My Take So Far: Redskins Please Prove Me Wrong

[bulldog]

IMO the start to the offseason has pointed up the serious adversities this team is going to have in re-tooling a club to be better than its 8-8 fourth place finish in 2008.

It is possible the Eagles with McNabb (32), Westbrook (often injured), Runyan (34), Thomas (32), Dawkins (35) will fade further from the team they were in mid-decade to being the 7-9 to 9-7 club they were in 2007 and 2008, and so the Redskins could have some company down there at the bottom of the division.

But when you look at the youth and talent on the Giants and Cowboys it is difficult to see the Redskins (under current management - with Bruce Allen or other additions to the front office) leap-frogging these clubs or even keeping up with them.

The Giants will be getting Osi back in 2009 and that plus the development of youngsters such as Ross and Dockery in the secondary will make them perhaps a better defensive team than they were in 2008.

Meanwhile on offense, the Giants are a team that has one outstanding need, to acquire a playmaking wide receiver to replace Burress.

With a full set of draft picks and some available cap room (something they inexplicably have which the Redskins do not) it is not hard to see that Reese will be able to go out and acquire that playmaker or two in the offseason.

In Dallas, the team was 13-3 in 2007. The 9-7 mark in 2008 was perhaps an example of what happens when the effects of Bill Parcells' discipline really start to wear off.

Still you have to credit Dallas with the ability to field a competitive team, one that has players just entering their primes at a number of positions.

Dallas has holes in the secondary at cornerback and could use some additional size on the defensive line. Like the Redskins, Dallas has a limited stable of draft picks in 2009, but they do have cap room to sign a number of free agents, flexibility Washington again seems to lack.

Considering the Redskins in isolation here are some of the storm clouds I see gathering:

1. It appears as if the negotiations with DeAngelo Hall's agent aren't going anywhere on a new contract. Hall at 25 is the one good thing that came out of the 2008 season personnel-wise for the Redskins other than Chris Horton. To think the club is potentially going to let a #1 corner and playmaker (see career interception totals) go in free agency and perhaps go to Dallas would be a move that would really hit the team and fan base quite a bit.

Sean Taylor's absence from the Redskins lineup due to tragic circumstances seemed ready to set the secondary back 3-4 years. The unexpected arrival of Hall in mid-season last year appeared to be move that could see us make up ground quickly in the back seven with Hall's youth and athletic ability.

This is a move that has to get done.

If the club can guarantee $20M in additional for Portis and still entertain keeping Randle El on the roster at his absurd cap number for a #3 receiver, don't tell me there isn't a way to make it work with #25.

2. Signs the club may be close to retaining Shawn Springs and Pete Kendall. I still don't understand why the Redskins are so down on Carlos Rogers. Rogers still has a year left on his rookie contract and we know that Springs is not going to take a salary cut to return, which means guaranteeing future dollars AGAIN to an aging player who doesn't suit up for 16 games anymore.

Kendall at 36 IMO is done as a starter. Due to his knees, Kendall doesn't practice during the week during the regular season and he wears down over the course of the year so that his December performances come nowhere near matching what he gives you in September and October. The Redskins need to move on here. Whether it is using a #3 pick on a OG and making the right decision so that the player is ready to come in and contribute in 2009, or making a move in free agency to acquire a solid if not spectacular OG who can be a consistent presence over the 16 games, the team needs to make at least one or possibly two moves here.

But more than anything the talk of retaining these players (and some talk also about trying to get Taylor to restructure to stay in 2009), to me is an indication that some in the front office still don't get that this is a team that needs to be re-built or seriously re-tooled not merely tinkered with to improve.

Squeeze as much cap room out of releasing Springs, Kendall, Taylor, etc. and using that money to sign mid-tier free agents under 30 and locking up your own younger players ahead of their reaching FA.

