The Redskins

Questions about the Redskins?

Washington Post staff writer Howard Bryant was online Friday, Jan. 20, at Noon ET to take your questions and comments about the team.

The transcript follows.

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Arlington, Va.: Howard - it seems like the Redskins are always in cap trouble - but just in the past few years they have let the high priced free agents go like Smoot & Pierce, they have also swallowed Coles salary cap hit last year and it seems like a lot of the dead money was burned off - it not like the Skins went out like they did in 2000. What gives and is there anyone at Redskin Park that helps Dan Synder keep the cap in check?

Howard Bryant: I think the Redskins are in a Steinbrenner-esque "pay-now, save later mode." The Skins actually have cap experts there, but I think it's more a question of philosophy than business smarts

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New York, NY (DC native): Howard,

Two questions:

1. With the continuation of Williams and now the signing of another would be head coach, Saunders, it seems Mr. Gibbs has tilled a stellar crew to lead the Redskins into the future. However, when Gibbs departs and hands the keys to Williams, what does this mean for Buges, Breaux, etc.?

2. How (free egency, trade or draft) will the team acquire what seems to be its primary need -- WR -- and who's on their short list.

Many thanks for your work.

Lj

Howard Bryant: Well, there is a lot of questions about that, first about Williams and really about Gibbs' desire to continue. I am new on this team, and people have told me otherwise, but I think that if Joe Gibbs begins to have continued success, I don't necessarily see him walking away after next year. I think his desire to coach will determine how the whole thing shakes out. I covered the Yankees in 2001-2002 and Joe Torre and Co. kept saying they were leaving, and yet, with the exception of Mel Stottlemyre, they're still there.

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Rockville, Md.: So what are the real chances of retaining LaVar? When Gibbs spoke at the end of the year, he spoke glowingly about how theyre going to work very hard to retain Robert Royal, Rock Cartwright, etc. But when it came to LaVar, he was very "we'll see" about it.... What is REALLY going to happen?

Howard Bryant: I don't think they want to keep LaVar. 1) he's clashed with LB coach Dale Lindsey. 2) I'm not exactly sure how Gibbs feels about him and 3) Most importantly, he doesn't look like the same player, speed-wise. He told me he's trying to balance between weight and agility and that it showed this past season. If they allow him to adjust to his new body and new physical circumstance, I think he can still be a very good player. If they don't, they will not keep a risk at $6.5m

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Alexandria, Va.: Will Ryan Clark,Robert Royal,and Rock Cartwright be back next year?

Howard Bryant: I think Clark and Royal will be. I'm not sure about Rock. He's one guy of that three I'd bet against.

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Chevy Chase, Md.: Is David Patton enough of a complement to Santana Moss?

Howard Bryant: I like David. Covered him up in Boston with the Patriots. I think he's a speed guy but perhaps not possession-oriented enough to be a true complement. however, if they believe Cooley can be a legitimate underneath threat 75-85 catches a year, then I think they can have two deep threats. Patten has to stay healthy, though.

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Bend, Ore.: Cap trouble? There have been countless articles published this week describing all the options the Redskins have to get under the cap--none of which seem to involve getting rid of key players.

Howard Bryant: I don't think they have "cap trouble." I think because they like to spend, they will never be comfortably under it, the way the Eagles were the last couple of years.

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Washington, D.C.: Could you lay out the timing of the decisions you expect for Ramsey and Arrington? By when will they be traded if possible? If not, when will they be cut?

Howard Bryant: I think it all depends on a) what the market is for both players and b) how much respect Gibbs has for the players. if the Redskins are faced with a pre-draft offer they can't refuse, then I think they move quickly. They do this especially if they have made up their minds on both players. The tricky thing is gauging exactly how they feel about LaVar. I don't believe Gibbs thinks Patrick is his guy and they will move him first.

But LaVar is tricky because it takes a good 18 months after an injury sometimes to return to one's old self. Suppose LaVar comes back great and healthy and has a killer season? That's the dilemma.

