Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports
The open of training camp has not been good for the Washington Redskins‘ defensive ends.
Adam Carriker, who missed most of last season with a torn quad tendon, was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list last Thursday. It was latest in a series of setbacks for Carriker, who came to Washington in 2010.
Following the news on Carriker came word that fellow defensive end Jarvis Jenkins would miss the first four games due to failing a drug test. Unfortunately, many, such as myself, believed this would be a breakout season for the talented Clemson product. However, that will have to at least until Week 5.
Also, Doug Worthington, who played six games for the team last season, was placed on the team’s waived/injured reserve list on June 12.
In short, the defensive end ranks have thinned. Yes, Stephen Bowen is still a bona-fide starter at one spot and veteran Kedric Gholston is a more-than-adequate backup. However, the Redskins are suddenly in the market for some help at defensive end.
And that brings us to Richard Seymour.
Seymour, who was part of three Super Bowl-winning teams for the New England Patriots, has spent the last five seasons with the Oakland Raiders and is currently the best free-agent defensive end on the market. The seven-time Pro Bowler battled an injury-plagued season in 2012, but let’s be clear, Seymour is going to be on somebody’s roster, and probably sooner rather than later. He has already attracted interest from the Atlanta Falcons. Seymour is also in the rare position amongst free agents, in that he will have options as to where he wants to go.
Now, whether the Redskins can afford him is a different question. Still, Seymour made the Pro Bowl in both 2010 and 2011, and at 33, does potentially have some good years left. Plus, he is a proven playmaker at a clear position of need for the Redskins.
But Seymour is not going to be on the market long, and his value will only increase as injuries inevitably occur. The Redskins have a need to fill and would be wise to act soon.
Brian Carroccio is a Washington Redskins blogger for Rant Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @bricarr2, ”like” him on Facebook and add him to your Google+ network.
