J.I. Halsell is a lawyer, also. And he really knows his salary cap stuff. (And used to do salary cap stuff for the Skins, before becoming an agent.)

That said, when he talks about legal isues like the salary cap arbitration, he really doesn't know what he's talking about, either in terms of the specific issues in this dispute, or about how the grievance procedure works in general.

And as to the timing of when this will be resolved--everyone, including but not limited to Halsell, seems to endorse the received wisdom that this dispute will go on for a very long time. Who knows, but (setting aside an antitrust claim in court, which would take a very long time, years) I see no particular reason to believe that's true.

My vague guess is that it might be reasonable to expect Burbank's decision on this motion to dismiss within a couple of weeks. (That's not based on any knowledge of how long Burbank has taken in the past; it's about how long you could expect him to take to really dig deeply into the issues.) So, if we lose this motion, I'd think we'd know within a couple of weeks, then we could appeal to the Appeals Panel. The issues would be developed by that point, and I'd think the whole appeals process would take at most a couple-few months.

If we win the motion to dismiss, then I'd guess it might take another month for briefing and to hold the hearing on the merits of our challenge, then another couple of weeks for the decision. If we survive the motion to dismiss, I'd be fairly optimistic that we'd settle, which would mean a quick and final end to the dispute. Or if it does go to a decision, I'd think it relatively likely we'd at least get a fair amount of the cap space back--e.g., putting us back in the place where we would have been if we weren't permitted to wipe the cap clean in 2010, which would be something like $28 million over four years, not $36 million over two.) Then, there would be the Appeals Panel, if the parties decided to appeal, which again I'd think would be at most another couple-few months.

All that is moderately well-informed speculation. But I'm not aware of anything that would take appreciably longer than that time frame.

It's not every day you are fortunate enough to interview a guy who practiced, scrimmaged against, and studied soon-to-be-Redskins QB Robert Griffin III every day at Baylor University. Sincere appreciation to BGO member BUwolverine29, a linebacker for the Baylor Bears who was gracious enough to answer our littany of questions about the guy Redskins fans hope is the future of their franchise



As a linebacker for the Baylor Bears, you spent every practice session trying to defend against Robert Griffin III. What was that like?

From a defensive player’s perspective, what makes Griffin a special QB and puts fear into the heart of defenders?

The Redskins haven’t had a true franchise quarterback since Mark Rypien. As the #2 pick, obviously the Redskins believe Griffin is that guy. What did you experience with Griffin (both on and off the field) that leads you to believe he’ll be the kind of quarterback who can carry a franchise?

What’s Griffin like in the huddle and lockerroom? Is he the gregarious,’yes sir, no sir’ nice guy we see in interviews, a highly competitive and vocal ‘take charge’ leader, or both?

NFL fans are locked in a heated debate – is RG3 a ‘run first’ QB who’s likely to take off as soon as the opportunity presents itself, or is he a highly athletic ‘pass first’ QB who can use his feet when he has to?

What’s the #1 trait Griffin possesses that will make him successful in the NFL?

What’s the thing Griffin will have to work on the most to make him successful in the NFL?

In your time with RG3, what was the biggest adversity he faced, and how did he handle it?

The media and fan spotlight on Griffin will be (already is, in fact) incredibly intense. We’ve all heard ‘no pressure, no diamonds’ , but how do you think RG3 handles all those expectations?

Some question whether Griffin, at 6’2” 220 lbs and with a history of a knee injury, can stand up to the physical play in the NFL, particularly as a quarterback who’s not afraid to take off and run. How tough is Robert Griffin III?

Lots of fans have pointed out that success of Big 12 Conference quarterbacks in the NFL, despite frequently gaudy numbers, has not been historically impressive. What makes Griffin different?

Channel your inner Donovan McNabb and be a skeptic here – Griffin flourished in the spread offense at Baylor and hasn’t proven himself in a pro-style offense – how hard will it be for him to make that transition?

Under center or in shotgun – from which spot is Griffin more dangerous?

It’s been years and years since the Redskins have had a great long-ball-thrower. How good is Griffin’s deep ball game?

You’re a Dallas fan, as are many of the Baylor Bear fans. What kinds of emotions will those fans be going through as you see Robert Griffin III run out onto the turf at Fed Ex Field in a Redskins uniform on opening day?

On a scale of 1-100, how great an NFL career will RG3 have?

OK, so I'm literally getting no work done because I'm busy surfing draft sites, dreaming of finally having a franchise QB in DC and being amazed that I actually have my first man crush. So I figured I might as well stop fighting it....

Twas the night before the draft, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The jerseys were hung by the closet with care,
In hopes that an “RG III” nameplate would soon would be there.

The Skins fans were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of deep bombs danced in their heads.
And Mrs. 06 in her Skins shirt, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long night’s nap.

When out on the gridiron there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the white of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my long-suffering eyes should appear,
But a QB running a naked bootleg, away on a tear

With a franchise QB, so fast and free,
I knew in a moment it must be St. RG3
More nimble than Eagles he juked one by one,
Then he laughed and stiff-armed a sorry Cowbum

"Now Pierre! now, Sleepy! now, Hank and Helu!
On, Royster! On, Morgan! And yes, Santana too!
To the endzone! to the top of the NFC-E!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away baby!"

Being the chumps they are, they started to cry,
All Cowbums, Giants and Eagles fans, said bye
To future Super Bowl hopes and conference wins too
All crushed under Griff’s mighty arm and swift shoe.

He sprang to the film room, for the Shannys to mold,
Then away he flew in weird socks, one burgundy, one gold.
But I heard him exclaim, as he passed a ball out of sight,
"Hail to the Redskins, for old DC I’ll fight!"

