After a post-Super Bowl hiatus, the return of Rich Tandler’s five thoughts possibly related to the Washington Redskins and other matters.
5. The news that the Steelers are going to give wide receiver Mike Wallace a restricted free agent tender rather than the franchise tag should be of zero interest to anyone who follows the Redskins. If they made an offer Wallace and Pittsburgh declined to match it, they would have to give up the sixth pick in the draft as compensation. It makes no sense at all to give up that pick and a contract in the neighborhood of $8 million per year for Wallace, who is a very good receiver but not a great one. It’s just not going to happen.
4. About a week ago, I wrote that any deal for the right to pick Robert Griffin III would take place in the week or so before the draft and not much sooner. However, it does seem like the Rams want to get this done with or at least they are willing to complete a deal sooner rather than later. Although it might not happen soon enough for the legion of Redskins who are waiting impatiently to see what their team is going to do at quarterback, it’s looking now like a deal could interrupt March Madness.
3. After a year of moping about his contract situation, it looks like DeSean Jackson is doing an about face after the Eagles slapped him with franchise tag. “I am honored that the Eagles organization perceives me as a franchise player,” said Jackson. Reports are that he will sign the tender as soon as possible, thereby guaranteeing him a salary of $9.4 million for 2012. A happy, productive DeSean Jackson in Philadelphia is not good news for the Redskins or any of the other teams on the Eagles’ schedule.
2. If LaRon Landry ends up hitting the free agent market, the Redskins won’t be able to bring in Tyvon Branch of the Raiders to replace him. Oakland has given Branch, who would have been the best strong safety on the free agent market, the franchise tag. He’s a very good player but he probably isn’t quite what the Redskins are looking for. They need takeaways and in four years in the league Branch has three interceptions and three forced fumbles.
1. Although all of the quarterback talk has shifted to RG3, decision day for Peyton Manning is three days away. Don’t be surprised if the Redskins bring him in for a look assuming that the Colts release him by March 5 rather than paying him a $28 million option bonus. Manning in DC is still a possibility but not a major one. I handicap the Redskins QB in ‘12 field now as Griffin as the most likely followed by Ryan Tannehill and Manning and Brandon Weeden tied for third.
Rich Tandler blogs about the Redskins at www.RealRedskins.com. You can reach him by email at RTandlerCSN@comcast.net and follow him on Twitter @Rich_Tandler.
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