There are plenty of negative things you could say about the Redskins organization, their owner, coaching staff or team, but this is just getting ridiculous. In addition to two defensive linemen getting into a fight, the story that won’t die, reared its ugly head once again today. The McNabb + McNabb’s agent vs. Mike and Kyle Shanahan battle is still raging one week after the infamous benching. While there is plenty you can say about the way the Shanahan’s are handling this, McNabb and his agent, Fletcher Smith aren’t doing themselves any favors. The only positive of this P.R. nightmare is it offers plenty of entertainment value. Here are some of my favorite quotes from Smith:

“I believe there is tension between Donovan and Kyle that’s rooted in the fact that Donovan has suggested modifications to Kyle’s offense based on intricacies Donovan has learned in his NFL career,” McNabb’s agent, Fletcher Smith III, said in the statement to Redskins beat reporters and national NFL writers.”For example, Donovan has asked all year that the team run more screen passes to help manage the pass rush more effectively. Ironically, Kyle decided to employ Donovan’s suggestions after he unceremoniously benched him on Sunday.”

Okay, so this whole thing started because Donovan McNabb graciously offered some suggestions to offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. Apparently Smith likes to gloss over the whole McNabb being awful angle to this story (more on this later). Apparently, Smith also doesn’t like to mention the arguing match between Donovan and Kyle during the Bears game after McNabb made another crucial error. Another thing that Smith fails to mention during his bizarre attempt to embarrass, with his whole ‘screen passgate’ conspiracy, is that the Redskins have run a number of screen passes this season. While they maybe didn’t go to it as often as they did in the Dallas game, but the Redskins did actually run screen plays. I’m sure Keiland Williams and Fred Davis can attest to them at least a couple of screen plays. It is really odd that Smith would use ‘screen passes’ as the crux of his argument (maybe because he really doesn’t have any real argument) since McNabb is AWFUL at running the screen passes and short passes. Look at his inability to execute a simple shovel pass in both the Giants and Buccaneers games. Or the numerous screen’s and dump offs that McNabb either threw at the feet of his receivers, behind them or off target making it harder to pick up yards after the catch. Why you would attempt to use the whole screen/short passing game to prove a point is beyond me, considering that was the weakest portion of McNabb’s game. In the Tampa game alone McNabb attempted two screen passes that nearly got intercepted, including one on that final drive that Smith labeled as ‘one of the best drives of the season’.

“There have been many reports leaked of Donovan not being in shape and not being able to grasp Kyle’s offense,” the statement read. “The fact is, Donovan came into camp in the best shape of his career, having dropped 10 pounds in the offseason.

“Donovan spent most of his offseason in Washington working out with the Redskins and never missed a practice. Unfortunately, it appears as though the Redskins coaching staff decided that their 12-year veteran quarterback, who flawlessly executed one of the NFL’s most complex offensive systems (in Philadelphia), is unable to grasp Kyle’s offense.”

Let’s start off with the whole ‘best shape of his career’ statement. Really, this is the best shape of his career, not those years in Philly where he would run and throw against the Redskins absolutely killing them? Come on I don’t think anyone can look at McNabb’s season and say he is in his best shape. Maybe he is the healthiest he has been in years, but when he runs and moves in the pocket he doesn’t look to be in tip top shape. As for the second part about ‘McNabb’ being able to pick up Philly’s offense, but not Shanahan’s seems like a bad arguement. For one thing just about every starting quarterback under Andy Reid has put up pretty decent numbers, and I don’t just mean Kevin Kolb and Micheal Vick. Koy Detmer, A.J. Feeley and Jeff Garcia have also been able to run that offense effectively. To say that it is the most ‘complex’ offense in the league, is a bit of a joke. All one has to do is watch a Redskins game and it is quite clear that McNabb hasn’t picked up the offense, why even attempt to say otherwise??

“Make no mistake, this has been a difficult season for Donovan,” Fletcher wrote. “Some may say that he has had a down year … that is true specifically because of the high standards that he has set as an elite NFL quarterback in his previous 11 seasons.

Ahh the final argument, Smith finally accepts that McNabb is having a bad year, but turns it around by saying only in comparison to his ‘high standards that he has set as an elite NFL quarterback’. Umm, if McNabb is an elite quarterback why are his numbers so bad? And we aren’t talking about bad numbers ‘for an elite quarterback’, but bad for any quarterback. McNabb’s numbers are among the worst in the league, including below such elite quarterbacks such as Alex Smight, Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Hill and Ryan Fitzpatrick. To label this as a down year or imply that it isn’t true because just ‘some people say’ it is just embarrassing for Fletcher Smith, and doesn’t help him or McNabb at all plead his case.

