New Orleans Saints fans may be celebrating, but now is the Washington Redskins’ time of year.
Champions of the offseason, the Redskins are planning their big moves. They’re guaranteed at least one blockbuster acquisition with the fourth pick of the April 22 draft. Maybe a quarterback, perhaps an offensive tackle.
Whether Washington once again can dominate free agency may be more about NFL labor problems than whether owner Dan Snyder truly has changed his overspending ways.
The NFL and Players Association spent Super Bowl week posturing over what we’ve long seen coming — a 2011 lockout. Frankly, there will be no labor agreement extension, creating an uncapped season for 2010 and delaying any meaningful talks until next spring. NFL owners want a billion-or-so dollars back from players despite already making that much (depending on whose books you’re reviewing). Players certainly aren’t eager to give money back since they average only 4 1/2 seasons in the league.
NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith ranked chances of no agreement by March 1 a 14 on a scale of 1 to 10. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell countered, “The idea ownership would be anxious for a work stoppable is false. You don’t make money shutting down.”
The result? A standoff with one season of free spending. Will Snyder empty the vault for another spree? Not likely. If this was last year with cohort Vinny Cerrato at his side, Snyder might try it. But a combination of the recession and a front office makeover forces Snyder to limit moves.
Talk about bad timing. There will be no $100-million signings. Then again, does anyone think the Redskins received their money’s worth from Albert Haynesworth last season?
The free agent pool also is radically smaller with 200 players remaining restricted rather than unrestricted after four years. The good news is quarterback Jason Campbell can’t bolt, which, for all the grousing over his play, remains the best option. The bad news is many young playmakers also are retained by their teams, so raiding rosters becomes more expensive.
Few fans truly believe Snyder won’t interfere despite hiring Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen. But if Snyder wants to satisfy the Burgundy Revolution, he must remain low key.
Overall, it’s going to be a quiet offseason for Washington. Too bad, it was the one time of the year Redskins fans could celebrate.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com and Twitter @Snide_Remarks or e-mail [email protected].