It's almost time to par-tay!! :djsmilie:

Here is the seventh mock from BBQ. Beginning on Monday, a new mock will be added each day – including special mocks next Friday and Saturday. Some major adjustments have been made once again and an UDFA projection list has been updated. Possible June 1st cuts have been highlighted as well. As always, feel free to discuss it and add/subtract some players as desired. Another feature is the visits to Redskins Park and this will be updated accordingly.

[B][COLOR="darkred"][SIZE="5"]BBQ Mock Draft Seven[/SIZE][/COLOR][/B]

[B][U][COLOR="darkred"]Round One:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
[COLOR="darkred"]Robert Griffin, III – QB, Baylor[/COLOR]
Griffin is the franchise QB that Mike Shanahan has been seeking since John Elway. Griffin has many similarities to Elway, but is a much better athlete. Redskins are quickly falling in love with RG3 and he will become the face of the franchise for many years to come.

[B][U][COLOR="darkred"]Round Three:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
Projected trade. With a higher pick in the third round, the Redskins move further down in the third round and obtain an extra fourth rounder.

[B][U][COLOR="darkred"]Round Three:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
Projected trade. The Redskins move down for the second time in round three and gain an extra fifth rounder in the process.

[B][U][COLOR="darkred"]Round Three:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
[COLOR="darkred"]Marvin McNutt - WR, Iowa [/COLOR]
The new franchise quarterback will need some reliable targets and McNutt is an underrated receiver who could have a good rookie season for the Redskins. Too, a replacement is need for Jabar Gaffney – more on that later.

[B][U][COLOR="darkred"]Round Four:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
[COLOR="darkred"]Robert Turbin - RB, Utah State[/COLOR]
Mike Shanahan has a knack for finding late round gems at RB and Turbin will be no exception to this rule. A sleeper prospect that is strong and very quick – a perfect fit for the ZBS running game. A running game featuring Helu, Royster, and Turbin will be a nightmare for opposing defenses.

[B][U][COLOR="darkred"]Round Four:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
Projected Trade. The Redskins use this trade to pick up a fifth and seventh rounder.

[B][U][COLOR="darkred"]Round Four:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
[COLOR="darkred"]Jamell Fleming - CB, Oklahoma [/COLOR]
Fleming is the first player to be selected in the “Oklahoma Run”. He is a quality prospect who will fill an immediate need as a nickel CB. He could become a quality starter within a year or two. Raheem Morris will be able to mold Fleming into valued member of the secondary.

[B][U][COLOR="darkred"]Round Five:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
[COLOR="darkred"]Ryan Broyles - WR/KR, Oklahoma[/COLOR]
Broyles has enthusiastically dedicated himself to coming back from a knee injury. His stock has dropped, but this is an unfair situation - Broyles is a legitimate late first round talent who has blazing speed. Drafting him would bring an end to the Santana Moss era in Washington. Is Broyles really a target? Here is how that question can be answered. The Redskins missed on Eddie Royal - the actual replacement for Moss. Enter Broyles. Last year, the Redskins made the University of Nebraska their draft headquarters. Sure, the Redskins are hanging out with Donald Stephenson, but Oklahoma will become the new Nebraska in 2012 for the Redskins.

[B][U][COLOR="darkred"]Round Five:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
Projected Trade. The Redskins use this trade to pick up a sixth and seventh rounder.

[B][U][COLOR="darkred"]Round Five:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
[COLOR="darkred"]Philip Thomas - FS, Syracuse [/COLOR]
During the offseason, the Redskins have been bolstering their safety corps and will continue to do the same in the draft. Thomas is a nice prospect and had a private workout with the team recently. Thomas’ suspected PED use earned him a suspension toward the end of the season, but it is believed that his mistake was similar to Jeremy Jarmon’s.

[B][U][COLOR="darkred"]Round Six:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
[COLOR="darkred"]John Cullen - OT, Utah[/COLOR]
Cullen is a RT prospect who could be a very reliable backup for many years. It would not be a surprise to see him as the opening day starter at RT as well.

[B][U][COLOR="darkred"]Round Six:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
Projected Trade. Jabar Gaffney has spoken and team officials are not pleased – the WR is traded. The Redskins use this trade to pick up a sixth rounder.


[B][U][COLOR="DarkRed"]Round Six:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
[COLOR="darkred"]B.J. Coleman - QB, UT-Chattanooga[/COLOR]
Coleman has the tools to be a decent solution as a long term backup in the NFL. He will need time to adjust to the game and could produce as a starter or in relief, especially when injuries occur to the starting QB.


[B][U][COLOR="darkred"]Round Six:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
[COLOR="darkred"]Desmond Wynn - G, Rutgers[/COLOR]
Desmond Wynn is another OL prospect that could start ahead of Maurice Hurt or Kory Lichtensteiger if he is able to learn and excel in the ZBS early on. At the very least, Wynn would be a very capable backup at both guard positions.

[B][U][COLOR="DarkRed"]Round Seven:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
[COLOR="darkred"]Omar Bolden - CB, Arizona State [/COLOR]
The Redskins had Bolden in for a visit and for a good reason – he is a very talented CB that could easily slip to the seventh round. Prior to missing the 2011 season with a knee injury, Bolden was considered to be one of the best prospects at his position. He is worth the risk here and could be a major steal at this juncture of the draft.

[B][U][COLOR="DarkRed"]Round Seven:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
[COLOR="darkred"]Donald Stephenson - T, Oklahoma[/COLOR]
Is this the player who sends Jammal Brown to the waiver wires? The Redskins seem to like Stephenson and the feeling is mutual. Drafting a pair of tackles is not out of the question, but make no mistake about it, the coaching staff likes this young man and as mentioned earlier, Oklahoma players seem to be a target for the Redskins in the upcoming draft.

[B][U][COLOR="DarkRed"]Round Seven:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
[COLOR="DarkRed"]Shawn Loiseau - ILB, Merrimack[/COLOR]
Shawn Loiseau is a very talented LB who could learn under the tutelage of London Fletcher. Loiseau has a high motor and the skillset to be a superb inside player for many years to come. Don’t let the small college label fool you – Fletcher came from a small school as well. Loiseau has the goods to be a great one.

