2013 FA Thread (Updates on OP) New: Merling, Brace, Pashos, Trueblood, EJBig, Tapp, White, Williams, MATTHEWS; Re-up: Rex, Hall, Davis, Paulsen, DY, RJax, Lich, Sundberg, Baker, Sav, Golston, Kehl, Polumbus; Paycuts: Carriker, Moss, BMeri, J. Wilson

[Skins199021]

White guy scenario

Sign Brian Hartline and Danny Amendola (Moss would probably be out

Garcon/Hartline/Amendola as the 2 WRs and the slot guy. With Hankerson, Morgan, Robinson off the bench.

[757SeanTaylor21]

You know what I'd actually do after resigning Davis, Jackson, young, kory and Alexander? I'd restructure hall/cut him..restructure moss and London and give Ryan clady average of top 10 lt salaries to play RT. he would honestly be the one major fa I would love because If Trent ever went down...we would have a sure fire lt right there that could fill his shoes in without a dramatic drop off. We seen against the bengals what it would look like if Trent went down...it was a field day. Clady would immediately be the best rt in the game and the best backup lt in the nfl. When we are talkin about protecting our franchise qb...we need him to have the best line cause we can't afford our rt getting abused left and right every down FORCING him to run.

[Skinsinparadise]

Clady would immediately be the best rt in the game and the best backup lt in the nfl. When we are talkin about protecting our franchise qb...we need him to have the best line cause we can't afford our rt getting abused left and right every down FORCING him to run.

2 problems with this IMO.

1. What team can afford to have two O lineman with huge salaries?

2. Why would a premier LT would be willing to switch to the much less glamorous RT? It's like asking a top closer in baseball to be a middle reliever

[DogofWar1]

White guy scenario

Sign Brian Hartline and Danny Amendola (Moss would probably be out

Garcon/Hartline/Amendola as the 2 WRs and the slot guy. With Hankerson, Morgan, Robinson off the bench.

Amendola in the slot would be good, but Hartline is probably not necessary. Morgan and Hankerson are a pretty good group for the outside, so they can switch off while Garcon is the WR1.

[Chump Bailey]

I think the best we can hope for WRT the RT position is that either Tom Compton wins/earns the job, Tyler gets better or we find another OT/OG type in the draft that has starter ability. Our cap situation all but ensures no big additions. I suppose we should include Hurt in the discussion too.

[CommDownMan]

If we were to spend big on a FA safety, it should be Byrd. He is amazing in that he is not very fast but he might have the best instincts of any safety in the NFL. Keep an eye on where his Dad, Gill Byrd, goes. Gill is a DB coach in the NFL, most recently with the Bears. Jairus might follow him.

---------- Post added January-8th-2013 at 05:11 PM ----------

By the way, does anyone know the cap hit of letting Merriweather go? If we are worried about injury prone guys, shouldn't he be tops on the list?

http://www.thewarpath.net/WarpathRedskinsCap.htm

for 2013 it looks like we save 1.4mill cutting Meriweather. These numbers are pretty close, at least the best for generating discussions.

[Gallen5862]

Are their any free agent punters that can also be used on kickoffs? Would Chas Henry be a good free agent punter to sign?

[Skins199021]

Amendola in the slot would be good, but Hartline is probably not necessary. Morgan and Hankerson are a pretty good group for the outside, so they can switch off while Garcon is the WR1.

Haha I was kind of just joking, having 2 white WRs would be funny.

But yes I think Amendola will be awesome in the slot. I have a funny feeling the Patriots are going to let Welker Walk and go After Amendola. We need a slot guy like him, he is going to be 28 and he is a great route runner.

If out FA signings went something like. Danny Amendola, Glover Quin, Sam Shields, Ryan Harris. And we resigned Davis, Alexander, Rob Jackson, Rocca, Lighty, Polumbus, and some veteran CB for short term deal for depth, that would be great heading into the draft.

Moss would be cut, Brown has to be cut, Hall will be cut unless we significantly restructure his deal.

For the Offense. Keeping the line in tact and putting Harris out there for as long as he can play would be ideal, with Polumbus on the bench. Having Garcon and Hankerson/Morgan on the outside with Amendola in the slot and Davis at TE would cause a lot of match-up problems

On Defense, if hall isn't Cut. Hall/Shields/Wilson/Veteran/Crawford/Draft Pick as the CBs. Quin/Merriweather/Gomes/Bernstine/Draft pick as the safeties.

