. It's nice to have that flexibility and depth.

I love alexander on both sides of the ball but he said in a previous interview he was tired of it and happy when promised by gibbs that he would go on offense-only. i dont think he's very happy right now.

Geelong opens its season on Thursday

sports_guru, your comments in the first half of your post are too sensational and rediculous to even reply to. suffice to say, i disagree with every single one of them. several of them i disagree with because you state as fact things which simply were not true.

Now moving on to the part of your post after the rediculous rant:

Step 1: If we could do it, i would agree with you. However, no one would want our high-priced veterans. Aside from lack of interest, the cap ramifactions of doing this would kill us. Every year we restructure the deals of our older players, taking "theoretical" money and converting it into garaunteed money - the result being that our older players are, for the most part, untradeable - the cap hit would just be too large.

Step 2: Wouldnt work because step 1 wouldnt happen. Given that we won't have any extra draft picks, i am all for trading down out of the 1st if possible.

Step 3: Amen. If we draft really well the next two or three years, we will be set. Regarding players whom we could actually trade, the only one with any value is Jason Campbell. And I think we should trade him right now to a team like Miami.

So if you trade Campbell, are you going to start Collins?

Thank God sports guru isn't our GM. We would be in salary cap hell for the next 10 years.

Sports_guru is just having fun with you. No one in their right mind can go along with that.

Good one SG!!!!

Awesome post. Great quotes!

Love that Lorenzo Alexander (who desperately needs a nickname) is still going to be doing everything except be under center. Love, love, love that.

I alluded to it in my previous post, but I figure I should explain my reasons for beleiving we should trade Jason Campbell:

1) First and Foremost, Jason Campell does not fit the most of a WCO QB. In fact, his skills and weaknesses are the exact opposite of what you look for in a WCO QB.

2) We have Todd Collins. He is a veteran QB who is your IDEAL WCO QB.

3) This is a very weak year for QBs in the draft. Jason Campbell is more attractive to another team than ANY QB in the draft. I imagine a team like Miami or Atlanta would give us their 2nd and 3rd rounder for Jason Campbell in a heartbeat. This would allow them to fill their other needs in the draft. This draft has quite a few QBs slotted to go in the 2nd and 3rd rounds who would make ideal WCO QBs

4) Jasons value is very high now. Before getting injured, he was doing nothing but impress. If he struggles this year under the WCO, it will only hurt his value to us.

5) We really need to build depth along our offensive and defensive lines this year. We need a starting cornerback and we need a #2 WR.

Please understand that I am not knocking Jason Campbell and i think he is an exceptional QB. But he is not a WCO quarterback and we have Todd Collins. Jason Campbell simply has more value to us right now in a trade than he has to us under center.

Man , there's some serious negativity happening today people. My gut tells me Zorn's going to work out, but my mind tells me I'm crazy. I'll give it a year. In the mean time the front office is acting like a front office. Not like a bunch of pre-teens playing they're first game of Halo. Maybe Danny boys getting older and wiser. Lets hope, so. Next year if we're in the same position with no growth. Let the true negativity begin.

Done worry be happy.

If we house clean in this way, it clears cap room for future free agents, and allows us to get some hungry, young blood in here.

If we don't bite the bullet now, we'll be eating that bullet next season.

Posted by: Sports_Guru | March 17, 2008 02:56 PM

We just restructed most of those contracts. which allowed them to spread the bonus out over the life of the contracts. If you trade those contracts, The full bonus is applied to your cap THIS YEAR. They would be unable to field a team this year. As far as the Caps, I do believe they were starting from scratch since the NHL had cancelled a season which allowed the teams to restructure their books.

Sports Guru, feels like the St. Patrick is calling you to log out. Fortunately, "services" in his honor are all over the place today.

Lozo (does that work? what does Smoot call him?) should be the #2 fullback ... like the re-invented Klecko.

Ummm, yeah. Sports Guru really should change his name.

1. How do you know Gregg Williams was lied to? He was never quoted as saying he'll be the next coach after Gibbs, nor was it in his contract. It was speculated as such by the media and fans.

2. Correct me if I'm wrong but nobody (In the Redskins organization) said Hackett was the next Jerry Rice. Maybe some fans or media did but the skins didn't.

3. If we "cleaned house" by cutting all those players we would be biting the bullet next season. That would only cause dead cap space and we couldn't sign anyone.

Im really annoyed that everybody is down on JC, I thought he played exceptional last year despite everybody else on the offensive side of the ball. We couldnt establish the run virtually all season due to injuries and portis not being a gibbs-esque rb. Our receivers were banged up all year and even when they were healthy they couldnt hang on to the ball (anyone remember the green bay game?). Cut JC some slack, hes good, hes the future of this franchise, and qbs of his talent are a dime a dozen. It takes time, look at Eli.

CASEY RABACH

Anyone else see the video of Rabach arriving at Redskin Park in two cars? One for him, one for his Package.

Sports_Guru go away.

+++I love the decision to use Alexander on both sides of the ball. It's nice to have that flexibility and depth.

Posted by: HokiePaul | March 17, 2008 02:58 PM++++

Me too. Now take some of that cap money not spent on Hackett or others and give Alexander a long contract extension to lock him up before he becomes MORE expensive.

Why don't we just trade our entire team to dallas for their team. Would that make the skins better? You guys are CRAZY. Trading JC? The guy has earned at least one more year under center. 09 I'm noncommittal on at this time.

I love how people just assume JC can't do well in a WC offense. He played in a similar scheme at Auburn when he was a senior and completed around 70% of his passes. Yeah, let's trade him for a 2nd and a 3rd when we gave up multiple picks in order to get him 3 years ago. I like Collins but can't say I'd want to see him over a 16 game schedule and then when he is done in a year or 2 we are back to qb carousel. Sheesh.

SETH.LEMASTER,

I disagree, no wait I agree. Go back and read your post, clearly you think JC is an excellent QB, but he's just not THE one you want.

Your only reason to trade JC is because he's not a real WCO QB. I don't agree. Or I'm willing to accept Zorn's judgment (competition for QB is over, JC is the starter).

I'm anxious to see how he does when he's not running for his life. Base on the recent comments by players, JC may be more comfortable in the WCO, than he was in Saunder's system.

Eh, Thanks for the Beep Beep on the last page that never came!!

I gotta give it to the 'skins. The front office is making a point and sticking to it. I am giving them the benefit of the doubt that there is no alternative motive for them doing this.

Hey, JayZ has seen Hackett work everyday for 4 years. If he needed him, the redskins would have def ponied up the mula. But, they didn't, so he wasn't important.

Posted by: 4thFloor | March 17, 2008 03:54 PM

"I'll give it a year. In the mean time the front office is acting like a front office. Not like a bunch of pre-teens playing they're first game of Halo."

Nice work Bern.

LMGO

Who'd a thunk it?

Stumped, do you remember when Gibbs first came here and the very first thing he did was praise Ramsey and state that he was the starter? Then what did he do? He went out and got Mark Brunell. Then, remember when he praised MB and said he was the undisputed starter... we went out and got Jason Campbell.

Coaches will say whatever they need to say at the moment. We don't know the form of the WCO that Zorn plans to run here. its possible he will modify the offense to suit JCs strengths and cover his weakenesses. However, i strongly feel a new HC (especially one who is offensively minded) is going to want two things to make his job easier:

1) A Veteran QB he can trust, who is familiar with his system and not screw things up

2) he's going to want to draft a QB and mold him to be a future starter.

Obviously, we dont know anything about zorn and we dont know anything about campbell under a zorn offense. But at this point, i feel strongly Collins gives Zorn the best chance to succede NOW and that JC is more valuable to another team than he is to zorn.

