Vision Quest: Off-season Game Plan 2007 The Redskin Free Agents

Just days away from Free Agency and still the Redskins have yet to resign some of their free agents from last year. Normally this time of year the fans are excited and awaiting the new arrivals that Redskins one will bring in. However with 3 starters and some key reserves among the Redskin free agents the tone of free agency seems a little subdued.

The obvious question is why have the Redskins only been able to sign perennial long snapper Ethan Allen to a contract? Certainly there are some players (Dockery, Pucillo, Frost) that seemed to be no-brainer resigns and others who either want to leave (Duckett) or are being shown the door (Holdman, Wright). And of course the rest of the free agents are replaceable players but may be resigned for consistency’s sake.

However the Redskins have been quiet all the way around. Besides an extension with Jansen, other off season moves have failed to materialize yet. Lloyd and Arch, the biggest busts of last off season, are still on the roster. Have the Redskins decided to keep both or one, or are they waiting to see who they can sign in FA to release them? Major restructures with Brunell and Springs have not happened and the question of whether they will be cut or kept at their current salaries remains as well. And only Troy Vincent has managed to get released despite some other obvious cap related releases available (Wynn, Daniels, Collins).

While the quiet remains so do the questions. Later this week some answers will be found and some new questions will arise. But before that happens lets take a look at those that may be departing us via free agency this year.

UFA

Ethan Albright Long Snapper

Ok Big red is already signed but I wanted to weigh in on this. This guy is the ultimate in blue-collar football player. He represents himself in negotiations and always signs a contract in the off-season for a little above vet minimum for the upcoming year. All he does is snap the ball and snap it very very well. If everyone on the team did what was asked of him as perfectedly as Albright we would still be playing this week. I personally wish Big Red could provide some other use then Long Snapper, but he is a valuable asset to this team and I am glad he was resigned.

Derrick Dockery Starting Right Guard

This is obviously the biggest priority of the off season. At the end of the last two years the offensive line looked like a cohesive unit and Dockery was a big part of that. He is still a little too inconsistent and does not particularly pull well or block well in the open field, but he is getting better in pass blocking and straight ahead smash mouth football. I do urge a word of caution here, Dockery is bowling for dollars as they say. Last year he voided his contract to become an RFA so he could test the market, forcing the Redskins to tender him at the 1st round rate. Now he is going to be a FA. This will either be a very expensive resigning, or another homegrown Redskin running for greener pastures.

TJ Duckett Reserve Running Back

Oh how I hated this trade, let me count the way. TJ’s stats last year: 38 rushes, 132 yards, 2 Tds, 9 First Downs. For that we gave up our third rounder this year and our fourth rounder next. With the resigning of Ladell Betts, the redskins should try and forget the whole Duckett trade. Perhaps then I can get some peace.

Vernon Fox Reserve Safety

Vernon actually started a few games due to injury and the ineffectiveness of Arch last year, but he is undoubtedly a reserve safety in the NFL. He is a special team standout and should be given a one year vet minimum contract to come back, but nothing more then that. Vernon would be a great reserve and special team player as we try to rebuild the secondary next year.

Warrick Holdman Starting Weak Side Linebacker (emphasis on weak)

Besides Dale Lindsey and Warrick Holdman’s mom, nobody in America understood the obsession with starting Holdman the past two seasons. First the redskins benched LaVar Arrington last year in favor of Holdman, and then kept Rocky McIntosh on the bench after spending in essence 2 2nd round picks on acquiring him. There is a reason that we were able to resign him last year with a signing bonus of 25k, slightly more then a used Toyota Camry. The Redskins should save the money this year and let Holdman and Lindsey star in a reality show together.

Ade Jimoh Reserve Cornerback

Ade is a special team guy and that is about it. Even with all the injuries last year he could not find a way to contribute to the defensive side of the ball. However Jimoh along with other guys like Thrash, Fox, and Rock team up to make our special team coverage units one of the best in the game. I would love for him to come back on a one year vet min contract and I am pretty sure he eventually will.

Brian Kozlowski Reserve Tight End

Another guy that the Redskins keep bringing back that I am totally mystified by. All Koz has done in his years of service is give away the Dallas game in 2004 and give the equipment manager fits ironing his name on the jersey. There has to be a young tight end out there able to learn the offense with a bigger potential then the ancient Kozlowski. Time to move on.

Mike Pucillo Reserve Offensive Line

Pucillo was one of the better free agent singings last year, ably filling in as a reserve offensive lineman and also serving duties as the 3rd TE in goal line situations. Pucillo, who has starting NFL experience, could be considered the favorite to inherit starting duties if Dock does leave. A modest resign contract should be offered to him to entice him to come back to DC.

Todd Wade Reserve Offensive Line

This is the kind of one year rental that most NFL teams dream about. Todd Wade was a starter in the NFL and because of injury had to accept a reserve role here in DC. He showed in the NO game when he filled in for Jansen that he is a starter in the NFL. With the extension of Jansen this off-season, and Samuels the year before, the chance to start will not come in DC. I would love Wade to come back, but he most likely will move on looking for a starting opportunity elsewhere.

Kenny Wright Reserve Cornerback

Kenny showed us why Jacksonville let him go last year with very little fanfare. Despite starting every game for the Jaguars the year before the Redskins were able to sign him to a humble one-year contract to be our nickel. Injuries to Springs and Rogers forced Wright to make more starts then originally thought and that showed Wright’s weakness. He was slow to pick up coverage in man to man and zone. And the Redskin weak safety position allowed opponents to pick on him all day long. I can’t see the point of bringing him back, but if they did no more then another one year vet minimum contract should be offered.

Todd Yoder Reserve TE

Yoder came out of nowhere to become the primary backup for Chris Cooley. HE has size, speed and decent hands. He is the proto typical backup TE in the NFL, can do a lot of things well, but nothing exceptionally well. A nice 3 year contract with moderate signing bonus should be offered to lock up potential depth, especially if Cooley bolts us next year. The Redskins should use the Force to lure Yoder back to DC (sorry way to easy).

RFA

Ryan Boschetti Reserve Defensive Lineman

Just a guy. Seriously, tender him at the low offer and allow him to compete in training camp. Boschetti Will find it very hard make any team’s roster, including the Redskins, but could be a good camp body.

Derrick Frost Punter

The bright side of the Washington Defense was the punter. That probably says more about the Defense then the Punter, but Frost had a decent year. He finally found his consistency for the most part though he still will frustrate you in tight games and hitting shanks when punting from his end-zone. Alas there are signs that he may be getting better. Punters don’t deserve anything more then the minimum tender, especially Frost. Although I hope real competition is brought in, I could see Frost starting for us next year and not being all that upset about it. I hope.

Jim Molinaro Reserve Offensive Lineman

Again, just a guy. Molinaro was drafted with the hope he could backup both guard and tackle spots. Despite significant injuries at those positions in each of the last 3 years, Molinaro has not seen the field. Starting ahead of him were guys old enough to be his dad (Ray Brown) or guys brought onto the team after him (Todd Wade). It can’t hurt to tender him at the minimum, but if he makes the roster again this year it is more a statement at how bad our depth is then how good Molinaro is.

That’s it. Until Next Time: Hail To the Redskins