They are two enduring and troubling images.
A pass heads Redskins cornerback Carlos Rogers’ way. He’s in position to grab it and perhaps make a game-changing play … and he drops it. Again.
A receiver sprints downfield, stutter steps, sucks in Rogers and blows past him.
And then there’s this image: the other corner, Shawn Springs, spending five games on the sidelines. He’s healthy now; he’ll also turn 32 in March, and one NFL evaluator said there’s talk that Springs is on the downside of his career.
Then again, Redskins coaches say Rogers has improved greatly in the past month and that Springs is playing well now that he’s healthy.
But that still leads to this question: Do the Redskins need to acquire another corner for next season? Buffalo’s Nate Clements will be a free agent, but he will command top dollar — however this defensive staff worked with him in Buffalo as well. Washington is currently less than $1 million under the cap for 2007. But Springs will count for approximately $7 million against the cap. He could be asked to restructure his contract and some NFL sources wonder if Springs might be cut, allowing the Redskins to sign Clements.
Also, backups Kenny Wright and Ade Jimoh both are free agents.
“Obviously they need to bolster that spot,” said one NFC scout, who has watched Washington in person several times this season and likes Rogers. “They should draft one relatively high and try to get through next year with what they have.”
Rogers, now in his second season, has been victimized by double moves, poor safety play and suspect hands. His tackling has suffered, too.
“I have my confidence back,” Rogers said. “Now when I see something I just go get it. We were going through a lot on defense [earlier]. Everyone was down on themselves and we weren’t playing together.
“[The drops] are very frustrating. I could easily be in the Pro Bowl with six or seven interceptions. But it happens to the best.”
Redskins secondary/corners coach Jerry Gray compared Rogers’ plight to that of Dallas’ Terence Newman, who struggled in his sophomore season only to blossom thereafter.
Assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams said, “Carlos has taken a step up. He’s one of the more physical corners in the NFL. I’ve been real pleased with the last five or six weeks. … I’m feeling better [about the corner situation].”
As for Springs, coaches say he’s playing better now that he’s healthy. But the scout said it’s clear to him Springs has not fully recovered. However, Springs isn’t worried about being unable to play as he gets older.
“You see guys like Joey Galloway at 35 running a 4.3 40,” Springs said. “As long as you keep yourself in shape, you’ll see more guys like that.”
But that doesn’t mean there won’t be changes.
“With the starting guys we’ve got we can be really good — barring injuries,” Gray said. “[But] I would love to see us bring competition in here; it makes you improve.”
