DOOG Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Snyder smarter with his signings posted: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 | Feedback Reader Josh in the District writes, "You must be finding all of Dan Snyder's cap room for him. It's probably a busy job with all the money he's handing out. That must be why you haven't updated your blog during a fast and furious free agent season." Well, I wish I could be that privy to the Redskins' signings, but the reason I've been AWOL during one of the busiest free agent weeks ever was because I spent it on the beaches of Huatulco, a town in Mexico of 15,000 that's currently under the radar, but trust me, your kids will want to visit for spring break some day. In catching up, and fielding all the e-mails wondering what the Redskins are doing, I have reached this conclusion: The Redskins are getting smarter about spending their loot. One of the best beat writers around, The Washington Post's Jason La Canfora, noted in his story on Saturday exactly how the Skins have done it: By spending about the same amount on every guy. According to La Canfora, the contracts of Antwaan Randle El, Adam Archuleta and Andre Carter are basically the same, $30 million over six years, with near minimum salaries and decent ($5 million) bonuses. Despite signing those players, the Redskins were under the cap as of late last week after trading Patrick Ramsey. Many of You The Reader have asked why in the world the Skins would want three receivers -- Santana Moss, Randle El and Brandon Lloyd -- who are small and fast. Two weeks ago, I sat in an office at Redskins Park with new offensive coordinator Al Saunders. He and coach Joe Gibbs approach offense from the same angle, the Don Coryell sets that Dan Fouts and Co. turned into high wire acts in the 1980s. In Kansas City, Saunders directed one of the league's most feared attacks without any outside receiving threats; the dominant players in KC's passing game were Tony Gonzalez and Priest Holmes. From doing various Chiefs stories over the years and talking to Saunders for all of them, I could tell he wished he had a wideout. He wanted a wideout, but well, he never got one. Even two years ago, when the Chiefs tried to line up Dante Hall in every conceivable position to turn him into an air threat, it failed. As I sat with Saunders, he was excited. This was the most talent he'd had outside since he coached receivers for the Rams in the late '90s -- and that was just with Moss. I see where Washington is headed offensively: They're hoping to replicate the Rams with tiny, fast playmakers outside and a quarterback winging it. Moss proved last year that he's as dependable as any big-play guy there is in the NFL, Steve Smith included. Randle El, who's never caught more than 47 passes in a season, isn't your classic receiver, but does add some elements that can be tricky to defend. Lloyd might have been a first-rounder a few years ago had he not broken his leg at Illinois; as he is, he's a deep threat with a penchant for the highlight-reel catch. The only question: Can Mark Brunell get the ball downfield? Will his arm and legs hold up for 20 games? His play slid badly last year towards the end of the season, and he's not getting any younger. SETH WICKERSHAM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelerSkins Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 reading anything published nationally about snyder that isn't written by tom friend sucks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan T. Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Your should edit the post to indicate who the author is. Refreshing to see a positive article about the FA signings. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOOG Posted March 21, 2006 Author Share Posted March 21, 2006 somehow I got this article...I'm not an insider, wouldnt pay ESPN for that...there are other articles if someone is an Insider and wants to post them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joelvincent Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 "hold up for 20 games"...I like the sounds of that. And with Clinton back there this will still be a very very solid run defense, taking pressure off of Brunell. nice article... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsaddict Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 good stuff, interesting about the "sitting with Al Saunders" I am now geaked after hearing how excited our new OC is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feeshta Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 That was actually a good article. Pretty much how I feel when he finally comes around to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouvan59 Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=wickersham_seth#20060321 link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtyler42 Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Captured the thinking out at Redskins park to a T! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redman Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Gee, someone who actually can think and analyze wrote an article. And there were no banal references to Starbucks or redheads, or pot shots at Snyder. Go figure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jschlesi Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Captured the thinking out at Redskins park to a T! Reading my mind... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSchwartz Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Really? Cause from what I can tell he's criticizing Mark Brunell. Anyone around here tries that and everyone attacks him... