Resource icon

Burner’s Burning Questions – Offseason Edition, Free Agency

The 2012 season is behind us with a division championship banner flying at Redskins Park. In this first installment of the offseason edition of BBQ, we take our first look at free agency. Once again, the cap limitations that were placed on the Redskins in 2012 will affect them again in 2013. However, the team has several options and could be active in the free agent market. Let’s take a look at some questions and possible answers.

Q1: Who are the pending free agents for the Redskins and of those players, who should stay and who should walk?
Answer: Here is the list with suggestions. Feel free to give your thoughts on who should stay and who should go.

Quarterback: Rex Grossman – Keep. He knows the system and costs little.
Fullback: Darrel Young (RFA) – Keep. He is a terrific lead blocker.
Tight End: Fred Davis – Neutral. Will he recover from is Achilles injury in time for the new season. Are the Redskins looking for his replacement in the draft?
Tight End: Chris Cooley – Walk. Let’s be honest. We all love Chris Cooley and we hope he finds employment with the team in some capacity, but his playing days are over.
Tight End: Logan Paulsen (RFA) – Keep. This blue collar player continues to contribute valuable minutes on the playing field and is a reliable blocker.
Tackle: Tyler Polumbus – Keep. Obviously, Polumbus is not the long term answer at right tackle, but he is a reliable backup who can fill in when needed.
Tackle: Jordan Black – Walk. He saw little time on the field this season and was also suspened.
Guard: Kory Lichtensteiger – Neutral. Lichtensteiger was penalized on numerous occasions and was bit by the injury bug. Josh LeRibeus is ready to step forward. Is Lichtensteiger willing to take a demotion?
Defensive Line: Kedric Golston – Walk. It is time to move on from Golston. If he was younger, then his services would be needed. He can be easily replaced.
Defensive Line: Chris Baker – Walk. A training camp and preseason star did not produce as much during the regular season.
Outside Linebacker: Rob Jackson – Keep. His stellar play in 2012 has caused more than just a few fans to think the improbable – do we trade Brian Orakpo?
Outside Linebacker: Lorenzo Alexander – Keep. The all-everything player is a lock to stay – as it should be and it is not up for debate.
Outside Linebacker: Chris Wilson – Walk. His contributions over the years are certainly appreciated, but it is time to move on.
Inside Linebacker: Bryan Kehl – Walk. Little to no impact during the season makes him a free agent.
Cornerback: Cedric Griffin – Neutral. Started the season poorly, but rebounded somewhat.
Cornerback: D.J. Johnson – Walk. The Redskins have already released him.
Safety: Madieu Williams – Walk. Simply put, he is a liability in all facets of the game and should not return.
Safety: Tanard Jackson – Walk. Jackson came with a “buyer beware” tag and he chose to take that horrible path.
Punter: Sav Rocca – Walk. His production dropped dramatically in 2012 and there are several options in free agency that are more attractive.
Special Teams: Brandon Banks – Walk. What seemed so promising turned into Antwan Dancing El, Part Two. It is time to move on from this little experiment.
Special Teams: Nick Sundberg – Keep. The long snapper has made a name for himself and appears to have a long career at this vital position.

Q2: With the new offseason set to begin on March 12, who could be released for cap savings purposes? BBQ provides a list. Provide your ideas on who should stay and who should go.

Answer:
Jammal Brown. It is time for him to go.
Cap savings: $1.3 Million

Dezmon Briscoe. Had no impact in his one season here.
Cap savings: $630,000
DeAngelo Hall. If he agrees to restructure, then bringing him back is an option.
Cap savings: $8.0 Million

Santana Moss. Like Hall, if he agrees to restructure, then bringing him back is an option.
Cap savings: $4.5 Million
Reed Doughty. A special teams ace and role player could be on the chopping block, but he has staying power it seems.
Cap savings: $1.375 Million

Brandon Meriweather. Health is the main issue here.
Cap savings: $1.3 million
Keiland Williams. Returning RBs makes him expendable.
Cap savings: $630,000


Q3: Which players could be candidates for restructuring contracts to save cap space? Also, which players do you believe deserve an extension – for cap savings and keeping them on the team?

Answer:
Stephen Bowen: 2013 Cap, $5.5 Million.
Adam Carriker: 2013 Cap, $4.0 Million.
Chris Chester: 2013 Cap, $4.3 Million.
Barry Cofield: 2013 Cap, $6.3 Million.
London Fletcher: 2013 Cap, $6.2 Million.
Pierre Garcon: 2013 Cap, $8.2 Million.
Brandon Meriweather: 2013 Cap, $2.9 Million.
Josh Morgan: 2013 Cap, $5.1 Million.
Brian Orakpo: 2013 Cap, $5.1 Million.
Trent Williams: 2013 Cap, $8.0 Million.
Josh Wilson: 2013 Cap, $5.3 Million.

These players are prime candidates for restructuring and extensions. BBQ would like to see extensions for Fletcher, Morgan, Orakpo, Williams, and Wilson. BBQ would like to see Bowen, Cofield, and Meriweather taking a pay cut.

Q4: Which free agents from other teams could be targets of the Redskins?

Answer: There are some good prospects for the Redskins to consider – if they become available.
Offensive Tackle:
1. Phil Loadholt – He could provide the talent and stability that the Redskins have needed at RT.
2. Sebastian Vollmer – BBQ thinks of him as 1A, but might be a bit costly.
3. Jake Long – Is he willing to move to the RT position? Is he willing to take a team friendly contract? If “yes” to both questions, then he moves to the top of the list.
4. Branden Albert – Injury concerns could cause the Redskins to look past Albert. Would he be a repeat of Jammal Brown?
Defensive Line:
1. Sammie Lee Hill – An underrated player who deserves a chance to play in regular rotation on the line.
2. Alan Branch – Not a top lineman, but no real weaknesses either.
3. Sen’Derrick Marks – A young player who has probably reached his peak, but is still a solid contributor.
Cornerback:
1. Cary Williams – Could be a starter when/if needed and would be a solid player in nickel packages.
2. Greg Toler – His situation is similar to Williams.
Safety:
1. Ed Reed – If he comes at a reasonable price, then why not?
2. Glover Quin – Quietly does a good job and has found his place in the league after struggling as a cornerback.
Punter:
1. Kevin Huber – Consistent and has a solid leg. He would be a huge upgrade over Sav Rocca.
2. Dustin Colquitt – Not as strong as Huber, but has an uncanny knack for kicking the ball consistently inside the opponents twenty yard line.

With this list, one or two studs could be signed and two or three role players could join the team as well. A new punter is a given if Rocca is not retained.

That is all for this edition of BBQ. As the offseason takes center stage, we will continue to look at free agents and the upcoming draft. See you again sometime soon.
Author
Burgundy Burner
Views
269
First release
Last update
Rating
0.00 star(s) 0 ratings

More resources from Burgundy Burner

Help Users

You haven't joined any rooms.

    You haven't joined any rooms.
    Top