Rich Tandler's Real Redskins

The Week That Was: Davis took less to stay

Here is what you need to know on this Sunday, March 31, 25 days before the NFL draft.

That Was the Week That Was

A look back at the news of the week:

—You have to give Drew Rosenhaus, Fred Davis’ agent, credit for making it interesting, or at least making it appear interesting. The famed agent got Davis a visit with the Bills, complete with a session with the media where he used “we” to reference the home team there. But it always looked like Davis was coming back to Washington and the fact that, according to our Chick Hernandez, he turned down about $700K more from the Bills to take the Redskins’ one-year offer is solid evidence of that. 

—According to Joel Corry of the National Football Post, Davis' contract is worth up to $3.75 million with a $1.5 million signing bonus $1 million salary and incentives of $1.25 milion. He will count $2.5 million against the cap.

—Restructures, folks. That’s how the Redskins created enough cap room for Davis’ contract, that’s how they will still be able to sign Antoine Winfield if he agrees to terms, that’s how they will be able to sign their draft picks. They don’t like to do restructures but sometimes you have to do things you don’t like to do. The cap penalty will force them to make some and push 2013 cap dollars into 2014 and beyond.

—If they do manage to sign Winfield that shouldn’t alter any plans they may have to draft a cornerback early in the draft. Winfield presumably would come on a one-year deal so the top three CB’s—Winfield, Josh Wilson, and E. J. Biggers—would all be free agents in 2014. If the right guy is there in the second or third round they won’t hesitate to nab him.

—And since Davis is on a one-year deal, I wouldn’t rule out the Redskins taking a tight end, either. Maybe not in the second or third but any time from the fourth on it’s a possibility. 

In case you missed it

In case you need to catch up, here are links to all 31 Redskins posts from the CSN Washington team in the last seven days.

Sunday 03.24

• TW3—The week in review including links to all 31 original Redskins posts during the week.
• Cowboys can’t make moves
• Eagles starting over with Kelly
• Bills wine and dine Davis

Monday 03.25

• Redskins to host Winfield
• Enemy intel: Bears 2013 outlook
• Redskins have flexibility and stability in interior OL
• The draft is a month away

Tuesday03.26

• RG3: I’ll wait until I’m ready
• Enemy Intel: Lions
• What will the Redskins do if Davis leaves?
• Redskins free agency/draft chat archive
• Winfield a good fit for Redskins

Wednesday 03.27

• Minnifield: “I definitely feel like I can help”
• Why not take RG3 at his word?
• NFL schedule announcement scheduled

Thursday 03.28

• Davis visits with Bills, cancels Jets
• Redskins sign LB Darryl Tapp
• Redskins announce OTA schedule
• Cousins feels greater sense of urgency
• Minnifield could be a big plus
• RG3 helps recruit Winfield
• Questions remain at safety

Friday 03.29

• Redskins avert cap-tastrophe
• Redskins’ offense returns intact
• Point-Counterpoint: Can the Redskins defend the NFC East?
• Fred Davis is back

Saturday 03.30

• Redskins fan Tapp happy to be home
• RG3 chats with the president
• Enemy Intel: 49ers
• Redskins have opportunity with low cost QB

Can the Redskins wait on Fred Davis?

In a Washington Post article that breaks the news that there is no news to report from Redskins Park (not taking a shot here, I’m putting up similar posts), the lede is buried down in the sixth paragraph:

Davis ruptured his left Achilles’ tendon and was lost for the final nine games of the season. He is ahead of schedule in his recovery, one source said, but Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen indicated last week that the team wouldn’t make a decision on Davis until later in the spring.

Most Redskins fans and analysts reflexively cringe at the words “ahead of schedule” since it has been used in reference to the progress of Robert Griffin III’s knee. But that surgery took place six weeks ago and we’re talking about a recovery that will take a minimum of about eight months. Davis had his surgery about four months ago and he is working on an estimated six-month recovery timetable. One can put more credence in evaluations of a rehab that is well over halfway to its scheduled completion over those concerned in process that is barely 20 percent over.