3. I sure hope the Redskins are not thinking that they are going to replace what is the worst set of special teamers in the NFL in Suisham, Plackemeier and Randle El with journyemen like Rayner and the ex-CFL import signed a couple of days ago. The Redskins have gone 'on the cheap' for far too long at positions that have become a lot more important in the age of parity in the NFL.

A good field goal kicker is almost a prerequisite in an era where the average margin of victory week to week has dropped from previous eras and that extra 3 points in the fourth quarter often mean the difference between finishing 7-9 and 10-6.

While you can't spend mega-bucks on all these positions, the Redskins at least have to try and acquire a proven fied goal specialist.

The team is going to have to try and find a young punter who can do better than Frost and Plackemeier did the past 2 seasons. That's where the scouts on this team earn their money.

In terms of return men, it's really ironic that guys like Allen Rossum come available each offseason around the NFL and make the pro bowl as returners and yet the Redskins never sign these players, instead opting to continue to pay Randle El as if he were a reincarnation of Mike Nelms or Brian Mitchell.

The Redskins get less out of their return game on punts than any other team I watch in the NFL. Maybe Oakland, KC or Detroit is worse here, but I don't see many of their games.

But going team by team in the NFC East, the Redskins skill players on special teams are the worst in the division.

Remember here that a missed field goal by Suisham against the Rams was the difference in a close loss at Fedex. The Skins would have won 20-19, despite the late game heroics of Bulger to Avery.

Suisham also missed a key field goal in the second Dallas game. If he had made that field goal it would have been 14-13 Dallas at the end of the fourth quarter and Jason Campbell would only have had to get the Redskins into field goal range to win instead of having to look at a long TD to overcome a 4 point deficit.

Weak as they finished the season, change those two outcomes with better production from your field goal kicker, and the 'average' Redskins finish 10-6 instead of 8-8.

While they would not have advanced in the playoffs IMO, they would have finished ahead of the Eagles, a team they beat twice during the season.

But the Redskins again appear to be undervaluing these positions thinking it is fine to sign some fringe talents that have been on other team's practice squads or playing in the CFL.

No plans to sign proven NFL caliber talent.

[Riggo-toni]

Great post and all on target.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Can't disagree with any of that bulldog.

Years and years of mismanagement from the top on down are yet again not only coming back to bite us on the ass as regards the cap room we have to play with due to the scandalous contracts we've handed out like confetti, many to players who have been less than deserving, to say the least, alongside the serious dirth of talent were stuck with on the current roster; but in the continued lesson's that haven't been learnt as you pointed out as regards the ageing vets getting deals over young studs like Hall, and the continued neglect of gettign top class talent on to teams.

And people wonder why the majority are so down on this ball club at present.

Hail.

[Teller]

And THIS, THIS is why everytime bulldog speaks, I listen.

Great stuff there man, even for you.

[hail2skins]

Remember here that a missed field goal by Suisham against the Rams was the difference in a close loss at Fedex. The Skins would have won 20-19, despite the late game heroics of Bulger to Avery.

Suisham also missed a key field goal in the second Dallas game. If he had made that field goal it would have been 14-13 Dallas at the end of the fourth quarter and Jason Campbell would only have had to get the Redskins into field goal range to win instead of having to look at a long TD to overcome a 4 point deficit.

For whatever reason I don't think Suisham is horrible. I remember in the Dallas game Campbell taking a sack on 3rd down pushed us back into a much more difficult FG attempt. In the Rams game I think there may have been either a bad snap or bad hold but can't recall......I tried to go back and see and the one thing that was mentioned was a kickoff out of bounds, which does drive me friggin nuts.

But overall, another solid read by Bulldog.

[Ænima]

Great post. It is depressing to think about how many holes the Redskins have compared to the Giants and Cowboys. Danny would have to work some serious offseason magic for me to be hopeful about 2009.

[freestyln]

Hey Bull, what's your feeling about trading the 3rd pick for a lower 3rd and 4th to select Louie Sakoda (UTAH) or Graham Gano (FSU) in the 4th?

