A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

While there were a few moments this season when I was concerned that he may have lost a step, but on balance, my view is that he was yet again terrific -- both in terms of skills and, very importantly, in terms of leadership. He's weighing what to do (I wonder what Ronde Barber is doing myself): [url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Fletcher-Will-Take-Time-To-Consider-Future/1cd8f044-3816-4c63-813d-349b8387d674]Fletcher Will Take Time To Consider Future[/url].

I hope he comes back. And when he retires after his 237th season, I would love to see him on staff (if his on the field coaching is any indication, he could do well in that role).

But more than anything, if we have seen the last of him on the field in B&G, my hat's off to the guy who gives 100% on every play, every week, and represents the best in what an NFL player can be. A class act. Incredibly dedicated to the community. And a great role model for us all.

Not meant to be a farewell -- more of a "please come back."

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

I'll be shocked if the Skins bring him back with the cap number he has. I doubt it. (6.2 mil)

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

Guilty of condemning the man for......lost steps as well. He does embody everything that is "Redskins"....
He is an amazing athlete, Team leader and human being! I do not believe for a minute we have seen the last of him. BUT, when the time comes, I sincerely hope he retires in the B & G!
Hail London Fletcher!
Nice Post Calia!

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

I'm with you all the way on this Calia. Fletch has been nothing short of fantastic his entire time with us. One of the best, if not the best, FA signings we've ever made. The only thing I doubt...is that he lasts 237 seasons. :)

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

[quote=NC_Skins;987522]I'll be shocked if the Skins bring him back with the cap number he has. I doubt it. (6.2 mil)[/quote]Didn't we just sign him to a two year contract last offseason, 10 mil total? Seems kinda odd not to at least play out the contract considering he's still pretty good.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

well, him and hall total about 16mill, so if you need to make cuts, those are two guys to look at.

you don't cut them unless you're sure you have replacements and need the money though.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

I am torn on London. Man is a great player, and his streak is amazing, and he is the qb of our defense, it's not the same when he isn't in. He also had trouble in several games this year, and obviously the wear on his body has added up. I know at 50 he will be in a lot of pain, and I don't want that for him. I want him to retire on a upbeat note, and go on with his life. But I want him to be a Redskin until he hangs up his cleats, and one more year, we might get him back in the big game.

Ultimately, whatever he decides, I hope the Redskins treat him with the honor and respect he certainly deserves, and as Clinton Portis was named one of the 80 greatest, we ought to make sure Fletcher is recognized as a true Redskins great as soon as possible if and when he retires.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

Would like to see him come back. I hope if he does leave we retain him in some capacity within the organization.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

His cap hit is pretty big for 2013, they'll definitely have to re-work that if he decides to come back.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

First, Fletcher's made comments about considering his future the past few offseasons. Based on his play this year, i highly doubt he intends to retire. Secondly, i'd be shocked if we cut him. Doing so would only save us about 3.5MM in cap, since we'd take an almost 3MM cap hit if we released him. Then, we've got to go out and find someone to replace London. Sure, it could be someone already under contract, but then we have to go out and find someone to replace THAT guy. So lets say his replacement ends up costing us only 1MM. We're still saving over 2MM in cap room, but is it worth it? I personally dont think so. He's still playing at an exceptionally high level, so I'd rather keep Fletcher one more year than save about 2MM in cap room.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

We won't cut him. He'll either retire or he'll come back, with a re-worked deal. We can't keep him for $7M in 2013.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

he, along w deangelo hall and santana moss, will sign vet min deals as a show of faith.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

[quote=los panda;987706]he, along w deangelo hall and santana moss, will sign vet min deals as a show of faith.[/quote]

That's a lot of faith….

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

If London Fletcher returns it will be because he strongly feels the Redskins can make it all the way to the Super Bowl. Fletcher deserves another ring.....

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

I don't see a vet minimum for him, and we'd be fools to push for that (for Moss or Hall either, for that matter -- their individual play warrants more than the vet min). But I might imagine he could re-structure, and assuming he decides to come back, he has to like his chances of getting back to the post-season next year and, as we all know, in the post-season just about anything can happen.