The respect issue is another. if they believe LaVar has no future with the Redskins, will they cut him quickly so he has a chance to catch on somewhere else, or late, where his options are limited?

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Seattle, Wash.: Howard,

What do you think of Ray Brown's performance at Guard? Although he has retired should he come back next year?

Howard Bryant: I was a big fan of Ray Brown. He's six years older than me and what he did as a stopgap was incredible. I hope he sticks around the organization somewhere. Whether or not he should come back is moot, because he says he's never coming back. Can he still play? Sure.

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Boston, Mass.: Hey love your chats. I was wondering who the skins are going to look at for WR. I think Wayne might be out of their price range? Who else would they look to?

Thanks for taking my question.

Howard Bryant: There is a lot of discussion about nabbing that "big name" receiver, however, if you look at what the Redskins have done in the Gibbs II era, the players they've chosen in free agency, with the exception of Shawn Springs, have been low-key players. I know Gibbs and the Redskins have been taken with the Patriots' model, and when you look at their receivers during the title run, Patten, Givens, and Branch were not household names. I think they are looking for competence without flash.

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College Park, Md.: I know, this has been asked a billion times. But how can Mr. Snyder justify the name Redskins? I'm a traditionalist, more conservative than not, and usually don't agree with most "PC" oriented changes. But even I can't justify using this name -- using this name in any other circumstance would be totally offensive and the speaker would be fired/reprimanded/etc. OK, potatoes, maybe, but not any reference to people. I just don't understand...

Howard Bryant: I cannot speak for him, but I imagine the name is justified by the tradition of having had it for 75 years and now, there is a huge financial connection to it. The NFL Washington franchise is identified by the name "Redskins," to lose that name, I'm sure the thought goes, means rebuilding a brand. Browns-to-Ravens, for example.

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Chevy Chase, Md.: Do you think that Ramsey will be traded this year?

Howard Bryant: unequivocally yes.

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Washington, D.C: why is it that media is suggesting to let lavar go and not to restructure his contract?

Howard Bryant: I don't think the media is suggesting it. I think it is a case of raw numbers. Would you pay out the years of his contract if you're not going to play him on third down?

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Danville, Va.: My family has traveled to every home game since 1981 in our motor home and want to know when the Redskins are going to do something about Patrick Ramsey and the entire quarterback thing. Brunnell is just a quick linebacker away from being out for the season and Jason Campbell has not been tested. Even with a great new offensive genius on board, it will not matter if there is not someone decent running the plays on the field.

Howard Bryant: Believe it or not, I think winning hurt their quarterback situation from a timing standpoint. Brunell is not the future, but Campbell is not the present. The question for the Redskins is this: Having just come a game away from the NFC title game, can you trust your team to a player (Campbell) who is unproven? I think Gibbs' track record says no.

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Washington, D.C.: The conventional wisdom has the 'Skins pursuing Reggie Wayne or Antwaan Randle-El in free agency to complement Santana Moss, but neither is a prototypical possession wide receiver. I'd love to see Mike Williams of the Detroit Lions in the burgundy and gold -- he reminds me of a bigger Michael Irvin. What do you think of the idea of packaging Ramsey and some picks or players in exchange for Williams? Surely, Matt Millen has got to realize at some point that having three first-round picks for two positions is not a good idea.

Howard Bryant: I agree. I talked to Joe Theismann about this a few weeks ago and he pushed forward his "small receiver" theory, meaning that the most accurate passers throw to little guys. What could really help the Redskins is a big target. They don't need a burner to get down the field _ they have Moss and Patten _ They need someone to provide another short option.

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Norfolk, Va.: T.O.?

If Gibbs could deal with Riggins peeing in the air in the locker room and with Manley snorting coke during games, why can't he handle a malcontent like T.O.?

On the field, he'd be a hell of an addition. Off the field, he's a train wreck. Can Gibbs handle it?