[TwentyOne]

Great post Bulldog.

Hail.

[JMSSMJ7]

I can't disagree with one thing, nice post!

[Mooka]

Maybe Oakland, KC or Detroit is worse here, but I don't see many of their games.

Certainly not Oakland, Johnnie Lee Higgins is a monster returner. Took 3 punts to the house this past season.

[bubba9497]

I disagree about Dallas

Wade's history, his teams get worse each season

The team is a mess, and fractured as the come... and if TO stays it will only get worse

The league is catching up Garrett, and learning how to corral Romo sits to pee, take away his easy open target, he get flustered and will force the ball.

Marion the Librarian isn't all he's cracked up to be, and the OL is vastly overrated.

There defense front is great but their secondary is a far from scary.

don't be shocked if the Pokes slip to 4th and 500 or below.

The Skins will go as far as the OL takes them. Hopefully we can get some youth to bolster it. If at least 1 of the 3 second rounders need to step up and start making plays.

[AKM311]

Sorry, maybe I don't agree.

Personally, I think Snyder finally does have a plan. We are not close to getting to the top and actually, this team is on its way down. He recognizes he gave one last shot last year. He is planning for a blow up of this team after next year. Heading into the 2010 season, lots of things can happen. But it is seeming very likely that we will have at least one uncapped season.

Our attraction to a new GM or HC/GM would be a RICH OWNER, a team with all players coming off contracts. A full draft. We will be a great place for a big time person to come, mainly because we will be starting from scratch. The importance of this season is not about how good or bad we do, but what does JC do. The reason I say that is everyone else will either be gone or an up and coming star and he could put us over the top as far as the attraction..

Valuable players like Santana, Cooley, etc. will prob stay on the team, but we are not signing anyone long terms because it free's up cash. It doesn't force a coach/GM into a bad situation and can start that FA from scratch.

I think Snyder is being smart with this. Don't be foolish. We will sign a valuable small contract LB, OL, during FA. Just nothing that will make us have new hope. What we can expect is an average team next year. I say that because I do believe Zorn is a good coach and we do have decent talent. I also think one of the three 2nd rounders next year will develop and make an impact.

Taking that all into consideration, this year is part of the rebuilding. We need to accept that and not have expectations. We may still play good next year, but regardless we are blowing the team up next year. That is why I actually feel next year will be a 5-11 year, because it will settle in that this is a lame duck year.

[Going Commando]

You were wondering about the Giants always having cap room. I remember reading somewhere that for the past three years or so, the Giants have pretty much had the least dead cap space in the league while the skins have led in it. That is the legacy of bad free agency signings from the beginning and middle of the decade, which we are just not starting to escape a bit.

I agree with you on several points, specifically about cutting Springs and Kendall. I know Kendall played fairly well for much of last season, but it is time to let him go and start searching for a future for the position. Springs may be able to play at a high level at Free Safety next season, but IMO, it still won't justify him being one of the highest paid players on this team. Its time to let him go too, especially if it allows us to keep Rogers, who I feel is becoming one of the better corners in the league. If this FO bungles the golden opportunity it has with Rogers and Hall, I will be extremely disappointed.

On the subject of Taylor, I think the team could afford to keep him at his current rate if they cut springs, kendall, and washington. He came on towards the end of the year just like Carter did his first season, and we might as well give him a shot since we paid the piper for him already.

And I 100% agree that our special teams was god awful last season. Suisham was the worst kicker in the NFL last year. You can not argue against his %, it was dead last. I mean, what are we afraid of, signing a different guy and having him finish last? That's the status quo! It doesn't matter who we sign to replace him because they literally can't do any worse.

[ttr77]

Great post. Unfortunately, I think next year we'll see a team that mirrors the one we saw during the second half of last season as opposed to the first.

[Going Commando]

I disagree about Dallas

Wade's history, his teams get worse each season

The team is a mess, and fractured as the come... and if TO stays it will only get worse

The league is catching up Garrett, and learning how to corral Romo sits to pee, take away his easy open target, he get flustered and will force the ball.

