Marcus Washington to Redskins...

[Canacuna]

Continuing to rebuilding their defense by pillaging the unrestricted free agent class, the Washington Redskins on Thursday evening reached a contract agreement in principle with standout linebacker Marcus Washington, ESPN.com has learned.

The four-year veteran, who had played his entire career in Indianapolis, was generally regarded as one of the top 20 players in the unrestricted talent pool, and also had visited with the Pittsburgh Steelers this week.

He was en route to Washington on Thursday evening to approve a six-year contract worth slightly more than $24 million. The contract includes a $7 million signing bonus and total bonuses of about $10 million in the first three seasons.

Washington, 26, will become the fourth defensive veteran acquired by the ever-aggressive Redskins this week. The Redskins earlier added end Phillip Daniels, tackle Cornelius Griffin and cornerback Shawn Springs to a defense that statistically ranked No. 25 in the league in 2003.

A very good athlete, Washington should fit very nicely into the defensive scheme of new coordinator Gregg Williams, who likely will devise ways to use the former Auburn star both as a blitzer and in coverage as well.

Redskins officials had targeted Washington as a priority even before the official start to the free agency period. It is not yet known if he will play the strongside or weakside spot in the revamped defense.

A three-year starter, Washington was a second-round choice in the 2000 draft. After one year as a backup and special teams performer, he moved into the lineup in 2001 and has started 47 games in his career. He has 251 tackles, 18 sacks and two interceptions, with seven forced fumbles and 22 passes defensed.

[moochman]

Good thing the Skins only had $1,000,000,000,000 on their cap! How is this possible? I know they use fuzzy math in Washington, but didn't think that meant the Skins too.
If they can get anything out of their O-line, they are going to be a real playoff threat.

[Canacuna]

If they can get anything out of their O-line, they are going to be a real playoff threat.

If chemistry is as important as some people say it is, the Redskins will be a mess. Either way, it should be pretty exciting.

[Purple_Pride]

can someone please explain to me how the Skins can afford to sign so many players so such large contracts??? to me it doesnt add up or even come close to it. looks like another good signing though.

[steelyeri]

can someone please explain to me how the Skins can afford to sign so many players so such large contracts??? to me it doesnt add up or even come close to it.

it's the way that they structure the contracts. they pay less the first few years than they do in later ones. they also pay larger signing bonuses which help aleviate the amount that counts against the cap.

i think they are trying to make a short run to win it all this year or next. because in a couple of years they are sure to run into big cap problems.

[terpfan]

wooohooo. washington will play strongside so lavar can be moved back to his natural position at weakside. both are fast and explosive and will be used often to blitz i imagine. i like this signing alot!!

[Purple_Pride]

everyday i hate you skins fans more. lol. you have already signed Brunell, got portis, daniels, springs and washington and my frickin vikes have 30+ million and cant get winfield. sigh.

[Guest]

can someone please explain to me how the Skins can afford to sign so many players so such large contracts??? to me it doesnt add up or even come close to it.

it's the way that they structure the contracts. they pay less the first few years than they do in later ones. they also pay larger signing bonuses which help aleviate the amount that counts against the cap.

i think they are trying to make a short run to win it all this year or next. because in a couple of years they are sure to run into big cap problems.

Yeah, Washington is going to be in cap hell in two years--all the deals are backloaded.

[hayesb26]

I betcha they won't be having cap problems.. Everyone said that a while back to and theyre fine.. Snyders a smart guy, hes not gonna do something stupid like that

[terpfan]

can someone please explain to me how the Skins can afford to sign so many players so such large contracts??? to me it doesnt add up or even come close to it.

it's the way that they structure the contracts. they pay less the first few years than they do in later ones. they also pay larger signing bonuses which help aleviate the amount that counts against the cap.

i think they are trying to make a short run to win it all this year or next. because in a couple of years they are sure to run into big cap problems.

Yeah, Washington is going to be in cap hell in two years--all the deals are backloaded.

that doesnt mean that all that moeny wil have to be paid out at the same time. just wait and see. like hayes said everyone said the skins would be in cap hell soon 2 or 3 years ago and look where we are. i think it may be that other teams just dont understand how the cap can be used to its fullest, since most of them dont get close to trying. (sorry vikes )