So, it is possible that Davis is really doing exceptionally well in his rehab. So what will that do to his free agent timetable?

Free agency opens on March 12, about five months after Davis’ injury. If he’s ahead of schedule, will he be close to 100 percent by then? Or at least close enough to it to be able to evaluate if it will hinder him when he hits the field in September?

As noted in the excerpt above, Bruce Allen said in Richmond last week that the Redskins would evaluate Davis later in the spring. But you have to ask if he will still be there if they want to wait until sometime in April to get around to serious contract talks with him. 

In depth: Why the Redskins need to sign Fred Davis

Redskins tight end Fred Davis will be an unrestricted free agent on March 12. He was designated the team’s franchise player in 2012, a move that guaranteed him a salary of $5.4 million.

He only lasted seven games. In the first quarter of the game against the Giants in the Meadowlands, Davis suffered a torn Achilles tendon, ending his season. At the time he was injured, he was leading the team in receiving with 24 catches for 325 yards. He had not scored a touchdown.

For the rest of the season, he was occasionally seen around Redskins Park as he worked on rehabbing what usually is about a six-month injury. Working on that timetable he should be ready for the start of offseason workouts in mid-April.

But where will he be taking part in those workouts? Will it be in Ashburn? Or in another NFL city? Both Davis and the Redskins have some decisions to make.

Here is my in-depth look at the options and what I think the Redskins should go.

Franchise tag again

If the Redskins franchise Davis again, he would have to make either the franchise tag amount for that season or 120 percent of last year’s salary. It seems unlikely that the salary that goes with the tag will to up much so we are looking at the tag making Davis’ tender worth about $6.5 million.

Go here to read the rest of the post on CSNwashington.com

Camp preview: Who will RG3's targets be?

The Redskins start training camp on Thursday. We’re going around the team to let you know what we’re looking for when practice gets underway. Earlier today we looked at the offensive line, now the offensive backs and receivers are up.

Anticipated starters:

QB Robert Griffin III
RB Tim Hightower
FB Darrel Young
WR Pierre Garçon, Josh Morgan, Leonard Hankerson
TE Fred Davis

In the span of a few hours, one of the Redskins’ soft spots – wide receiver – became one of their strengths. The team acted swiftly on the opening day of free agency, nabbing Garçon and Morgan, who received a combined $28 million in guaranteed money. Although critics will point out that the team still lacks a true No. 1, the Redskins seem to be hoping that a pair of No. 2’s will suffice. Griffin’s third option figures to be Hankerson, a promising second-year receiver who says he’s fully recovered from offseason hip surgery, while Santana Moss should add depth and veteran leadership.

Key reserves:

RB Roy Helu Jr.
WR Santana Moss
TE Chris Cooley

While Garçon, Morgan and Hankerson may appear set to start, it would be premature to count out Moss, who is coming off his worst season (46 receptions and 584 yards in 12 games) since 2002. During the offseason, the 33 year old showed the coaching staff he still is hungry for more by shedding 15 pounds and standing out in OTA’s and minicamp as Morgan and Hankerson nursed injuries.

On the bubble:

WR Brandon Banks
WR Anthony Armstrong

No position figures to be as competitive in camp as wide receiver, where 12 players are battling for six spots. Banks has been told by Coach Mike Shanahan that he must contribute at wide receiver and kick and punt returner, while Armstrong must rebound from a lost year. A deep threat with speed to spare, Armstrong’s inability to beat bump-and-run coverage led to a dramatic reduction in his role last season (7 catches for 103 yards), down from 44 receptions for 871 yards in 2010.

Three things to watch:

All RG3, all the time

Griffin has navigated the first few months of his newfound fame and fortune flawlessly. But how will RG3 cope when each pass is dissected on sports talk radio, each comment parsed in the newspapers? With all apologies to the President, playing quarterback for the Redskins might be the toughest job in Washington.

‘Captain Chaos’ set for a comeback?

