The Redskins took a little time to begin Tuesday’s opening of free agency but as the afternoon and evening went on, they stopped being shy and went right at it.
Day One:
Washington’s first order of business was to take care of re-signing Santana Moss. Without the productive veteran, the Redskins cabinet of receivers would have been bare of experience. He proved to be priority number one as his re-signing was the first move to be made. Both sides agreed to a 3-Year, $15 million deal. It is a fair deal and helps keep both parties happy. All along Moss had said he wanted to re-sign and re-sign quickly. He stuck to his word.
Photo By Terri Russell.
The Redskins’ next move was to attempt to complete a trade that sends Donovan McNabb to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2012 6th round pick and a conditional 2013 6th round pick. The 2012 6th rounder would give the Redskins 9 picks to start the 2012 draft. The other extra selection comes from the trade with the Oakland Raiders that sent quarterback Jason Campbell to the west coast last April. The McNabb trade became finalized on Wednesday night as both sides agreed to the deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. McNabb seems content to take about half as much money he was expected to make in 2011 to leave Washington.
- Photo By Jake Russell
The Redskins also informed punter Josh Bidwell that he will be released. Bidwell, 35, averaged 41.7 yards on 15 punts for the 2010 season. He spent the final 12 games of the season on injured reserve with a hip injury.
On Tuesday night, the Redskins next move was to address defensive tackle and they did that by agreeing to a 6-Year, $36 million deal with former New York Giant Barry Cofield. He comes over from a 4-3 defense but is used to taking up blocks and aiding the other defenders around him. Cofield started all 16 games for the Giants in 2010 and logged 54 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 passes defended and 1 forced fumble.
Day Two:
The Redskins first real move on Wednesday was a bit of a surprise and was the beginning of three veteran wide receiver acquisitions. The Redskins agreed to a 1-Year deal with 10th year veteran Donté Stallworth, who caught only two passes in 8 games with the Baltimore Ravens in 2010. He appeared in only 8 games with the Ravens after breaking his foot in the preseason. He was suspended for the 2009 season after pleading guilty to DUI and second degree manslaughter charges after he struck and killed a pedestrian in Florida.
The next move the Redskins made was to agree to a 1-Year deal with former New York Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens. With options like Matt Leinart (who was rumored to be choosing between the Redskins and Seattle Seahawks) and former 2010 backup Rex Grossman still available at the time, this was a bit of a surprise. Clemens appears slated to battle for the third quarterback spot. A 2nd round pick in 2006, he has appeared in 25 games and started 9 while throwing for 1,686 yards and 5 touchdowns for his career.
With the McNabb trade to Minnesota not completed Wednesday afternoon, the Redskins officially announced their first trade of the free agency period. They acquired veteran wide receiver Jabar Gaffney from the Denver Broncos in exchange for defensive lineman Jeremy Jarmon.
Gaffney was a 2nd round pick of the Houston Texans during their inaugural 2002 season and was teammates with Rex Grossman at the University of Florida. The former Gator has tallied 4,675 yards and 19 touchdowns in 9 NFL seasons.
Jarmon was selected in the 3rd round of the 2009 Supplemental Draft by the Redskins. He was a talented prospect that was highly thought of coming out of college. He was viewed as a raw lineman with a lot of potential ahead of him. But that was when the Redskins were still running the 4-3 defense. Times have changed and it wouldn’t have been a surprise to see him cut towards the end of this upcoming training camp. He never completely panned out so the Redskins made the most of the situation and got a veteran receiver in return.
The next move confused and baffled some of Redskins Nation but it makes a lot of sense when you think about it. The team reached an agreement with wideout Brandon Stokley, who is entering his 13th year. Stokley, who spent 2007 and 2008 playing in Denver under coach Mike Shanahan, should be a good teacher for the plethora of young receivers on this team who are trying to learn his offense. Stokley spent 2010 with the Seattle Seahawks and appeared 11 games. He caught 31 passes for 354 yards. The moves made at receiver appear to be low-risk, high reward moves and are reminiscent of last year’s signings of Willie Parker and Larry Johnson to compete for a spot at running back.
Perhaps the best move of the day was made around 6:30 when the Skins agreed to a 3-Year, $13.5 Million contract with University of Maryland product Josh Wilson. This move fills a need at cornerback (and at kick returner if need be) and provides a very solid, cost-efficient option in case Carlos Rogers does not return. Wilson was a 2nd round selection by the Seahawks in 2007 and was traded to the Ravens just prior to the 2010 season. He started 9 games for the Ravens in 2010 and logged 34 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery and 3 interceptions. His most notable INT resulted in the game-winning overtime touchdown against the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football last season.
my worries are with the way the shanahan clan made a name for itself with the way they do some players. i wonder if veterans want to sign with us to win or cash in on a dan syder pay day. this QB situation ,I will be looking at very closely and if it dont work , heads need to roll