Free Agent MIND EXPLOSION

Isn't it funny when you watch ESPN or NFL Network and every piece of news is preceded by the word "sources?"

I'm not going to sit here and try to analyze and break down every single transaction (or prospective transaction) that has taken place over the last 48 hours.  I'm not Adam Schefter, that's what he gets paid to do.  However, it is no secret right now that players and draft picks are getting moved like barter at a flea market.  We are seeing an entire offseason's worth of player moves condensed into the span of one week.  Therefore, we got all kinds of tidbits to talk about here.  Here are some of the highlights:

Matt Hasselbeck becomes free agent, Tarvaris Jackon signs with Seattle, and Donovan McNabb traded to Minnesota:

This move was not unexpected.  Matt Hasselbeck wanted to test the waters in free agency, so they needed a quarterback.  The Vikings were never sold on Jackson (which is why they wanted to bring in Favre), and with new coach Leslie Frazier, they felt that it was time to bring in his own guy.  They had McNabb tabbed from the start.  Shanahan didn't want McNabb anymore, not like he really wanted him from the start (remember cardiovascular endurance?).  So we trade McNabb to Minnesota and get two 6th round picks (one conditional) as compensation.  This is an obvious loss for the Skins who gave up 2nd and 3rd round picks to the Eagles in order to get McNabb in the first place.  Now, we are putting our faith in either John Beck or Rex Grossman (AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!).  I feel like this is nothing more than getting ourselves in position for Andrew Luck in the 2012 draft.  Does this mean we go 3-13?  Perhaps.  With the Redskins, anything is possible.

Wide Receiver Mania!

The biggest prize of the 2011 "offseason" had to be Santonio Holmes.  Several teams were attempting to woo him away from the New York Jets (including the Redskins...the player I thought the Skins would be the most aggressive toward).  In the end, Holmes stayed home as it were, agreeing resign with the Jets, sending many of the teams who courted him into a scramble (if they were not scrambling already).  Another question was where Vincent Jackson would end up.  Would he sign his franchise tender?  The answer is yes, and he will report to camp on time.  Of course, the Redskins didn't get the guy they wanted, so they started their usual shopping spree.  We traded Jerremy Jarmon to Denver for Jabar Gaffney.  We signed Brandon Stokely (although reports now say he's backing out) and resigned Santana Moss.  The biggest "catch" you can say we got was Donte Stallworth (a lovable character if I do say so myself).  If Stallworth can behave himself, the Beck/Grossman brigade will have plenty of weapons at their disposal.  If you take a look at ESPN's free agent tracker, you will see that there are still several quality wide receivers available to be signed.  One notable name not on that list is Roy Williams, cut by the Cowboys along with Leonard Davis and Marion Barber.  When Roy E. (not to be cofused with Roy L. the defensive back) was with Detroit, he was a vacuum cleaner, who would catch anything thrown his way.  Dallas gave up a 1st round pick to Detroit to acquire his services.  Now he's just like any other salary cap casualty.  Some team will pick him up, but I doubt they'll give him first round money to do so. 

Reg-gie Reg-gie Reg-gie!

It appears as if all the obstacles to a trade between New Orleans and Miami involving Reggie Bush have been cleared.  Miami is in need of a running back because both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are free agents.  Reggie Bush is much more of a scat-back/kick returner, and never really proved to be a 25-carry back like Brown and Williams.  Miami drafted Daniel Thomas in the 2nd round from Kansas State we think to be that kind of back, relegating Bush to more of a role he had in New Orleans.  Where Bush will really be effective is on punt and kick returns.  He did it to the Redskins before...trust me I know.  The Vikings know too.  Bush will have a role in Miami, but I don't see him becoming a featured, 25-carry, 1250-yard back like Chris Johnson.

OK, those are a few of the mass multitude of trades and transactions that have taken place so far this "offseason."  Later on I'll have some training camp updates (20 teams have opened up camp so far), with a focus on the Redskins.