Chris Cooley says the problematic left knee that cut short his season a year ago is completely healthy. But the 30-year-old fan favorite costs $6.23 million against the salary cap and will face stiff competition from converted wide receiver Niles Paul for playing time behind starter Fred Davis. To beat out Paul, Cooley must prove that he’s regained his (modest) speed and is the better blocker.

Who will emerge from the trio of running backs?

Tim Hightower, a Shanahan favorite, enters training camp atop the depth chart. But the versatile 26-year-old is coming off major knee surgery, raising questions about his ability to elude defenders. If Hightower falters, look Shanahan to give Helu (three consecutive 100-plus yard performances last season) and/or Royster (two 100-yard  efforts) the opportunity to step forward.

Paul's move to tight end a physical and mental challenge

Niles Paul received some sage advice from Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe when they two talked earlier this week.

“He said ‘this is one of two steps. The next one of out the door,’” said Paul. “‘They’re trying to find you a home,’ he said. ‘Coach Shanahan believes in you enough to find you a home.’”

The home they are trying to find him is at tight end. After a rookie season spent at wide receiver, Mike Shanahan decided to move Paul to tight end this spring. 

“A lot of those guys that can run, can catch and have that speed aren’t very good blockers,” said Shanahan. “I think he’ll be able to do both.”

He hopes to be able to exploit Paul’s speed (4.5 in the 40) to create some mismatches in the secondary.

Paul has added about 10 pounds and says that he’s maintaining his weight at 234. That’s on the light side in a league where most tight ends are in the 250-pound range.

“I’m fine at 234,” said Paul. “Shannon Sharpe told me he did it at 228. I’m not saying I’m Shannon Sharpe but it gives me hope.”

Shanahan said that Paul has maintained his speed despite the weight gain.

Sharpe earned his Canton bust playing for Shanahan in Denver and the coach thought it would be a good idea to have him come in and talk to Paul about playing tight end at a lighter weight. 

Paul got some practical advice from Sharpe as well as reality check noted above.

“Sharpe told me when I was talking to him, that I’m a smaller guy and I’m not going to win every battle and my role is to protect the running back and the QB,” he said. “As long as I’m doing my job, that’s all that matters.”

The move to tight end is a step up both in terms of physical demands and playbook knowledge.

“With the receiver part, it’s the exact same thing as if I lined up at Z (wide receiver),” he said. “When it comes to running I’ve got to pick up on combo blocks, I’ve got to read the defense a lot better than I had to at receiver.”

During the OTA’s that the media has been able to see, it looks like Paul is doing well with the receiver portion of the job. We won’t know much about his blocking ability until the pads go on and full contact is allowed when training camp starts late next month. But Shanahan thinks it’s so far, so good for Paul in the blocking department.

“He’s done a good job getting in his stance and simulating as many blocking techniques as a tight end can do without pads on,” Shanahan said. “He’s done well in almost every area.”

As long as Paul can do well enough to keep from going out of that door, he’ll be happy.

 

Report: Davis to get tagged

By Rich Tandler 

Jason La Canfora of NFL Network reported last night that the Redskins will put the franchise tag on Fred Davis prior to the start of free agency next month.

The tight end was having a breakout season in his fourth year in the league when he was suspended for the last four games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Another violation of the policy could lead to a suspension for an entire year.

The tag might be the best way to give Davis a trial year to see if he can steer clear of trouble before giving him a long-term deal. Although the salary under the franchise tag is fully guaranteed even if a player is suspended, the risk is relatively small as it will be about $5.5 million.

If Davis does demonstrate that he is a good risk, the Redskins could work out a long-term deal with him sometime prior to the start of training camp. Or, they could wait and work out a deal a year from now. Under the rules, the Redskins could tag Davis again in 2013 but not after that.

Should the Redskins use the franchise tag on Davis, they could not use it on LaRon Landry. The safety, once considered one of the franchise cornerstones, will also be a free agent but his future is clouded by injury. He has decided to put off a decision to have surgery to repair an Achilles injury that has cost him 15 games over the past two seasons. 

