What a letdown.
The Washington Redskins didn’t get pass rusher Julius Peppers — the kingpin of free agency. They didn’t sign Karlos Dansby, the best linebacker available. Safety Antrel Rolle went to the New York Giants. Even over-the-hill left tackle Chad Clifton turned Washington down.
Owner Dan Snyder must be saying, “Hello operator, I need the number of a V. Cerrato now living in Chicago.”
Seriously, who forgot to tell new general manager Bruce Allen the Redskins are kings of the offseason? This is the uncapped year Snyder has awaited 11 years. The one time he could buy a Super Bowl. Instead, the Redskins haven’t even bought a used Toyota, which at least would have raced ahead unchecked.
How is a 4-12 team supposed to get better when it only has five draft choices and no prominent free agents? Maybe the Redskins need a more measured approach than Wall Street bankers cashing bailout bonuses, but Allen is now chairman of the NFL Tea Party conservative movement. Allen knew the marquee free agents were overpriced, but needs to learn Snyder’s dough is like monopoly money — worthless if not spent.
The draft won’t quickly infuse any significant talent unless the Redskins are now forced to use the fourth overall pick for a left tackle. Had Washington signed Clifton it appeared the Redskins would use the first-rounder on quarterback Sam Bradford. Now the new passer in town may be Rex Grossman, the second coming of Shane Matthews. Holy Ballcoach.
Free agency was the only chance for a jumpstart. Now, an 8-8 season may be a long shot when past years the Redskins would have signed Peppers and Dansby and finished, well, 8-8. There’s the oddity of criticizing the Redskins for finally showing some restraint — past overspending didn’t buy titles, either.
The Burgundy Revolution begged for smarter spending. But, this new approach ironically comes at the wrong time. This was the no salary cap season when it didn’t matter what Snyder spent. He could have busted Fort Knox and instead didn’t crack a piggy bank.
It’s not a great free agent class given 212 players were restricted under the labor agreement. Otherwise, you better believe San Diego’s Shawn Merriman would have returned to his hometown for a blockbuster deal. Instead, it was a very limited field and the Redskins whiffed.
I’ll bet Cerrato is somewhere laughing over the $200 million he would have spent.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com and Twitter @Snide_Remarks or e-mail [email protected].
