With Fletcher Redskins Need to Learn From Past Mistakes

Over the last decade the Washington Redskins have become known for many things — most of them not good.

They have been called: a laughing-stock, a shell of the team that once boasted three Lombardi Trophies, and bluntly -. losers. Most notably though, they have become known as the place where past their prime players go to collect their final, big pay-day.

Outside of 2005 and 2007 this team has been the embodiment of all of those things. However, there is a bad habit this team can’t shake which is worse than all of the things mentioned above.

During every off-season under Vinny Cerrato, the Redskins would open their wallet to big name free-agents in an attempt to build a real life fantasy football team, while letting home-grown talent walk away without batting an eye.

For every Adam Archuletta, Randel El, and Albert Haynesworth, there were equally painful Ryan Clarks, Antonio Pierces and Stephen Davis’s.

Sadly, Snyder’s obsession with bringing in big money guys has prevented the Redskins from re-signing their own guys for years.

This week Bruce Allen faces the biggest potential blow – and it is not his fault.

You have to go back a bit to fully understand what I’m talking about – so let’s jump back to 2009.

The Washington Redskins had just come off a very disappointing season that began with a brilliant 6-2 start, only to see the wheels come off as they finished 2-6 (8-8 overall).

During that 2008 season, there was one constant, the defense, led by Captain London Fletcher, which bailed out the offense week after week.

When the 2009 season started, it had become clear the Redskins wanted to strengthen their already strong defense. In the weeks leading up to Free Agency, whispers around the league began to point to the Redskins targeting All-Pro defensive tackle, Albert Haynesworth.

Haynesworth had just come off a strong season which helped lead the Tennessee Titan’s to being one of the most feared defenses in football. Considered being the best player available during the 2009 free-agency class, Cerrato was smitten and prepared to do whatever it took to bring the ‘most dominant’ defensive lineman since Reggie White to D.C.

Cerrato succeeded a few hours into free agency, throwing $100,000,000 at the lineman, which completed Haynesworth’s deal. Leading many around the league to question if the Redskins had tampered with then free-agent.

The Redskins also re-signed “superstar” defensive back Deangelo Hall to an impressive 6 year $55,000,000 deal with $23,000,000 guaranteed. The two players were supposed to take the defense from being good to being feared. While also “getting the team over the hump” and helping Jim Zorn bring a Lombardi back to D.C.

They failed, miserably… but you already knew that. Here is something you may not have known.

During that same off-season the team’s Defensive Captain, and unquestioned leader, London Fletcher, quietly approached Vinny Cerrato for a contract extension.

Fletcher, who had led the team in tackles since joining the Gibbs 2.0 Redskins in 2007, was looking for a deal that would see him through the end of his career. He had won a Super Bowl in St. Louis and wanted to bring one to D.C.

What he got was a blow off.

Constrained by 10 years of a miss-managed salary cap, Cerrato knew that Fletcher was under contract through 2011 and wanted to make a splash. Making an extension for London a non-priority. Just like the long list of talent that Cerrato let leave to find success with other clubs, he was more worried about getting big names than keeping one of his own.

Jump forward three years, a new Head Coach, General Manager, Defensive Coordinator, and Defensive Scheme, Albert Haynesworth has been cut, DeAngelo Hall appears to be regressing, while London Fletcher is coming of his third Pro Bowl and looks as good as he ever has. Washington is coming off back-to-back 10+ loss seasons, and are less than one week away from losing the heart and soul of not just the defense, but the team.

The fact that London could even see free agency is absolutely criminal, but you cannot really blame Bruce Allen or Mike Shanahan.

When the team switched from a 4-3 base defense to a 3-4, no one could have known how the undersized Fletcher would transition. After back-to-back seasons of 136 and 166 tackles, Fletcher has earned the right to make his money.

For the Redskins, it’s time to pay the piper.

It is believed that London is seeking a 3 year deal in the area of $25,000,00 – a deal that is worth every penny.

I know Fletcher is in the twilight of his career, but if this were Ray Lewis would anyone bat an eye?

Fletcher’s career statistics are nearly identical to Lewis’. Had he been more outspoken, you have to believe that he would have far more than three Pro Bowls, in fact I would call him just as easy of a lock for the Hall of Fame as Ray Lewis.