Now normally I don’t take much stock into what a player might say right after a tough loss because emotions run high, but I was a bit troubled when I read what Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall said after last night’s game. Hall was talking primarily about the 4th and 10 touchdown pass with 2 minutes to go, that tied the game for the Texans. Hall was not a part of the play, where Texans WR Andre Johnson caught the ball over FS Reed Doughty (and blew past CB Phillip Buchanon). While I have enjoyed Hall taking a leadership role and I don’t completely disagree with what he said I don’t really like it being addressed in the media. There were three things that bugged me about Hall’s statements, that I think could have a lasting effect on the team.

First Hall was not complimentary of Buchanon and Doughty basically saying that they were incapable of covering Johnson :

“It’s a two-man coverage that has a guy playing man-to-man under and a guy playing man-to-man over the top. Yeah, he [Buchanon] kind of came off a little bit early. We weren’t expecting Reed to win that battle, anyway,”

That is not exactly the kindest words you want to hear coming from your teammate, but at the same time it’s not exactly untruthful either. I really don’t know what Buchanon was doing on that play as he let Johnson get too far behind him to where it was up to Doughty to cover him. If you are going to have double coverage you should probably both be in a position to help out on a play that basically would decide the game. Doughty was there, but he is just not capable of covering Johnson and preventing him from making that catch. Unfortunately, other players might not see it Hall’s comments as honest, but as hurtful, in particular Buchanon and Doughty. Considering the Redskins just gave up almost 500 yards passing the last thing they need is two of their top 6 DB’s to have their confidence shaken any more.

The next thing I have an issue with Hall calling out the defense and coach Haslett:

“It don’t matter what he say,” Hall said. “It don’t matter what he say. This my team. This my defense. So I’m [going to] follow the receivers around. That’s what I’m [going to do]. If we got to do that to win games, that’s what we do.”

“That’s a big receiver in this league. You would like the coverage to work out the way it was designed to work out. Two guys on him, you got a chance to win. We’ll go back to the drawing board. It won’t happen like that again. If Andre Johnson’s out there, I’m going to be out there,” he said.

While I agree that the defensive scheme didn’t make sense, and that Hall should have been on Johnson on that 4th and 10, calling out the defense and Haslett the way he did was a bit problematic. This defense is already trying to deal with the Haynesworth issues, the last thing it needs is to have another player star player questioning the intelligence of the scheme (and this time more forcibly so in public). I do agree though that Hall was not on Johnson nearly enough and should have without a doubt been covering him on that 4th down play. Even if for the rest of the game you keep Hall ‘on his side’ for that one play that the game is riding on, you have to put your best corner on their best receiver. I don’t understand how on a play that important you have just two backups guarding their top threat? Doughty might be a starter in name, but he is only starting and on the field because of Kareem Moore’s injury, no way should he have the primary responsibility of stopping Andre Johnson, quite possibly the best receiver in the league. Hopefully Hall’s comments about Haslett don’t lead to another power struggle with the coaches and a star player.

The last thing I have an issue with were Hall’s comments on Matt Shaub and Peyton Manning that weren’t the most favorable:

“We were dominating those guys, hitting Schaub whenever we wanted to. He was falling down without anybody even around him like Peyton Manning does a lot. I don’t know what transpired from [the third quarter to the fourth], all in the middle of that, to spark that comeback and us eventually losing.”

Now I read this as not too complimentary of either quarterback, almost calling them out for not being tough enough. Although what Hall said about getting to Schaub is true, I really don’t know about him ‘falling down without anybody even around him’. Not only is it a questionable statement how can you knock a quarterback who threw for 500 yards and 3 td’s against you? What’s even worse than making a knock against Schaub is making a remark against Peyton Manning. Manning will one day probably own every single passing record in the NFL, isn’t someone you should be calling out. Especially when you will see him in 4 weeks. I really don’t think its a smart idea to pick a fight with Manning, considering he just torched his baby bro’s team, what do you think he will do to the Skins? With any luck Hall or anyone else on the defense won’t give Manning any additional Bulletin Board Material in the next couple of weeks.

