The Redskins head to the scouting combine next week with major concerns about the salary cap and age. All five offensive line starters as well as Pro Bowl fullback Mike Sellers, defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, defensive ends Phillip Daniels and Jason Taylor, linebackers London Fletcher and Marcus Washington and cornerback Shawn Springs are in their 30s. All except Sellers have contracts in the millions with Springs, Taylor and Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels due more than $8 million each in 2009.
So look for some of these veterans, particularly Taylor and Washington (and Springs if free agent to be cornerback DeAngelo Hall is re-signed) to be axed before the start of the free agent signing period on Feb. 27. The others are candidates for reworked contracts.
TOP THREE TEAM NEEDS
1. Defensive end: Jason Taylor bombed in his Redskins debut and doesn't figure to return at age 35 and with an $8.5 million salary cap figure while Andre Carter had the least effective of his three years in Washington and Erasmus James was such a bust he was cut during the season.
2. Offensive line: All five of Washington's regulars will be at least 32 in 2009 and its only Pro Bowl performer, left tackle Chris Samuels, had operations on his left knee and right triceps in December. Left guard Pete Kendall, 35, is a free agent.
3. Linebacker: Middle man London Fletcher will be 35 this spring. Strong-side backer Marcus Washington, 31, might well be cut because of his high salary and decreasing availability
Rocky McIntosh has a history of knee problems.
MEDICAL WATCH: RG Randy Thomas, who started every game in 2008 after missing virtually all of 2007 with a torn triceps, had surgery on vertebrae in his neck on Jan. 5.
--DT Kedric Golston will have surgery to repair bone spurs in both ankles.
--DT Anthony Montgomery had a knee scoped.
--QB Colt Brennan had a knee scoped.
--Pro Bowl LT Chris Samuels had a knee scoped and a shoulder repaired in December.
--S Reed Doughty had back surgery in November.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--LS Ethan Albright will be 38 in May but is as reliable as they come. Will likely sign yet another low-budget 1-year deal.
--DT Ryan Boschetti was re-signed during the season after being cut in camp but hardly played. If he's back, there won't be a signing bonus.
--LB Khary Campbell remains the top special teams tackler. He should return for a small signing bonus.
--DE Demetric Evans started much of 2008 in place of Phillip Daniels (injured) and Jason Taylor (injured/unproductive). Evans and the Redskins like each other, but will likely test the market.
--OL Jason Fabini was a surprise starter at right guard for most of 2007 after Randy Thomas was hurt. Didn't play much in 2008 and will only be back for a cheap, 1-year deal.
--LB Alfred Fincher made the roster after being signed in late July and was helpful on special teams. He could return for a minimum deal since Washington lacks depth at linebacker.
--S Mike Green was signed off the street after Reed Doughty was hurt in September. Green started a couple of games and could return for a cheap contract.
--CB DeAngelo Hall played well after joining the Redskins in November following his stunning release by Oakland. Hall is Washington's top re-signing priority but there isn't much time to get a lucrative, long-term deal done before the two-time Pro Bowl pick hits the market and becomes available to such cornerback-hungry teams as the Patriots.
--G Pete Kendall has played well in his two seasons with Washington and should return with a decent signing bonus even though he'll be 36 in July.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--S Reed Doughty finished 2007 and began 2008 as a starter before his back betrayed him. Although rookie Chris Horton played well in his place, Doughty will likely be given a sixty-round tender.
--C Justin Geisinger suffered a season-ending knee injury when pressed into service at tackle on Dec. 7 at Baltimore. Given the Redskins' age on the line, He might be given a sixth-round tender to match the round he was picked by Buffalo.
--DT Kedric Golston was a starter for most of 2006 and 2008 and might receive more than the sixth-round tender he's due at a minimum.
--DT Anthony Montgomery was a starter in 2007 and could receive more than the 5th-round tender he's due at a minimum because of the potential of his massive frame.
--K Shaun Suisham struggled in 2008 after a strong 2007 but should be re-signed to a 1-year deal. Suisham wasn't drafted.
--LB Rian Wallace spent 2008 on injured reserve after being hurt in August. Given the Redskins' lack of depth on the line, he could be re-signed for the fifth-round tender to match the round he was drafted by Pittsburgh.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED: None.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--RB Anthony Alridge (waivers Broncos).
PLAYERS LOST
--P Ryan Plackemeier (released).