Howard Bryant: I think talent can NEVER be overlooked. Therefore, anything is possible. But if you listen to Gibbs _ even in his painful attempts to rehabilitate the image of Sean Taylor (and his owner) _ he's into the whole "character guy" thing. T.O. does not fit that description.

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Charlotte, N.C.: In Coach Joe's first tenure, he helped changed the game with the beauty of formation shifts, forcing the NFL to shorten the play clock (IMO, anyway.) This time around, he seems to be changing the way a team a coached and enhancing the structure. Do you think this will result in a salary cap for the coaching staff as smaller market teams complain about the inability to compete with larger market teams "hoarding football intellect"?

Also, how exactly do you anticipate Al Saunders being integrated into the staff and his role?

Howard Bryant: Excellent point. This will be a point of issue in the offseason. As for Saunders, it is worth watching how he and Breaux and Bugel and Jack Burns and Gibbs will work together. Who, in other words, will be making the final call on plays?

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Boston, Mass.: I know it might be going into a dangerous area, but what's your take on Daniel Snyder? Especially after your tenure in Boston and observing the patriots and Robert Kraft. Pluses and Minuses?

Howard Bryant: It's not dangerous at all...yet. I have not had ANY contact with Daniel Snyder. Tried contacting him twice to no avail. It seems that will be my offseason project. The Krafts, meanwhile, were outstanding.

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Re: Coaching changes: Hey Howard:

I need to vent. Everytime this time of year, sports columnists fawn over the new headcoaching hires with almost none saying: "This was a terrible hire." The Lions pick, the Jets pick (a cornerback coach that had the D.C. job for one year and wasn't great) and numerous others come to mind as examples.

Then we hear one or two years later how "X coach never fit in and was a bad pick to start with." It is pretty sickening to read about teams making bad decisions. The fact that Haslett and Tice (maybe the worst head coach in history) are getting interviews is a joke.

Thank you. Your hard-hitting style of reporting is a great addition to the Post team.

Howard Bryant: Well, I think people first want to give the benefit of the doubt (Though I remember being a columnist in boston and saying that Dennis Erickson was a terrible hire in SF). After looking at the coaching choices over the past few days, I think I need to vent, too.

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Spotsylvania, Va.: Maybe I'm still just giddy over the success of the past year, but does it seem like Washington is best poised to win the NFC East next year? It looks like they might have the fewest holes to fill, and the upgrade in the coaching staff should also make a huge difference.

Howard Bryant: I think everyone in the East has a need that needs to be filled, and whoever fills it the best, followed by actually playing the game will win the division. Philly needs to get healthy, plus a game-breaking receiver to replace Owens. The Giants need Eli Manning to have that breakout season. The Cowboys need a consistent running game and/or bigger production from the WRs.

The Redskins, like the Cowboys, were just extremely inconsistent. The Skins need a pass rusher, someone to catch the ball on the other side of Moss and more even QB play. I don't see any reason why the Redskins wouldn't be expected to either win the division or be very close to the top.

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Glover Park, Washington, D.C.: First off, I love the move to bring in Al Saunders. More great minds (esp. on offense) can't be a bad thing. In looking ahead to next year, what are your thoughts on these potential moves?

Free Agency: sign Antwaan Randle El (unrestricted free agent)

Trade: Patrick Ramsey for Ed Reed (DB - Baltimore)

Draft: Tamba Hali (DE - Penn State)

Do any of these moves seem likely?

Howard Bryant: I can't really comment on those moves specifically, but I don't think a DB is a primary need. On defense, they need a pass rusher, and if they don't believe in LaVar, they need a weak-side, four-down linebacker

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Fredericksburg, Va.: Looking ahead at next year's schedule, it certainly seems that the Redskins have it a little better (Tennessee and Houston rather than Denver and San Diego).

