The effort to re-sign Fletcher

[tshile]

like i said, they're waiting for everyone else to set the market. values are relative. if the skins sign an old, almost past his prime LB for X, then the young LB just coming into his prime wants X+Y.

they're waiting for someone else to set the market so they have negotiating power.

 

[Bulldog]

I disagree, not at ANY cost.

If Fletcher's agent is looking at DeMeco Ryans and wants a contract that puts his cap number at $7M I don't think this is going to get done, the Redskins with still needs on the OL, CB and depth everywhere can't afford to give Fletcher $20 million guaranteed.

Linebacker like running back is a position where you have to be careful with your dollars as depending on scheme and whether the player is an OLB or ILB, candidates do present themselves in the draft or secondary veteran free agency.

That's why when teams like TN resign a Chris Henry and give him $25M with the bevy of backs out there and their longevity, I think it is a mistake.

Ryans and Tulloch are under 30 while Fletcher is 37.

That makes a difference in the front office calculation.

 

[Neophyte]

Lofton has signed with the Saints so maybe this will get the LB market moving enough for the Skins and Fletch to have a meeting of the minds.

 

[Burgundy Burner]

PFT mentions how the cap situation is affecting the effort to re-sign Fletch.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...tedly-getting-in-way-of-london-fletcher-deal/

 

[Lanky Livingston]

Hugh Douglas just tweeted that he ran into London in the Orlando airport, and congratulated him on getting a new deal done. He then had to backtrack and say it wasn't finalized yet, and he never mentioned a team.

Interesting...

EDIT: here's the link to his Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Bighugh53

The original tweet:

Saw my man @LFletcher59 in the Orlando airport.. Real good dude! Congrats on gettin a new deal done!

 

[drumlinboy]

God I hope it is not with Miami, but with Ross failing to deliver time after time you can see him giving up a lot to get him

 

[riggins44]

If we lost Fletcher, then you can send thanks to Mara and Goodell.

 

[Om]

Maybe, brother. But it's also possible we'll learn later that London simply wanted more than the Redskins were willing to pay. There's a limit as to what any 37-year-old ILB is worth to a team--even an immensely popular one. Where that limit is will be open to debate, yes, but that there IS one should not be.

 

[Ax]

Well, let's just hope he signs with us.

As I've said before, I believe his loss would be a greater loss, than any gain to our defense, from signing anyone else.

Edit: BB, WHAT THE HELL IS A GOING ON!

 

[Om]

I know I keep going back to this, but it continues to peak my curiosity, so....

How much would be too much?

$20 million guaranteed over 2 years?

$25 million over 3?

Is there a "too much" line out there?

 

[riggins44]

Just found this. We can breathe a little easier for the moment. Don't think we are out of the woods, yet.

London Fletcher ‏ @LFletcher59

Just saw what @Bighugh53 said, never told him I signed a new deal! I'll be the 1st to report my signing!

 

[Ax]

I know I keep going back to this, but it continues to peak my curiosity, so....

How much would be too much?

$20 million guaranteed over 2 years?

$25 million over 3?

Is there a "too much" line out there?

Of course there is a "too much". But not being a cap guy for the team, i don't know any particular number.

I will say though, I don't think Meriweather and Griffin combined, will help the team, more, than losing Fletcher will hurt it.

Just a feeling. but, we know what we have in Fletcher. We ain't got a clue on the other two.

So, add what we gave to them two, to whatever offer we have on the table to Fletch, and for me, that is not too much.

 

[Om]

Hard to argue with that, brother.

Don't know at this point how much validity I'd put to it, but what little I have heard indicates to me that the problem isn't with the Skins' offer, but with London's demand. If that's the case we'll have to wait and see what that demand actually is/was before we can decide which side we need to assign the "blame" for his not signing here, if that's what ends up happening.

What gets me is that we don't just get to look at 2012....London isn't going to sign a 1 year deal, maybe not even 2 unless the money's seriously right for him. So what if we project through to next offseason, when we're talking about our now 38 year old ILB, and whether or not we can afford to gamble on heading into 2013 with him as either a starter or very highly paid backup?

Again.... I WANT the man on the field in 2012, and I WANT him to get a shot at coaching here once he's done playing. I'm just hoping we can make that happen without it costing us the chance to go younger and leaner at that position when we should, as opposed to when we finally can.

 

[stevenaa]

Another angle is that it might be the least painful to make the transition now than a year or two from now when the Offense might come into it's own. I'd rather begin breaking in a replacement sooner than later. If we have to pay the piper, might just be best to get it done.

 

[Elephant]

Another angle is that it might be the least painful to make the transition now than a year or two from now when the Offense might come into it's own. I'd rather begin breaking in a replacement sooner than later. If we have to pay the piper, might just be best to get it done.

I agree this could be an angle, but I would bet that they want to try to draft a prospect in the 3rd or perhaps with one of our 4th rounders to see if the youngster can step up for London when he leaves. They were successful (or so it seems) with Riley.

I also believe the Redskins have asked London to be patient while they figure out the Cap penalty B.S. so they can give him closer to what he wants and he is willing to cooperate because he seems to want to stay.

 

[Om]

Another angle is that it might be the least painful to make the transition now than a year or two from now when the Offense might come into it's own. I'd rather begin breaking in a replacement sooner than later. If we have to pay the piper, might just be best to get it done.

...also agreed. That's where I first came into this discussion--standing for the proposition that I look forward to the day the Redskins become one of those teams both willing and able to part ways with veteran players, even the popular ones, for younger and less expensive options. That's when we'll know we're all the way back.

 

[tshile]

they're already breaking in riley. he's going to be a stud.
i also like the jackson kid.

i'd love to see fletcher for another year or two, then transitioned into the coaching staff. the man could be a great coach (at least i think so, but wtf do i know )

 

[Ax]

I too am hoping, that along with re-signing Fletcher, we draft at least one ILB to start grooming. Maybe Riley will actually take Fletch's place then, and the new guy will be taking over for Riley. Win-win.

And, in as much as I understand NFL contracts, I believe we can sign Fletch to a 4/5 year deal, that has a big sounding number, but which in reality, is a two year deal with an out that doesn't kill the team.

Then, you move him straight to the sideline, and feed him any kind of kickback/reward you want.

 

[Burgundy Burner]

Edit: BB, WHAT THE HELL IS A GOING ON!

Nothing at the moment. His agent is a pain in the posterior though. That is part of the problem.

 

[Ax]

Nothing at the moment. His agent is a pain in the posterior though. That is part of the problem.

Whew!!!

For a minute there, I though you were just trying to spare us some bad news.

Can you get close enough to the agent to say...maybe...knee-cap the dude?