Dec 2, 2012; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline (82) catches a pass against New England Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib (31) in the second quarter at Sun Life Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Dolphins 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

According to the NFL Network’s Albert Breer, the New England Patriots have re-signed cornerback Aqib Talib. Talib was said to be in discussions with the Washington Redskins to fill the hold left by DeAngelo Hall. The Redskins, however, are so extremely limited with respect to the salary cap that they can only offer but so much. Talib’s deal is reported to be a one-year, $5 million contact.

The Redskins are either playing it safe to prepare for the draft, or they don’t see anybody worth restructuring another contract over. If the Redskins do want to look to free-agency for a defensive back, they may have to move soon. Here’s who’s left of the notable defenders:

• S Quintin Mikell (STL)
• S Michael Huff (OAK)
• S LaRon Landry (NYJ)
• S Ed Reed (BAL)
• S Dashon Goldson (SF)
• S Charles Woodson (GB)
• CB Antoine Cason (SD)
• CB Nnamdi Asomugha (PHI)
• CB Antoine Winfield (MIN)
• CB DeAngelo Hall (WAS)
• CB Brent Grimes (ATL)
• CB Quentin Jammer (SD)

There’s a real possibility that Washington will wait and see if Hall gets picked up. If not, the team could offer him a lesser, more cap-friendly deal, to return to the team.

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It was February 27th, 2009. The Washington Redskins had just signed unrestricted free-agent and former Tennessee Titan, Albert George Haynesworth III to a seven-year deal worth $100 million and $41 million guaranteed with $31 million of that available within the first year. From the moment the ink dried on his contract, the Redskins were in for a ride.

Washington knew headed into the situation that Haynesworth had a few issues. In October of 2006, he made a literal doormat out of former Dallas Cowboys center, Andre Gurode. If you recall, Haynesworth removed Gurode’s helmet and opened a nice hole in his forehead (for which he served a multiple-game suspension and was fined). Albert also had a series of legal issues while in Tennessee that included warrants for arrest, failure to pay loans and even an accident that left a man partially paralyzed. You would think that Danny, or at the very least, somebody in the front office, could have seen this coming.

The Redskins not only signed this man to a contract, they front-loaded it as to fit the majority of the guaranteed money into a potentially (and eventually) uncapped year. Albert Haynesworth wasn’t the only player to have his structure his contract this way; the Redskins did something similar with DeAngelo Hall. Back to the point.

Prince Albert fails a basic physical for camp, naps on the field and assaults a waitress, all the while earning $35.6 million of Dan Snyder’s money and ending up suspended by the team. The Redskins, surprisingly, get a fifth-round pick in 2013 from New England for him. Haynesworth is now out of the league.

The National Football League decides that the Redskins (and Cowboys) used the uncapped year to frontload contracts and thus should be penalized $36 million against their cap, to be divided over two years however they wish. The question that everybody wants the answer to, including Skins GM Bruce Allen, is “why?” We know why, but how can the NFL enforce a rule that didn’t exist?

These are the words of one journalist from NationalFootballPost.com in 2011:

Not known for their savvy cash and Cap management, the Redskins did do a clever thing with Haynesworth’s contract last year to prepare for this day.

They inserted a player voidable clause, allowing Haynesworth to end his contract early. Due to Cap rules, the signing bonus following the voidable clause will not prorate through the remainder of the contract.

Haynesworth’s $21 million bonus last April that was restructured in the manner described above to have the entire amount count in 2010 with no accounting in future years. Thus, for Cap accounting, there is no remaining Cap hit on that money in future years and it allows the Redskins to trade Haynesworth without Cap consequences.

Kudos to them for preparing for this inevitability well.

The Redskins got creative with a contract for a player that ended up being, what many consider to be, the single worst free-agent signing of all-time. The signing of Albert Haynesworth caused a chain reaction that created an alternate 2011 and 2012 in Washington, DC. This wasn’t Hill Valley though, this was a move that forced the Redskins to build on the players they currently have and begin to draft smarter. A terrible season, helped along by the lack of play by Haynesworth, which set the stage for another awful season with Rex Grossman at the helm, allowed for the Redskins to get within striking distance of the 2nd overall pick in 2012 and eventually land Robert Griffin III. The cap issues didn’t restrict the team in 2011 as much as they have now (see Pierre Garcon), but it appears that the team is again focusing on signing their own talent as opposed to bringing in another O.J. Atogwe. The effects of 92′s brief career in Washington will likely be felt until at least the end of the 2013 league year and probably forever in most fan’s minds. The Washington faithful can also thank the Minnesota Vikings for trading a sixth-round pick to the Redskins for another failed project, Donovan McNabb. That pick would later become Alfred Morris.

The Redskins acquisition of Haynesworth has created both positive and negative events, or positive change through the negative. Many people regard his signing as a poor decision, this is understandable. I, for one, believe it to be the kind of kick in the groin that gets a team motivated to change (after several bags of ice). Since Haynesworth’s departure, the team has acquired Pro Bowl talent through the draft and even had some luck in free agency with what limited money they have. Imagine this team with some wiggle room? The NFC East belonged to the Redskins in 2012, and with a completely healthy RGIII and some cap space on the horizon, it’ll be interesting to see what else they can achieve in 2013 and beyond.

More opinions and news on Riggo’s Rag to come! Follow us on twitter @RiggosRag!

Dec 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz leaves the field after a game against Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Red-flag rule will be revised. (Jim Schwartz rule)

A play that would have been automatically reviewed by instant replay will still be reviewed even if a coach throws his challenge flag. Any coach who challenges a play that he’s not permitted to challenge would be charged a timeout, and wouldn’t get his timeout back even if he wins the challenge, or would lose 15 yards if his team is out of timeouts. But the play itself will still be reviewed. Call this the Jim Schwartz Rule. The league will also consider reviewing incomplete passes that are ruled a fumble all the way through the fumble — if a play is ruled on the field to be incomplete and overturned on replay as a fumble, the replay can consider everything that happens after that fumble.

Instant replay: Ruling of incomplete pass would be reviewable through fumble.

Long-snapper on extra point and field goal would be a “defensless player” in an effort to avoid more potential injuries along the line.

On field goals and extra points, restrictions are added to what rush teams can do. No more than six defensive players would be permitted to align on either side of the snapper, defensive players can’t push their teammates across the line, and the long snapper is considered a defenseless player.

Jan 20, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Patriots 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

“Tuck Rule” would be eliminated. Arm moving forward + loss of possession = incomplete pass. Ball being brought back to the body + loss of possession = fumble.

No forcible blows with helmet outside of the tackle box.

Initiating contact with the crown of the helmet is a foul if the runner or tackler delivers a forceable blow against his opponent when both players are outside the tackle box.

Tight ends can wear the number 40-49.

You only have to retain a player claimed via waivers for one day. (old rule was two)

Final cut-down date may be adjusted to accomodate potential Wednesday season-opener.

Thigh and knee pads would be mandatory.

Jan 6, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) scrambles during the fourth quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

League office will be more aggressive and proactive regarding field maintenance. (FedEx Field rule)

Fields must be maintained up to NFL standards, and the league can require clubs to maintain their fields up to the league’s high standards, at the club’s expense.

The final of these rules and bylaws is a result of Robert Griffin III shredding his knee on national television during the Redskins Wild Card matchup versus Seattle. These proposed regulations and rules will be voted on next week for confirmation.

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