Washington Redskins: Pierre Garcon Great Signing in Wake of Cap Debacle

Just a few days ago it was believed that the Washington Redskins would be one of the most active teams in free agency in 2012, but after being left reeling by a huge salary cap penalty levied by the National Football League Monday, questions abounded.

The Redskins rebounded quite nicely as free agency opened on Tuesday afternoon, quickly agreeing to terms with former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Pierre Garcon, as the fifth year pro himself reported via his Facebook account.

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I wanted you all to hear it from me 1st before u saw it on the news... I will be signing with the Washington Redskins and I'm very excited about the opportunity in front of me.

I want to thank all Colts fans from the bottom of my heart for all the love and support you've shown me the past 4 years and I hope that at some level u will still follow my career, as I will continue to share my life with you on here...

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It was thought that Washington, after acquiring the rights to draft Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin in a blockbuster deal with the St. Louis Rams that became official today, would use some of their previously ample cap space to find building blocks to place around the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner.

However, after being blasted by a $36 million salary cap penalty by the NFL Monday for frontloading contracts during the uncapped 2010 season the Redskins offseason plane were thrown for a loop, especially when news surfaced that much of that penalty must be applied this season according to a report in the Fredricksburg Times.

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The NFL penalized the Redskins for circumventing its salary recommendations for the uncapped 2010 season by docking them $36 million over two years, according to multiple sources and reports. Though general manager Bruce Allen vowed to fight the sanctions and proceed Tuesday with an unaltered plan to free agency, the team was told Tuesday morning that at least half of that penalty, $18 million, had to be applied this year, according to reports.

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The Redskins seem to have regained their footing, however, as although these penalties may have prevented the Redskins from pursuing bigger names such as wide receiver Vincent Jackson (who has reportedly signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Washington was able to acquire some additional offensive firepower in Garcon, and losing out on Jackson may have actually been a blessing in disguise.

The 6'0" 210-pound Garcon, who caught 70 passes for 947 yards and six touchdowns a season ago, may not have Vincent Jackson's size or pedigree, but the speedster is also four years younger, will come much cheaper, doesn't have Jackson's reputation as a headcase and appears to be a player on the rise after having the best season of his career during last year's nightmare in Indianapolis.

At only 25 years old, Pierre Garcon will have several seasons to develop alongside Robert Griffin in the nation's capital, and while Garcon may not have been the receiver they originally wanted, he's a player the Redskins should be thankful they could get.

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