And a great example of the systemic problems with our beloved franchise. It goes something like this:
1. Owner overpays for average player who is coming off a very good season (see: Andre Carter, Adam Archuleta, Brandon Lloyd)
2. Salaries of others must be re-worked on an annual basis due to the new highly paid players and the salary cap.
3. There is little to no cap room leftover to sign -
a) draft picks (assuming the team has any)
b) quality younger players (assuming we have any) to long-term deals
c) super-important role players who can make a big difference
4. So the team is forced to -
a) trade draft picks (see 3a) in futile attempt to get better [and has no bargaining power because all other teams/GMs are aware of the mismanagement and desperate situation in D.C. (see: Taylor, Jason)]
b) sign re-treads (Mike Williams, Jeremy Bridges) in order to try to “improve” even though everyone involved knows that these players will not be solutions
5. Elevate expectations based upon offseason additions (?) even though the head coach is entering his second year as a head coach (at any level) and the previous season’s most glaring weakness (the offensive line) has not been upgraded at all.
6. Put a team on the field each Sunday that is simply not very good, thereby placing the “long-suffering” fans, many of us spoiled by the Joe Gibbs I era, in an awkward position: we have come to expect excellence and that expectation has been reinforced by the owner, so that when we see what we saw on Sunday, it’s tough to swallow. That plus some alcohol equals emotions and, perhaps, booing.
7. Place the coach and players in the awkward position of —
a) dealing with disgruntled fans in Week 2 (or even in preseason)
b) being on the so-called “hot seat” and playing so-called “must win” games in Weeks 2 and 3
c) trying mightily not to turn on each other and the fans despite the fact that they are “expected” to do something that they simply can’t accomplish, even on their best day

As a group, I’d say they are the strength of the team, which is why I think you see so many 3 safety sets.

On a related note, who likes my new profile pic?

lets not forget that PLAY CALLING was such a huge part of everything that transpired last Sunday, and ever since (booing, tweeting, bitching and moaning on blogs, hot seats, etc). With Snyder at the helm, players will continue to be over paid and over hyped and under perform in the current system.

This is all why I think seeing Kevin Barnes in street clothes is more disconcerting than anything. He was already a questionable pick for the 3rd round (with OL needs). But I was secretly fantasizing hoping that Barnes’ phenomenal Wonderlic score was perhaps some indication that he could maybe soak up our playbook like a sponge. At least enough to be ACTIVE. Smoot is declining fast (except against the run apparently) and Tryon is bench fodder. We can’t afford an injury to Rogers or Hall or we are in deep trouble. But especially Rogers. Add Cornerback to our growing laundry list of team needs in the 2010 draft.