State of Affairs...

Today's topic... Redskins. 


First I'd like to start with how annoyed I am of a lot of the sports writers' comments and opinions... and it's not that I don't think that they should have their opinion, but why do they have to be so damn cliche?  And here's what I mean: 


"Redskins Fans aren't use to what their seeing from the usually free-spending franchise." 


I know that last season and seasons in the past, Redskins have made big moves and have spent a lot of money, and at the same time, there have off-seasons (even recent ones), where the Redskins have not spent a lot of money.  Take for example, the off-season before last, the one before the signing of Haynesworth.  That was a very low key off-season for us as well.  All I'm saying is, that I'm tired of reading the same cliche phrases.  It's like they all have a database that they pull their supposedly whimsical banter from.  And the skill to create such alleged banter is the premise to why they are a sports writers, different from us average sports fans, is it not?


Released:
Randy Thomas, G - I'm not sure how much money he would be making this year, but if it wasn't high, I would have considered keeping him around for two reasons: so that we aren't in a horrible corner or lose negotiating powers without having another G on the roster, and as a back-up (since our O-line is so thin as it is, veteran back-ups are not a bad idea).
Cornelius Griffin, DT - This is understandable, since they are probably going to switch to a 3-4 defense, and Cornelius is not young and he isn't able to eat-up 2 blocks.
Antwaan Randle El, WR/PR - Thank goodness this guy is gone.  GTFO and stay out.
Rock Cartwright, KR/RB - Rock wasn't a bad KR, but he wasn't a good one.  All Rock did was run forward and thru people.  If he couldn't run thru you... well he's got nothing else.
Fred Smoot, CB - I'm somewhat on the fence on this one.  Let's not consider his contract for now, let's weigh everything else.  Fred Smoot is a decent #2 CB and a pretty good nickel/#3CB.  Now that being said, for his skill set, it wouldn't have been bad to keep him, to play either of those roles, in case of injury or what not.  I know that Smoot is no spring chick, but he can definitely help out in those roles for atleast 1 more year.  And who really trusts Carlos Rogers?*
Ladell Betts, RB - Betts wasn't a bad RB, he just wasn't a good one.
Todd Collins, QB - He's old, but who else do we have as a back-up?
Marcus Mason, RB - He played well when he had a chance to.  I'm not sure I would have let him go if I just let go 2 vet RBs.
Eddie Williams, FB - We have to start thinking about life after Mike Sellers, or preparing for his years to catch up to him.  Maybe should have kept this one around too.
J.D. Skolnitsky, DE - Who are you?  Go away.


*And to Carlos Rogers.  Apparently, you are upset that they put a tender on you as a restricted free agent.  UPSET?!?! Really?!  I'm upset that you suck.  I'm upset that we wasted a high draft pick on you.  I'm upset that you can't catch a ball when it hits you in your chest.  I'm upset that you will and can never be a #1 CB.  I'm upset that I have you on my team and not someone, anyone, from the first round of your draft class.  So until you start displaying some semblence of skill, STFU.  


Resigned:
Phillip Daniels, DE - I like this, he could definitely be in the rotation in a 3-4.  Powerlifter... I like it.
Mike Williams, OL - We need some O-line on the roster, can't draft every O-line position.  He's an interesting story though.  4th overall pick, obscenely obese, fall from grace, and now a second chance.  Does he realize his potential that he once displayed?
Casey Rabach, C - Solid guy, he's also getting up in age, so we'll have to think about an understudy, but definitely good for the short term.
Lorenzo Alexander, DL/LB/OL - I like his versatility.  Definitely an asset to have.  Especially now that he's being moved to LB, a position we are a bit thin in to run a 3-4 defense.


Signed:
Artis Hicks, G - I like this move.  Trying to improve the O-line.  
Maake Kemoeatu, NT - Big guy, hopefully he can come back from his injury and help make our D-line dominant.
Sean Ryan, TE - Not sure about this one... is it for special teams?  Is it a precursor to Cooley or Davis getting traded?  We sure do have a lot of TEs


I've probably missed a person here or there but whatever.  


I was a bit surprised about some of our activities or lack thereof.  I think that we should have pursued some people, such as Peppers (tho i understand why we didn't), Daunta Robinson or some other good CB, offensive lineman, and linebackers.  I thought we would be more involved in pursuing players of high caliber in those positions.  I hope that Shanahan has a plan.


Here's a few things I've been thinking about in relation to the draft:


If Bradford is taken first, and either Eric Berry or one of the DTs fall to us, do we take them?  
This I think might be the most ideal situation for us.  Because, it's almost a win-win.  Having one of those 3 fall to us gives us a lot of power.  Many teams would love to have a shot at landing any of those 3 players.  We could trade the pick with a team that has two 1st rounders  or we could swap it with a lower first rounder and take their 2nd rounder.  And if no one wants to trade up, taking any of those players would help out the team, tho maybe not a need, but would help set the position for years to come, especially Eric Berry.  I personally would love to have Eric Berry on the team, for all the comparisons he draws, it makes me want to have an elite safety on my team again, RIP Sean Taylor.  That being said, trading down would probably be the best.  If we trade down and acquire another pick, we could get an OT, this draft class isn't necessarily deep in that position, but they do have a lot of OTs with a lot of talent...  As well as address other holes, such as the LB situation, or we can even draft another safety, as this draft class also has a lot of talented safetys in the first round.  McClain would be a very good addition as well.


If not, who do we draft at 4?
If all goes as it is suppose to, I would suggest taking the best OT here.  It meets the biggest need, and should be the player with the highest value that does not have certain question marks.  Bradford - Will he be able to come back from his injury and improve?  Claussen is a reach here, so OT is probably the right pick.  But I really hope to trade this pick to acquire more.  That's the dream.


Questions:
What will happen to Andre Carter, will he do well in a 3-4?  Is he going to play LB or DE?


There will be more to come, but please, let me know what you think.  Any ideas you might have or opinions that aren't cliche that you'd like to share.