Redskins.com TV

I have to say, the Redskins organization has done an impressive job with new and refreshing video content on the Web site to keep fans engaged all year long. Sure, there aren't that many highlights during the offseason but the video on the site is as good as it can get. During the combine, there was extensive footage provided following Joe Gibbs around. Before that, Larry Michael provided an impressive inside tour of Redskins Park that diehard fans like myself have been curious about for a long time. We often hear about Redskins Park through the media but not many people go to the facility much less walk around the inside and get a tour.

Right after the season, past Super Bowl highlights and then a game by game recap of the season provided appropriate footage. Now, free agency has provided an abundance of new footage with each new introduction. Soon enough, there will be video on prospective draft picks and then on the actual draft picks.

Next, I'd like to see highlights that dissect Saunders' plays in Kansas City to give fans a preview of what they can expect in the fall.

First round losses
Now Ramsey

What a shame for the Redskins to invest so much in first round picks these past few years and to have them go out the door for almost nothing.

In 2000, the Skins drafted LaVar and Chris Samuels. Those of us who simultaneously hated and admired Lawrence Taylor all hoped that Arrington would be the next HOF incarnation of LT. The fact that his last two years disappeared into nothingness is a tragedy. We all had such high hopes for him and are saddened that he didn't get to maximize his potential while he played for he burgundy and gold. Thank goodness for Samuels.

The Skins wasted a first round pick on Rod Gardner, only to have him underperform, be traded for a forgettable draft choice, and be forgotten.

Ramsey was the top pick in 2002 and he's now gone for a lowly sixth round draft choice. The Redskins had invested a lot in Ramsey. He was even the starter going into the start of last season but he's another first round selection out the door.

The Skins spent a first round pick in 2003 to acquire restricted free agent on Laveranues Coles only to have him leave the team also. On the other hand, the Skins were able to trade him for Moss - the other first rounder they could have picked instead of Gardner in the first place in the 2001 draft.

The team drafted a solid player in Sean Taylor in 2004 but with his legal troubles, he may not last long either. The defense has to be prepared to play without him, hence the signing of Archuleta.

How long will Carlos Rogers and Jason Campbell last? More importantly, how much value will they get out of them? If history is any indicator, the answer is unfortunately not long and not much.

Edge is in the Cards

Edgerrin James in Arizona will make the difference that J.J. Arrington didn't. Everyone (including yours truly) expected Arrington to have incredible year as the second round steal of the draft. Instead, Arrington didn't run hard between the tackles and supposedly went down rather easily. All that is surprising given that demonstrated hard running traits while at Cal.

With Kurt Warner and two fantastic young receivers, the Cardinals will challenge the Seahawks for NFC West supremacy, at least offensively.

Archuleta, Carter, Collins

Knowing that they would lose Ryan Clark, the Redskins desperately needed to sign a playmaking safety. Taylor, in all likelihood, will be spending a few years behind bars. Shawn Springs and Carlos Rogers return but they definitely need a solid nickel corner. Prioleau and Stoutmire were good for bit roles but it's nicer to have them provide depth than rely on either as a starter at safety. It seems that the Skins could rely on Prioleau if they had to. Perhaps the Redskins can consider bringing back Matt Bowen and have an all-white safety tandem, a rarity.

Andre Carter will be starting at DE, his preferred position. Apparently, the Skins are considering Sam Cowart to beef up the LB corps with the possibility of Lemar Marshall moving back outside. There is also depth at linebacker in the draft so that provides an affordable option for bolstering the LB corps.

Does it really make sense to pay Todd Collins over $1 million a year as the clipboard holder? Why not a proven backup like the recently released head-banging Gus Frerotte?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/13/AR2006031300558.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/14/AR2006031400957.html

Randle El

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/12/AR2006031201424.html

Am I glad that the Redskins acquired Randle El? Yes. But was Randle El worth $11.5 million in guaranteed money? No way. So far he's topped out at 601 yards receiving in a season and has scored only 7 TDs over four seasons. In fact, he started 15 games this season compared to 7 last season and caught fewer balls. Funny thing is, of Rod Gardner's four seasons with the Redskins, his worst season was when he had 600 yards receiving, and he had 22 TDs over those four years.

