FREE AGENCY: THE DISCOUNT SECTION CAN SOMETIMES HAVE PURE GOLD.
Often times I take my son to the discount section when shopping for toys. We have found some of his favorites for cheap. A method I'm sure most Parents use and is now being used by my favorite NFL team.
Growing up a fan of the Washington Redskins over the past 25 years has been filled with disappointment in December and joy in March and April. During my teenage years the Skins would spend big money on old names. Deion Sanders and Bruce Smith immediately come to mind. Other years the team just overpaid players that weren't that good(Adam Archerleta & Albert Haynesworth). However things have changed since my highschool years.
Washington has taken on a more thrifty approach, going for players that have something to prove and may be willing to sign for less money than other more established players. This succeed and failed last season with Zach Brown and Terrell Pryor. Both played on one year prove it deals but only one was able to prove they were a fit in Washington. Brown reached a 3year 24million dollar deal with the team at the start of free agency while Pryor has signed with the New York Jets and will look to prove him self once more. Losing Pryor was inevitable and best for both team and player. Losing Brown wasn't an option in my mind. He lead the league in tackles before being bit by the injury bug like the other half of the team in 2017. Brown still ending up in the top 10 for most tackles. Also out tackling Lule Kuechly, despite the fact Kuechly played in two more games. This was a BIG signing by Washington, or re-singing, either way the skins need to get this deal done.
The next big signing so far has been Paul Richardson. It's an under the radar signing that should help the team big time. Richardson brings the deep threat speed that they have been lacking since Desean Jackson left after the 2016 season. However Richardson is more than just a "speed receiver" as he often caught passes over the middle for first downs. He had 33 total on the season, 23 of those came when the team was down. The real value will be his ability to get track down the deep ball, make no mistake. Richardson had 9 catches of 20 or more yards when trailing last season. Long story short head coach Jay Gruden will find a way to make Smith to Richsrdson a familiar sound for Redskins fans.
Washington has also picked up veteran corner back Orlando Scandrick, formally of the Dallas Cowboys. This move was needed after losing Kendall Fuller in the trade for Alex Smith. Again not flashy but smart. This gives the skins someone that can start next to Josh Norman while Fabian Moreau comes along. Dunbar isn't a real option as a starter so Moreau will need to have a break out season. I expect him to take Scandricks job about 8 to 10 games in.
With a few names still out there, Pernell McPhee is one to watch and some money left to spend (18 million and some change according to overthecap.com) the Redskins could look to make more thrifty moves. A NT is needed still, as well as a starting left guard. It'll be interesting to see what they do next. Draft players or more free agents?