[B][U][COLOR="DarkRed"]Possible FA Pickups:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
[B]Jarrett Lee - QB, LSU[/B]
[B]Marc Tyler - RB, Southern Cal[/B]
Derek Moye - WR, Penn State
Dan Hoch - OT, Missouri
[B]Daron Rose - OT, North Alabama[/B]
[B]Lonnie Edwards - G, Texas Tech[/B]
[B]Scott Wedige - C, Northern Illinois[/B]
[B]Chigbo Anunoby - DT, Morehouse[/B]
DaJohn Harris - DT, USC
Akiem Hicks - DT, Regina University (Canada)
Josh Linam - ILB, Central Florida
Darius Nall - DE/OLB, Central Florida
[B]Tashaun Gipson - CB, Wyoming[/B]
Matt Merletti - SS, North Carolina

* - Players in bold could be specific targets in the UDFA market. This is based on team needs and interest.

[B][U][COLOR="DarkRed"]Players who have been to Redskins Park for a visit include the following:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
- Arizona State CB Omar Bolden (Projected to be a sixth or seventh rounder - could be a late round steal if he returns to first round talent grade - missed 2011 with ACL injury).
- LSU DT Michael Brockers (Thinking he will drop to the third round? Not likely).
- Baylor QB Robert Griffin, III (On his way to town).
- Stanford QB Andrew Luck (Only if the Colts take RG3).
- Arkansas State S Kelcie McCray (A late round possibility - he has garnered some attention, but is probably no longer an option as the Redskins have added several safties in FA).
- Oklahoma OT Donald Stephenson (A possible 7th rounder or UDFA - Redskins seem to be very interested).
- Utah State RB Robert Turbin (Projected to be in the fourth round - moving up the boards - has completely overcome injury concerns).

[B][U][COLOR="darkred"]Private workouts for team coaches and scouts include the following:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
- West Virginia CB Keith Tandy (Projected to be a sixth or seventh rounder).
- Syracuse S Phillip Thomas (Projected to be a fourth or fifth rounder - has second round talent, but was suspended final two game of college career - probably illegal PED).

[B][U][COLOR="DarkRed"]Possible June 1st Cuts:[/COLOR][/U][/B]
Santana Moss
Chris Cooley
Jammal Brown
DeAngelo Hall

In today’s NFL, it’s all about the tangibles.

Talent trumps everything. At least that’s what we’re led to believe. Stockpiling your team with the best athletes in the Universe is the key to winning. Player 40 times, size, strength, and speed fuel obsession over draft position as teams jockey to select the latest ‘prototypical’ physical beast to help take them to the Promised Land.

If the NFL were a popular bar, we’d call it a ‘meat market’ based on the lascivious scrutiny given potential future stars. Players are poked, prodded, probed. They’re scanned, measured, tested, and dissected. And their potential value is measured in seconds, millimeters, and pounds. And at closing time, NFL teams are leaving with the hottest chick in the place. Forget about whether she can carry on a conversation, hold down a job, or kick that coke habit she’s got – the bitch is hot – and we have to have her.

But the morning after? It’s not always how we imagined it. Sure – physical talent is inarguably essential to success at the NFL level. But is it the only thing that matters? Do teams pay far too much attention to player’s physical gifts and not nearly enough to the more difficult to assess intangibles – like what’s between a player’s ears and in his heart and character?

I think so.

Every year we see evidence I’m right. Combine beauty queens rocket up NFL pre-draft boards based on their tangibles. Workout warriors become the stuff of internet legend before they’ve taken a snap (Robert McCune, are you out there?). NFL ‘mediots’ and ‘experts’ assess the physical talent of team rosters, add up and average the talent quotients, and proclaim our playoff teams before thermometers in DC have topped 80 degrees. Last season, it was Philadelphia and the ‘Dream Team’ that anyone but we ignorant fans needed to know was destined for greatness.

But the hopeless infatuation we have with beauty and physical talent is as shallow and meaningless as the urge that stirs men’s loins in other areas of their lives. Ask Bobby Petrino – he’ll tell you – nothing messes with your head and judgment like pure, unadulterated lust.

For 20 years, our Washington Redskins have tried desperately and repeatedly to take that hot, sexy chick home. And, you know, Dan Snyder always gets his girl. How’s that worked out for you Redskins fans? We’ve had our share of memorable ‘moments’, brief glimpses of orgasmic satisfaction that left us hungry for more. Sure – even bad sex is still pretty good. And that certainly describes my Redskins experience since about 1992. But ultimately we all experience a surprising fan revelation. We want to settle down and have a relationship – a real relationship. Something that matters, and lasts.

Dan Snyder has finally put away his sex toys.

Enter Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen. Grown-ups finally at the helm in Washington, these guys get it. We don’t need eye candy in burgundy and gold, we need players who can play. We don’t need physical prototypes, we need men with the ‘right stuff’ taking the field at Fed Ex Field. We don’t need stars to sell jerseys, we need to build a team that plays together for all the right reasons, to finally return the Redskins to a place of prominence in the NFL ranks.

We aren’t there yet, but you can see it from here. There’ve been hiccups along the way. The McNabb mistake is Case Study #1. McNabb had all the physical tools, but was devoid of those other qualities the Redskins desperately needed. Smarts, character, leadership, unselfishness. McNabb failed the test. And you know the rest. Conventional NFL wisdom dictates keeping a physical beast like Laron Landry, and shedding aging vets with diminishing physical skills like London Fletcher. But Shanahan and Allen have a different scorecard, one that measures those intangibles too. How will a player contribute to overall team chemistry? What motivates him? Is he willing to do anything to help his team win?

