Skins still dealing with unfinished business before upcoming

[1niksder]

Skins still dealing with unfinished business before upcoming draft

The Redskins opened the month by filling a hole at linebacker, finding a needed third corner, and re-signing a handful of players. They also reworked deals and extended others.


It was hardly the March madness they’ve delivered in the past with frenzied periods of signings. But they got work done.

Still, they’ll close with some major questions still facing them.

Among the unfinished business:

» Shawn Springs: Washington could still trade or release its three-year starter. But the Redskins won’t be forced to make such a move to get under the salary cap. As of now, the Redskins are approximately $5 million under the salary cap. They can still redo deals with end Renaldo Wynn, or cut him altogether, to free up more cash. Springs clearly does not want to take a pay cut to stay in Washington.

» Dre Bly: If the Redskins indeed want to trade for him, it likely wouldn’t happen until just before the draft, or on draft day itself. Even a week or two after his trade to Denver, a Lions source said Bly was still talking with friends about a possible trade. But, though Bly is a good cover corner, he does not play the run well and, according to scouts and a Lions coach, was known to be undisciplined in Detroit’s Cover 2 scheme. The Redskins want physical corners and demand discipline.

» Left guard: The Redskins signed another lineman Monday in tackle Jason Fabini, leaving this spot still wide open. Fabini, entering his 11th season, was a reserve with Dallas after starting 114 games in nine seasons with the Jets. The winner here could be veteran Todd Wade, who has never played the position, or journeymen such as Taylor Whitley, Mike Pucillo, Ross Tucker and Will Whitticker. Wade, a natural tackle, has size but needs to be nimble at guard to pull and get out on screens. They could always opt to draft a guard or sign one this summer.

» The draft: With nearly a month left, the Redskins are busy visiting with players and attending Pro Day workouts at various colleges. Arkansas corner Chris Houston, who projects as a lower first-round pick and would only be targeted if the Redskins traded down, said in a story on scout.com he’ll be visiting Washington. The Redskins have met again with Louisville defensive tackle Amobi Okoye. And they could have interest in Texas Tech guard Manuel Ramirez, should they acquire a second- or third-round pick. If they stay at No. 6, Arkansas end Jamaal Anderson or Georgia end Gaines Adams could be the safe choice. Michigan’s Alan Branch has fallen on some draft boards.

[gibbs#1]

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