Wooing Hackett
From Jason Reid:
Free agent wide receiver D.J. Hackett is scheduled to arrive in town tonight and have dinner with Vinny Cerrato, Washington's executive vice president of football operations. Hackett is the first free agent to visit the ********, which is uncommon for Washington so late into the process.
Under owner Dan Snyder, the ******** have been among the league's most active teams in free agency from the opening bell, but things have been different this offseason. As for Hackett, Cerrato believes he could be a good fit because of his size (6 feet 2, 208 pounds). Cerrato hopes to persuade the four-year veteran to join the ********, team sources said, but only at the right price.
The ******** have $7.7 million in cap space in addition to having set aside money to sign their picks in the upcoming draft and additional players during the season, if needed, because of injuries. Despite having room to maneuver, however, the ******** haven't been active in free agency to this point, only re-signing backup quarterback Todd Collins and return specialist Rock Cartwright.
"We're not spending because we choose not to spend at the present time," Cerrato said. "If there would have been somebody out there, or a situation that occurs that warrants us to take a look at it, we would. And if it cost money, we would have looked at an individual who was a high-priced guy if we felt like it was something that made sense for us.
"In our opinion, there was nothing like we felt we wanted to get into a bidding war over for the ********. After our evaluations, what we needed and what was out there really wasn't a fit. Whether it be financially, or whether they [certain players] wouldn't fit in our locker room, there's a lot of issues that have to be evaluated."
The ******** have no concerns about Hackett's ability to make a smooth transition to their organization, team sources said. New coach Jim Zorn, formerly the Seattle Seahawks' quarterbacks coach, worked with Hackett in Seattle. Hackett could provide a big target for quarterback Jason Campbell.
Cerrato is excited about the potential of wide receiver Anthony Mix (6-5, 235 pounds), who was signed off the New York Giants' practice squad in November. But Mix, a college teammate of Campbell at Auburn, has played in only nine games in his two-year pro career and has three receptions for 39 yards.
In his career, Hackett has 105 receptions for 1,394 yards (a 13.3-yard average) and nine touchdowns. He has best season in 2006, setting personal marks with 45 catches for 610 yards (a 13.6-yard average) and four touchdowns. Hackett had a significant role in Seattle's 35-14 victory over the ******** in the first round of the NFC playoffs, catching six passes for 101 yards (a 16.8-yard average) and one touchdown.
Other than meeting with Hackett, the ******** are waiting on their own free agents. The ******** have made offers to offensive lineman Jason Fabini and wide receiver Reche Caldwell. Cerrato believes the roster is in good shape after many young players made major contributions in the team's late-season playoff push, and he's confident most of the ********' needs can be addressed in the draft.
"We're looking for depth in certain areas," Cerrato said. "Like I've said, it's not like we need three or four starters."
Cerrato and Karl Swanson still are conducting a search for a media relations director. The early buzz was that Chad Steele, the Baltimore Ravens' media relations director, was the front-runner for the gig, but Cerrato and Swanson could expand the process this week.
Well, hope there's some useful information somewhere in there for someone. As for me, it has been pretty lonely up here in the media room with the other ink-stained wretches taking time off. And it sure has been quiet without J La around (take that however you prefer).
The wife is bugging me to get all the boxes out of the house after the recent move, but someone has to watch this building and I've got to make a living. Along those lines, please watch Comcast SportsNet's "Washington Post Live" tomorrow night between 5 and 6 p.m. Email the show with your ******** questions and I'm sure host Russ Thaler (guy is a good dude) will try to get them answered. Peace people.
Anquan Boldin - The Next Name Du Jour (Updated)
So with Larry Fitzgerald redoing his deal with Arizona, the other stud WR with the Cardinals, Anquan Boldin, will be the new subject of trade rumors. Fitzgerald's new deal makes it much easier for the Cards to keep both players now - it's more cap-friendly in the short term - but obviously Boldin is gonna want to get paid, also.
He's another No. 1 WR who fits the mold of what the Skins prize, and they have certainly created enough cap space in the last few months to pull off one major deal. I'm not sure the Cards would even do a deal any time soon, but if they did shop Boldin I would expect the Skins to fish around on that.
Vinny Cerrato has talked a lot about holding onto draft picks, but, like Chad Johnson, Boldin is the kind of unique talent who can cause you to consider making a move. The Skins could even potentially address a need with the Cards with someone like Ladell Betts going the other way - as a hypothetical - and it may be worth watching how involved in a deal for Boldin the Skins may get down the line. (He's also represented by Drew Rosenhaus, so the Skins will be linked to Boldin regardless; even when they aren't interested in a Rosenahus client they often let the agent tell other teams they are involved as a favor of sorts).
The Skins have free agent WR DJ Hackett coming to town today for a visit, but the club has been firm about maintaining lower salaries for role players, and Hackett is not in the same class as a Boldin, though when healthy he has been a fine WR in his own right. So I don't expect the Skins to break the bank on Hackett, and will be looking for a reduced rate.
Jasno has this further bit of info, which should clarify a question one of you had: Hackett will arrive today (Wednesday), but may not begin formal meetings until tomorrow morning.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/*******sinsider/