Marion the Librarian isn't all he's cracked up to be, and the OL is vastly overrated.

There defense front is great but their secondary is a far from scary.

don't be shocked if the Pokes slip to 4th and 500 or below.

The Skins will go as far as the OL takes them. Hopefully we can get some youth to bolster it. If at least 1 of the 3 second rounders need to step up and start making plays.

I agree with you here except that I do think Tony Romo sits to pee is a good quarterback, and he is much farther along than Campbell is. I also think Barber is overrated, especially since he's never topped 1,000 yards, but I think that the tandem they have is very good with him, Jones, and Choice. Yes they are a mess right now, but they have good pieces and are at least our equivalent in talent.

[addicted]

It is possible the Eagles with McNabb (32), Westbrook (often injured), Runyan (34), Thomas (32), Dawkins (35) will fade further from the team they were in mid-decade to being the 7-9 to 9-7 club they were in 2007 and 2008, and so the Redskins could have some company down there at the bottom of the division.

I doubt it. They just played in the NFC Championship game again and are looking to add big time playmakers in Free Agency. The window of opportunity is closing on McNabb and I believe they will make one more strong push to a Superbowl. As much as I hate it, my pick for the NFC East this year is the Eagles.

But when you look at the youth and talent on the Giants and Cowboys it is difficult to see the Redskins (under current management - with Bruce Allen or other additions to the front office) leap-frogging these clubs or even keeping up with them.

Agree, we won't compete for the devision this season

The Giants will be getting Osi back in 2009 and that plus the development of youngsters such as Ross and Dockery in the secondary will make them perhaps a better defensive team than they were in 2008.

Meanwhile on offense, the Giants are a team that has one outstanding need, to acquire a playmaking wide receiver to replace Burress.

With a full set of draft picks and some available cap room (something they inexplicably have which the Redskins do not) it is not hard to see that Reese will be able to go out and acquire that playmaker or two in the offseason.

That's a lot harder then it looks. Plexico is a very special player and with out him and potentially without Jacobs and Ward they are in trouble. But why wouldn't the Eagles also go out and get that playmaking WR they desperately need? They have cap room too

In Dallas, the team was 13-3 in 2007. The 9-7 mark in 2008 was perhaps an example of what happens when the effects of Bill Parcells' discipline really start to wear off.

Still you have to credit Dallas with the ability to field a competitive team, one that has players just entering their primes at a number of positions.

Dallas has holes in the secondary at cornerback and could use some additional size on the defensive line. Like the Redskins, Dallas has a limited stable of draft picks in 2009, but they do have cap room to sign a number of free agents, flexibility Washington again seems to lack.

The mess in Dallas isn't going away and if they decide to bring in more playmakers I believe it will only get worse for them. They are loaded with talent but acting as a ship without a sail. They could go 13-3 again or 6-10 depending on how much drama they have. I don't count them out at all

Considering the Redskins in isolation here are some of the storm clouds I see gathering:

1. It appears as if the negotiations with DeAngelo Hall's agent aren't going anywhere on a new contract. Hall at 25 is the one good thing that came out of the 2008 season personnel-wise for the Redskins other than Chris Horton. To think the club is potentially going to let a #1 corner and playmaker (see career interception totals) go in free agency and perhaps go to Dallas would be a move that would really hit the team and fan base quite a bit.

Sean Taylor's absence from the Redskins lineup due to tragic circumstances seemed ready to set the secondary back 3-4 years. The unexpected arrival of Hall in mid-season last year appeared to be move that could see us make up ground quickly in the back seven with Hall's youth and athletic ability.

This is a move that has to get done.

If the club can guarantee $20M in additional for Portis and still entertain keeping Randle El on the roster at his absurd cap number for a #3 receiver, don't tell me there isn't a way to make it work with #25.

