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2016 Redskins Free Agency Journal

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The Washington Redskins are making moves in the new league year, bringing in new talent from around the league, as well as returning some familiar faces. Here's the list of those who have officially signed.

Stay up to the minute with all the deals officially in the books, and be sure to check back with Redskins.com for continuing 2016 free agency coverage. Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.*


Free Agents Added To The Roster:*
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Defensive end Kendall Reyes (March 11)

Reyes, 26, is a four-year veteran out of Connecticut and was taken with the 49th-overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

The Washington Redskins announced on Friday, March 11, 2016, the signing of free agent defensive lineman Kendall Reyes. Here's a gallery of photos from his career.

In his four seasons with the San Diego Chargers, Reyes has totaled 126 tackles with 13.5 sacks, seven passes defensed and an interception.

He also has a connection to current Redskins defensive coordinator Joe Barry, as the two were together with the Chargers for three seasons (2012-2014).

He has yet to miss a game in his career, as Reyes has made 64 career appearances over his first four seasons.

"I've struggled a little bit these past couple years, but I've still got the raw, natural talent and ability," Reyes said. "And I believe working with Coach [Joe] Barry is going to allow me to unlock that [and] go back to what I was doing in my first couple of years. I'm definitely excited for the new change. But I feel like I still have a lot of raw talent that I can unleash over here."

The 6-foot-4, 300 pounder says his biggest strength is being someone who is easily able to take assignments and excel in different positions and different situations.

"Wherever they see me fit, I'm more than welcome to playing that," Reyes said. "I love this game, so honestly whatever my role is I'm going to do it to the best of my ability."


Safety David Bruton Jr. (March 15)

Bruton Jr., 28, is a veteran of seven NFL seasons, all coming with the Denver Broncos, who picked him in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame.

The Washington Redskins announced on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, the signing of safety David Bruton. Here's a gallery of photos from his career.

For his career, Bruton Jr. -- who stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs 217 pounds -- has appeared in 104 regular season games with 162 tackles, 16 passes defensed, three interceptions and a sack.

Bruton Jr. has also started eight games with the Broncos, while being Denver's special teams ace and one of their team captains in each of the last three seasons.

He recorded his best season during the 2015 season, as he totaled a career-high 42 tackles along with seven passes defensed, two interceptions and a sack.

During the 2012 season, Bruton Jr. was named a third alternate for the AFC Pro Bowl team as a special teamer.


The Washington Redskins announced on Friday, March 18, 2016, the signing of free agent linebacker Terence Garvin. Here's a gallery of photos from his career.

Linebacker Terence Garvin (March 18)

Garvin, a native of Upper Marlboro, Md., is a four-year veteran who attended West Virginia. 

He spent the first three years of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers after going undrafted in 2013.

In three seasons with the Steelers, Garvin totaled 36 tackles, including a career-high 16 during the 2014 season.

While Garvin has made just one start at linebacker in his career, he was an asset to the Steelers' special teams over the years, as he's totaled a team-best 33 special teams tackles during his time in Pittsburgh.

Garvin and fellow free agency acquisition David Bruton Jr. are expected to significantly improve the performance of the Redskins' special teams units, which were solid overall in 2015, despite the loss of captain Adam Hayward, Niles Paul and Logan Paulsen before the season even began.

Fullback Rob Kelley -- also a special teams leader for Washington the past few seasons -- is also not expected to return to the team in 2016.


Tight end Vernon Davis (March 31)

Davis, 32, is a native of Washington, D.C., and has established himself as one of the top playmaking tight ends in the league since he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2006, earning two Pro Bowl nods.

The Washington Redskins announced on Thursday, March 31, 2016, the signing of free agent tight end Vernon Davis. Here's a gallery of photos from his career.

Twice during his career Davis, a Maryland product, has logged at least 10 touchdowns in a season, as he recorded 13 touchdowns during both the 2009 and 2013 seasons.

In 2009, he also recorded a career-high 965 receiving yards on 78 receptions.

Davis has also been a threat to break off long receptions, too, as he's hauled in 93 catches of 20 or more yards and 19 catches of 40 or more yards during his 11 NFL seasons.

From 2008-2012, Davis appeared and started all 80 of the 49ers' regular season games.