It’s anachronistic to say it – but character matters.

Some would say I’m wrong – dead wrong - that a tiger doesn’t change its stripes. They’d point to the present as unassailable evidence that the Redskins are doing exactly what they’ve done for the past 20 years, trading the farm to move up to the #2 NFL draft slot to take the sexiest pick out there in 2012, Baylor QB Robert Griffin III. And God help us all, he is one sexy son of a bitch. Arguably the fastest athlete ever drafted at the QB spot, RG3 is nothing if not a physical beast. Competing in the shadow of the heralded Andrew Luck, who some proclaim the greatest QB prospect in a decade, Griffin’s measurables make Luck look almost ordinary.

Robert Griffin III IS that hot chick we’ve lusted after for years.

But he’s so much more than that. Raised by two enlisted military parents, Griffin’s an every-other-word-is-yes-sir-no-sir kind of a guy. Politeness, respect, and class don’t win NFL games. But they’re a helluva place to start with a young player who’s about to become a gazillionaire. The enemy of young QB success is ego, and Griffin appears to have his capably in check. Beyond his obvious physical talents, Griffin is a smart kid. Listen to him for 2 minutes and you know it. Griffin gets it. Coming to a Redskins team where the Professor’s Shanahan will demand nothing less than academic perfection, Griffin is a straight A student. He’s the complete package.

It’s a new day in Washington DC. Mike Shanahan and company haven’t wowed Redskins fans yet. But they’re going to. Slowly and steadily, they’ve brought in the kinds of players we need, and sent those we can do without packing. Football smarts, character, and commitment to the team, not self, matter.

And on Thursday, April 26th, a little after 8 p.m. in the evening, they’re going to do it again.

(Further thoughts, cross-posted on ES [URL="http://www.extremeskins.com/showthread.php?363869-Espn-NFCEast-Blog-Giant-s-Mara-quot-Skins-got-off-lucky-quot-OP-Updated-w-follow-up-links&p=8919271&viewfull=1#post8919271"]http://www.extremeskins.com/showthread.php?363869-Espn-NFCEast-Blog-Giant-s-Mara-quot-Skins-got-off-lucky-quot-OP-Updated-w-follow-up-links&p=8919271&viewfull=1#post8919271[/URL])

[QUOTE=edelbeb;8918133]But we don't know what's in the league's contract with each team. What if that contract gives the Commissioner (with or without a vote of all teams) authority to make adjustments to any team's cap in the interest of maintaining competitiveness? Then, Goodell just says "It's not a penalty, it's an adjustment. Your contract with the league says I can make adjustments." Just because it's unfair (particularly to fans) doesn't mean it's illegal.[/QUOTE]

I've been through the NFL Constitution and Bylaws, and I don't see anywhere that the Commissioner or Management Council Executive Committee has any authority to adjust salary cap--other than as a penalty under Article VIII for "conduct detrimental to the league" and for conduct "affecting the competitive aspects of the game." But that's a penalty for a violation of the rules, which the NFL has repeatedly stated has not been imposed. Setting aside antitrust/collusion issues and setting aside procedural irregularities about imposing a penalty under 8.13 and 8.14 (e.g., penalties can only be imposed after notice and a hearing, and I believe the penalty could only come about under 8.14 through the Management Council as a whole (each team without a conflict of interest) voting to increase the punishment beyond that the Commissioner is expressly entitled to impose under 8.13), the NFL would likely have the power to do this under the Constitution and Bylaws (presumably subject to some kind of reasonableness assessment by the System Arbitrator). Even if so, the potential antitrust claim would remain as a background issue (that might be foregrounded), and I'd think Burbank would properly assess whether this non-penalty "adjustment" is anywhere authorized in the Constitution and Bylaws, and if somehow it's an authorized power, whether it was exercised through proper procedures, and if exercised through proper procedures, whether it was (by a clear preponderance of the evidence) substantively reasonable.

Maybe there's something else in the Constitution and Bylaws or CBA, outside of the 8.13/8.14 penalty that would authorize the cap hit, but I haven't found it (and I haven't seen anyone else point to it), or maybe there's some kind of residual power in the Commissioner and/or Management Council. But I don't see it.

Also, if this is not a penalty, but is only to rectify competitive imbalance, there is no basis whatsoever for charging us the full $36 million (let alone losing draft choices); there is no way to justify precluding us from having wiped clean the amount of the cap hit for AH and DH that would have been absorbed in the 2010 league year if the renegotiations had not occurred/not been approved by the League (I believe something like $7.4 million of the $36 million). Moreover, there is no way to justify our being forced to absorb the $36m hit half this year and half next. Instead, at most we should be required to have those cap hits that would have been imposed if the renegotiations were not approved pro-rated into 2011 and future years (very roughly $7million per year for this year and the next three years). At absolute most, that would be sufficient to rectify any legitimate (non-punitive) competitive balance concerns; the far greater cap hit imposed on us is undeniably a penalty, and the NFL simply did not use the process necessary to impose a penalty, or even purport to impose a penalty.

Moreover, the 2011 CBA expressly states that the salary cap is to be the same for all clubs. (One could argue that this does not mean that it forecloses an adjustment to the cap as a penalty, but at least it suggests that altering the cap as a matter of course to reestablish perceived competitive balance is highly concerning.)