I must say I was floored yesterday, if not scared when I heard that Donovan McNabb not only put himself in the ‘Elite’ quarterback category, but the ‘Elite,Elite’ quarterback category (starts at the 11 minute mark). The ‘Elite Elite’ category includes Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Tom Brady, and apparently Donovan McNabb. No mention of Brett Favre, Tony Romo, or Aaron Rodgers (among others), though that is more on the the host Kevin Sheehan than McNabb.  Look I like McNabb and I want him to be successful with the Redskins, but when I heard that I was worried he might have some sort of head injury or something that hasn’t been detected yet. There is no way that McNabb is in the ‘Elite’ category much less the ‘Elite, Elite’.

McNabb’s numbers last year, in what was considered close to a career year show anything but him being an ‘Elite’ quarterback. Here is where he ranked in various categories, now in fairness McNabb missed two games because of injury, but by the same token I’m not sure how being ‘injury prone’ makes him more ‘Elite’. Also outside of yards and touchdowns and interceptions, these are rate stats that a 1-2 game difference aren’t going to really matter (not to mention that some of the other QB’s Manning, Brees ect. weren’t really playing in the last 2 games so they ended up with really just as many ‘games’ as McNabb). In overall yards McNabb ranked 17th with 3,553, while throwing 22 TD’s (tied for 13th) to 10 interceptions (6th best among full time starters). His yards per attempt were very good at 8.0, which ranked 7th in the league. McNabb’s 1st down percentage of 33.4 ranked 20th in the league and shows that some drives stalled because of him. His completion percentage was especially troubling and has held him back his entire career. Last season he ranked 20th in the league with a paltry 60.3 completion percentage, just barely beating out the ‘Elite’ quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. As for the big one, quarterback rating McNabb posted the third highest rating in his career at 92.9, but couldn’t finish any higher than 12th among starting qualified quarterbacks. It should also be noted that it isn’t as though McNabb was without his fair share of weapons. No he maybe didn’t have as many weapons as some QB’s, but he had a lot more than most.

Now I realize McNabb supporters will say that you can’t just look at one season in determining an ‘Elite’ quarterback, and I tend to agree with that. But looking deeper into his stats don’t really paint a better picture, with the exception of 2004 and 2006, his numbers are far from exceptional. If we look at Pro Football Reference’s list of “active” quarterbacks we can get a better understanding of where McNabb stands. Now this is a list of 39 ‘active’ quarterbacks a list that ranges from the Manning’s of the league to the David Carr’s and Charlie Batch’s of the league. It doesn’t include the young quarterbacks from the past few years (Sanchez, Ryan ect.). While it has the counting stats like Yards, TD’s ect. those are obviously going to favor McNabb since he has been around (and starting) since 1999. In terms of the average stats here are where McNabb ranks:

1. Passing TD’s %: tied for 12th at 4.6% (NOTE: Good numbers but hardly great)

2.Passing INT %: 3rd at 2.1% (NOTE: David Garrard is 2nd and Jason Campbell is right behind him, maybe not the best stat to use)

3.Sack %: 26th at 7.00% (NOTE: The Eagles have had some good O-lines, McNabb ties to do too much. Also Campbell is ranked 22nd)

4.Completion %: 27th at 59.0% (NOTE: This is pretty troubling as that is a lot of wasted plays over the years for a good offense)

5.Yards/Att: tied for 18th at 6.9. (NOTE: This is better than his numbers suggest given the lack of vertical threats for most of his career)

6.Passer Rating: 15th at 86.5 (NOTE: Again good numbers but not an elite number)

In summary McNabb has been a good to very good quarterback for much of his career. Some numbers suggest his talent, while other ones like completion % and and sack % are down right scary. I like McNabb, and have always enjoyed his career even when he was the opposing quarterback (didn’t really enjoy him beating the Skins, just his presence on the field), but I’d hardly put him in the ‘Elite’ or ‘Elite, Elite’ categories. And again I’m left to ponder the question if McNabb is considered ‘Elite, Elite’ when both his numbers, eye test and scouts say otherwise? what does that make a guy like Albert Haynesworth? Who is well regarded as one of the top 5 DT’s in the game (if not the very best). The Redskins, fans and the NFL have once again shown that they overvalue the quarterback position and give them full blame/praise for the all important wins. And I’ll also leave you with this question, if McNabb by all accounts was a middling quarterback last season (despite it being near a career year), on a team that he had been with for years, in an offense he knew by heart, and surrounded by better talent, what will he do with the Redskins this season?

