NFL Free Agency: Washington Redskins Turn Back on Past, Look to Future

The Redskins (and especially Dan Snyder) have been horrendous for the last few years. The last time the Redskins made the playoffs was in 2007, when they were 9-7 and somehow trickled their way in.

The Redskins seem to be trying to correct some of their more recent mistakes. Let it be known: Signing Albert Haynesworth to play in a system he is not good in nor will actually play in for $100 million is a bad idea. Bringing in a quarterback that could one day cement himself in Canton, and treating him like he's a backup to Rex Grossman and John Beck is downright stupid.

The Redskins have traded McNabb for a sixth-round pick this year, and a conditional sixth in the following year. They've ditched Albert Haynesworth for a fifth-round pick, shipping him to the New England Patriots (for which I'm sure we'll praise Belichick's genius for years).

In my eyes, this is a necessary move by the Redskins. They paid big for these two players, and it just didn't work out. Get up, get out, get on with life. That's the policy of some of the top personnel managers in the league. They know when a mistake's been made and they're willing to cut their losses and get back to business.

The Redskins' rebuilding has begun. It started with a very solid draft strategy, where they traded down and stockpiled more picks, building the depth of their roster and making good selections. They're cutting loose the pieces that just didn't work. They've thus far signed Barry Cofield and Stephen Bowen, two big upgrades to their defensive line. They've brought in cornerback Josh Wilson from Baltimore, a solid signing that will help out the secondary (despite the glaring need to cut DeAngelo Hall).

However, while the Redskins are bringing in some good solid talent, they still can't seem to quite get it together. Their starting quarterback, at this point, appears to be John Beck, a quarterback so well known that security at Redskins Park do not recognize him.

They also signed Kellen Clemens today. That brings the total depth at QB to John Beck, Rex Grossman and Kellen Clemens, a trifecta of quarterbacks Satan would keep in his inner circle.

And it doesn't stop there. Don't get me wrong, the receiving corps in Washington last year was horrendous. Santana Moss has always been underrated, but he's getting up there in age. Anthony Armstrong is a dim ray of hope, but apparently the Redskins didn't think that much of him, going out and signing three fifth-string wideouts in Jabar Gaffney, Donte Stallworth, and Brandon Stokely.

The receiving corps are officially a group of possession geezers. Hopefully Armstrong and Hankerson (who was drafted this year) are actually what they've been made out to be. Otherwise, the zombie receiver known as JaDondon Gaffstalley will be on the field all too often. Edit: According to profootballtalk Brandon Stokely is reneging on his agreement with the Redskins, we shall see the official outcome tomorrow.

The Redskins seem to be headed in the right direction with some of their talent. However, if they put John Beck out there with that offensive line, and those receivers, they should be expecting to draft Andrew Luck next year. I'm not sure that isn't their strategy.