Davis also has also produced in the playoffs, as he has 600 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 11 career playoff games.

Davis started the 2015 season with the 49ers before being traded to the Denver Broncos on Nov. 2.

While Davis would record just 20 receptions for 201 yards in nine regular season games for the Broncos, he was a veteran leader for a team that would go on to win Super Bowl 50.

For his career, Davis has totaled 461 receptions for 5,841 yards and 55 touchdowns.


Cornerback Greg Toler (April 13)

Toler, 31, is a veteran of seven NFL seasons, splitting time between the Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts.

The Washington Redskins announced on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, the signing of free agent cornerback Greg Toler. Here's a gallery of photos from his career.

A 2009 fourth-round pick of out St. Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Va., Toler appeared in 13 games as rookie for the Cardinals, recording 11 tackles with two passes defensed and an interception.

In a 31-10 victory over the St. Louis Rams in Week 16, Toler picked off quarterback Keith Null for his first NFL interception.

Toler got his first career start during the 2010 season, as he started the season opener against the Rams, recording 13 tackles.

He would tally two interceptions that season including a 66-yard pick-six against the Cowboys in a 27-26 victory.

After missing the entire 2011 season with a torn ACL, Toler returned to health during the 2012 season, appearing in 11 games with two starts.

The six-foot, 190 pounder would once again nab two interceptions including a remarkable 102-yard interception return for touchdown in Week 15 that year, picking off Detroit Lions quarterback Matt Stafford in the Cardinals' own end zone and taking it all the way back.

Toler would sign with the Colts before the 2013 season, where he would spend his next three seasons.

During his time with the Colts, Toler recorded 110 tackles with 26 passes defensed, two interceptions, two fumbles forced and a touchdown.


The Washington Redskins announced on Monday, April 18, 2016, the signing of free agent offensive lineman Cody Booth. Here???s a gallery of photos from his career.

Offensive Lineman Cody Booth (April 18)

Booth, 24, spent the parts of the past two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears after going undrafted in 2014.

He's appeared in five preseason games over the last two years but has yet to appear in a regular season game.

Booth spent his collegiate career at Temple, where he appeared in 39 games from 2010-2013.

As a senior in 2013, Booth started 11 games at left tackle and even appeared at right tackle against Louisville after packing on 30 pounds to make a successful transition from tight end to tackle.

He was nominated for the Brian Bulsworth Award, given to a former NCAA walk-on who has made the most of his opportunity while playing football.

During his junior season, Booth started 11 games at tight end, catching 17 passes for 137 yards and four touchdowns.

He would secure his first touchdown – a nine-yard reception – in a victory over South Florida.

During the 2010 and 2011 seasons, Booth would appear in 18 games with four starts.


Cornerback Josh Norman (April 22)

Norman joins the Redskins after an All-Pro season in 2015 in which he established himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL.

The Washington Redskins announced on Friday, April 22, the signing of free agent cornerback Josh Norman. Here's a gallery of photos from his career.

In four season with the Panthers from 2012-15, Norman amassed 181 tackles with 37 passes defensed, seven interceptions, four fumbles forced and two touchdowns.

During the 2015 season, Norman was named Pro Football Writers Association Most Improved Co-Player of the Year along with Redskins quarterback Trent Williams.

The Coastal Carolina product finished the season with 56 tackles along with 19 passes defensed, four interceptions and two touchdowns.

He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September after totaling 15 tackles along with three passes defensed, two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a touchdown.

Norman recorded his first career touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13, when he intercepted quarterback Blake Bortles and returned it 30 yards for a score.

The next week, Norman once again recorded an interception, nabbing a pass from New Orleans Saints quarterback Luke McCown.

Norman earned his first career NFC Defensive Player of the Week award after he intercepted Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie quarterback Jameis Winston twice including a 46-yard pick-six on Oct. 4.

Norman became the first player in Panthers history to record four interceptions in the first four games of a season and first NFL cornerback with two interception return touchdowns in the first four games of a season since Charles Woodson in 2008.

Norman appeared in 14 games during the 2014 season, tallying 48 tackles with 11 passes defensed and two interceptions.

His first interception of the season came off of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, when he gobbled up a pass that running back Marshawn Lynch couldn't keep a handle on at the goal line.

