Rich Tandler's Real Redskins

Owens to Redskins highly unlikely to happen

By Rich Tandler

I am getting a lot of comments on Twitter and on the CSN Washington Facebook page about the possibility of the Redskins signing free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens. There were some before the Carolina game and now, with Santana Moss out for five to seven weeks with a broken hand and Owens’ workout scheduled for today, the T. O. queries are way up.

With the caveat that you should never say never, here are a few reasons why that the Redskins will not sign Owens:

--The Redskins are not sending anyone to Owens’ workout today. When asked yesterday if anyone from the organization was going Mike Shanahan said, “Not that I know of.” If the Redskins were sending anyone, Shanahan would know.

--When Owens was a free agent last year Shanahan, who never comments on whether or not the team is pursuing a specific player, made an exception and ruled out signing Owens. And remember that the Redskins were much worse off at receiver a year ago as Roydell Williams had a roster spot the entire year and Joey Galloway had one for a while, too.

--The Redskins drafted three receivers last April and they also have second-year receiver Terrence Austin. It would be the height of insanity for a team that is trying to build for the future to give snaps to and throw passes to a wide receiver who is going to be 38 in December.

Here is what Shanahan said about Niles Paul a couple of weeks ago:

“He’s going to be an excellent football player for a lot of years…He’s a football player. You can see it on special teams and watching him every day in practice. He’s going to get better and better as time goes on. You guys will be talking about him for a while.”

And here is what he said on Monday about Leonard Hankerson:

Hankerson has been making some unbelievable plays in practice. We put him out there to get an opportunity.

It certainly doesn’t seem to me that the Redskins are anxious to bring in an aging high-maintenance diva to play wide receiver. 

 

Cofield: Time will tell

We know that it has been reported that the Redskins and Giants defensive tackle Barry Cofield have agreed to a six-year contract worth $36 million with $12.5 million guaranteed.

Beyond that, we don’t know much.

It is unclear where the 4-3 defensive tackle fits into the Redskins 3-4 defensive scheme. At 6-foot-3, 305, he might be a bit light to fill the Redskins’ primary need at nose tackle. But Jim Haslett could alter the scheme to accommodate a light man in the middle of the line in certain situations. Jay Ratliff of the Cowboys has made three straight Pro Bowls while playing nose tackle at less than 300 pounds.

There was talk that second-round draft pick Jarvis Jenkins, who weighs in at about 315 lb., might play some nose tackle as well so perhaps the defense is being retooled in order to accommodate

We will know more about Cofield’s role if and when they make their next move on the defensive line. If they acquire an end such as the Packers’ Cullen Jenkins, we can expect to see Cofield play more on the inside. Should a nose tackle like Aubrayo Franklin or Kelly Gregg come to Washington, Cofield will be an end.

We also do not yet know whether or not the Redskins overpaid for Cofield. An average of $6 million a year for an interior defensive lineman who has never sniffed a Pro Bowl seems a bit high to some. But we are early in what promises to be a wild free agency market. Before judging the value of Cofield’s deal we need to see what else comes in. It may prove to be a solid deal for a 27-year-old player who has missed just one game in five years as a starter on a very good Giants defense.

 

AZ Republic: Cardinals ' not interested ' in McNabb

Kent Somers, the Arizona Cardinals' beat writer for the Arizona Republic, has once again poured cold water on the notion that the Cardinals are a possible landing point for quarterback Donovan McNabb. In the notes after a recent article, Somers said the following:

- The Redskins are expected to release McNabb this off-season, but the Cardinals aren't interested. Despite his unknown future, McNabb said this has not been a stressful time for him. "The next couple years, we'll see what happens," he said. "Who knows where I'll be anyway? I'm looking forward to that and when that time comes, step in there and be ready to go . . . "

Somers, who probably is the most credible source in the business when it comes to the Cards, fleshed out the team's non-interest in the story in an article on the paper's website last December (I'm unable to locate the link):

The only problem with the story is there was never a story. Over the last two years, I've asked Cardinals officials numerous times about alleged interest in McNabb. Each time, they have dismissed it. So all of the speculation [about McNabb] is premature at best. McNabb still belongs to the Redskins, although being benched for Rex Grossman signals that his job status will soon change. Do the Cardinals pursue him? I would be surprised. McNabb has never played in this offensive system. There are allegations that he's not the hardest working guy in the business. He has no ties to this coaching staff, which doesn't seem to hold him in as high a regard as some fans. Maybe the Cardinals will show interest this time. They will look to bring in a veteran quarterback next season, and they will be tempted to draft one with their first selection. Maybe McNabb would be a nice bridge to the future. But again, I doubt it happens.

(Emphasis added) So, there you have it. As Somers said, don't look for that particular move to happen.

Redskins free agency: Defensive backs

Point-Counterpoint--Let Carlos walk?

[caption id="attachment_5597" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="See, he catches the ball sometimes"][/caption]

Other than anyone playing the quarterback position, no Redskins player generates as much polarizing discussion as cornerback Carlos Rogers. Some--I would say most--are so anxious to get the free agent to be out of town that they would help him pack his house and drive the moving van to his new home. Others are concerned about another hole being blown in the defense if Rogers departs. Ryan O'Halloran and I debated this in our weekly installment of Point-Counterpoint:

Rich Tandler: I’m not one of those who gets on Carlos about his hands of stone. I’ve always said that you drop a potential interception, you were in the right place at the right time. Rogers is not a shutdown corner but he’s a very good one. Still, he’s going to be 30 before the season starts and a team that is looking to rebuild and get younger should think long and hard before signing a cornerback who is that age to what will be a pricey deal

Go here to read the article on CSN Washington.

What do you think? Should the Redskins let Rogers walk? Or do what it takes to keep him and address the myriad of other needs in the draft and free agency.