SETH.LEMASTER,

A agree with both points above, without reservation. In fact, I made point 2 myself up here not too long ago.

1) We have re-signed Collins.
2) They're looking for a number 3. (Zorn, QB turned QB coach, turned Head Coach just won't be able to resist drafting a young QB).

But we disagree on JC, because I think he needs another season to prove he is who we think he is and yet another season to really hit his prime.

It sounds like you'd rather capitalize on JC's trade value now.

But as someone already asked: What do you do in a few years when Collins can't play? Use the draft for another young prospect.

Seth said, "i dont think he's very happy right now"

How could you write this DESPITE Lorenzo Alexander HIMSELF stating, " I like doing it. It's fun."

I don't get that. How can you be that stupid? He, LORENZO stated, "I like doing it. It's fun"

You translate that to mean "he's not happy".

Wow...just wow...this is a new low...

So, who do the hamsters up here think was the best Redskins Quarterback of all time?

We're all entitled to our opinion. Even SG and Pooly.

The development of a QB takes patience. JC has all the tools, but just needs to develop. if he doesn't perform then perhaps Collins should get the nod. We just need a winning QB regardless of who it is. Todd Collins looked like a backup in the Seattle game.

Oh yeah...that pick that JC threw against Tampa was horrible, but he's still my guy. Hey...Bret Favre threw picks like water.

rr, that might have been due to Collins having to throw with Pat Kerney in his grille every down.

I believe Jason Campbell was in a WCO his senior year at Auburn. I think he won a championship that year also...with Anthony Mix...hmmmm? Everyone chill on JC, he's gonna be great, especially with not having "timed" routes. Players getting jammed at the line causes disruptions in that system. I think we'll be ok in a couple years. GO SKINS!!!

I though Lorenzo Alexander's nickname was Scarface???

Is it possible that the change in attitude in to F.O. this offseason has something to do with Vinnie actually being in charge? Perhaps Mr Snyder has taken a back seat and let Uncle Junior call the shots.

Sports Guru

Tip: Stop eating paint chips.

If the front office thought Hackett was the next Jerry Rice, why did they offer him eleven dollars and some coupons to the Sizzler? Everyone here knows that Anthony Mix is the next Jerry Rice, anyway.

The greatest 'Skins QB of all time is obviously Dan Marino. Duh.

--PaddyDiddy

David Woodley!

O'riginal_etrod.

Happy St.Patrick's Day people! I hope you're all wetting your whistles with a nice green beveridge or 13!

And if your boss gives you evils for coming to work tomorrow a little green you just tell him 'Pog Mo Thoin!'

Well, maybe Rich Gannon.

--PaddyDiddy

If the front office thought Hackett was the next Jerry Rice, why did they offer him eleven dollars and some coupons to the Sizzler? Everyone here knows that Anthony Mix is the next Jerry Rice, anyway.

Posted by: Original_etrod | March 17, 2008 05:04 PM

And if that doesn't work, we're going to try Lorenzo Alexander at wideout!

*** St. Patrick's Alert ***

Okay, it's after 5:00 here on the East Coast. By now you should have finished your case of Guinness and cracked open your bottle of Jameson's. If you're behind this schedule, then chug-a-lug: the schedule was laid down by St. Patrick, himself, on his 28th birthday. It's part of what made him a saint.

*** end of St. Patrick's Alert ***

talent_o'valuator

While promoting a position coach to HC has me a bit wary of what next season will look like, I do think there's a lot of potential for this team. I think Cooley and especially Portis are much more suited to the WCO. I never thought Portis was a good fit for what Gibbs liked in a RB. If he can make it through the preseason healthy I think he'll remind folks of that explosive RB we saw in Denver (and that the Broncos have yet to replace even with their RB "friendly" system).

- mtnskinsfanahan

Must give a shout to jason for letting me know about all the fans I have here on the blog. I LOVE YOU ALLLLLLLL !!!!!!!!

Must give a shout to jason for letting me know about all the fans I have here on the blog. I LOVE YOU ALLLLLLLL !!!!!!!!

Must give a shout to jason for letting me know about all the fans I have here on the blog. I LOVE YOU ALLLLLLLL !!!!!!!!

Must give a shout to jason for letting me know about all the fans I have here on the blog. I LOVE YOU ALLLLLLLL !!!!!!!!

Must give a shout to jason for letting me know about all the fans I have here on the blog. I LOVE YOU ALLLLLLLL !!!!!!!!

Must give a shout to jason for letting me know about all the fans I have here on the blog. I LOVE YOU ALLLLLLLL !!!!!!!!

Must give a shout to jason for letting me know about all the fans I have here on the blog. I LOVE YOU ALLLLLLLL !!!!!!!!

Must give a shout to jason for letting me know about all the fans I have here on the blog. I LOVE YOU ALLLLLLLL !!!!!!!!

I tell you what, some of these draft prospects aren't exactly helping their cause are they. With Calais Campbell's poor showings, Phillip Merling had a lot to gain by performing well at his Pro-Day, but he didn't workout because of injury. Now Malcolm Kelly, who could've cemented his spot as the #1 WR in the draft has pulled out of his Pro-Day.

The poor performances of these DE's must be getting USC's Lawrence Jackson excited. He had been look at as a 2nd rounder, but now teams (like us) will be looking at him in the late 1st round, even though he's expected to not be a superstar but a solid consistent contributor.

LET'S GIVE JIM ZORN A CHANCE, THE OTHER STUFF IS WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE AS THEY SAY. WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS WATCH OUR SPENDING, DRAFT WELL, AND MAKE SENSIBLE TRADES. I'M NOT SAYING BEING TO PASSIVE, BUT SOMEWHAT AGGRESSIVE. WE HAVE TALENT ON THIS TEAM . THX GO SKINS! P.S. MAN I MISS SEAN TAYLOR.

Interesting article on this year's DL draft prospects.

http://www.jaguars.com/news/article.aspx?id=6813&source=rss

Um...has anyone on this board ever actually seen Mix play? Not to say he's bad, but the fact that he's got size does not by itself mean that he's loaded with potential.

Rich Gannon, Trent Green, Sage Rosenfels...no seriously, best Skins QB has got to be either Sonny Jurgensen or John Friesz.

Casey Rabach on the offseason program and the Redskins: "It's the same as normal".

...I genuinely don't know if that is a good or bad thing...

-McFunk

AMEN!!!!! Guru you can tell by the name that his GM career would be very short lived...... However, its a new beginning at Redskins Park, Give the them a chance.
I love the approach thus far, we are no longer setting players up for their life after football with those sick lucrative contract.

Just heard that Santana got married.....

POP QUIZ

Sports_Guru is a:
a) Moron
b) Idiot
c) Know-Nothing
d) All of the above

Please keep your responses simple so he can understand them.

I don't get this

News & Notes: Espy, Harris Released
By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
March 17, 2008

The Redskins have released wide receivers Mike Espy and Steven Harris, the team has announced on Monday.
Espy was set to assume a more prominent role on the Redskins' offense last year when he suffered a knee injury in preseason. He was placed on injured reserve following surgery, ending his season.

An undrafted rookie pickup in 2006, Espy spent time on the Redskins' practice squad that year before being promoted to the 53-man roster midseason. He saw action in one game.

Harris had suffered a knee ligament during a 2007 mini-camp practice. He was placed on injured reserve following surgery.

Harris spent the 2005-06 seasons on the Redskins' practice squad. He was originally signed by the Redskins as an undrafted rookie in 2005.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone! Please remember: 1) the beer is green; 2) the corned beef is not; 3) tip your waitress or waiter; and 4) designate a driver. Well, okay, that last one should be No. 1. You get my drift.

I don't understand why they released Espy...especially right NOW....makes no sense.