The six-foot, 195 pounder hauled in his first career interception on Oct. 28, 2012, picking off Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler at the Panthers' three-yard line.

Norman started his first career NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 9, 2012.

He was selected with the No. 143 pick in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Coastal Carolina.


Redskins Retained In Free Agency:*
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Quarterback Kirk Cousins (March 1)

After a record-setting year in 2015, the Redskins decided to place the franchise tag on Cousins – keeping him with the team through at least the 2016 season – rather than the possibility of allowing him to test the market as a free agent.

Check out the top images of Kirk Cousins from the 2015 season.

Last season, Cousins (6-3, 202) set numerous franchise records while leading the Redskins to the 2015 NFC East title. He set single-season team records for attempts (543), completions (379), passing yards (4,166) and 300-yard passing games (seven). Cousins threw a touchdown pass in all 16 regular season games, becoming the first player in team history to throw a touchdown in all 16 games in a season since the adoption of the 16-game schedule in 1978.

Cousins is entering his fifth NFL season after originally being selected by the Redskins in the fourth round (102nd overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. For his career, Cousins has appeared in 30 regular season games with 25 starts, completing 619-of-950 pass attempts for 7,196 yards with 47 touchdowns and 30 interceptions.

Cousins, 27, played collegiately at Michigan State from 2007-11, where he was a three-time team captain and earned Academic All-Big Ten Conference honors all four seasons in which he played.


Linebacker Mason Foster (March 9)

Foster, 27, joined the Redskins in Week 4 last season and appeared in 13 games with five starts during the team's 2015 NFC East title run.

Check out the top 10 photos of Mason Foster from the 2015 season.

The University of Washington product would appear only as backup as an inside linebacker on defense for his first two months with the Redskins while also contributing on special teams.

But after Perry Riley Jr. suffered a foot injury in the week of practices leading up to the Redskins' first matchup with the Dallas Cowboys in early December, Foster was pushed into starting duties.

He responded by tallying seven tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in that game.

For the season, Foster would total 43 tackles (one for loss).

Before spending time with the Redskins and Bears, Foster, a third-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for four seasons.

For his career, Foster has appeared in 70 regular season games with 59 starts, compiling 375 tackles (264 solo), 12 passes defensed, 6.0 sacks, five interceptions, three forced fumbles and three fumbles recovered.


Defensive Lineman Kedric Golston (March 9)

Golston, 32, is a veteran of 10 NFL seasons, all with Washington since joining the team as a sixth-round pick (196th overall) in the 2006 NFL Draft.

A countdown of the top-10 images of defensive lineman Kedric Golston during the 2014 season.

While he hasn't started a game since 2013, the University of Georgia product has been a key cog in the defensive line rotation and on special teams over the last two seasons.

In 2015, Golston appeared in 15 games, accumulating nine tackles on 198 defensive snaps along with 175 special teams snaps.

He also provides leadership in the locker room for younger players trying to find their way as professionals in the NFL.

Golston will continue to serve in a similar role that he has filled in recent seasons, especially with Jason Hatcher and Terrance Knighton not returning to the Redskins.

Currently the team's longest-tenured player, Golston has appeared in 140 career regular season games with 51 starts, compiling 221 career tackles (134 solo), 7.0 sacks, seven passes defensed, two forced fumbles and two fumbles recovered.


Safety Duke Ihenacho (March 9)

Ihenacho, 26, joined the Redskins during Week 1 of the 2014 season after being claimed off waivers from Denver.

Ihenacho will be entering his fourth NFL season in 2016 with the last two coming with the Redskins.

The safety originally joined the Redskins after being claimed on waivers before the start of the 2014 season.

He would make his Washington debut on Sept. 7, 2014, playing strictly special teams as he adjusted to his new team following two seasons with the Denver Broncos.

But before the San Jose State product could get into a groove on the East Coast, his season was cut short in Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles after suffering a season-ending fractured foot.

Ihenacho would spend the rest of that season rehabbing in anticipation of better things to come during the 2015 season.

Despite the fact the Redskins would bring in Jeron Johnson, a backup to the talented safeties in Seattle, during free agency last offseason, Ihenacho would participate in an open safety battle before ultimately winning a starting spot for the season.