And while I'm ruminating, here are some further thoughts, some of which I've raised in the 80+ page thread. A) The argument that "the NFL approved the contracts so we win" is not very strong; B) there's a reason that no one has raised why it's actually a lot stronger than people realize, but C) it nonetheless is not terribly strong. As to A), the NFL approved the contracts in the uncapped 2010 year (in 2009?) because the contracts did not violate the CBA then in place; that's almost entirely distinct from the question whether the Skins' overall conduct in 2010 could be thought in 2012 to have undermined competitive balance and thus warrant an adjustment. In fact, however, B) the argument is stronger than I've seen it articulated by anyone b/c the Commissioner is entitled (under 8.14(A) of the 2011 CBA, and I'm virtually certain under the prior CBA) to disapprove player contracts not just if they violate the then-existing salary cap, but also if he finds them to be "in violation of or contrary to the NFL Constitution and Bylaws," or if the Commissioner believes the player or Club has "been guilty of an act or conduct which is or may be detrimental to the league...." In other words, the Commissioner [I]did[/I] have the power in 2010 to reject AH's renegotiated contract if he believed it upset competitive balance and warranted a penalty. Nonetheless, C) the Commissioner had the power to do it--but I don't see terribly much force to the argument that because he had the powerr to find the conduct detrimental to the NFL in 2010, he forever lost the power to determine it be detrimental or competitive balance-altering at some other point (i.e., I doubt there's any reason to believe the law of the case precludes his later deciding to exercise a power he didn't earlier choose to exercise). Given B), there is [I]something[/I] to the argument that the Commissioner's changing his mind two years later is fundamentally unfair. But--note that all of this language empowering the Commissioner to disapprove contracts is parallel to the language that expressly authorizes the Commissioner and Management Council to impose penalties (if they follow certain processes)--and that is not what they are claiming to have done here.

Also, in thinking about this further, there is strong reason to believe that the NFL would have been entirely within its rights to put rules into the 2011 CBA (if agreed to by the NFLPA) that would have imposed (non-penalty) cap consequences for teams that had wiped clean pending cap hits during the 2010 season (i.e., the Skins). No antitrust problem, because it's in the CBA, and no basis for our grousing (too loudly) because we did know there was the possibility that we wouldn't get away with dumping the cap space--wouldn't get away with it if the subsequent CBA imposed cap consequences, which it didn't. If the 2011 CBA [I]had[/I] spelled out cap consequences, then, to be fair, there's a strong argument that that isn't the league colluding (unlawfully) in 2010 during an uncapped season outside the CBA, it's the league (lawfully) colluding in 2011.

But the 2011 CBA does [I]not[/I] impose cap consequences for cap-dumping actions taken in 2010. Indeed, it expressly [I]permits[/I] teams to have cut players or traded players during the 2010 league year and thereby to have accelerated/wiped clean their [I]entire[/I] cap hit during 2010 (which is what we undoubtedly would have done with AH if we'd known that was our only way to get rid of his cap hit, rather than renegotiating). And the 2011 CBA sets forth the cap consequences for "preexisting contracts"--i.e., those entered into, or renegotiated, prior to the 2011 league year--and does [I]not[/I] impose any cap consequences for preexisting contracts unless those contracts would impose salary cap consequences into 2011 and beyond under the salary cap terms of the prior CBA. AH's and DH's renegotiated/preexisting contracts do not impose salary cap consequences under the terms of the prior CBA.

Thus A) there's an airtight argument that the 2011 CBA expressly permits wiping entirely clean pending salary cap hits in 2010 through a slightly different mechanism (cutting/trading, as opposed to renegotiating), so it's very hard to see how there's such a disruption of competitive balance by renegotiating that taking the renegotiation route (and trading AH before he ever plays another down for us) warrants this huge consequence, and B) there's a strong (but not airtight) argument that the 2011 CBA does not authorize cap consequences for renegotiated contracts prior to the 2011 league year that don't impose salary cap consequences into 2011 and beyond under the rules of the prior CBA (especially folding in the fact that the 2011 CBA states that each team is to have the same salary cap space).

The question remains whether it's permissible for the NFL and NFLPA to get a do-over of the 2011 CBA, two years later, through informal channels, without a full vote, and with the NFL throwing in the leverage of moving cap space from 2014 and 2015 into this year as the price for the NFLPA signing off on the adjustments, and at the 11th hour before free agency, and very likely in conflict with the 2011 CBA, A) as a matter of antitrust law, and B) under the NFL Constitution and Bylaws, which is presumably what Burbank will be focused on.

Posted this at the other place, but I feel like you guys will enjoy this one. Forgive me for posting in two places :(

Joe Bugel, the head honcho of the Hogs, was part of a brain trust of our three Super Bowl wins. Bugel will tell you himself, however, that the entire offense was installed by the entire offensive staff at Joe Gibbs wishes. That meant the OL coach knew the receivers responsibilities just as well as the RB coach knew the QBs. Everything was done together, as one, with unity.

Obviously, Coach Bugel and Gibbs really enjoyed running the football. For those that don't know, Buges worked with Woody Hayes and Bum Phillips as well as Joe Gibbs in his stints as an offensive line coach. So he worked with some absolutely outstanding football minds.

Woody Hayes was a guy who, for all intents in purposes, went into the game planning on running the ball 73 out of 75 times, and as Buges says, "those two passes might be two button hooks".

Bum Phillips kept it simple, he only had a hand full of offensive plays at the team's disposal. Which was different than Coach Gibbs. Gibbs came in with the Air Coryell playbook. Twenty plus run combos, various pass protections, and over 150 route combinations. The first thing Buges and Gibbs did when they got to Washington was to parse down the playbook. There were a few running plays in their arsental, but Buges speaks most highly of 40/50 Slant, 40/50 Gut and the Counter Game.

One of the biggest things about Gibbs and Buges was that they wanted to practice every day in full pads, with the idea that as the season went on their guys would be so calloused they'd be in better shape than their opponents. And it helped them win three Super Bowls. But they weren't dumb by the same token. They didn't go full go in these practices, they wanted to keep everyone up.

In my last Chalk Talk, about Tight Zone, I talked about Alex Gibbs and how he utilized the cut block in one of the replies. Joe Bugel doesn't believe in the cut block. He likes to keep big guys upright.