I also have no clue on the Espy thing. BTW Sports Guru has been partying too hard this bast few days.

Also I cant wait to see JC passing from outside the pocket and being more on the move in a new offense.

You'd have to think that maybe there have been some issues in his recovery, because you're right, there is no logical reason for his release at this stage. Sure he was always going to be up against it with Mix's ST emergence, Caldwell's like resigning and a potential Rookie WR, but still.

Good article on FA signing and spending.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/031808dnspogosselin.28cf9c5.html

Smart NFL teams spend little in free agency

--------------------------

Greg,

Was not sure if you are still at work. Let me know if you want me to post the article.

Hey Kerzon, interesting how this Dallas paper still found a way to bash us even though we're following the same track that they're praising. What a hack. Maybe I'll email him too.
PS. never got another response from that loser writter from San Fran that said we would make the biggest, most ridiculous FA signing.

I couldn't help it, this is the email I sent. I tried to be a little less pissed off with this one in an attempt to get an actual response but I fear that my annoyance has still shone through:

Overall this was a good article but being a Redskin fan (which I'm sure in your mind puts me at the bottom of the barrel) it amazes me how you managed to bash this team even though the man you mention (London Fletcher) had great numbers this year while remaining healthy. He also helped us beat a Dallas team that was supposed to be extraordinary during the season but actually managed to end up being quite pathetic. You just couldn't bring yourself with your journalistic integrity to praise us for following the exact same path that you are so impressed with (as long as it's a different team following that path.) Well good luck to you and your rose colored glasses.

Scampbell,

You probably won't get a response from this "writer" either. The media loves to bash the Skins at every opportunity.

D.J. Hackett to Panthers. What now for Redskins?

http://mvn.com/nfl-redskins/2008/03/17/dj-hackett-to-panthers-what-now-for-redskins/

Scampbell,

Not a bad e-mail, you sounded like a Skins fan. Let us know if you get a response.

Redskins sign defensive tackle Askew, release receivers Espy, Harris
4 hours ago

ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins signed defensive tackle Matthias Askew on Monday, bringing back a player they waived before last season.

The six-foot-five, 302-pound Askew played in five games in 2004 and one in 2005 with the Cincinnati Bengals, who drafted him in the fourth round out of Michigan State.

The Bengals waived him before the 2006 season. He was with the Redskins during the 2007 pre season before being let go.

Askew filed a US$50 million lawsuit against the city of Cincinnati in 2006, accusing police officers of excessive force when they used a stun gun to subdue him.

In other moves Monday, the Redskins released wide receivers Mike Espy and Steven Harris.

Obviously no touches available for Espy in this offense, with Mr. Everything Lorenzo Alexander taking snaps at wideout. Uh huh.

Hey Kost, does Geelong open on Thursday? What should we be looking for?

I can't believe SPORTS GURU is still whining about Gregg Williams...

Good riddance....my Buffalo Bills fan friends who hate the Redskins were hoping we would make him our head coach.

When he dropped out...their statement was plain & simple: "Wow...your team just dodged a bullet.....maybe they do know what they are doing"

Anyhoo....i'm liking what I hear from the players.....there is some form of continuity in the playbook terminology (which is the real difference b/w teams' playbooks) and the players seem to like what they see so far.

Bring on the 2008 season.....we do better when there are no expectations!!!

And SportsGuru.....take your time-delayed ranting back with the rest of the boobirds.

"It's just going to be more of an opportunity to open up, spread out, and get [tight end Chris] Cooley in great position and put [wide receiver] Santana [Moss] in ..... "

Thank god these practices are closed.

And in further news, Sports_Guru should spend less time playing with his bottle of lotion while listening to Jim Rome, Skip Bayless, Steven A Smith, Woody Paige and all the other unnecessarily angry sportscasters.

Hey Kost, does Geelong open on Thursday? What should we be looking for?

Posted by: zcezcest1 | March 17, 2008 10:30 PM

Yep! Season starts Thursday, Friday over there, the Geelong Cats play in the second game of a Double-header in a Grand Final rematch, should be good! Working out my viewing arrangements right now.

Good to see you got home safe and sound zcezcest1!

I wonder if Espy is having trouble recovering from that injury.

Otherwise why release him?

Ok, I know Ive had several pints of Guiness and shots of Yager, but despite all of that SETH and Sports Guru still make no friggin sense.....at all. As a mattter of fact I think they are quite possiby the dumbest posters Ive ever read. BOTH of you guys are just IGNORANT. and I mean that with all my heart. Please shut up and NEVER post again. Ok now go away, thank you and good night

Obviously no touches available for Espy in this offense, with Mr. Everything Lorenzo Alexander taking snaps at wideout. Uh huh.

Posted by: NateinthePDX | March 17, 2008 10:24 PM

No! The plan was for Espy to be a wideout when Lorenzo Alexander takes snaps as third string QB. Maybe they're working Alexander as a kick returner instead?

Good morning Hamsters... I hope we all survived the night (or day kost).

Not a lot of chatter up here, I was hoping to read some drogging up here (drunk blogging). I believe that is the offseason at its finest. Once that starts, I know draft day is right around the corner.

Bring on the 2008 season.....we do better when there are no expectations!!!

Posted by: goosedude | March 17, 2008 10:46 PM

This is the only reason I'm sane in this very crazy maroon and black world!

Hey everybody, good morning,

I set up a Redskins Insider NCAA men's hoops tournament group at Yahoo!, and invited all the blog peeps for whom I had an email address.

If you want to join the fun, and everybody is welcome!, please ping me ASAP at nateinthepdx at gmail dot com. We only have 'til Thursday, so time's a-wastin.' And we know from time wastin' up here.

Cheers,
Nate in the PDX*

* home of the Portland State Vikings, your first round upset special

I'm going to attribute the ridiculous postings by certain members to green beer. I mean, why else would some people say the things that they said.

I'm curious as to who is staying away from the voluntary workouts.

Greg,

Morning news,
JETS CAVING TO COLES?
Posted by Mike Florio on March 18, 2008, 7:59 a.m.
A year after a lingering dispute with guard Pete Kendall created a distraction throughout the offseason and into training camp and the preseason, the Jets apparently have learned a thing or two about how to deal with players to whom promises allegedly have been made regarding an adjustment to the players' contracts.

According to Dave Hutchinson of the Newark Star-Ledger, the Jets and disgruntled receiver Laveranues Coles are quietly negotiating a resolution to an impasse that has prompted him not to show up for the launch of the team's offseason conditioning program.

Others who might be watching the situation carefully include tight end Chris Baker and safety Kerry Rhodes, both of whom reportedly want new contracts, but have reported for the commencement of the "voluntary" sessions.

Coles previously has accused the team of lying to him about providing a long-term deal. He is signed through 2009.

Greg,

As long as Zorn is aware of the reason, and they are training somewere else, I can live with it, but I to would like to know the names.

I agree with you on the comments last night, I did not rip anyone because I figured the Beer had something to do with it.

km, thanks for the update, and yeah, perhaps I should have been a little more tolerant.

But then on the other hand, when a player states, "I'm having fun", and someone translates that to mean, "I'm unhappy" they need to get called on it. Drunk or not..

Getting rid of Coles, was one of the better trades that the Redskins made. They got younger, more talented, less expensive, and less drama with Moss.

Portland State Vikings?

Yes, who can forget the Nordic warriors reign of terror in the Pacific Northwest?

I hope releasing Espy doesn't turn into Chris Clemons part II. I thought they were high on this guy? Seems strange they would keep him on IR the entire season only to cut him before any offseason training began. Maybe his injury didn't heal the way they liked.

Re: Espy, the knee injury he suffered last year was supposedly a really bad one. Unfortunately, maybe the 'Skins think he no longer has the promise they once saw in him.

