Vision Quest: Off Season Gameplan, Defensive Needs by Position

With last week’s offensive review in the books it is now time to turn to the defensive side of the ball. Some would argue the most important free agent signing, or in this case resigning, was done already when Gregg Williams agreed to a 3 year extension guaranteeing his presence at Redskins Park next season. His schemes have helped the Redskin defense finish #9 last year and #3 the year before. All this despite a sometimes anemic offense, a lack of a true pass rush, and questionable depth and extensive injuries at corner.

It is no small thing to say that the direction of the defense, and the free agent hunting in the meantime, is dependent on what to do with one man, Lavar Arrington. His injuries and at times bratty attitude over the last 2 years have led many, and I am sure some inside the Redskin organization, to call for his release from his team. I understand their frustration and anger, I feel it myself.

However I do not believe that the Redskins will ultimately release Mr. Redskin himself, and it has nothing to do with his play over the last two years. It may be more about the CBA that is being negotiated rather then anything else. Lavar’s cap number for 2006 is 12 million, which consists of a 6 million dollar roster bonus due to him in July, a vet minimum salary, and the left over prorated portions of signing bonus from his original rookie contract, a restructuring in 2002, and his extension at the end of the 2003 season. However cutting him would roughly equal 12.5 million in cap charges in 2006 since his pro-rated bonus would all be accelerated.

If the CBA is renewed it is both good and bad news for Lavar fans. Renewing the CBA would mean that he could convert the 6 million in roster bonus into a signing bonus, spreading out over the remainder of his contract and reducing is cap number in 2006 to roughly 7 million. Of course renewing the CBA would allow the Redskins to release Arrington after June 1st reducing his cap number to 5.5 million in 2006 and adding a dead cap charge of 7.5 million in 2007. The problem with the second scenario is that the Redskins would have to keep Lavar’s large (12 mil) cap number on the books until June 1st and it could affect free agent signings and the signing of any draft picks.

If the CBA is not renewed it is equally as ambivalent for Lavar. Without the CBA being renewed he cannot convert his roster bonus into signing bonus keeping his cap number at 12 million. However without the CBA being renewed the redskins can no longer release him on June 1st and get any cap savings either. The CBA not being renewed also offers the possibility of 2007 being an uncapped year thus negating any future cap hits.

What it will come down to is this: Are the Redskins willing to pay Lavar Arrington’s salary or are they willing to take a substantial cap hit (plus the cap hit of his replacement) to move on. In the end I think the Redskins will pay Lavar his money and hope he can play better with a full off season of workouts under his belt. Dan Snyder can basically print money as the Redskin owner and he is also a shrewd business man. He knows he can make up the extra money he will pay to Lavar over the next few years in merchandising alone. 2006 is too tight of a cap year to add Lavar’s replacement onto it. The team would be better with Lavar playing then a rookie or vet minimum signing playing weak side.

So, in my mind, I assuming the Redskins will keep Lavar Arrington and I will make my defensive analysis with that assumption in mind.

Defensive Tackle
Current Roster: Cornelius Griffin, Joe Salave’a, Brandon Noble, Aki Jones, Ryan Boschetti
Redskin Free Agents: Lional Dalton, Cedric Killings
Suggested Off Season Move: Resign our free agents for vet minimums and let them fight it out in camp for roster spots
CNY’s Top 3 Free Agents to target: None

This is the most solid and deep group on the entire defense. Cornelius Griffen is three steps beyond the entire group. His presence makes the entire line play better. Joe Salave’a is the perfect compliment to Griffen. He is tough and really occupies space. Seriously have you seen the guy’s head? His old helmets are used as apartments in his native Samoa. Brandon Noble’s playing days are done and his retirement will save the redskins some money. I think the Redskins can find 2 or 3 decent backups in Aki Jones (who slept on the steps of Redskin Park before training Camp), Ryan Boschetti, Cedric Killings, & Lional Dalton. Sign a couple of UFAs and let them fight it out in camp.

Defensive End
Current Roster: Renaldo Wynn, Phillip Daniels, Nic Clemons,
Redskin Free Agents: Demetrius Evans
Suggested Off-season Move: Resign Demetrius Evans and look for young pass rushing defensive end, most likely in draft.
CNY’s Top 3 Free Agents to target: Aaron Kampman (GB), Robert Mathis (IND), Ndukwe Kalu (PHI)

This group has been singled out for our lack of pass rush this last season, and the criticism does hold some merit. However at the end of last year Phillip Daniels started to break out to be a pass rushing force and he and the coaches credited changes in the pass rushing scheme for his revival. Still a young defensive end with pass rushing skills could be added to rotate in and help Daniels and the aging Wynn. Demetrius Evans should draw some mild interest from other teams but the Redskins should also be able to resign him.