In today’s NFL, characteristics like passion, integrity, leadership, teamwork and consistency often get overlooked for entertainment. Selling jerseys and popularity is what brings in the money (see Tim Tebow).

The point is; the characteristics that make London boring to the outside observer are exactly what this team needs. To lose his leadership and the accountability he holds to this team would be devastating. You can not replace a guy like London Fletcher who is one of a kind.

George Santaya once said ”Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” 

If Bruce Allen never does anything else for this team, learning from the mistakes of his predecessor would be enough to land him in the Ring of Fame.

SOW Takes a Look at Brock Osweiler

At Arizona State, Brock Osweiler was seen as a very athletic QB, who despite his size had a chance to be a starting QB in the NFL. While that thought still remains, there are concerns now with him leaving a year early for the Draft. What Osweiler possesses is a strong arm, athletic ability and fiery leadership.

With seasoning and grooming, Osweiler can become a starting QB in the NFL, but at the same time he will need a good bit of time before he’s ready.

Lets get to the details and film on him.

Strengths: What I really like about Osweiler’s game from the two game cut ups I’ve seen is his ability to play within the scheme. I always have felt bad for Osweiler playing at ASU, because he was forced to not really show off his arm strength. The ASU O seemed to predicated on swing passes and short passing to attack defenses.

The times Osweiler was allowed to take shots down deep, you can definitely see his arm strength and ability to make the big play.

Also something I really liked to
watch from Osweiler was his athletic ability even at 6’8. Watching the cut ups you can tell he does have that basketball background and has athletic ability that’s pretty impressive for a guy that’s as tall as he is.

Weaknesses: Now with the weaknesses its pretty simple but lengthy to get into.
First off I really think Osweiler can be a starting QB and I’d put a late 1st to mid 2nd round grade on him, but a lot like Ryan Tannehill he’s a guy you are going to need to develop and let mature. When watching the tape two things really stick out.

One of them is the footwork that Osweiler has right now. Sometimes it looks good then other times it looks like he’s never really had any real coaching. Watching cut ups of the USC game I just was sitting there shaking my head on a lot of his drop backs at the sloppiness of his footwork.

It’s not a slight against Osweiler as a person because a lot of young QB’s don’t have the coaching to help them for the next level.

He will need work though, and with his work ethic I have no doubts he can improve on it and become better.

Another thing I noticed that caused a bit of concern was the throwing motion. It almost seemed like he was shot putting the football to his receivers.

While every QB has different throwing motions, I really haven’t seen one
as unorthodox as this with maybe the closest as Vince Young. It’s something I haveconcern about because while he’s a tall guy, he’s also bringing the ball down instead of releasing it at its highest point and that can lead to batted passes. Something he’ll
need to improve, but if I were a QB coach working with him, I wouldn’t try to change everything about his throwing motion, but I would try to get him to work on throwing it at its highest point.

The last weakness I noticed was his accuracy. Now let me explain what I really mean by that. He’s accurate in the sense he can get his passes off and to the receivers, but he’s inaccurate in how its placed to the receivers.

Usually you want to put the passes in the receiver’s chest, but when watching film I saw numerous times where the passes that were pretty basic, they were off the typical target you want to see.

It’s not like it is the end of the world with him, but as a WR you want to have that pass in your chest so you can get the pass and try to make a move up the field.

By him throwing off that target he’s leaving his receivers
vulnerable to hits since they have to adjust to make the catch and aren’t able to sometimes see the defender coming for them.

Overall Osweiler really does show
that he’s raw as a QB and will need work, but there are tools that show he can be a starting QB and one you can win with.

Where does he fit? Well I like Osweiler as a guy you can sit and develop, but I
really don’t see him as a fit here in Washington.

While he does seem to have the arm strength we want in a QB, he’s also not extremely accurate with his passes as
I documented above.

He has a ton of talent, but Washington needs someone who can play now or within the rookie year and right now I don’t see Osweiler being ready until at least half way through year two to almost year 3 because of how raw
he is as a QB.