Re: Collins and Campbell, the 'Skins would have to be crazy to trade Jason at this point. Yes, he did come up short at the end of several games last season, but he has made huge strides in the relatively short time that he has been the starter, and to conclude at this time in his career that he will never be an NFL-calibre starter, as "Sports Guru" has, is w-a-a-a-y
premature. Last season one of the ex-qbs who is now a network talking head (I don't remember which one) was commenting on Campbell's late game failures and said that the ability to get his team in the end zone in such situations is the one of the hardest, and last, skills that young QBs develop. I tend to agree, and I'd give him more time before I pulled the plug.

Also, Collins is an ideal backup, but I wouldn't want him as my starter over the long haul. A lot of people were seduced by his performance late last year, but we should remember that D-Coordinators around the league had no video tape on him and were therefore handicapped initially in trying to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of his game. Once they had some games to analyze, they were able to do things, most notably in the Seattle game, that exposed his weaknesses: a lack of arm strength and a lack of mobility (two things that Campbell has in abundance). Their DBs played an inside technique on our receivers, forcing Collins to throw to the outside, and those passes took an awfully long time to get there. They also pressured Collins, and he didn't have the mobility to make plays with his legs once the play broke down.

In short, it would make no sense whatsoever for the 'Skins to give up on Campbell prematurely and go with Collins as the starter.

Is there an RI Bracket?

4th,

Read 6 posts up and you will see Nate is doing one.

4th, did you not get an invite? Thought I copied you. Ping me at nateinthepdx at gmail dot com.

Lots of Vikings out here, etrod. Lots. You'd be surprised.

Greg,

more news,
HALL'S DEMANDS ARE STALLING A DEAL
Posted by Mike Florio on March 18, 2008, 8:43 a.m.
The thinking in some league circles as a result of the apparently stalled discussions on a trade between the Atlanta Falcons and the Oakland Raiders for cornerback DeAngelo Hall is that Hall and his agent are preventing a deal via their contractual demands.

Per a league source, Hall's financial expectations previously have killed possible trades to the New York Giants and the Jacksonville Jaguars. By all appearances, Hall's position on what he wants to get paid will keep a deal from getting done with the Raiders, too.

But let's consider this from Hall's perspective. The Falcons clearly don't want him, so maybe they'll eventually cut him. And if/when they cut him, Hall might be able to get more money on the open market, if the team that wants to acquire his services doesn't also have to give up a second-round draft pick, and a sixth-rounder.

Hall's other alternative is to play for the Falcons in 2008, and become the Asante Samuel of the 2009 free-agency class, getting grossly overpaid on the first day of the annual spending spree.

The only problem for Hall is that, by getting the wheels in motion for a trade via his behavior in 2007, Hall's failure to do what he has to do to make a trade happen is causing some to conclude even more forcefully that he's an ass, which in turn could soften the demand for his services if/when he's on the market.

Nate, I stand corrected.

I paid no attention to college b-ball this season so I had to resort to uniforms and mascots as my basis for bracket picks this year.

Just sent you an email NAte......

I'm curious as to who is staying away from the voluntary workouts.

Posted by: gregmarino88 | March 18, 2008 08:41 AM

It would surprise me a little if anyone stayed away, primarily b/c the past several weeks (post-season) must have been the hardest part of the delayed grieving process for a fallen teammate. To move forward with that process, it would seem most helpful to be back with teammates. I know that everyone does (and that Skins players did) grieve differently, e.g., some just wanted to be alone with it whereas others sought out each other, but it would still be interested in finding out who elected not to return for the comraderie part of it.

Hamsters! We need to re-focus and hone our efforts on jibba jabba and keeping it Skins-relevant. There must be a dozen responses to Sports_Guru, where a single ITA would have be a sufficient response.

The REAL news on this thread?
________________

Just heard that Santana* got married.....

Posted by: Lisa_R | March 17, 2008 06:59 PM
________________

Plus the link from JustMe about what next re: Skins receivers (essentially, re-sign Caldwell and/or McCardell, maybe trade for McDonald from Detroit ... which also happens to have been an idea floated by yours dcsweenily last week ....).

Kudos to these two fine women of RI for keeping it correct.

* Of course, like the Rabach "issue", Steinberg has also delivered us more than enough information than we'd ever want to know about this star WR.

Hopefully all of the U of Miami players will show up rather than stay down in Coral Gables and work out on their own, like many of them do.....

Greg,

More news,
BOWLEN BLAMES "DYSFUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIP"
Posted by Michael David Smith on March 18, 2008, 9:50 a.m.
Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen says his former general manager, Ted Sundquist, didn't have the right chemistry to work with head coach Mike Shanahan, and that's why Sundquist was fired.

"There was in my mind a dysfunctional relationship between the head coach and the general manager," Bowlen told Mike Klis of the Denver Post. "Not that they didn't like each other. It just didn't seem the proper chemistry was there. I'm not blaming either party."

Last year, another AFC West owner, Dean Spanos of the Chargers, also described the relationship between his coach and his general manager as "dysfunctional." In that case, it was the coach, Marty Schottenheimer, who was sent packing, and the general manager, A.J. Smith, who got to keep his job.

But in San Diego, the general manager was the coach's boss. In Denver, the coach was the general manager's boss, as Bowlen made clear, saying, "Ted was the general manager and Mike is the vice president of football operations, so Ted works for Mike."

And since Ted works for Mike and Mike got his way, that means Mike is the one who will be held responsible if the Broncos again miss the playoffs in 2008. Bowlen seems to have sent that message to Shanahan.

"When the season was over, Mike and I had a number of discussions of how we were going to right the ship," Bowlen said. "It went from players to coaches to football personnel. That's just part of what you do, because I'm not in this business to have seasons like we did last season."

Bowlen was harsh in his assessment of the Broncos' 2007 season, saying that last year the Broncos had a "dysfunctional locker room and a coaching staff that I think everybody would agree was not in sync," and adding that in his conversations with Shanahan, "we both agreed we needed to make significant changes across the board, including in the locker room where we had some bad guys."

This year, Sundquist has taken the fall for those "bad guys." Shanahan had better hope no one has to take a fall next year.

Mark my words...Mike Espy will be great somewhere else. I wanted him to play for us soooo badly.

Mark my words...Mike Espy will be great somewhere else. I wanted him to play for us soooo badly.

Posted by: rhyde | March 18, 2008 10:01 AM

The 'Skins see the guy every day. You've only seen him in a few exhibition games. Why do you think the 'Skins cut him if he's going to be great? Either you know something they don't, or they know something you don't.

Mike Espy is 5'11" and, in this past preseason, could not earn a roster spot returning kicks or punts. Steven Harris is 5'10" and reportedly was very fast. Espy replicates (but not completely) Randel El, and Harris did so for Santana.

The Skins had ELEVEN receivers on the roster! Last season, Gibbs and Saunders were picking receivers like [insert metaphor about something you pick up too many of]. SOMETHING had to give roster-wise. If the idea is that they want to get "taller" at WR, then the short depth either goes on the rack or gets cut.

Both guys coming off injuries. Now is the best time of year for them to become free agents.

I support those roster decisions.

If Mike Espy were any good to us, he would still be on the roster.

Have we just seen the Mike Espy, and Chris Clemon become the new Antonio Pierce?

I don't get it, I really don't. Let see how QUICK Espy gets snatched up by the 31 other teams, because I mean, he's so INCREDIBLY talented that they must be falling all over each other to bid for his services.

Mathias Askew also is a fine addition. I don't remember why he didn't make the roster last season ... probably he was brought in late and the Skins had not invested a draft pick in him.