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philal0102 Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 god i cant wait to see moss, lloyd, randel el, cooley running down the field. AND portis in the back.... cmon we will be unstoppable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hueman Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Gee, someone who actually can think and analyze wrote an article. And there were no banal references to Starbucks or redheads, or pot shots at Snyder. Go figure. seems almost incomplete, doesn't it? Really? Cause from what I can tell he's criticizing Mark Brunell. Anyone around here tries that and everyone attacks him... not really. it's a legitimate concern to most of us. how many times do we say: we're good with mark as long as he stays healthy ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UltimateSkins Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Finally an article with a postive look on our moves in free agency. Yes, Brunell staying healthy is still a question mark, but the potential that Al Saunders and the two new receivers bring is undeniable. Even if Campbell has to start next year for some reason, I the coaches will eventually mold him into the QB he needs to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCsportsfan53 Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Really? Cause from what I can tell he's criticizing Mark Brunell. Anyone around here tries that and everyone attacks him... He questioned whether he could hold up physically for a whole season, which is very reasonable to ask of any QB, let alone a 36 yo one. The people who get "attacked" (not really the right word, but ok) are the ones who say he's worthless, should retire and they never want to see him on the field in a Redskins uniform again. Big difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Really? Cause from what I can tell he's criticizing Mark Brunell. Anyone around here tries that and everyone attacks him... Maybe you should take another year off from here, because, the only problem I see is this level of stupidity on your part. Everyone with eyes noticed Brunell dropped off as the year wore on and legitimately asks which Brunell we'll see. The problem with YOUR side is you refuse to acknowledge he ever played well at any point -- in fact, MOST OF THE YEAR -- in your contrary evaluation. Reasonable questions are often shared by most of us. Mindless, numbing bashing isn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLongshot Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Well, we will see if Brunell "wears out", tho I don't think that's what happened, rather that he only had one WR threat in the second half, and suffered a knee injury any QB would have suffered. As for getting the ball downfield, one thing this offense proved last year is that you don't have to throw it deep to be explosive, especially with small, fast WRs. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty Gut Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 funny, Chiefs fans are ****ing right now about their quiet offseason, like Saunders wanting a legit WR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gortiz Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 I don't have doubts about Mark, but reading that he would have to hold up for 20 games for us to get the super bowl . . .20 games??? that shook me a little bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo#44 Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Really? Cause from what I can tell he's criticizing Mark Brunell. Anyone around here tries that and everyone attacks him... Honestly, Brunell and Spring's health are my biggest concerns for this year. I cannot find fault with anything this guy said - he is analyzing the talent the Skins signed, objectively (something many people have trouble here with, myself included!) That being said, I cannot wait to see Gibbs, Saunders and Williams take their new toys out to play! :dallasuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redman Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 I don't have doubts about Mark, but reading that he would have to hold up for 20 games for us to get the super bowl . . .20 games???that shook me a little bit. Yeah, that shook me too. We won't need more than 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbaby Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Looks Like We Have A Solid Team. In Cold Weather We May Get Beat Up On Offense Because We Dont Look Real Physical On That Side. Glad We Got All That Depth At Wr. I Dont Think We Look To Scary To Opposing Teams . We Need Some Rael Hogs!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsLover Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 To me this was exciting to read, to hear that this is the most talent this awsome offensive coach has ever had,...well just gives me chills... ..There were no shots at Brunell either, Seth is dead on.....and we all know it. If Mark is healthy, the skies the limit, we could go far....if not QB controverssy, Campbell rebuilding year, yada yada yada.....and we start planning the '07 tailgates... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butz65 Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Well, we will see if Brunell "wears out", tho I don't think that's what happened, rather that he only had one WR threat in the second half, and suffered a knee injury any QB would have suffered.As for getting the ball downfield, one thing this offense proved last year is that you don't have to throw it deep to be explosive, especially with small, fast WRs. Jason I'm with you - seems to me that Brunell did pretty well in weeks 12-14 - even in the Giants game before he got injured. Brunell's an easy mark because of his age. How about McNabb - should the Eagles drop him because his play fell off last season after he got injured? We went into hyper-conservative mode after grabbing a lead against Tampa and I doubt any QB would have looked good having to travel 3,000 miles to Seatlle (especially if e had a bum knee). I'm all for playing Campbell if he's ready and shows he's the better QB in camp. However, I think Brunell will be fine if Campbell is not ready to step up. As for the article I think it hits on some good points. The one thing it misses is that our free agent pick ups also added versatility on both sides of the ball. Randle-El can return kicks and throw option passes in addition to playing WR. Carter can play LB, DE or DL. Our coordinators should have a field day working together all the options these guys provide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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