ConradCountry
03-16-2006, 01:27 PM
Free Agency Review
1. WR Brandon Lloyd {49ers}: Traded for 3{06} and 4{07} this deal brings a young, up and coming player. Lloyd does not bring the size that the Redskins were lacking, but he does bring big play ability to the team. Lloyd will force teams to respect another target on the outside. The thing that I like most about the Lloyd deal is that he is only turning 25 years old this season. In essence he is just beginning to develop and with our coaching staff that could be scary. Lloyd’s circus catches will also help in the development of QB Jason Campbell, who should have plenty of confidence in his WRs. The major knocks on Lloyd are inconsistency and attitude. These are both problems that this coaching staff excel at dealing with, plus who wouldn’t have some attitude problems in San Francisco.
Grade: B+, losing the draft picks hurts but the added threat out weighs the picks.
2. WR Antwan Randle El {Steelers}: The versitily that Randle El brings to a team is limitless. I think we will se lots of Randle El returning kicks, an area the Skins have not had a weapon like Randle El at since Brian Mitchel, and attacking from the slot. I think it would be a mistake to take Randle El out of the slot were he is so dangerous at exploiting mismatches. No one can talk about Randle El without discussing the gimmick play possibilities that add another dimension to and offence when executed and called properly. Once again a receiver without the size that the Skins were lacking, but I believe size is overrated when you can overwhelm a team with speed.
Grade: B, the Skins simply over paid for a player that will be part of a unit, besides that the options for him are intriguing.
3. S Adam Archuleta {Rams}: This might be one of the most underrated siging the Skins have made this offseason. Matt Bowen at the beginning of the 2004 campaign was a terror against Tampa Bay, registering 2 sacks, and Archuleta is like the talent Matt Bowen. Archuleta brings improved size and blitzing ability over Ryan Clark. Physically {6’0” 223lbs.} he is ideal to have in the box as Gregg Williams so often does. I think that the most important thing about Archuleta is his work ethic, he studies, his workouts are legendary and he is a disciplined player. These are all traits that every Redskins should have and hopefully they rub off on some of them {Sean Taylor} Archuleta is a significant upgrade over Ryan Clark, and the negatives of Archuleta’s game will be concealed by the defence. He is not a big play guy in coverage, well we have three other guys who are. He also provides insurance in case Sean taylor ends up missing time due to his assault trial, which is possible because even is he pleads to something he gets suspended for at least a game. This signing adds another component to a defence that is already very good.
Grade: A-, once again points are deducted for over paying, but the benefit of giving Gregg Williams the weapons that he wants are obvious.
4. DE Andre Carter {49ers}: This signing at some point had to happen. The Skins have been deperate for a young speed rusher for a number of years. All Carter has to do to be considered a success is get consistent pressure. Lack of pressure lots the Skins at least 2 games last year versus Oakland and Denver. Carter has everything you look for in a DE, size {6’4” 260lbs.}, athletic ability {played LB}, and work ethic. His sack numbers have dropped over the last couple of years but he was playing on an awful San Fran team. He fact that Carter comes with similar athletic ability as John Abraham, but with a smaller price tag and much less baggage is another plus. This signing to me was the most important one of all as it gives the Skins a legitimate pass rush threat that may not have been available in he 2nd round of the draft and at 27 he should be around for a while. The knock on Carter is his ability to stay healthy. This is less of a concern as the Skins should have a strong DE rotation. Carter and Daniels will start with Wynn coming in for obvious running downs.
Grade: A, the Skins needed a pass rush and they avoided John Abraham and still ended up with a talented player.
5. TE Christian Fauria {Patriots}: Fauria is a signing that went largely unnoticed, but could have a serious impact. With the WRs that have been signed I think the Skins will adopt the 3 wide set, single TE set, that the Chiefs use to such great success under Saunders. Cooley will start at TE and fill the role of Tony Gonzalez. What Fauria gives the Skins is a blocking threat at TE and a leader the knows how to win. He will play the running downs and Cooley the passing downs. He can also mentor Captain Chaos in the finer points of being an on the line TE. He is only a stop gap at 34, but should provide enough time to develop a late round pick.
Grade: B, a solid and cheap signing that adds experienced depth to an important position in the Saunders offence.
6. QB Todd Collins {Chiefs}: A veteran that knows the system. He will fill the role of 3rd string QB and clipboard jockey once Ramsey is dealt. This signing has long term benefits though. If need be we can cut/retire Brunell to save money and Collins can be the backup. Also it provides another coach for Campbell in learning the Saunders offence.
Grade: B, it’s hard to get excited about a back up QB but he has a number of benefits for very little money.
Recommended Signings:
OL Depth: OG/OT Kevin Barry {Packers} he can play either OG or OT and has good size and should come cheap. Barry added to a couple of 2nd day picks should give the Skins good depth.
Nickel CB: CB Jamar Fletcher {Chargers} he is only 27 and is a professional nickel CB. He has decent size and enough talent to start in case of emergency.
Or
MLB/OLB: Sam Cowart {Vikings} I like the idea of signing Cowart. He gives great versatility to the LB core and would be dirt cheap.