He is 6'5" and 300 pounds. The only bigger DT on the roster is Montgomery. [Cornelius is 6'4" and heavier.] He was a 4th rounder by the Bengals (and Montgomery and Golsten where 5th and 6th rounders, respectively). I only remember that he got brought in late in the preseason b/c it was the same day the Skins cut Lemar Marshall and Kyle Brown (thus almost ridding themselves of MSU Spartans). Fortunately, the Skins reminded themselves that you can't get far without a little green and white and hired Askew the same day.

I support this roster decision.

[Paid for by the dcsween Committee on Response to Roster Decisions.]

If the Redskins could only trot out DJ Hackett at one wideout spot, and Mike Espy at the other, they'd be the front runners for the Super Bowl.

greg(b), Antonio Pierce actually started for the Skins. I know that Clemons got rotated in situationally. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall that Espy actually played in a regular season game.

If the Redskins could only trot out DJ Hackett at one wideout spot, and Mike Espy at the other, they'd be the front runners for the Super Bowl.

Posted by: gregmarino88 | March 18, 2008 10:17 AM

Don't take this the wrong way, but after midnight last night, you were supposed to stop drinking and get working on your hangover. [I know this because I hear bagpipes right now, which are Scottish, not Irish, so I can only attribute this to my post-midnight work.]

Espy was cut because if the Redskins kept him and Mix on the roster, the star power would have been too great for Jason Campbell to deal with. Poor JC's head would explode trying to decide which future hall of famer to throw to.

dc, I said that in jest. There seems to be some wailing and gnashing of teeth in regard to not getting hacket, combined with letting all-world Chris Clemons go, and then that gets trumped by today, releasing Mike Espy. I mean, just what are they doing down there. You don't just let talent like Mike Espy walk out the door. That will come back to bite the Redskins in the arse. Mark my words.

greg(b), OK then ... I missed the jest ... must be the bagpipes. Also, consider your words marked ... I'm not exactly sure that "mark my words" means, so I used a highlighter on my computer screen. I'm pretty sure that the highlighter will transfer through to the text of your post.

actually dc, that is exactly what I meant, when I said, "mark my words". Please mark it with permanent marker also...

But then on the other hand, when a player states, "I'm having fun", and someone translates that to mean, "I'm unhappy" they need to get called on it. Drunk or not..

Gregmarino...

Chill! How many times have we seen players say one thing to the media and do another thing on the sidelines or in the locker room. They were making an inference. Take a look at the Gregg Williams situation. So much was said to the media, but we had no idea what was actually said behind the doors of Daniel Snyder's office. Good grief. You trust everything someone says to the media? You have a camera or a microphone in you face, you're not always thinking "Let me tell this media schlub what I'm really thinking." There's politics and diplomacy and shrewdness in this business. I don't claim to know all the ins and outs of the NFL, but seriously, get off of it. Let it go. Sometimes I think people are only here to jump on other's ideas and comments... Sort of like hyenas and scavenger birds flocking toward carrion.

Off my soap box.

The Dorf will Abide from here on out.

If we had only kept Clemons!

The dreaded Eagles got him! We are in for it now, we all know how well they do with free agent D-Linemen!

What if we had kept Walt Harris!!??!?!?!?

or PIECRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What if the Skins kept Ryan Clark!!!!!!!!!!!!?????!?!?!?!

Sometimes I think people are only here to jump on other's ideas and comments... Sort of like hyenas and scavenger birds flocking toward carrion.

Posted by: Dorf | March 18, 2008 10:39 AM

That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard! :)

Not sure exactly how Clemmons landed with the Eagles, but he was with the Raiders last year. I doubt he was traded, so assuming he was a Free Agent, we could have made a run for him this year if we really wanted him. He's an ILB and we don't really need his services.

Sorry dorf, I shouldn't have taken the man at his word...

Here is how I'll translate part of what Chris Cooley said:

"I feel really confident in that, and this offense, from what I understand, is going to give me a lot of opportunity to do that."

I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT COOLEY WANTS TO BE TRADED!!! WHAT THE BLEEP SNYDER YOU POS!!

Sorry, Alexander said he was having fun, and was happy. I'm going to go with, "he was having fun, and was happy"

greg(b), Antonio Pierce actually started for the Skins. I know that Clemons got rotated in situationally. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall that Espy actually played in a regular season game.

Posted by: dcsween | March 18, 2008 10:18 AM

He played in 1, that makes him probowl bound...

Chill! How many times have we seen players say one thing to the media and do another thing on the sidelines or in the locker room.

Posted by: Dorf | March 18, 2008 10:39 AM

True, but it doesn't automatically indicate that he meant the exact opposite of what he said.

What if we had kept Walt Harris!!??!?!?!?

or PIECRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: sams3 | March 18, 2008 10:41 AM

What if the Skins kept Ryan Clark!!!!!!!!!!!!?????!?!?!?!

Posted by: sams3 | March 18, 2008 10:42 AM

Or Ramsey, or Bloyd, or Archuleta? What the F is this team doing? (Sarcastic post terminated)

I love this front office. We do no wrong. Antonio Pierce was a waste of space, he had to go. Chris Clemons got hurt, of course he had to be cut. Brandon Lloyd was a great trade at the time, just didn't work out so well. Hindsight is always 20/20. Archuleta was awesome in St. Louis. Why would we think he wouldn't work out here? Clearly Espy has not shot of ever becoming a true player...we cut him. Obviously he's an awful player. And once again, there is no doubt in my mind that whichever receiver falls to us at the 21st pick will become the next Randy Moss. Even if we don't select one there, we can at least get Jordy Nelson in the 2nd round. He's fail-safe. Either of those 2 will for sure put us over the top next year. No doubt in my mind.

Sarcasm is fun!

Please mark it with permanent marker also...

Posted by: gregmarino88 | March 18, 2008 10:35 AM

OK. Done. Unfortunately, the only permanent marker I have is this fat black sharpie (which I keep around for sniffing purposes) ... so now your marked words are blacked out ... and I have a permanent black mark on my screen ... which I now call the greg(b) mark ... what were the words that I marked again? My RI hamsterish attention span also includes a special feature: the short term memory of a hamster.

"I feel really confident in that, and this offense, from what I understand, is going to give me a lot of opportunity to do that."

I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT COOLEY WANTS TO BE TRADED!!! WHAT THE BLEEP SNYDER YOU POS!!

Greg,

Thanks for this. Great start to my day. I am with you 100%. Keep keeping it real.

Let's get off the ledge about the Clemons/Espy thing. Chris Clemons was a situational pass rusher here and was inactive half the time. Off the top of my head, the guy isn't more than 240 lbs and is more a linebacker than DE. Some may be thinking of his brother Nic, a huge 290 pound end who didn't do much either.

As for Espy, I can't even remember the guy playing in the regular season. He did some things in the preseason, but so did Jimmy Farris. Where's the outcry for his return?

I think Cooley wants to be traded because of all the heat placed on him for not signing Barno's DVD.

Does anyone have the link where I can download the "Player Speak Translation Program", so that I don't run into this problem in the future?

http://www.turfshowtimes.com/story/2008/3/18/103156/364

Could this be the WR we've been looking for? The Redskins waived 25-year-old Ole Miss product Mike Espy. Espy was well considered by the Gibbs regime in Washington, but ruptured his patellar tendon in his right knee in training camp last summer, ending his season before it even began. According to reports at Rotoworld, Al Saunders might be interested in giving him a look, if he's healthy, in camp this season. Low risk, potential upside, sounds like a good move to me.

------------
From a Rams web site. If Saunders does not pick him up, maybe the Skins knew something.

How are things working out for our two defensive FA that everyone had going to the Jags?

But what does our FO know. They should read this blog site to learn what moves to make.

OK, I'm done.

