Commentary: Redskins Fans… Are You Not Entertained?

During the initial stages of the NFL free agency signing period, the Washington Redskins made a couple of solid-though-not-spectacular (at least not in name) free agency signings. While the league would see fast and furious player signings — and trades reminiscent of the NBA — the Redskins would sign two really good players without a lot of fanfare.

All of a sudden, some in the burgundy and gold fan base would go on to social media and voice their displeasure about the team not making any headway during these opening days of free agency.

The team started out the process by singing defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois from the Indianapolis Colts… not a big name. Some fans were so used to the team plucking the top free agent every year that the move to sign Jean-Francois was confusing. This was not because he is not a talented player (he is) but because again this went against the grain from previous years.

After locking in their first free agent the Redskins did something that, again, they have not done very well with over the past few years. They took care of their own players in by re-signing tight end Niles Paul, safety Trenton Robinson and offensive lineman Tom Compton. Paul and Compton were previous draft picks that played into the long term plans of the team.

Again, some fans went to social media and voiced skepticism about the re-signings. Paul has been a player that has played multiple positions over the years and has always been a guy who willingly played and excelled on special teams. In other words, he is the type of player that the really good teams value.

After that order of business was taken care of, the team finally turned their sights to addressing a major weakness… their defensive unit.

The team would sign defensive lineman Stephen Paea from the Chicago Bears in yet another under-the-radar move outside of the District of Columbia and Chicago. League officials looked at the move as a very good one by Washington’s new General Manager, Scot McCloughan.

Get the theme here?

Some fans were not thrilled with the move on Paea either. This led me to write that the team could not win for trying but it was not inclusive of all fans… just the vocal few who may not understand how a football team should be built. Fans that are 35 years of age or older probably remember the Redskins teams of the 1980’s and ’90’s that kept their own players (free agency was not in play then) and, more importantly, valued players that did things in the community and performed like hell on the field.

During the 10 year span from 1982 to 1992, the Redskins won three Super Bowls and played in four Super Bowls and five NFC Championship games. They were known for their front office prowess in general manager Bobby Beathard and even his replacement, Charlie Casserly. Now with McCloughan pulling the strings, the team is positioned for getting back to Football 101… that is, shoring up its interior linemen and playing great defense. The Redskins’ new GM has shoved pie in the faces of critics who questioned what he had up his sleeve. All he has done over the past few days is bring in some heavy hitters (no pun intended).

With the signing of defensive tackle Terrence “Pot Roast” Knighton, the interior of the defense has been given a major upgrade. With Paea, Jean-Francois and fellow defensive linemen Jason Hatcher, Chris Baker, Frank Kearse and Kedric Golston; the defensive line has now gone from a weakness to a strength. Granted, right now it’s just on paper… but that picture sure looks brighter and more colorful.

Ok… want more?

The team also brought in Chris Culliver… a ball-hawking physical corner to compliment Redskins’ cornerback and rookie surprise Bashaud Breeland. Now, that part of the secondary looks stronger with David Amerson, Tracy Porter and DeAngelo Hall (if he is healthy).

Certainly championships are not won in the off-season but they’re not won without talent either. The Redskins have talent on defense now… serious talent. And with more signings possibly to come — not to mention a full allotment of draft picks for the first time in three seasons — things are looking surprisingly better.

For the disgruntled fan: perhaps you have aided in the bad publicity that seems to follow this organization around.

For the true fan: enjoy this ride… it might be an unfamiliar one but it will certainly be smoother.

You should all be entertained at the very least.