Vision Quest: Off Season Game Plan, The Redskin Free Agents

Last week I talked about some of the guys under contract that we need to let go to either make cap room (Walt Harris, Matt Bowen), are too injured to continue (Brandon Noble), can garner great trade value (Patrick Ramsey), or just plain stink and we need the roster space (Cory Raymer, John Hall, Antonio Brown, & Derrick Frost). So now I plan on touching on the Redskin free agents that we should resign or let go.

This is a little different then last year. We had two star players, Antonio Pierce and Fred Smoot up for free Agency that would command big time signing bonuses and action from other teams. None of our free agents are in this category. There are 3 starters (Ryan Clark, Robert Royal, Derrick Dockery) among our list of 12 Redskin free agents. Ironically they are the 3 least talented starters and one could make an argument that a replacement for each if not all. And there are several borderline role players (Rock Cartwright, Omar Stoutmire, Ade Jimoh) that contributed to our success in 2005 in big ways.

So without further ado I will give you my take on our dirty dozen of free agents and give the Verdict on what I think should be done with them.

The Free Agents

Ethan Allbright, LS

The best thing I can say about Big Red is I have not seen or heard about him for each of the last two years. And that is saying a lot. A long snapper’s job is to snap the ball without incident and Allbright did that with surprisingly regularity. Big Red usually negotiates his own contract each year, receiving a little over the vet minimum. The Redskins should look at resigning Allbright to a multi year contract and lock up this valuable asset for awhile.

The Verdict: Resign him, to a multi year contract if feasible.

Ray Brown OG

I know, I know Brown has announced his retirement. But I sure wish we could have talked him into returning for one more year. We need depth at the Oline, and Mr. Brown could be that depth. But he is 43 years old and was starting to look like it in the Seattle game. So Adios Mr. Brown, hope you come back and in a coaching capacity.

The Verdict: He has retired; find out where to send the pension check.

Khary Campbell, MLB

Khary made the team this year as a special teamer but only after Robert McCune failed to make the cut. McCune was on the practice squad but late in the year was signed to the regular roster, activated and started on kickoff coverage as well. I just don’t see him making the squad next year, but I would not mind a resign to vet minimum and let him fight it out in camp.

The Verdict: Camp Fodder, resign only at the vet minimum

Rock Cartwright, RB

I used to love Rock for his name, but this year I love Rock for who he is, one tough little running back willing to do anything to win. I think Rock wants to be back here and I think that Gibbs will bring him back. Rock is a good backup running back and next year Ladell will leave for greener pastures. Rock plays every special team unit and is a great asset to the team.

The Verdict: Bring him back with a slight pay raise if needed.

Ryan Clark, S

One of 3 starters in the free agent crop for the Redskins. I like Ryan Clark. He plays hard and supports the run well. He is not the greatest in pass coverage though. An upgrade would be great but I don’t see anyone out there that warrants us taking a chance or wasting a draft pick. I am hoping this is not a repeat of the Pierce situation from a year ago. Clark may get offers but none should bust the bank.

The Verdict: Bring him back with a slight pay raise if needed.

Derrick Dockery, OG

Another starter in free agency. However this one is slightly different. Dockery voided the final year of his contract to make him a restricted free agent. That means the Redskins can match any offer thrown at Dockery and retain his services. The Redskins will have to decide what tender to offer Dockery, the minimum tender which offers no compensation for Dockery signing elsewhere, the normal tender which would result in Washington receiving a third round pick for compensation, or the high tender resulting in Washington getting a first round pick. I am not thrilled with Dockery and would love an upgrade, but I am not sure we have the money for Steve Hutchinson. And even if we did having Dock for decent depth is worth paying him.

The Verdict: Offer him the normal tender and take the third if someone goes crazy for him.

Demetric Evans, DE

Demetric Evans started in place of Renaldo Wynn in the last playoff game but was an average sub most of the year. I don’t see him as the long term answer at DE though. I think the redskins should be drafting a young guy that work into a rotation with Daniels and Wynn, but young guys take time to develop. Boschetti is on the roster but is more of a small tackle then a good DE. Evans has been a reliable backup each of the last two years and deserves a shot at making the roster again. But he is not worth big time money either.

The Verdict: Bring him back with a slight pay raise if needed.

Warrick Holdman, OLB

Warrick Holdman was quite simply the worst starting LB in the league during the first five games of the year. Once defenses figured out Lavar was not coming in any time soon the ran over him time and time again. Coaches liked that he was in position, unfortunately that position was all too often on his back after getting blocked by wide receivers. Any time given to Holdman will detract from further development of Chris Clemons and Lavar Arrington (or his replacement). I just don’t see Holdman helping us out at all.

The Verdict: Let him go, hope he does not come back.

Ade Jimoh, CB

Ade Jimoh really showed me something this year. He was always a special teams stud but this year he surpassed all expectations. As a gunner on punt coverage he was always in position to make a tackle and limit the opponent to minimal returns. But the one thing always going against Jimoh was his skills, or lack thereof, at CB. This year he played very well on several occasions when other ahead of him were hurt. Now I am not saying he should be our nickel corner next year, but I am comfortable with our fourth CB spot. And since I wasn’t even comfortable with him looking at a wide receiver let alone covering one last year, that is saying something.

The Verdict: Bring him back with a slight pay raise if needed.

Brian Kozlowski, TE

Why the hell did we sign him again? Oh that is right, horrible depth at TE. Koz played some special teams but that is about it last year. He can’t block and he can’t catch and is 100 years old. The Redskins can get better depth in the draft or in free agency or at a bus stop on a tip from SE Jerome.

The Verdict: Let him go, hope he does not come back.

Robert Royal, TE

Ok I have been a big time basher of Robert Royal. And no there is not truth to the rumor that I have a restraining order out against me ordering me to stay 500’ away from him. I mean 500’ is just ridiculous!!! Seriously though I would not mind Robert Royal coming back. We need depth at TE and Royal can be a quality 2nd TE in the league. I just don’t think he is a good starter. There are not many quality FA TEs out there and taking a chance on a rookie TE may not be the best course to take with so many other needs to fill in the draft (DE for instance). So I guess I will be grumbling and gnashing my teeth for another season.

The Verdict: Bring him back with a slight pay raise if needed.

Omar Stoutmire, S

Omar played pretty good when used this year, and is decent on special teams. However he is behind Sean Taylor, Ryan Clark and Pierson Prioleau in playing time at Safety. The expected release of Matt Bowen increases the probability of keeping Stoutmire. He is a solid veteran who can be used in dime and quarter packages along with playing almost every special team unit. Most teams only carry four safeties so bringing him back with Ryan Clark can solidify that position and we can concentrate other needs.

The Verdict: Bring him back with a slight pay raise if needed.

That is it for this installment of the off season game plan. Next up we will look into the needs of the Redskins and identify possible free agents to fill those needs.