Offseason personnel moves

[Drift Reality]

Last week, I offered some thoughts on what I believe the underlying strategy should be for the Skins. I'd like to follow that up this week with identifying several specific personnel moves I believe the Redskins should make during the offseason based on the strategic points I had mentioned.

General Moves

1. Re-sign 2007 free agents - I believe that several pending free agents are worthy of being re-signed. I believe in order of importance, they are: Ladell Betts, Derrick Dockery, Vernon Fox, Derrick Frost, Mike Pucillo. I think the remainder of the free agents should be extended standard contracts. This may go against popular belief that after a losing season you need to change personnel, but I believe the Redskins have really proven the point (by antithesis) that stability breeds success.

2. Cut the chaff - If it is at all possible, I think the Skins need to find a way to cut Archuleta. The relationship there is simply tainted I believe. It would take an extremely dedicated effort to rebuild that one and I'm not sure it is worth it. If it wasn't worth it to repair the Arrington or Coles relationships, then it definitely is not to repair the Archuleta relationship. I'm sorry to say, but Arch may have to be the scapegoat for this season and the relationship has to end. Its not like the Redskins are any strangers to dead cap room. According to our cap sheets, they are carrying about $16 million this year. Depending on the personnel we are able to bring in, I think based on salaries and performance, the Skins need to think long-and-hard about persuading Wynn, Patten, Hall, and Brunell to move on. I think Collins really is better suited to back-up at Quarterback and I believe we can find a younger option to be a third-stringer. There is no role for Patton on this team and his salary doesn't warrant being a fifth-string receiver. I believe Wynn is a real leader on the defensive side but his salary simply doesn't make sense for next year, particularly if we can bring in a younger option. I'll address Hall in the special teams section of this posting.

Defensive Moves

1. Address the ROLB spot - I think everyone realizes that there are some peculiarities in GW's approach to personnel. They gave up some serious material to acquire McIntosh so it is really the time to see what he can do. I don't think this is a situation like with Campbell, where you want to give the guy time to grow and mature. A linebacker should be able to play relatively early on, particularly if he is going to have veterans around him who can help him get in position. If he is not the answer here, then they should find someone who is.

2. Acquire a young, solid DE - I am cautiously optimistic that Andre Carter could turn into a solid player for the Redskins. That being said, Daniels and Wynn are both closing in on the end of their careers and I think it is the right time to bring in a young DE who can be a real stud for us. We need someone who can both stop the run and provide some pass rushing support here and that first round pick seems like the best way of addressing this hole.

3. Build depth in the secondary - Again, I'm cautiously optimistic that Vernon Fox can become a solid player here. I think if PP can rehabilitate and Doughty can develop, we may have a decent collection of safeties. It is the CB position I am worried about. I think they need to find a young guy who can come in and compete for the nickelback position and possibly grow into a starting role when Springs retires in a year or so.

Offensive Moves - I actually think that personnel-wise, we are not in terrible shape here. I think we just need consistency in the play-calling and offensive philosophy, moreso than an overhaul of personnel. The only area I really see where there is a glaring personnel need is up-front.

4. Build depth on the offensive line - The offensive line is actually one place where we have not had serious injury problems and unfortunately, the group has played inconsistently to say the least. In addition to re-signing Dockery, I'd like to see the Skins try and bring in a solid tackle and perhaps another solid interior lineman. I think Pucillo may be a good back-up, but I have some doubts about Molinaro. I don't think they need to make a panic move here but it is an area where they should bring in some solid young talent to challenge for the back-up roles and be able to challenge for a starting role (particularly at tackle and center) within a year or so.

Special Teams

5. Sayanora John Hall - I really think Hall is a strong kicker but it is clear that he can not stay healthy. It has become an annual routine for the Redskins to go out and find some kicker about halfway through the season and it is simply a ridiculous distraction to have to deal with on an annual basis. They simply need to go and find a proven kicker who can stay healthy in the offseason.