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

[ConnSKINS26]

Wasn't Keenan Robinson doing well in coverage before his injury? We don't really have a track record to go on but it's possible the immediate backup to Fletcher is already solved. I wouldn't mind a lower pick on an ILB though.

Yes, that's one of his strengths. I think he will eventually prove to be the solution at the other ILB spot. But mostly because I trust that our scouts saw that in him, because he wasn't a guy I was very familiar with coming out. But Riley was the same way, and he was what we hoped as well.

I know that's not the best way to predict roster moves, but I now trust this FO and our scouting. I now look at prospects we draft with an open mind, rather than assuming the worst like I did pre-Shanahan. If we use a pick on a player and that guy sees the field, I am more likely to believe in their long-term potential here than I would have 2-3 years ago.

[HighOnHendrix]

What do you guys think of the possibility of Rob Jackson sliding from OLB to ILB if Fletcher retires?

[darrelgreenie]

[DarrelGreenie] "Cutting Moss then introduces the problem of: 'how do we fill his role/production'?"

While Moss was productive I don't think he added much more to the offense than Jabar Gaffney did to Grossman....

Good post PA.
I don't want to get caught up on the Moss/Gaffney thing but I disagree. Here's why quickly: Gaffney had far more targets then Moss but Moss had a higher catch %, more TDs, and a higher ranking by Football Outsiders which ranks Moss 21st in DVOA (starting WR) and 36th in DYAR just shy of a starters ranking.

And the Gaffney release is an example of my point about dig a hole/fill a hole. When Gaffney was released the FO targeted WRs to replace him via FA i.e. the created a hole by getting rid of Gaffney and filled it with Garcon and Morgan BUT this offseason we have limited resources and many positions to areas to address.

As much as I'd like to think he has something left in the tank whatever production you get out of him comes at the cost of developing a young WR. It's a difference of opinion. Bottom line is I give Joshua Morgan and Hankerson the opportunity for additional playing time. If they don't step up then we know not to re-sign Morgan and Hankerson gets relegated to bit player status. I do think the Skins need to continue looking in the draft for additional WRs - I'm not sure what the future holds for Briscoe or Robinson

That is a question I've thought about before: how much does Moss presence limit the production of the young WRs.
http://www.extremeskins.com/showthre...=1#post9412131
But, my conclusion was that I value the chemistry between Moss and Robert more then my desire to find out about Hankerson and Hankerson and I would be willing to pay Moss the money for the dependability of Moss play at WR. My stance is if you bring Moss back and the other WRs hit their stride then for 1 season we have a dynamic WRs corps. Then the following year when Hankerson/Morgan have proved they're ready to take the next step then letting Moss walk is easy and far less risky. My view of the flip side: if Moss walks this year and Hankerson/Morgan aren't ready then the receiving corps has taken a bug step backwards. Imo Griffin ain't got time for that.

---------- Post added February-17th-2013 at 09:11 PM ----------

I think the worry of the passing game is much exxagerated.
Guess where Football Outsiders ranked our passing game?

[x96bryan10]

Good post PA.
I don't want to get caught up on the Moss/Gaffney thing but I disagree. Here's why quickly: Gaffney had far more targets then Moss but Moss had a higher catch %, more TDs, and a higher ranking by Football Outsiders which ranks Moss 21st in DVOA (starting WR) and 36th in DYAR just shy of a starters ranking.

And the Gaffney release is an example of my point about dig a hole/fill a hole. When Gaffney was released the FO targeted WRs to replace him via FA i.e. the created a hole by getting rid of Gaffney and filled it with Garcon and Morgan BUT this offseason we have limited resources and many positions to areas to address.

That is a question I've thought about before: how much does Moss presence limit the production of the young WRs.
http://www.extremeskins.com/showthre...=1#post9412131
But, my conclusion was that I value the chemistry between Moss and Robert more then my desire to find out about Hankerson and Hankerson and I would be willing to pay Moss the money for the dependability of Moss play at WR. My stance is if you bring Moss back and the other WRs hit their stride then for 1 season we have a dynamic WRs corps. Then the following year when Hankerson/Morgan have proved they're ready to take the next step then letting Moss walk is easy and far less risky. My view of the flip side: if Moss walks this year and Hankerson/Morgan aren't ready then the receiving corps has taken a bug step backwards. Imo Griffin ain't got time for that.