It is hard to overstate his value on the field in terms of how he directs the defense. Countless times this season -- especially during the streak -- we'd see him dash to the line, wave his hands and direct guys re: coverage and blitzing, to good effect. I think we have some good LBs on the team -- Perry Riley made real strides this year, Rob Jackson showed some playmaking ability, and Kerrigan was solid albeit not spectacular. But none of the guys we have on defense can fulfill that "coach on the field" role. And that seems to be a hallmark of some of the very best defenses -- think of John Lynch for the Bucs, Ray Lewis for the Ravens, and Brian Urlacher for the Bears. A savvy veteran who understands the game so well is really vital (you need that in your QB as well, and I think we're in good shape there). But I am not sure we have that on D other than London.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

[quote=los panda;987706]he, along w deangelo hall and santana moss, will sign vet min deals as a show of faith.[/quote]

Vet Min? No way. All three of those guys can find way more money than that somewhere else. Should they come back here for less money to be a part of this? Absolutley, and all three I think would....but if we offered any of them the vet minimum after what they've done (specifically Moss/Fletcher), I'd walk too.

That said, I thought all three played major roles this season and I'd like to see them all brought back, but Fletcher would be the most important. He was a freak the second half of the season.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

[quote=Gmanc711;987743]Vet Min? No way. All three of those guys can find way more money than that somewhere else. Should they come back here for less money to be a part of this? Absolutley, and all three I think would....but if we offered any of them the vet minimum after what they've done (specifically Moss/Fletcher), I'd walk too.

That said, I thought all three played major roles this season and I'd like to see them all brought back, but Fletcher would be the most important. He was a freak the second half of the season.[/quote]it ill be the 3 of them, not even their agents, to make this offer to the redskins

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

That may be, but I don't see their agents offering vet min because of concern that they'd be cut otherwise. They have to know that the Redskins need them and want them, and that desire will translate to more than the vet min.

Is anyone else finding themselves starting to obsess about next season already? After such a long time without tasting success, it's hard to let go of the 2012 season. It's like when you cross the desert and finally reach a cool pond of water never wanting to leave it. I was at the last home playoff game in 1999 (also a scrappy affair -- Brad Johnson actually body-slammed Robert Porcher -- it was phenomenal); it seems like a lifetime ago.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

please know that i was not serious

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

[quote=los panda;987756]please know that i was not serious[/quote]

Ahh -- of course not. Foolish of me to be so literal. I am on the West coast and need another cup of coffee, obviously. My bad.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

Fletcher was having more fun out there playing football this year then I have seen in him sense he has been here. He is back next yr.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

[quote=Gmanc711;987743]Vet Min? No way. All three of those guys can find way more money than that somewhere else. Should they come back here for less money to be a part of this? Absolutley, and all three I think would....but if we offered any of them the vet minimum after what they've done (specifically Moss/Fletcher), I'd walk too.

That said, I thought all three played major roles this season and I'd like to see them all brought back, but Fletcher would be the most important. He was a freak the second half of the season.[/quote]

Halll has said that he'd be willing to re-structure his contract, although it wasn't clear whether he'd take a pay cut or not.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

[quote=Ruhskins;987761]Halll has said that he'd be willing to re-structure his contract, although it wasn't clear whether he'd take a pay cut or not.[/quote]"Like I said, whatever I’ve got to do to be here, I’m going to try to do that."

