Rumor: Redskins Will Look To Sign Nnamdi Asomugha and Cullen Jenkins
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According to the Washington Post, the Redskins are going to make a big push for Nnamdi Asomugha and Cullen Jenkins as soon as the Lockout ends.
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The report says:
"At cornerback, the Redskins also are losing Phillip Buchanon, who started five games and recorded 49 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. Coaches like third-year cornerback Kevin Barnes, but is he a legit starter? Washington still is among the long list of teams expected to make a push for Nnamdi Asomugha – the top cornerback on the market."
With the signing of FS O.J. Atogwe in March, that just might do it on the defensive side of the ball for the Skins. They may look to add a free agent inside linebacker, but have a decent front 7 anchored by some veteran players and young talent – if they can add depth to their secondary who can consistently cover receivers, but also step up to stop the run their defense could come along nicely in year two as a 3-4 scheme. Right now, Fletch is their most consistently good cover guy… that’s ridiculous and needs to be addressed just like the Giants hope they’ve done with drafting Prince. So with the 26th overall defense in the land, the Redskins would certainly improve with the signing of these players.
But what about their troubled offense? No starting QB and no WR threats are going to make free agency very interesting for the Redskins this year, in some ways the WR question will say a ton about the new direction Shanahan and Allen are taking this team in. Are they going to spend bucks on an aging #1 wide receiver or perhaps take a flyer on Plaxico Burress fresh off the couch?
"Could the Redskins go after another veteran wideout? Perhaps. The Vikings’ Sidney Rice is considered the top free agent receiver, followed by the Jets’ Santonio Holmes and the Chargers’ Malcom Floyd. Plaxico Burress is a wild card, but it would be surprising to see Washington dump a bunch of money into an aging player with a troubled past."
Obviously — we’re not talking about T.O. and Ocho here. Burress aside, these are guys that if released by their respective teams right now could come into Washington and really make an impact. Rice, Holmes, and Floyd are all interesting prospects — Floyd had the most productive season of the three and Rice was obviously out with his injury for all but 300 snaps. Floyd would add that taller dimension to the Redskins for sure, he’s 6’6″ 200lbs and complemented by a re-signed Santana Moss, a good pass catcher in Chris Cooley, and a rookie no one has really talked about but could make a huge impact in 2011 — Terrence Austin — the Redskins could have a nice little 4 pack of options through the air and stretch the field out. I say this every year, but truly mean it – they could be a real sleeper this year that shouldn’t be taken lightly, even though they finished with the 25th overall offense in 2010. Granted it’s a long way to come in one offseason with a lockout in place, but it can be done.
Just incase you were wondering where the rest of the NFC East placed in the same Football Outsiders ranking since it’s been so long:
Giants Offense: #9
Giants Defense: #3
Giants Special Teams: #30
Giants Overall: #10
Eagles Offense: #3
Eagles Defense: #14
Eagles Special Teams: #13
Eagles Overall: #6
Cowboys Offense: #21
Cowboys Defense: #27
Cowboys Special Teams: #15
Cowboys Overall: #23
Redskins Offense: #25
Redskins Defense: #26
Redskins Special Teams: #26
Redskins Overall: #29