The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

The Washington Redskins slapped the franchise tag on tight end Fred Davis last offseason, but they might pursue another course soon.

One league insider told The Washington Post the Redskins might choose an incentive-laden, multiyear deal with Davis, who is set to become a free agent while working his way back from surgery to repair the left Achilles tendon he tore in October.
Unofficial list of free agents
Free agency is almost here. Check out this unofficial list of the 2013 NFL restricted and unrestricted free agents for every team. More ...

Davis started just seven games last season after ending the 2011 campaign under suspension after violating the league's substance abuse policy.

The injury was ill-timed for Davis, who is certain to see a reduced payday from either Washington or another suitor. The fifth-year pro hauled in 24 catches for 325 yards last season after the Redskins slapped Davis with the $5.5 million franchise tag. That figure leaps to $6.5 million if he's tagged again.

It's logical the Redskins would feel more comfortable pursuing a deal that reflects Davis' future production.

If another team swoops in, the Redskins would need a tight end. The free-agent pool offers options including Jared Cook of the Tennessee Titans, Dustin Keller of the New York Jets and Martellus Bennett of the New York Giants.

SkinsJock wrote:The Redskins are in a VERY different place now - we are finally a franchise that players want to be a part of for the right reasons ...

Players will be brought in & players will be kept based on their commitment to being better and their desire to be a part of what is happening here


we no longer just add 'talent' like some fantasy football outfit - this franchise now has a plan and an FO that knows how to make this franchise great again


a lot of players are going to want to be here to be a part of that

Chris Luva Luva wrote:Davis is a valuable asset to this team. He's one of our own. Before his injury, he was doing well. Paulsen is a great compliment to Davis but he's not anyone a defense has to worry about. The play before Davis get's hurt (it was penalized and called back) is an example of what he can bring to the table. Paulsen is not atheletic enough to make those plays and stretch the defense in that manner. I like Paulsen a lot but let's not make him out to be something he's not.

emoses14 wrote:

Chris Luva Luva wrote:Davis is a valuable asset to this team. He's one of our own. Before his injury, he was doing well. Paulsen is a great compliment to Davis but he's not anyone a defense has to worry about. The play before Davis get's hurt (it was penalized and called back) is an example of what he can bring to the table. Paulsen is not atheletic enough to make those plays and stretch the defense in that manner. I like Paulsen a lot but let's not make him out to be something he's not.

To expand a bit, for an example of the kind of skills and production Davis has shown flashes of and can bring to the table, please see Vernon Davis of the 49rs. Davis is game changing player who is only augmented by a game changer like Griffin. We should absolutely resign that man. Lock him up long term, lace incentives in it that essentially can't kick in until next year and sit back and smile.

tribeofjudah wrote:

SkinsJock wrote:The Redskins are in a VERY different place now - we are finally a franchise that players want to be a part of for the right reasons ...

Players will be brought in & players will be kept based on their commitment to being better and their desire to be a part of what is happening here


we no longer just add 'talent' like some fantasy football outfit - this franchise now has a plan and an FO that knows how to make this franchise great again


a lot of players are going to want to be here to be a part of that

Don't beat around the bush...........say what you need to say about Davis

SkinsJock wrote:we do NOT need players who put money before the team ...

Chris Luva Luva wrote:

SkinsJock wrote:we do NOT need players who put money before the team ...

I don't disagree... But within reason. These guys are no different than us, I'd leave my job in an instant if they didn't offer me fair market value for my contributions. I hope he stays. I hope that the offer made is fair. If it's fair and he bulks, I understand but I wish him well.

Quackjack wrote:Bad idea. You guys already have Paulsen and ey. Save the cash.

Countertrey wrote:

Quackjack wrote:Bad idea. You guys already have Paulsen and ey. Save the cash.

Cooley is a shadow of COOOOOLEY. He's done.

skinsfan#33 wrote:Has Davis played two full seasons in a row yet. Has he ever finished in the top ten a TE? I like Davis, but he is no where near elite. He is a good player, not even a very good player. He can run fast, but it's stiff in the hips and had a hard time shifting to a poorly thrown ball. He is a good number for a team that can't do better. I doubt he will draw a lot of interest on the market and should only be brought back at a well below top 5 TE salary level. He is a mid range player at his position and should be paid as such.

If someone wants to pay him anywhere close to elite level congratulate him and wish him well. There are plenty of players of his caliber available.