WE WANT FARRIS WE WANT FARRIS!

(as the stadium shakes)

Gregmarino, here's my take:

I had an old boss that promised me a better job next year. I have worked really hard to get to where I am in my career. The old boss leaves. I am low man on the totem pole and don't have much pull as far as office politics go. A new boss comes in and I don't get that job I was promised and am told I'll be doing the same thing next year. Do I:

a) Throw a hissy fit and get all my co-workers wound up and call the local newspaper to cry foul...

or

b) Smile. Say I'm having fun. Keep working hard and try to impress the new boss.

That's how I see it. Its up for debate. I said my peace and will move on.

The Dorf Abides.

(

Sometimes I think people are only here to jump on other's ideas and comments...

Posted by: Dorf | March 18, 2008 10:39 AM

Not me. I'm only here to agree with everyone else. Except in this one case, of course.

Or, Alexander is having fun, like he said he was.

Which ever.....

and yeah, keep keeping it real. If you find that program, let me know.

Is it me, or is the blog really limping these past few days. Cindy? Help?

WE WANT FARRIS WE WANT FARRIS!

(as the stadium shakes)

Posted by: sams3 | March 18, 2008 11:03 AM

There it is...

Can we start a chant for Skip Hicks, too?

okay... you've never been asked how you are doing and given a false answer like "oh, I'm great" when really you want to steer your car into a gosh-darn bridge embankment.

He could be happy like he said he is. He could be upset and just saying he's happy. People don't lie? Either way, you don't know. I feel sorry for you if you take everybody at their word. Or maybe I feel sorry for myself for being so cynical. Whatever.

I'm trying to abide, but you keep wanting to get the last word on this.

WE WANT FARRIS WE WANT FARRIS!

(as the stadium shakes)

Posted by: sams3 | March 18, 2008 11:03 AM

There it is...

Can we start a chant for Skip Hicks, too?

Wasn't he on the cover of SI one month?

Who here declined renewal of their season tickets?

John Clayton is listing Brandon Chillar, Rosevelt Colvin, Grady Jackson, Daunte Culpepper, and Kris Wilson as the best available remaining free agents on ESPN.com. Anyone interested in the 'Skins making a run and Chillar or Colvin?

Why haven't the Redskins traded for Robert McCune yet?

Also, we need an update on the battle for the starting running back spot, between Manuel White, Nemo Broughton, and Portis? Who has the edge?

Who here declined renewal of their season tickets?

Posted by: Sports_Guru | March 18, 2008 11:16 AM

No one here is as much of a fair weather as you are.

Trying to track down on the intergoogles about the new Mrs. Santana Moss, the Skins website says he has a son, Santana, Jr. and a daughter, Saniya.

Sports Guru,

After the verbal tongue-lashing you took from the residents of this blog, I thought you'd lick your wounds and go home. To quote the pilgrim from the Guinness commercial, "You've got some brass, son".

I let my season tickets go after they stabbed LaVar in the back.

From that point on, I have given no money to The Danny.

56 was the man, and The Danny screwed him.

Sports Guru,

After the verbal tongue-lashing you took from the residents of this blog, I thought you'd lick your wounds and go home. To quote the pilgrim from the Guinness commercial, "You've got some brass, son".

The 'Skins see the guy every day. You've only seen him in a few exhibition games. Why do you think the 'Skins cut him if he's going to be great? Either you know something they don't, or they know something you don't.

Posted by: talent_evaluator | March 18, 2008 10:07 AM

Last words I'll say on the Espy situation (maybe). Gibbs got to see him every day. Gibbs thought highly enough of him to keep him on IR even though the guy was undrafted and had played a total of 1 snap for the team in a regular season game. Will Whitaker was thought of as a very good, developing backup with a potential to start someday. He got a high ankle sprain during preseason and got cut. Something tells me Espy was more than your average undrafted FA on the training squad. And I definitely trust Gibbs more than I trust Vinny, Snyder, or even Zorn. That's my take.

I know everyone here loves the skins and wants to protect and defend the front office, because that's all we have to work with. It's natural. But it gets slightly annoying when everyone completely shoots down any criticism of the moves we make/don't make. This front office has been wrong before. Believe it or not, they will be wrong again. It's inevitable. I'm not saying I hate the FO, I actually have been very pleased since Gibbs 2.0 took over. That doesn't mean I think they can do no wrong. Sometimes, criticism is warranted.

his daugters name is santanette

Guru--

LaVar was a dam fool who bit the hand that fed him. The Redskins gave up Champ Bailey to make LaVar the face of the franchise, and then he turned around and sued them while his agent got barred for incompetence. He never could play on a team -- not the Redskins or the Giants -- because it was always about him.

It figures that you can't work this out for yourself. This is your idea of "the man"?

his daughter's name is santanette

Posted by: sams3 | March 18, 2008 11:27 AM

I kind of like Santansantanadanna ("A Mr. Richard Feder, from Ft. Lee, New Jersey, writes ....")

This is your idea of "the man"?

Posted by: talent_evaluator | March 18, 2008 11:33 AM

I thought "The Man" was the government, or maybe just the cops.

I let my season tickets go after they stabbed LaVar in the back.

From that point on, I have given no money to The Danny.

56 was the man, and The Danny screwed him.

Posted by: Sports_Guru | March 18, 2008 11:26 AM

Yet you're still hanging around the Redskins chatrooms espousing verbal garbage and secretly wearing redskins cheerleader attire.

psp, gibbs also "saw something" in archuletta, brunell, and brandon lloyd. I don't have unconditional trust gibbs judge of talent. sorry.

This is a cool mock draft site. It lists 204 mock drafts and their picks for us:

http://hailredskins.com/MockDraft.htm

just to add to it, gibbs also saw "nothing" in antonio pierce, walt harris, ryan clark, chris clemmons, etc.

wait, were those gibbss decisions or greg williams' decisions? man, we really should have not stabbed williams in the back. if only danny had listened to sports_guru. think of all the talent we could piss away in the coming years!

Santana has been a father for awhile...not sure if the woman he just married is their mother but I'm thinking yes since they have been together for awhile.

SETH, Please stop, you're going to set Sams3 off on another Eagles rant...

psps - As I recall, Whittaker was a lot older than Espy and Espy's injury was pretty bad. Maybe after evaluation, the recovery was not going well and he was no longer an asset? Again just speculation.

If someone snuck 6 million dollars out of your contract, you would complain too.

LaVar trusted The Danny. Look what that got him. Are all of you willing to trust The Danny as well?

When you root for a team, you are rooting for its owner. The owner owns the team. It is his product. I enjoyed the Jack Kent Cooke product. That is the product that won the Super Bowls. That is the product that created the legend and tradition.

The Danny product has two playoff victories, and a history of treating the players, and the fans poorly.

The Washington Cookes are the tradition. The Washington Snyders are the imitation.

We know the players get the shaft, but lets take a quick look at how The Danny treats the fans.

Here are just a few off the top of my head...

1. The Danny charges $8 for a hot dog, $10 for a beer, etc.

2. The Danny tried to ban walking from non-redskin lots in an attempt to force fans to take HIS shuttles, or park in HIS lots...at a premium.

3. The Danny has raised the prices to park in stadium and "cash" lots to rediculous amounts.

4. The Danny guts the stadium and allows people to sit in the building, but have to watch the game on TVs in order to substitute for their blocked views.

5. The Danny screws season ticket holders by refusing to allow anyone to move into the lower bowl. Instead, he uses those seats, as they open up, to package with his seating upgrades like the Touchdown Club.

6. The only way you can move from the upper bowl to the lower bowl, without taking a premium package, is to take an obstructed view seat. Once you accept the obstructed view seat, you may never move into a better seat. If you give up your obstructed view seat, you must move back to the upper bowl.