We don't need Hall and I don't think we should be looking to spend that much money on a corner that isn't very good. He was fired in Oakland in week 8 because other teams kept abusing him. Yes he did well for us here but we only have so much cap room and I don't believe we should be looking to spend it here. The two lines need players there much more then we need Hall. We shouldn't re-sign him to a large contract. Hall was looking to make an impression on the league and was playing for his big money contract. Some teams going to pay him that is one corner away from a good defense but with our lack of any real pass rush what's the point in us ignoring that and sinking money into Hall? Hall's a real question mark and I would much rather spend our money elsewhere.

2. Signs the club may be close to retaining Shawn Springs and Pete Kendall. I still don't understand why the Redskins are so down on Carlos Rogers. Rogers still has a year left on his rookie contract and we know that Springs is not going to take a salary cut to return, which means guaranteeing future dollars AGAIN to an aging player who doesn't suit up for 16 games anymore.

Kendall at 36 IMO is done as a starter. Due to his knees, Kendall doesn't practice during the week during the regular season and he wears down over the course of the year so that his December performances come nowhere near matching what he gives you in September and October. The Redskins need to move on here. Whether it is using a #3 pick on a OG and making the right decision so that the player is ready to come in and contribute in 2009, or making a move in free agency to acquire a solid if not spectacular OG who can be a consistent presence over the 16 games, the team needs to make at least one or possibly two moves here.

But more than anything the talk of retaining these players (and some talk also about trying to get Taylor to restructure to stay in 2009), to me is an indication that some in the front office still don't get that this is a team that needs to be re-built or seriously re-tooled not merely tinkered with to improve.

Squeeze as much cap room out of releasing Springs, Kendall, Taylor, etc. and using that money to sign mid-tier free agents under 30 and locking up your own younger players ahead of their reaching FA.

First, can you please show me where anyone has talked about resigning Taylor and keeping Springs? I have not seen that yet. I agree with you, these players along with Marcus Washington should be shown the door this year. Kendall would be worth a modest small contract as depth but he is not the long term answer for us. As for trading Rogers, I am 100% against that move and think it should not be done at any cost. Last season with Hall we saw what a corner can do when he's looking to get paid. If Rogers wants big FA money in 2010 he's going to have to step up his game and make plays. I'd like to see him do that here and if he does well we re-sign him. Its about time we kept our home grown talent instead of looking at other teams players like Hall and signing them. Rogers should not be moved at all

3. I sure hope the Redskins are not thinking that they are going to replace what is the worst set of special teamers in the NFL in Suisham, Plackemeier and Randle El with journyemen like Rayner and the ex-CFL import signed a couple of days ago. The Redskins have gone 'on the cheap' for far too long at positions that have become a lot more important in the age of parity in the NFL.

No plans to sign proven NFL caliber talent.

You said it and I agree 100%, but word out of the front office is that is exactly what is likely to happen. In Jason La Canfora's latest entry

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/2009/02/more_special_teams_minutia.html

"I am hearing the Skins are looking at punter Jay Ottovegio, an undrafted kid out of Stanford who spent some time in Dallas's camp. As with the kicker situation, don't look for there to be any significant money spent to push either Suisham or Plackemeier, despite both placing at the bottom of the league. As I reported weeks ago, not in the plans."

That's a real shame and enough for me to want Vinny fired. If you are the GM of a team that went 8-8 and you saw that two of the games you lost this year clearly could have been won had your FG kicker made the kicks he missed and you don't go out and find a very good player to replace him you deserve to be fired. As the owner, not winning those games cost him millions by not making it into the playoffs. If I were Snyder I'd demand changes to the entire Special Teams, replace the coaches and the players and set a tone that failures will not be tolerated like this but for a reason I will never understand this glaring weakness is being ignored again. A good FG kicker can make all of the difference in the world just look at Indy, they won it all when they went and got the best kicker in the league.

As the NFL's only team that ever had a FG kicker win the NFL MVP honors its a damn shame we forgot our history and have such a bad outlook on this important position.

