Redskins agree to deal with Jason Hatcher

[KI Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

It's a large-ish contract. Not a monster deal, but a good payout.

The Redskins see him as an impact talent. The other teams that he was taking visits with saw him as a valuable role player.

We'll see who is right. If he gets 6-8 sacks from a 3-4 DE position, that's a big impact.

As you know, it's not just the sacks. It's the QB hits and the hurries. It's being disruptive. We desperately needed to get some inside pressure on the QB and now I think we'll get that from Hatcher. Lord knows, he has given our OLines and QBs fits over the years.

And there are other benefits to this signing, as well. For example, to me, one of the key things that would make keeping Orakpo worth the money was to improve our inside pass rush so Brian could be more effective. Now we've done that.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by KI Skins Fan

As you know, it's not just the sacks. It's the QB hits and the hurries. It's being disruptive. Lord knows, he has given our OLines and QBs fits over the years.

We desperately needed to get some inside pressure on the QB and now I think we'll get that from Hatcher. To me, one of the key things that would make keeping Orakpo worth the money was to improve our inside pass rush. Now we've done that.

It's easy to figure out WHY they paid him: they see him as an impact player at a position where they need the help desperately.

It's one thing to pay for the performance you need, which is what they've done. Whether they're going to get it is a different question. At 6-8 sacks, plus the disruption you would expect from a guy getting to the QB that often, that's the kind of impact you're looking for with this contract.

If the plan works, the interior pass rush should improve, and everyone will benefit.

[KI Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

It's easy to figure out WHY they paid him: they see him as an impact player at a position where they need the help desperately.

It's one thing to pay for the performance you need, which is what they've done. Whether they're going to get it is a different question. At 6-8 sacks, plus the disruption you would expect from a guy getting to the QB that often, that's the kind of impact you're looking for with this contract.

If the plan works, the interior pass rush should improve, and everyone will benefit.

Ah yes, the eternal conundrum of NFL Free Agent signings!

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by KI Skins Fan

Ah yes, the eternal conundrum of NFL Free Agent signings!

You're right. This is not a unique problem that the Redskins face. They just have a bad history with it.

[GTripp0012]

The other interesting thing about this deal is that it's the Redskins telling you they aren't planning on addressing DL in the draft.

I don't doubt they might take a guy who falls to the 6th or 7th round who can come in and compete for Jarvis Jenkins roster spot, but I'd expect the draft to lean heavy on offense, with the chance that they'll grab a safety or linebacker they really like.

[donofriose]

Supposedly the redskins offer was way above what other teams were going to give him. Even the raiders, which is a little concerning.

Hatcher says Redskins ‘blew the doors off’ other offers - The Washington Post

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by donofriose

Supposedly the redskins offer was way above what other teams were going to give him. Even the raiders, which is a little concerning.

Hatcher says Redskins ‘blew the doors off’ other offers - The Washington Post

Agree with this, generally you like to hear what's going on right now with the Ryan Clark negotiations, where the player leaves the visit without signing, then it takes some time, and then hopefully a deal gets announced. That's a sign that the team was being shrewd in its pricing.

To hear we blew the doors off tells me we may have overpaid. But still, it's not a huge financial commitment to Hatcher. $10.5M guaranteed over 4 years is not the kind of contract that puts you behind the 8 ball.

I do think playing next to Cofield and alongside either Rak or Kerrigan, and in the one-gap that Haslett keeps talking about, there's plenty of opportunity for the line as a whole to do some damage.

I'm not concerned if Hatcher himself only gets 6 sacks. His presence should mean Cofield has a better shot at penetrating. And I like me some Barry Cofield a lot. With defensive linemen, it's not about individual stats, it's more about how did the whole line perform as a unit.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

The other interesting thing about this deal is that it's the Redskins telling you they aren't planning on addressing DL in the draft.

I don't doubt they might take a guy who falls to the 6th or 7th round who can come in and compete for Jarvis Jenkins roster spot, but I'd expect the draft to lean heavy on offense, with the chance that they'll grab a safety or linebacker they really like.

With the current hole at safety being about the width of the Grand Canyon, I think we're just about broadcasting our intention to take a S in round 2 or round 3 anyway. But if they land Clark and maybe bring back Meriweather, maybe that changes.