By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
Posted: February 26, 2009
Every NFL team approaches free agency differently.
Some clubs use free agency sparingly, focusing instead on acquiring talent in the NFL Draft. Other teams use free agency to add a starter or two, and for depth purposes.
Typically, the Redskins’ strategy in free agency has been to aggressively pursue impact players. Almost every year, the team is among the most active in free agency.
The results? The Redskins’ free agent classes this decade have produced several success stories, but also some busts.
Increasingly, NFL front offices are using the franchise tag to lock up their top-tier free agents. This has had an impact on how aggressive teams like the Redskins can be in free agency.
Here’s a look at the players the Redskins have acquired in free agency this decade. (Note: players acquired via trade not included.)
2000
| DE Bruce Smith |
S Mark Carrier |
RB Adrian Murrell |
| QB Jeff George |
DE Nolan Harrison |
OL J. Leeuwenburg |
| CB T. Drakeford |
CB Deion Sanders |
-- |
Recap:
Smith continued his Hall of Fame career in Washington, recording 29 sacks in four seasons, but he slowed considerably in his final years. Sanders provided some highlights, not to mention a memorable burgundy suit upon signing with the club, but he declined to return to play for Marty Schottenheimer in 2001. Murrell saw limited action in his only season in Washington. Carrier, Leeuwenburg and Harrison did not play again after the 2000 season. Mitchell played four seasons and proved to be a quality backup and special teams standout; he passed away in 2007.
2001
| LS Ethan Albright |
FB Donnell Bennett |
WR Kevin Lockett |
| TE Walter Rasby |
P Bryan Barker |
CB Donovan Greer |
| LB Robert Jones |
-- |
-- |
Recap
The Redskins treaded lightly into free agency in Marty Schottenheimer’s only year at the helm. Remarkably, Albright is still going strong; he has re-signed for a ninth season in Washington. Lockett played two seasons as a third wide receiver and caught 33 passes and two TDs for the Redskins. Barker was the Redskins’ punter for three seasons. Veterans Bennett and Jones played their final NFL seasons in 2001. Rasby was with the Redskins from 2001-02, and then returned in 2004.
2002
| LB Jeremiah Trotter |
LB. Jessie Armstead |
C Larry Moore |
| DE Renaldo Wynn |
WR Jacquez Green |
WR C. Doering |
| WR Reidel Anthony |
QB Shane Matthews |
-- |
Recap:
The Philadelphia Eagles released Trotter from the franchise tag, putting him on the open market. The Redskins pounced on Trotter, but he played only two seasons in Washington before returning to Philly. Armstead signed on from the New York Giants to join LaVar Arrington and Trotter as the Redskins’ linebackers. Armstead played two seasons in Washington, recording 9.5 sacks in that span. Wynn was a respected, versatile defensive lineman who played five seasons in Washington, logging eight sacks. Moore was the Redskins’ starting center in 2002 and part of 2003. Steve Spurrier, the Redskins’ new head coach, also brought in three former Florida Gators wide receivers: Doering, Anthony and Green. He also added Matthews, another former Gator. Anthony was released in preseason, while Green caught five passes in nine games before getting cut. Doering survived the season, grabbing 18 passes and two TDs. Matthews played one season in Washington as well, throwing 11 TDs and nine interceptions in eight games.
2003
| G Randy Thomas |
WR Lav. Coles |
K John Hall |
| RB Chad Morton |
DT Brandon Noble |
DE Jermaine Haley |
| S Matt Bowen |
DE Regan Upshaw |
QB Rob Johnson |
| G Davie Fiore |
WR Patrick Johnson |
C Lennie Friedman |
Recap:
It was the year of the "Jet-Skins": Thomas, Hall, Coles and Morton all arrived from New York. Thomas continues to be a Pro Bowl-caliber guard, although he has struggled with injuries in recent years. Hall played in 39 games from 2003-06, but missed more than two dozen due to quad, groin and hamstring injuries. Coles emerged as a Pro Bowl wide receiver, grabbing 172 passes and seven TDs in two seasons. But he was unhappy in Washington and eventually traded back to the Jets for Santana Moss. Morton played two seasons with the Redskins as a kick return specialist. Coles and Morton were among four players acquired via restricted free agency; Bowen and Haley were the others. Bowen started 21 consecutive games at strong safety for the Redskins before suffering a knee ligament injury; he returned as a special teams player in 2005, and then was released. Haley was a reserve defensive tackle from 2003-04, recording one sack. Upshaw started eight games in 2003, recording one sack, but he was released after the season. Fiore started three games at guard before knee injuries ended his career. Injuries also plagued hard-nosed Noble, who missed all of 2003 with a knee injury, came back for a solid 2004 campaign, but was forced to retire in 2005. Friedman was a backup center and occasional starter for the Redskins from 2003-05. Patrick Johnson caught 15 passes and a TD in one season in Washington. Rob Johnson, a backup to Patrick Ramsey in 2003, was released midseason that year.
