Al Bello - Getty Images
Will Perry Riley and London Fletcher still be starting along side each other in 2012?
Why isn't London Fletcher a Redskin? For a guy that is by far the emotional leader of this team why hasn't he be taken care of? Why wasn't he signed a long time ago? Could any of this point to Fletcher not being back in DC? Sure both sides can publicly say the right thing, but do they really believe what they are saying?
This may be the deepest free agent class in the history of the NFL, in terms of linebacker. Game changers like D'Qwell Jackson, Curtis Lofton, David Hawthorne, Stephen Tulloch, and others are all up for grabs. The Philadelphia Eagles may just be a middle linebacker away from making a strong run at the Super Bowl. But do the Washington Redskins really think that both of their 2012 starting inside linebackers were one of their 2011 starting inside linebackers? I think the answer could be no, and I feel more strongly about with each day that goes by.
Rocky McIntosh is gone, not a big deal. But could London Fletcher be on his way out also? Maybe Mike Shanahan wants to trade Fletcher in for a young stud, like Lofton or Hawthorne. Sure the Skins could grab one of these linebackers, still sign Fletcher, and send Riley back to the bench, but perhaps the thought in Ashburn is that Perry Riley is ready. It would be a public relations mess, but winning cures that. Maybe we've already seen London Fletcher in the burgundy and gold for the last time?
0 recs | 35 comments
Well, this is the thinnest QB FA class I can remember and Drew Brees isn’t signed yet…so, I’m not worried yet. Can we return to more Peyton Manning and RG3?!?!
Obviously there is going to be differences in value for what a soon to be 37-year old LB should get paid (and for how long) and what he feels is owed to him for his body of work.
Kevin Ewoldt - February 9, 2012
All good points.
I think its ridiculous Brees isn’t under contract.
Did you hear Peyton Manning threw a ball over Lucas Oil Stadium today?
Parks Smith - February 9, 2012
I herd through washingtonwin
that Peyton sucks. Must be true
Ronnie Adkins - February 9, 2012
I heard
he threw the football over them mountains
orakpophobia - February 9, 2012
If Fletcher leaves I think it will be on his own terms
While I get what you are saying about age, relative value and all that, i don’t believe the Redskins fail to offer him a contract.
Now they might not get in a bidding war, but a deal will be offered.
If he does leave though the Redskins are in a good spot given the free agent and draft depth of the position.
Steve Shoup - February 9, 2012
Ideally
I’d like Fletcher back and draft Kuechly for him to mentor, but we don’t live in an ideal world.
2up2down - February 9, 2012
I demand this post be removed at once!
iH8dallas - February 9, 2012 via mobile
The only reason we haven't signed Fletcher yet...
Is because we are waiting for the new year contractually. He does soo much for the team on the field and off pr wise. It will happen if we like it or not.
FireErnieNow! - February 9, 2012
I love Fletcher and he always comes to play but...
If he doesn’t come back what’s the worst that is going to happen? We win 5 games? We suck and he is old if he doesn’t want to come back for a reasonable amount of money then i will wish him well on his next team.
Jeff Bernard - February 9, 2012
This all makes perfect sense
But it should not happen. I don’t give a damn about his age. We have had discussions on here about resigning Landry and Davis. Regardless of age, Fletcher is more dependable,, more PROFESSIONAL, and plain and simple, a better player than both of those guys. Letting Fletcher walk would be a huge mistake. Frankly, as I’ve stated before, I think if ANYONE should get the franchise tag, it should be Fletch. He is the only, the ONLY player on our team worthy of being paid in the top 5 at his position.
CJHutch - February 9, 2012
I agree
If they let Fletcher go we’re going to have a gaping hole in the middle of our defense.
aFan4Life - February 10, 2012
trade is unrealistic
I don’t understand how redskins could pull this off: ‘Mike Shanahan wants to trade Fletcher in for a young stud, like Lofton or Hawthorne.’ London is not under contract, and a team who wants him would just pursue him in free agency. Why in the world would anyone give up picks or players for an unrestricted free agent?
hempstead - February 9, 2012
Not a literal trade, re-read it...
Usually when you trade in a car, for example, its an older model for a new model. Its an expression not meant to be literal.
Did I not make it clear in the post that Lofton and Hawthorne were free agents?
Parks Smith - February 9, 2012
I like D'Qwell
Homer pick yes but he has an apostrphe in his name. And he totally violates the U after Q rule.