7. The Danny has not retired any numbers of players that have played in his era. Such as Darrell Green or Sean Taylor.

psp, gibbs also "saw something" in archuletta, brunell, and brandon lloyd. I don't have unconditional trust gibbs judge of talent. sorry.

Posted by: SETH.LEMASTER | March 18, 2008 11:38 AM

that's true. i'm not saying gibbs is 100% infallible. but that doesn't mean i distrust gibbs, nor does it make me trust vinny/snyder/zorn more.

all i'm doing is questioning the move. i'm not saying it will end up good or bad either way. i'm just wondering why, at this point, have they decided to cut a guy they were so high on before? is there any specific reason? what was so pressing that he needed to be cut now?

Is Sports Guru serious?

Gibbs thought highly enough of him to keep him on IR

No, that pesky torn patella tendon took care of that.

You can't release a player that has an injury such as Espy did. So we'll never know if he would have made the team or not.

Good to see LaVar has officially been added to the mix.

His body betrayed him long before the Danny did. And anyone who knows the hacks that are his agents knows that THEY are the ones that screwed up that whole contract thing. Besides, who other than LaVar ever complained that Danny didn't pay him ENOUGH?

Oh, and off all the things we can blame on Snyder (and I doubt anyone here hates him more than I do), the LaVar thing isn't one. He'd still be here if he fit in with Williams' scheme.

SETH, Please stop, you're going to set Sams3 off on another Eagles rant...

psps - As I recall, Whittaker was a lot older than Espy and Espy's injury was pretty bad. Maybe after evaluation, the recovery was not going well and he was no longer an asset? Again just speculation.

Posted by: Original_etrod | March 18, 2008 11:45 AM

It may be too late... I'm reloading.

sams3, i have found that it is never a good sign when people begin speaking of themselves in the third person. i am now afraid that you will turn into your demented alter-ego, poolman!

No, that pesky torn patella tendon took care of that.

You can't release a player that has an injury such as Espy did. So we'll never know if he would have made the team or not.

Posted by: gregmarino88 | March 18, 2008 11:51 AM

I'm pretty sure this isn't true. He wasn't on the opening-day regular season roster, so nothing was guaranteed. I could be wrong on that point though.

Good to see LaVar has officially been added to the mix.

His body betrayed him long before the Danny did. And anyone who knows the hacks that are his agents knows that THEY are the ones that screwed up that whole contract thing. Besides, who other than LaVar ever complained that Danny didn't pay him ENOUGH?

Oh, and off all the things we can blame on Snyder (and I doubt anyone here hates him more than I do), the LaVar thing isn't one. He'd still be here if he fit in with Williams' scheme.

Posted by: brownwood26 | March 18, 2008 11:53 AM

You are on point today Brownwood. Although he may have betrayed his body as opposed to the other way around. He looked like a bag of donuts.

Guru -

I'm actually with you as far as the treatment of the fans. But he'll keep doing it as long as he's making money. It's his right as the owner.

As far as mistreating players, he really came through with the Sean Taylor Tragedy and he is always there when his players need him, i.e. flying the Todd up to Boston for the birth of his son.

And the Redsikins policy is not to retire numbers, it has always been that way. The only number the Redskins have officially retired is 33. While not retired, I don't recall him giving out #28, 44, 81, 7, 42, 9, 70 etc... 21 remains to be seen. #49 was given out accidentaly to Leonard Stephens one season and Dan apologized sincerely for the mistake.

psp, you said Gibbs thought enough of him to keep him on ir.

I'm saying it had NOTHING to do with Gibbs, and EVERYTHING to do with being injured. Gibbs could not have released him with the injury that he sustained.

Sports Guru,

I'll say that I agree that Snyder has been jerking fans around since he bought the team. However, pinning the LaVar mess on him is laughable. The owner who pays too much stiffs a franchise player out of a measly $6 million? I doubt that. Brandon Lloyd being a bust doesn't hurt nearly as much if he only costs $6 million. That money means nothing to Snyder. LaVar's agents screwed that up and I'm pretty sure they STILL haven't been reinstated for that gaffe by the NFLPA.

As for retiring numbers: are you really a fan? Because real fans know the Skins don't retire numbers (only Sammy Baugh's #33 is offically retired), they only take them out of circulation. As good as Taylor was, he only played 4 years here; you don't just retire a guy's number for 2 Pro Bowls. By that criteria, LaVar's number should be retired along with Stephen Davis. I haven't seen any one wear 28 since Darrell retired, or 21 since Taylor passed. Have you?

I hate Snyder as much as anyone. But I root for the colors, as most do here. Seeing the burgundy helmet glisten in the summer sun of training camp; I'm not sure there's a more beautiful sight for me.

Sports guru,

there is no EVIDENCE anyone snuck money out of Lavars contract.

You CAN still root for a team and NOT root for the owner. If you don't like snyder, and it keeps you from being a redskin fan, then you aren't a true fan of the TEAM. the team is greater than any one man, even the owner. Snyder is going to own this team for a very very long time. If you hate him that much, then i suggest you find a new team.

Now on to your other points:

1) Snyder is not alone in charging so much money for food and beer. I go to carolina hurricanes hockey games all the time and their prices are comparable.

2) The shuttle thing was kinda gay, but so what? the metro was still always an option.

3) parking is rediculous but what else would you expect for the worlds most popular franchise.

4) people have the option to buy those seats or not. its their choice. atleast he gives people the option to come to the games.

5) so what

6)so what. if you dont want one of those seats, then stay up top.

7)neither green nor taylor are worthy of having their numbers retired. taylor especially, is an emotional reaction. his career was not long enough to warrant such an action.

I'm saying it had NOTHING to do with Gibbs, and EVERYTHING to do with being injured. Gibbs could not have released him with the injury that he sustained.

Posted by: gregmarino88 | March 18, 2008 11:59 AM

I'm still pretty sure this isn't true. He wasn't on the 53-man protected roster when the season started, so the team had no guaranteed obligation to keep him. They had one of three options: place him on IR, place him on PUP (which would allow them to choose whether to place him back on the roster, designate him on IR, or release him), or they could have just plain waived him. Gibbs took the safe route and placed him on IR.

My take on the Espy cut is, if we had an INSIDER to update these blogs we may know why he was cut- not recovering, Zorn didn't want him, whatever.

Everything else is just speculation. JLaC, TheCindy any help here??

What's up with all the slurp love fest today? I'm reading a lot of "Oh, that's funny so-and-so. Let me make a funny about him too", comments. I'm not one to throw names out there, but you know who you are. (Note: If you just read the previous 2 or 3 sentences and you feel your face tightening, then it's probably you) I believe that someone posted that sometimes people only post material regarding other post to only antagonize. I couldn't agree more.
OK, who cares if someone made a complete fool of themselves when they posted whatever they did. It's a public forum, it's expected. It's kind of like riding the bus in that way. I swear some of you react to every damn post like it's effecting your life emotionally, physically, financially, or (For some of you) spritually. If you feel most post are BS laced, scroll down, see who posted the assumed BS, and then skip the ENTIRE post. It will change your urge to bicker like schoolgirls (No offense) to L.I.G. like grown men!

7)neither green nor taylor are worthy of having their numbers retired. taylor especially, is an emotional reaction. his career was not long enough to warrant such an action.

Posted by: SETH.LEMASTER | March 18, 2008 12:05 PM

Whoa, whoa, whoa...

Darrell Green isn't worthy to have his jersey retired? 20 years and 54 picks isn't enough to get your jersey retired (or out of circulation), but it's enough to get you a first ballot Hall-of-Fame pass? The man ran a 4.2 40 into his 40s! You couldn't possibly mean that...

psp, I have fire-walls here at work that prevent me from looking it up, but you cannot release a player who is injured, SANS an injury settlement with said player.

