Need to Know: Will the Redskins look at Routt?

Here is what you need to know on this Thursday, November 8, 10 days before the Redskins take on the Eagles.

Will the Redskins look at Routt?

When a cornerback with starting experience hits the open market, the Redskins should take note. Their fans certainly do.

Since the Chiefs waived Stanford Routt on Monday, my Twitter timeline has been hit with fans asking about the possibility of the Redskins picking him up. The eight-year veteran cleared waivers and is now a free agent.

Routt, 29, has some talent. He was a second-round pick of the Raiders in 2005 and he has played in 116 games, starting 60. The Houston product has 12 career interceptions.

The Raiders released him in Reggie McKenzie’s housecleaning after the Al Davis regime paid him $10 million for the 2011 season. He signed a three-year $18 million contract with the Chiefs. They gave him a $4 million roster bonus this year and a $1.8 million salary.

The Chiefs decided that they were better off without him even though they are 1-7. Routt was a part of the NFL’s 11^th-ranked pass defense and he started and played all but three of the defensive snaps in Kansas City’s first seven games.

According to Pro Football Focus, opponents have thrown 39 passes into Routt’s coverage with 25 completions for 491 yards (19.6 yards/rec). On passes thrown in Routt’s direction quarterbacks have a rating of 111.9. That is the eighth-worst performance among cornerbacks who have played at least 50 percent of their teams’ snaps. Routt has given up 2.33 yards per every snap that he is in coverage (491 yards allowed/211 coverage snaps), the most in the NFL.

While the Chiefs gave no explanation for releasing Routt, he does have a $10 million option bonus due during the offseason and there is no way the team was going to pay that. The thinking is that they decided to move on now rather than waiting until next spring.

As you can see, Routt has been very good at making money in recent years but not very good at playing football.

Still, you would have to think that the Redskins would take a look at Routt. Although they have improved statistically from their early pace that would have led to them giving up over 5000 yards through the air for the season, the pass defense still needs improvement.

Since many other NFL teams, some of them in playoff contention also need help at cornerback there may be competition for Routt’s services. Even if the Redskins are interested, it would not be surprising if Routt ended up elsewhere.

Update: According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, Routt is drawing interest from "several teams". He listed the Dolphins, Lions, and Cardinals.

Today’s schedule

Bye week, no availability

In case you missed it

Grading the Redskins at the bye: Offense

Mike Shanahan says the Redskins have made “tremendous strides”.

Days until: Eagles @ Redskins 10; Thanksgiving Redskins @ Cowboys 14; Ravens @ Redskins 31; Season finale Cowboys @ Redskins 52

Comments

[Mdownes311]

When a team worse than the Redskins release a player there's a reason for that. If he was good would they have released him? Maybe he's a poor teammate. The Redskins don't need someone being a jerk .