Improper Moves

I wish the NFL owners would play along with the Judge Susan Nelsons order and allow business as usual; including free agency and trades.  And I hope the Court of Appeals makes a ruling on their motion to overturn her decision before the draft tonight.

Some teams, I will not mention who, OK the Redskins, could really benefit from this by dumping some unwanted, unloved, not needed, too expensive, and criminally / improperly behaved players in exchange for some draft picks.

But after all the good things that the state of Minnesota and the Minnesota court system, including Judge Doty, has done in recent days and months for the state of football, it would be a shame to allow such horrible things to happen to the men in purple.

But hey, as long as they need a QB and have plenty of white women, I’m sure everyone would be happy.

Well that’s just Fine!

So the NFL has gotten around to handing out fines for the Landry – Smith – Hall incident last week.

Smith $15K
Landry $7.5K
Haynesworth $5K
Fish (not Abe Vigoda) $2K

First of all, Smith is a total JERK and $15k hardly seems enough…
Second of all, Ryan and Landry were still technically in bounds…

Dear Mr. Commissioner,

Football is a contact sport! LET THEM PLAY!!!

Third, I love hate how it took a fight, odds of 20 to 1, to even begin to get some redskins spun up to come to the aid of a fellow player.

I give Haynesworth and the defensive line a whole bunch of credit for manning up and at least putting on a good show of support. All be it a bit late…

After all, we all know that the offense can’t defend anybody…

Not a Big Deal

So, the NFL is investigating the Redskins for tampering…

And what could happen if the Skins are found guilty?

They could loose a draft pick!

Snyder: “Oooo, I’m soooo scared!”

NOT!

The Redskins place little or no value on draft picks, so this potential slap on the wrist means nothing to them!

So what other recourse could the NFL have?

Would nitpicking every little detail and record for the investigation be worse?

No.

Would the bad press and fan embarrassment be worse?

No. (This certainly has not stopped them in the past)

OK, so what would?

Would banning the skins from post season play work?
No, they will be able to do this all by themselves…

Would taking away TV rights and revenue for a year work?
Perhaps?

How about they loose the rights to Haynesworth. Send him back to the Titans, or put him back out on the free market; but have the Skins required to continue to pay him.

Now that would be an investigation and fine worth avoiding!

Dear Mr Snyder

As a born and raised Redskins fan let me be the first to congratulate you and the organization for making such a bold offseason, free agency move.

The way I figure it, provided he stays healthy and gives 100%, Albert Haynesworth will be making approximately $1,000,000 per tackle next year.

And being the true and caring fan that I am, I also know that there are other positions on the team which need new and talented blood.

So, I have a suggestion…

Let me be the first to provide you an excellent choice. He is a team leader, has proven experience as both TE, and Safety; is willing to move inside on the offensive line to help out at Guard or Tackle; and even has a good enough arm to have gotten some work as a 2nd string QB. This person will give 100% effort every single play, of every single game, and, heck, even every single practice. In fact he is even willing to play on both offense and defense in order to give you and the organization the biggest bang for the buck.

Yes, that person would be me!

And lets not forget about the all important media attention and image that I will bring to the organization. I am a dedicated family man, have been married for over 20 years – to the same woman, and I have never been in trouble with the law, been inappropriately photographed, or been accused of taking illegal drugs or being a candidate for an anger management program.

Now this by no means that I am dull or boring!

In fact, I promise to make multiple highlight reels on both the local and national sports channels including ESPN. Yes, you, Vinni, and 80,000 screaming fans will shake your heads in disbelieve as I make move after unbelievably enthusiastic football move. My body will be flying all over the field trying to make tackles, block huge, powerful charging linemen and diving into the dirt to catch every ball tossed my way.

In fact, I would gladly do this for you, Vinni, and all sports fans around the world. And all it would cost you is $1,000,000 per tackle or catch.

I’m sure I’d be able to make at least one of those during the season….

No, No, No and please No!

Rumor: Redskins to back up the truck for Albert Haynesworth

“This time around [the source] tells me that the Washington Redskins break the bank to sign Albert Haynesworth. The Titans could come over the top of the Redskins deal as well, but my guess is that the Redskins will let Haynesworth get the best offer possible from the Titans and then “better deal” it.
My source tells me to look for a contract that could break $100 million with an average of $15 million to $16 million per. “

That’s really nice, but HOW?

Washington has reworked the contracts of tackle Chris Samuels, defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, defensive end Andre Carter and wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, and also released linebacker Marcus Washington in an attempt to improve its cap situation, but it remains among the worst in the NFL. The salary cap for the 2009 season will increase to $127 million, roughly $4 million higher than many projections, which provides some relief, but the Redskins entered last week over the cap.

Tennessee, Atlanta, Detroit and Tampa Bay are other teams that have Haynesworth atop their wish lists, according to league sources, with most of those clubs having exponentially more cap space than the Redskins with which to complete deals.

Tampa Bay released five high-priced veterans yesterday, including 11-time Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Brooks, and is $60 million under the projected cap. The Buccaneers potentially could make a massive offer to Haynesworth and still possess the resources to pursue other top-tier free agents.

There are alternatives….

The Redskins reportedly have significant interest in Dallas defensive end Chris Canty, according to league sources, who would be a far less expensive alternative to Haynesworth.

Canty, 26, who started all 16 games and had three sacks last season for the Cowboys, is regarded as a younger, more dynamic version of Redskins veteran Phillip Daniels, according to a team source. He could occupy multiple blockers and stuff the run on first and second downs, rush from the inside on third downs and would be much more cost-effective than Haynesworth. The role Canty could fill for the Redskins was Demetric Evans’s job last season, which could explain why the team has not extended a contract offer to Evans with him eligible for free agency.

And other more important needs…

Read my lips “OFFENSIVE LINE”. This is what you need to give Jason Campbell and Portis room and time to be effective. Last year this, not your defense, was your Achilles heel.

The offensive line is in need of am overhaul. However, Snyder and Cerrato are not expected to pursue the linemen expected to command big contracts, such as left tackle Marvel Smith and guard Chris Kemoeatu of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and versatile Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Jason Brown. Cincinnati Bengals right tackle Stacy Andrews, who underwent reconstructive knee surgery last month, could be in the Redskins’ budget. Green Bay Packers tackle Mark Tauscher, also coming off injury, could be another option as a value player. Stalwart center Jeff Saturday of the Indianapolis Colts is willing to play guard, his agent said, and could be seen as a value pickup.

And please please do not forget what is coming up in April!

The NFL Draft. There are a decent number of candidates out there to address both the offensive and defensive line positions.