Moss for Lavar....I don't think so

In yesterday’s Washington times, Dan Daly reported on a possible trade of Lavar Arrington for Minnesota’s problem child Randy Moss. This is beyond ridiculous. But Daly did not stop there. , he also suggested that in addition to Lavar we send this year’s first rounder and next year’s second rounder to the Vikings as well. Now I have never liked the Washington Times news content but usually they keep their wild eyed speculation for their right wing news editors. However maybe a few of them got drunk celebrating the inauguration and stumbled into the Sports section.

But what can you expect from the Washington Times? They have had a long running bias against owner Daniel Snyder and therefore the Redskins overall. Under Jack Kent Cooke the PR department gave preference and inside information to the Washington Times. However when Dan Snyder took over ownership he ifred most of the PR staff and directed the new staff to give preference and inside information to the Washington Post. The Post had a higher circulation and a more diverse readership plus a more regional concentration (i.e. people who actually buy tickets). A great business move for the Redskins but the Times has been pissed ever since and have taken every opportunity to take shots at Snyder and in turn the Skins.

The proposed trade on it’s own merits are ridiculous. Trading Lavar will be a large cap hit (over 12 million) for 2005. In addition to that Randy Moss’ base salary is something akin to 7.5 million this year. So the trade will cause an immediate 19 million cap hit for a heads up trade. I don’t care if Jesus Christ was on the other team I would still not take that kind of cap hit. We are only 4 million under the cap now. Further cap relief can only be brought about by post June 1, 2005 cuts and that would kill our 2006 cap which is already close to 10 to 15 million over the cap. Not to mention also giving up vital draft picks we need to shore up our lines and get inexpensive young backups.

I also don’t buy the line that Lavar can be traded because the Defense did fine without him. Yes he missed 14 games and we finished 3rd,but what would we have been with him? Two of the things our defense did not do well is rush the passer and create turnovers. A Healthy Lavar helps that. He is also identified by Gibbs as a “Core” Redskin. With the very real possibility of losing Smoot, another Core Redskin, Lavar’s need becomes more apparent. Smoot’s replacement will probably not be able to be left on an island like Smoot, unless we get lucky. Help from the linebackers will be a reality and although Lemar Marshall was adequate I still rather see Lavar roaming around out there. What receiver would like to face the possibility of getting sandwhiched between Taylor and Lavar? I am shuddering justb thinking about it.

The Moss trade may happen but more likely it will not be Lavar being traded. Look for Gardner and/or McCants and our first rounder this year and possibly our second next year. That is a trade that is more feasible. Of course Minnesota would have to throw in a year of therapy as well.

Playoff Predictions

Well this is how it should be right? The two best teams from each conference facing each other to go to the Superbowl. No big upsets, no Cinderella teams. Just the best teams with the best records going squad to squad for a chance at glory. In fact that is why I am 8-8 in the playoffs. Yeah that’s the ticket.

New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers

Well I doubt I am ever going against New England again. Last week they took apart the record setting Indianapolis Colts with such ease and skill that I felt ashamed for picking the Colts. And I still do. Pittsburgh has the homefield advantage but Big Ben is a rookie, and he looked it last week. The weather will make both teams run the ball but I don’t think the Steelers are used to this kind of pressure. This Patriot team has been to two Superbowls in three years and this incarnation may be the best of those teams. The real difference may be Adam Vinateri. He is used to pressure kicking in bad weather and field goals and extra points could be a large factor. New England wins 17 – 7.

Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles

This is an intriguing matchup mainly because of the weather. Up to 8 inches could fall in the Philadelphia area by game time and that creates problems for both teams. Atlanta is a dome team who hasn’t played in this kind of playoff weather in four years. Philadelphia is the home team however there game is much more pass oriented and could be adversely effected by the weather. McNabb prefers to pass in the pocket now but could take off. However Vick is more apt to run out of the pocket yet he needs to be able to sell that he is going to pass to set it up. Bottom line is that the Eagles have been here, the falcons have not. The Eagles win 21-14.