[TheLongshot]

The Giants will be getting Osi back in 2009 and that plus the development of youngsters such as Ross and Dockery in the secondary will make them perhaps a better defensive team than they were in 2008.

On the other hand, they will have a new D-Coordinator, so who knows if they will perform as well.

Meanwhile on offense, the Giants are a team that has one outstanding need, to acquire a playmaking wide receiver to replace Burress.

With a full set of draft picks and some available cap room (something they inexplicably have which the Redskins do not) it is not hard to see that Reese will be able to go out and acquire that playmaker or two in the offseason.

The question will be if they can find that guy, either by trade or by FA. They aren't likely to get that guy via draft, not from where they are picking.

No doubt that the Giants probably will be the class of the division for a while, but they aren't without their questions.

Still you have to credit Dallas with the ability to field a competitive team, one that has players just entering their primes at a number of positions.

Not really. That team should be performing a lot better than it does, and I expect that while Club Wade is there, they won't be doing better. They will be a tough out, but I really don't expect them to do much overall

1. It appears as if the negotiations with DeAngelo Hall's agent aren't going anywhere on a new contract. Hall at 25 is the one good thing that came out of the 2008 season personnel-wise for the Redskins other than Chris Horton. To think the club is potentially going to let a #1 corner and playmaker (see career interception totals) go in free agency and perhaps go to Dallas would be a move that would really hit the team and fan base quite a bit.

Uh, negotiations probably aren't going to heat up until the combine. In fact, I would have thought it would worry you more if they had already done a deal, because it probably would have been overvalued. Unless the Skins are paying through the nose, I wouldn't expect a deal done immediately. I'm expecting with the numbers that have been thrown out there that they will get it done.

2. Signs the club may be close to retaining Shawn Springs and Pete Kendall. I still don't understand why the Redskins are so down on Carlos Rogers. Rogers still has a year left on his rookie contract and we know that Springs is not going to take a salary cut to return, which means guaranteeing future dollars AGAIN to an aging player who doesn't suit up for 16 games anymore.

Until I officially hear that Rogers is on the market, I'm not going to believe that he is. Really, it is something JLC has been passing around like it was fact, when all he has is Rogers' remarks.

Kendall at 36 IMO is done as a starter. Due to his knees, Kendall doesn't practice during the week during the regular season and he wears down over the course of the year so that his December performances come nowhere near matching what he gives you in September and October. The Redskins need to move on here. Whether it is using a #3 pick on a OG and making the right decision so that the player is ready to come in and contribute in 2009, or making a move in free agency to acquire a solid if not spectacular OG who can be a consistent presence over the 16 games, the team needs to make at least one or possibly two moves here.

But more than anything the talk of retaining these players (and some talk also about trying to get Taylor to restructure to stay in 2009), to me is an indication that some in the front office still don't get that this is a team that needs to be re-built or seriously re-tooled not merely tinkered with to improve.

Kendall would be very valuable as a backup because he can play all of the OL positions. I would doubt that the Skins are penciling him in as the starter for next year and will be looking for his replacement, probably an inexpensive FA for the short term if Rinehart still isn't ready.

3. I sure hope the Redskins are not thinking that they are going to replace what is the worst set of special teamers in the NFL in Suisham, Plackemeier and Randle El with journyemen like Rayner and the ex-CFL import signed a couple of days ago. The Redskins have gone 'on the cheap' for far too long at positions that have become a lot more important in the age of parity in the NFL.

I doubt this will be the end of it, tho the team is still high on Suisham, who's problems are fixable. BTW, you forgot the young punter we signed as well, who the Bears felt high enough about to keep him around all training camp and on the PS for part of the season.

While you can't spend mega-bucks on all these positions, the Redskins at least have to try and acquire a proven fied goal specialist.

Course, the last time the Skins did this, it came back with mixed results and just about everyone on the board wanted him gone.

