Free agency and Josh LeRibeus

[PonyPride]

ESPN.com is doing a "free agent ticker" and notes that the Redskins just signed a guard … although the writer seems to think LeRibeus remains in good standing, etc.




http://espn.go.com/blog/nflfreeagency

A thumbnail look at newly-signed Washington Redskins guard Shawn Lauvao:

Lauvao
What he got: The Redskins signed him to a four-year deal worth $17 million.

Quick analysis: He started 44 games in four seasons with Cleveland, mostly at right guard but he has played on the left side, after being drafted in the third round of the 2010 draft. He did play a variety of positions, including left guard, in college. Lauvao was not popular among Browns fans because he remains unproven, but the coaches did want him back, according to a Browns source. He's viewed as a good fit in an outside zone because of his ability to move. At 315 pounds, he has good size. But current right guard starter, Chris Chester, is only six pounds lighter.

Impact: It’ll be interesting to see what the Redskins now do with Chester -- if they do put Lauvao at right guard. Chester would count $4.3 million against the salary cap this season; if released the Redskins would free up $2.7 million in cap space. I also wonder what this means for the rest of the interior, starting with left guard Kory Lichtensteiger. There’s a chance he could move to center, something that's been mentioned a couple times over the past few years. But starting center Will Montgomery would free up another $1.93 million of cap space if released, which is why the Lichtensteiger move could happen sooner rather than later. That would then put one of the young guards, either Josh LeRibeus or Adam Gettis, at left guard (unless they opt to put Lauvao there and keep Chester). LeRibeus would add more size and, as a former third-round pick, he should be ready to play entering Year 3.