Todd F. Dixon's Washington Redskins fan blog

The Redskins have been incredibly active since free agency started, but not as active as most people were speculating.  Instead the Beagles went the way of the past Redskins and signed every old big-name player on the market. 

Instead of over-paying for a 30+ corner we got a solid better-valued one in Josh Wilson (arguable the Ravens best corner last year in their 3-4). 

Packers DL Cullen Jenkins (aged 31) wanted 40 million but we got Cowboys DE Stephen Bowen (Age 27 and their best past rusher last year). 

49ers NT Aubrayo Franklin (age 31)  wanted 10 million a year but we got the Giants tackle Barry Cofield (age 27 and pivotal to the Giants D last year) to be our NT at a mere 5 million a year. 

Instead of bringing in a guy that doesnt know our system on the O-line, like Max Starks or Harvey Dahl we re-signed Jamaal Brown (a young former pro bowler who progressed throughout the year). 

Continue reading "Redskins "cooling" off but still making moves"

Another busy day for the Redskins front office.  There is a new strategy in DC these days, steal away talent from your rivals.  Instead of looking all over the country for players, we looked at situations in our division and up 95 to shore up our roster.  Let's take a look at the recent moves.

Josh Wilson CB Ravens - Wilson is a local product having gone to Dematha and then on to UMD.  He was a 2nd round pick ny the Seahawks in 2007.  He was traded to the Ravens on the last year of his contract when injuries decimated the Ravens secondary.   He quickly stepped up his game and landed himself in a starting position.  He also has experience returning kicks and punts so he could help in special teams as well.  His skills are just as good as Carlos Rogers except he has goood hands and is 4 years younger.  He is automatically a starter opposite DHall and a huge upgrade.  So long Butterfingers Rogers.

Continue reading "Stealing Away Some Rival Talent"

So the Redskins were said to be making a huge "splash" in free agencey, which they haven't really done.  The main targets for the Redskins (WR Santonio Homes, OL Marshal Yanda, and OL Doug Free, CB Ike Taylor) all re-signed with their respective teams.  So, plan B.  They made some moves pretty quick although they weren't what was expected.

 The first move they made was dumping Donovan Mcnabb which ends yet another highly anticipated era that ended poorly.  I'm happy we got rid of him and were able to get some value (even though it was a 6th rounder).  Bruce Allen has yet again been able to turn a bad situation good and save a little dignity to this Snyder franchise.  It was a great move, and we will save millions on the cap that we are already more than 20 million under (somehow).  We could sign 3 players with the money we are going to save which we kinda did.

Continue reading "Redskins Free Agent Activity!!"

What to do oh what to do.  The Redskins have 2 of the players on the top 10 of "Players that need to leave their teams" list.  Donovan Mcnabb didn't work in Washington and who really thought he would?  He was good in one type of system and it obviously wasn't ours.  Here are a few scenarios where we could get rid of the baggage, save some money, and drop players that don't want to be here.

DMac and Aworth traded to Minnesota for a 3rd round pick - The Vikings are VERY interested in Mcflab and one half of the Williams brothers will be 39 this year so they need a 4-3 DT.  This keeps Worthless out of Philly and we get some value from both.  1 3rd rounder is better than 2 6ths or something similar.

Fat Albert and Dmac traded to Denver for Kyle Orton - We may need to "Sweeten the pot" by throwing in a pick but we would be getting a 4000 yard passer on the cusp of his prime and unloading 2 nasty contracts and 2 unhappy players.  I bet a 4th round pick would be enough.  Denver passed on DTs which was a glaring need to select LB Von Miller in the draft so they still need a DT, and if they unload Orton they will need a veteran presence for Quinn and Tebow. We have a good history with trading with the Broncos, so this could work.

Continue reading "The Mcnabb/Hanysworth fiasco and what we can do"

Okay, now comes our only "successful" part of the season as history has gone.  The Redskins always make a big splash in free agency and usually strikeout.  There have been a couple years when they took the year off and didn't do a whole lot (last year) but they are poised to make some big moves this year according to most credible sources.  As usual they are linked to many big-name free agents and will spend a lot of money unless they listen to me!

Nnamdi Asomugha - The Raiders free agent corner has been linked to so many teams and is widely regarded as the best free agent on the market.  He will be comanding 16-18 million a year and on the wrong side of 30 is a big thumbs down for me.  He is not a big turnover machine and is only good on one side.  He would not be good with our scheme nor opposite DHall.  We could get a few players for that price that would contribute and I want us to STAY AWAY!!