I rather the skins look to the draft to find that young pass rushing defensive end but there are some intriguing targets out there. Aaron Kampman will be looking for a new home since Green Bay is going nowhere this next year and could play either end spot. Robert Mathis is an RFA but it is possible that Indy may not even tender him since their cap situation is questionable. Ndukwe Kalu is not young, but could come cheap and is a pretty good pass rusher that the redskins should have never let get away.

Linebacker
Current Roster: Lavar Arrington, Marcus Washington, Lemar Marshall, Robert McCune, Chris Clemons,
Redskin Free Agents: Warrick Holdman, Khary Campbell
Suggested Off Season Move: Let free agents go. Look for young special team experts to fill in at LB and be used as depth
CNY’s Top 3 Free Agents to target: Akin Ayodele (JAG), Tommy Polley (BAL), Ben Leber (SD)

As I have said before I do not believe the redskins will release Lavar Arrington. Marcus Washington is the MVP of the defense each of the last two years and could go down as the Redskins best free agent signing in the Snyder era. Lemar Marshall played very well last year and justified the Redskins faith in him. Chris Clemons is showing promise as a speed rusher and may be able to help on the outside. Robert McCune started on the practice squad and finally made the team as a special teamer later in the year. His move to outside linebacker should help him in his quest for a roster spot this year. I do not see any reason to resign Warrick Holdman. I saw Warrick get blocked onto his back by wide receivers during the Kansas City game and I am not sure why the Redskins staff was so high on him early in the season. Khary Campbell should be resigned for MLB depth and special teams alone.

The Redskins need some quality depth here and there are a few players out there that may be willing to sign a one year contract to come in and work with GW and his all star staff. Akin Ayodele may be one of them. He plays both strong and weak side LB and had an injury in 2005 keeping him from seeing the field. Tommy Polley may be out of the Redskin price range as he did a one year deal with Baltimore last year and will look to cash in, but he may be willing to move down I90. Ben Leber is young and fast but was stuck behind Shawn Merriman at San Diego.

Cornerback
Current Roster: Shawn Springs, Carlos Rogers, Walt Harris, Christian Morton, Dimitri Patterson
Redskin Free Agents: Ade Jimoh
Suggested Off Season Move: Sign Jimoh, release Walt Harris. Look for a mid tier free agent CB to be our nickleback.
CNY’s Top 3 Free Agents to target: Will Allen (NYG), Jamar Fletcher (SD), Ricky Manning Jr. (CAR)

This is the position I think we will be most active on in free agency. Shawn Springs is playing like a pro-bowler whether the voters think so or not. Carlos Rogers had an up and down rookie year, but mostly up. These will be the starting corners next year barring injury. Walt Harris’ play fell off, especially when he started and was matched up against more talented wide receivers. His cap hit and potential savings makes him a tempting target to be released shortly. Christian Morton and Dimitri Patterson are nothing special and will be camp fodder next year, as they were this year. The Redskins should resign Ade Jimoh as he had his best year as a pro last year in both special teams and even in (gulp) coverage.

A true nickel and maybe even a dime needs to be found. With Springs history of injuries, and Roger’s injury plagued season last year, this person will have to be able to start as well. I like the idea of signing Will Allen to be our nickle back. Not only could he be an upgrade over Walt Harris he could give us valuable insight to the Giants’ schemes. Jamar Fletcher is a nice young corner that could also fit the bill as well. Ricky Manning Jr. lost his starting job in Carolina last year and may not want to be a backup here, but if he could be persuaded to move up I90 a bit he also could be a great cheap addition.

Safety
Current Roster: Sean Taylor, Matt Bowen, Pierson Prioleau,
Redskin Free Agents: Ryan Clark, Omar Stoutmire
Suggested Off Season Move: Resign both free agents and cut Matt Bowen. Find some cheap camp fodder in UFAs
CNY’s Top 3 Free Agents to target: None

Assuming Sean Taylor gets off with no jail time, we are pretty set at the safety position. Taylor is a pure beast and a game changing presence roaming from sideline to sideline. Wide Receivers grow alligator arms just thinking him. The rumor that Terry Glenn and Todd Pinkston keep dropping their beers in the off season is not just a coincidence. Matt Bowen should be shown the door, his price is not worth being a third stringer with little playing time. Pierson Prioleau is solid depth and can play either safety spot. Ryan Clark should be resigned at a modest price, if not Pierson can start in his place. Omar Stoutmire contributed at Safety, corner, and special teams and will be cheap valuable depth. A couple of UFAs of course could be brought in to compete in camp and add additional depth, especially if Clark cannot be resigned.

That is it for my defensive preview. Next week is the last in my off season game plan series focusing on Special Teams. If you are a fan of Danny Smith or Derrick Frost you may want to avert your eyes. Until then I will be praying that the CBA is renewed because without it we may be culling the depths of the UFAs for almost every position.