Years ago around this time, the football Gods went around the beltway and did not stop for a break or layoff in Washington, D.C. They would go around our nation’s capital and up I95 to Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. Or, they would venture west and go up I70/I76 to Pittsburgh.
These Gods would go to football outfits that were going about their business properly; bypassing a Redskins organization that was hell-bent on making a big splash in free agency, with a coaching hire or both.
Fans of the team have outwardly rejected this pattern for years. They have longed for the day when the Burgundy and Gold would do their due diligence and not go after yesterday’s free agent trash but rather tomorrow’s future All Pros. They have wanted the team to not rush into the free agency fray without a plan… to instead act like a professional organization and stay out of the headlines.
Well guess what? Over the last week the Redskins have done exactly what most have asked for over the years. They have not made a big splash in free agency but have actually done things that make more sense.
They re-signed a few of their own drafted players for starters. Tight end Niles Paul was offered and accepted a deal for three years and up to $10M ($2.5M guaranteed with $1M signing bonus) and offensive lineman Tom Compton re-signed for one year at $660,000.
These are two players that may not jump off of the map but these guys are Redskins. Paul has played several different positions and has sacrificed his body for the betterment of the team. Compton — albeit in a limited role — was serviceable at times at right tackle last year. Is he a starter at this point? No, but he does provide depth and, as a guy who knows the system, is a good deal for the price at which they re-signed him.
New general manager Scot McCloughan has tried to upgrade a porous defensive line. Regardless of what has been said or written, this unit produced a whopping 10 ½ sacks in 2014. Defensive end Jason Hatcher led all defensive lineman with 5 ½ sacks and, one of the season’s surprise players, Frank Kearse, had three.
In reviewing the past few seasons, it is apparent the team has had no real pass rush from the interior. Former defensive coordinator Jim Haslett’s scheme relied heavily on disruptive play from the linebacking core. Outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan had a Pro Bowl season in 2014 by recording 13 ½ sacks. Compare this to the 2013 defensive line which recorded a paltry 5 ½ sacks and it is obvious that it was imperative that the new set-up in D.C. include a revamped defensive front.
“So what is all the fuss about?” I ask fans.
Over the past day and, even going back to last week, some fans have complained that the team has not done enough to address its deficiencies. In the last seven days, they have released two highly-likeable players in defensive linemen Barry Cofield and Stephen Bowen. While good players and popular, these two guys never produced the numbers that their salaries demanded. Regardless of whether they were in the right system or not, it was time for a change.
Washington quickly addressed the releases by signing defensive end Ricky Jean-Francois from the Indianapolis Colts. Jean-Francois may not be a household name but he is a player who is coming off of a productive season where he started 14 games. Last year, the former Colt posted career-highs in starts (13), tackles (28), tackles for loss (seven), passes defensed (four), sacks (3.0) and fumble recoveries (one).
The Redskins also came to an agreement with free agent defensive lineman Stephen Paea previously with the Chicago Bears. Paea is a big body, listed at 6’1”, 300 lbs. who can collapse a pocket and create havoc along an offensive line. This was evidenced by his 31 quarterback pressures which ranked fifth in the NFL at his position. He finished the 2014 campaign with six sacks.
If you now pair Jean-Francois and Paea’s combined sack totals of nine to Hatcher, Kearse, linemen Kedric Golston and Chris Baker’s production; and perhaps even add in a defensive lineman draft pick, this 2015 unit looks much more athletic and is faster than it was in 2014.
Clearly, this first day of NFL free agency will continue to develop with various signings and additions. But as things stand right now, the Redskins have earned a B+ for doing things the right way.
As for die-hard fans who are watching the proceedings, enjoy the Redskins’ new offseason approach. As for the complainers, the question must be asked… “What more do you want to be happy”?