Skins sign London Fletcher for $25 million

**noa** · 03-02-2007, 10:39 PM

I thought they might go after Kawika. I guess that's one less team on the market for a MLB.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2786241

Skins reach $25M deal with MLB Fletcher
By Len Pasquarelli

Filling their need for a proven, run-stuffing middle linebacker, the Washington Redskins on Friday evening reached a contract agreement with unrestricted free agent London Fletcher, ESPN.com has learned.

Fletcher, 31, will sign a five-year, $25 million contract that includes $10.5 million in bonuses. He will earn nearly $13 million in the first two seasons of the deal and about $15 million over the first three years.

The deal reunites Fletcher with Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who was his head coach with the Buffalo Bills for three seasons (2001-2003).

It had been reported for more than a week that Washington had targeted Fletcher as a priority in free agency, because of his familiarity with Williams and his incredible productivity for a player his age. The Redskins flew Fletcher into town on Friday, visited with him much of the day as they negotiated with agent Drew Rosenhaus, then sealed the agreement in the evening.

The Washington defense slipped considerable against the run in '06, statistically ranking 27th in that key category after being No. 13 in 2005, and Fletcher should help reverse the unit's fortunes. Certainly, despite being in the league for nine years, there has been no discernable falloff in his performance.

Fletcher is also a strong locker room presence, an attribute that Williams stressed to his Washington bosses.

A human tackling machine, the undersized but ever-active Fletcher has averaged 143.4 tackles over the past five seasons. Unlike most middle linebackers around the league, though, Fletcher can stay on the field on third down because of his solid skills in pass coverage.

In nine seasons, Fletcher has 1,091 tackles, 27 ½ sacks, 11 interceptions, 27 passes defensed, 10 forced fumbles and seven recoveries. He has 100-plus tackles in seven seasons and has appeared in 144 games for the Rams (1998-2001) and the Bills (2002-2006).

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

**the Talking Can** · 03-02-2007, 11:06 PM

well, Mitchell ain't get that much from anyone....

|Zach| · 03-03-2007, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

well, Mitchell ain't get that much from anyone....

I betcha the Saints try to snap him up.

Mecca · 03-03-2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

well, Mitchell ain't get that much from anyone....

Bullshit he's younger.......he gets atleast 30 mill, mark it down.

Brock · 03-03-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Bullshit he's younger.......he gets atleast 30 mill, mark it down.

I doubt it....he's never been a playmaker the way Fletcher has in the past.

Mecca · 03-03-2007, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

I doubt it....he's never been a playmaker the way Fletcher has in the past.

Just watch.....age is a big deal in FA. The fact that Mitchell is only going for his 2nd contract some team will see Mitchells speed and think he's ascending. He's going to get more money.....he also has much better size than Fletcher.\

He get's atleast 5-30 with an 8-10 signing bonus.....when he and his agent saw that Fletcher sign I'm sure they jumped for joy. Fletcher got more than he should and drove Mitchells price higher....

Reerun_KC · 03-02-2007, 11:29 PM

Wouldnt be surprised if the Chiefs let him sit, then sign him back for a reduced price?

Cant see him being a game changer type MLB, just not nasty enough.

stevieray · 03-02-2007, 11:47 PM

**HemiEd** · 03-02-2007, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

stevieray · 03-02-2007, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HemiEd

**HemiEd** · 03-02-2007, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

**noa** · 03-03-2007, 12:04 AM

Alright, this turned into an emoticon thread:

:Scanlon:

**noa** · 03-03-2007, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

why?

**HemiEd** · 03-03-2007, 12:19 AM

03-02-2007, 10:39 PM	Topic Starter
noa Band Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $-484547	Skins sign London Fletcher for $25 million I thought they might go after Kawika. I guess that's one less team on the market for a MLB. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2786241 Skins reach $25M deal with MLB Fletcher By Len Pasquarelli Filling their need for a proven, run-stuffing middle linebacker, the Washington Redskins on Friday evening reached a contract agreement with unrestricted free agent London Fletcher, ESPN.com has learned. Fletcher, 31, will sign a five-year, $25 million contract that includes $10.5 million in bonuses. He will earn nearly $13 million in the first two seasons of the deal and about $15 million over the first three years. The deal reunites Fletcher with Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who was his head coach with the Buffalo Bills for three seasons (2001-2003). It had been reported for more than a week that Washington had targeted Fletcher as a priority in free agency, because of his familiarity with Williams and his incredible productivity for a player his age. The Redskins flew Fletcher into town on Friday, visited with him much of the day as they negotiated with agent Drew Rosenhaus, then sealed the agreement in the evening. The Washington defense slipped considerable against the run in '06, statistically ranking 27th in that key category after being No. 13 in 2005, and Fletcher should help reverse the unit's fortunes. Certainly, despite being in the league for nine years, there has been no discernable falloff in his performance. Fletcher is also a strong locker room presence, an attribute that Williams stressed to his Washington bosses. A human tackling machine, the undersized but ever-active Fletcher has averaged 143.4 tackles over the past five seasons. Unlike most middle linebackers around the league, though, Fletcher can stay on the field on third down because of his solid skills in pass coverage. In nine seasons, Fletcher has 1,091 tackles, 27 ½ sacks, 11 interceptions, 27 passes defensed, 10 forced fumbles and seven recoveries. He has 100-plus tackles in seven seasons and has appeared in 144 games for the Rams (1998-2001) and the Bills (2002-2006). Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
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03-02-2007, 11:06 PM	#2
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $9352208	well, Mitchell ain't get that much from anyone.... __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
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03-02-2007, 11:29 PM	#7
Reerun_KC Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7231160	Wouldnt be surprised if the Chiefs let him sit, then sign him back for a reduced price? Cant see him being a game changer type MLB, just not nasty enough.
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03-02-2007, 11:47 PM	#8
stevieray Most things I worry about… Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $-1124727
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03-03-2007, 12:04 AM	#12
noa Band Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $-484547	Alright, this turned into an emoticon thread: :Scanlon: __________________ Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes, well, he eats you.
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03-03-2007, 12:19 AM	#15
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