London Fletcher leaning towards playing in 2013 (updated)

[MTK]

“One thing you have to do is, you’ve got to have a mindset that there’s no way you’re going to retire. Because if you’re thinking about retirement, you’re not really sure – at least when I look at my previous years, and you look back at guys – if you’re thinking about retiring, you’re probably already retired.

Mike Shanahan on London Fletcher’s future

[BigHairedAristocrat]

I don't think shanahans comments necessarily reflect what London fletcher is actually thinking. I think Shanahan is just making an observation based on his experience with other players. I think he could also be putting that out there to pressure fletcher to make a decision by march 12th. We're about 4MM over the cap now and cutting fletcher would save us about 4MM.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

I don't think shanahans comments necessarily reflect what London fletcher is actually thinking. I think Shanahan is just making an observation based on his experience with other players. I think he could also be putting that out there to pressure fletcher to make a decision by march 12th. We're about 4MM over the cap now and cutting fletcher would save us about 4MM.

It's funny how I agree with more posts during the off-season. It was Shanahan's comments, not Fletcher's, that could be read as negative. I'm not even sure Mike has historical evidence on his side. Favre started considering retirement half way through his career lol and still turned out some solid seasons. Ed Reed too, and he's still the best safety in football IMO.

I'd still like to think it's better than 50/50 London returns. Who's to say he's just watching what the FO/coaches do to help the defense during the off-season?

[GTripp0012]

Fletcher is kind of getting the decision made for him here. The team can't restructure his salary only to watch him retire, and if the Redskins release him, no other team is going to bring in a 38 year old LB on even a flyer basis. He ends up retired either way.

Fletcher's only play here is to come out within the next week and say he intends to return next season...but that might not even be true.

I think he's played his last snap. At least if he retires in the next week or two, he gets the opportunity to have an actual retirement party. I don't think Shanahan is doing anyone any favors here, but he's intending to do whatever he can to keep this situation cordial.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Fletcher is kind of getting the decision made for him here. The team can't restructure his salary only to watch him retire, and if the Redskins release him, no other team is going to bring in a 38 year old LB on even a flyer basis. He ends up retired either way.

Fletcher's only play here is to come out within the next week and say he intends to return next season...but that might not even be true.

I think he's played his last snap. At least if he retires in the next week or two, he gets the opportunity to have an actual retirement party. I don't think Shanahan is doing anyone any favors here, but he's intending to do whatever he can to keep this situation cordial.

I think you nailed the situation. At the end of the season, i felt for sure Fletch would be back, but given how well he seems to be doing on TV, i could understand him deciding to call it quits now. From our perspective, the cap penalty makes keeping him for one more year at 6MM just doesnt make much sense. If we were "close" to being a superbowl team, maybe... but we're not. It might be best for everyone involved if we part ways.

Given our cap situation, i think the team could have to make a choice between resigning Rob Jackson and Lorenzo Alexander for the next 3-4 years or keeping Fletcher for one more year. If thats the choice, its a no-brainer.

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

I think you nailed the situation. At the end of the season, i felt for sure Fletch would be back, but given how well he seems to be doing on TV, i could understand him deciding to call it quits now. From our perspective, the cap penalty makes keeping him for one more year at 6MM just doesnt make much sense. If we were "close" to being a superbowl team, maybe... but we're not. It might be best for everyone involved if we part ways.

Given our cap situation, i think the team could have to make a choice between resigning Rob Jackson and Lorenzo Alexander for the next 3-4 years or keeping Fletcher for one more year. If thats the choice, its a no-brainer.

I think we are close. we've got the QB, all we need is some luck, BUT i don't see it this year with the cap hit and the secondary needing some work. If fletcher doesn't retire, he might end up cut anyways, so...

as for as Zo, i don't think locking up a 30 year old special teamer for 4 years would be the world's greatest move.

[SirLK26]

Originally Posted by That Guy

I think we are close. we've got the QB, all we need is some luck, BUT i don't see it this year with the cap hit and the secondary needing some work. If fletcher doesn't retire, he might end up cut anyways, so...

as for as Zo, i don't think locking up a 30 year old special teamer for 4 years would be the world's greatest move.

