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The Redskins said they wouldn’t make a splash in free agency. They were right. The Redskins said they wouldn’t make a splash in free agency. They were right.
(about 4 hours later)
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan suggested two months ago that the team wouldn’t make a big splash during free agency. Three weeks into the new league year, McCloughan remained true to his word. BOCA RATON, Fla. — Washington Redskins General Manager Scot McCloughan suggested two months ago that the team wouldn’t make a big splash during free agency. Three weeks into the new league year, McCloughan remained true to his word.
The Redskins have hardly made a ripple in free agency. They signed three players outside of their organization, re-signed 10 that were a part of last year’s NFC East division championship team and franchise-tagged Kirk Cousins, their starting quarterback. To the fans, it’s been an uneventful offseason. To McCloughan, it’s another step toward his vision of building a sustainable franchise through the draft.The Redskins have hardly made a ripple in free agency. They signed three players outside of their organization, re-signed 10 that were a part of last year’s NFC East division championship team and franchise-tagged Kirk Cousins, their starting quarterback. To the fans, it’s been an uneventful offseason. To McCloughan, it’s another step toward his vision of building a sustainable franchise through the draft.
It’s a change for the Redskins, who in the past were known to splurge in free agency under owner Daniel Snyder. They’ve been bargain hunters this month instead without making any significant financial commitments outside of Cousins’s non-exclusive franchise tag, valued at $19.953 million this year. The largest deal the Redskins gave during the first three weeks in free agency was a three-year contract to backup quarterback Colt McCoy worth up to $12 million. There are no guarantees for the final two years of his contract.It’s a change for the Redskins, who in the past were known to splurge in free agency under owner Daniel Snyder. They’ve been bargain hunters this month instead without making any significant financial commitments outside of Cousins’s non-exclusive franchise tag, valued at $19.953 million this year. The largest deal the Redskins gave during the first three weeks in free agency was a three-year contract to backup quarterback Colt McCoy worth up to $12 million. There are no guarantees for the final two years of his contract.
[Alfred Morris signs with the Dallas Cowboys.][Alfred Morris signs with the Dallas Cowboys.]
“[Free agency is] a tool you use to add certain needs and at positions, where the draft is different in my opinion – you take the best football player,” McCloughan said Tuesday at the annual NFL league meetings. “But it’s been good. The thing not just bringing a couple guys from the outside in but re-signing our own. “[Free agency is] a tool you use to add certain needs and at positions, where the draft is different in my opinion — you take the best football player,” McCloughan said Tuesday at the annual NFL league meetings. “But it’s been good. The thing not just bringing a couple guys from the outside in but re-signing our own.
“That’s how you start building things because you know how they are in the meeting rooms, on the practice field, in the locker room, in the weight room. That’s what I believe in, that’s why the draft is so important for us is the fact that we have to identify good football players but guys we want to get to second and third contracts and not live on the outside with [free agents] that have gone to different organizations and haven’t been taught being a Redskin.” “That’s how you start building things because you know how they are in the meeting rooms, on the practice field, in the locker room, in the weight room. That’s what I believe in, that’s why the draft is so important for us is the fact that we have to identify good football players, guys we want to get to second and third contracts and not live on the outside with [free agents] that have gone to different organizations and haven’t been taught being a Redskin.”
McCloughan said the Redskins were interested in some of the top tier free agents, but the asking prices were too high. The Redskins are expected to remain active, however, and they’ll likely acquire a few more players with $14 million in salary cap space. Among the available free agents that could join the franchise include tight end Vernon Davis, who the Redskins met with on March 10. McCloughan said the Redskins were interested in some of the top-tier free agents, but the asking prices were too high. The Redskins are expected to remain active, however, and they’ll likely acquire a few more players with $14 million in salary cap space. Among the available free agents that could join the franchise include tight end Vernon Davis, who the Redskins met with on March 10.
[Vernon Davis remains on the Redskins’ radar screen.][Vernon Davis remains on the Redskins’ radar screen.]
“I’m not going live and we as an organization are not going to live in free agency, but if we have an opportunity to make us better for the right price, we’re going to stay in ‘em,” McCloughan said. “All the sudden if the value gets much higher than we think it’s worth, then we’re out. “I’m not going live and we as an organization are not going to live in free agency, but if we have an opportunity to make us better for the right price, we’re going to stay in ’em,” McCloughan said. “All the sudden if the value gets much higher than we think it’s worth, then we’re out.
“The thing that’s scary about free agency is you always overpay. That’s why I think it’s important to draft well, so when you overpay you know who they are and what they are.”“The thing that’s scary about free agency is you always overpay. That’s why I think it’s important to draft well, so when you overpay you know who they are and what they are.”
Once the Redskins move out of free agency, they’ll turn their attention toward the NFL draft and reaching a long-term deal with Cousins prior to the July 15 deadline. Washington currently has eight picks, including the 21st overall selection in the first round, but McCloughan wants more. Last year, the team started with eight and ended with 10. This year, he wants 12 picks.Once the Redskins move out of free agency, they’ll turn their attention toward the NFL draft and reaching a long-term deal with Cousins prior to the July 15 deadline. Washington currently has eight picks, including the 21st overall selection in the first round, but McCloughan wants more. Last year, the team started with eight and ended with 10. This year, he wants 12 picks.
“Because I’m selfish,” McCloughan joked. “Next year it will be 14.”“Because I’m selfish,” McCloughan joked. “Next year it will be 14.”
McCloughan believes it’s a solid draft and will look to build a foundation with another impactful draft class. In his first draft with the Redskins, five rookies played prominent roles on offense and defense. There are some big holes the Redskins haven’t addressed to this point, particularly on defense, that they’ll hope to fill next month.McCloughan believes it’s a solid draft and will look to build a foundation with another impactful draft class. In his first draft with the Redskins, five rookies played prominent roles on offense and defense. There are some big holes the Redskins haven’t addressed to this point, particularly on defense, that they’ll hope to fill next month.
“I’ve got to add to the core of the team and that’s how you do it – through the draft,” McCloughan said. “First, second, third rounders, they’re going to be good players no matter what. Well, not no matter what, but solid football players. The fourth through the seventh and the college free agents, that’s how you build the core of the team. Solid backups, possibly starters down the line, but really good special teams players. That’s when you get things rolling, that’s when things are going the right way.” “I’ve got to add to the core of the team and that’s how you do it — through the draft,” McCloughan said. “First, second, third rounders, they’re going to be good players no matter what. Well, not no matter what, but solid football players. The fourth through the seventh and the college free agents, that’s how you build the core of the team. Solid backups, possibly starters down the line, but really good special teams players. That’s when you get things rolling, that’s when things are going the right way.”
After four years as the featured back, Alfred Morris has signed with one of the team’s top rivals.
Morris, the fifth-leading rusher in Redskins history, signed a two-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys, his agent Sean Stellato said. Financial terms weren’t immediately available.
— Mike Jones