While he was probably better served staying in college another year, I
understand why he came out considering his HC was fired and that offense was going to change a lot under Todd Graham and staff. Osweiler while a talented individual, isn’t
a great fit in Washington

Justin Partlow

Justin is the Son of Washington resident draft Guru. You can follow him on twitter @JTPartlow21. Let him know what you think of his work.

Taking a Look at the Redskins Roster Heading Into Free Agency

With rumors heating up surrounding the NFL draft & the Redskins plan to trade up, there’s been a lot of grumbling in Redskins Nation about giving up too many picks for RG3. I hear “We have way too many holes to fill” or “This could set our franchise back a few years if it doesn’t work”.

It’s imperative to note that Free Agency is BEFORE the draft this year, so I’d like to take a look at the state of the franchise to see if a big move for RG3 will hinder the team as some fear.

The Bright Spots: The last couple of drafts & Free Agent moves have the Redskins seemingly on the upswing talent wise. Offensively last year’s rookies Roy Helu & Evan Royster seemed have put a lock on the RB position. Fred Davis had a career year before the suspension & the team looks to have him back. Rookie Leonard Hankerson showed promise in the two games he started before getting injured, he showed #1 receiver potential. The offensive line really grew as a unit even with being decimated with injuries, undrafted Free Agent Willie Smith proved to be a pleasant surprise. Defensively the D-line was a very solid unit. Adam Carriker is a priority for the team to bring back coming off of a good year. Also of note Jarvis Jenkins will be returning from an ACL injury, he showed a lot of promise in training camp last year & looked like the team’s best lineman. London Fletcher was London Fletcher again, & Perry Riley turned a lot of heads with his play & looks to be a staple for many years as ILB for the Redskins. Rookie Ryan Kerrigan had a very good rookie year, forcing a lot of turnovers & making plays all over the field. Kerrigan & Orakpo should be a menace to opponents for years to come.

The Needs: It has been reported that the Redskins are set to be $47.5 million under the cap, that’s more than enough to address a lot of needs in free agency before the draft. The way I see it the biggest needs for the Skins are depth at Safety & a possible starter if Laron Landry isn’t brought back, an interior lineman, a play-making WR & a RT.

Other needs include a nickel CB that can be groomed as a starter & ILB to be groomed under London Fletcher. However, no need is greater than QB.

Who’s Available/Targets: At QB the name being linked the most to the Redskins is Peyton Manning. However Peyton is still under contract with the Colts, at least until March 8th & who’s to say Peyton would want to play for the Redskins? Even if by some chance the Redskins land Peyton, he’s at best a 2-3 year solution. Kyle Orton is a possibility to be a stabilizing veteran to pair with a rookie QB.

Looking at WRs, Vincent Jackson may be at the top of the Redskins priority list. Shanahan was interested in him a couple of years ago & he would instantly add a dynamic that’s missing on the Redskins offense. Marques Colston could be a backup plan if the Saints don’t re-sign him. Dwayne Bowe seems to be a longshot as the Chiefs will likely Franchise Tag him. Eddie Royal is someone I think they’ll like to bring in as Shanahan is very familiar with him, he worked great in Shanny’s offense in Denver.

Interior Linemen on the wish list would include Carl Nicks & Ben Grubbs. The Saints may not have cap room to offer Nicks the deal he’s looking for, him & Grubbs are above average offensive lineman that fit what the Redskins like their OL to do.

If the Redskins decide they need a starting cornerback, they’ll likely look at Brandon Carr or Cortland Finnegan. However, new defensive backs coach Raheem Morris said he needed a guy to play against the slot. So some of the 2nd & 3rd tier guys will be looked at as well.

Safety position, as noted there is a big cloud over the front office’s head with a decision on Laron Landry looming. If he’s not brought back the team could look at Michael Griffin to fill that void. But another concern of course is the depth at the safety position. For the last few years the Redskins have carried 3 SS’s & 1 FS & injuries always seem to haunt the team at this position. This has to be addressed this offseason.

