Fixing the Secondary

[Lotus]

Rather than signing Byrd, I'd rather sign TJ Ward and Mike Mitchell. Likely we could get both for the price of one Jairus Byrd. Then we have both two capable starting safeties and money left for other positions.

[SirLK26]

Originally Posted by Lotus

Rather than signing Byrd, I'd rather sign TJ Ward and Mike Mitchell. Likely we could get both for the price of one Jairus Byrd. Then we have both two capable starting safeties and money left for other positions.

Originally Posted by KI Skins Fan

I read in a couple of places that TJ Ward is expected to be Franchise tagged by Cleveland. But if he isn't tagged I think he'll cost a lot more than Lotus and you may think. He is definitely a Top 10 Free Agent, IMO.

Also, Mike Mitchell will most likely be resigned by Carolina.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by KI Skins Fan

I would go all out to sign Jairus Byrd. He is easily the best FS (and one of the best players) available in FA. Signing him would provide a huge upgrade to our secondary.

I would not sign Byrd. We have two guys that were drafted last year at the safety position. We have to give them a chance to develop. I would try and improve the pass rush so they don't have to cover as long.

[diehardskin2982]

There is speculation that Byrd will be franchised again by the Bills. I do think he is one of the Redskins top 5 targets Free Agents not already on the team.

[SirLK26]

If I had a little more upstairs, or at least a little more cap-related knowledge, I would try to figure out just how many high-priced FAs we could sign.

Tandler had this to say in a January post: "The one "big name" the Redskins might sign is their own Brian Orakpo. With over a dozen holes to fill, there might not be any room for players like WR Eric Decker or S Jairus Byrd. The Redskins' situation is likely to push them in the direction of signing lesser-known players."

[donofriose]

Originally Posted by SirLK26

If I had a little more upstairs, or at least a little more cap-related knowledge, I would try to figure out just how many high-priced FAs we could sign.

Tandler had this to say in a January post: "The one "big name" the Redskins might sign is their own Brian Orakpo. With over a dozen holes to fill, there might not be any room for players like WR Eric Decker or S Jairus Byrd. The Redskins' situation is likely to push them in the direction of signing lesser-known players."

So basically what Seattle has down the last 2 or three years. Would be nice to get value instead of names.

[KI Skins Fan]

Let me try to expalin why I'm so high on trying to sign Jairus Byrd. It's because I think that the thing we need most for our secondary is an inspirational veteran leader. The best spot for that leader to play is safety so he can see the entire field and "quarterback" the secondary.

OK, so now I need to explain what constitutes leadership on a football team, IMO. First of all, a team leader must be a very productive player. He must be able to make big plays at key moments in games. He must be a proven and respected player.

Secondly, he must be experienced so that he can recognize what's going to happen before it happens and help to position his teammates to make plays. He needs to be able to help his teammates become better players and so that they gain confidence in themselves and their teammates. Vocal encouragement is good too, but it is less important than production and experience as a leadership trait.

Jairus Byrd is far and away the best man for that job, IMO.

That said, even if the Redskins brain trust were to think the same way I do, Byrd may be Franchised or he may sign elsewhere. If that were to happen, my Plan B would be to move DHall to FS to fill the "quarterback" role. Hall has the traits I'm looking for in a leader but I would prefer him at CB. Nevertheless, if I couldn't get my first choice I'd move DHall to safety and then I would sign a solid veteran CB. I'm very comfortable that DHall could make that move and play well.

I would plan to go with Phillip Thomas at SS, David Amerson as a starting CB opposite the new veteran CB, and Richard Crawford as the third CB.

Any reserves in the secondary beyond those mentioned would need to be good on ST to make the roster.

[skinsfaninok]

Originally Posted by Lotus

Rather than signing Byrd, I'd rather sign TJ Ward and Mike Mitchell. Likely we could get both for the price of one Jairus Byrd. Then we have both two capable starting safeties and money left for other positions.

I hope we do this

[KI Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by skinsfaninok

I hope we do this

I read in a couple of places that TJ Ward is expected to be Franchise tagged by Cleveland. But if he isn't tagged I think he'll cost a lot more than Lotus and you may think. He is definitely a Top 10 Free Agent, IMO.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by KI Skins Fan

I read in a couple of places that TJ Ward is expected to be Franchise tagged by Cleveland. But if he isn't tagged I think he'll cost a lot more than Lotus and you may think. He is definitely a Top 10 Free Agent, IMO.

Yeah, Ward could turn out to be surprisingly expensive. My argument is premised on market value and we all know that FA's price tags sometimes significantly exceed market value.

I still wouldn't sign Byrd. He's a phenomenal player and I am not knocking him at all. But his price tag will be too much for just one safety position when we have so many other needs. We could still acquire a "pretty good" FS through other means and a "pretty good" FS will be good enough for us. Heck, "pretty good" will be better than anything we've had in years.

[Bucket]

I think the two safeties we drafted last year could do well if given more then one year to prove it.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by Bucket

I think the two safeties we drafted last year could do well if given more then one year to prove it.

I picture both Rambo and Thomas as ss as opposed to free. I agree they should be given a chance to compete for that spot with a vet free agent on a small deal. I believe it's time to sign a starter at the free agent position, whether its Byrd or someone else.

I don't think there is a chance in hell tj ward walks from the browns.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Bucket

I think the two safeties we drafted last year could do well if given more then one year to prove it.

That's what I'm saying. It's counter productive to use two draft picks at a position of need, then give up on them after only one year to overpay a high priced free agent. I would coach them up, take the free agent money and sign some people that can block and rush the passer.

[whistler]

Originally Posted by Bucket

I think the two safeties we drafted last year could do well if given more then one year to prove it.

This guy gets it! Add 2 free safeties this yr:
FA-inexpensive FS about 2-4 mil for 2 yrs + draft one in the 4th or 5th round

The FA must be a special teams guy, he could be a fourth year player that is done with his rookie contract who didn't get a chance with the current team due to injury, or just behind an established veteran, or a guy that bounced around a year of two one the D-squad, or even a late cut by a team.

The draft pick should be a player who didn't perform as well in the senior yr due to injury or system change, etc.

Let last yrs rookies compete with these guys and the hold overs. Hopefully the coaches do their jobs and put the players in position to be successful.

[KI Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by whistler

This guy gets it! Add 2 free safeties this yr:
FA-inexpensive FS about 3-6 mil for 2 yrs + draft one in the 4th or 5th round

The FA must be a special teams guy, he could be a fourth year player that is a done with his rookie contract that didn't get a chance with the current team.

The draft pick should be a player who did perform as well in the senior yr due to injury or system change, etc.

Let last yrs rookies compete with these guys and the hold overs. Hopefully the coaches do their jobs and put the players in position to be successful.

So you want a collection of half-fast safeties battling one another in preseason to see which one can be the most adequate or, as I view it, suck the least?

Absolutely not! That's just not good enough. We don't need a band-aid - we need a compress. Our secondary must have a leader at FS. Someone with a record of success in the NFL, We need a FS with range, playmaking ability, and the smarts to "quarterback" the defensive backfield.

IMO, Jairus Byrd would be perfect for us. Mike Mitchell or Chris Clemons (at FS) could also help us.

Byrd may cost way too much but Mitchell could be a very good signing since he will be more affordable and he is young, productive, and has upside. We could probably get a few good years from Clemons, without the upside of Mitchell, at a reasonable price, as well.

A Mitchell signing would please me because it would remind me of the Garcon signing where we get a young player who is about to take a step up to the next level on a good contract.