---------- Post added February-17th-2013 at 09:11 PM ----------

I think the worry of the passing game is much exxagerated.
Guess where Football Outsiders ranked our passing game?

I have no clue but I'm curious now

[darrelgreenie]

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamoff

Burgundy and Gold
Passing Offense #6
Rushing Offense #2

[DC9]

Morning nuggets from rotoworld.com:

Someone with "intimate knowledge of the team’s thinking" tells Boston Herald columnist Ron Borges the Patriots will not use the franchise tag on free agent Wes Welker.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Saints will ask LB Jonathan Vilma and DE Will Smith to take pay-cuts.
We doubt they ask nicely. The New Orleans Times-Picayune recently guessed Vilma would have to take a "drastic" pay cut, while Smith's fit in Rob Ryan's new 3-4 defense is unclear. It's possible both players will simply end up being released. A player in decline, Vilma may not even want to make the switch to a 3-4 scheme.

The Cincinnati Enquirer expects the Bengals to work hard to re-sign free agent CBs Pacman Jones and Terence Newman.
This puts the Enquirer in agreement with Bengals.com. Both Jones and Newman proved to be surprisingly effective in 2012, while the Bengals would have vanishingly little veteran depth at corner if they were allowed to walk. The price should be right for both players.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the "conventional wisdom" is that the Bengals will re-sign free agent LB Thomas Howard.
Howard is recovering from a torn ACL, but says his knee is doing "absolutely fabulous," and that he's "right on pace" for 2013. Meanwhile, beat writer Joe Reedy reiterates it would be a "surprise" if MLB Rey Maualuga is re-signed. Vontaze Burfict is expected to take Maualuga's place in the middle.

The Detroit Free Press believes free agent Reggie Bush could be out of the Lions' price range.
The Lions are roughly $2 million under the cap, but have 23 unrestricted free agents to make decisions on. Detroit could still free up a nice chunk of change with further releases and restructurings, but the soon-to-be 28-year-old Bush won't be handing out any discounts on what might be his last big contract. However, if the price is right, he'd be an exceedingly good fit in Detroit's in-flux backfield.

Reminder: Today is the first day that teams can use the franchise tag on players. Check the OP for updates, as some of our targets will be disappearing today.

[Laxpunk2006]

While Moss was productive I don't think he added much more to the offense than Jabar Gaffney did to Grossman. As much as I'd like to think he has something left in the tank whatever production you get out of him comes at the cost of developing a young WR. It's a difference of opinion. Bottom line is I give Joshua Morgan and Hankerson the opportunity for additional playing time. If they don't step up then we know not to re-sign Morgan and Hankerson gets relegated to bit player status. I do think the Skins need to continue looking in the draft for additional WRs - I'm not sure what the future holds for Briscoe or Robinson.

Obviously stats aren't the end all be all but this season Moss averaged 5.48 YAC while Gaffney averaged 2.7 YAC in 2011 for the Redskins. Moss also caught 41 of 61 targets, while Gaffney caught 68 of 115.

To me that shows Moss' value as a role player and his ability to be effective in limited snaps.

[DC9]

The Washington Post expects the Redskins to pass on using the franchise tag.
The 'Skins lack compelling candidates for the tag, and are mired in one of the league's worst salary-cap situations. It means they'll risk losing free agent Fred Davis on the open market, but he won't draw significant interest early in the process as he recovers from a torn Achilles' tendon. GM Bruce Allen says the Redskins will assess Davis' recovery "later this spring."

According to the Florida Times Union, "indications are" the Jaguars won't use the franchise tag.
Beat writer Ryan O'Halloran believes the Jags should use the tag as a "prove it" mechanism for free agent CB Derek Cox, but has apparently been told it's unlikely. The $10.7 million Cox would bring home under the tag would be a gargantuan sum for a player who toed the line between liability and asset last season.