The Conclusion: Looking over this, if you add a couple of pieces noted in the Available Target section as well the talent that’s on the team, there’s potential for a QB like RG3 to step into a great situation. The Redskins aren’t “1 player away” but RG3 with added help will certainly make this team much better than last year. Mike Shanahan can’t afford to wait another year for his QB, he may not make it through another year if not. The Redskins are one of the few teams in my opinion that can survive a “sell the farm” type of trade for a player of this special talent & at a position that’s plagued this franchise for years, you have to make this move.

Laron Landry Gets Bigger and Bigger

Well it looks like Laron’s achilles injury hasn’t slowed him from working out. The dude is JACKED big. . . like superhero comic book JACKED, but I have to wonder if being in this type of body builder shape keeps him from being in football shape.

Right now Laron looks great for a cover of Flex Magazine. . . but not so great to be an every day starting safety.

Silence Should Be Golden for Redskins During 2012 NFL Scouting Combine

Mike Shanahan is a man of few words. This week, at the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine, he should be a man of even fewer.

Since his arrival in January 2010, Shanahan has been notorious for doing little to show his hand when it comes to personnel decisions.

After what seemed like an eternity of Vinny Cerrato spelling out everything the Redskins were going to do, Shanahan’s silence is a welcome change for some, but completely boring for others.

Off-season’s in D.C. have been pretty boring since Shanahan and Allen got here. The days of knowing every big name free-agent would sign with the Redskins, for some outrageous amount, are over. Welcome to thinking they are going to sign Cullen Jenkins within minutes of free agency, only to see them sign a relatively unknown guy like Stephen Bowen.

The difference in the past and present has been well documented. Which is why it has been hard for me to believe all these “leaks” coming from Redskins Park.

Don’t get me wrong, we have our share of people we talk to regarding the team that are in the know, and we trust those guys; but when I turn on ESPN to see reports of the Redskins “revealing QB plans”, I just can’t buy it.

I know local and national media have picked up on the Jim Hazlett Volleyball Gate that started with a fan post on the message board at HogsHaven.com

Perhaps the team is taking a new approach. Not to let everyone know what they are going to do, but to ensure that just when we think we know what is happening. . . we have no idea.

Combine week is typically the official start to the NFL Offseason. It’s the first real opportunity for media to get “face time” with team officials – since the season ending press conferences. Typically you can start to formulate what you believe teams are going to do heading into the draft and free agency, based on what they say to media at the combine.

With a lot of “news” leaking from Redskins Park the last few weeks, the Redskins are in prime position to say absolutely nothing at the combine and keep everyone guessing.

If Mike Shanahan or Bruce Allen decides to address the media, I expect it to be about as interesting as a three-hour reading of Websters Dictionary.

I am sure Mike and Bruce are going to be inundated with media members begging to know if they really are bringing in Peyton Manning, or if they have a deal in place with ST. Louis to move up to the second spot in the draft to take Robert Griffin III.

Just as the media is sure to ask those questions, the Redskins brain trust will not say more than “no comment”.

Even though the Shanahan Silence makes it a TON harder on guys like me to bring interesting content, the truth is this is exactly what the Redskins need.

The NFL off-season is like a high stakes game of poker, for once it is nice to have a front office that is able to not show their hand.

ESPN RG3 Workout Video is Full of Win.

Ah. . . NFL draft season. While we all sit around dreaming about the Redskins drafting a guy like Andrew Luck or RG3, ESPN puts out a video like this.

I don’t know about you but that clip makes it rough for me to not want RG3 no matter the cost.

Announcing SOWTV

We are excited to announce the next generation of SonOfWashington. When we launched in August, we promised that we were going to do everything in our power to bring Redskins Nation the very best, complete, and original Washington Redskins content. . . and we are.

Whether it be the absolute best Washington Redskins graphics, diverse and objective articles, exclusive player interviews, or our weekly (during the season) radio podcast; we are doing everything we can to make sure SonOfWashington is worth your while.

Today we introduce the “next generation” as, SonOfWashingtonTV.

SonOfWashingtonTV is going to be everything you love about SOW in video form. Video blogs, video highlights, player interviews and exclusive footage that you can not get anywhere else on the web. You will be able to access these on your PC, smartphone –  and even your Xbox 360 and PS3  gaming consoles (though YouTube).

In the next few days you will have full access to SOWTV, right here at SonOfWashington.com.