HTTRRG3ALMO wrote:

skinsfan#33 wrote:Has Davis played two full seasons in a row yet. Has he ever finished in the top ten a TE? I like Davis, but he is no where near elite. He is a good player, not even a very good player. He can run fast, but it's stiff in the hips and had a hard time shifting to a poorly thrown ball. He is a good number for a team that can't do better. I doubt he will draw a lot of interest on the market and should only be brought back at a well below top 5 TE salary level. He is a mid range player at his position and should be paid as such.

If someone wants to pay him anywhere close to elite level congratulate him and wish him well. There are plenty of players of his caliber available.

I agree with this. I mean the inability to play two full years in a row is a major red flag. I've gone back and forth about Davis but I believe this is where I stand from here on.

As another contributor said, I'd be ok with an incentive laden contract with a low pay based on his issues/inability to play a full season.

After that, see if we can find his replacement in the draft and if that replacement is better by far, cut Davis.

emoses14 wrote:The best thing about griffin is his ability not to lock in on just one receiver and to spread the ball around.

emoses14 wrote:

HTTRRG3ALMO wrote:

skinsfan#33 wrote:Has Davis played two full seasons in a row yet. Has he ever finished in the top ten a TE? I like Davis, but he is no where near elite. He is a good player, not even a very good player. He can run fast, but it's stiff in the hips and had a hard time shifting to a poorly thrown ball. He is a good number for a team that can't do better. I doubt he will draw a lot of interest on the market and should only be brought back at a well below top 5 TE salary level. He is a mid range player at his position and should be paid as such.

If someone wants to pay him anywhere close to elite level congratulate him and wish him well. There are plenty of players of his caliber available.

I agree with this. I mean the inability to play two full years in a row is a major red flag. I've gone back and forth about Davis but I believe this is where I stand from here on.

As another contributor said, I'd be ok with an incentive laden contract with a low pay based on his issues/inability to play a full season.

After that, see if we can find his replacement in the draft and if that replacement is better by far, cut Davis.

I don't understand this willingness to unload Davis. The guy is very good and very young and we'll get him on the cheap because I agree that his stats are not indicative of his ability, YET. The best thing about griffin is his ability not to lock in on just one receiver and to spread the ball around. Davis' production prior to the Achilles (a freak, not injury prone, injury, by the way) was tops on the team. Hell he was 5th on the team in receiving and played less than half the games! He was 12th in TEs in 2011 with a 4 game suspension.

Speaking if which, didn't he only not play a full compliment of games last year because he was suspended? So he has played three straight full seasons 09, 10 and 11. After all I take the question "has he even played 2 full seasons to be some sort of shot at his durability. And in 08, his rookie year, he wasn't hurt, he was stupid and that's why he only played 11. So he's been hurt exactly once.

emoses14 wrote:

HTTRRG3ALMO wrote:

skinsfan#33 wrote:Has Davis played two full seasons in a row yet. Has he ever finished in the top ten a TE? I like Davis, but he is no where near elite. He is a good player, not even a very good player. He can run fast, but it's stiff in the hips and had a hard time shifting to a poorly thrown ball. He is a good number for a team that can't do better. I doubt he will draw a lot of interest on the market and should only be brought back at a well below top 5 TE salary level. He is a mid range player at his position and should be paid as such.

If someone wants to pay him anywhere close to elite level congratulate him and wish him well. There are plenty of players of his caliber available.

I agree with this. I mean the inability to play two full years in a row is a major red flag. I've gone back and forth about Davis but I believe this is where I stand from here on.

As another contributor said, I'd be ok with an incentive laden contract with a low pay based on his issues/inability to play a full season.

After that, see if we can find his replacement in the draft and if that replacement is better by far, cut Davis.

I don't understand this willingness to unload Davis. The guy is very good and very young and we'll get him on the cheap because I agree that his stats are not indicative of his ability, YET. The best thing about griffin is his ability not to lock in on just one receiver and to spread the ball around. Davis' production prior to the Achilles (a freak, not injury prone, injury, by the way) was tops on the team. Hell he was 5th on the team in receiving and played less than half the games! He was 12th in TEs in 2011 with a 4 game suspension.

