Per CSN Washington's Rich Tandler and Jason LaCanfora, the Redskins are set to use their franchise tag on tight end, Fred Davis. The fifth year player is coming off a career year registering nearly 800 yards and three touchdowns. Davis sat out the last four games of the season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. The franchise tag for tight ends this season is expected to be about $5.5 million.
The Redskins use of the franchise tag on Davis may spell the end for former first round draft pick Laron Landry. Many NFL experts thought the Redskins would exercise their franchise tag on Landry or send him packing. There is still a chance Landry could accept a reasonable one-year deal, but we'll have to wait until March to see what transpires.
0 recs | 39 comments
Don't really know what to say
I like Davis but…
1)Has he gotten past the weed issues? Reliability?
2)Imo he was just an average blocker if that.
3)Need more production earlier in the game not just compiling yards and catches when were already out of it.
davetrembling - February 7, 2012
I’ll smoke to that.
Kevin Ewoldt - February 7, 2012
haha +1
Parks Smith - February 7, 2012
Me too......
ummmm, what are we smoking to?
MagicHat - February 8, 2012
Back to back to back to back non-winning seasons.
Kevin Ewoldt - February 8, 2012
I thought there were a few more backs in there
travisjh86 - February 8, 2012
Davis vs. Landry
I’d rather franchise Davis. Landry’s injury issues bother me.
Davis has improved over time as a blocker, and should be a good safety valve (hopefully along with a healthy Cooley) that can assist our young new QB in the next few years.
The Agent C 83 - February 7, 2012
Awful decision
In my opinion. You franchise a guy when you are worried he will be snatched up as soon as free agency opens. That ain’t happening with Davis. Aside from him beng a bonehead, he still has yet to put together TEN solid games, let alone a full season.
This just means we’re gonna overpay for a guy who might not even be able to play, even if healthy.
Pretty disappointed in BA for this one. Frankly, I think it would’ve been smarter to use it on Landry, if only to see if we could get something back for him in a trade.
CJHutch - February 7, 2012
Ok
Before I get killed here, let me amend this a bit. ‘Awful’ is a bit harsh, I suppose. I don’t like the decision, but I do at least understand it. I just don’t think it’s the right move to make with the tag. Truthfully, I don’t think we ally needed to use the tag at all. Personally, I’d rather use it on Fletcher. He’s the ONLY guy on our team who deserves to be paid with the best at his position
CJHutch - February 7, 2012
No, they are really valid points. I can really see either point of view on this issue.
Personally I thought the Skins could’ve used the suspension as leverage and signed him to a cheaper 1 year deal.
Parks Smith - February 7, 2012
I'm sure the productivity of guys like Graham and Gronkowski made this decision
Teams would be looking for an athletic TE and Davis has proven to be in that mold even playing behind Cooley much of his career. Davis with the pending suspension is still more valuable than an oft injured safety these days
Bryan Black - February 7, 2012 via Android app
This is my thinking exactly.
The tight end being what it is these days, we were much more likely to lose Davis than Landry in free agency. Someone would be willing to overpay for a TE like Davis even with the weed risks.
CarverM - February 8, 2012
Its 5.5 million for 1 year so yeah awful would definitely be too much of a stretch. I’d far rather them take this option that sign him to a multi-year deal.
With the way TEs got used this past season I could also easily see another team talking themselves into Davis and the Skins have plenty of other positions to prioritize instead.
HogtieJim - February 7, 2012
honestly man I think they moved on from Landry
and no way you Franchise him, b/c I don’t see any team that would want to pay him $6 million given the injury history. No team was going to make that trade. In fact if anyone is tradeable it is Davis.
Steve Shoup - February 7, 2012
Steve do you know the last time we used the franchise tag?
Was Rogers on the transition tag?
Parks Smith - February 7, 2012
Rogers was just tendered if I'm not mistaken
Shanny hasn’t used it yet during his tenure here I think.
mbedner - February 7, 2012
Rogers was just tendered as a restricted free agent (and if i'm not mistaken they didn't even do the highest tender)
he should have been a UFA, but the lockout changed the rules for that year.
As for a franchise player, the last that comes to mind is Champ. I’d have to double check, but i don’t think anyone has been tagged since.