One of the itneresting things about Buges, is he didn't make the left side of the line get in a left handed stance (A left handed stance is where your left foot is back and your left hand is down. It's utilized to keep your kick foot back in pass protection to help you get depth quicker and prevent penetration from the defensive end). Everyone has their style, and you can't argue Buges success.

[center][b][size=5]COUNTER GAME[/b][/size][/center]

Let's start out with the most famous play of them all. The HS team I coach runs this play, except we call it "Redskin" in honor of the team that made this play famous. This was the Redskins' bread and butter run series:

[b]Counter Trey[/b]

The "Trey" portion is the famous part of the play, but it's not the only way to run counter, and the 'Skins changed what they did against different defenses and looks. The counter part was their staple, the trey just became famous verbiage.

[center][IMG]http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u486/kdawg_es/countertrey34.jpg[/IMG][/center]

First off, any blue on the diagram is a motion. Any red is a block.

This is based against a 3-4 defense, which the Giants ran with a guy named Lawrence Taylor... You may have heard of him.

Basically, in the counter game, you always want a double team playside and one or two pulls coming from the backside. Definition wise, playside is the side where the play is designed to go, and backside is the side that's "behind" the play.

So, in the counter trey vs. the 3-4, the TREY block itself it the TE/T double team on the defensive end. You see that on the right side of the diagram. The TE takes an inside "gap" step, sealing off his gap and exploding into the defensive end. The tackle steps to the defensive end and also explodes into him. But [u]he only does so for two steps[/u], he then peels off and finds the [u]FAR[/u] linebacker.

The playside guard blocks down on the nose. Angles are important and he has a great one.

The center is going to do something that Buges refers to as, "break glass". Basically, that son of a gun is turning and running until he hits something. Ideally, you want it to be the backside defensive end.

The backside guard is going to pull off the center's butt. His job on counter is to always hit the first man outside the playside tackle. In this case, although I don't list the position, it's the SAM (strongside backer).

The backside tackle is pulling as well, but he's going to get a yard of depth deeper than the guard. Why? If that End breaks through, he can easily disrupt the flow of the play, so by getting depth, the tackle can stay on his assignment without disruption. When he pulls, he's staying in the guards hip pocket, looking off his own inside shoulder. He'll then peel off and block the near backer, which in this instance is the MIKE.

As you can see, the Z receiver motions in this version of the play, and his only job is to create a wall where he stops his motion. He CANNOT allow backside penetration. Whether it's the end of the WILL backer, he MUST slow them down.

The HB is aligned in the I formation on this play. At the snap, he's going playside and off the butt of the TE then going directly to the strong safety.

The tailback is going to take a jab step to the backside to get the linebackers to flow, then he's cutting back and following his pulling linemen.

[b]The counter trey could also be run against a 4-3 UNDER defense[/b] which is diagrammed here:

[center][IMG]http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u486/kdawg_es/countertreyunderd.jpg[/IMG][/center]

This time, the HBack is aligned on the left side of the formation, off the line of scrimmage. The TE (or Y) is on the line of scrimmage on the right side of the formation. It's a TREY block, which again, means TE/T double team.

So the TE/T double the end. After two steps, the tackle once again aborts and goes to the far backer.

The playside guard is going to take the angle on the 1-tech defender (1-tech = defender in the A-Gap) and blow him out of the play.

The center is "breaking glass" again, and MUST blow up that 3-tech defender. If that 3-tech is a real pain in the ass, the HB is going to help, I'll explain that in a second.

The backside guard is pulling, hitting the first man passed the tackle on the playside, which is again the SAM backer.

The backside tackle is also doing the same. Getting a yard deeper than the guard and blowing up the MIKE backer.

The HBack's role changes a bit. He's replacing the pulling guard once the tackle gets out of the way. He's the seal player, or the wall player, like the Z was in the first diagram vs. the 3-4 defense. He can help seal the 3-tech if the center struggles, or, ideally, he will seal off the defensive end to stop backside penetration.

The tailback takes the jab step and goes follows his blockers. Once again, the jab is to create linebacker blow to the wrong direction.

Here's one of my favorite "Bugeisms". The receivers go to block the safeties. Why not the corners? Because, as Buges says, "they're zombies" because if they try to make the tackle against the 'Skins backs, their "dead men walking".

[u]So far, you've seen the TREY version of counter diagrammed twice against different defenses. Well, now we'll get into [b]Counter Deuce Angle[/b][/u]

[center][IMG]http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u486/kdawg_es/counterdeuceangle46.jpg[/IMG][/center]

If a TREY was a TE/Tackle block, one could logically assume a DEUCE is a tackle/guard block. And if you did, you'd be correct :)

The premise is the same, and this play is being run against a 46 defense, much like Buddy Ryan's Eagles ran.

The TE (or Y) is shutting down his inside gap and sealing the defensive end.

The PSG (playside guard) and PST (playside tackle) are doubling the 3-technique (defensive linemen aligned on the outside shoulder of the guard). They double for two steps, then the guard breaks off and takes on the nose tackle.

The center is breaking glass again, attacking the defensive end on the backside.

The BSG (backside guard) and BST (backside tackle) are once again pulling. Guard blocks first man outside the tackle (which some could argue is the end, but we've taken care of him, so he goes to the SAM). The tackle looks inside to MIKE.

The HB is the seal player yet again.

[u]This next one is a double tight formation. In this diagram, there is a TE on the LOS on the right side of the formation. There is ANOTHER tight end off the LOS directly next to him. And directly next to him is the HB.[/u]

I present you [b]Counter Load O.T.[/b] (O.T. is simply OFF TACKLE)

[center][IMG]http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u486/kdawg_es/counterloadot.jpg[/IMG][/center]

I like this play a lot because there are two double teams.

First off, the HB is the motion man. He sets up and creates the wall to seal the backside to prevent penetration, just like he has in other versions and the Z does in the first version we went over.

