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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