Howard11 - February 9, 2012
Fletch has a ring and 3 pro bowls (3 out of 5 YRs with us). If shanny/Allen want him back, he'll be back.
I’m guessing 2yr deal w/ club option for 3. He’s TackleBot 2000 and he’ll be back IMO.
Diesel44 - February 9, 2012
I've come to hate your posts
Go back to the old Parks please
SSBlitz - February 10, 2012
Its an open discussion. What else would you like me to write about? Manning? RG3? Flynn?
Just trying to find something different to write about. I’m not endorsing anything in the post rather presenting an idea/scenario for discussion.
Parks Smith - February 10, 2012
Its a good post Parks
Also, I agree with you, nice change from the daily QB conversation.Redskin44 - February 10, 2012
That's a loaded question
Be careful asking what others want you to talk about. You’ll end up with requests for chats about teenage girl TV shows.
CJHutch - February 10, 2012
I'd like to hear Parks take on The Vow
I’ll continue to appreciate your older contributions to ones like these. They had substance.
SSBlitz - February 10, 2012
There's a whole bunch of maybes in there.
Eight questions and four hypotheticals:
SSBlitz - February 10, 2012
? The post was to promote discussion not to give a definitive opinion one way ot the other.
Parks Smith - February 10, 2012
this is a great break from all the QB talk - THANKS!
aFan4Life - February 10, 2012
We have enough problems without losing the general of our defense
He’ll get re-signed.
willster - February 10, 2012
if the 9ers can let Montana go, due to age...
if the Colts can let Manning go, due to age (and health; money), then anything is possible.
I would love to have him back, but if they decide to move on, this team has bigger problems to solve…
jgibbsfan1 - February 10, 2012
Name the true leaders on the Redskins
And then take London off the list…
what do you have left?
If the front office can’t figure this one out, then we are truly in a world of shift
Skins Fan '77 - February 10, 2012
A lot of young players haven't been thrust into a leadership role left, so you have a huge pool of known leaders on the team
who have deferred to others on the NFL level b/c of tenure (cough Kerrigan).
Why not rip the band-aid off? You may have a lot left, Shanny has drafted high character guys who were leaders at the prior level. Those same people certainly lead by example with their play this past year, maybe its time to trust them to step it up even further. You don’t think Kerrigan/Orakpo could control that locker room? Everyone who is a part of that front seven are high character guys.
Parks Smith - February 10, 2012
Good point, I had not considered that
I think Ryan Kerrigan would look good with the letter C. on his jersey, but I don’t think it is a good idea to pin it on him in his second year.
I could point to Trent Williams as an example of why this is dangerous, but I do not think that would be fair to Ryan.
London is not hurting this team with his play, but there are others who are.
I think we need him for the next two years, even if he is not a starter at some point.
Skins Fan '77 - February 10, 2012
pointless argument
shanny doesnt say very many things bluntly, and he said london was a priority, name one play he said for sure he was going to have that he didn’t since being a redskins head coach, hes very carefull about what he guarentees.
Sean Qtip Guilliams - February 10, 2012
Shanahan would lie
to God, St. Peter, and all the angels, if he thought it would help him win. I don’t believe any of those characters exist, but if they did, Shanny would lie to them. You can’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth, ever.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
Pack it up, move along, back to the RG3 post... we're not allowed to discuss
Parks Smith - February 10, 2012
Has London ever received a second contract from a team?
I don’t think so. I like London as much as anyone, but if the team can get younger at the position without a drop off in production, then I’m for it. Better to move on a year too early than a year too late.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
Wow never thought about the contract thing, good find
Parks Smith - February 10, 2012
Let him walk:
Who cares about ‘emotional leadership’. We need a chief that leads with physicality. He can’t cover the pass anymore. He is old as hell in football years. Hasn’t that been the Skins big flaw over the past decade, holding on to players too old or fan fav’s? The D needs to get younger.
I knew it was time when Fletcher didn’t house the MCnabb fumble he picked up that J. Taylor caused. Lets move on.
Elaw6 - February 10, 2012
What about Larry Grant...
who? Backup MLB for the 49ers. 6’1", 250# who filled in nicely for Willis, when he was injured. He could be a cheap alternative, pair him with Riley for a young core.
What do you think?
jgibbsfan1 - February 11, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Hogs Haven to post a comment.