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

[Chump Bailey]

Great kickoff and punt returner but has struggled to emerge as a corner and for that matter break into the buffalo lineup as even the #2 corner, played some nickle if i recall this year.

Precisely why he could be an interesting option. He wants another chance to play CB and we could possibly get a starting CB without stressing our already bad cap situation. He's got excellent speed - former 1st round pick as a DB. It could be worth pursuing IMO.

[MartinC]

Precisely why he could be an interesting option. He wants another chance to play CB and we could possibly get a starting CB without stressing our already bad cap situation. He's got excellent speed - former 1st round pick as a DB. It could be worth pursuing IMO.

I agree with you - he is a guy who has starting ability, would upgrade our return game and should not break the bank from a cap situation. Frankly it's very unlikely any number 1 type corners will see free agency and if they do their contracts will be too much for our cap position - a guy like McKelvin who is probably a border line #2 or #3 guy is about what we can expect.

[Laxpunk2006]

Not positive this is the right place for this but read this regarding Fred Davis today.

Davis told CSNWashington.com on Nov. 2 that he expected to resume physical activity in mid-December and hoped to be on the field in time for OTAs in May, saying, “I definitely have seen [Ravens’ defensive end Terrell] Suggs. I went to the same doctor and we had about the same tear.”

[Rufus T Firefly]

I've been thinking about the McKelvin idea for a while now. Not only does he have the physical skills to cover, he has the instincts too, just seems to break down once in a while. In fact, I watched a couple of their games this year when he was playing and he looked solid.

I hope we ake a chance on him. And, at worst, he is a return man.

[skinny21]

So which of these corners are good tacklers as well as solid coverage guys? In this same vein, I'd rather avoid a guy like Wallace (if he was ever an option) - tackling and run-blocking seem pretty key to our schemes.

This is one reason I don't dislike Hall. His coverage might be mediocre (at least most of the time), but I feel his tackling and turnovers make him a decent corner.

[LaxinFish29]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post...ive-alignments

@paulzuk_81: Ideas on how the redskins can rebuild their mediocre secondary?

@ESPN_NFCEast: We diplayer d this on the blog tday, and I think the biggest need for the Washington Redskins is at safety. They like the way Brandon Meriweather fits the strong safety spot in their system, but he's coming off a season's worth of knee injuries, and they might not be able to count on him. And they need to upgrade from Madieu Williams at free safety. So I think they need to get a safety in free agency (Pittsburgh's Ryan Mundy feels like a realistic name who'd be a fit) and seriously think about one with one of their first couple of draft picks. They could find a starting-caliber safety in the second or third round, especially if they think Meriweather's going to come back healthy and the pick has time to develop.

I said this a few posts prior, I think Mundy is a good fit. Bring back Jackson and Merriweather to fight for spots. Mundy has played both safety positions this year so he would be a solid player who would bring the versatility we need.

[SemperFi Skins]

Whoever is watching the 49ers vs Falcons, keep an eye on Ricky Jean-Francois for 49ers... I've mentioned him a bunch on here... Underrated NT/DT who plays a reserve role but could definitely start... He's showing dominance right now with his penetration

[MrJL]

I have no interest in any additions to the defensive line. really the only place where I want to see changes is the secondary. I'm happy everywhere else, though I know money may make some changes elsewhere necessary

[daveakl]

He's showing dominance right now with his penetration

Comedy gold Jerry.

[SemperFi Skins]

Comedy gold Jerry.

I saw that coming but didnt have any other way to put it haha

[skinny21]

So, I was thinking about the Hall situation some more. His biggest weaknesses seem to be peeking in the backfield and biting on double moves. The first one is solved by moving him to safety, but the second one doesn't really lend itself to FS (the last line of defense). Tackling seems (to me anyway) to be his best asset. Some might argue his takeaways, but they haven't been all that frequent.

So, what about playing him a bit closer to the line? Have him switch between corner and safety (which they seemed to do a bit anyway) without having to trust him as a FS. Heck, maybe you do this to slowly transition him to FS. It might be a moot point depending on the offseason, but I have trouble trusting him as that 'last line of defense', whereas I've grown to trust his tackling and shorter zone coverages. Like I said, just a thought I had.

