TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

The Redskins have been uncharacteristically very quiet this month. Through Mar. 20, they were one of just three teams not to add a player as opposed to their usual free-agent signing frenzy in March.

Washington, which has about $7 million in cap space but with all 22 projected starters under contract, also hasn't moved to re-sign any of its own free agents other than backup quarterback Todd Collins, kick returner Rock Cartwright and kicker Shaun Suisham, who was an exclusive rights player.

For a change, the draft will be a major priority at Redskin Park even though the Redskins only have the 21st pick. If they receive a first-day compensatory pick for losing guard Derrick Dockery to Buffalo last March, they'll have four first-day choices, equaling their total from the previous three years.

1. Defensive line: The line overachieved last season, but left end Phillip Daniels is 35 and left tackle Cornelius Griffin is beginning to wear down at 30. They need a pass rusher to complement right end Andre Carter. Anthony Montgomery and Kedric Golston have each started a year at right tackle with mixed results. Situational pass rusher Chris Wilson is swift but skinny.

2. Receiver: Santana Moss, a 2005 Pro Bowl pick, suffers from recurring muscle pulls. He and fellow 5-10 receiver Antwaan Randle El combined for just four touchdowns in 2007. New coach Jim Zorn would like a bigger target for quarterback Jason Campbell to throw to in the West Coast offense.

3. Guard: Cornerback Carlos Rogers won't be ready for the start of the season and the Redskins need a capable backup outside linebacker, but this is a bigger need since left guard Pete Kendall will be 35 this year and right guard Randy Thomas, 32, finished 2005 and 2007 on injured reserve. The top backup is Lorenzo Alexander, a defensive tackle until he began playing both ways in 2007.

MEDICAL WATCH
CB Carlos Rogers continues to rehab from reconstructive knee surgery. Rogers, who tore an ACL and an MCL last Oct. 28 at New England, isn't due back until after the start of the season. Rogers could start running with teammates next week.

WLB Rocky McIntosh, who tore an ACL in the Dec. 16 victory over the New York Giants, is expected back in July. Like Rogers, he's not finished with rehab.

RG Randy Thomas (triceps) is close to resuming full workouts.

QB Jason Campbell (knee) and ROT Jon Jansen (leg, ankle) all of whom finished last season on injured reserve, have resumed full workouts.

FRANCHISE PLAYER
None

TRANSITION PLAYER
None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--G Rick DeMulling was signed in September, cut in November and re-signed in December. He played sparingly in six games and will only return with a minimum contract.

--OT Jason Fabini, a career tackle, got off to a slow start after being thrown in at RG after Randy Thomas was hurt in Week 2. Fabini improved as the season progressed and could return as a backup at 34.

--LB Randall Godfrey signed in training camp because of his history with assistant head coach Gregg Williams. Godfrey was a solid run defender while starting four games because of injuries to Marcus Washington and Rocky McIntosh. Godfrey, who mulled retirement last year, will be 35 in April and might choose to follow Williams to Jacksonville rather than return to the Redskins.

--TE Brian Kozlowski played in at least parts of the past four years for the Redskins. He was signed during the season in 2006 and 2007. he had one catch in three games last year and with Joe Gibbs gone, maybe the 37-year-old Koz is finally gone for good, too.

--WR Keenan McCardell was the Redskins' 12th-round pick in 1991. He finally made his Washington debut in October 2007. McCardell caught 22 passes in 10 games and doesn't plan to retire at 38. He has experience in the West Coast offense so perhaps new coach Jim Zorn wants him back.

--S Pierson Prioleau rebounded from missing all but the opening kickoff of 2006 with a knee injury to play regularly in dime defenses in 2007. However, Prioleau is small and not very fast. Like Godfrey, he might be more inclined to rejoin mentor Williams with the Jaguars than return to Washington where youngster Reed Doughty seems to have nailed down the starting job previously occupied by the late Sean Taylor.

--C/G Mike Pucillo was the extra lineman in jumbo packages in 2006. However, Pucillo's surgically repaired back gave out in him in October and Lorenzo Alexander assumed his old role. Pucillo, who'll be 29 in July, will have to prove he's fully healthy to receive a new contract.

--S Omar Stoutmire played regularly as a backup in 2005 before signing with New Orleans where he started most of 2006. Stoutmire returned in 2007 but was cut and re-signed twice while playing sparingly in three games. Stoutmire will be 34 in July and is probably finished.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offers)

--RB Nehemiah Broughton (not tendered as ERFA).

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
None.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED
None.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

--LS Ethan Albright: Potential UFA; terms unknown.

--DT Ryan Boschetti: UFA; terms unknown.

--RB/KR Rock Cartwright: UFA; $3.55M/3 yrs, $300,000 SB/$300,000 RB; $200,000 RB '09; 2008 cap: $705,000.

--QB Todd Collins: UFA; $9M/3 yrs, $3M SB.

--P Derrick Frost followed a career year in 2006 with a great start in 2007 but tailed off noticeably. Frost, 27, was re-signed but can expect more serious training camp competition.

--K Shaun Suisham: ERFA; terms unknown.

PLAYERS LOST

--QB Mark Brunell: UFA Saints; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

--WR Reche Caldwell: UFA Rams; 1 yr. Caldwell played very little in his first couple of months after being signed in September. Caldwell, 29, had six catches for 67 yards in the final two games and could be back with a cheap contract.

--WR Brandon Lloyd (released; post-June 1 designation).

--CB David Macklin: UFA Rams; $770,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB.

--C Ross Tucker: UFA; retired.

Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.