Steve Shoup - February 7, 2012
It was Champ.
Kevin Ewoldt - February 7, 2012
I'm not saying
They SHOULD franchise Landry, just that I woulda done it before Davis. Like I said, the ONLY guy on our team worth the franchise tag is Fletcher.
As for Landry, I couldn’t care less if he goes away, but I do think there will be a market for him.
CJHutch - February 8, 2012
No reason to franchise Fletcher
The interest is completely mutual and they are both working on a new deal, so what is the point. Smokey is the only one that they are afraid could get away. The Landry ship has sailed apparently…
mbedner - February 8, 2012
trade? for what?
Has the market opened up for mediocre safeties that refuse medical treatment?
Taylor Burleson - February 8, 2012
About as much
As it’s opened for average tight ends on the cusp of a year long suspension.
CJHutch - February 8, 2012
both guys are the same situation
you could make the same argument for tagging Landry. he never plays the entire year and he might not even be back next season. Both guys really hurt their trade value. Davis with the whole drug charge, and landry by refusing to have surgery and playing the last year and 1/2 injured. I don’t think either would get interest on more than a 1 year deal anywhere else. you could make the case that Davis was the best offensive player at times last year though. I think that and his potential is why they could tag him.
vtsquirm - February 8, 2012
Sure
On a bad offense. And, I’m pretty sure our best offensive outings came after Davis was sent home.
CJHutch - February 8, 2012
Landry's out...
The minute Landry is no longer on the team, he’s gonna throw the Skins under the bus. Watch.
SylvesterofRio - February 7, 2012
I agree 100%
It’s only a matter of time
Bryan Black - February 7, 2012 via Android app
The end for him
I’m torn on it tbh. Still so much untapped potential, but can’t seem to put it together. Not many safety options too.
2up2down - February 7, 2012
landry
He’s just never been that good. He’s a mediocre player who occasionally makes the highlight reel and is really good at jumping around when he does something good (Randal El-esque, if you will).
Taylor Burleson - February 8, 2012
Break out the Blueberry Yum Yum
Ronnie Adkins - February 7, 2012
Excellent prediction.
Franchise tag for a TD in 2012 w/o any TEs eclipsing the top 5…5.416 mil – to 5.624 mil.
Diesel44 - February 7, 2012
what worries me about this is Landry.
I know he’s injury probe but we have nothing at safety. I guess mustard will start next year unless there is a fresh young safety
jbh1190 - February 7, 2012 via iPhone app
If we sign Landry then we still have nothing at safety
Parks Smith - February 8, 2012
he's still better than Gomes
even if it is for only 6-10 games. Lets go get Mays if we let Landry go.
jbh1190 - February 8, 2012
Mays is under contract with the Bengals
Steve Shoup - February 8, 2012
As mixed as I am about Fred Davis
His off the field tactics and on the field inconsistency don’t seem to outweigh the potential of him becoming a high volume reception TE with the addition of a new/rookie QB.
I feel like I’d be happy with either ending of his situation. Keeping him just means I’ll try to give him the benefit of the doubt and root for the best.
Ohio Redskins - February 8, 2012
He will be franchised because we have 0 offensive threats
Davis must be kept regardless of what he did because the Skins don’t have any offensive threats. If someone emerges this year (e.g. Hankerson) then Davis will be dealt with if he is still unreasonable.
Kuruption - February 8, 2012
Sign him to an incentive laden contract
Let Davis earn the money and lose it if he gets suspended again. Let Landry walk. He certainly has hindered his free agency by refusing the required surgery for the past two years. Besides he’s not been that good when he’s been on the field. He’d rather preen to the crowd over his hit than do his job.
DudleyDoright - February 8, 2012
5.5 million guaranteed for Davis ???
Sounds like a smoking deal !
SAP_Pete - February 8, 2012
Davis' suspension for 4 games in 2012????
Can anyone elaborate on this for me? I read an article on bleacher report saying that Davis’ suspension was 4 games in 2011 and the first 4 games in 2012. Is that true? And if so, is that the same for TW? This is the first I’ve heard of the suspension being for 8 games total. Any comments?
MAJSkinsfan - February 8, 2012
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