Speaking if which, didn't he only not play a full compliment of games last year because he was suspended? So he has played three straight full seasons 09, 10 and 11. After all I take the question "has he even played 2 full seasons to be some sort of shot at his durability. And in 08, his rookie year, he wasn't hurt, he was stupid and that's why he only played 11. So he's been hurt exactly once.

crazyhorse1 wrote:

emoses14 wrote:

HTTRRG3ALMO wrote:

skinsfan#33 wrote:Has Davis played two full seasons in a row yet. Has he ever finished in the top ten a TE? I like Davis, but he is no where near elite. He is a good player, not even a very good player. He can run fast, but it's stiff in the hips and had a hard time shifting to a poorly thrown ball. He is a good number for a team that can't do better. I doubt he will draw a lot of interest on the market and should only be brought back at a well below top 5 TE salary level. He is a mid range player at his position and should be paid as such.

If someone wants to pay him anywhere close to elite level congratulate him and wish him well. There are plenty of players of his caliber available.

I agree with this. I mean the inability to play two full years in a row is a major red flag. I've gone back and forth about Davis but I believe this is where I stand from here on.

As another contributor said, I'd be ok with an incentive laden contract with a low pay based on his issues/inability to play a full season.

After that, see if we can find his replacement in the draft and if that replacement is better by far, cut Davis.

I don't understand this willingness to unload Davis. The guy is very good and very young and we'll get him on the cheap because I agree that his stats are not indicative of his ability, YET. The best thing about griffin is his ability not to lock in on just one receiver and to spread the ball around. Davis' production prior to the Achilles (a freak, not injury prone, injury, by the way) was tops on the team. Hell he was 5th on the team in receiving and played less than half the games! He was 12th in TEs in 2011 with a 4 game suspension.

Speaking if which, didn't he only not play a full compliment of games last year because he was suspended? So he has played three straight full seasons 09, 10 and 11. After all I take the question "has he even played 2 full seasons to be some sort of shot at his durability. And in 08, his rookie year, he wasn't hurt, he was stupid and that's why he only played 11. So he's been hurt exactly once.

Every year it seems that deficit hawks on this site become money conscious and want to unload our best talent, as if we could afford to lose any. Here's the fact. We have gaping holes and talent shortages at key positions, one of them being tight end (without Davis). We are not a shoo in even to repeat as division champs, in fact probably won't, unless we have a terrific off-season. Our DB's suck, more or less, and the offensive line can only be said to be strong at two positions. On defense, we can't rush the passer unless we blitz. We also need another productive WR to go with Garcon and have to pray Moss makes it through another season. Further, without RG3 posing a dual threat and better receivers, Morris' yardage will go down considerably. We are champs by a shoe string and some flukey wins which may not happen again. Getting rid of Davis is one of the most absurd things we can do. Akin to Republicans trying to make the economy grow by firing people from their jobs. Austerity does not produce Super Bowls.

emoses14 wrote:

HTTRRG3ALMO wrote:

skinsfan#33 wrote:Has Davis played two full seasons in a row yet. Has he ever finished in the top ten a TE? I like Davis, but he is no where near elite. He is a good player, not even a very good player. He can run fast, but it's stiff in the hips and had a hard time shifting to a poorly thrown ball. He is a good number for a team that can't do better. I doubt he will draw a lot of interest on the market and should only be brought back at a well below top 5 TE salary level. He is a mid range player at his position and should be paid as such.

If someone wants to pay him anywhere close to elite level congratulate him and wish him well. There are plenty of players of his caliber available.

I agree with this. I mean the inability to play two full years in a row is a major red flag. I've gone back and forth about Davis but I believe this is where I stand from here on.

As another contributor said, I'd be ok with an incentive laden contract with a low pay based on his issues/inability to play a full season.

After that, see if we can find his replacement in the draft and if that replacement is better by far, cut Davis.

I don't understand this willingness to unload Davis. The guy is very good and very young and we'll get him on the cheap because I agree that his stats are not indicative of his ability, YET. The best thing about griffin is his ability not to lock in on just one receiver and to spread the ball around. Davis' production prior to the Achilles (a freak, not injury prone, injury, by the way) was tops on the team. @#!*% he was 5th on the team in receiving and played less than half the games! He was 12th in TEs in 2011 with a 4 game suspension.

Speaking if which, didn't he only not play a full compliment of games last year because he was suspended? So he has played three straight full seasons 09, 10 and 11. After all I take the question "has he even played 2 full seasons to be some sort of shot at his durability. And in 08, his rookie year, he wasn't hurt, he was stupid and that's why he only played 11. So he's been hurt exactly once.

Irn-Bru wrote:His suspension and injury will keep him from getting top-5 TE money, but the Redskins should not be low balling him either. He will be a key player on next year's team.