Mark Brunell and Clinton Portis are just the start. Joe Gibbs wants some defense, too, so look for another Washington Redskins signing frenzy when free agency starts next week.
"We've got everything laid out," coach Gibbs said Wednesday. "We pretty much know what we're going to do. I know the first two moves everybody's been talking about have been on offense, but we've got a whole plan laid out on defense. We know exactly what the numbers are of the people we're going to try and get."
The Redskins, perennially the NFL's busiest offseason team, have been at it again this year. Owner Dan Snyder has hired Gibbs, worked out a trade and a new contract for Jacksonville quarterback Brunell, and is close to completing a deal that will send cornerback Champ Bailey to Denver for running back Portis.
The Redskins and Broncos have agreed in principle to the Bailey-Portis trade, with the Redskins throwing in a second-round draft pick, but the deal isn't a sure thing until Bailey and the Broncos reach agreement on a new contract. No trade can officially be completed until the offseason trade and free agency period begins next Wednesday.
"It's hard for us to really say this is done, that is done, because some of the stuff is still up in the air," Gibbs said.
Last year, the Redskins landed nine players in the first four days of free agency -- starting when Snyder's plane picked up a player just after midnight on the first day -- and Gibbs said he'd like to have a similar run this time.
"I hope," Gibbs said. "Hopefully we're going to try to solve a lot of problems in free agency."
Free agency is critical for the Redskins this year because the Brunell and Portis trades would leave the team with just two selections -- in the first and fifth rounds -- in April's draft. Gibbs said he was uncomfortable giving away the picks.
"It's a good draft," Gibbs said. "But in each one of those situations, you're trying to evaluate what would be best for the team."
Adding Brunell and Portis to a lineup that includes receiver Laveranues Coles and a solid offensive line should add up to a lot of points for Gibbs' offense, but the departure of four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Bailey opens another hole on defense.
The Redskins need to overhaul their defensive line and will need a new starting linebacker to replace Jessie Armstead, who was one of four salary cap cuts Tuesday.
Armstead, defensive end Bruce Smith, defensive tackle Lional Dalton and punter Bryan Barker were released to give the team some financial leeway to pursue free agents. Gibbs said he hoped to avoid more cuts in the coming week by renegotiating the contracts of some of his current players.
The first big signing is Brunell, who will receive a seven-year, $43 million contract with an $8.6 million signing bonus. The Redskins will give the Jaguars a third-round draft pick in the trade.
Gibbs again tried to explain that the Brunell trade is not a slight toward last year's starter, Patrick Ramsey. Ramsey's agent has suggested that Ramsey would like to be traded, but Gibbs said he wants two starting-caliber quarterbacks.
"Do I think one quarterback's enough? No, I don't," Gibbs said. "And I've always felt that. You need depth."
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"We've got everything laid out," coach Gibbs said Wednesday. "We pretty much know what we're going to do. I know the first two moves everybody's been talking about have been on offense, but we've got a whole plan laid out on defense. We know exactly what the numbers are of the people we're going to try and get."
The Redskins, perennially the NFL's busiest offseason team, have been at it again this year. Owner Dan Snyder has hired Gibbs, worked out a trade and a new contract for Jacksonville quarterback Brunell, and is close to completing a deal that will send cornerback Champ Bailey to Denver for running back Portis.
The Redskins and Broncos have agreed in principle to the Bailey-Portis trade, with the Redskins throwing in a second-round draft pick, but the deal isn't a sure thing until Bailey and the Broncos reach agreement on a new contract. No trade can officially be completed until the offseason trade and free agency period begins next Wednesday.
"It's hard for us to really say this is done, that is done, because some of the stuff is still up in the air," Gibbs said.
Last year, the Redskins landed nine players in the first four days of free agency -- starting when Snyder's plane picked up a player just after midnight on the first day -- and Gibbs said he'd like to have a similar run this time.
"I hope," Gibbs said. "Hopefully we're going to try to solve a lot of problems in free agency."
Free agency is critical for the Redskins this year because the Brunell and Portis trades would leave the team with just two selections -- in the first and fifth rounds -- in April's draft. Gibbs said he was uncomfortable giving away the picks.
"It's a good draft," Gibbs said. "But in each one of those situations, you're trying to evaluate what would be best for the team."
Adding Brunell and Portis to a lineup that includes receiver Laveranues Coles and a solid offensive line should add up to a lot of points for Gibbs' offense, but the departure of four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Bailey opens another hole on defense.
The Redskins need to overhaul their defensive line and will need a new starting linebacker to replace Jessie Armstead, who was one of four salary cap cuts Tuesday.
Armstead, defensive end Bruce Smith, defensive tackle Lional Dalton and punter Bryan Barker were released to give the team some financial leeway to pursue free agents. Gibbs said he hoped to avoid more cuts in the coming week by renegotiating the contracts of some of his current players.
The first big signing is Brunell, who will receive a seven-year, $43 million contract with an $8.6 million signing bonus. The Redskins will give the Jaguars a third-round draft pick in the trade.
Gibbs again tried to explain that the Brunell trade is not a slight toward last year's starter, Patrick Ramsey. Ramsey's agent has suggested that Ramsey would like to be traded, but Gibbs said he wants two starting-caliber quarterbacks.
"Do I think one quarterback's enough? No, I don't," Gibbs said. "And I've always felt that. You need depth."
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