Free Agency Frenzy AM edition - Redskins just cannot help themselves

Before breaking down Kellen Winslow to the Bucs, changes in the Ravens defense and a new home for Freddie T...

Hearing that Redskins owner Dan Snyder once again majorly opened up his checkbook at the start of NFL free agency, after showing some fiscal restraint last season, is like hearing that story about the domesticated chimpanzee attacking someone; try as you might to change them, eventually nature runs its course.

For the vast majority of the past decade, the Redskins have thrown money around to sign players like an addict needing a quick fix. With apologies to Fleetwood Mac, the Dan Snyder era has rarely thought about tomorrow when a major signing today will do the trick, no matter the long-term ramifications or the media and fan scorn likely to follow. After mostly staying out of the free agent pool last season (due in large part to previous mismanagement of high priced acquisitions), the team could not wait to dive into the deep end and start splashing the Benjamin's all around.

That compulsion led to the team re-signing CB DeAngelo Hall to a six-year, $55 million contract just moments after the start of this year's free agency period. Then a scant few hours later, they were at it again, locking up the most coveted player on the market, former Titans DT Albert Haynesworth, with a seven-year, $100 million deal with $41 million in guaranteed money.

Fantasy football players do not care about the money, just the results, and these signings make the defensive unit one to covet. Only an ordinary fantasy squad last season, the Redskins did rank fourth in total defense despite having no pass rush (Haynesworth's 8.5 sacks were more than the Redskins starting two tackles had combined) and generating few turnovers. Hall's five interceptions (three with the Raiders) would have led the team over a full season and defensive ends Jason Taylor and Andre Carter should see fewer double teams playing along side the pocket collapsing Haynesworth and improve upon their dismal eight combined sacks last season

However, there is much debate over whether any non-QB is worth that kind of scratch in a salary cap sport with a 53-man roster. The Hall signing (which in turn led to the release of veteran Shawn Springs) was a fait accompli after the team picked him up in mid-season following his surprising release from the Raiders, but the move to sign the 6-6, 320 lb tackle is a ground shaker. The Redskins essentially put all their off-season eggs in the basket of a player who has yet to play a full season in his career and has not always been able to keep his nsoe clean on and off the field.

While Haynesworth is a major upgrade in the middle, the Redskins have more of a need at end and outside linebacker. They were just under the dreaded cap before the two signings and still need to shore up those spots along with the offensive line, their overall depth and sign their draft picks. Once again, their starting lineup has many bells and whistles, but is a virtual house of cards with little margin for error across the board.

Yet, even with the daily news headlines screaming about trillion dollar deficits and bailouts, the Haynesworth number is still a staggering amount, especially for any one player who does not take snaps from center. This is what the Redskins do in the Snyder era; spend big, make headlines in the off-season, keep the season tickets flowing. Sadly, all that spending has led to precious few playoff wins, only two in his 10 seasons as owner.

As a lifelong fan, I have grown weary of this roster building model, but this is what they do. Actually, the one positive of the Haynesworth signing is that he IS the top tackle in the game and the Redskins are not spending big bucks on overhyped players like Adam Archuleta and Brandon Lloyd. Since the team often fail to show the ability to scout and judge talent, it is better that they spend all the money on one 28-year old uber stud in his prime than on a bunch of aging, non-productive money grabbers.

Like many of my friends and fellow supporters, I stopped paying for tickets some time ago out of shear frustration (the high ticket prices and the rush hour traffic on crack scene going in and out of the stadium did not help either). Now I just attend games every blue moon or so, mostly when my friend with season tickets cannot unload them and is forced to find a tailgate partner.

Despite the lack of on-field success with said model, the Redskins simply cannot stop themselves. Draft picks, cheap contracts, and diamonds in the rough, whatever. Let the Patriots and Eagles deal in such boring ways. Big and bold never gets old out at Redskins Park.

At the end of the day, the Redskins added the top player available via free agency and one of the more highly thought of cornerbacks as well, all for the low low price of $64 million, guaranteed. If Haynesworth continues to play at a high level, instead of dipping in intensity following the big pay day, the Redskins and their fan base will be loving life, though questions remain regarding their suspect offense.

In the modern NFL, nearly every team (sorry Lions fans) has a shot at making the post season, but a rare few are just the right "high-priced player or two away" from the promised land. That includes the Redskins, even though they nearly reached the playoffs last season (though losing six of the final eight games makes the "nearly" comment seem laughable). As a fan, I hope this guarantees them a trip not just in, but also deep into the playoffs, though history suggests otherwise. Still, I will mention to my friend that he should keep his season tickets just in case.

- The major, non-free agency move of the day saw the Browns ship productive but disgruntled and oft-injured tight end Kellen Winslow to the Bucs for undisclosed draft picks. When healthy, Winslow is one of the more unique talents in the league and he should form a nice inside/outside combo for the rebuilding Bucs with wide receiver Antonio Bryant. However, his fantasy value in non-ppr leagues could take a hit with the unproven Luke McCown throwing him the ball.

- Fred Taylor was not unemployed for long. After being released by the Jaguars, for whom he played his entire 11-year career, Taylor agreed to terms with the Patriots on Friday on what is believed to be a 2-3 year deal. The NFL's 16th all-time leading rusher is coming off the worst season of his career, but he could thrive in a limited role with the Patriots high-powered offense. Fantasy owners should not view Taylor as anything more than a reserve/bye week option in most formats as the Patriots will likely stay with the backfield-by-committee approach, using Taylor along with Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk.

- The Ravens imposing defense suffered its first loss this offseason as ILB Bart Scott followed former defensive coordinator and current Jets head coach to New York, agreeing on a five-year, $40 million contract. However, their secondary gets a much needed boost with the addition of former Falcons and Broncos corner Domonique Foxworth, who inked a four-year, $28 million contract. Year in and year, the Ravens defense simply scares the opposition with their ferociousness, but the leader of the pack, the straw that stirs the drink, Ray Lewis, who may be pricing himself out of Baltimore, though the Ravens are hoping to keep the face of the franchise. Long-term analysis of the defense must be put on hold until Ray-Ray's future is determined.

(Update - The original report was premature, but Scott has now officially signed with the Jets, agreeing to a six-year, $48 million deal after allowing the Ravens a chance to get back in the mix.