Cut down day is upon us and the Redskins need to find a way down to 53 players. While most positions are set there are a few jobs up for grabs and some tough decisions will need to be made. The Washington Post gave their insight as to who they project will make the final roster. While I agree wholeheartedly with some of their picks others I question quite a bit, and I sincerely hope they are off base in these projections.

From the Post:

Quaterbacks: McNabb, Grossman, John Beck- No surprises here, especially with the Skins signing Beck to an extension. McNabb is the veteran and this is his team, while Grossman knows this system and can be a solid backup. Beck is Shanahan’s “young” quarterback and a cheap third option. Short term things look good, long term….not so much.

Running backs: Portis, Johnson, Ryan Torain, Keiland Williams- Johnson hasn’t shown much, but he has been a productive back in the past. Hopefully the Skins can get one more good year from him. Torain and Williams have both earned their roster spots that is for sure. I really like Williams potential and think he could develop into a starter down the road. Keeping four backs is a bit surprising, but I don’t think Torain or Williams would pass through waivers to make it on the practice squad.

Fullbacks: Mike Sellers- It is no surprise that Sellers is making the team, though it might be a bit shocking that they only keep one FB. Sellers has been nicked up this preseason, and while he should be ready to go week 1, the Redskins need an insurance policy. Carey Davis has some experience, but I was really impressed with Darrel Young. Young a converted linebacker played well this preseason and hopefully if he doesn’t make the team the Redskins can keep him on their practice squad. As for their insurance on the team I would guess the Skins would have Williams and possibly the tight ends work at FB some to ensure they have options.

Tight Ends: Cooley, Davis, Logan Paulsen- I agree wholeheartedly with these choices and think the Skins will keep all three. Paulsen showed a lot of promise this preseason and could have a nice little future in this league.

Wide Receivers: Moss, Galloway, Anthony Armstrong, Devin Thomas, Terrence Austin, Brandon Banks- This is one area where I am in disagreement with. Keeping 6 receivers isn’t really a good choice in my opinion. It is hard enough to have 5 receivers active and impossible to have all 6. Sure depth is nice and all, but the utility and injury risk isn’t high enough to warrant keeping all 6. Moss and Galloway are the starters so their jobs are safe. Armstrong has had a great camp and preseason so you have to believe he has a job. Thomas has fallen down the depth chart, but he has probably the best utility (can play on any special teams unit, as well as work both outside and in the slot) of any receiver. Thomas also is the only receiver over 6 feet giving him an advantage. That means it is down to the two rookies, 7th rounder Terrence Austin and undrafted free agent Brandon Banks. Both have been impressive on special teams and catching the ball, and both have had their fair share of miscues. For me Banks would be the player I choose and it wouldn’t even be a tough choice. Austin is nice, but he doesn’t bring anything to the table that Moss, Galloway, and Armstrong don’t already bring. Banks on the other hand adds a whole new dimension to both special teams and eventually the offense. While there are legitimate concerns about ball security he has shown enough to earn a roster spot. He could develop into a dangerous weapon for this team, whereas Austin is just redundant. Now I don’t like ‘wasting’ a draft pick, but I think there is a better shot of Austin passing through waivers than Banks.

Offensive Line:C- Rabach, LT-T. Williams, RT-Jammal Brown, G-Derrick Dockery, G-Artis Hicks, T-Stephon Heyer, C/G-Kory Lichtensteiger, T-William Robinson, C/G Will Montgomery- Overall I don’t have many issues with the 9 linemen projected to make the team. William Robinson has been a bit of a wild card, but at times held his own this preseason. The most notable issue is the fact that 2 rookies aren’t on it, C/G Erik Cook, and T Selvish Capers. Both were raw projects when they were drafted, but both are considered guys with big time upside. While maybe they make it to the practice squad I wouldn’t count on it. Plenty of teams around the league have had some O-line injuries and would surely take a flier on guys like Cook and Capers. Personally I have a problem keeping only 9 offensive linemen, and would like to see them add one of these guys and make it an even 10. There are too many injuries along the offensive line that it is well worth the extra roster spot. Especially considering that linemen have utility on special teams, and while the offense is on the field there will be 5 linemen there on every play. You can’t say the same thing for running backs or receivers. I would keep Capers and try to pass Cook through to the practice squad.

