The upcoming offseason is supposed to concentrate on adding offensive players. But the key to the Washington Redskins’ improvement is keeping several defensive players. Safety LaRon Landry, linebacker London Fletcher, defensive end Adam Carriker and linebacker Rocky McIntosh will be unrestricted free agents. Losing all of them would cripple the defense, but letting some go isn’t a problem.
Keeping Fletcher is vital, Landry important, Carriker a plus and McIntosh unnecessary.
And now back to quarterbacks.
Drafting Robert Griffin III or Matt Barkley won’t lead Washington to the playoffs if the defense collapses. But the four top free agents aren’t easy calls.
Landry finishes his second straight season on injured reserve with Achilles problems. He’s missed 15 games over the last two years. Surgery will certainly depress free agent bids, but Landry may want a new start elsewhere.
When healthy, Landry is the Redskins’ best player. The question is whether the Redskins risk $30 million over five years to discover if he can stay healthy. They’ve missed on bigger free agents.
The solution is franchising Landry for one year, which would probably cost around $6 million. If healthy an entire season, re-sign him to a longer deal. If he then doesn’t want to stay, tag Landry again for another year. Otherwise, DeJon Gomes is the starter and, while amid a nice rookie year, he’s no Landry.
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Fletcher is the most rare of free agents — a 36-year-old who’s still leading the NFL in tackles. A long-term deal seems unrealistic, but a two-year contract would be worthwhile. Otherwise, Fletcher may shop a one-year deal among contenders hoping for a title before he retires.
Carriker has been steady over two years — he even has five sacks this season. At 28, next year would be in his career-best zone. But the Redskins also anticipate injured rookie Jarvis Jenkins starting in 2012. No matter, there can never be enough solid players so the Redskins should definitely keep Carriker. He’ll find his way onto the field.
McIntosh has been a disappointment since the second-rounder was drafted in 2006. There are flashes of standout play like this season’s first month. And then, McIntosh disappears like the past month when he was benched for Perry Riley. Mostly, McIntosh’s play seems to reflect that of those around him. That’s not good enough. The Redskins don’t need followers, they need leaders and McIntosh isn’t one. He’ll probably play better with a new team like Carlos Rogers did this season in San Francisco.
The interesting dilemma not involving a free agent is with cornerback DeAngelo Hall. He’s the Redskins’ top corner but not an NFL top corner anymore. Hall has allowed too many big plays as a No.?1. A costly unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against New England was unworthy of a team captain.
Hall is midway through a six-year, $55 million deal with $23 million guaranteed so it would be a costly cut, plus there’s no successor. But Hall’s departure wouldn’t be a total shock.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
