ESPN: Nate Clements in Redskins' plans?

Clements in Redskins' plans?
<Dec. 18> The Redskins will likely ask several veterans -- perhaps CB Shawn Springs, QB Mark Brunell, DE Renaldo Wynn and ORT Jon Jansen -- to redo their deals in order to clear cap space to make a run at some free-agent defenders. The apple of their eye reportedly is Bills CB Nate Clements, writes Pro Football Weekly.

Another mention of a possible free agent target, this one from Lenny P.'s tip sheet:

The Washington defense has only 10 takeaways this season. The record low for a 16-game season is 15 takeaways, by St. Louis and Green Bay, both in 2004. Time for coordinator Gregg Willliams, whose charges seem to have tuned him out this season, to get some larceny back in the game plan. … The Skins, who have just 15 sacks in 13 games, might make a big play for Baltimore linebacker Adalius Thomas, who will be one of the most coveted unrestricted free agents in the 2007 market. Washington will have plenty of competition for Thomas, including from the San Francisco 49ers, who are projected to have more than $40 million in salary cap space.

This move makes sense becasue of the Williams/Gray connection. BUT how about a pass rusher or d-tackle first? I would say fix the front seven first before we go after a cb going into his 7th season. No pass rush = no pass defense.

What's the story on Clements? Age, weight, height...too lazy to look up.

And also, can we get all those guys to restructure, or will we simply show some the door?

Another mention of a possible free agent target, this one from Lenny P.'s tip sheet:

The Washington defense has only 10 takeaways this season. The record low for a 16-game season is 15 takeaways, by St. Louis and Green Bay, both in 2004. Time for coordinator Gregg Willliams, whose charges seem to have tuned him out this season, to get some larceny back in the game plan. … The Skins, who have just 15 sacks in 13 games, might make a big play for Baltimore linebacker Adalius Thomas, who will be one of the most coveted unrestricted free agents in the 2007 market. Washington will have plenty of competition for Thomas, including from the San Francisco 49ers, who are projected to have more than $40 million in salary cap space.

I would leave Thomas alone. He's pushing 30. We need to draft a DE.

I'd be for signing Clements, moving springs to safety, and drafting A. Branch.

Merry X-mass

Another mention of a possible free agent target, this one from Lenny P.'s tip sheet:

The Washington defense has only 10 takeaways this season. The record low for a 16-game season is 15 takeaways, by St. Louis and Green Bay, both in 2004. Time for coordinator Gregg Willliams, whose charges seem to have tuned him out this season, to get some larceny back in the game plan. … The Skins, who have just 15 sacks in 13 games, might make a big play for Baltimore linebacker Adalius Thomas, who will be one of the most coveted unrestricted free agents in the 2007 market. Washington will have plenty of competition for Thomas, including from the San Francisco 49ers, who are projected to have more than $40 million in salary cap space.

I think AT is a very good player. But he seems like the opposite of the type of player that tends to excel in Gregg Williams' defense. I mean the guys in Baltimore tend to play the ball and have a penchant for scoring touchdowns, which is just the opposite of our style.

I could be wrong, but it's seem like these type of players are dominant before coming to play for Williams, and his system somehow stifles them.

I don't think it's a coincidence that we are lowest in turnovers and sacks.

What's the story on Clements? Age, weight, height...too lazy to look up.

And also, can we get all those guys to restructure, or will we simply show some the door?

He's 27, been in the league 6 years. 6-0, 209, and I hear he likes long walks on the beach, candlelit dinners and cuddling.

Looks like he's grabbed a consistent 3-6 INTs every year, and average 50+ tackles per year.

Personally I think all our offseason investing needs to go into the defense. The offense seems stacked - I'm fine with our WRs, got depth at RB as it is, JC is the QB for the forseeable future, and please God leave the O-line alone to let them gel together even more.

Spend time on the D. A safety to complement Taylor, depth in the secondary period. The D-line needs some help too, and I'm not totally opposed to picking up some LBs.

One thing I noticed about San Diego when they were playing Sunday night is that not only are they amazing on both sides of the ball, but they're relatively young. They're talented on offense and defense, and seem built to last. Tomlinson has a number of good years left in him, Turner is just getting started, Gates is coming into his own, Rivers is just getting started, same with Merriman and Castillo. That's going to be a formidable team for a while if they can keep everyone together.

He's 27, been in the league 6 years. 6-0, 209, and I hear he likes long walks on the beach, candlelit dinners and cuddling.

Looks like he's grabbed a consistent 3-6 INTs every year, and average 50+ tackles per year.

Personally I think all our offseason investing needs to go into the defense. The offense seems stacked - I'm fine with our WRs, got depth at RB as it is, JC is the QB for the forseeable future, and please God leave the O-line alone to let them gel together even more.

Spend time on the D. A safety to complement Taylor, depth in the secondary period. The D-line needs some help too, and I'm not totally opposed to picking up some LBs.

One thing I noticed about San Diego when they were playing Sunday night is that not only are they amazing on both sides of the ball, but they're relatively young. They're talented on offense and defense, and seem built to last. Tomlinson has a number of good years left in him, Turner is just getting started, Gates is coming into his own, Rivers is just getting started, same with Merriman and Castillo. That's going to be a formidable team for a while if they can keep everyone together.

The thing is to get young players like San Diego you need to keep most of your draft picks and the current FO does not believe in this method - free agency is the current mindset of the Redskins front office and until they adopt a philosphy of building through the draft I don't think we will see younger players on the starting line outside of Jason Campbell.

The thing is to get young players like San Diego you need to keep most of your draft picks and the current FO does not believe in this method - free agency is the current mindset of the Redskins front office and until they adopt a philosphy of building through the draft I don't think we will see younger players on the starting line outside of Jason Campbell.

That's very true. I'm hopeful teams like San Diego will prove the value of building through the draft. As much as I'd love a Super Bowl now or next season, it's a shame to see teams rise so high, get deep in the playoffs or win a Super Bowl, only to disintegrate the following season.