The flip side is that Gardner was the #1 option his first two years and the #2 option his third and fourth years (alongside Coles). Meanwhile, Randle El wasn't featured until the last two years and even then, it was in a run first offense. Despite the "potential," it's unimaginable to see how the Redskins broke the bank for him. They are sacrificing future years by spending right now in a weak talent pool for receivers. I guess when you sign Al Saunders, you have to give him some weapons to play with.

In addition, the Skins will be paying Brandon Lloyd almost $10 million in guaranteed money. I can understand signing either Lloyd or Randle El. But signing both of them? Why not see how Patten turns out as the 3rd receiver? Instead, they'll probably waste the $3.5 million signing bonus they gave him by cutting him or having him play a minimal role as the fourth receiver.

Javon Walker

http://sportsline.com/nfl/story/9300655

What an intriguing concept. Seeing Javon Walker join the Redskins would be thrilling. Although, he's damaged goods with his recent knee injury, he's only one year removed from an outstanding season with 1400 yards.

It's unlikely that the Redskins can land him and even more unlikely now since the Redskins have acquired Brandon Lloyd. However, it's still a nice thought. Lloyd has made some pretty impressive catches but he hasn't proven to be a consistent producer, which is what the Redskins need.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/11/AR2006031100869.html

LaVar Gone

Most diehard fans knew from the way news stories were going that chances were slim that LaVar would be with the team going into 2006. Nevertheless, those of us who love his energy and passion and penchant for big plays never gave up hope that differences between him and management/ownership would get reconciled.

The scary thought is of playing against LaVar and his big play ability. Seeing LaVar in green, white, and black surely makes all Skins fans sick to their stomachs. Worse yet, imagine him wearing the Cowboy star on his helmet. Perhaps some provisions were made as part of his buyout that he wouldn't sign on with a division rival. Then again, I don't know how such provisions would ultimately work since he's the one who paid the Redskins to buy out his contact, not vice versa.

http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=15697
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/06/AR2006030601071.html?nav=hcmodule

Most Skins fans are sad to see him go... good luck LaVar! (just not when you're playing the Redskins)

Sinorice Moss

With all Redskins fans enamored by Santana Moss' success this past season, and with the Redskins in dire need of a legitimate threat opposite him, I'm sure it's occurred to many fans that the Skins should try to draft his speedy brother Sinorice.

Midway through last season, Sinorice was projected as a second or third round pick. However, with his success at the Senior Bowl in Mobile and his extremely fast times at the NFL Scouting Combine, he has shot up the draft boards and is now projected to be a mid-1st rounder by many sources. Certainly Steve Smith's and his brother's successes have helped his case. Where the trend was toward bigger receivers because of the short passing game, the explosive but short receivers have proven that they can make as big an impact, if not bigger, than their taller counterparts. Steve Smith and Santana Moss were the two leading receivers in the league.

That said, since the Skins don't have a 1st round pick, they won't be able to couple the Moss brothers as their starting receiving duo.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft06/columns/story?columnist=smith_michael&id=2344395

Salary Cap Crunch

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/01/AR2006030101963.html

Of the candidates mentioned to be released, the first few make a lot of sense.

Walt Harris - yes, solid player but victimized at times
Brandon Noble - yes, unlikely to come back
Cory Raymer - yes, a liability coming off the bench
Tom Tupa - yes, Derrick Frost did fine
John Hall - yes, Novak did just fine as well and could be re-signed
Taylor Jacobs - yes, never took advantage of opportunities to shine

Then it gets tricky.

Ideally, the Redskins would like to get something for Ramsey but when the crunch hits, they'll probably be forced to let him go.

Cutting James Thrash would be disappointing because of his work ethic and special teams play. But his contributions as a receiver were minimal. He definitely didn't take advantage of the opportunity to be the #2 guy opposite Moss.

After cutting all those guys, the team saves maybe $11.5 million. The problem is that they are $20 million over the cap. What that means as far as other players will be a shocker for sure.

That said, it's unlikely that any key players cut would get immediately snatched up because every team is in the same boat with the Redskins as far as the collective bargaining agreement is concerned. We'll know have to wait and see the big names 24 hours from now.