Thanks for the questions. Not sure when the next one will be, but there will be another one before the draft. I hear there may be some fan interest in RGIII. Sound accurate?
John: In my opinion, the Redskins would be making a huge mistake if they let London Fletcher hit the FA market. I’m sure they’d like to go younger at his position, but his leadership on and off the field will be tough to replace. And he’s still playing at a high level. What seems to be the hold up here?
Thanks,
Jeff
Jeff: There’s only one holdup in these situations: The player isn’t yet getting the money he wants. I can’t imagine the Redskins let him get away; it’s not a great draft for inside linebackers and the options in free agency aren’t much better than Fletcher. His value is higher here. But this is Fletcher’s last shot at a big contract and he will do what he can to get one. I have not heard that they’re close yet, but he’s still 11 days from free agency. Plenty of time. Patience is required in these cases.
JK
John: Glad the mailbag is back. We’ve all discussed Robert Griffin III and even Peyton Manning. I, for one, am ALL FOR trading up to get Griffin. Even if it costs 2 first rounders and a couple other picks.
The reason I’m big on going all in for RG3 is because of the magnificent job Allen and Shannahan did with the cap over the last couple of years. It’s no secret the Skins are going to be big in free agency in a couple of weeks because of having somewhere over $40 million. So, how about a free agency question?
My question is, any word on who the Skins are going after? Personally, I’d be ecstatic if we came away with Carl Nicks, Marques Colston, and Brandon Carr. They can shore up one major need on the oline, get a big time receiver, and that corner we desperately need.
I just don’t trust Lichtensteiger coming back from the knee, and Nicks is in his prime. Colston paired with, what I hope is a healthy Hankerson, and even Gaffney could give a rookie QB something serious to work with. Considering most of us are just tired of DeAngelo Hall, Carr appears to be an instant upgrade as well.
BTW, for the national media out there who still keep linking the Skins to all things overpriced free agent, need to start doing more homework.
Thoughts?
Thanks.
Aaron
Aaron: I have a hard time seeing them go after Nicks. They just signed a guard last year; there’s a chance Mo Hurt will develop into a decent player (if he gets in better shape) and Mike likes Kory and considers him their best run blocker. Don’t think they’ll invest that much more in this position. By the way, the last I heard his rehab was on schedule for Kory to return in late spring. I like Colston; Carr would make a nice addition. He covers well. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they went harder after Cortland Finnegan instead. I’d expect them to pursue Vincent Jackson; they liked him enough to consider trading for him two years ago. Robert Meacham and Pierre Garcon also would fit what they’re looking for: young playmaking receivers. I do expect the Redskins to be smart and aggressive in free agency, much like they were this past summer.
JK
John: Last night Bill Polian on Sirrius said that RGIII and Luck are the best QB prospects he’s seen since Peyton, and both QBs are “can’t miss”, and he wouldn’t sweat giving up draft picks to land a franchise Qb. If RGIII is that good, then I agree its OK to give up picks. One point that I think some miss in this equation is if you don’t trade up this year, you can’t count on the same opportunity existing next year — often teams that have an opportunity to draft a stud QB need that guy and don’t want to trade the pick and who is to say that the Redskins will be drafting this high next year? My point is this opportunity might be unique. Do you agree or not?
Mike
Mike: Wholeheartedly. My belief: When you are in position to land a potential franchise QB, you grab him. Period. Yes, more QBs will come out next year, but if the Redskins improve this year they could be drafting around 20th, a tough spot to land the sort of guy who can help immediately. But the Redskins are in good position to move up this year. They’re drafting sixth, so they can offer a high pick in return. They have lots of cap room so they can fill an extra need or two in free agency. They drafted 12 players last year, so they don’t need to take a full class to continue their building (would you be happy with, say, 16 or 17 picks over two years?). A lot of things are in their favor. Capitalize.
JK
John: As for Tannehill, Bill Polian said he likes him but that he’s a clear tier below RGIII. And plenty of other draft geek types agree. Often the 2nd tier QBs don’t work out. Every quarterback is a unique talent and comparing them are apples to oranges but haven’t the Redskins been burned recently by going for that 2nd tier type Qb with supposed upside like Patrick Ramsey and Jason Campbell? I think it’s riskier to go for the “maybe” franchise guy over the “likely” franchise QB, do you agree?
Mike
Mike: There’s no guarantee on anything. But, yes, I think there’s more risk in settling, which is basically what you’re saying. I would just say: If you think it’s close between Tannehill and Griffin, then maybe you don’t trade. But if you’re settling on Tannehill because you can’t handle the risk of a trade, that’s bad. I don’t think Mike Shanahan wants to settle.
JK
John: Who do you think will be the skins backup QB in the new season? You think they will keep Grossman or Beck?
Marco Holmes
Marco: Tough to say until we know who the starter is. If they get, say, Peyton Manning and draft a young guy then there’s no need to bring back Grossman, who is a free agent. Keep in mind that Mike Shanahan often keeps just two QBs on the roster. If they trade up for RGIII, then I could see them signing Kyle Orton and going with those two. Or they could bring back Grossman and let he and Beck compete for the other spot (if they only want to keep two).
JK
John: Can’t believe all the RG3 hype. Visions of Heath Shuler dance in my head. To me, you trade multiple high draft picks for a proven QB, not in taking a flyer on a rook. That said, what’s going on in New Orleans with Drew Brees? Any chance he will have a parting of the ways with them and become available to the Skins? Thanks.
