If there is one thing you have to give the fans of the Redskins, we are a mighty dedicated bunch. Once again, the boys at Extremeskins are making us all proud (and kinda ashamed at ourselves) and are tracking Dan Snyder’s private plane on the eve of the NFL Free Agent period. The Redskins have said they plan to be quiet this year and I learned my lesson after staying up all hours last year and having nothing happen, so don’t expect much tonight. But you never know, latest reports have Snyder’s plane en route to Boston and the Pats have some of the bigger name free agents – Asante Samuel and Randy Moss.
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Reports could be correct, although…
Coach Jim Zorn flew to Quincy, Mass. today Todd’s home to speak with him one on one.
Well, I guess that does prove they have the right plane assuming Quincy is near Boston. Doesn’t seem to be moving tonight, I guess Vinny was being honest – no big splashy moves this year, at least to start things off.
I don’t see any news out of the Redskins until at least the first flush of FA signings ends; the Redskins are trying to clear up their cap situation for the 2009 Offseason, which means they “Pay the Piper” this year, to an extent (although obviously, with the way they did Lloyd’s release, they’re not doing it ALL this year).
Even with some truly great players available, the FA class of 2008 is not that great; I can see a few the Skins would be interested in, but none that are so compelling that Dan Snyder would have needed to fuel up Redskin 1. Among WRs, I can see some interest in Donte Stallworth or Jerry Porter, perhaps. For OL help, I could possibly see a bit of interest in Floyd Womack, Jake Scott, L.J. Shelton, Damien Woody, or one of the centers, Jeff Faine or Mike Flynn. Jevon Kearse may be invited to Redskin Park, as well, as while his numbers have dropped substantially over the last two seasons (down to 7 sacks combined), he’s also only played 16 games those two seasons; if he’s healthy, that’s not far off his pace during his best years. He would come relatively cheap, and could give you two good years, perhaps. Because of Rocky McIntosh’s injury, LB is an area of need; while the Skins keep getting linked with Lance Briggs, I can’t see them putting huge money in there, even if they do go for a quality guy. Rob Morris, Kawika Mitchell, and Kendrell Bell are all available, and should be affordable. Corner is an area with need, as well, but assuming that we keep Shawn Springs, we’re not going to be looking for a #1 corner; that means that the pickings are slim in top corners, barring trades. We’ll probably not address Corner issues until after the draft, but by then Asante Samuel, Drayton Florence, Ty Law, etc., should be gone. That’s probably a good thing, in this case, as the Corner class is fairly week this year. Same with Safety; there is some quality at the very top, but a sharp drop thereafter. We probably WILL pick up a Safety or two, though, at some point, veterans to help do the teaching that Sean Taylor would have done, and a replacement for Pierson Prielieu if he does not return (as I expect he won’t). I doubt they’ll be star level, though.
So I guess the point is, there aren’t players out there (in the Redskin’s price range and need areas) that are truly exciting. The most exciting couple of names out there as far as that’s concerned would probably be Kearse and Stallworth; I see maybe a 50% chance of Stallworth even being pursued, though, and that wouldn’t be until mid-late next week. Kearse will probably get at least a phone call expressing interest; if he’s still available, expect him to visit Redskin park in a couple weeks, but I have no idea what the chances that the Redskins would get serious on him would be. Porter may get that look if he’s still on the market in a couple weeks, too, as he would give the Redskins the big target many think they need.
I think the ‘pay the piper’ approach is being done because they don’t think they need a bunch of money to spend on FA’s this year. Its an interesting approach and one that I like the more I think about it.
By not renegotiating deals with some of the older guys, they can release them next year if their play drops off without being drilled with a huge cap hit.
I think the Redskins are just going to lay low and see where the market takes some of these players and pounce anywhere there is a deal to be had. You mention Stallworth and Porter, I think the Redskins will just wait to see if any of them fall through the cracks before making a move there.
I really really don’t want Kearse. The guy is hurt all the time and just doesn’t perform at all anymore. The Redskins play a bunch of good pass rushers – Omenyiora, Strahan, Cole, Ware; and Kearse just doesn’t bring any pressure when they play the Eagles. I’d wager that Chris Wilson would get more sacks than Jevon Kearse next year.
Porter is already snapped up; he was the “Big Man” the Redskins might have had some interest in, but he’s also had a history of team chemistry issues.
Kearse could still be a significant addition if he’s healthy… but that’s the rub, isn’t it? He doesn’t stay healthy. If he’s available in two weeks or so, the Skins may make a move towards him; right now, they’re probably saying “Hey, heres another off our possible list” as guys get snapped up. What’s surprising to me is just how ridiculous some of these contracts have already gone… even Collins is being overpaid (2 years, 5 mil would have been my limit for him).