The two tight ends are going to seal their gap and double team, once again, for two steps. After two steps, the inside aligned TE (the one on the LOS) aborts and he attacks the [b]NEAR[/b] backer.

You get another DEUCE block with the PSG and PST. After two steps, the PSG aborts and goes to the [b]FAR[/b] backer.

Center breaks glass on the 1-tech.

BSG/BST pull.

[u]Now, let's change course. Buges ran this next one with the Raiders when he had Napoleon Kauffman as his back. Kauffman was a quick little bastard.[/u]

[center][IMG]http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u486/kdawg_es/counterof.jpg[/IMG][/center]

This one is called [b]Counter O.F.[/b] (Off Fullback)

There are two receivers aligned to the left of the diagram. The fullback is offset in a WEAK I formation.

If the DE on the playside is aligned outside the tackle, and the SAM is walked up on the LOS outside the TE, the PST will make a "TRIGGER" call.

Basically, they're taking their guys in a man blocking scheme.

The PSG is going to block down and take on the 1-tech.

On this version of the play, the center does NOT break glass. He shuffle steps to replace the pulling guard. He's responsible for the 3-tech.

The BSG pulls and will pick up the MIKE this time, because the SAM has been accounted for.

That means the BST doesn't have a responsibility. So what he does is take a shuffle step inside to seal the B-Gap (the gap between the guard and tackle) and then swings to prevent the defensive end from penetrating.

The X receiver (the slot receiver on the left of this diagram) goes to the strong safety who is walked up in the box.

The fullback has the most important role on this play. He needs to come RIGHT off the pulling guard's hip and pick up the WILL linebacker.

[b]First off, I know my diagrams blow. I apologize [/b]

But this was the counter game that we know and love. The Redskins also had several other versions, including O.Y. (Off Tight End), a pass, a screen and a reverse off of it. That kept defenses honest. They couldn't commit completely to stopping the Trey, or Deuce because then good ol' Saint Joe would hit them with some trickery.

Hope this was helpful to some wanting to learn more about our counter game, let me know if you have anything to add or any questions. I'll answer them the best I can. Although, let's remember, I'm not Joe Bugel :)

[QUOTE=Bulldog's Twin;118320]Dissected the comment on Garcon, but left the one about Steve Smith alone :)[/QUOTE]

Steve Smith didn't break 1000 yards until his third season. In a stunning coincidence, that happened to be the first season Jake Delhomme became the starting QB.

Smith put up good numbers for the next five seasons he was healthy. In '05, 06, and 08 he went to the pro-bowl. His numbers, though not terrible, did dip in 2007, which in a stunning coincidence happened to be the season Delhomme missed 13 games to injury.

In 2009, 34-year-old Delhomme's play started to deteriorate and he was replaced by Matt Moore towards the end of the season. In a stunning coincidence, Smith's numbers dropped off dramatically, and he failed to break 1000 yards for the first time in four years.

In 2010, Delhomme was gone and Jimmy Clauson and Moore fought for who could suck the most at QB. In a stunning coincidence, Smith's numbers dropped to career lows as a full time starter, with just 554 receiving yards and 12 yards a catch.

In 2011, Cam Newton was drafted and broke all kinds of rookie QB records. In a stunning coincidence, Smith had almost 1400 receiving yards at 17.6 yards a catch and made the pro-bowl for the first time since 2008.

Go figure.

Washington

A league source today confirmed that the NFL was ready to change playoff game results at the end of the season after the overtime rules were changed. The sudden death aspect of the game was taken away if a field goal was scored first in OT, giving the opposing team a chance to match with a field goal or score a TD to win.

"Teams were verbally warned to just give up if a field goal was scored in OT against them," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in an interview today. "They knew what the consequences were if they flaunted the new NFL rules in our faces, and those consequences were to vacate their wins. I strongly waived my finger in their faces in a 'no-no' gesture. It was VERY clear."

When asked what would have happened if a team with a vacated win had won the superbowl, Goodell answered "we'd have crossed that bridge when we came to it. I believe the idea with the most support would have been to break the Lombardi into 31 pieces, and give each team other than the offending team a small chunk."

The competition committee this offseason will vote on whether or not to remove sudden death OT altogether. It was not clear at the time of this report whether or not those results would be held up.

As I mentioned earlier I'm leaning more toward RGIII than I am toward Luck. Both have displayed a level of skill and smarts as QBs that sets them apart and above the rest of the current crop of available QBs in this years draft. Their styles are notably different but effective.

I agree with Boone about the "excitement" factor of RGIII being a major component. The Redskins and we fans have been mired in year after year of doldrums laced with glimpses of promise but always with caveats based on "more of the same"-a "tweak" rather than a change of direction, an "upgrade" rather than a re-make. I think it's time to shake things up, go off in a new direction, [I]shed the painful nostalgia of past successes and realize there will be no more '83, 87, or 91 type Redskins teams that can win a SB.[/I] The next team the Redskins have that is a SB contender won't look anything like the previous SB winning teams.

They can't-that type of football won't do it anymore. Not in Washington. Not with the Redskins.

The emergence of the Tebow, Newton, Griffin, and-to a certain extent even Luck type QBs, are QBs that aren't of the cookie-cutter mold we've come to believe is "The Only Right Way" to a winning team. RGIII doesn't look like anything the Redskins have ever had under center and that's, IMHO, [I]exactly[/I] what the Redskins need in this decade-something different, new, fresh, a skilled, mobile, bright, and wonderfully athletic QB who can energize this team, energize the fans, get us out of a 20 year old battle between angst and ennui and get butterflies back in our stomachs.

Yes, I think Andrew Luck could do that.

I think RGIII could do it better.

For the love of All That Is Holy, can we please stop comparing the current front office to Bobby freaking Beathard?

Beathard was here for twelve years and made over 120 draft picks. Cherry-picking some of them out and holding them up as proof that the current front office, with all of two years and 16 picks under their belt, can't draft adequately is absolutely insane. Seriously.

