Lombardi: Diner Morning News

26 February 2009

QUOTE:   “Burning desire to be or do something gives us staying power -- a reason to get up every morning or to pick ourselves up and start in again after a disappointment.”  ~  Marsha Sinetar

Make sure you watch me today on the NFL Network’s two-hour “Total Access” show. 

FROM SCOTT BAIR OF THE NORTH COUNTY TIIMES... (A.J.) Smith hasn't shed light on what will be announced Thursday, but some moves are expected. Right guard Mike Goff and defensive end Igor Olshansky will likely be allowed to leave as unrestricted free agents. Wide receiver Malcom Floyd and defensive back Cletis Gordon, both restricted free agents, will likely be tendered offers to increase the chances the Chargers receive draft compensation should another team exceed the team's offer. Should the Chargers continue their recent tendencies, players like defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, linebacker Ray Lewis or any other top-tier unrestricted free agent won't be wearing a lightning bolt next season. The Chargers haven't been big players in the free-agent market during Smith's tenure. That also makes it difficult to speculate on possible second and third-tier free agent signings until cuts are formally announced.

One of the many things I learned at the NFL Combine in Indy is that the Chargers are not under any timetable to get a deal done with LaDainian Tomlinson.  There is not a pending roster bonus or anything in terms of money that’s going to force them to speed up the deal.  They want to keep LT on the team and are willing to not place any time restrictions on it.  At some point, the Chargers will decide to either need to make a deal or move on, but right now they seem to be more interested in giving this situation every chance to be resolved.

With Darren Sproles securely in the fold, the Chargers have the freedom to do the right deal with LT.  Now, they just need to get LT to understand their point of view, and that’s difficult to do when teams are spending a ton of money.  It’s hard to cry poverty (which the Chargers are not doing) when other teams in the league are spending.  But this deal is not about the Chargers getting an adjustment. 

FROM JASON LACANFORA OF THE WASHINGTON POST… League tampering rules prohibit teams from beginning the process of signing free agents before 12:01 a.m. tomorrow. But the sources, who requested anonymity because of the rules, said owner Daniel Snyder and Vinny Cerrato, Washington's executive vice president of football operations, have already laid the groundwork to attempt to acquire Haynesworth, considered the top defensive player who could become available. Another option being considered by the team is (Chris) Canty, a versatile end who can play the run and pass rush from the interior on third downs.  The team would have the wherewithal to sign only one of those defensive linemen given its limited cap room. The Redskins regard Haynesworth -- who reportedly wants to be the league's highest-paid defensive player -- as one of only a few impact players capable of raising the play of the entire defense. Tennessee, Atlanta, Detroit and Tampa Bay are other teams that have Haynesworth atop their wish lists, according to league sources, with most of those clubs having exponentially more cap space than the Redskins with which to complete deals.

I love reading the Washington Post during crucial times in the NFL; it always seems to know what’s happening inside the Redskins’ building.  And I love how this story worded the team’s plan to sign Haynesworth without indicting owner Dan Snyder or GM Vinny Cerrato.  Who else is going to make this deal -- the team janitor?  If anything happens in Washington, it comes from the owner and the GM. 

If they can pull it off, this move will be good for the ‘Skins because of Greg Blache.  Blache is a former defensive line coach who will be able to keep the pressure on Haynesworth after he gets all his money.  The major concern with Albert is not his talent, it’s his willingness to play and be a professional after he gets paid.  With Blache in control, Haynesworth will not get a free pass; he’ll have someone there to put a foot up his butt when he needs it.   Conditioning is always a concern with Haynesworth, and that has to be addressed in the contract.  You cannot spend all of training camp getting him in shape. If you do, he will not be as effective as he can be. 

The ‘Skins need a dominating inside player, and signing Haynesworth will allow Jason Taylor to be much more effective.  It will create problems for a team like Philadelphia if the Eagles do not have Shawn Andrews because they’ll have trouble matching Haynesworth’s size and power. 

FROM ROY CUMMINGS OF THE TAMPA TRIBUNE… With plans to adopt a more aggressive, get-after-the-quarterback style, the Bucs on Wednesday did what was once considered unthinkable, releasing Brooks, the 11-time Pro Bowl linebacker. The move came in conjunction with the release of four other popular veterans: running back Warrick Dunn, wide receivers Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard and linebacker Cato June. Many thought Brooks, a certain Hall of Famer, had earned the right to leave the Bucs on his terms, but the 35-year-old was clearly shaken by the news of his release. "Right now, like all of you guys, I'm just trying to get a feel for it all, trying to come to grips with it," Brooks told the Tampa Tribune. "I don't even know what to think." The sweeping moves signaled a new direction for the Bucs.

It’s always hard to say goodbye to great players, but the time to make this move is right now.  The Bucs are going through a ton of changes, and this is the right time to make those changes.  Joey Galloway might be able to still make plays, but his long string of injuries makes him hard to count on when the game starts.  The Bucs are all about rebuilding around a young quarterback. These moves might not be popular, but they’re necessary. 

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