Why The Redskins Would Franchise Freddy-D

A lot of people have mixed reviews on the new buzz (no pun intended) about the Redskins franchising TE Fred Davis. Some people think that he doesn't deserve it, some think it's a good idea... I think there's a number of ways to view it. Walk with me, if you will.

The Redskins Are Protecting Themselves

Franchising someone means that other teams cannot sign him. Which would probably be a really good thing for this organization. I mean, we all know how our draft picks fare after leaving here. Ask Carlos Rogers how his first year abroad went. Mike and Bruce would be at some bar in Leesburg drowning their sorrows in a bottle of scotch if they allowed Davis to leave and he goes on to have a career year and spends time in Hawaii on top of that (I wouldn't be surprised if they did that this year when 'Los made it). Think about HOW they got rid of Albert Haynesworth. They didn't just cut him. And they didn't just trade him either. They traded him to an AFC team that couldn't really hurt this team. They're not fighting with the Pats for a playoff spot at the end of the day. But they are fighting with the Eagles (someplace he already expressed interest in being), other division rivals or other NFC teams. It was smart. Bruce Allen should have been sent a basket of fruit and cheese for it.

The Redskins Are Desperate

This offense hasn't been explosive for a while now. Half of the reason for that is lack of a franchise quarterback. The other half is the inconsistency of the rest of the players on offense. Cooley was severely hurt last season. There's no argument about how thin this team was at the tight end position. Here's to hoping Cooley comes back better than ever, but we hoped the same thing about LaRon Landry last year, and it simply did not happen (could happen for a third season with him not getting his Achillies surgically repaired). Bottom line is, despite his mistake, they would be really foolish to allow him to get away. They cannot afford to lose a talent like Davis.

The Redskins Are Putting Pressure On Davis

Mike Shanahan made it clear at the end of last season that he really believes in Fred. His comments about how he really believes that he made a mistake and fully expects him to be re-signed showed then that he wanted him back. Maybe the idea behind franchising him puts a certain amount of pressure on him. It could cause him to really see how much he means to this organization and how much they're risking to keep him here. He would have to know that he needs to be stellar and clean to live up to what they're doing for him. After putting yourself in a position to be suspended for a year, this is a lot of pressure to be franchised. Maybe that's what Mike Shanahan wants. The same sink or swim mentality he carried over here from Denver. Maybe he wants him to realize that Dan Snyder is betting the farm on his success and to really see how much he'd be losing if he were to throw it all away for a buzz. Yep, that sounds like Shanny.

We'll probably never know the real reason why this was done until the contract has been signed, but regardless, it does make you wonder.

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Redskins Analysis: How To Beat A Champ

Since this game has been over, I've bounced between three different ideas/explanations of how the Redskins beat the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants twice, but could not beat the NFC best record 49ers (who the Giants beat in the conference championship) or the New England Patriots (AFC champs). The New England game was close... but no cigar. The Niners game wasn't even a contest.

One thought I had was that maybe it was just the sheer will and drive of the players in the game. Could the Pats and Niners just have wanted it more than the Skins in those matchups? It's possible. The Pats game came down to the final quarter and mistakes separated the Skins from them. Against San Fran, The defense played well, but the offense just couldn't seem to get the ball rolling. There were tons of mistakes in that game. Then against the G-men, the momentum ball started rolling early and they never let up. The "Any Given Sunday" factor still seems like a viable option.

Another thought was maybe the teams just matched up better against the Giants than they did the Pats or the Niners. San Fran has a great defense that stifled the Skins offense for most fo the game. The defense played them pretty well but the offense just couldn't get it going. Later in the season, the Patriots, carrying the worst statistical defense in the NFL, probably matched up pretty well in this game. Washington could have gotten some calls from the refs that could have changed the game, but in the end, they just didn't put enough points ont the board. The Giants really didn't have an aswer for the Skins. They were outmatched/outplaed.

Last theory, was it the coaching? Could it have been that the first two theories really stemmed from Mike and Kyle Shanahan being outsmarted in the 4th qurter? With basically the same personnel on all four teams were the same (or about the same), logic says that the Skins should beat them all. Of course, this wasn't the case. So maybe the Harbaugh and Belichick just really won a chess match that Shianford and Son may not have not been prepared to fight. Again, another viable reason.

No one really knows the answer for that. So I'll leave you with this a better question people want answers to this morning: Why wasn't Mario Manningham the MVP?

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"Dear Kyle" A Letter to the Redskins O.C. - Offseason Confessions Pt. 1

"Dear Kyle,

Hey there! I hope your off season is going as swell as mine. Not too long ago I was at a fundraiser at a bowling alley and ran into Gio Gonzalez... judging by his twitter page, he seems to be behind the team! HTTR! Oh, and that photo that surfaced... don't mind the drink I'm holding... I promise I won't come back with a gut this spring. I'll get it together!!

Anyway, I really wanted to kind of express my concerns about the team. We made a lot of progressions last year and I feel like our squad is moving in the right direction. I meant what I said about no one wanted to face us last year... so what if we were 5-11. We made progress that you can't pick up on a stat sheet! I think once our wideouts get healthy they're going to be a pretty tough bunch to beat!! Our defense really stepped it up last season. Sidebar: What's going on with London and LaRon? From what I hear, neither has a contract and the other won't have surgery for the second year in a row... what's that about?!

Well, I'm not sure what your plans are for free agency, but I know we're set at quarterback! John and I, we got this. Who needs Peyton, Andrew or the Griffin kid?! Hell, I'm the original RG3, baby!!!!

Have you spoken with Graham? I heard he fractured some bones in his back on the last game of the season and I'm not sure if he's okay. Maybe that's an area to address in free agency. Here's an area to address... the offensive line. We had 41 sacks this year... and 108 hits on the QB (3rd worst in the league). That's pretty bad. If you want me to throw it deep, we gotta work on that pass protection!

Anyway, I've got some things around the house to get ready for my Super Bowl party this weekend. I sent you an E-vite, I hope you can make it!

Hail to the Rexskins Redskins!!!!

Signed,

Rex

P.S. - If you DO decide to drop by, don't worry, I've got a 6-pack waiting on ya, buddy. Everyone else... BYOB!! Now to find those ping pong balls and big red cups... ha!"


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