Joseph Daly
Joseph: Not many proven QBs available. I think if you feel great about a guy that he could become a franchise QB, then go get him. Heath Shuler has nothing to do with RGIII. Yes, there are failures in the draft; there are plenty of success stories too. It is a risk, no doubt. As much as everyone loves RGIII — and even Andrew Luck — there is no guarantee with either one. But I’ll take a guy with talent and athleticism who works hard and is smart. Both fit in this category. No, I don’t see Brees leaving New Orleans despite the pace of their negotiations. The Saints can tag him if they want.
JK
John: If the Colts deem RG3 as a franchise QB, Any chance possible that Colts decide to trade that # 1 to Skins as part of 3 team trade where Skins trade picks and players to Colts. Then In turn Colts trade most but not the whole package back to Rams . Skins get Luck Colts take Griffin at 2 plus an extra pick or 2 Rams get # 6 overall plus the desired package they seek
Everyone wins scenario .
Thanks
Anthony
Long Island
Anthony: Ugh. My head hurts. Kidding. No, I can’t see that sort of situation occurring. The Colts will take the guy they think is best at No. 1 (Andrew Luck). Whatever they acquired to get the sixth pick they’d have to give up to move into the No. 2 slot. St. Louis will not settle for a lesser package just to appease another team, or two.
JK
John: I’ve always faulted teams for investing in a rookie QB when they have a bad environment for one. Be it a poor running game, weak offensive line, unstable coaching situation, or what have you. If the Redskins truly make the plunge on RGIII do they have the kind of environment needed to help him be successful?
Joe in Colorado
Joe: If you wait until you have a terrific line, a good running game and a stable coaching situation, you might never take a quarterback. Especially in Washington. You take him when he presents himself. If you don’t like one or can’t find one, then you keep building – and pounce the minute you can take the guy. You take a great player when they’re available. I don’t think you play him too soon, especially if there’s not much help for the rookie, and that’s the mistake teams make. But, yes, I think the atmosphere is fine for a rookie QB here. They have a proven head coach and a decent running game. The line can be improved, no doubt. The receiving corps will be upgraded this offseason (again), which helps.
JK
John: Can you come up with a better offseason for the Redskins than this? I am in all-out RG3 or bust mode at this point. I will give this 2012 1, 3 & 5 and 2013 1 &4. Then we have our two, two 4’s and two 6s and a 7th. Draft a CB or WR in the 2nd and best available in the others. Maybe combine two 4s for a 3 if we don’t get a WR in 2nd. Re-sign London Fletcher, Fred Davis (franchise or two-year $9-million deal) and Carriker for depth. Free agents – Ben Grubbs or Chris Myers for the o-line and Garcon or VJax at WR.
Tim Clough
Tim: That’s not a bad offseason by any means. I think if they get Jackson, I don’t think they’d draft a WR in the second round. Personally, I’d go right tackle in the second round. In this offense they need that more than guard and it’s not a good free agent class at tackle. I can’t see Myers coming here. He can stay in Houston or go to Green Bay and play for a team that will enter the year as a Super Bowl contender. Or he could come here. Can’t see the Redskins giving him the sort of deal to prevent him going to a better spot. They also need to find secondary help. But you’re off to a good start.
JK
John: It would be wonderful to have RG3, but I’m afraid the boatload of draft picks the Skins would have to ship to the Rams would leave the Skins with having to sign FAs to fill all the holes. FAs will be more expensive than draft choices. Also, correct me if I’m wrong, but haven’t we seen that horrible movie before?
Thanks,
Chris
Richmond, VA
Chris: Yes, we have. We’ve also seen 20 years of, at best, mediocre football because of, in part, the inability to find a good young QB — or a good old one for that matter. But I don’t think they’ll just fill every hole in free agency. They’d still have a first and possibly second-round pick. So you could get RGIII and perhaps a right tackle. They need both. Remember, they added 12 picks a year ago and two of them (Leonard Hankerson and Jarvis Jenkins) either barely played or couldn’t play. Having those two healthy is like adding two more picks. They’ve done a nice job the past two years of adding picks during the draft; they can do so again. If they’re convinced RGIII is a franchise-type QB, then they should trade the picks.
JK
John: Does whoever keeps NFL stats maintain records on either numbers of calls on or yards lost due to intentional grounding penalties in a season? If so, did Rex Grossman’s 2012 season score very highly in that category or did it just seem that way?
Also, for both the draft and free agency, where do you think the Skins should target for an upgrade, corner or safety? Or do you think they are good to go with their current nickel and dime packages, plus existing depth (assuming Landry returns)?
Thanks,
Steve
Steve: I dug up those stats on-line and here it goes: Rex was flagged for three intentional grounding penalties for 33 yards in losses. Arizona’s Kevin Kolb tied him with three intentional grounding penalties (for 32 yards). Figured they were tied at the top until I got to … Eli Manning. He had four intentional grounding penalties for 39 yards in losses. No other QB had more than two. Tom Brady had two; Drew Brees had none.
They need help at both corner and safety. If LaRon Landry leaves they need a starter to replace him. That guy is not on the roster (DeJon Gomes is not yet ready). They need a third corner and someone who can play inside. Oshiomogho Atogwe likely will be back so in their minds they won’t need a free safety. But they’d be wise to draft one to get ready. Atogwe was considered done or close to it by some teams before he signed with Washington. So was last year the continuation of that or just a season damaged by injuries? We’ll find out.
JK
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JK