Is it crazy for me to think that w/just a few changes, plus Al Saunders' influence on the offense, that this team could make a run at 11-5 or even 12-4 next year and get at least 1 home field playoff game?

Howard Bryant: Wow. There's a lot of space between now and the playoffs. But I do think they should be a very good team next year.

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Washington, D.C.: Imposing a salary cap for coaches is a ridiculous and unenforceable idea.

How do you define who a coach is? Can you limit the people upon which a head coach can rely during the game? How about outside of the game? How about the off-season? Are you going to monitor a coaches calls. Go over the payroll records of the owner and make an assessment as to who is working in a "coaching" function versus an administrative function?

Are you going to limit the number of scouts? What if you name a coach, a consultant, a scout, or a front-office person. Are they forbidden from consulting the team on "coaching matters."

This is a ridiculous idea that won't go anywhere.

Howard Bryant: Uh, did I suggest a cap for coaches? I don't think that I did.

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Langley, Va.: How long do you think that the NFL will continue to look the other way while Dan Snyder stacks up assistant coaches and coordinators like firewood? This must really make the other owners mad. Do you see a time when there will be a limit on the size of coaching staffs or a salary cap? The way the Redskins are going, they are going to need one plane for the players and another for everyone else.

Howard Bryant: The rest of the league won't be happy, but I don't think there is much to be done about it.

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Mexico City: Hey Howard

Being a government employee stationed in a country that follows the Cowboys is not a good place for a Hard Core Redskins fan!

What changes do you see to the kicking game? Does Tupa come back? Will Hall stay?

Howard Bryant: I have a hard time seeing Hall here next year, simply because his health always seems to be a question.

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Fairfax, Va.: Do you think the Skins still need to upgrade the D-Line, and maybe replace Renaldo Wynn with a more Pass Rushing DE? If so do you think this need will be addressed early in the draft or via Free Agency?

Howard Bryant: That will be a tough one. Renaldo will be in his 10th season, but a pass-rushing defensive end is the hardest commodity to acquire in football.

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Reston, Va.: It appears that the Redskins new offensive coach pick will probably mean that the team will go to the west coast offense. That usually means mobility, quick release, great accuracy, and not wasting downs. Which of the current quarterbacks seems to fit that model the best?

Howard Bryant: So far, I actually think that Brunell fits that system best. He should remember it from Holmgren in GB

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Crofton, Md.: What's the situation for the team in the draft? Where are they? How many picks do they have? I know they traded some picks away for Campbell, but any chance they might get a decent receiver in the draft, as opposed to free agency?

Howard Bryant: They do not have a first-rounder. But there is talk that they could find a good receiver in the second round.

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Newport News: Here are the cap numbers:

Keep Lavar = $7m

Release Lavar = $7m this year, $5m next

Trade Lavar = $12m

From a cap standpoint alone, releasing him spreads the hit, but wouldn't they be better off to trade him, get something in return, and swallow the whole cap hit like they did with Coles?

The Coles thing worked out, right? The Bailey thing worked out, right?

Howard Bryant: Yes, but once more, the question that we'll have to continue to report on is what is LaVar's standing around the league. I'm not sure he is still considered an elite player.

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Okinawa, Japan: It appears that the Skins will have a limited amount of money to go after free agents. Obviously, the top-tier players will be tough to acquire. However, with glaring weaknesses at WR, TE, and DE do you think the team will focus on upgrading one position with a stud and just try to fill in the others (i.e. - go hard after Reggie Wayne or Darren Howard but have no money left for anyone else) or will they focus on finding cheaper talent so they can fill several holes?

Also, will Jason Campbell be the #2 quarterback or will they bring in another veteran and keep Campbell carrying the clipboard next year?

Howard Bryant: I have a hard time believing after coming so close to the NFC title game that Campbell will be a heartbeat away from the presidency

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Hampton, Va.: I think the Skins were lucky to make the playoffs at all. If Donovan was upright, they wouldn't have won at Philly, right? Then we wouldn't be having these silly discussions about how the Skins are one player away from the Superbowl.