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

[quote=Ruhskins;987761]Halll has said that he'd be willing to re-structure his contract, although it wasn't clear whether he'd take a pay cut or not.[/quote]

Hall has very little, if any, guaranteed money left on his contract due to his restructure in the uncapped year that initially brought on the cap penalty. Hall has no choice but to take a pay cut. He makes something like 8 mil this year and costs basically nothing to cut him. We cant keep him without a pay cut (we can but it makes no sense to) and if he doesnt take one, he gets cut. Either way, thats a pay cut for Hall, and he has no leverage in negotiations since the guaranteed money in his contract is gone.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

[quote=Skinzman;987772]Hall has very little, if any, guaranteed money left on his contract due to his restructure in the uncapped year that initially brought on the cap penalty. Hall has no choice but to take a pay cut. He makes something like 8 mil this year and costs basically nothing to cut him. We cant keep him without a pay cut (we can but it makes no sense to) and if he doesnt take one, he gets cut. Either way, thats a pay cut for Hall, and he has no leverage in negotiations since the guaranteed money in his contract is gone.[/quote]

Sounds like he'll be taking a paycut, since he sounds pretty determined to stay. I still don't know if I want him at FS, b/c I'd rather have a young guy that's going to be there for years.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

[quote=firstdown;987758]Fletcher was having more fun out there playing football this year then I have seen in him sense he has been here. He is back next yr.[/quote]
I agree with that...He had a good time this year. I cannot believe for a moment that he will leave this team (within reason) with the potential for some RING success....possibly in this teams future. It is not lost on him that we are a different squad....

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

Gonna be tough to fill that hole. One more season Fletch!!!

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

[quote=los panda;987706]he, along w deangelo hall and santana moss, will sign vet min deals as a show of faith.[/quote]

thats maybe pushing it a little bit but none of those 3 dont think something special is brewing and why not go for one more run at super bowl. I expect all 3 back

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

[quote=firstdown;987758]Fletcher was having more fun out there playing football this year then I have seen in him sense he has been here. He is back next yr.[/quote]

Yes, most definitely. Five interceptions, four of which occurred while he was battling an injured ankle. Just amazing. #59 is so valuable to this team. I hope he decides to stay.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

[quote=firstdown;987758]Fletcher was having more fun out there playing football this year then I have seen in him sense he has been here. He is back next yr.[/quote]

I hope you're right. His time is winding down though.

[QUOTE=Ruhskins;987761]Halll has said that he'd be willing to re-structure his contract, although it wasn't clear whether he'd take a pay cut or not.[/QUOTE]

If he doesn't take a pretty substantial cut then.....goodbye and goodluck.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

London will be joining ESPN as an analyst...trial basis

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

[quote=SmootSmack;988722]London will be joining ESPN as an analyst...trial basis[/quote]

Well that stinks...

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

[quote=SmootSmack;988722]London will be joining ESPN as an analyst...trial basis[/quote]

Not an uncommon thing for guys to try out in the offseason, no?

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

Nope. He'll be on tomorrow and Thursday

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

I just hope he hates it and can't wait for training camp....

:(

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

[quote=RedskinRat;988765]I just hope he hates it and can't wait for training camp....

:([/quote]

Not me, I hope he nails it. I would like him back, but at this stage, I would much rather he become a top notch analyst (maybe kick DMcNabb out of his job -even though it's competing networks) and move forward with his life. That man has laid everything on the turf for the Skins and for football. I really want him to move into his next phase with that same passion.

Again, if he comes back that's great, but sometimes it's harder to walk away at the right time, then to play another year when it's the wrong time.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

My take on Fletch is it's always better to let a guy go a year early than a year too late. He played ok this year but he can not cover TE's at all. I'm not sure I bring him back.That's a tough one. If he does come back they have to get Robonson on the field more.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

[quote=SmootSmack;988722]London will be joining ESPN as an analyst...trial basis[/quote]

Good for him. I'll bet that he is good at it. If he's not thinking about life after football, he's uncharacteristically not thinking clearly.

Re: A Few Words About London Fletcher....
 

I know everyone has been saying that London has lost a step and can't cover tight ends. Even though I think that's true and I kind of always thought he was a liability in coverage, does anyone think it was made worse by his ankle injury? I feel like that hasn't been addressed at all, but he was missing practice and listed on the injury report all the way up through the Wild Card game. I read somewhere that he was in a walking boot when he left the stadium after a few games that he had played in. I feel like that had to limit his effectiveness considerably.

Just something to consider.