Doughty, Redskins agree to 1-year deal Safety set to compete for job
David Elfin (Contact) Tuesday, March 10, 2009
BALTIMORE — He attended the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation dinner on Tuesday night as the Washington Redskins' 2008 winner, as voted on by his former teammates. But you won't find Reed Doughty, who became an unresticted free agent last month, on any team's official roster.
That will change on Wednesday, as Doughty told The Washington Times he'll go to Redskin Park to sign a 1-year deal with Washington, keeping him with the club that drafted hin in 2006.
Doughty, who had been in negotiations with the Redskins and agent Dave Butz Jr. while also talking to "a couple of other teams," expects to battle second-year safety Chris Horton for a starting role while resuming his role on special teams.
"It's not just the money," Doughty said. "It's about how much I'll get to play and what my role will be."
Doughty began the 2008 season in the starting lineup, but when he missed the Week 2 game against New Orleans with the flu, Horton stepped in. A seventh-round pick out of UCLA, Horton had two interceptions and a fumble recovery in the Redskins win, which earned him NFC defensive player of the week honors. Soon, Horton claimed the job for good, and Doughty's headed south. He missed the final 12 games of 2008, going on the injured reserve when a pinched nerve led to back surgery on Oct. 31.
"At first, my back just hurt a little. Next, I had a burning sensation down my left leg and then my foot was kinda numb," Doughty said. "I thought I could play with it and hoped it wouldn't get worse. [The Redskins' medical staff] thought I had sciatica, but when I tried to get back on the field, I just wasn't myself. I didn't want to hurt the team."
The Redskins decided not to offer him a contract last month, making the projected restricted free agent unrestricted.
"It felt like I missed a large opportunity," Doughty said. "I had played well at the end of 2007, but last year I wasn't the player I knew I could be."
Battling comes naturally to Doughty, a sixth-round NFL draft choice out of Northern Colorado who soared from spare part in 2006 to starter for the final six games of 2007 in place of the late Sean Taylor.
Doughty's change in status came while he endured the health issues of infant son Micah, who was born six weeks premature and underwent a kidney transplant within a few months.
The determination shown by Doughty during his difficult year led to his being honored at the annual banquet on Tuesday. The award, named for the late, longtime Baltimore Colts' trainer, goes to a player on each team who is a source of inspiration and courage to his teammates.
"I'm honored that the guys thought enough of me to vote me the Redskins' winner," Doughty said.
And with the offseason conditioning program starting next week in Ashburn, Doughty will be ready to join them once more as teammates. He began running three months after his back surgery and has started lifting weights. He said he's 100 percent and has received clearance to fully participate in the conditioning program.
Note - The Redskins re-signed linebacker Alfred Fincher. Signed off waivers from Detroit last July, Fincher claimed one of the final roster spots and played in Washington's final 15 games, mostly on special teams. For now, the 25-year-old will compete with H.B. Blades for the starting spot opened by Marcus Washington's release last month.
Gibbs4Life wrote:Highlights severe lack of depth at safety. Kareem Moore anyone?
If anyone deserves a shot, it's Doughty.
"That's a clown question, bro" - - - - - - - - - - Bryce Harper, DC Statesman "But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man That he didn't, didn't already have" - - - - - - - - - - Dewey Bunnell, America
Gibbs4Life wrote:I wish recievers feared the how nice of a guy you were. Then Doughty would be a beast. As it is he's always a liability.
Couldnt agree more. It's an accomplishment to do what he's done, but he is a major liability. He is always out of place and lacks the speed to make up lost ground...kinda like that other guy that they made the highest paid safety...
Tim Hasselbeck's wife is why the mute button was created.
Gibbs4Life wrote:I wish recievers feared the how nice of a guy you were. Then Doughty would be a beast. As it is he's always a liability.
What are you talking about? Doughty did well stepping in after the STs death. He was injured most of last year so he didn't perform to the best of his abilities. A pinched nerve will slow you down considerably. I'm happy to see him back. He deserves another chance, plus to have either him or Horton as the back up safety is just fine with me. Let's not be too pessimistic on a kid who hasn't started many games for us do to having ST and an injury. Pessimism is why I have been staying away from the board. Good lord.
Gibbs4Life wrote:I wish recievers feared the how nice of a guy you were. Then Doughty would be a beast. As it is he's always a liability.
What are you talking about? Doughty did well stepping in after the STs death. He was injured most of last year so he didn't perform to the best of his abilities. A pinched nerve will slow you down considerably. I'm happy to see him back. He deserves another chance, plus to have either him or Horton as the back up safety is just fine with me. Let's not be too pessimistic on a kid who hasn't started many games for us do to having ST and an injury. Pessimism is why I have been staying away from the board. Good lord.
So because 2 people object to a back up safety this is pessimism? Geez. What if I said that Doughty is an amazing player and anyone who puts on a Redskins uniform (even with a one year contract), is pro bowl material? Would you come back more often?
Tim Hasselbeck's wife is why the mute button was created.
Doughty will be the weakest link in the secondary if he makes the team. I think this move is just to have an extra body in case someone gets hurt and the skins are in dire need of someone to play. I tend to agree with Gibbs4Life on this one I hope one of the guys from last year steps up and proves himself.
He's a liability?
Doughty's 6-2 200 pounds, quick, tackles well, a great locker room guy...
I don't see why people aren't excited that we re-signed him. He's exactly the kind of player the Redskins need at other positions, smart, good leadership, excellent on special teams and he provides good solid depth.
"Guess [Ryan Kerrigan] really does have a good motor. And is relentless. And never quits on a play. And just keeps coming. And probably eats Wheaties and drinks Apple Pie smoothies and shaves with Valvoline." -Dan Steinberg DC Sports Bog
Skinsfan55 wrote:He's a liability? Doughty's 6-2 200 pounds, quick, tackles well, a great locker room guy...
I don't see why people aren't excited that we re-signed him. He's exactly the kind of player the Redskins need at other positions, smart, good leadership, excellent on special teams and he provides good solid depth.
You forgot to mention that he can't cover, takes bad angles, and his tackling is suspect. Like CLL said though, decent for depth but he should not be a starter.
Chris Luva Luva wrote:He's good depth. No complaints here.
He should NOT be starting though.
Agreed, 100%.
Landry/Horton... seriously now, who da heck would want Landry/Doughty instead???? For the record, I like the guy, nice guy, good player.. but Horton showed he deserves the starting position and I think Doughty would be great off the bench... like CLL said
That will be good for depth. I like Doughty, he plays hard. It should be Horton and Landry and Doughty and Moore (who I like a lot) as backups. Hopefully injuries don't hit this position.
I don't really see a down side here. His team mates love him. He knows he's not coming as a starter. He knows the defense. He knows the special teams, enjoys playing on them, and does a good job at it.
I hope one of the guys from last year steps up and proves himself.
