[mofome]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...021102433.html

By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 12, 2008; Page E01

Now that the Washington Redskins have hired Jim Zorn as head coach, the team's focus turns to free agency, a period in which owner Daniel Snyder traditionally has dominated headlines with high-priced acquisitions. With executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato making personnel decisions with Snyder in place of Joe Gibbs, the Redskins may be preparing for a return to the busy offseasons of the past.

Snyder and Cerrato are working to renegotiate a dozen or so contracts, with the team roughly $16 million over the salary cap. It's an annual ritual -- converting base salaries to bonuses for cap savings -- and undoubtedly the Redskins will be left with room under the salary cap to add players.

Numerous league sources, including some with direct knowledge of conversations between Snyder, Cerrato and recent head coaching candidates, have affirmed that the Redskins have interest in trading for Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Johnson, with two league sources saying Johnson is eager to land a hefty new contract from Washington.

Acquiring an elite receiver is Snyder's top priority, league sources said. The Bengals have said they have no intention of trading Johnson, but his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, is working quietly to broker a deal, the sources said.

The Redskins also are expected to again pursue Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs, another Rosenhaus client they attempted to trade for last offseason.

Most of the needs on defense -- particularly on the line -- will likely be addressed in the draft, which is what newly promoted defensive coordinator Greg Blache is pushing for, team sources said. Blache has also contacted several veterans -- cornerback Shawn Springs and tackle Cornelius Griffin among them, according to team sources -- to inform them they remain in his plans.

Some change is inevitable, though. Interviews with candidates for the Redskins' head coaching job, as well as with team and league sources, give a sense of the Redskins' preliminary plans.

Quarterbacks

Snyder and Cerrato are intent on seeing Jason Campbell prosper, and the pressure is on Zorn to produce with him in the near term. Campbell will be working under a seventh offensive system in eight years dating from college and some wonder how much patience the Redskins' front office will have with him as he learns another system.

"It's a two-to-three year process," said one veteran coach who, like Zorn, is a disciple of Seattle Coach Mike Holmgren. "I'll be very interested to see what kind of rope that kid gets."

The Redskins have made no attempt to re-sign quarterback Todd Collins; doing so had been considered a high priority under Gibbs and Al Saunders, the former associate head coach-offense.

At least three other teams have interest in Collins, but the Redskins have exclusive rights to re-sign him until he hits the market at the start of free agency on March 1. Several general managers said that bringing Collins back could jeopardize Campbell's development.

[mofome]

good oline
campbell
moss
johnson
el
cooley
portis
betts

could be a nice offense.

[Quebb Diesel]

if the oline plays good

[mofome]

if the oline plays good

they should have they're healthy. missing Jansen and Thomas last year was a killer.

[diogee]

Redskins don't need him...he need to go to the Niners instead.

[mofome]

Redskins don't need him...he need to go to the Niners instead.

the Niners need to learn how to use Vernon Davis before they even consider a guy like CJ. Johnson would lose his mind out there.

[mofome]

If the skins can get johnson without jeopardizing the depth of their roster then it will be a good move.

If however, it impedes their ability to get deeper through signing back ups, or impedes their ability to stay young enough by giving up draft picks then I will hate this trade.

2 2nds would be worth it, imo. if they could make it a 2nd this year and one in 2010 i would make the deal. then again, the skins are the only team projected over next years cap and thats by 20 million dollars.

[brock]

good player but could be cancer to a team to

[mofome]

good player but could be cancer to a team to

cinci is full of trouble makers, the skins really dont have any. the skins have good leadership amongst the players, i dont think he would be too much of a problem. then again, im not sure i want him being much of an influence on Laron Landry.

[brock]

cinci is full of trouble makers, the skins really dont have any. the skins have good leadership amongst the players, i dont think he would be too much of a problem. then again, im not sure i want him being much of an influence on Laron Landry.

True mo be interesting to see if the Giants move Shockey they say he was always getting on Eli for not throwing him the ball he is one of those players that thinks he is open every play.

[mofome]

Aren't the skins projected over the cap every year? They've somehow figured out how to get under the cap, but they definitely make things as difficult as possible.