We are already gearing up for the 2012 season and hope you are as excited as we are.

HAIL!

Does Kyle Orton Make The Most Sense For The Redskins In Free Agency

What a week of slow Redskins news. Everywhere you look it’s Peyton Manning and Robert Griffin III conversations. Twitter is full of magnificent tweets about whether the Redskins or the Browns are going to make the move to trade up for RG3.

Then came yesterday’s NFL Draft conference calls.

The internet became full of new topics like who would be the Redskins starting QB on week one (shocker right?)

Then guys like Rich Tandler (who I have a HUGE respect for), speculating about the possibility of Kyle Orton being the day one starter in 2012.

Back in November, when Kyle Orton got released by the Broncos, I said the Redskins should take a waiver claim to see what Ole Neck Beard had to offer. I was immediately shot down with all the, “but he’s not any good” and “he lost his job to Tebow” talk.

Don’t get me wrong, the point was not that Orton was the second coming of Theismann. The harsh reality is that he is an upgrade to what we have at the QB position right now.

Considering John Beck is the only QB under contract this off-season, Orton would be the best QB on the roster.

I have to admit, shifting my thoughts from Peyton Manning or Robert Griffin III under center to Kyle Orton is pretty sobering.

Could it be that in one-year, fans across Redskins Nation who believed the team might finally have a legitimate QB option like Peyton, they are going to get stuck with Captain Neckbeard?

Fact is, the more I think about Orton to D.C, the more I like the idea.

Now before you go jumping off about how crazy I am calm down, and step away from the ledge.

I firmly believe this team needs a LONG TERM franchise QB solution. The time for signing a stopgap guy like Peyton has come and gone(see McNabb, Donnovan in the Redskins Archives). With guys like Andrew Luck, RG3 and even Matt Flynn available, the time to get our QB of the future is now.

Bringing on a veteran QB like Orton leads me to believe that that is exactly what Mike and Bruce are doing. Not to mention it most likely means the end of the Rex Grossman Era in D.C (and the Nation rejoices).

It’s no big secret that the last time Rex and Orton were teammates things didn’t go swimmingly. That being the case, I find it highly doubtful signing Orton and Rex is any type of possibility. Many argue that they are the same QB, but the truth is Kyle won’t turn the ball over 30+ times. Shanahan demands ball security from the QB position, which led to the eventual John Beck experiment. Kyle should be able to have similar production to Rex while we develop our assumed future star, without the turnover issues.

The main reason I am at peace over the potential of Orton in D.C is this. I believe 100% signing a veteran like Orton means the Redskins are serious about bringing in Robert Griffin III. If Griffin is 75% as exciting as he was at Baylor, we could have one explosive offense in the near future. As much as I try to convince myself that signing Peyton would not prohibit getting Griffin, the reality is, the likely hood of bringing him (Griffin) to D.C goes way up if we were to bring in a veteran QB like Orton.

Though he isn’t a perennial Pro-Bowl or former Super Bowl MVP, Kyle Orton may be the exact Free Agent QB the Redskins need.

Cool New Skins T Shirts At 8 Bit Apparel

Ah the good ole days of Nintendo. . . hunting ducks, working your butt off to realize your princess was in another castle, never EVER being able to save a game and go to sleep.

The 8 bit graphics and classic 8 bit game music is something that will always hold a special place in the my heart. That is why this Skins Tshirt from 8 Bit Apparel is pretty sick. It brings back the nostalgia of a simpler time, not to mention a time when the Redskins were absolutely dominant.

The guys over at 8 Bit have some super cool stuff so check them out here or on their twitter page @8bitapparel to rock some cool looking 8 Bit Redskins lovin.

Update: Washington Redskins Uniform Re Design Contest

Ok Guys, we are going to take all uniform submissions that come in until midnight on Wednesday Night/Thursday Morning. After we get all the final submission entered we will have a public vote and the uniform with the most votes wins (pretty easy right?).

So keep the designs coming! So far we have about 45 entries which I have to say is incredibly impressive. Redskins Nation is one talented bunch!

HAIL!

Here is the link for the template on Deviant Art. Just Click Here then on the right side there is an option to download the file.

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