In terms of return men, it's really ironic that guys like Allen Rossum come available each offseason around the NFL and make the pro bowl as returners and yet the Redskins never sign these players, instead opting to continue to pay Randle El as if he were a reincarnation of Mike Nelms or Brian Mitchell.

Course, ARE does a lot more than just return kicks. I'm hoping that once the receivers we have develop that ARE shows what he can do from the slot, which I think he's better suited for.

But the Redskins again appear to be undervaluing these positions thinking it is fine to sign some fringe talents that have been on other team's practice squads or playing in the CFL.

No plans to sign proven NFL caliber talent.

Course, FA hasn't even begun yet and there isn't much clue who the Skins will be targeting with their FA money. Right now, just about everything is guesswork.

[Going Commando]

Sorry, maybe I don't agree.

Personally, I think Snyder finally does have a plan. We are not close to getting to the top and actually, this team is on its way down. He recognizes he gave one last shot last year. He is planning for a blow up of this team after next year. Heading into the 2010 season, lots of things can happen. But it is seeming very likely that we will have at least one uncapped season.

...We may still play good next year, but regardless we are blowing the team up next year. That is why I actually feel next year will be a 5-11 year, because it will settle in that this is a lame duck year.

What evidence did you build this belief on? Your own desires?

Aside from this being complete speculation, everything you just posted would have made a lot more sense posted last offseason, when we actually did have a full draft in store, and we hadn't seen a full year of Campbell as the starter.

[@DCGoldPants]

Well said Bulldog. That was the ultimate Anti-Larry Michael point of view.

We need to get....

1. Cap Room

2. Younger

3. Deeper

all the before you can even expect to compete.

[corrupt3d]

Honestly man, I dont think the Skins are down on Rogers as much as we've been led on to believe *cough*JLC*cough**weeze**hack* excuse me...

[bigyim]

Respectfully, I disagree with #3 (but that's the only thing I think you're off-target on, Bulldog).

Special teams kicking is one of the most erratic parts of the NFL in terms of performance. Rarely are half the top 10 leaders in FG accuracy the same from year to year. The same is true of net punting average.

It's also important to note that many sucessful kickers were initially risks for NFL teams to take. Successsful college kickers frequently don't pan out in the NFL, so having scouts in unusual places like other arena football leagues or in Australia becomes more important than paying top dollar for a FA kicker (BTW, The desire to sign a proven NFL kicker with talent was there in 2002, when the Skins signed John Hall...and we all know how well that went).

Punt returners may have a greater success rate, but, again, the Skins already tried that when they signed Randle El fresh off a SB victory. Meanwhile, a little more scouting could have landed us Joshua Cribbs as an undrafted FA.

Honestly, I agree that the special teams have a lot to be desired, but, in my mind, it pales in comparison to the other issues this team has to address.

[DexterSackMachine]

Honestly man, I dont think the Skins are down on Rogers as much as we've been led on to believe *cough*JLC*cough**weeze**hack* excuse me...

I agree with you. The whole thing is based on the unexpected non-start in Cincy, and a comment by the Springs.

[fansince62]

nice post Bulldog. the key is the options at their disposal this season relative to need. and we all have a pretty good idea where the imbalances fall.

let's assume they have a plan...that plan is already behind schedule - there should have been some productive experience/grooming of the rookie wideouts/TE & o-lineman. it's not that that cannot happen yet...it's that multiple parts of the team will have to be matured concurrently rather than having established bases of effectiveness so that other areas can be focused on.

[Dcskins71]

I know we need many things but we def. do need a new kicker, suisham had the worst field goal percentage in the history of the NFL for someone who started every game..that is pitiful..

[GSF]

The Skins are still paying the price for FA/trade busts like lloyd, Archuletta, Duckett, ect. They do seem to have learned their lesson though. I personally am glad they aren't throwing a huge contract at Hall just because he had a few pics. I think they'll add some blue collar lineman and try to draft a playmaker or 2.