The truth is the Redskins were going to sign other players at both CB and S.
But the cap penalty put them in the position of looking for bridge players (think Aaron Ross who the Redskins were keen to sign at CB signed in JAX, which is a total mess because they were going to win? No, it was strictly a money deal).
Madieu Williams is a former #2 pick and 6 year starter who was a backup on a top rated 49ers team last year. At 30 he wanted a chance to start and took this deal with Washington over other teams in order to get that chance specifically because of the lack of returning talent.
Meriweather was a two time pro bowler who was one of the few veterans available at SS that were under 30 and had some upside at decent cost.
Jackson was added later on after Williams and Meriweather were signed for depth. He played better than expected in camp and the preseason, so that increased his visibility as it appeared he could not only make the final roster but be a real contributor.
Recall also that the team signed Cedric Griffin with the thought that based on his instincts and tackling ability that he could transition to safety if necessary.
Overall, the Redskins did what they could to provide some competition at safety and come up with combinations they thought could be competitive for 2012.
With the move for Griffin and the signing of Garcon as the major free agent move in a year limited by the cap penalty, that meant making do at spots like this.
Complain all you want but the simple truth is that if the Redskins had stood pat and gone with Doughty and Gomes in 2012, admitting they didn't have enough money or picks to get better talent until 2013, many of you would have condemned the team for running in place and not addressing the exposed weak areas on the roster.
Fans are very fickle. When a team has FOUR OR FIVE major areas of need and the team addresses TWO OR THREE in the offseason, they always hone back in on the one or two spots that the team didn't address.
What many Redskins fans are guilty of is Snyder disease.
I want what I want when I want it
They don't want to wait. Draft Griffin and then let's fill EVERY possible hole on a 5-11 roster in ONE offseason and return to prominence.
Sorry, it isn't happening.
I have the Redskins down for a 7-9 record in 2012, a 2 game improvement over 2011 with expected better performances on the offensive side of the ball.
But make no mistake, while addressing QB and WR and adding OL depth with Gettis and LeRibeus the team still needs to acquire a #1 corner and an impact FS on defense and solidify the RT position to be competitive with the best clubs.
That is going to have to wait until 2013.
Drafting Griffin for the Redskins is like the Nationals drafting Strasburg.
Did they win right away? No.
Did they still have trades and draft picks and free agent signings to make to make the roster top notch? Of course.
Same deal here.
Relax and stop worrying about making reservations for the Super Bowl this coming January/February.
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