 

Cooley: Shutting down season "was the best option at the time"

By Ryan O’Halloran

Could he have played? Sure … for a couple of games. Could he have helped curb a six-game, mid-season losing streak. Absolutely … for a few weeks. Could he have lasted the season? Probably not.

A day after the Redskins’ season ended with a 5-11 record, tight end Chris Cooley expressed no regrets in being shut down in October because of a creaky knee that didn’t require surgery but did necessitate plenty of rest.

“It was the best option at the time for me,” Cooley said last week. “It was frustrating because I felt healthy enough to play toward the end of the year … to not take the risk was probably the best option of my career.”

Cooley sat out the entire preseason and played 38 or more snaps in the first four games before he broke his finger against Philadelphia in Week 6. Scheduled to be out a month, he was placed on injured reserve two weeks later because his knee continued to be off kilter.

Cooley finished the year with eight catches for 65 yards and no touchdowns, obviously career lows in all three categories. With him, the Redskins were 3-1 (albeit against a favorable schedule); without him for a full game, the Redskins were 2-10.

“Everyone’s disappointed with the outcome of the season,” Cooley said. “It’s been tough for me because I haven’t been able to play or produce for the team in what seems like forever. I’m really excited about starting over and moving forward.”

Starting over when one enters his ninth year and turns 30 before training camp seems arduous, no?

“I don’t think it sounds daunting,” Cooley said. “I think a fresh start is good for everybody now in terms of record and what we have going on.

It now appears Cooley’s fresh start will happen with the Redskins. That was debated when he was shelved, but since then, he’s turned the corner with his knee and Fred Davis is a free agent and one failed drug test from sitting out the year.

“I have no doubt I’ll be here,” Cooley said. “I’m excited to continue to be a part of this team and continue to play a game that I love.”

Through his first five-plus years, Cooley never missed a game (64-for-64) until he broke his foot against Philadelphia to end his 2009 season. He played all 16 the following year before the knee problem.

Amid the emergence of Davis (despite his statuses), does Cooley enter this off-season with a prove-to-them-I’m-not-done mindset?

“There’s not a chip on my shoulder – there’s nothing,” he said. “I want to produce, I want to win games and I want to have won. … I’m not worried at all about playing my best football or proving anything to anybody. I know I’m a good player and I’m going to do everything I can to play well for this team.”

Not grinding through a full season has changed Cooley’s routine, one he’s excited about, which could produce a re-fueled play-maker next year.

“I’m very healthy now,” he said. “There’s no burnout factor so I can spend January and February in the weight room, as opposed to previous in my career, I wanted to sit on the couch for a month.”

Contact O’Halloran at rohalloran@comcastsportsnet.com

 

53: Tight ends

[caption id="attachment_994" align="aligncenter" width="335" caption="Will Fred Davis have an impact in 2009?"][/caption] Between now and the start of training camp I'll be making my predictions about who will be on the final 53-man roster for the Washington Redskins--who's there, who's in, who's on the bubble, and who's out. The predicted roster will be revised and updated as preseason events warrant. Today, the tight ends: Like with the specialists, there isn't much of a point in deep analysis at this position. Pro Bowler Chris Cooley is the starter and Fred Davis and Todd Yoder are the backups. Rookie free agent Robert Agnone has impressive size at 6-6, 260 but a practice squad berth seems to be the best that he can hope for. Cooley could have a better season than in 2008 but fail to make the Pro Bowl. Two quality, high-profile tight ends have come over to the NFC this past offseason in Tony Gonzalez and Kellen Winslow. Add in perennial Pro Bowl participant Jason Witten (and although the reputations of some who have to blue star on their helmets are overblown, I don't believe that to be the case with Witten) and you have four excellent players jockeying for one spot. There will be two odd men out. [polldaddy poll="1815556"] Spots taken so far: 37

• Tight end—3
• Offensive line—9
• Specialist—3
• Running back—4
• Defensive line—10
• Wide Receiver—5
• Quarterback—3

Spots to go: 16 Next: Linebackers