The Philadelphia Inquirer confirms the Eagles have no plans to use the franchise tag, specifically on free agent CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
It greatly increases the odds that DRC will be playing elsewhere next season, as his combination of size, speed, athleticism and age (27 in April) should make him a hot commodity on the open market despite his inconsistent play. The Eagles could be planning to rebuild their broken secondary from the ground up.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, it would "be a shock" if the Bengals didn't use the franchise tag.
Beat writer Joe Reedy would "lean" toward RT Andre Smith being the most likely candidate to be tagged. RE Michael Johnson is also a strong possibility. Teams have until March 4 to apply the tag.

According to the Palm Beach Post, free agent CB Sean Smith is "preparing" to be franchise tagged, but "rooting strongly against it."
The Post has been hinting for weeks that Smith could be tagged, but the rival Miami Herald insists he won't be. Per beat writer Ben Volin, the 25-year-old Smith believes he could land a multi-year deal worth $8 million annually on the open market. Making Smith prove himself under the tag is a good idea in a vacuum, but would cost a hefty $10.7 million.

CSN Philly reports the Eagles have no plans to use the franchise tag.
The Eagles' only real candidate is CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who comes with too many question marks to guarantee the $10.7 million he'd earn under the tag. The Sideline View's Adam Caplan "would be surprised" if DRC is back with the Eagles, while the Philadelphia Inquirer has hinted he'll move on.

[PlayAction]

Obviously stats aren't the end all be all but this season Moss averaged 5.48 YAC while Gaffney averaged 2.7 YAC in 2011 for the Redskins. Moss also caught 41 of 61 targets, while Gaffney caught 68 of 115.
To me that shows Moss' value as a role player and his ability to be effective in limited snaps.

I think we all agree that Moss was quite effective in his role last year. Do you happen to know how Moss' YAC compares with the other WRs from last season? I think Gaffney's stats suffer a bit in comparison to Moss because the new offense with RGIII enabled WRs to get much more open. It seemed Grossman was always throwing to covered receivers. In any case, if the Skins keep Moss I hope they can agree on a more reasonable contract so that money can be allocated to other desired signings. I'd still like to see competition for the other WR positions.

[darrelgreenie]

CUTS:
Meriweather
Brown
Stephen Bowen

Projected Savings - $12.7+? million

Restructuring:Hall
Projected Savings - $3 million

Retiring:
none

Total Cap Room (adding the $4 million we are over): $18 million



Redskins free agents who re-sign:
Kehl
Polumbus
Jackson
Alexander

Total spent - $5.5 million


Redskins un-restricted free agents who we tender:
Baker
Paulsen

Total spent - $2 million


Total left for free agents and draft picks: $16.5 million


Free Agent Signings:
Corey Lynch 3 year 3-4 ?
Total - the above million

Money left to sign draft picks and un-drafted free agents: $7.5 million



NFL Draft:
2nd: Eric Reid S
3rd: Slyvester Williams DE
4th: Zaviar Gooden ILB
5th: Chris Harper WR
5th: Reid Fragel OT
6th: Cierre Wood RB
7th: Shamarko Thomas DB/S

[rick1796]

CUTS:
Meriweather
Brown
Stephen Bowen

Projected Savings - $12.7+? million

Restructuring:Hall
Projected Savings - $3 million

Retiring:
none

Total Cap Room (adding the $4 million we are over): $18 million



Redskins free agents who re-sign:
Kehl
Polumbus
Jackson
Alexander

Total spent - $5.5 million


Redskins un-restricted free agents who we tender:
Baker
Paulsen

Total spent - $2 million


Total left for free agents and draft picks: $16.5 million


Free Agent Signings:
Corey Lynch 3 year 3-4 ?
Total - the above million

Money left to sign draft picks and un-drafted free agents: $7.5 million



NFL Draft:
2nd: Eric Reid S
3rd: Slyvester Williams DE
4th: Zaviar Gooden ILB
5th: Chris Harper WR
5th: Reid Fragel OT
6th: Cierre Wood RB
7th: Shamarko Thomas SAF

you cut players we have no one to replace like Bowen and Meriweather. Leave players where we have depth like Moss. I don't think your plan will be the one the Redskins use. Interesting none the less.

