Make a Decision on London Fletcher's Future

[calia]

I would give him at least a 2 year deal. First of all, he's surely playing well enough to start this year, and I assume he will still be a solid contributor, of not a starter next year. Second, there's no better (indeed, no other) leader on this team. We need to reward guys like Fletcher and set an example of what Redskins players should be about. Third, we should also start making noises now about whether he is interested in learning the ropes on the coaching side whenever he's ready to retire (not that we're pushing for that). Every player -- every one -- says he's like having a coach on the field, and I am sure it is true. With Chris Samuels taking steps in the direction of coaching, with Keenan McCardell doing I think a pretty good job on the WRs (given the talent he's provided), it would be great to have a bunch of former Redskins players -- and real character guys who played every down with heart and intensity -- to end up on our staff. It doesn't mean it would translate to success, and it doesn't mean that they'd have the top coaching jobs. But I think it would be great to see whether these guys can coach at the NFL level, and I am willing to bet that Fletcher can.

In my book, Fletcher is truly one of the great Redskins. I would put him up there with the likes of Darrell Green and Art Monk. Guys who come in and work like crazy, day in and day out, and do it because they so obviously love the game. They don't take days off -- heck, they don't take plays off. There are so few players like that these days and we should celebrate the ones like Fletcher who remain.