Continue reading "Free Agency: Who the Redskins should and shouldn't sign"

We can all finally breathe a sigh of relief as the lockout is over and the season is going to start normally (well sort of).  I'm going to talk today about what the Skins should do with their own free agents.

 The cap is set at $120.4 million, and the Redskins are in a good position being more than $20 million under the cap as it is right now.  They could get even further underneath the cap with releases, trades, and also restructuring certain contracts. 

 First step of the off-season now is to sign rookies, household free agents, and undrafted rookies.  Obviously we are going to sign all of our draft picks and with this new deal we only need to gaurantee 2 years for late round picks. 

Now on to household free agents.  There are a few intriguing names here that are set to leave. Here is the list.

Continue reading "Lockout Over!! Now the work begins, and this is what the Skins should do with their own free agents."

Round 1- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

This sounds crazy I know, but hear me out I will make you believe I promise.  

The Redskins biggest draft needs right now in this order are QB, WR, DB, RB, LB

At #10 in the draft the possibilities are weird. With the Titans, 49ers, Cardinals, Bills, and Panthers selecting before us you would think they would all want a QB because they need it. 

The Titans can survive with Kerry Collins for a year or two, the 49ers will trade for a veteran (see Mcnabb, Marc Bulger, or Kevin Kolb), the Cardinals have John Skelton and Max Hall either of which could develop into a starter, the Bills are going forward with Ryan Fitzpatrick, and the Panthers are gonna give Clausen one more year since Andrew Luck decided to stay at school.  So, that leaves the Redskins as the first team to select a QB in the draft.  Most people will say he isn't worth a top 10 pick, neither was Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisburger,  Tim Tebow, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, etc. 

Continue reading "What The Skins should do with their draft picks..."

Colt Brennan has a following, a "Colt" following if you please.  He was a 6th round draft-pick by the Redskins, with no other thought than being a backup at best.  Tom Brady had the same expectations, and I know it's a little far-fetched, but he turned out ok.

I'm not saying Colt will be the next Tom Brady, but how will we ever know without him being given a shot?

The Redskins QB situation is up in the air right now.  With the recent signing of Rex Grossman, the questions surrounding Jason Campbell, it's anyone's team. It seems that Colt has a certain swagger right now, he's healthy for the first time in his pro career. 

"Right now everything that has been said is that the best player will play. As I get to know our coaches, as I've gotten a chance to talk to Coach [Mike] Shanahan, I truly believe that. I truly believe that he's going to go out there and he's gonna test every single one of us, give every single one of us a chance to show ourselves and that he's really going to pick the best players to play. I really believe him in that." - Colt Brennan.

Continue reading "What about Brennan?"

 It is believed that ole Rex was signed to replace the aging Todd Collins as the #2 behind JC.  Although.....He did play for Kyle Shanahan (New Redskins Offensive Coordinator) and Matt Lafleur (New Redskins Quarterbacks Coach) in Houston last year.  I believed that he was only signed to help instill the offense Kyle runs, or maybe to mentor some young rookie QB.  The latest that I heard however, was that he is going to be challenging Campbell for the starter position. Let me display my feelings on this notion.  

 #1 - Grossman's overall QB rating is 65.9, Campbell's is 82.3.  He has a HUGE problem with forcing plays and always creates turnovers.  He is similar to the Jay Cutler of last year.  He's no Ryan Leaf, but he isn't half the QB Campbell is.  He's closer to a Kyle Boller.

Continue reading "Redskins Add Interception-saurous Rex"

     In my last post I stated that I was hopeful we were going to release some players.  All but two of the players I listed were released today, and a few more I didn't even think about were released as well.  Only two other teams released players thus far, and those teams (The Jets and The Bengals) released only one player each (laveranues coles and Thomas Jones). 

     The Redskins don't like to do things calmy, under the radar, or undramatically.  The Redskins are the "American Idol" of professional football, we are a soap opera, and it's exciting to watch how the team puts itself together.  Let's take a look at the players we released.

Ladell Betts - RB - Iowa

2nd round pick by the Redskins (#56 overall) in the 2002 draft.  Betts spent his career backing up Clinton Portis, and compiled 3,176 yards and 13 TDs in 7 seasons with the skins.  Betts was a very solid backup, and stepped in with great success when Portis got injured.  Betts suffered a horrible injury last year, ending his season.   Betts is the only Redskins Running back in team history to rush for consecutive 150+ yard games.  My memory of Betts was in a game against the Ravens in the preseason where his jersey read "Bettis."

Continue reading "Redskins Drop The Middle Men, Cut 10 players"