Editor?s note: Every team is preparing to attack its offseason to-do list, with free agency set to open Tuesday and the draft April 26-28. This is the final of 32 reports in 32 days looking at the offseason game plan for each team.
WASHINGTON?This is a potentially franchise-defining offseason, which the Redskins seem to understand. It?s why they shipped four draft picks to St. Louis to get the No. 2 overall pick. They initially wanted free agent Peyton Manning, but now will fill their biggest hole in the draft.
This move will shape the franchise for years to come?one way or another. Manning would have represented a desire to win big immediately. If they take Robert Griffin III, they still want to win, but the timetable?and expectations?will be different.
Some will say the Redskins overpaid for Griffin, but they?ve won three playoff games since their last Super Bowl after the 1991 season. Since then, they?ve drafted three quarterbacks in the first round; traded for others, signed some in free agency. None has endured or had more than temporary success. Considering that, the cost of landing a potential franchise quarterback could be worth it.
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The Redskins are in between overhauling their roster and tweaking it. They started overhauling it a year ago but need more than tweaking to become a contender. And landing a starting QB and playmaking WR is more than tweaking.
They want to re-sign inside linebacker London Fletcher, though the two sides are not close, as well as defensive end Adam Carriker. But it appears Carriker could end up testing the market. They placed the franchise tag on tight end Fred Davis.
Key Departures
If strong safety LaRon Landry wants anything other than a prove-yourself one-year deal, he?ll go elsewhere. His injuries the past two years have made him unreliable and questions remain about his health. QB Rex Grossman is likely gone, though the team will need a veteran starter in case Griffin is not ready. Linebacker Rocky McIntosh, a six-year veteran, is definitely gone after losing his starting job this past season.
Needs and targets
1. Quarterback. The Redskins haven?t had a franchise quarterback perhaps since Sonny Jurgensen. And they haven?t had one even a consistently good one since Joe Theismann. This helps explain the struggles of the past 20 years. We?ll leave this atop the needs list because they don?t have one ? yet.
The question on Griffin is how quickly he?ll adapt to an NFL offense, but that?s where signing a veteran?perhaps Kyle Orton?comes into play. Regardless, this is Griffin?s team. His mobility, arm and deep-ball accuracy make him a strong fit in Mike Shanahan?s system. And keep in mind the threat of him getting outside works well in the stretch-zone run game by freezing the backside end.
Griffin?s intangibles?brains, work ethic?give him a big chance to succeed. John Beck remains on the roster, but it?s doubtful he enters camp as a serious contender for the starting job.
2. Receiver. The team made numerous changes at this position a year ago, making it better than in 2010 but not nearly good enough. The Redskins lacked playmakers at wideout, though Jabar Gaffney was a steady contributor. But Santana Moss slipped as a slot receiver, and rookie Leonard Hankerson was injured when he finally started to show signs of life.
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Hankerson will help in 2012, but the Redskins still will look to improve at receiver?most likely via free agency. They will pursue Vincent Jackson and perhaps Reggie Wayne and/or Pierre Garcon. The coaches desperately want a wideout who can pick up yards after the catch. The Redskins lack that player now. Having Griffin, they hope, will entice one or two to sign.
3. Right tackle. Jammal Brown has started here for most of the past two years, but he has dealt continually with hip and groin injuries. When healthy, Brown, a former Pro Bowl left tackle in New Orleans, has been OK. But the injuries have limited his ability to open the backside cutback lanes so necessary in the stretch zone. His long arms have bailed him out of situations, but his feet too often are slow. There?s a sense that if healthy he would be a solid player.
Free agency yields few if any legitimate options, though Cincinnati?s Andrew Collins is a low-cost possibility. And not having their first two picks limit the Redskins? ability to find a starter. Perhaps one of Florida State?s athletic tackles?Andrew Datko or Zebrie Sanders?will slip to the third round.
4. Safety. It?s debatable if a quality alternative exists at strong safety if Landry leaves. Reed Doughty has replaced him in the past, but he?s best used as a backup and part-time starter. And DeJon Gomes did not prove as a rookie that he could be a full-time starter.
The Redskins could use a free safety as well with Oshiomogho Atogwe coming off a season of nagging injuries and diminished play. Washington badly needs a safety who can cover well, too (Cincinnati?s Reggie Nelson?). The Redskins have to wait until the third round where it?ll be tough to get a starter. Oklahoma State?s Markelle Martin has skills and could be around in the third.
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5. Cornerback. The Redskins are set with starters DeAngelo Hall and Josh Wilson. Hall had his issues at various times but was more consistent in 2011 than in 2010 when he made the Pro Bowl. Wilson improved as the season progressed, becoming the team?s best cover guy. But the Redskins need another corner, particularly one who can cover in the slot. Kevin Barnes proved he wasn?t that guy. They?ll have to find this guy in free agency; Cortland Finnegan is a potential target.
Keim?s take
The Redskins will be aggressive in free agency, and as we?ve seen in the past 24 hours, will be aggressive in the draft. The Redskins clearly want to upgrade an offense that ranked 16th in yards and 26th in points scored and must find playmakers. They will be in the market for a playmaking receiver.
The team has approximately $40 million in cap space, so with a couple (of right) moves, they could work themselves into a playoff contender if Griffin matures quickly. They won?t spend all their cash on free agents, but it does allow them to be aggressive. The Redskins still have seven draft picks.
Getting Griffin with the second pick provides hope for a franchise in need of large doses of it. He already has energized the fan base. This also will be a huge season for Shanahan?more so because of the blockbuster trade for the No. 2 pick.
?John Keim covers the Redskins for the Washington Examiner
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