But in the regular season opener against the Miami Dolphins, Ihenacho would once again be lost for the season, this time to a broken wrist.

He has recorded 76 total tackles (56 solo), six passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumbles recovered in 21 career regular season games with 15 starts.


Quarterback Colt McCoy (March 9)

McCoy, 29, is entering his seventh NFL season and his third with the Redskins after initially joining the team as an unrestricted free agent on April 3, 2014.

McCoy has spent the past two seasons with the Redskins on one-year deals, completing 98 passes for 1,185 yards and five touchdowns to three interceptions in seven appearances over that span.

Two of his three best games with the Redskins to date have come against the Dallas Cowboys, as McCoy led Washington to an upset overtime win in 2014, and then got extended action against the NFC East foes in the final week of the 2015 season, throwing a 77-yard touchdown pass to Rashad Ross in another victory.

McCoy's first regular season action with the Redskins came in Week 7 of the 2014 season, as he replaced Kirk Cousins in the lineup at halftime of a game against the Tennessee Titans.

Despite being his first extended game action in more than three years, McCoy looked sharp coming off the bench, as he completed 11-of-12 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown pass to Pierre Garçon in a last second victory. With Cousins back as the team's starting quarterback after signing his franchise tender last week, McCoy gives the Redskins a veteran backup in case of emergency.

In 35 career regular season games with 25 starts, McCoy has completed 508-of-842 passes (60.3 percent) for 5,586 yards with 26 passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns.


Tight end Logan Paulsen (March 11)

Paulsen, 29, has played with the Redskins since 2010 when he joined the team as a college free agent out of UCLA.

For his career, Paulsen has tallied 79 receptions for 801 yards and six touchdowns. He missed the 2015 season with a toe injury, though.

While Paulsen's receiving numbers don't exactly stand out, he is strongest as a blocker, an area the Redskins desire to improve upon in 2016.

In his and Niles Paul's absence during the 2015 season, the team used tackle Tom Compton as a blocking tight end. Compton is not expected to return this season, though.

"Logan Paulsen is a great example for anyone on a football team the way he played and the way he finished," tight ends coach Wes Phillips said last season.

Paulsen also provides veteran leadership for the special teams units and could see an increased role there this season, especially with Darrel Young no longer on the roster.


Punter Tress Way (March 12)

Check out the top photos of Tress Way from the 2015 season.

The Redskins announced March 12 they have signed Way, who was an exclusive rights free agent heading into the new league year, to a five-year contract extension. Terms of the deal were not released.

Way has excelled since winning the Redskins' punting job in the final week of the 2014 preseason.

A lefty, Way in 2014 became the first member of the Redskins to lead the NFL in punting for a season since Sam Baker in 1958. The Oklahoma product finished with the fourth-best gross average in team history, trailing only Sammy Baugh's full-season NFL record (51.4 yards per punt in 1940) and Baugh's 1941 and 1942 campaigns (48.7 and 48.2).

Last season, Way battled some inconsistencies early to get back on track with 70 total punts for an average of 46.1 yards per punt - a net average of 39.8 yards per kick.


Cornerback Will Blackmon (March 15)

Blackmon was signed after the Redskins' first game of the season against the Miami Dolphins and appeared in 15 games with 10 starts.

Check out these photos of Will Blackmon from the 2015 season.

The 31-year-old finished the season with a career-best performance: 57 tackles along with tying the team-high in interceptions (two) and fumbles forced (three).

The Boston College product also recorded 10 passes defensed.

Blackmon wasn't originally expected to play a big role for the Redskins after being signed before Washington's Week 2 matchup with the then-St. Louis Rams to replace Chris Culliver, who was under a league-issued one-game suspension.

Blackmon has played in 81 career regular season games with 24 starts, compiling 139 tackles (110 solo), 20 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles, eight fumbles recovered, three interceptions and 3.0 sacks.

Blackmon played collegiately at Boston College, serving as a three-year starter for the Eagles from 2003-05. He earned all-conference honors in each of his final three seasons, including his senior year in which he transitioned from cornerback to wide receiver.


Linebacker Junior Galette (March 16)

The Redskins hoped the signing of Galette -- who had 22 sacks his previous two seasons -- during training camp last year would give them one of the best overall pass rushes in the league.

The Washington Redskins today announced the signing of linebacker Junior Galette. Take a look back at the pass rusher's five-year NFL career.

But, just before the start of the regular season, Galette would tear his Achilles, ending his season.

So after spending the entire season recovering, Galette wanted to show his appreciation to the organization that gave him a chance after he was unceremoniously released by the New Orleans Saints.

Galette was re-signed to a reported one-year deal, and is confident he'll be back to his old ways by Week 1 of the 2016 season, giving the Redskins a dynamic pass rush that includes Galette, Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith and Trent Murphy.

Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said Galette's attitude is "infectious."

"Unfortunately we weren't able to see it very long, we had him out at practice a couple times and he was just getting back form an injury and he only got to practice a couple times and you could just see the energy that he had and all of a sudden he had the Achilles which is unfortunate," Gruden said. "I see him all the time rehabbing, he's getting himself ready and I'm excited for him to come back."


Guard/center Josh LeRibeus (March 16)

After playing center for the first time during his NFL career last season, the Washington Redskins have brought back Josh LeRibeus.

Take a look back at the top images of the Washington Redskins' offensive linemen from the 2015 season.

As the Redskins turned the chapter to the 2015 season, new offensive line coach Bill Callahan shifted LeRibeus over from guard, his natural position, to center, a move that was ultimately needed as starting center Kory Lichtensteiger dealt with a mid-season neck injury that resulted in a stint on short-term Injured Reserve.

LeRibeus would start 11 games during the season including the Redskins' 24-point comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the largest in franchise history, along with the team's four-game winning streak to end the year.

"I love it here," LeRibeus said at the end of the season. "So that's No. 1, but we'll see what happens. But definitely got a lot of experience with Callahan helped a lot and looking forward to what the future holds."

With LeRibeus returning, the Redskins have a player that can add depth at the guard position and also take snaps at center again if needed.

"Josh is a very good player to have," Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said. "He did a great job filling in and he's good. He can play both guard spots and center, very versatile lineman, so he's a great guy to have up on game day."


Running back Chris Thompson (March 17)

Chris Thompson will be returning to the Washington Redskins in 2016, fresh off what was easily his best season yet in the NFL.

After two seasons dealing with injuries and a lengthy stint on the practice squad in 2014, Thompson stood out during last year's training camp, grabbing the team's third-down back role alongside Alfred Morris and Matt Jones.

In total, Thompson finished the season with 216 rushing yards on 35 carries and 240 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 35 receptions.

He did this despite dealing with a torn labrum late in the season, an injury for which he underwent surgery in January.

He powered through it to remain productive down the stretch, catching a 12-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter of the Redskins' 38-24 Week 16 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles that clinched the NFC East title for Washington.

Thompson, who spent two seasons dealing with injuries and a lengthy stint on the practice squad in 2014, has definitely earned his spot heading into the offseason. His improved route running -- as well as his willingness to get physical on pass rushers during third-down situations -- make make him a nice option for the Redskins' offense moving forward.


Redskins Departing In Free Agency:

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Quarterback Kirk Cousins (March 1)

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After a record-setting year in 2015, the Redskins decided to place the franchise tag on Cousins – keeping him with the team through at least the 2016 season – rather than the possibility of allowing him to test the market as a free agent.

Last season, Cousins (6-3, 202) set numerous franchise records while leading the Redskins to the 2015 NFC East title. He set single-season team records for attempts (543), completions (379), passing yards (4,166) and 300-yard passing games (seven). Cousins threw a touchdown pass in all 16 regular season games, becoming the first player in team history to throw a touchdown in all 16 games in a season since the adoption of the 16-game schedule in 1978.

Cousins is entering his fifth NFL season after originally being selected by the Redskins in the fourth round (102nd overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. For his career, Cousins has appeared in 30 regular season games with 25 starts, completing 619-of-950 pass attempts for 7,196 yards with 47 touchdowns and 30 interceptions.

Cousins, 27, played collegiately at Michigan State from 2007-11, where he was a three-time team captain and earned Academic All-Big Ten Conference honors all four seasons in which he played.

·        Press Release

·        Player Bio

·        Redskins.com: Redskins Place Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag On Kirk Cousins         

·        Redskins.com: UPDATED: Kirk Cousins Signs Franchise Tender

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