[DogofWar1]

But yes I think Amendola will be awesome in the slot. I have a funny feeling the Patriots are going to let Welker Walk and go After Amendola. We need a slot guy like him, he is going to be 28 and he is a great route runner.

....

For the Offense. Keeping the line in tact and putting Harris out there for as long as he can play would be ideal, with Polumbus on the bench. Having Garcon and Hankerson/Morgan on the outside with Amendola in the slot and Davis at TE would cause a lot of match-up problems

On Defense, if hall isn't Cut. Hall/Shields/Wilson/Veteran/Crawford/Draft Pick as the CBs. Quin/Merriweather/Gomes/Bernstine/Draft pick as the safeties.

I think the Pats are trying to use Edelman as a replacement to Welker, but we'll have to see. I wouldn't put it past them going after him.

Hall said he is willing to talk about restructuring his deal, so that might happen. I think he's realized that:

a) he is worth nowhere near what he is being paid

he is on the chopping block at current salary

c) he's getting maybe, *maybe* half of his current salary somewhere else

d) the Redskins are on the rise.

If I was him, I'd read the writing on the wall, restructure, and do my best to hang on with us for as long as he can, and his statements seem to indicate he might be thinking that too.

[RemoveSnyder]

I question Cary Williams's ball skills. Sure he has 5 picks this year but he had a grand total of 0 in his first 4 seasons

...

Williams has only started in the last two years, hence his production.

First two years in Tennesee he only saw action in a total of 5 games (of 32 possible). Little time coupled with being on their practice squad and he had some injury which kept him out at times. Despite that, Ozzie and Baltimore signed him off the titans practice squad.

Again, they have a track record with these CBs. In '09 he was special teams, reserve. In fact his first three years in the league he saw action in only 10 games. In '10 he saw spot action in a reserve role in 13 games.

It wasn't until he actually got a shot last year that he proved he could hang around. When you think about it, he's really only in his second year of action, even though he's been in the league since 2008. This year he's improved over last, not just statically but to the eye as well. And that, to me, is indicative of a decent/good player - when given live action and game experience, they flourish.

Among some of the stats I put the most stock in, for a CB, is passes defended. And that relates to ball skills. He had 18 in 2011 and now 19 in 2012. His INTs apply to ball skills as well, but also includes tracking the ball and catching a deflection - his hands, also anticipation or feel.

But what he does in the future, I can't guess that. All I know is what I've seen.

[Conn]

Am I the only one who questions the value of bringing back Davis? That was an injury that, before Demaryius Thomas, I would have said he'll never be the same. And he's not the kind of freak athlete that Thomas is. And despite his overall numbers, he was never a consistent, integral part of our offense. He would disappear for entire quarters at a time frequently.

I'd rather put the 5M/yr or more that we might pay him towards someone else. We were a top-5 offense without him, and he isn't a particularly special talent. I'd look elsewhere in FA and look for an intriguing mismatch, size/athleticism wise, in the draft.

[justice98]

Am I the only one who questions the value of bringing back Davis? That was an injury that, before Demaryius Thomas, I would have said he'll never be the same. And he's not the kind of freak athlete that Thomas is. And despite his overall numbers, he was never a consistent, integral part of our offense. He would disappear for entire quarters at a time frequently.

I'd rather put the 5M/yr or more that we might pay him towards someone else. We were a top-5 offense without him, and he isn't a particularly special talent. I'd look elsewhere in FA and look for an intriguing mismatch, size/athleticism wise, in the draft.

I'm not big on paying for tight ends not named Gonzalez, Witten, Graham, or Gronkowski. Anybody else not in that group is expendable and replaceable. I think you can find decent pass catching tight ends, and that's what Davis was to me. Good, not elite. And coming off an achilles, he's not gonna be as good as he needs to be to throw money at him.

[757SeanTaylor21]

2 problems with this IMO.