1. WR Brandon Lloyd {49ers}: Traded for 3{06} and 4{07} this deal brings a young, up and coming player. Lloyd does not bring the size that the Redskins were lacking, but he does bring big play ability to the team. Lloyd will force teams to respect another target on the outside. The thing that I like most about the Lloyd deal is that he is only turning 25 years old this season. In essence he is just beginning to develop and with our coaching staff that could be scary. Lloyd’s circus catches will also help in the development of QB Jason Campbell, who should have plenty of confidence in his WRs. The major knocks on Lloyd are inconsistency and attitude. These are both problems that this coaching staff excel at dealing with, plus who wouldn’t have some attitude problems in San Francisco.
Grade: B+, losing the draft picks hurts but the added threat out weighs the picks.
2. WR Antwan Randle El {Steelers}: The versitily that Randle El brings to a team is limitless. I think we will se lots of Randle El returning kicks, an area the Skins have not had a weapon like Randle El at since Brian Mitchel, and attacking from the slot. I think it would be a mistake to take Randle El out of the slot were he is so dangerous at exploiting mismatches. No one can talk about Randle El without discussing the gimmick play possibilities that add another dimension to and offence when executed and called properly. Once again a receiver without the size that the Skins were lacking, but I believe size is overrated when you can overwhelm a team with speed.
Grade: B, the Skins simply over paid for a player that will be part of a unit, besides that the options for him are intriguing.
3. S Adam Archuleta {Rams}: This might be one of the most underrated siging the Skins have made this offseason. Matt Bowen at the beginning of the 2004 campaign was a terror against Tampa Bay, registering 2 sacks, and Archuleta is like the talent Matt Bowen. Archuleta brings improved size and blitzing ability over Ryan Clark. Physically {6’0” 223lbs.} he is ideal to have in the box as Gregg Williams so often does. I think that the most important thing about Archuleta is his work ethic, he studies, his workouts are legendary and he is a disciplined player. These are all traits that every Redskins should have and hopefully they rub off on some of them {Sean Taylor} Archuleta is a significant upgrade over Ryan Clark, and the negatives of Archuleta’s game will be concealed by the defence. He is not a big play guy in coverage, well we have three other guys who are. He also provides insurance in case Sean taylor ends up missing time due to his assault trial, which is possible because even is he pleads to something he gets suspended for at least a game. This signing adds another component to a defence that is already very good.
Grade: A-, once again points are deducted for over paying, but the benefit of giving Gregg Williams the weapons that he wants are obvious.
4. DE Andre Carter {49ers}: This signing at some point had to happen. The Skins have been deperate for a young speed rusher for a number of years. All Carter has to do to be considered a success is get consistent pressure. Lack of pressure lots the Skins at least 2 games last year versus Oakland and Denver. Carter has everything you look for in a DE, size {6’4” 260lbs.}, athletic ability {played LB}, and work ethic. His sack numbers have dropped over the last couple of years but he was playing on an awful San Fran team. He fact that Carter comes with similar athletic ability as John Abraham, but with a smaller price tag and much less baggage is another plus. This signing to me was the most important one of all as it gives the Skins a legitimate pass rush threat that may not have been available in he 2nd round of the draft and at 27 he should be around for a while. The knock on Carter is his ability to stay healthy. This is less of a concern as the Skins should have a strong DE rotation. Carter and Daniels will start with Wynn coming in for obvious running downs.
Grade: A, the Skins needed a pass rush and they avoided John Abraham and still ended up with a talented player.
5. TE Christian Fauria {Patriots}: Fauria is a signing that went largely unnoticed, but could have a serious impact. With the WRs that have been signed I think the Skins will adopt the 3 wide set, single TE set, that the Chiefs use to such great success under Saunders. Cooley will start at TE and fill the role of Tony Gonzalez. What Fauria gives the Skins is a blocking threat at TE and a leader the knows how to win. He will play the running downs and Cooley the passing downs. He can also mentor Captain Chaos in the finer points of being an on the line TE. He is only a stop gap at 34, but should provide enough time to develop a late round pick.
Grade: B, a solid and cheap signing that adds experienced depth to an important position in the Saunders offence.
6. QB Todd Collins {Chiefs}: A veteran that knows the system. He will fill the role of 3rd string QB and clipboard jockey once Ramsey is dealt. This signing has long term benefits though. If need be we can cut/retire Brunell to save money and Collins can be the backup. Also it provides another coach for Campbell in learning the Saunders offence.
Grade: B, it’s hard to get excited about a back up QB but he has a number of benefits for very little money.
Recommended Signings:
OL Depth: OG/OT Kevin Barry {Packers} he can play either OG or OT and has good size and should come cheap. Barry added to a couple of 2nd day picks should give the Skins good depth.
Nickel CB: CB Jamar Fletcher {Chargers} he is only 27 and is a professional nickel CB. He has decent size and enough talent to start in case of emergency.
Or
MLB/OLB: Sam Cowart {Vikings} I like the idea of signing Cowart. He gives great versatility to the LB core and would be dirt cheap.