Unlike many teams, the Redskins plan no changes on their coaching staff, something that hasn't happened since 1996. Coach Jim Zorn said that while he expects some changes in personnel, he thinks they'll happen gradually over the next couple of months.
When free agency begins in March, the Redskins could have more salary-cap room than usual, depending on whether they're able to sign their own free agent cornerback, DeAngelo Hall, before then. Washington would likely target both lines and outside linebackers on the free agent market.
COACHING CAROUSEL: Front office boss Vinny Cerrato confirmed coach Jim Zorn's return for a second season before the 2008 finale. Veteran assistants Greg Blache, who turns 60 in March, and Joe Bugel, who turns 69 in March, want to return, and Zorn said he wants the entire staff back. That includes tight ends coach Rennie Simmons, who turns 67 in February.
FREE AGENT UPDATE: The Redskins' only regulars who will be unrestricted free agents are: LG Pete Kendall, 35; CB DeAngelo Hall, signed in November; and LDE Demetric Evans, who was supposed to back up Jason Taylor in 2008. Washington would like to retain all three but might not break the bank for Hall, with Carlos Rogers, Shawn Springs and Fred Smoot under contract (although the latter two could be cap casualties). The Redskins certainly won't pay big bucks for Kendall or Evans. Only Hall figures to be expensive to retain.
DTs Kedric Golston and Anthony Montgomery are both restricted free agents who want to return and likely will. Reed Doughty, who began the year as the strong safety, and disappointing K Shaun Suisham are also restricted free agents and likely will be retained cheaply. Montgomery will receive a fifth-round tender, Golston and Doughty sixth-round tenders. Suisham wasn't drafted.
FEELING A DRAFT: The Redskins will draft 13th in the first round. They've traded their second, fourth and seventh picks. If they fail to address the offensive or defensive lines in free agency, they need to devote their first and third selections to those areas. Linebacker is the next priority since London Fletcher will be 35 next year, 31-year-old Marcus Washington might not return, and Rocky McIntosh has a history of knee problems.
TEAM NEEDS
Defensive end: Jason Taylor bombed in his Redskins debut and doesn't figure to return at age 35 with an $8.5 million salary-cap figure, while Andre Carter had the least effective of his three years in Washington.
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.
Wide receiver: The Redskins need receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly and tight end Fred Davis, who produced little as rookies in 2008, to step up big-time to complement receiver Santana Moss and tight end Chris Cooley as playmakers in the passing game.
MEDICAL WATCH: RG Randy Thomas, who started every game in 2008 after missing virtually all of 2007 with a torn triceps, will have 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 will have a knee 'scoped, as will third-string QB Colt Brennan.
