Redskins: Special Seasons can make Free Agency Tough

Ashburn, Va. – As several Washington Redskins players stood putting things into bags or sitting around on the couch playing cards, the room was quiet, much like other check-out days at the season’s end. The one difference was that there was no head-hanging. There was a bit of regret but not like there has been the last two years. It was more of a determination and feeling of “It’s ok… next year’s coming.”

This is, in part, because of the new winning mentality of the Burgundy and Gold thanks to some of the free agents that General Manager Scot McCloughan brought in his first year.

One of the worst things about the last day of any season is the thought that so many of the guys that were part of the team — especially in a season as impactful as 2015 — may not return for 2016. Unfortunately, that’s the nature of free agency in the NFL. Players that were brought in on one-year contracts that were huge factors in Washington’s success (whether on the field or in the locker room) may have played their last game as a Redskin. That’s tough when considering how much improvement the team made over 16 games and how bright the future is.

Obviously there are a lot of leaders on this year’s team that will be here next season. Left tackle Trent Williams has turned into a guy the entire team looks to whether on offense or defense. Tight end Niles Paul will hopefully be healthy upon the start of OTAs and resume his intense leadership. Defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois will likely be here to continue to show the guys how to be a pro. Safety Dashon Goldson is here on a five-year contract… he’s a big-time leader.

But other guys… like defensive tackle Terrance Knighton and cornerback Will Blackmon, who were huge in the successes of the season, were brought here on one-year contracts.

On paper, Knighton was brought here to bolster the defensive line. But even more than that, he was asked to be a vocal leader in the locker room… after all, he was a member of the Denver Broncos two years that they went to the playoffs.

Blackmon stepped in to fill in for a then-depleted secondary what with safety Duke Ihenacho going on IR; and CBs Bashaud Breeland and Chris Culliver dealing with suspensions and Justin Rogers with a foot injury.

Blackmon’s leadership was subtle. He is a nine-year veteran who played for the Packers when they participated in two playoff runs as well as for the New York Giants when they went to (and won) the Super Bowl in 2011. He led by example on the practice field, the weight room, meeting rooms and during games. Last week he slipped during drills and, without hesitation, dropped to do pushups afterward. He’s a huge advocate of accountability.

It’s hard to imagine the team without guys like Pot Roast and Blackmon.

There are also older guys who might be considering retirement like defensive linemen Jason Hatcher or guys who have been mainstays for the Redskins for years like 10-year vet Kedric Golston who has been wearing Burgundy and Gold since he entered the league in 2006.

The 2015 season was an unusual time in Washington with little drama and obvious improvement. The team stayed focused on football and throughout the year, there were no leaks, no problems other than losses and the players continued to grow and improve and gel. Guys got to know each other personally and spent time together away from the meeting rooms.

In short, as a group the team behaved — and played — like a professional football team. This is, in part, thanks to the aforementioned veterans and leaders on the team.

Not everyone saw the subtle changes going on out in Ashburn and many continued to suggest that the team would win five or six games at most… especially some in the national media.

Those that saw the team day-in and day-out knew otherwise. The intense focus was obvious. During practices and in the locker room there was just “something” that had not been present in recent years.

One by one, the Redskins overcame hurdles and achieved objectives. Guys that had been injured came back late in the season. The number of lost turnovers was reduced and those recovered increased. The defense began to stop the run.  They continued to win at home even without a stellar run game. They maintained a lead in the NFC East once they got it. They finally won on the road and then they won back-to-back games. Cousins continued to improve and even won records never imagined by those who were firmly against his promotion to starter. Players enjoyed going to work.

In the end the Redskins were 9-7. They owned the division and earned a home playoff game.

While some have an idea of who they think will (or should) be here or gone next year, obviously the decision is ultimately up to McCloughan. Redskins Nation should rest easy that he will continue to make the good decisions with regard to the roster that he has already proven he can make.

Despite that, one of the worse aspects of the NFL is parting ways with guys that have become part of the fabric of the team. It’s tough for the players and tough for anyone who has gotten to know them.

“I’ve learned not to expect anything,” Knighton said Monday standing at his locker. “Just to let it handle itself, man. Just take the process slow. I obviously had an opportunity to play with my best friend [DL Chris Baker] and be part of something that they wanted to change around… it was a great opportunity. It was the first place I came [in the offseason], the first place I signed to so hopefully there’s the same love at the same time the second time around.”

“Guys were closer,” LB Ryan Kerrigan said about the difference in this year’s team and in teams past. “We hung out more away from football and just enjoyed each other’s company more. I mean… whether that translates to the field or not who knows? But I think it was a good thing and it made this season more fun to be a part of.”

Running back Pierre Thomas was one of the guys that McCloughan brought in late in 2015 on a one-year contract. He immediately helped the team at a time when rookie Matt Jones and Chris Thompson were uncertain for games, dealing with injuries. The former Saint played in New Orleans during four of the years the Saints went to the post-season, including 2009 when they won the Super Bowl. He had the unique advantage of arriving late enough in the season that the personality of the ball club was pretty much in place. He was a good fit in Washington but no one yet knows whether McCloughan will decide to keep him here. It would be a good thing to do so.

“Just that last run of the season shows that this team can be great,” Thomas said Monday. “That [Wild Card playoff loss] last night was tough but you’ve got to give it up to Green Bay, they played a heck of a game. But these guys — hopefully this whole run this season showed these guys that they have what it takes to be here [playing in the post-season] next year… to make it next year… to do this same thing even better. They know what to deal with and I just hope they believe that because I believe it. And I’m glad I’m a part of this team. These guys came at me with open arms. They brought me into their family and treated me like a brother so I appreciate that from these guys.”

The 2015 Washington Redskins learned a lot about what it takes to win. They learned it from a lot of guys who have been there and who were good at passing along what they knew.

It will be difficult to say goodbye to some of those guys but it’s inevitable that some will not be here in 2016. Hopefully however, the ones who remain will take it upon themselves to pass along the lessons that they have learned. Those who will not will likely be called to other struggling franchises… if those teams are smart.