Make a Decision on London Fletcher's Future

[freddyg12]

Keep him, in fact talk to his agent NOW! Allen will not want to pay him a lot. given the way Allen jettisoned some old guys out of tampa, I wonder if he wants to do that w/Fletch. Hope not.

[rypper11]

There's a lot to be said for an aging vet who is smart and passionate about the game. For reference, see Darrell Green.

[JoeRedskin]

Give a decent (3 - 5M) guarrantees the next two years with a third year. There is no one on the roster even close to taking his place, even if his play declines.

[mlmpetert]

Originally Posted by mooby

What others have said. If we let him go, we create another hole. I think he'll be good for another couple of years, and we can use that time to find the guy who will replace him when he retires. But all the same if he wants to finish a career with a contender I would respect that, he deserves better than the team we've surrounded him with in the last 5 years. I doubt he wants a massive big money deal, and I'm sure we can bring him back at a reasonable price.

Yep thats the way i feel. He is still the best player on the defense, imo, and for people that dont think hes the best almost all would agree hes in the top 3. He may be older but he doesnt play that way. People age differently so even though hes 36 his play is at a much higher level and is declining at a much slower rate then most other players.

But if he does have the chance to go to a contender then im all for it. The only reason why he wouldnt start for most other teams is because of his age not his level of play. I could see him doing great in NE. He's proven at 3-4 and multiple versions of 4-3 defenses.

Rock is about to be 29. With that said who would you rather give a 3 year contract to? Id take Fletcher all day.

[jdlea]

I'd bring him back so long as he knows the longest contract he's going to get is 3 years. I wouldn't budge on that in the least. I don't know if he'll even demand anything longer than one, but there's no way I'd ever give him more than 3.

[GTripp0012]

With Fletcher, I think the decline will be sharp. I think he can maintain a level of consistent play until the day he loses the will to be great, at which point, there's really not a whole lot there behind that will. I think part of our perception of Fletcher is that he's better than Rocky McIntosh, who is out there doing the same things, in every single facet of the game of football. So it looks like Fletcher still has a lot left.

In reality, I think Fletcher is still very valuable, but he's more just getting by on his veteran savvy versus what he was in the past, a physical force that went sideline to sideline to hunt running backs. Fletcher had an outstanding year in pass coverage last year that he couldn't have repeated even if he was 27, but he's been merely adequate this year in coverage. He doesn't get sideline to sideline anymore, and while he's still quick enough to deceptively get to running backs as they turn the corner, he doesn't get off blocks that well anymore.

Still, I think it's a no-brainer that the Redskins resign him. I didn't like what happened with Kendall, and I won't like what happens with Fletcher if it's a season of Keyaron Fox and a free agent acquisition at LB next year. I don't hold the opinion that his leadership is rubbing off on anyone, but it's motivating Fletcher, which is the important thing. Group motivation is usually a blank check to say whatever you want, but there's absolutely no doubt that Fletcher is motivated to play football on every snap.

I don't think it's a given that he will always be motivated like he is now, and I don't think the "great leader" tag will always stick to him; at some point the failure of the team just becomes too much, which is a good argument to not bring him back. Again, I think it's a pretty easy decision to bring him back. The team can not afford any resources beyond a mid-level free agent or late round trade or undrafted free agent at a position where they already have a pretty big hole. Fletcher's job security is unquestioned at least through 2012.

[mlmpetert]

I dont think Fletcher's motivation is limited to the "Superbowl or bust" type mentality. I think that he truly loves the game and loves being physical enough to play in it. I think that he likes being the leader and in charge of 10 other guys on defense, playing at a higher level than guys 10 years younger than him, playing better then guys drafted 7 rounds ahead of him, out playing guys taller, stronger and faster than him in three different cities and under 5+ defensive coordinators. I think he has a lot of motivation.

He may just love being part of the game and while hed prefer to win, like anyone else, that he sees being part of an organization that is turning into something reminiscent of its past is almost as good as winning, that hes part of that change. I think that while every player shares a common motivation that other motivations are also present and may be just as strong or even stronger than winning a championship or being a constant contender. Id love to see Fletcher get another superbowl ring (or just win more than 10 games a season), even with another team, and while im sure hed love to get another too that may not be what he prizes the most. I think he will stay competitive and motivated for years to come, its just the type of guy he is.

I also honestly think that if Fletcher keeps playing at a high level for 2 more years he has a very legit chance at the HOF.