My take: I’m in complete agreement with the QB’s and TE’s, and though I could see keeping FB Darrel Young I think it is a bit of a long shot. Personally I’d look long and hard at keeping the young guys, Torain and Williams, behind Portis and maybe try to trade Larry Johnson for a 6th or 7th round pick. I know there isn’t a lot of depth there behind Portis, but I’d much rather see them get reps in both practice and games than Johnson. I would also go down to 5 wideouts and keep Banks over Austin. I would use one of those extra roster spaces on Capers and probably reserve the other one for an extra defender.

Donovan McNabb, Colt Brennan and a number of wide receivers, are hopefully not the only Redskins personnel in Arizona today. Free agent offensive lineman Chester Pitts is working out for interested teams today in Arizona and with any luck the Redskins are one of those teams.

Entering last season Pitts had started every game of not only his career, but of the Houston Texans franchise, that all ended when he went down in week 2 with a microfracture knee injury. That injury has kept Pitts on the free agent market and still looking for a job in July. If his knee checks out healthy today, that wait could be a blessing for the Redskins.

Prior to the injury Pitts was one of the better guards in the NFL, he might not have been at an elite or Pro Bowl status, but he was very good. Part of that was his durability and consistency, but he was also an equally adept run and pass blocker. He was probably overall a better pass blocker, and thrived as a finesse guy in a zone-blocking scheme (hint hint). Pitts was also a smart player, and never was one to kill his team with stupid penalties. Had he not gotten injured this past season, Pitts would have assuredly been one of the top free agent offensive linemen available.

Now in mid-July his return to the gridiron comes at the perfect time for the Redskins and coach Mike Shannahan. With the reports that Mike Williams, the projected starting right guard will miss the season (and possibly the rest of his career) with blood clots now seems like the perfect time to get into the Pitts market. Pitts has primarily been a starting left guard, but has expressed a willingness to move to right guard in the future. Given his work ethic and talent I don’t see any issues with Pitts moving to the right side. While the Redskins have Artis Hicks right now slated for right guard, adding Pitts and moving Hicks back to super-utility lineman would be the best for this line. Sure there is a chance that Pitts isn’t 100%, gets injured again, or just isn’t as effective, but he is worth the risk. And adding him isn’t precluding you from adding any additional lineman since all the top free agents have already signed. When Williams was healthy you were prepared to have Hicks be a back-up so this isn’t changing your dynamic at all (except possibly for the better if Pitts is back in form).

It will remain to be seen if the Redskins are interested or even sent any scouts/coaches to watch the workout today, but I’m hoping they aren’t done revamping this offensive line. If Mike Shannahan has any hope of getting the most out of their running back trio and Donovan McNabb, he should do everything in his power to keep them on their feet. Pitts could be the final piece of that puzzle and is likely to come fairly cheap coming off the injury.

Last night (this morning if you want to be technical), the St. Louis Rams lost their right of first refusal in signing (un)restricted free agent O.J. Atogwe. Just last offseason Atogwe was the team’s franchise player, but an injury shortened season left the team hesitant to pay him. Now he is free to sign with any team, and should garner some significant interest. Before the injury he was establishing himself as one of the better free safeties in the league.

Atogwe has become an excellent ball hawk, with a good understanding of reading opposing quarterbacks and breaking on the ball at the right time. He always seems to be around the football, and has good closing speed. While not an elite hitter, Atogwe is a pretty sure tackler, and takes pretty good angles to the ball carrier. Atogwe might not be considered an elite free safety, but he is on the borderline Pro Bowl level.

In addition to his skill set, Atogwe will be just 29 at the start of next season, and played for new Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett when he was with the Rams. Since Washington is looking to move LaRon Landry to strong safety, and the team has little in the way of talent at the free safety spot, one would logically assume that Washington is one of Atogwe’s biggest suitors. But according to every source out there from ESPN, Rotoworld, NFL.com or even the Washington Post, there is no mention of the Redskins pursuing Atogwe. This doesn’t make any sense to me, and while hopefully the Redskins are just waiting in the tall grass to strike, I have little faith at this point.

In addition to still needing help along the offensive line and at nose tackle, the Redskins have a serious void at free safety. LaRon Landry was obviously miscast at the position, but the team doesn’t have any other good options for the FS spot. Right now Reed Doughty is penciled in as the starter, but he isn’t exactly what you’d call a good fit. He has started a lot at SS, and has shown an aptitude as a stout run defender, but has always been a risk in coverage. Giving him the responsibility of centerfield is going to get the Skins burned next season. Kareem Moore played some free safety last year, but has not shown the consistency to be a starter. Chris Horton will likely be given an opportunity as well, but he has always been viewed as more of a strong safety, and could get exposed at the free safety spot. Yet despite the obvious need (and connection to Atogwe) there doesn’t seem to be any interest, why?

