LaRon signs Colts contract #FreeAgency #ColtsFA tinyurl.com/7xvpl4c twitter.com/nflcolts/statu…

— Indianapolis Colts (@nflcolts) March 14, 2013

While you were sleeping, the Denver Broncos signed former Philadelphia Eagles CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to a one-year, $5 million contract.

Dec 9, 2012; Tampa FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (23) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Eagles won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Cromartie seemed to be a possible fit for the Redskins with their thin secondary, but alas he is now joining Wes Welker on his way to Denver. Other notable signings were San Francisco S Dashon Goldson heading to Tampa Bay and even possibly CB Darrelle Revis (via trade with the Jets).  The Redskins have yet to make an real moves in free agecy. Washington appears to be laying low until the market settles down, then possibly focusing on signing second and third-tier free agents. The team could also remain silent for free agency and try to fill these positions through the draft. With the current cap situation, either proposition would be difficult.

Here’s a list of the remaining recognizable names left in the free agent pool:

• 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)

More Redskins news and notes as day three of free agent signings continues!

May 6, 2012; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) talks with Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (12) during rookie minicamp at Redskins Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

From the title of this article, I’m sure most of you assumed the opposite of the point I’m trying to convey. The majority may think I don’t believe Robert Griffin III shouldn’t be named the starter, hence the headline “Good or bad?”. That is the complete opposite of what I believe here, and there are many reasons behind that. What I’m trying to get across here is this:

Are the Redskins making it too easy for Robert Griffin III?

Yes I know he is an absolute freak athlete with un-matchable able speed to go along with a damn good arm. Yes I know he is a Heisman trophy winner and  torched almost every defense he played in his junior season at Baylor. And yes, I know that the Redskins have not stumbled upon a diamond this big a shiny in quite some time, so they want to make him as happy as possible, as they should.

The thing is, when you treat a rookie phenom with such royalty and immediately hand him the starting position in the rookie’s first mini-camp, expectations may not be met.

Look at New York Jets signal-caller Mark Sanchez as a prime example. He was a college star, and supposedly the savior for the Jets franchise, until everything was handed to him from the beginning. Sanchez, like Griffin, was attained for a hefty price in the draft. If you remember, the Jets traded up to the number five spot in the NFL draft by giving up their first and second picks, along with three quality players. Coming out of USC, Sanchez was never given legitimate competition, and that may be a reason as to why he isn’t the player he probably should be. Years after they drafted him, New York finally decided to bring in a quality back-up who may seriously contend for the starting job, in most part due to the fact he is Tim Tebow, the most polarizing athlete on the planet.

Don’t get me wrong here, I am not comparing Mark Sanchez to Robert Griffin III. What I am doing is comparing the Jets easy-going tactics to what the Redskins are doing right now.

As hard as it may be to believe, Mike Shanahan’s head is lodged somewhere where it shouldn’t be, and that could turn out bad for the Redskins. But who knows? All of this red-carpet stuff the Redskins are laying down for RG3 may be what he needs to exceed in the NFL. It no doubt gives him a lot of confidence, since the team is basically willing to put their legacy on his shoulders.

Maybe a smart thing to do would be challenge RG3 in training camp with Kirk Cousins, the quarterback the Redskins controversially selected three rounds after Griffin. If you spend that high of a pick on him, at least use him in some way that will push RG3 to his complete best and help him perform at the high level he should.

I don’t disagree with what the Redskins are doing here, all I am doing is questioning it. If you haven’t given this subject much thought, sit back and ask yourself:

Are the Redskins making it to easy for Robert Griffin III?

After a few notable Running Back acquisitions this off-season, let’s take a look at who now has a formidable backfield. Here are the top Running back duos based off of their current rosters:

Jan 14, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) rushes up field against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter of the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Candlestick Park. San Francisco defeated New Orleans 36-32. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

5) 49ers – Frank Gore & Kendall Hunter

Their role is important in this offense even though the pass game gets way more attention. This season will be 1 of the more controversial for Frank Gore because he’s going to have to share the ball with more than just Kendall Hunter, he now has Randy Moss, who has been known to ask for his share of the ball in a very abrasive manner. In years past it has been the Frank Gore-Vernon Davis show, these new pieces may decrease numbers.

Mar 26; Florham Park, NJ, USA; Newly acquired New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow addresses the media at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE

4) Jets – Shonn Greene & Tim Tebow (Tomlinson?)

This new wildcat system that will be implemented in New York will either be a tremendous success or an epic failure. Rex Ryan has established that he will be committed to the run and passing the ball is an after-thought. The addition of Tim Tebow only adds to this notion. Most analysts have been discussing the controversy between Tebow and Sanchez but it’ll be interesting to see how effects Shonn Greene as well.

July 29, 2011; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) walks off the field after training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

3) Chiefs – Jamaal Charles & Peyton Hillis (Thomas Jones?)

Decent move by the Chiefs to grab what has the potential to be a great running back in Peyton Hillis. Charles suffered a nasty injury last season so Hillis can be expected to carry some of the load until Jamaal is back in full form.

Jan 15, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) attempts to elude Baltimore Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb (21) in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at M

2) Houston – Arian Foster & Ben Tate

Statistically, this is 1 of the more underrated tandems in the NFL. Houston had the 2^nd ranked rushing offense being led by their star Arian Foster, but let’s not forget Ben Tate who was 58 yards shorts of a 1000yd season. Once they have their starting QB back I expect them to have another dominant rushing season.

Dec 4, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) runs onto the field prior to a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Soldier Field. The Chiefs defeated the Bears 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

1) Bears – Matt Forte & Michael Bush

Great pickup by the bears. It will be interesting to see how this works out since Michael Bush left Oakland because he didn’t want to play 2^nd fiddle to Run DMC (Darren McFadden). If all goes well, they will be virtually unstoppable and eerily reminiscent of Larry Johnson & Priest Holmes of the good ole Chiefs.

Sep 26, 2011; Arlington, TX, USA; Washington Redskins running back Tim Hightower (25) runs with the ball against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Sleeper:

Washington Redskins – Roy Helu, Ryan Torrain and hopefully Tim Hightower.

The Redskins have plenty of young talent at the Running Back position but I do hope they bring back Tim Hightower (on a reasonable contract) because his impact was definitely felt prior to his injury. He thrived in the zone blocking offense and could provide veteran leadership in what will become a very young offense with the predicted addition of the new young Quarterback.

Additionally, stay tuned for my playoff picks once the regular season approaches.  A few teams listed here have a strong chance of making a playoff run (pun intended).

Follow Me on Twitter: @Eat_My_Sports

Post By ~Kareem Shakoor