Espy got injured. He was placed on IR. It had nothing to do with how much Gibbs thought of him.

The Redskins do not retire jersey's but if they did Green's would definatley be retired.

Kerzon,

I agree maybe if we had an insider who actually worked, and could get inside information then we would know why he was released. But I do not even think he was worthy of an explenation he never did anything here.

+++sports_guru, your comments in the first half of your post are too sensational and rediculous to even reply to. suffice to say, i disagree with every single one of them.++++

Not to go all Rajah of Rhetoric on you, but technically "I disagree with every single one of them" IS a reply. Just sayin'

Fellow hamsters,

I've been following RI for at least a year now and to my knowledge, Jasno hasn't had a real vacation yet. By real, I mean one where he didn't post or work the phones.

Now is his chance.

I'm going through withdrawal too, but let's be patient.

gregmarino,

injury settlements are very common in the nfl. it's not a difficult thing to negotiate. unless espy was holding the redskins hostage, gibbs was the one who decided to place him on IR.

... i have found that it is never a good sign when people begin speaking of themselves in the third person. ...

Posted by: SETH.LEMASTER | March 18, 2008 11:55 AM

dcsween has found that too.

psp, dude, until Gibbs himself comes out and say's, "I put him on IR, because he had so much potential", I'm going with what is reality, which you seem to struggle with.

Reality is, he's not that good a player.

Espy was put on the IR on August 21st. Over the next 9 days, the Skins cut 6 receivers. If Espy hadn't been protected by being put on the IR, nothing says he wouldn't have been among those guys cut by the Sept. 1 roster date.

As of yesterday morning, the Skins had 11 receivers on the roster (including one of the guys cut before Sept. 1st -- Burl Toler, who happens to be 6'2" compared to Espy's less than 6' height).

Oops. Yesterday, they had 9 receivers, not 11. Today, they have 7.

Also, yesterday the Vikings signed Skins' 5th round draft pick from last year, Dallas Sartz.

'It's going to be wide open this year'...

Translation:

'False starts, botched protections, quarterback hits, general confusion like the Spurrier era.'

Good times. I have seen this before. Whatever the last coach did must have been wrong. I am making an 'unexcited face' at this time.

-AMTTS

OK, i had a really long post justifying my comments about green not "worthy" of having his jersey retired, but i have noticed that only about half my posts show up here and i forgot to copy the comment incase it didnt work. GRRRR!

Lets be realistic: There are 29 numbers (20-49) reserved for DBs, RBs, and TEs. Typically, about 15 of those will be used by a team at any given time (9/10DBs, 3/4RBs, and 2 TEs). That leaves about 14 "available" numbers.

Lets speculate that a team decides to retire one DB and one RB every decade. Lets say that during those 60 years, you had 2 really great TEs. In 60 years, you're going to be out of extra numbers. In 70 years, youre not going to have numbers for players on your active roster and practice squad.

I think people are way to "eager" to retire numbers. Retiring numbers should be reserved for players who more or less single-handedly carried their franchises for their entire careers. Players who could always be relied on to make big plays in the big games. Players who were the face of their franchise, and among the best at their position in the NFL throughout most of their career. There are very few players who are not quarterbacks who fit this criteria.

He was undoubtadly be the best REDSKINS db of all time... but can you honestly say hes among the top 3-5 DBs to EVER play the game? If not, I don't think he deserves to have his jersey retired. I simply don't think its PRACTICAL to retire his number. I think it cheapens the honor of having a number retired if a team starts retiring the numbers of players who were "only" great.

I hope that explains my position a bit better.

Did I just see the Rajah of Rhetoric up here?

Wonder if it's uncomfortable when he and the Blue Rajah both show up at a bar.

'It's going to be wide open this year'...

Translation:

'False starts, botched protections, quarterback hits, general confusion like the Spurrier era.'

Good times. I have seen this before. Whatever the last coach did must have been wrong. I am making an 'unexcited face' at this time.

-AMTTS

Posted by: ArtMonkToTheSticks | March 18, 2008 12:52 PM

I think you mean like the Gibbs era, do not try to say that things ran smoothly on offense for the last 4yrs. Atleast there will only be one voice on playcalling not two, which was convenient by the way, neither one of them had to take blame.

I'm guessing it is (except that Rajah Bar).

He was undoubtadly be the best REDSKINS db of all time... but can you honestly say hes among the top 3-5 DBs to EVER play the game?
Posted by: SETH.LEMASTER | March 18, 2008 12:57 PM

Yes.

Those two Rajahs at the Rajah Bar? Irony and cutlery flying all over the place ... fuggedaboudit.

They meet at the bar to watch their favorite basketball player -- Raja Bell.

'False starts, botched protections, quarterback hits, general confusion like the Spurrier era.'

How about if we let the team actually play a game before jumping to conclusions??

okay gregmarino, you're right, i have lost a grip on reality. every move made by this FO is absolutely genius. i said it before on an earlier post, our FO can do no wrong. no player that's ever been cut was any good. seriously. i can't think of one good player who was EVER cut that has EVER done anything positive in this league. not one. can anybody think of someone who's been cut before who ended up being a good player? nah, i can't either.

i trust vinny with all my heart. i really do. if there's one guy in the history of this league that knows players and has a history to prove it, it's vinny cerrato.

thank god our prospective draft pick "big" WR will have 4.4 speed, a 40 inch vertical, hands as soft as marshmallows, and be able to read the game like jerry rice. there's no way anybody that we didn't sign or decide to keep is better than our prospective "big" WR. it's a foregone conclusion; prospective "big" WR will be a stud, prospective "big" WR will be a pro-bowler, and prospective "big" WR will carry us to the super bowl. not to mention he is the final piece to the jason campbell puzzle. because we all know that there is no way campbell becomes a true nfl qb without prospective "big" WR. his receivers are too short for him to be successful.

What?

I'll see your Rajah of Rhetoric and raise you a Rajah of Raljon and a Rhetoric of Raljon.

Okay, the Blue Rajah wins handsdown!

Nate, hope your liver has fully recovered from that golf outing.

Anyone sink a 25-footer?

etrod, from up above, I don't recall having heard about any apology (sincere or otherwise) from Snyder/the team to Bobby Mitchell after his jersey was given to that scrub in training camp and he quit the team in disgust after all 40 years.

In fact, I have long cited this as one of my top grievances against Snyder, that he let this happen to a good and decent man, a historic figure in franchise history, a Hall of Famer, a man who had given his adult life to serving this franchise.

Are you saying Snyder buried the hatchet with the original B.Mitch? Can you point to a news item which might help verify this? If so, I may have to slightly revise my opinion on Snyder. Slightly.

He was undoubtadly be the best REDSKINS db of all time... but can you honestly say hes among the top 3-5 DBs to EVER play the game?

Posted by: SETH.LEMASTER | March 18, 2008 12:57 PM

Yes.

Posted by: Original_etrod | March 18, 2008 01:09 PM

etrod, stop baiting LEMASTER

He was undoubtadly be the best REDSKINS db of all time... but can you honestly say hes among the top 3-5 DBs to EVER play the game?

Posted by: SETH.LEMASTER | March 18, 2008 12:57 PM

Yes.

Posted by: Original_etrod | March 18, 2008 01:09 PM

I 2nd that motion!

psp, couple things:

Never said the FO can do no wrong. Those words never left my lips, nor my keyboard.

You're basically hitching your wagon to Mike Espy. Mike Espy, who has the same career stats as I do.

The first catch the rookie reciever the Redskins draft, will make Espy a moot point.

What if Rog from "What's Happenin'" showed up?

That would be ever hilariouser!