Here is what you need to know on this Friday, February 27, 11 days before the Washington Redskins and the rest of the NFL start free agency.
Question of the day
We’re going back to the NTK format we’ve been using since last month. Every day I’ll give an in-depth answer to a question submitted by a fan on my Twitter feed, via the Real Redskins Facebook page, or in the comments section here. On Twitter address the questions to me at @Rich_TandlerCSN with the #NTK hashtag. There will be a comment thread set up on the Facebook page and if you’re asking your question here, put “for NTK” at the start of the comment.
@Rich_TandlerCSN what are the Redskins FA options at Corner Back? Due to D Hall transitioning to safety, I see a big need.
— Not Alex Smith (@RedskinsPower69) January 25, 2015
For initial question here I’ll refer you this excellent post from earlier this week by colleague Tarik El-Bashir. He goes over the top free agent cornerback options as well as some that aren’t on the radar of many fans.
But I would like to address DeAngelo Hall moving to safety. You mention it as though it’s a foregone conclusion that he will move when in reality it’s far from it.
Hall moving to safety has been talked about for the last few years, primarily because the Redskins have constantly had a need at that position. He has lined up there from time to time, fueling even more speculation.
But Hall is a cornerback, a position that is of greater value than safety. If he can still play cornerback, which he could before he tore his Achilles twice last fall, it’s probably better to keep him there and get a fill-in at free safety.
The Achilles certainly plays a large part in this. It’s something that could push him towards becoming a full-time safety if it has cost him a step or two. Or if he ends up being sidelined until well into training camp with the injury, which is a possibility, Hall could end up staying at corner rather than learning a new position in a new defense.
Assuming that the injury isn’t a major factor in the situation Hall’s 2015 position could depend on who the Redskins are able to land in free agency and in the draft. I tend to think that corners will be more readily available in both and that could push Hall to safety. But if things fall the other way and they can get two or three corners to go with David Amerson and Bashaud Breeland (and possibly Tracy Porter if he isn’t a cap casualty), they may be inclined to move Hall.
The bottom line here is that while Long Inc. here may ultimately be right, there is a lot that needs to be sorted out before that decision is made.
Timeline
—It’s been 61 days since the Redskins played a game. It will be about 198 days until they play another one.
—Days until: NFL free agency starts 11; Redskins offseason workouts start 52; 2015 NFL Draft 62
If you have any questions about what's going on at Redskins Park, hit me up in the comments. And I'm always on Twitter @Rich_TandlerCSN.
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