The NFL opened it’s free agency period on Friday and to Washington Redskins fans, that means that Derrick Dockery is free to sign with any other NFL team. Washington wanted to sign Dockery and keep him from hitting the free agent market, but talks obviously broke down, and now the big guard out of Texas may find himself on someone else’s roster.
The Redskins did make several moves in the last 24 to 48 hours that impact the roster or the salary cap:
Randy Thomas and Mike Sellers were both signed to contract extensions. Both players are leaders on the team, and their extensions will likely pro-rate a bit of salary cap money to offer the Redskins some additional cap space at the beginning of free agency.
Vernon Fox was also re-signed. There’s no disputing that Fox did fairly well last season, but he was allowed to hit the open market originally. Is this a sign that talks on a contract re-negotiation for Shawn Springs are going nowhere?
Washington also re-signed offensive lineman Mike Pucillo. Pucillo saw action in eleven games last year, and his ability to play anywhere on the interior of the line makes him a valuable back-up. Most of his action in 2006 was in ‘jumbo’ packages as a tight end, but with Dockery on the market, Pucillo should think ‘guard’. He started in Buffalo and Cleveland, and could be a viable alternative should Dockery sign somewhere else and the market run dry of guards.
Punter Derrick Frost was also tendered a reported contract offer of $850,000. The offer guarantees the Redskins the right to match any other offers that Frost receives, so he should be back in the burgundy and gold next season. Though he has struggled with consistency, he’s the only punter on the roster and Washington have too many more pressing free agent needs.
The Redskins released tight end Christian Fauria. Fauria only played in nine games last season and finished on the injured reserve list. He only made two receptions and the million dollars in salary cap money that the Redskins saved, was obviously deemed more valuable than giving him a chance to return.
Washington also chose not to tender offers to Jim Molinaro and Ryan Boschetti. Molinaro is a little surprising considering the low price tag, familiarity with the system, and general lack of options at offensive line for the Redskins.
The Redskins have a few free agents on their radar early – London Fletcher-Baker and Fred Smoot were at Redskin Park on Friday.
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Mark Solway