2004
| DE Phillip Daniels |
DT Cornelius Griffin |
CB Shawn Springs |
| LB M. Washington |
DE Joe Salave’a |
P Tom Tupa |
| CB Walt Harris |
LB Khary Campbell |
TE Brian Kozlowski |
| TE Walter Rasby |
C Cory Raymer |
LB Micheal Barrow |
Recap:
It was a free agent class often heralded by Joe Gibbs. (He included Clinton Portis and Mark Brunell in the group, although both were acquired by trade.) The Redskins basically revamped their defense with this free agent class. Daniels remains a solid Redskins defensive lineman, starting 51 games and recording 14.5 sacks the last four years. He was dominant down the stretch of the 2005 season, leading the Redskins to a playoff berth. A quiet leader, Griffin continues as a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive tackle, recording 14.5 sacks the last four seasons. Springs remains a reliable cornerback; he has started 59 games and recorded 12 interceptions and six sacks in Washington. Washington played five seasons in Washington and was a team leader on and off the field. He posted 19.5 sacks in five years with the club and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2004. Salave’a revived his career with the Redskins, playing three seasons and logging 2.5 sacks as a run-stopping lineman. Harris served as a third cornerback in two seasons in Washington, recording three interceptions. Campbell was a key backup linebacker and special teams leader the last five seasons. Rasby was released midseason in 2004, while Kozlowski provided depth and experience in four seasons in Washington. Raymer wrapped up his career playing two more seasons with the Redskins. Veteran Barrow never saw the field for the Redskins; he was slowed by lingering knee tendonitis.
2005
| C Casey Rabach |
WR David Patten |
S Pierson Prioleau |
| LB Warrick Holdman |
CB Artrell Hawkins |
CB Tony Dixon |
Recap:
In Joe Gibbs’ second year back, the Redskins were notably less aggressive in free agency. Rabach, a center, was a marquee addition, and he continues to be a leader of the offensive line. He has started 63 games the last four seasons in Washington. Patten, coming off three Super Bowl titles in four years in New England, arrived was slowed by a knee injury in his first year with the Redskins. Patten never caught on with the offense, grabbing just 23 catches in two seasons. Prioleau served as a reliable backup safety and special teams standout in three seasons with the club. Holdman played two seasons with the Redskins, starting 23 games at weak-side linebacker before his release in 2007. Hawkins and Dixon did not make the Redskins’ roster coming out of preseason.
2006
| WR A. Randle El |
S Adam Archuleta |
DE Andre Carter |
| TE Christian Fauria |
QB Todd Collins |
CB Kenny Wright |
| OL Mike Pucillo |
OL Tyson Walter |
-- |
Recap:
Coming off a playoff season, the Redskins were aggressive in free agency. Randle El, fresh off a Super Bowl win in Pittsburgh, signed on and has emerged as a starting wide receiver and punt return specialist. Randle El has 136 catches and eight TDs in the last three seasons, beating out trade pickup Brandon Lloyd for playing time. (Lloyd was released after two seasons.) After a slow start, Carter has emerged as a speed rusher, recording 20.5 sacks the last three seasons. Archuleta remains a disappointing free agent pickup; he never caught on with Gregg Williams’ defense in 2006. He was released after one season. Fauria was slowed by injuries and caught just two passes in nine games for the Redskins. Wright also played one season in Washington, starting nine games and recording one interception. Collins replaced an injured Jason Campbell late in the 2007 season and guided the Redskins to the playoffs; he completed 63.8 percent of his passes with five TDs and no interceptions in that span. Pucillo was a versatile lineman from 2006-07. Walter was released midseason in 2006.
2007
| LB London Fletcher |
CB Fred Smoot |
CB David Macklin |
| OL Jason Fabini |
OL Ross Tucker |
WR Jason McAddley |
Recap:
Fletcher, a 10-year veteran, was an immediate team leader and impact middle linebacker for the Redskins. He led the team in tackles in 2007-08. After two disappointing years in Minnesota, Smoot returned to Washington and started 20 games in 2007-08, logging two interceptions. Macklin played sparingly in 2007 and was released after one season. Fabini started 15 games at right guard and right tackle in 2007-08. Tucker was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury. McAddley was released prior to training camp.
2008
| RB Jerome Mathis |
QB Derek Devine |
S Patrick Ghee |
| S Stuart Schweigert |
-- |
-- |
Recap:
In a departure from previous years, the Redskins basically sat out free agency in 2008. Even the free agents the club did sign did not stick with the team. The Redskins inked running back and kick returner Mathis, but he was released just two months later. Schweigert, a former starter in Oakland, was signed to add depth and flexibility to the defensive backfield, but he was released after the first preseason game. Devine and Ghee also competed in training camp, but were released.