One last point, I hope to heck we go into the season with two (or more) at FS. Nothing as painful as watching in-the-box guys playing deep (except maybe seeing Madieu back there).

[Skinsinparadise]

Precisely why he could be an interesting option. He wants another chance to play CB and we could possibly get a starting CB without stressing our already bad cap situation. He's got excellent speed - former 1st round pick as a DB. It could be worth pursuing IMO.

I hear you on that. My opinion is its risky to add to our shaky secondary, another corner back who has been shaky, arguably shakier than who we got now, and hope that shores up the problem. Maybe if we sign 2 corners one of which is a bonafide/proven good corner, I wouldn't mind in that case mainly because of he doesn't succeed as a corner, he's a stud on special team prowess. Unless the theory is our corners are fine, we just need a nickel CB.

---------- Post added January-20th-2013 at 10:53 PM ----------

I agree with you - he is a guy who has starting ability, would upgrade our return game and should not break the bank from a cap situation. Frankly it's very unlikely any number 1 type corners will see free agency and if they do their contracts will be too much for our cap position - a guy like McKelvin who is probably a border line #2 or #3 guy is about what we can expect.

I wonder. Last year they worked the cap some and spent good money on Garcon and a fair amount on Morgan then they went bargain basement. This time around if I recall releasing Hall and Moss contracts brings 12 million of cap room alone -- restructure some contracts, and I'd presume they'd be in business to sign at least one bonafide A level or at least B level pedigree player. I'd be surprised if all their signings this off season are the M. Williams/T Jackson C level types -- especially after a playoff year where now its not far fetched that a good signing or two makes us a legitimate potential Superbowl team or at least repeat playoff team.

Agree with your point about teams not letting their top corners hit free agency, but every year a couple are so B plus type prospects slip into free agency ala, Joseph, Carr, Finnegan, etc. I doubt the team's priority is to find another Josh Wilson type to shore up the secondary, I'd guess they'd be looking a peg higher with both safety and cornerback. My point is when it comes to the secondary I don't think depth is the main problem where the quest is an upgrade over C. Griffin -- ditto on safety, I don't think we need another Doughty type. Am not saying you are saying this -- just saying that my feeling is they are looking for a corner who is established as better as both D. Hall and J. Wilson and at least one bonafide B level type safety. And my guess is they will figure out how to do it. Garcon didn't come cheap. Am assuming they have a Garcon level of player in mind for the secondary who they will target. Of course its just a guess on my end, will see.

[skinny21]

Last year they worked the cap some and spent good money on Garcon and a fair amount on Morgan then they went bargain basement. This time around if I recall releasing Hall and Moss contracts brings 12 million of cap room alone -- restructure some contracts, and I'd presume they'd be in business to sign at least one bonafide A level or at least B level pedigree player. I'd be surprised if all their signings this off season are the M. Williams/T Jackson C level types -- especially after a playoff year where now its not far fetched that a good signing or two makes us a legitimate potential Superbowl team or at least repeat playoff team.

I could be mistaken, but won't Brown be another cap-freeing move?

I like the thought you put into that... good post. I could see a big move at corner or safety. Safety seems a bigger need (unless we lost Hall and Griffin, of course), but they may feel they have a better shot at a starting safety in the 2nd round as opposed to corner.

I will say I'd be happy to pick up two 'B-level' corners that are up and coming (Lewis and Williams or somesuch) guys that shown good talent.

Which reminds me... truly sucks that our top 3 safeties (at least in terms of potential) are all question marks for next year, and will be long after the draft and the majority of FA.

Anyway, back to your point, and to further support your argument, we can go with a lower first year salary to get around the cap penalty. The possibility of a tier 1 signing certainly shouldn't be dismissed

[Chump Bailey]

I hear you on that. My opinion is its risky to add to our shaky secondary, another corner back who has been shaky, arguably shakier than who we got now, and hope that shores up the problem. Maybe if we sign 2 corners one of which is a bonafide/proven good corner, I wouldn't mind in that case mainly because of he doesn't succeed as a corner, he's a stud on special team prowess. Unless the theory is our corners are fine, we just need a nickel CB.

