Here is what you need to know on this Tuesday, February 26, 14 days before the start of free agency.
An important day at the combine?
Today is the last day of the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Even though they kicked out the media on Sunday afternoon the defensive backs still have to do their on-field drills in front of the NFL Network cameras and under the watchful eye of team coaches and executives.
Since cornerback and safety are expected to be the two positions of prime interest for the Redskins in the April draft, I was asked on Twitter yesterday if Tuesday was the biggest day of the combine for the Redskins.
My answer was that the most important part of the combine will be done for the Redskins by the time the defensive backs start running and jumping on the Lucas Oil Stadium field. Mike Shanahan has said that the aspect of the combine he gets the most out of is talking to the prospects.
“I really enjoy getting a chance to sit down with them for the 15, 20 minutes or whatever the time that’s allotted and getting a chance to know them a little bit better,” Shanahan said at the combine in 2011, the last time he talked to the media there.
It’s not like 40 times or vertical leaps are ignored. The workout information will be added to what they already have on a player. More will be added from pro days, individual workouts, and team visits. But the decision will be based mostly on the player’s film from college, the medical information that the team obtains at the combine, and the interaction with the players.
So, in many ways the most important days for the Redskins at the combine have already taken place, at the X-ray machine and in the interview rooms. A 40 time or shuttle run time might be a tiebreaker between two players but as far as the Redskins are concerned the cake is mostly baked by the time they run and jump.
A.J. Smith joins Redskins as an advisor
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that former Chargers general manager A. J. Smith will be joining the Redskins as an advisor and consultant.
Smith became the GM in San Diego when John Butler died in 2003. The team peaked a few years later as they went 14-2 in 2006 and had 11 players named to the Pro Bowl. But that team lost in the first round of the playoffs and Smith won a power struggle with coach Marty Schottenheimer. Smith changed on ex-Redskins coach for another as Norv Turner was hired and they made the playoffs three straight years. But the talent level deteriorated, and Smith and Turner were fired after missing the playoffs the last three years.
It is not known what Smith’s exact role will be. He was not seriously considered for any GM openings after the Chargers let him go.
In case you missed it
- Are the Redskins going nuclear in the salary cap fight?
- Can NFL teams trust the Honey Badger?
- Pre-Shanahan Redskins are becoming scarce
Days until: Start of new league year 14; Offseason workouts start 48; Training camp 149
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