1. What team can afford to have two O lineman with huge salaries?

2. Why would a premier LT would be willing to switch to the much less glamorous RT? It's like asking a top closer in baseball to be a middle reliever

It's like a team having two high priced anythings...safeties, corners, linebackers..ot's etc..I feel it would be worth it to US because we would need a sure fire back up LT. I remember watching Jordan black go in for Trent against the bengals...and it was just field days for their defensive ends. For one he would be back with the coach that hired him...utilizing him properly and he would immediately make this o line srguably the best. If Trent goes down he will be moved to LT and still have a GREAT LT instead of an unknown commodity. .sell him on being a team that got their bonafide qb. Would you want to be a LT blocking for John Skelton or a RT blocking for griffin?

[nemocystem]

1) Jairus Byrd

2) Glenn Dorsey

3) Gregg Jennings

4/5 - not sure that Clady is possible if inclusive with any of the above signings cap-wise. Same with Bowe. In reality i'd love to sign Bowe & Jennings & keep Moss if he's willing to take a pay-cut...then jettison a couple of guys. Personally i'd stay away from any of the CB FA's, as i don't think we run anything that would suit Cromartie.

I'd like to then focus on O-line/LB depth & CB in the draft.

Keeping in mind we should have Tanard Jackson, Orakpo, Carriker, & Merriweather back next season. Merriweather is my biggest worry as injuries are not new to him.

Somewhere along the offseason i'd also like us to pick up a return specialist & a change-of-pace back who is a capable receiver we can use out of the Pistol.

That's a big wishlist, but with some guys leaving & some restructuring likely to ensue, i believe the top 3 to be reasonable & maybe even Bowe. I also am of the belief that someone will overpay to the tune of a 2nd or 3rd for Cousins & we could get another serviceable backup.

The rest is up for grabs...but i think this is a faster path to success.

Honestly...if we can swing both Bowe & Jennings, i don't see us needing to make too many adjustments to the O-line as we'd have a speed WR in Garcon & 2 big, posession WR's with decent speed, sure hands (more so than anyone else on our roster), good route-running, & an ability to release consistently.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

If there's at least a chance that Griffin could miss time next year, would anyone else want to painfully just go ahead and see Fletcher retire this off-season? I love the guy and think he can definitely play another year or two, but in some ways I'd be tempted to want to integrate a new ILB/defensive leader at the same time we're dealing with missing Griffin (or having him ease his way back).

That way, the hope would be that we're firing on all cylinders by September, 2014. I can see both sides (be as good as possible on D next year while we might take a hit on O), but it's just an idea.

I would just rather identify our long-term replacement sooner than later...

[SemperFi Skins]

Why the non-confidence in Cousins? I've been reading too much doom and gloom surrounding Griffin being able to play. The "should we just rest RG3 for a year and forfeit". The "Should Fletcher just retire if RG3" is out... I don't get it. Cousins is quick on his feet, has the ability to extend plays. He's money on the deep ball and very nice accuracy. He's got the zip of his passes like Brett Farve.

I'm not saying All Hail Cousins... But please don't confuse him with Rex Grossman or any other QB's of Skins past. Consider it a dynamic duo we have and if one can't go, so be it, we fight on and win the division again...

Respectfully, IMO

[pjfootballer]

If there's at least a chance that Griffin could miss time next year, would anyone else want to painfully just go ahead and see Fletcher retire this off-season? I love the guy and think he can definitely play another year or two, but in some ways I'd be tempted to want to integrate a new ILB/defensive leader at the same time we're dealing with missing Griffin (or having him ease his way back).

That way, the hope would be that we're firing on all cylinders by September, 2014. I can see both sides (be as good as possible on D next year while we might take a hit on O), but it's just an idea.

I would just rather identify our long-term replacement sooner than later...

Either way, I'd be fine with Fletcher retiring with or without Griffin. I was not counting on him playing this past season and I was OK if he had signed elsewhere.

[NewEraofSkins08]

Anybody watch Landry play at all this year?

[skinny21]

If there's at least a chance that Griffin could miss time next year, would anyone else want to painfully just go ahead and see Fletcher retire this off-season? I love the guy and think he can definitely play another year or two, but in some ways I'd be tempted to want to integrate a new ILB/defensive leader at the same time we're dealing with missing Griffin (or having him ease his way back).

That way, the hope would be that we're firing on all cylinders by September, 2014. I can see both sides (be as good as possible on D next year while we might take a hit on O), but it's just an idea.

I would just rather identify our long-term replacement sooner than later...

I wouldn't be surprised to see us draft a linebacker in round 1 in 2014. In the meantime, you try to find later round or UDFA developmental guy(s) to groom under Fletcher.