So some of our rookies haven't instantly turned into Dexter Manley. That's not proof that the front office can't find a guy like that. It doesn't mean a guy like Perry Riley, or Roy Helu or Leonard Hankerson won't become the hidden gem of glory that apparently eludes us now. Believe it or not, most rookies and second year guys didn't do much on the old 80s teams too.

Beathard was a great GM, but he was a great GM for an entirely different era when there was no cap and you made 12 picks a year and could stash them away on IR until they were ready to transition to the pro-game. Today's offseason is NOTHING like that now. Just ... stop already. I'm gonna bash my head against my monitor if I read one more post pining for a front office that hasn't existed for two decades, and can't possibly exist ever again.

I was asked to peruse forums and see what was being said about the current Redskins/Cowboys cap space removal threat from the NFL. I decided to do something a bit different and post most of an entire thread.

From a Giants fan forum no less.

BTW, the poster Ntegrase96, is a Cowboys fan.


Ntegrase96's reply to gmen;

There are other teams whose fans thoughts about the Redskins trading for the #2 pick and apparently getting RGIII at QB I thought would be of interest-the Browns, Rams, Colts, Dolphins, and Jaguars in this case.


Browns

Rams

sosa39rams disagreed with lostsoul here...

Colts

Colts fans didn't really have a lot to say about it.

There was some disagreement about this.

Dolphins

Dolphins fans, on the other hand, did.

Jaguars

Some Jags fans think we messed up the cost of moving up in the draft.

Two blogs in two days? Holy Word docx Batman, what's gotten into Neo?

RGIII, that's what.

There is a lot of talk right now about records, specifically wins and losses, and the impact on what we did last week with the Rams when we traded up to #2. So let’s look at it, shall we?

The Skins started the year off 3-1 and looked good so we will start with the idea that 3 wins was the minimum we could have had last season. It was at this point that the wheels started to look shaky before coming completely off. As the season wore on there were more and louder calls for the team to lose out in order to get the highest draft position possible.

For the record, I seem to recall opinions on this matter being split pretty evenly and I was on the side of winning as many games as we could. Just figured I would make my position plain from the outset.

As everyone knows, we finished the season with two late wins, Week 12 in Seattle and Week 15 in NY. These are the two games that people are pointing to that “hurt” us as far as draft position is concerned. Had we lost those two games we would have finished 3-13 and tied with Minnesota and due to strength of schedule the Redskins would have ended up with the 3rd pick in the draft.

I can hear some of out there right now saying “Ha! See! We would not have had to trade to get RGIII if we had lost those games because the Rams were never going to draft him anyway.”

Myth #1 – We could have had RGIII with just our first round pick if we had only lost those two late games to Seattle and NY.

I think that logic is totally faulty. Griffin was already on a number of team’s radar as QB #1a to Andrew Luck’s #1. He was already a hot commodity and in demand. And the Rams still stink and need the draft picks because they already have a franchise QB in Bradford. We know that Cleveland made a strong play for the pick and that several other teams were reported to make offers.

So myth #1, that going 3-13 would have gained us Griffin, is totally busted. That pick was getting traded and it was going to someone who wanted Griffin so he never would have made it pick #3. Period.

Myth #2 – Trading up from #3 to #2 would have cost us less than trading up from #6.

I have read several times, in several different places, that winning those two games cost us more picks in this move to trade up. Not sure how people figure that though. Cleveland was 2 places ahead of us and in the end made an offer of greater value then we did and only lost out because the Rams had already agreed to our deal. There is absolutely no indication that the Rams were even considering a discount based on how high a given suitor’s first round pick was or was not.

So while myth #2 may not be totally busted, there is no evidence to support it being true either. We were likely going to deliver a king’s ransom for this pick regardless.

Myth #3 – We were in a bidding war and that drove the price up.

I have heard on a couple of different shows on ESPN and the NFL Network that this was less an auction and more an outright sale along the lines of the no haggle price at Carmax. Supposedly the Rams came out early last week and set the price. The Skins were just the first team willing to meet that price and once we agreed to what the Rams wanted, it was a done deal. Sure, Cleveland tried to pay more later but that is like a second buyer trying to pay more than list at Carmax for a vehicle already sold to a first buyer. Granted, without the paperwork signed yet, all that prevented the Rams from going with the better offer was their honor.

So there goes myth #3 as well and with it the last chance to be really upset with those two late season wins.

The bottom line here is that the Skins were going to pay through the nose for Griffin no matter what. Personally, if I am going to watch my team give up 2 #1s and a #2 to swap picks with someone, I think it hurts a lot less doing so from #6 rather than from #3.

Well the Redskins have gone and done it again, grabbed the NFL's headline machine and given it a mighty spin-one that's reverberating throughout the league like so many moves the Redskins have made in the past.

Like the past there are reactions everywhere among the fans of every team in the NFL so I'm splitting this into two parts. Part 1 will be what our division rivals' fans think of the Redskins trading into the #2 draft slot-and grabbing RGIII-and Part 2 will have a small selection of what might be called "significant other teams" fans opinions.

First, the majority of the posts I've encountered out there are of the "The Redskins gave up what to get RGIII??" variety-a lot saying we got raped by the Rams, some saying RGIII is a 50/50 boom/bust prospect.

I went looking for posts that had something more substantial or informative than "**** the Skins" or comments that were just "haters in action."

Cowboys:

This was a reply:

Eagles

PHEagles36 had another comment I liked.

One Eagles fan gave the Redskins some interesting props for the move.

Giants

Interestingly, Giants' fans mostly thought it was a good trade

:rolleyes2:

This post really caught my eye also.


Part of me though can't help but wonder if the Giants fans are just glad it doesn't look like we're going to get Peyton. :rolleyes2: