Proving that the NFL is not entirely devoted to the meritocracy, the Washington Redskins have signed free agent QB Rex Grossman. Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan is likely the man behind this move, since Grossman backed up Matt Schaub in Houston last season, where Kyle Shanahan last coached. In other words, in the NFL as in almost everywhere else, it's all about who you know.

I write that because it wouldn't be easy for Rex Grossman to get a job on the merits because Grossman -- how can I put this delicately? -- basically sucks ass. He's never had a passer rating of 75 in a season [career average passer rating under 70] and has thrown 3 more interceptions than touchdowns over the course of his increasingly depressing NFL career. Grossman threw only 9 passes for the Texans last year, which is lucky for the team because he only completed 4 of those passes and one of those completions was to the other team. [He also managed to fumble once during those 9 attempts.]

Here is how Scouts Inc. regards Grossman:

Grossman was relegated to a backup role in his sixth year in the league. He has average size with good arm strength. He is a streaky passer who has a bit of a gunslinger mentality. He has good release quickness and is best in the pocket, when he can step into his throws. He can move in the pocket to find passing lanes or extend the play, but isn't a running threat. He hasn't been consistent with his accuracy or decision making, but does have some tools to be a solid NFL signal caller.

Not exactly a glowing review, though far more generous than I would be based on the totality of his work in the NFL. He looks like the QB version of all those disappointing Florida wideouts who prospered under Steve Spurrier's fun and gun attack. Grossman played for Spurrier and put up numbers in college that he hasn't been able to approach in the NFL. If he's the backup for the Washington Redskins in 2010, let's hope they keep Jason Campbell on the roster and also keep him healthy.

Per Jason LaCanfora, linebacker Joey Porter, who talked his way off the Miami Dolphins roster, will visit Redskins Park Thursday to discuss new employment. Porter is an aging almost-has-been who thinks he's still a star and expects to be compensated accordingly. He correctly deduced that he was being phased out in Miami and kicked up a big fuss about it, demanding to be released if he couldn't be a starter. He looks like a marginal starter to me and a truly good defense would probably have Porter coming off the bench -- if he would ever consent to such a thing.

The Cardinals are reportedly also interested in Porter and if they make a big offer to him, I hope the Redskins let Arizona have him.

Former Kansas City Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil predicts that newly acquired veteran RB Larry Johnson will push RB Clinton Portis out of the starting running back job.

"He will take over the running back position," said Dick Vermeil, who coached Johnson in Kansas City from 2003 to '05. "That's what I think. He'll push that guy right out of a job. Larry Johnson will work all week -- he'll work Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday -- and he'll make you start him on Sundays."

"I think they got a great steal in this guy," Vermeil said. "If they have any sort of offensive line, I really believe he'll be the starting running back there, and he'll do very well. If anyone thinks it's some union job and a guy gets to start just because he's the incumbent, nuh-uh. Larry will make him work. [Portis] will have to fight to even hope to keep his job."

"I've never seen a kid compete so hard to prove that he's as good as the starter," he said. "And if that starter isn't the Priest Holmes-type who will match the effort every single day, Larry Johnson will take his job. I don't know that much about Clinton Portis, but I know what Larry was like. He ran mean. In practices, he ran like he just plain didn't like his teammates."

I don't know about that bold assumption, bold part being pushing Portis out of a starting job.  If anything, Johnson's presence should technically make Portis work harder.  Portis has not been known for being an off-season hard worker, missing tons of practices and playing sparingly in pre-season games.  In addition, there have been charges of favortism with Redskins owner Daniel Snyder.  Those days are over with Mike Shanahan in charge.

You can see the change in Portis already in the first off-season voluntary workouts in which Portis was in attendance and participated, something not ordinary for him.  Portis has been criticized for lack of dedication in the off-season and coming into training camp not in game shape, meaning, it takes the first few weeks to get Portis moving like an effective starter.  Portis other problems have centered around his ability to stay healthy.

Johnson's addition to the backfield not only enhances the rushing attack, but changes the dynamics in general.  Portis can no longer take for granted starter status, with Johnson pressing in the wings.  At age 30, many are wondering if Johnson is just an ordinary backup now.  His former head coach Herman Edwards does not subscribe to that notion.

"His back is against the wall, and for him, that's when he's at his best," said Herman Edwards, who coached in Kansas City from 2006 to '08. "Most people think he's done, he's finished, he's too old. That actually helps him. He wants to prove people wrong. This is his third team in two years, he knows this could be it. You don't need more incentive than that."

One thing I think many Redskins fans need to be reminded of is, Mike Shanahan is now in charge and this team was 4-12.  That to me likely means, no job is safe, none.  Jobs will likely have to be earned.  Pencil Clinton in as starter?  Sure.  But, make sure it is in pencil.

Via Washington Post

"I've known and have a lot of respect for Mike Shanahan and the things that he did in Denver," Johnson told ESPN980 Thursday night. "Of course I played against him numerous times, so I've been able to know that he comes with that fire and comes with that enthusiasm [about] turning this organization around." Redskins RB Larry Johnson

The Washington Redskins have signed former Kanasa City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson to a three year deal.  Johnson was schedule to visit Oakland, but will now cancel that visit as he settles into the backup role in Washington to Clinton Portis.

The deal is a 3 year deal and the maximum amount of the deal runs around $12 million.

Johnson played last season with the Bengals and rushed for 581 yards on 178 carriers, averaging 3.3 yards per carry.  Johnson's best season came in 2006 and 2006 with Kansas City when he rushed for 1,750 yards and 1,789 yards.

Johnson's career path took a downward turn in 2007. He lost his job in Kansas City after being suspended twice within the season for remarks made on Twitter about Chiefs' coaches and gay slurs he used to members of the media.

Redskins were also looking at RB Willie Parker, who visited the Redskins, but then departed unsigned.  Redskins will likely add some younger running backs as well, after releasing RBs Rock Cartwright, Ladell Betts, and Marcus Mason.

Discuss it with us.

Redskins CB Carlos Rogers, who has been openly disgruntled about his role with the team, has told the team he will be present for offseason workouts that begin Monday. Rogers has asked for a trade and wasn't happy about having a 1st round tender put on him at the start of free agency, thus spooking away a fair number of teams. However, Rogers apparently met with Head Coach Mike Shanahan about the situation and left Redskins Park pleased, convinced that if he's a hard worker during the offseason he will be offered a new contract by Washington.

In a way I'd like to see Rogers out of town. He admitted he tuned out after he was pulled from the Denver game even though injuries could have forced him back into the game. That sort of lack of respect for his job is hard to forgive or forget -- whether he's annoyed at being benched or not. If some team offered Rogers a contract I think the Redskins would [and would be wise to] let Rogers walk and take the first round pick. I doubt that will happen, though, because he's never played as if he's worth a first round pick. If a team offers Washington a second round pick I'd take it and be thrilled.

The reality is, though, that the free agent market at cornerback is dismal this season. It wasn't good at the start of free agency and it is horrible now. When the best available free agent CB is Rod Hood, you know the crop is failing. [Please don't mention Dre Bly to me -- he's horrible.] If the Redskins let Rogers leave, they need to be sure 2009 3rd round pick Kevin Barnes or 2008 4th round pick Justin Tryon are ready to step into the starting role.

I think almost any other offseason the Redskins would be happy to see the back of Carlos Rogers, but this is not a good time to replace a cornerback with a free agent veteran. If Washington can't get at least a 2nd round pick for him, they'd be wise to see if they can patch things up with the moody and volatile Rogers and try to get him motivated to play hard in 2010.

Jason LaCanfora writes that TB Larry Johnson is at Redskins Park today and the Redskins very much want to sign him to a contract. I was hoping Johnson was a ploy to get TB Willie Parker to sign a contract [and that could still be the case] because I think Johnson has proven repeatedly that he's a bad guy who can't be trusted to behave himself or think of his team before he does something stupid off the field. Parker and Johnson seem roughly equal to me in on-field talent right now so I'd rather have the guy, Parker, who didn't constantly embarrass his team.

The Redskins definitely need another solid running back to spell [compete with?] Clinton Portis, who missed more than half of last season with a concussion injury and has a lot of wear and tear on his wheels. I would just rather it be Parker. Johnson has scheduled a Monday meeting with the Oakland Raiders so if he leaves Redskins Park without a contract [as many players do these days] then he might be gone for good. Raiders owner Al Davis has never been put off by a rap sheet.

For the past decade the Washington Redskins have been one of the most aggressive teams in NFL free agency, spending tons of money to buy up current and former star players in the first few days [often hours] of free agency. The results on the field have not matched the efforts during the offseason, but no one can say the Redskins didn't try. This year, Redskins GM Bruce Allen and Head Coach Mike Shanahan are in control of personnel decisions and are following a plan that appears to involve very cautious involvement in free agency, with small signing bonuses handed out and a focus on depth rather than big-name players. So far, the Redskins have confined themselves to re-signing their own players and inking blocking TE Sean Ryan, OL Artis Hicks and NT Ma'ake Kemoeatu to modest contracts.

The question is: Do you approve of the Redskins' approach to free agency this year? Do you think it was time for a change from the free-spending ways of 2000-2009 or do you think the Redskins should be taking advantage of an uncapped year to throw big money around in an attempt to compete for the division crown this year?

Let us know by voting in the poll on the left hand side of this screen. Thanks!

Here is a two for one Live Mic from Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan. (Via Washington Post)

First, on the team building plan . . .

"I'm very satisfied.  We have a gameplan and it takes time. We've got a plan, it's not going to happen overnight. We just have to watch the plan take place.  But we're going to try to get better every day. It's a process. You're not going to do it overnight, but you have to try to do the little things the right way. Hopefully, we can get it done."

And on Clinton Portis and off-season workouts . .

"Oh, I guarantee you Clinton will be there.  I know Clinton too well. He'll be there and kick-off the offseason on the right note. I want my leaders to be there, and hopefully we'll have 100 percent participation. If not, I'll be disappointed."