Here is what you need to know on this Sunday, Feb 10, 11 days before the NFL Combine.
Pushing cap dollars to 2014 a dicey proposition
With the Redskins laboring under an $18 million salary cap penalty, it might be tempting for the Redskins to push the cap effects of some contracts, both new and existing, into 2014 when they no longer will be working with that disadvantage.
However, the problem with robbing Peter to pay Paul in this manner is that Peter doesn’t have a whole lot of money to spare.
Consider the following tweet from Albert Breer of NFL.com:
Cap will likely be flat again in 2014, so pushing $$ is challenging. In '14, new TV deals kick. In '15, they became part of cap equation.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 7, 2013
There is not going to be much more money to work with next year. Yes, the Redskins will enjoy a bump in what they have available to them after they have “paid off” their cap penalty. But that could disappear in a hurry if they restructure too many deals or sign free agents to contracts that give them a large 2014 bonus to make up for the lack of cap space in 2013.
Week in review
Here is our best content from the past week on Real Redskins and CSNwashington.com:
—Adam Schefter reported that RG3 will open training camp on the PUP list. Would that move make sense for the Redskins?
—The Vegas crowd doesn’t particularly like the Redskins chances of winning the Super Bowl next year.
—Brandon Banks simply didn’t get it done in the return game. Will a change of return personnel help the Redskins fix this problem area?
—In case you have heard, the team that won the Super Bowl plays in a stadium that’s about 30 miles away from FedEx Field. Does the Ravens’ win turn up the heat on the Redskins?
—The Redskins’ improvement in 2012 was thanks largely to a turnaround in their turnover differential. Can they do it again in 2013?
—Josh Morgan got a nice free agent deal from the Redskins a year ago. Can he break through and become the force the Redskins expected him to be?
—The Redskins made one player move last week as they released cornerback D. J. Johnson.
—As the season went on, the Redskins started to draw fewer flags. But they were still among the worst in the NFL in penalties.
—Supply and demand means that it could be difficult for the Redskins to solve their issues at safety.
—Kirk Cousins is ready to assume a leadership role while RG3 is rehabbing his knee.
—A combination of good health along the line and a major infusion of talent in the backfield led to a record-setting season running the ball.
—Jammal Brown is likely done with the Redskins after his contract voided on Thursday.
—Guard Chris Chester has been quietly effective for the Redskins for the past two seasons.
—Brown ended up making almost a million dollars per game played.
—What went wrong with the pass rush last year? And is the fix simply a matter of getting some players back to health?
—Point-Counterpoint—Should the Redskins play the free agent market conservatively this year? Or should they gamble with the cap a bit and go for it?
—Nick Sundberg, who won kudos for playing a half with a broken arm, is a key part of the Redskins’ special teams.
—The Redskins’ 2013 schedule is not a killer, as some would have you believe.
Days until: NFL Combine 11; Start of league year 30; NFL Draft 74

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