While battling the second half of their $36 million cap penalty that was imposed on free agency eve last year, the Redskins were still able to retain six of their own free agents and sign a veteran offensive lineman. To make those moves happen, they had to let go of the best member of their secondary and restructure another veteran’s contract.
The action began Saturday when Washington re-signed three restricted free agents: tight end Logan Paulsen (three-year deal); fullback Darrel Young (three-years, $6.2 million); and linebacker Rob Jackson (one-year deal). News broke at the end of the night that unrestricted free agent guard Kory Lichtensteiger would return on a five-year deal.
On Sunday, the Redskins retained RFA long snapper Nick Sundberg to for four more seasons.
The movement continued to pick up Monday when RFA nose tackle Chris Baker was re-signed to a one year, $1.3 million right-of-first refusal tender. Reports also stated that the team’s final RFA, wide receiver/kick returner Brandon Banks, would not be offered a contract and will likely not return.
To lessen their financial woes, the team released cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who would have cost $8 million against the salary cap. Defensive lineman Adam Carriker, who was reportedly a candidate to be released, restructured his contract that he signed on the first day of free agency last year.
Wide receiver Santana Moss is also reportedly another candidate for a restructured contract or an outright release. Head coach Mike Shanahan said during a press conference Monday that linebacker London Fletcher is not going to be asked to restructure his contract.
Also on Monday, the Redskins officially announced the signing of veteran offensive tackle Tony Pashos after days of speculation. The team was interested in him three years ago but he chose to sign with the Cleveland Browns.
Desperate for secondary help and looking at a deep crop of cornerbacks, various reports have indicated Washington has expressed interest in Jacksonville’s Derek Cox, San Diego’s Antoine Cason, Miami’s Sean Smith, Arizona’s Greg Toler, and New England’s Aqib Talib. Cason was drafted by former Chargers general manager, who was recently named a senior executive with the Redskins. Talib was drafted in 2008 by Redskins general manager Bruce Allen and defensive backs coach Raheem Morris while both were in Tampa Bay.
The Redskins are also interested in Texans offensive tackle Ryan Harris, who Shanahan drafted while in Denver, according to WUSA9’s Kevin Jones.
The Redskins are now an estimated $1 million under the salary cap heading into the start of free agency at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Jake Russell