It’s Super Bowl weekend in Washington. The greatest few days of the year for Redskins fans. Some teams have the postseason, Redskins fans have the offseason.
Free agency begins 12:01 a.m. tonight. Redskin One is supposedly in Buffalo ready to bring middle linebacker London Fletcher-Baker and cornerback Nate Clements. Not that anyone tampered by talking beforehand. The players just needed a ride and the plane was heading this way.
It’s all so predictable. So much that agents milk owner Dan Snyder for extra money, knowing he overspends for big names. It’s a Pacman Jones rain shower of money with often the same results — bad.
Sign Fletcher to help in the middle, but leave Clements on the plane. Instead, the Redskins should grab cornerback Fred Smoot if Minnesota releases him as expected.
The Love Boat captain back in Washington? He wouldn’t be the first person in Washington to rebound from a sex scandal. Smoot gives the Redskins a chance to turn someone else’s trash into their treasure. While Clements wants an $18 million bonus, Smoot might sign for Dandy cruise gift certificates.
Smoot found redemption in Washington once before when slipping to the second round of the 2001 draft amid rumors of drug use, only to post four trouble-free years as a solid corner. He played one season under coach Joe Gibbs so both sides know the other.
Snyder should have learned by now that money doesn’t solve anything. From Deion Sanders to Jeff George to Adam Archuleta, Snyder has been bilked for more money than a Nigerian e-mail scam. Smoot will be a Filene’s Basement bargain after a turbulent year with the Vikings.
Shawn Springs isn’t the future and Carlos Rogers hasn’t proven he’s a lockdown corner. Smoot might not either, but he’s better than Rogers.
The key is signing Smoot to a short-term deal that makes him earn the money. Snyder’s best free agent signing was troubled defensive tackle Daryl Gardener in 2002. Gardener earned Redskin of the Year in his one season. Snyder was then doubly smart not to resign Gardener, who took Denver’s gold before ending his career in a parking lot fight. Keeping Gardener hungry made the difference in Washington.
Free agency signings are about timing, savviness and some luck. The Redskins must learn to find undervalued players who become playmakers, not high-priced businessmen.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
