Washington adds wideouts Garcon and Morgan
Toward the end of the season, the Redskins’ offensive coaches made it clear: Their receivers weren’t doing enough. The question was: Did they have the right guys to do more?
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That was answered Tuesday with an emphatic no. Washington signed two free agent receivers, Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan, and as of late last night were negotiating with a third in Eddie Royal. Both Morgan and Royal are from the Washington D.C. area.
Washington also re-signed defensive end Adam Carriker to a four-year, $20-million deal. He can void the deal after this season by repaying $1 million. But linebacker London Fletcher, whom the team labeled a priority, remains unsigned.
The Redskins’ spending was slowed by the loss of $36 million in salary cap space over the next two years. They were told they had to split the money evenly in those years, contradicting initial reports that they could divide it however they wanted. There’s still a chance the Redskins will fight this decision by the NFL, though several sources say all teams were warned two years ago that this could happen if they front-loaded too many contracts.
Carriker started the past two seasons but could become the third end in 2012, with the return of Jarvis Jenkins. Stephen Bowen is the starter at right end. But the Redskins like to rotate their ends.
But the big story of the day was the addition of the receivers. If they sign Royal, it could mean the end of veteran Santana Moss in Washington. Royal is a slot receiver, and the Redskins were not thrilled with Moss’ production this past season.
Garcon offers big-play ability and the deep speed that could work well with quarterback Robert Griffin III, assuming the Redskins draft him second overall in April. Garcon received a five-year deal worth $42.5 million, with an $11 million bonus and $20.5 million guaranteed. Garcon, entering his fifth year, set career highs in catches (70) and yards (947) this past season. He also averaged 5.2 yards after the catch. Moss averaged 3.8 yards after the catch, the best figure by a Redskins receiver. It was a major issue with the coaches.
“Our guys need to do a better job of getting up the field and making some plays after the catch so we get some points on the board,” Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said near the end of last season.
One scout said of Garcon, “He has become a much, much better professional player than I thought he ever would be. He has become an excellent route-runner and shows great adjustment to the ball in the air. He should step in as a solid [number] two receiver.”
As for Morgan, an H.D. Woodson graduate, he missed 11 games last season after breaking his leg. He’s started 32 games in four seasons, averaging 13.5 yards per catch — though it jumps to 15.5 yards the past two seasons combined. He’s considered a good blocker. With Leonard Hankerson a likely starter, Morgan, who signed a two-year deal for $12 million, could become a complementary wideout.
This is the second consecutive year the Redskins have tried to overhaul their receiving corps, having drafted three last season, traded for another (Jabar Gaffney) and signed another (Donte Stallworth).
