Ten thoughts: Redskins free agent haul
- The Redskins clearly did not like their receivers from a year ago, signing two wideouts (Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan) and nearing a deal with a third (Eddie Royal). This could not surprise anyone, especially not after the coaches talked a lot about the lack of big plays toward the end of the season – and the need to surround the QBs with better talent. I was skeptical of them signing Vincent Jackson, based on a conversation with one NFL source Monday – before news of the cap situation even broke. Turns out he was dead on. Jackson was expensive and one longtime GM cautioned against overspending for him, saying quarterbacks make the receiver and not vice versa.
- I’m intrigued by Garcon, but I’ve also been told by Colts insiders that he is a hit or miss receiver. Also heard that he considered the Indianapolis media tough and that he was still maturing. What that means? I don’t know. I remember hearing things about Santana Moss before he came to Washington and he’s been one of the best to deal with, if not the best, since he arrived. But nobody cares about that. Besides, he’s reportedly a good teamamte and that’s all that matters. Also, you want to know about his skill and he has a lot. He just has to become more consistent. And, yes, he’s had issues with drops, though that didn’t seem to be an issue last season.
- Here’s what one scout said of Garcon: “He has become a much, much better professional player than I thought he ever would be. He has become an excellent route-runner and shows great adjustment to the ball in the air. He should step in as a solid [number] two receiver.” Garcon is a terrific athlete capable of highlight catches.
- One of the things I’ve seen with this offense is that you don’t have to have a true No. 1 all the time. Not a lot of Andre Johnson’s around. And the scheme does a good job of getting receivers open. When the Redskins had trouble is when the lone threat was Jabar Gaffney. Then, another team could take him away with a corner. But if you put three or four solid threats on the field – Fred Davis, Garcon, Hankerson, Cooley/Morgan/Royal – then someone should have a solid matchup. They like to split their tight ends wide, drawing a corner away potentially, and creating a mismatch somewhere. It would be good to have that true No. 1, but what they needed were guys who could run after the catch. Garcon can do that. Morgan might be able to do that. Like Garcon, he averages better than 5.0 yards after the catch (both Santana Moss and Jabar Gaffney were under 3.8 this past season). Morgan averages 13.5 yards per catch, though it’s 15.5 over the past two years combined. Another thing: Morgan is considered a good blocker as is Garcon. In the stretch zone, it’s a must to have receivers who block well.
- By the way, if Robert Griffin III becomes the player many expect, that’ll lessen the need for a true No. 1. He’ll make them better. But it’s too early to say this’ll happen for sure. (If you think one month before the draft is considered too early).
- Does this mean I think this is now a terrific receiving corps? Not going that far because we haven’t seen these players in this system. It’ll be a younger group but Garcon has issues; Morgan has issues; Hankerson is unproven; Royal hasn’t done much the past two years. But they should be — will be — an upgrade over last season if for no other reason than they all have skills that suit what the Redskins need, starting with speed (Garcon). Royal is not a blazer, but (if he signs; he went to Morton’s Tuesday night with owner Dan Snyder, GM Bruce Allen and coach Mike Shanahan, but no deal was struck as of early Wednesday morning) he can be an excellent slot receiver because of his footwork, though his 10.8 yards per catch as a rookie under Mike Shanahan is not exactly eye-popping. Still, I’ve talked to some scouts who like him a lot. “Excellent elusiveness in the open field,” one said, who liked him coming out of Virginia Tech.
- I’ve enjoyed Moss, but he wasn’t sharp last year and needs a strong offseason of conditioning to play well again. Then again, if Royal signs there’s no need for Moss. Maybe not for Brandon Banks because Royal can return punts. How much would they want him to do? That’ll decide Banks’ fate. If nothing else Royal would provide flexibility. My assumption is that Niles Paul still would make the roster as a No. 5; the Redskins love his special teams prowess and his blocking. I wonder about Gaffney. He had a career year in 2011 and was a solid route-runner. But Gaffney didn’t scare defenses and managed only 172 yards after the catch on 68 receptions. Hard to see where he’d fit in if the Redskins get all three receivers.
- The one thing I do wonder is how long it’ll take for the receivers and the quarterbacks to click. That’s a lot of turnover in the passing game. And now they’ll pair young wideouts with a young quarterback in a system that’s new for almost all of them. The one thing about last year is that Rex Grossman talked constantly about how much he could trust guys like Gaffney and Moss and later Donte Stallworth. A quarterback – a rookie one in particular — can’t throw with confidence if he’s not sure where or when his target will cut. It leads to late throws and in the NFL that means trouble. That timing and trust only comes from many reps together. But Garcon’s speed should work well with Robert Griffin III’s arm – should the Redskins draft him, of course (wink, wink) – especially on bootlegs where the receiver is on one side and the QB rolls the other way. That’s tough on the defense.
- Good move by the Redskins to lock up end Adam Carriker. He knows he’ll be part of a three-DE rotation next year. Actually, he was this year too. But Jarvis Jenkins will play more; how they divide it up remains to be seen. The coaches felt Jenkins would be their best linemen last season. But that’s not why Carriker’s side built in a provision into the deal that he can void his contract after next season for $1 million for this reason. Regardless of what happens Carriker will play a lot as the Redskins will use a three-end rotation. If Jenkins is healthy, it should be a solid rotation. Carriker improved in year two; it’s natural to assume that Stephen Bowen will as well and Jenkins will provide a boost.
- Wish I had more insight into what’s taking so long with London Fletcher. Basically it seems like it’s been where it has for a little while: He wants more than what the Redskins are offering, perhaps as much as $2 million more. I had heard the market for him likely would settle around $6 million a year, but that was an educated guess. And another source didn’t think there’d be a big market for Fletcher. However, there doesn’t need to be a big one if another team is interested.
