Mid Season Additions

Today, the Redskins announced the signings of 3 new players:

RB - Sean Alexander
S - Mike Green
P - Ryan Plackemeier

All 3 players have previously played in Detroit with Jim Zorn. The signing of Sean Alexander is a good one. With backup RB Ladell Betts out for the next 3-4 weeks due to injury, Alexander will provide some much needed stable and experienced depth. He is a natural fit with the team and already knows the offense as well as Head Coach Jim Zorn and RB coach Stump Mitchell. At this point in his career, he does not care about numbers. He only wants to win. He is a consummate professional and a solid locker room presence. Plus, it doesn't hurt that he has a chip on his shoulder. Only 3 seasons ago, Alexander was the best player in Seattle and arguably the best RB in the NFL. This season, he could not even land a roster spot until there was an injury in week 6. NFL teams have written him off and he wants to prove he still has something left in his tank. Of course, Redskins officials state that Alexander had a phenomenal workout and he states this is the strongest he has been in 2 years. Time will tell how great a shape his body really is in and whether he can hold up to the wear and tear.

Mike Green adds much needed depth at safety for the team. Reed Doughty, who started at the beginning of the season at strong safety, has been battling a nerve issue that has been affecting his play. He recently lost his starting job to rookie 7th round draft pick, Chad Horton. Green will bring 8 years of valuable experience to share with Horton. He has also played under both Jim Zorn in Seattle and Defensive Coordinator Greg Blache in Chicago so it should be a smooth transition for him.

Finally and sadly, the Durant Brooks era is over after only 6 weeks and Derrick Frost is smiling in Green Bay after being cut at the end of preseason in favor of the rookie. Frost is a mediocre punter in the NFL, but he is at least consistent.

During the first 6 weeks of the season, Brooks sprayed the football all over the field and his teammates and coaches never knew what they were going to get from him. After giving up 2 short line drive punts for touchdowns and after shanking a 26 yard punt deep in their own territory against the Rams, Zorn had to make the decision. Zorn wanted to stick it out with Brooks and I thought he would turn things around after some early rookie jitters. He did have some booming kicks, but overall there were just too many mistakes and he was too inconsistent.

It was worth a shot for the Redskins to make a move in the draft to try to improve their kicking game. Unfortunately, it did not work out for them. The team invested a 6th round pick in Brooks, which is not a huge loss. Albeit, starting SS Chad Horton was a 7th round pick and they could have used this 6th round pick on another much needed defensive lineman. You just don't know what you are going to get in the 5th, 6th and 7th rounds of the draft.

Ryan Plackemeier is similar to Derrick Frost, but Frost has slightly better numbers. So as we look back, it appears the Redskins have actually taken a slight step backwards in their kicking game this season despite their efforts. This will be a need that must be addressed in the next offseason, but not through the draft. Plackemeier should at least provide some consistency for the Redskins on special teams. There is also one extra bonus with Plackemeier. He is 6'3" and 247lbs and can probably fill in for FB Mike Sellers should he get injured or need a breather. Now, that's versatility!

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JacksGhost
Washington Redskins Hog Blog