They got really lucky. They stole a game from the Cowboys. The Eagles fell apart. You can't count on that next year.

Howard Bryant: Exactly. I think the East is so good, that nothing is a given. Who expected Philly to go 0-6 in the division? That won't happen next year. All four teams, to me, are dead even, with a slight edge to the Eagles if they can stay healthy and find a receiver (probably one of the same guys the Redskins will be looking for)

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Chevy Chase, Md.: What do you see as the major problem with the offense not scoring in the last couple of games?

Howard Bryant: I think Portis was banged up, and they missed Randy Thomas immensely. I think Mark Brunell did not look right. He was hurt, and I think until the Seahawks strangely went to a prevent with a shaky 17-3 lead last Saturday, defenses keyed on Chris Cooley and no one else was available underneath. Moss can't do everything.

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Albany, N.Y.: I asked this question before the Seattle game but got no answer. What's the problem with Patrick Ramsey? And why was it more important for Gibbs to play Brunell when he was obviously ineffective, and lose a playoff game, than it was to potentially win with Ramsey? I just don't get it and the league is littered with former Redskins quarterbacks who would have been much better than Brunell. The Redskins are always sending their promising young quarterbacks to other teams. Why?

Howard Bryant: I can answer that with one sentence: IMHO, Joe Gibbs believed that an injured Brunell was a better fit than a healthy Ramsey.

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Charlotte, N.C.: Since there have been additional responses to my previous query, I'd like to expound on it. One of the sticking points of the new CBA (besides the players' cuts) has been the revenue sharing between teams of locally generated revenues, with smaller markets pointing to Washington and Dallas specifically as examples of organizations making out better because of more profitable markets. What would be the likelihood of this "coach hoarding" issue suddenly being brought to the table as an example of the inequalities?

Howard Bryant: I definitely think it will be an issue, if only because owners are going to want to keep down assistant salaries (as Bud Selig suggested in baseball). But what can legitimately be done about right now, I don't know.

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Washington, D.C.: Do you and your colleagues ever get tired of receiving questions regarding proposed trades?

Especially the kind that are as absurd as the Ed Reed for Patrick Ramsey deal proposed earlier.

Howard Bryant: Well, I like that fans are interested in their teams and what they think will make them better. The only time it gets tiring is if my bosses make us explore trades that have no chance of happening.

Of course, my motto in this business is "Don't be so sure..." I was covering the Red Sox and all the writers kept saying, "no WAY do they trade Nomar." There's a lesson in that.

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A.J.: What about Charles Rodgers from the Lions?

Howard Bryant: Don't yet know enough about the Lions situation (neither do the Lions, I would suggest). It is clear the Redskins need a receiver, but the rest of the league isn't going to volunteer one. A deal has to be made, and most likely, a really good one.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Wow! Another big acquisition for the Redskins. It certianly is nice to be talking about a quality pickup in the coaching staff, instead of the flashy attempts to improve the team with over the hill guys (ie Dieon Sanders). I think that Snyder finally gets it, get the best people possible and let them run the football show. Having people like Gibbs, Williams, and Saunders, as well as Blache, Bugel, and Musgrave really puts the Redskins in great position for next year. Plus he hired Saunders as early as possible so he will have time to evaluate what we have, and then have time to make the decisions as to what we need and who to get. Great job Snyder (how often have we said that in the past?).

Howard Bryant: I like the move as well, but it will be interesting to see how it shakes out.

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Washington, D.C.: (To the guy above) Ed Reed for Patrick Ramsey? Are you insane?

But really, what I think the most pressing need is depth at the O-line. Ray Brown was good, but the running game slipped waaaay downhill after Randy Thomas went down. Then when Ray Brown went out we only had the center left out there who got totally bullied by the Dline.

Howard Bryant: The O-line does need help. but I like their core. Thanks everyone! See you in a couple of weeks, I think.

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