IMO, they've drafted extremely well, yet failed miserably when it comes to evaluating older talent.

If they can get Johnson I say go for it. But I will pray that they don't give up too much.

I feel like the skins are finally on the right track. This year when injuries hit there were capable backups to fill in and what resulted was a mildly successful season.

I hope they continue to build the team in this manner.

eh, the skins are a mess. they have drafted decently, but they've had less picks than any team in the nfl. in fact, i believe i read that they had less picks over the last 7 years than any other team has ever had over a 7 year period. this teams management is embarrassing to put it mildly. they're talented but aging on the oline, they have no redzone threat at wide out, they dont have a lot on the dline although Montgomery and Golston were great picks, they only have one NFL safety, and they're only decent at CB if springs doesn't stay. they'll rework some contracts, but they're not in a good situation. it would be nice to be able to pursue guys like sharper and Haynesworth, but the skins just havent put themselves in a position to do those things.

[mofome]

True mo be interesting to see if the Giants move Shockey they say he was always getting on Eli for not throwing him the ball he is one of those players that thinks he is open every play.

Boss proved a bit with a huge play in the SB, maybe they'll give him a shot. chemistry is underrated in the nfl.

[jjgold]

Would be a good pick up

Skins were tough last year and this cannot hurt.

[mofome]

Would be a good pick up

Skins were tough last year and this cannot hurt.

with the right OC their offense could be one of the best 7-8 in the NFL. If they can find a way to rush the passer in 08, they should be back in the playoffs even though the NFC east will be the class of the NFC again.

[zerocage]

He is cancer.

[RageWizard]

Johnson is a disease and it would be good for Cincy to unload him,

[robzilla]

Johnson is a disease and it would be good for Cincy to unload him,

Ocho Cinco isn't as bad as he used to be....attitude wise.
It would be good for him to get around some vets like Santana Moss or Antwaan randle El

[Seattle Slew]

He's more concerned with yaking at opposing players on every frecking down than concentrating on the game. How does that help a player's ability to concentrate on what defense/coverage they are hitting you with. Watch this guy during a game. All he does is trash talk every down.

[2Pac]

Johnson would NEVER go to the Skins.

They went what, 7 games or so without throwing a TD to a WR?

CJ wants to go somewhere with a QB who can throw it around.
Campbell sucks.

[slacker00]

Ocho Cinco is the poor man's Terrell Owens. It makes sense that Snyder is drooling over him. Snyder is always one step behind Jerry Jones. What a guy to follow.

[Quebb Diesel]

Ocho Cinco is the poor man's Terrell Owens. It makes sense that Snyder is drooling over him. Snyder is always one step behind Jerry Jones. What a guy to follow.

poor man's TO?!?! they are two completely different receivers...TO is more of a power receiver blowing you off the jam and muscling around db's while chad is more of a possession/route running receiver...i would take chad any day of the week over TO...the only thing chad lacks that TO has is the ability to man handle dbs...

johnson is arguably the best route running receiver in the league aaaaaand arguably the best hands as well. TO runs quick slants and deep routes and drops balls like crazy...

[Quebb Diesel]

the Niners need to learn how to use Vernon Davis before they even consider a guy like CJ. Johnson would lose his mind out there.

they need a better qb before they effectively use any of their wide outs...they completed roughly 53% of their passes this year w/ 15 tds to 17 pics...hill was their only breath of passing light...

[diogee]

they need a better qb before they effectively use any of their wide outs...they completed roughly 53% of their passes this year w/ 15 tds to 17 pics...hill was their only breath of passing light...

Agree with that 100%

[Quebb Diesel]

cincy is one of the best fit teams for johnson and i cant see them getting rid of him. if i were the eagles or the saints i would be all over him though...top 10 qb teams that would utilize johnson to the fullest IMO. PERFECT fit on the eagles even though i hate them. the offense would be all around more productive from westbrook to smith...

[rugbybdyb]

He is cancer.

I think he is right now, but for the last few years he has been very good, yes he does do his enzonze shananagains but I think that he would be a great addition and he would be motivated with an improving campbell could be very interesting if the o line can hold them back