Why the non-confidence in Cousins? I've been reading too much doom and gloom surrounding Griffin being able to play. The "should we just rest RG3 for a year and forfeit". The "Should Fletcher just retire if RG3" is out... I don't get it. Cousins is quick on his feet, has the ability to extend plays. He's money on the deep ball and very nice accuracy. He's got the zip of his passes like Brett Farve.

Yeah, the coaching staff will just move more toward Mike's offense in Denver. Cousins is no Elway, but I'd take him over Plummer, Griese and possibly even Cutler (particularly leadership-wise).

[DogofWar1]

If there's at least a chance that Griffin could miss time next year, would anyone else want to painfully just go ahead and see Fletcher retire this off-season? I love the guy and think he can definitely play another year or two, but in some ways I'd be tempted to want to integrate a new ILB/defensive leader at the same time we're dealing with missing Griffin (or having him ease his way back).

That way, the hope would be that we're firing on all cylinders by September, 2014. I can see both sides (be as good as possible on D next year while we might take a hit on O), but it's just an idea.

I would just rather identify our long-term replacement sooner than later...

That would make sense, but I think Griffin is going to be around and we'll be making another run at the playoffs.

That being said, if it were known by the opening of FA that Griffin was missing time, it might make sense to cut and use the 4M ish in savings to fill other holes and then draft an ILB earlier.

Problem is no matter what we do, we still owe Fletcher 3.75M, no way out of that. I'd like to see us keep him, and restructure him down to purely guaranteed money.

[DC9]

Anybody watch Landry play at all this year?

he free lanced and his team got their ass beat on the regular. No thanks. He's not a winner.

---------- Post added January-9th-2013 at 06:23 PM ----------

We've GOT to resign Rocca.

I'd love to look for a younger punter who can also handle kickoffs. Kai is legit from deep on field goals, but kickoffs is a different animal. I just added Pat McAfee from Indianapolis to the OP. He would do very well and would allow Kai to concentrate on splitting the uprights via the field goal.

---------- Post added January-9th-2013 at 06:31 PM ----------

What are people's thoughts on Ryan Harris. He's currently with Houston, playing in their zone blocking scheme. He was seemingly rescued off the scrap heap. I don't know if he'd be an upgrade over Polumbus, but if Houston doesn't retain him for backup purposes he probably comes cheap and will know the system reasonably well.

Harris is the weak spot on their line. He's been so injured that he is probably worse than TP in my opinion. I actually think Polombus is fine in the run game, obviously he is on skates most of the time in the passing game and that is why an upgrade is necessary... especially with an injured Robert.

[DogofWar1]

Harris is the weak spot on their line. He's been so injured that he is probably worse than TP in my opinion. I actually think Polombus is fine in the run game, obviously he is on skates most of the time in the passing game and that is why an upgrade is necessary... especially with an injured Robert.

Duly noted. I checked his injury history and he's missed 18 games, so he's probably no better than TP. But he might be an upgrade to Black if we can get him for cheap.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

Could Jackson replace Fletcher inside? Is that feasible? If so, Orakpo, Riley, Jackson, and Kerrigan is 1990s Steelers good!

[clskinsfan]

In all honesty with the limited cap space we have. I would be happy to get a solid safety and one solid CB. D Hall played very well in the 7 game run this year and he is willing to take a pay cut. Josh Wilson was not very good this season. Jackson will be back next year and the dude can play. But can he keep himself clean? The rest of the team is in decent shape. Could we use another playmaker at the WR position? Sure. But not a chance we can afford it. Lichtensteiger must be re signed IMO. Although Polumbus struggled some this year he is more than servicable and that position may be able to be addressed in the draft. So for me its:

S Goldson or Phillips

CB Talib or Houston

[Mahons21]

Could Jackson replace Fletcher inside? Is that feasible? If so, Orakpo, Riley, Jackson, and Kerrigan is 1990s Steelers good!

I could envision him in a Lawrence Timmons like role, but that would leave Riley in coverage the good majority of the time. Don't know how confident I am with Riley's coverage skills. Though if Keenan Robinson comes back, and continues to develop his coverage skills (IIRC he's one of the better coverage LBs on the team) we could have a fairly dynamic group of young LBs we could use in a variety of ways.

If we add a true 2-gapping NT to that mix, I think our front-7 could be something fierce.