I don't believe the secondary situation is nearly as dire as it might suggest and I see little more we can do given our cap situation other than moves like McKelvin - even that may not be feasible from a cap POV. I see plenty of competition at the SS position this offseason with Chase Minnifield emerging as a possible surprise starting candidate. Meariweather, Bernstine at FS. I think we all like Richard Crawford's potential. I personally like Cedric Griffin. We're likely not going to be able to afford anywhere near a top tier S or CB.

I think if we can get Hall's contract under control, explore McKelvin for his versatility and look DB in the draft - we would seem to be in good shape heading into next season secondary wise.

[Skinsinparadise]

I don't believe the secondary situation is nearly as dire as it might suggest and I see little more we can do given our cap situation other than moves like McKelvin - even that may not be feasible from a cap POV.

They had the exact same cap penalty last year. Plus part of why they got the penalty was about restructuring Hall's contract, it was mammoth, and this is the year where they can get out of it and save 8 million off the cap, they didn't have a cap saving contract like that last year that I recall. This would be the easier year of the two to restructure contracts forward since 2014 isn't far off. Plus last year, they had almost no notice to deal with the cap penalty, whereas this year they had plenty of time to prepare.

I guess where we disagree is I don't get how this all adds up to this year being worse than last year in terms of cap maneuverability? Last year, they signed one top level free agent, one mid level free agent, and then bargain basement. Why would this year be a step down and be pure bargain basement players, what is more difficult about this years cap as opposed to last years?

And if I am not mistaken isn't this years NFL cap going up versus last years which was static?

I see plenty of competition at the SS position this offseason with Chase Minnifield emerging as a possible surprise starting candidate. Meariweather, Bernstine at FS. I think we all like Richard Crawford's potential. I personally like Cedric Griffin. We're likely not going to be able to afford anywhere near a top tier S or CB.

I think if we can get Hall's contract under control, explore McKelvin for his versatility and look DB in the draft - we would seem to be in good shape heading into next season secondary wise.

Forgot where I saw it, i think it was the Washington Examiner which talked about Minnifeld as still a long shot -- saying the double surgery which included tough to come back from micro surgery makes him an unlikely comeback candidate. But will see, I hope he defies the odds. Crawford struggled and was benched. He came back late in this season and played ok, in the last couple of games. IMO, he's a maybe. Griffin is 31 has had 2 major surgeries. He's maybe a stop gap. He's also a free agent. The bottom line is statistically this was one of the worst secondaries in the league. Bringing back the same cast of characters and a pushing 30 year old D Hall -- and adding a C-D level 3rd corner free agent to the mix -- likely concludes with us headed into 2013 with still one of the worst if not the worst secondary in the league. I don't see how that's any different with our corners than what we had this season outside of trying to upgrade C Griffin.

If we are going to make a push to go deeper into playoffs in my opinion it can't be with our best corner being a 2nd or even the 3rd level corner on most other teams.

I agree though we can look in the draft and maybe draft someone in the 2nd like Jordan Poyer. But often the best corners are gone by the late second. But agree it could happen. Then find a safety like Rambo if hes still there in the third. Shanny seems a big advocate of going BPA so am doubting he reaches for a corner in the 2nd, unless its a good value pick. I recall when Vinny drafted Barnes in the third, some draft geeks saying he had a 5th round value. In this draft, looks like it will be easier to find a safety with our picks than a corner with potential to make a quick impact.

I love using the draft and agree with your thought of being aggressive with it. But when our top pick is a late 2nd rounder and the next a late 3rd rounder, not sure we can count on those players to be an instant impact guys. Not saying they can't be, but I think its far from in the bag. Actually each of our division rivals have had secondary issues over the years and all of them solved it partly via free agency, though it blew up on the Eagles -- don't see why we likewise can't do the same, use the draft and free agency.