Washington Redskins Can Still Be Players in Free Agency Despite League Smackdown

In the wake of the NFL's cruelly timed punishment—taking $36 million from the salary cap over the next two years—many are expecting the Washington Redskins to be quiet during free agency.

However, the team had a projected cap figure of $32,758,580 million prior to the league's admonishment. They also created an additional sum of around $5 million from the dual release of Mike Sellers and O.J. Atogwe, as reported by Sports Illustrated. That puts the new figure at $38,973,580 according to Spotrac.com.

Let's assume for argument's sake that the Redskins choose to take 50 percent of the penalty figure from this year's cap. Rough calculations still reveal a sum in the $18-20 million range to spend. This may be far removed from the original reports by Sportrac.com which indicated a war chest of around $40 million.

However, the Redskins still have enough financial clout to address the weak areas of the roster. In truth, Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen probably have to rule out some of the biggest names on the market like Vincent Jackson, Carl Nicks and Brandon Carr.

If the sudden constraints do force the Redskins' hierarchy to seek out more low-key options in free agency, is that such a disaster? Yes, the Redskins may have to take a more measured approach in free agency for the next two years, but isn't that what fans and pundits have been calling for them to do for years?

It's true that the inability to attract the absolute best targets in free agency will slow the development of a rookie passer like Robert Griffin III. However, that will only encourage the Redskins to be build around him more slowly and proceed with caution.

For a franchise often derided for building only for today and extending the middle finger to tomorrow, isn't that a good thing? In this sense, the NFL's punishment may turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

Granted, as disguises go, $36 million is a more than the fiscal equivalent of a pair of dark sunglasses and a thick trench coat. Yet, those who have greeted the league's fine as justification for doomsday scenarios shouldn't be so quick to write the Redskins off.

Delving deeper into the market to acquire solid players with plenty of upside—just as they did with Stephen Bowen and Barry Cofield a year ago—could see the Redskins become competitive sooner than many believe.