Buchanon strong option to start

The Redskins signed free-agent cornerback Phillip Buchanon Monday, nabbing yet another former star from Miami.

If you're keeping track, that's now four former Hurricanes on the team: Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, Rocky McIntosh and Buchanon.

Taking a quick look at the Redskins' roster, you can probably pencil Buchanon in as a nickel back right now, but he has the potential to start opposite DeAngelo Hall. Carlos Rodgers has started many games for the Redskins, but he was benched multiple times last season and hasn't exactly stood out. Last year's third-round draft pick, Kevin Barnes, was a non-factor his rookie year.

Would not be surprised if Buchanon was starting by mid-season, if not sooner.

A new (hope?) thought: Tim Tebow

While Albert Haynesworth talked about switching to the 3-4 and Devin Thomas dismantled former coach Jim Zorn, a topic recently popped up on news sites, fan sites and message boards: Could the Redskins be thinking about drafting former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow?

Yeah, yeah. I know. Can't throw. Can't read defenses. Gator QB (EW!). But the guy is a college football living legend for a reason.

Let's say that offensive tackle Russell Okung falls to the Redskins in the first round. What's the Redskins' second biggest need? Another OL? Okay maybe. Also, the team might use another young running back. Maybe another linebacker or safety. But a young QB not named Colt Brennan (who, the way things are looking, won't survive training camp) would be a good idea, too.

Tebow has his problems, sure. But if there was one player in this draft I would want to take a gamble on, it's Tebow.

Here's a video, with some of his highlights.



One wild thought: If the Skins draft Tebow, get him used to the system slowly. Use him at fullback on some runs. Give him the ball on some running plays. Then have him throw from the FB position. He could have a dangerous weapon if used well. Just a thought.

Also, take a look at the stats of six college quarterbacks, and guess which is Tebow. You may be surprised.

Final note
If the Redskins draft Tebow, that will be the latest in a long line of GatorSkin QBs. Remember Danny Wuerffel? Shane Matthews? Rex Grossman was recently signed to be a system mentor/backup. All the Redskins are missing is Chris Leak, who is apparently playing in Canada for Montreal of the CFL. Go get em, Danny.

And your next Washington Redskins draftee will be ...

(March 18 edition)

All signs point to the Redskins either selecting a quarterback or a left tackle in the first round of this year's draft.

But which one will it be? Do the Redskins trust quarterback Jason Campbell? Can they protect him with their current offensive line?

The team has signed several offensive linemen this offseason, but none appear to be the standout left tackle. Wednesday, the team also signed quarterback Rex Grossman, who worked with new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and QB coach Matt LaFleur in Houston. Grossman doesn't figure to start ahead of Campbell.

That leaves us with little to go on for whom the Redskins may be targeting.

A lot will depend on what the teams ahead of Washington do in the draft. Up first are the Rams, who could use either a stud defensive lineman or a big-time QB. The general feeling right now is that St. Louis will pick Sam Bradford, a quarterback from Oklahoma.

The Lions are next, and they have a solid QB in Matthew Stafford. Look for the Lions to either go with Oklahoma State OT Russell Okung or defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

If the Lions take Suh, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will likely take Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. If the Lions take Okung, look for Tampa to pick Suh.

Now come the Redskins, who seem to like Bradford, Okung and Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen.

Here's how I see it: If Bradford is there, they'll pick him. If he's gone, they'll go after Okung. If both are off the board, they'll pick Clausen. The Redskins can't trade down too much or risk losing Clausen to a team like Seattle, which also needs a QB.

The third option is to stick with Campbell and trade down for more draft picks and a shot at lower tier offensive line talent like Rutgers' Anthony Davis.

Best bet for your newest Washington Redskin:
Jimmy Clausen.

Change has come, and that name is Shanahan

It's been a few months, but the Redskins -- and I along with them -- are getting back into action.

The team opened spring workouts on Monday, learning new offensive and defensive schemes, and meeting new coaches.

But before we go there, though, let's take a look back at this offseason so far.

If you'll kindly remember the last time we saw the 'Skins, they were finishing up yet another disappointing season, led by first-year coach Jim Zorn.

Well, Zorn was ousted. Another NFL legend took charge of the Redskins, this one named Mike Shanahan.

And Shanahan wanted change. Boy, did he bring it.

Goodbye to old favorites like Fred Smoot and Cornelius Griffin. Goodbye to running backs Ladell Betts and Rock Cartwright, as well as receiver Antwaan Randle El. Goodbye to many other old friends.

"A day of change," new Redskins personnel guru Bruce Allen called it. I'd call it as a house cleaning. And by God, it was sorely needed -- out with old, past-their-prime talent.

And free agency brought its usual excitement for Redskins fans. Except this March was not like the recent others. There was no big Albert Haynesworth-like signing. No Julius Peppers. No LaDainian Tomlinson.

The Redskins wanted to focus on their offensive line. They took a look at Packers OT Chad Clifton, but he re-signed with Green Bay. They took a look at OT Tony Pashos, but he signed with Cleveland. They re-signed Mike Williams, the mammoth tackle-turned-guard.

Yet no free agent signings. No Willie Parker, who visited. No Larry Foote, who visited. No Casey Wiegmann, who visited.

What in the name of Dan Snyder is going on here? Usually, when Washington wants someone, they get him. And guys going in and out of Redskins Park without a deal is not the norm.

But the Redskins eventually signed Artis Hicks, the former Minnesota guard/tackle who cleared holes for Adrian Peterson. The team also signed Larry Johnson, a 30-year-old past-his-prime running back.

Personnel changes aren't the only changes in Ashburn. The team will be switching from a 4-3 defensive scheme to a 3-4 scheme, meaning instead of four defensive linemen and three linebackers, there will be three defensive linemen and four linebackers.

Offensively, the addition of Johnson creates questions at running back. Mainly, how are Clinton Portis and Johnson going to interact? Both have been known to have explosive personalities. Can they make it through an entire season together, sharing carries?

Despite heavy criticism, Jason Campbell continues to look like the starting quarterback of next year's team. Shanahan's system is usually very QB-friendly. If Campbell is going to have success, he'll have it under Shanahan. And the team seems committed to rebuilding an offensive line that was dreadful last season.

Up next for the Redskins is the draft. Something I'll write about later this week.