[sportscurmudgeon]

Originally Posted by REDSKINS4ever

I don't see London Fletcher going anywhere. Bruce Allen will offer him the right contract and he will stick around. London Fletcher already has a SB ring as a member of the St. Louis Rams. The Redskins without London Fletcher is like the Baltimore Ravens without Ray Lewis. I don't see it happening.

Really???

You equate London Fletcher - - who is the most important defensive player on the Skins even if he is not the most physically talented player on the defense - - with Ray Lewis? :confused:

I don't think I can stretch that far...

[Sonny9TD]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Watching the Redskins take on the 49ers in a game that became one of many in a lost season, it was clear that London Fletcher simply wasn't playing like a guy who is ready to pack it in after the season and call it a career. Fletcher seems like a guy who is happy where he is: playing in a spot where people care about football.

His contract is up at the end of the year. I think there is a real possibility that he would return next year on a one year deal, but I want to ignore that possibility for a moment. If Fletcher isn't planning on announcing his retirement after the season, should he remain part of this operation going forward?

He's not quite the player he was in past seasons, but Fletcher still goes incredibly hard on every snap and outplays younger, more physically able (looking at you, Rocky) players on our defense. His leadership hasn't exactly rubbed off on the rest of the defense, who seem to like to point the finger everywhere but themselves, but with that aside, it seems like he could still be a very valuable player in the NFL into his late thirties.

Last time we had to make a decision on a very valuable 36 year old, the Skins chose to let Pete Kendall walk w/o a legit contract offer, and had to endure two seasons of sub par left guard play as a result. I think if this is Fletcher's last season here, there's a good shot the Redskins will be looking at a couple seasons of a gaping hole in the middle of the defense, as Fletcher is really the only thing they have to stop the free safety from having to clean up what the nose tackle does not.

Should London Fletcher be extended with guaranteed money equal to this year's salary? Or would you rather move on with someone younger and less proven in the middle of the defense who has a shot to contribute on the next Redskins playoff team?

Give him what ever he asks. The best player on the team period with the attitude to go with it. A complete leader and ballplayer. Pay the man.

[mlmpetert]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

Really???

You equate London Fletcher - - who is the most important defensive player on the Skins even if he is not the most physically talented player on the defense - - with Ray Lewis? :confused:

I don't think I can stretch that far...

Its an analogy, not a direct player comparison, and I kind of agree with it.

They both pretty much play the exact same role for their teams both position and leadership wise. While Lewis is obviously the better player and Baltimore’s defense is also much better I would agree that our defense would be affected in a similar manor as the Ravens d if both were missing their premier player and leader.

[sportscurmudgeon]

Originally Posted by mlmpetert

Its an analogy, not a direct player comparison, and I kind of agree with it.

They both pretty much play the exact same role for their teams both position and leadership wise. While Lewis is obviously the better player and Baltimore’s defense is also much better I would agree that our defense would be affected in a similar manor as the Ravens d if both were missing their premier player and leader.

I understand your analogy - - but I think it is a bit less direct a comparison than you make it out to be. Thanx for explaining.

[mlmpetert]

True, it can be read either way.

[GusFrerotte]

If we really do tank this year, he will bolt. Sorry guys, but he is getting up there, and if he does want to play I think he will go for a real contender, even if it is a lot less money, if he doesn't flat out retire. A loss to the hapless Dolphins will be the capstone to what will be an epic fail of a season. London might want to play now, but after 7-8 more losses and no hope in sight I would retire or bolt if I was him. Even if the QB we draft next year works out you are looking at waiting 2-3 more seasons to be a contender, as we have more holes than swiss cheese to fill on this roster. Fletch doesn't have that long.

[SFREDSKIN]

London Fletcher won’t quit on Redskins - The Washington Post

[sportscurmudgeon]

Originally Posted by SFREDSKIN

London Fletcher won’t quit on Redskins - The Washington Post

This is an excellent piece in the Washington Post - - well written.

My fear is not that London Fletcher will quit on this defensive unit; I do not think he would know how to do that even if that thought happened to cross his mind. Since first time I saw him play with the Rams, he has played linebacker the same way - - all out, every play.

My fear is that if the season goes totally in the tank - - say with a record of 4-9 in mid-December - - then others on the defensive unit might start to "mail it in". THAT SITUATION would be something that could convince Fletcher to look around for another employer next season; he might be able to tolerate the losing a little bit but I think he might not be able to tolerate seeing others on the defense "checking out early".