Don't forget he's a Pro Bowl special teamer.

[SkinzWin]

Originally Posted by SirLK26

Don't forget he's a Pro Bowl special teamer.

So basically you are saying you want to give a bunch of money to a back up role player who gets maybe 10 ST plays per game? Instead of putting that money toward shoring up porous secondary, or adding needed pieces to our Oline? Priorities.

[GTripp0012]

And, I mean, Ed Reed has been talking retirement for about 6 years now.

[SirLK26]

If he does retire, do we really have any linebackers on the roster who could effectively replace him? Or will we have to pick one up in the draft?

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by SirLK26

If he does retire, do we really have any linebackers on the roster who could effectively replace him? Or will we have to pick one up in the draft?

No, we don't. Perry Riley is above average but there's no other ILB that would start anywhere in the league. Zoe is better on the outside than the inside IMO. Robinson was real shaky in his few opportunities. Dez will own
Robinson for his entire career like Brandon Jacobs owned that goofball Landry.

If Fletch retires ILB immediately becomes our top off-season priority, and that's saying a lot given the situations at RT and FS.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by The Goat

No, we don't. Perry Riley is above average but there's no other ILB that would start anywhere in the league. Zoe is better on the outside than the inside IMO. Robinson was real shaky in his few opportunities. Dez will own
Robinson for his entire career like Brandon Jacobs owned that goofball Landry.

If Fletch retires ILB immediately becomes our top off-season priority, and that's saying a lot given the situations at RT and FS.

Why would an inside backer be out covering a WR?

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Why would an inside backer be out covering a WR?

I'll look for a video replay at some point. Admittedly, three of my best buds are Dallas fans and we all watched the first game (in Dallas), so I've never heard the last of this one play. But it was pretty shocking how bad/weak Robinson was. Dez caught a ball near the sideline, maybe it was a screen, and juked the first defender out of his shoes. By that time Robinson had come from midfield, he was at a full run but didn't lower his shoulder to make the tackle (terrible form all around really) and Dez turned around just in time to lower his shoulder and absolutely slam Robinson to the turf, before he scampered off for a big gain.

I feel like if the roles were reversed, say Morgan or Garcon did this to Lee, it would be in Redskins lore already. Honestly surprised so few remember it around here because Robinson was just pathetic, but again I've had to hear about it ever since.

Unless there's some kind of inside info about Robinson "holding back" or suddenly discovering his inner awesomeness, the notion he's anywhere near starting caliber is insane. Oh, and he's coming off injury too.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by The Goat

I'll look for a video replay at some point. Admittedly, three of my best buds are Dallas fans and we all watched the first game (in Dallas), so I've never heard the last of this one play. But it was pretty shocking how bad/weak Robinson was. Dez caught a ball near the sideline, maybe it was a screen, and juked the first defender out of his shoes. By that time Robinson had come from midfield, he was at a full run but didn't lower his shoulder to make the tackle (terrible form all around really) and Dez turned around just in time to lower his shoulder and absolutely slam Robinson to the turf, before he scampered off for a big gain.

I feel like if the roles were reversed, say Morgan or Garcon did this to Lee, it would be in Redskins lore already. Honestly surprised so few remember it around here because Robinson was just pathetic, but again I've had to hear about it ever since.

Unless there's some kind of inside info about Robinson "holding back" or suddenly discovering his inner awesomeness, the notion he's anywhere near starting caliber is insane. Oh, and he's coming off injury too.

You are dismissing Robinson based on one play? You'd have to release every player in the league by that logic. I saw Tom Brady throw a dumb interception - so the Pats should bench him as not ready to start?

C'mon man.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by The Goat

No, we don't. Perry Riley is above average but there's no other ILB that would start anywhere in the league. Zoe is better on the outside than the inside IMO. Robinson was real shaky in his few opportunities. Dez will own
Robinson for his entire career like Brandon Jacobs owned that goofball Landry.

If Fletch retires ILB immediately becomes our top off-season priority, and that's saying a lot given the situations at RT and FS.

We lose a lot with Fletch going, but FS and RT are still more of an issue as well as CB.

How did this become Dez vs Robinson?