(MERGE): Redskins Sign London Fletcher

This money seems about right. In fact it seems downright cheap.


exactly that is cheap for the skins plus he makes 50% or 12.5 of the 25 mill in the next 2 years

I felt that this would make for an intresting compariosn
2006 Scouting Report - Scouts Inc.
Grade: 78 | Key (http://proxy.espn.go.com/nfl/features/scouting#key)
Alert: B (Bulk)

Comment:
Fletcher has excellent experience, durability and toughness. He plays in regular and sub packages. He is competitive, active and hard-working. He handles all of the Bills' calls and adjustments within the box. He has good recognition skills and key-and-diagnose against the run and pass. He is an instinctive tackler who has sideline-to-sideline range. He can slide, stay square, avoid and play through trash in the box. He has a knack for timing up his blitzes and pressuring quarterbacks. He can open his hips and get good depth in underneath zones. He still has the speed to carry the vertical seam in cover 2. He has very good awareness and effectively communicates pattern recognition. He can match up with tight ends or backs over short areas in man-to-man. But Fletcher is undersized and lacks ideal power. He isn't a natural take-on player. He can get engulfed by bigger blockers and driven out of run lanes. He knows how to use his hands but lacks explosiveness in his stack-and-shed. He doesn't always protect his lower half when moving downhill.


I've highlighted the two statements that jump up at me. I don't know if Marshall ever got comfortable with the mental aspect of MLB. I have no evidence of that (except this signing today), its just a feeling. I hope Lemar keeps a starting job outside. It was wrong to try to move him, IMO.

The second one about cover 2 will be great if true. Hopefully that's not just what his agent thinks. A lot of these analysis summaries are full of subjective opinions. Informed opinions, you hope, but still. Williams asks his MLB to cover downfield a lot. If Fletcher can stil run that would be helpful.

10 million bonus for a 32 yr old LB give me a break

Yet you don't have a problem with what Dockery got??

The AP reported by Joseph White has Fletcher signing a five year 25 million deal that includes a 10.5 signing bonus. With Fletcher in the middle this will put Lemar Marshall back outside and Washington holding down the other outside LB spot. As for Smoot the Redskins are very close and may have news about him in the AM saturday. "Everything would be put back in placeif I did[return] smoot said me leaving here was a big mistake". If he finds his old form this could be great!

You guys dont think he was a bit overpaid for his age...? I realize there are no other options, but still.

As a Bills fan, I 've been watching London Fletcher for the last five years. He's been an asset at Middle Linebacker for the Buffalo Bills, leading the team in tackles just about every year, but in my opinion on the wrong side of thirty, London Fletcher is not worth a five year, $25 million contract. I think you guys have got yourself a player, but his best years are behind him. You maybe right...as for Dockery you got a player that I believe has reached his best days. He is not going to get any better. He may be the same for a few years but he is what he is middle of the road lineman. A lot of money for a team that has so many needs. By the way isn't it your team that didn't like last year agreement with the players and the NFL. Saying your team could sign player for this kind of cash. I guess your owner found 49 million in a locker.

You maybe right...as for Dockery you got a player that I believe has reached his best days. He is not going to get any better. He may be the same for a few years but he is what he is middle of the road lineman. A lot of money for a team that has so many needs. By the way isn't it your team that didn't like last year agreement with the players and the NFL. Saying your team could sign player for this kind of cash. I guess your owner found 49 million in a locker.


well, snyder's now forced to fork over something like 3mill a year from his highest grossing team to the lowest grossing one i believe. like that'd even matter ;).

i don't know what the market is now, its so erratic... sellers, roster fill LBs etc seem to be working on last year's pay scale, but some teams (Bills, 49ers), seem to be spending ridiculous amounts.

smoot played balls to the wall for the skins. he was a worthless blitzer (how can you get to the QB if you're rushing him with your eyes closed?), but he was much more consistent than the #2 CBs since he's left.

Fletcher is a great signing and for a fair price. He knows Williams and system and is a consistant top level MLB and hasn't missed a game to my knowledge. As for Smoot I welcome him back cause he'll try and not get abused like Rogers. And there will be some kinda smoooooot/cooooooooooooley connection. What a morning radio show they could do! Is there vids of Fletcher on the site yet?

the bills site has fletcher highlights, youtube seems limited :/.