Now some might say Atogwe isn’t worth the monetary risk since he is coming off a shoulder surgery, but I don’t see how the Redskins lose here. They have a major need at the position and just so happen to be in an uncapped year. Now I don’t think they should give him a blank check, but use this uncapped year to pay him more upfront money, so if you did have to release him next season, it wouldn’t affect the salary cap (if there is one). Now I’ve been a big supporter in pursuing Atogwe all along, but at this point there is NO downside. All the free agents have already signed and the draft has come and gone, so it isn’t as though signing Atogwe will make you miss out on another option that doesn’t carry the injury risk. If the Redskins sign him and he gets seriously injured, then they are in no worse shape then they are right now (i.e. Doughty/Moore/Horton). But if they sign him and he reverts back to his previous form, the Redskins get a MAJOR upgrade over their current trio of candidates. If Washington wants to actually challenge for the NFC East, then signing Atogwe should be a priority (adding a John Henderson and another OT would help as well).

I had long heard rumors that the St. Louis Rams were shopping OT Alex Barron, so I wasn’t surprised when I heard a tangible report that he might be dealt soon. What did surprise was the apparent asking price, of LB Bobby Carpenter, and the fact that no team could beat that offer, including my very own Washington Redskins.

Now I don’t think Alex Barron is the next Orlando Pace by any stretch of the imagination. But on the Washington Redskins, his presence in the starting line-up over Stephon Heyer would make it seem like Skins traded for Olando Pace (Pace in his prime, not now). Barron is a slightly above average tackle, but actually has an even better skill set. He is a notorious penalty machine, who led the league last year in false starts. While the number of penalties is excessive, his talent could make him a good starting tackle. He is known as a pretty good pass blocker (pretty important since the Skins gave up about 50 sacks last year), who is a decent run blocker as well. The mental aspect is the only thing holding Barron back, and although he may never reach his full potential, he would be an upgrade at one of the tackle spots for 10-12 teams in the league. While Barron struggled some last season at left tackle he showed that he can at least handle that position (which could be important if Trent Williams needs some development time at RT). Barron is a very athletic tackle who should project well into Coach Shannahan’s zone blocking philosophy.

Barron might not be a star, but the Redskins have likely missed their chances of adding a top tier tackle like Jared Gaither or Jammal Brown. Also their asking prices if they are still available will likely be too high, since the Skins can’t afford to keep trading away future picks. Barron would be a solid bookend, who as a restricted free agent wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg (or a mega extension like Gaither or Brown), just $2.7 million this next season. Adding Barron would give the Skins at least a chance of keeping Donovan McNabb upright and healthy this season. And they could use the year to see if Barron is worth extending or if a young tackle like 7th rounder Selvish Capers could become a starter.

The main reason I like Barron is his asking price. Bobby Carpenter like Barron was at one point a 1st round pick. The difference is while Barron is considered a disappointment because he never amounted to an elite tackle and is just instead an average starter, Carpenter on the other hand can’t even get on the field. He is a special teamer/back-up who has not shown all that much when he has been on the field for an extended period of time. Carpenter still has some potential and could very well crack the Rams weak starting linebackers, but he is far from a surefire starter. Carpenter is also in the last year of his deal so it is not like the Rams would be getting any real long term benefit out of this trade.

If Barron = Carpenter, couldn’t the Redskins have offered one of their restricted free agents like LB Rocky McIntosh or CB Carlos Rodgers and gotten Barron+ in the deal? Or even offer a lesser player for Barron straight up. Even after the addition of Trent Williams, offensive tackle remains one of the Skins biggest weaknesses (actually the whole line in general), adding Barron would have been a major upgrade over Stephon Heyer, and is a player that is young enough and injury free that he could be the long term solution if his play improves.

While this trade isn’t official yet, it looks as though once again the Redskins will remain on the sidelines and go with their incumbents along the offensive line (for those who disagree Williams and Artis Hicks don’t even equal a healthy Samuels and Randy Thomas). And while i’m not trying to build Barron up as the end all be all savior for this team, the price was definitely right in this deal. I think this will be a missed opportunity, that is even made worse if Barron ends up helping to solve the Cowboys offensive line issues.