[JamesMadisonSkins]

That all sounds too drastic ...
Starting Cap: $104.2 million ($1.3 million over)

Cuts: Santana Moss, Jamaal Brown --- saves $6 million
Retire: London Fletcher --- saves $4 million
Restructure: D. Hall, Trent Williams, Barry Cofield, Josh Wilson (extend), Brian Orakpo (extend) --- Saves $12.5 million

Total Saved: $22.5 million --- Total Under Cap: $21.2 million

Re-sign: Lorenzo Alexander, Bryan Kehl, Kedrick Golston, --- $3.5 million
UFAs: Rob Jackson, Logan Paulson, Darrel Young, Nick Sundberg --- $5.5 million

Total Spent: $9 million --- Total Under Cap: $12.2 million

Set aside for Draft Picks: $3.526 million (per value chart) --- Cap Left to sign Free Agents: 8.674 million

Free Agency: Main Targets
FS Jairus Byrd --- loaded into 2014, 2013 cap hit of $5 million
TE James Casey -- $1.5 million

Spent: $6.5 million --- Leftover Cap for vet mins., additional depth, etc: $2.174 million

Draft: Trade 51 (390 point valued) to Miami for 77 and 82 (385 valued)
3rd (77): Robert Lester, SS Alabama
3rd (82): Markus Wheaton, WR OSU / Stedman Bailey, WR WVU
3rd (85): Kenjon Barner, RB Oregon
4th (116): BW Webb, CB W&M
5th (147): Kyle Long, RT Oregon
5th (155): Steve Beauharnais, ILB Rutgers
6th (181): Tyrann Mathieu, CB/FS LSU
7th (211): Phillip Steward, OLB Houston / Travis Kelce, TE Cincy

Holes Addressed:
FS: Jairus Byrd, Tyrann Mathieu (project)
CB: BW Webb, Tyrann Mathieu (project)
KR/PR: Tyrann Mathieu
WR: Bailey or Wheaton at SWR
SS: Robert Lester as depth + playing time behind Meriweather
RB (change of pace): Kenjon Barner to add speed to Morris power
ILB: Beauharnais (depth) behind Riley/Robinson/Kehl/Zo
RT: Kyle Long (to compete with Tom Compton)
TE: James Casey (and possibly a TE project via draft)
OLB: Mitigated by bringing back Rob Jackson, depth added via Steward in 7th round

Remaining holes:
OG: Letting Lichtensteiger leaves a backup spot open where LeReibus moves up ... could fill via cheaper young project via FA or late round draft pick.
DL ... address some depth via FA, but you still have Bowen, Cofield, Carriker, Jenkins, Golston plus Brace, Baker, Nield and whatever depth you bring into camp.

[PlayAction]

you cut players we have no one to replace like Bowen and Meriweather. Leave players where we have depth like Moss. I don't think your plan will be the one the Redskins use. Interesting none the less.

I'm guessing he has Corey Lynch slotted to replace Merriweather + 2nd round pick for a safety. I'd say that's definitely in the realm of possibility. Bowen is a bit of a shock but if Carriker returns fully healthy there will be competition for playing time at DE. Plus, he has a 3rd round draft pick for a DE.

[darrelgreenie]

you cut players we have no one to replace like Bowen and Meriweather. Leave players where we have depth like Moss. I don't think your plan will be the one the Redskins use. Interesting none the less.

Jenkins, Carriker + draft pick
Replacing Meriweather is easy since he only played 1-2 quarters of football but Reed Doughty and Josh Bernstine and a rookie will replace him.

---------- Post added February-18th-2013 at 01:32 PM ----------

That all sounds too drastic ...

Well to be fair, losing solid contributors and team leaders like Moss, Fletcher bringing in a high priced FA S and asking 5 players to restructure, your scenario seem much more drastic to me.

But, I like the Casey move. TE is an area I forgot to address. I would look at Delanie Walker depending on cost.
Would also look at the odd man out between NT/DE Ricky Jean Francois and Isaac Sopoaga

[RWJ]

I'm ready for the ball to drop and some movement (i.e, restructures/cuts). I tweeted Rich Tandler yesterday and he thinks that there won't be any movement until around March 1st. IF this is true, it's going to be a long two weeks.