Unrestricted Free Agents Who Might Help

This is not going to be a list of restricted free agents that you can fantasize about having the Redskins go out and sign. And hopefully, this list would not put the Skins in such a salary situation that when the new CBA and the new cap rules are put in place, the Skins have to begin to dismantle the squad. [That happened to a small extent in the mid-90s when the cap first came into being.] I looked for UFAs who might be signable for a reasonable amount of money.

I avoided putting guys in their late 30s on this list. The Redskins have to get younger - - a lot younger - - so even though guys like Kevin Mawae is unrestricted, he is 39 years old. I do not have him on this list even though at age 39 he would be the best offensive lineman on the roster the day he signed.

Here are a couple of unrestricted free agents who can play a little at positions where the Skins need some help:

Offensive Line:

Justin Hartwig - - started for the Steelers on their Super Bowl winning team. Would be an upgrade at Center.

Nick Kaczur - - starter for the Pats for the last several years as a tackle. And do the Redskins ever need tackles...

Bobby Williams - - liked the way he blocked on run plays for Bengals this year; has been a starter there for several years.


Wide Receiver: [The Skins have "potential" at WR but not a lot of "achievement" there.]

Kevin Walter - - good possession receiver for Texans.

Antonio Bryant - - seems to have gotten past his immaturity/meathead problems from 5-6 years ago. He can play...


Running Back:

Leon Washington - - leg injury in '09 could make him a bargain signing

Chester Taylor - - very good 3rd down back and someone who can spell the #1 RB capably.

Willie Parker - - lots of injuries in the last year and a half...

Larry Johnson - - Maybe he performs like Cedric Benson with a change of scenery; maybe he continues to be a pain-in-the-ass...


Defensive Backs:

Dunta Robinson - - cannot believe the Texans would let him go elsewhere but...

Ryan Clark -- He won't need a map to find Redskins Park.

Leigh Bodden - - might be too costly an acquisistion.

Lets just trade Carlos Rogers and JC for second round picks and AH and Cooley for a pair of first round picks. Then we won't have to worry about free agents. lol

The Steelers may be using one of their tags on Ryan Clark according to Adam Schefter. They will definitely use one on Hampton, and I doubt they will tag Willie Parker, so Clark makes sense.

Dirtbag:

Don't think you could get a 2nd rounder for Rodgers and I am confident you will not get a 1st rounder for Haynesworth with that huge contract coming along with him.

The Skins will need to upgrade via the draft AND via the free agent market. If they can make a trade along the way, that could be good too.

This is not a 4-12 team that had a bunch of bad breaks; this is a 4-12 team that needs a lot of help in several areas.

If the Redskins could sign two of the unrestricted free agents on my list, I think that would improve the team for 2010.

Does Clark play more FS or SS? At any rate he'd be the best safety on the roster immediately and if he plays FS we get an enormous upgrade over Landry.

Outside of that position I don't see a lot of FA potential.

I think Dirt was being sarcastic. LOL. Although...

If we were to get Dunta Robinson (theoretically), would there be a realistic chance of getting a pick for Carlos Rogers? Just curious.

texans would basically have to franchise Dunta "Pay Me Rick" Robinson again, 12 mil.. so that's why they don't want to retain him.. not to mention he wasn't so hot this past year

He expressed some sort of desire to stick around Houston after the season, but that's likely because he won't get baller money elsewhere.. not saying he'd be a bad sign, but I don't see it happening

Does Clark play more FS or SS? At any rate he'd be the best safety on the roster immediately and if he plays FS we get an enormous upgrade over Landry.

Outside of that position I don't see a lot of FA potential.

You bring up a good point that I think about whenever I hear people say that we should be fine building the offensive line from FAs and low round picks...there aren't any marquee UFAs out there! Aside from trading picks for a Marcus McNeill (who is a Restricted FA), you basically have to hope that one of these low rounders or these older/not-so-great UFA lineman can end up being a starter.

Kaczur would be a sweet signing.

You bring up a good point that I think about whenever I hear people say that we should be fine building the offensive line from FAs and low round picks...there aren't any marquee UFAs out there! Aside from trading picks for a Marcus McNeill (who is a Restricted FA), you basically have to hope that one of these low rounders or these older/not-so-great UFA lineman can end up being a starter.

Word. I mean the draft isn't just Okung vs. Clausen or Bradford. You have to factor into the equation who plays LT, RT, C and RG going forward if we take a QB first. And the answer...there is no answer at LT and it should be obvious. I might argue it's just as obvious at RT. Heyer will be horrid in a zone blocking scheme. He's average when the defender is right in front of him, but when Heyer has to find a target, get to him and then make the block he's almost laughable. Honestly I think we're just as bad at RT as we are at LT. I don't see how we upgrade to an NFL caliber line w/o focusing our draft board on OL talent.

[Edit] Scratch everything above, Kiper Jr has proven the Redskins must take Clausen. Thank God i'm so glad the debate is over :)