Should we stop believing the "Skins are interested in...." rumors?

[@DCGoldPants]

I remember before Free Agency last year when one guy I think in houston wrote that the Skins were going to offer Haynesworth 100mil deal. I didn't believe it. I knew Vinny leaked info to ESPN and the Skins sucked at keeping things hush hush. But I still though that was too much. Though.....it was true.

Now we're hearing the Skins are interesting Sproles or Peppers or whoever.

I guess it could be true. But one big thing that did change when Shanny and Allen came into power....it seemed that the leaks did stop. People were guessing the meaning of comments from these coaches. Nobody had "insider info" on whatever. The days of JLC reporting LaVar would be released months before it actually happened were over. The days of the F.O. declaring war on the media seem to be over.

So, when PFT (I know, I know) or whoever is saying the Skins are interested in something........I just find it further from the truth than ever before.

I think we'll be active in FA. But because its an uncapped year and we need help all over. I think we'll see a rush on OL hoping one is better than listed. I think maybe they sign a RB, and release one on the roster. I think they might even release Randel El and Griffen here soon.

But I just think this whole idea that the Skins are leaking info on who they are into still is dumb. I don't buy it.

I hope I'm right.

 

[Om]

Way too early to make an informed judment in my opinion.

We formed our impressions of the Cerrato/Snyder style vis-a-vis leaks over many years. No one story, or one year, provided enough evidence of the kind of pattern they followed. The same will have to hold true for Allen/Shanahan. One move, one offseason ... just not enough to go on.

Particularly so given the reality that half of what you hear at this time of year from any front office is misinformation. Rumors intentionally floated for reasons only the team knows. Just for example, Allen could well have "leaked" to some reporter with a glass pressed to his ear against the wall, stage-whispering "damn straight we're going after Peppers" knowing full well they were not interested in him themselves, just hoping to maybe drive up his price because they suspect an NFCE opponent IS going after him.

Or maybe they "leak" interest in Sproles as a simple head-fake, feinting to keep the media off the trail of whatever moves the Redskins ARE plotting.

I plan to take this offseason as a whole, and see what the roster looks like come the opening of training camp, before making any kind of judgment on what the new regime's style is in terms of how they disseminate info and handle the press. And even then, I'm going to view it in context of this being the first season under a new regime, and as a single season only.

One offseason, particularly so a first season with all the attendant changes necessary, does not necessarily a pattern make.

 

[riggins44]

Allen seems to have a better poker face than Vinny. Or guess Vinny couldn't contain himself and told everyone what plans were. I don't know.

My guess is we will be better at smoke and mirrors now. OM is probably right about driving up Peppers price, since the Eagles are said to be after him. Plus, a smart Agent will say Redskins interested to drive up their client's price, since most other teams know Snyder will pay up.

I wouldn't be surprised to see one or two OL signed quickly. To be honest, I feel good about this off season. Reason is I believe this staff has a sound plan to restore the Redskins and will work their plan.

 

[authentic]

The interested thing can get dicey. Lets say the agents of all the high priced FAs have contacted the Skins to inquire about thier client's services. They (the agent) could then run to the media and say that the Skins are interested just based on an inquiry. Eventhough, the FO may not really have that much interest. I remember a few week back there was a report about how Jim Haslett was interested in Leonard Little. Were in reality all Haslett said was that he liked him, from his days @ Stl, and that he felt he had a few years left in him. In a nutshell, i will say that about 5% is fact, 10% has some element of truth to it and 80% is a bunch of fluff.

 

[@DCGoldPants]

it just kills me because the reporting per se is as if nothing changed.

 

[Neophyte]

There in is your problem, Wheat. You are thinking of what is going on as "reporting". That implies some basis in fact, some legit idea of what is actually going on. Sports "reporting" is no longer about fact for many of these guys. Rumor is more than enough to put in print.

 

[@DCGoldPants]

There in is your problem, Wheat. You are thinking of what is going on as "reporting". That implies some basis in fact, some legit idea of what is actually going on. Sports "reporting" is no longer about fact for many of these guys. Rumor is more than enough to put in print.

Fine...."posting"

But the line between the two is more blurry than ever.

Like calling a game is in its dark ages with the need of ex-players in most booths....the same is for "reporting".

 

[riggins44]

I believe Allen and Shanahan are smart enough to use "reporting" to their advantage. We will continue to see players linked to as long as agents can manipulate the market for their clients.

If go after the big splashy signing, then it will continue. If we don't and manipulate them then agents will have to find a new ploy.

With FA's the agents are basically crying wolf or playing chicken with the other 31 teams. Just think though that this FO has a little more respect around the league than Vinny and Co.

 

[Elephant]

Way too early to make an informed judment in my opinion...

...One offseason, particularly so a first season with all the attendant changes necessary, does not necessarily a pattern make.

You are absolutely correct to suggest that a pattern is not determined in a single off-season. But, I think a general tone can be determined in a new regime's first year of free agency and draft. I also think, it is vitally important for these two, Allen/Shanahan, to come out of the gates with some wise decisions. I know we will not know how affective many of their moves will be for a couple years. But as a new regime under an owner with a tight trigger finger, it is important for these two to keep Snyder out of the picture by making some short term moves that are tangible in the first year.

Now, as far as the rumors, until the entire league sees a change in Washington, agents will always use this team to make as much money for their client as possible. A simple rumor that the Skins are interested could gain a 10-15% higher yield for their clients.

 

[Om]

You are absolutely correct to suggest that a pattern is not determined in a single off-season. But, I think a general tone can be determined in a new regime's first year of free agency and draft...

I agree up to a point, El. Remember Gibbs first year in 2004? They went out and picked up a number of vets (Phillip Daniels, Walt Harris, Marcus Washington, Walter Rasby as FA's, Brunell & Portis in trades ...)? It didn't necessarily show what they were going to be like under his regime over time.

New coaches/GM's are faced with trying to put a competitive product on the field (assuming they aren't commited to a complete overhaul) from a 100% inherited roster---that first year to me has always been almost a throwaway. Particularly on a bad team like the Redskins were in '09. Shanahan/Allen almost HAVE to hit the ground running in FA this year if they plan to try to compete for a playoff spot.

Maybe we'll learn as much about their intentions for this one season from watching what they do in the next couple of months than we will about how they intend to do business over the length of their tenure.

 

[Elephant]

Maybe we'll learn as much about their intentions for this one season from watching what they do in the next couple of months than we will about how they intend to do business over the length of their tenure.

Agreed, but I still believe we can only keep Dan Snyder on the sidelines for so long if we are not winning, unless he has made a genuine change in his impulsive thinking. Hopefully we have a new train of thought from Snyder, but I feel Shanahan needs to have some immediate success so we don't see Dan relapse into control mode.

Oh yeah, as far as Gibbs first year back, it was according to his previous pattern. The teams he built in his SB era were made up draft picks, outcasts in the Free Agency of that time and veterans we acquired through trade. But I see what you are saying.

 

[Jimbo]

Frankly, I LOVE all of the "Skins are interested in....." rumors. It sure as heck gives us something to talk about, especially with an uncapped year looming.

As to whether or not we should believe them, the smarter folks above me have said it best. With a new regime, I'll take the "I'll believe it when I see it" path but some of the names linked to the Skins just make sense, even if it's only because Mike and Kyle are familiar with these guys, i.e., Darren Sproles, Dunta Robinson and any current/former Bronco.