Aqib Talib Reportedly Getting Priced Out Of Redskins Budget, Perhaps For The Best

The Redskins had a relatively quiet Day 1 of free agency. They re-signed Sav Rocca and Kedric Golston, as well as re-structured the contracts of Santana Moss and Adam Carriker to leave themselves just a little more cap space to work with. However, there were no flashy moves or big signings.

Nov 18, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib (31) returns the punt for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Fans reading reports that the Redskins are interested in free agent corner Aqib Talib are probably quite excited for what Day 2 may have in store because hey, we love all the drama and excitement that the offseason brings. But I caution all fans with the mindset that the Redskins need Talib to keep their expectations low.

As much as the Redskins could use a replacement for the recently-released DeAngelo Hall, reports have said that bidding on Talib is starting to get pricey. If that’s the case, anteing up to sign him would nearly defeat the purpose of cutting Hall in the first place.

While the Redskins don’t even have the room to sucker themselves into handing out a mega-deal, they still need to be cautious about the allocation of cap space. If they spend too much on a guy like Talib, they’re looking at very low cost, fourth-to-fifth tier free agents to fill the rest of their holes.

The other point the Redskins need to keep in mind is that Talib comes with some baggage. While he’s shown he has the potential to be one of the better cornerbacks in the game, he’s been inconsistent and somewhat of a head case in the last two years.

After being selected in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Talib put together a solid rookie year recording four interceptions and nine pass deflections. The tend went upward through 2010, until his numbers took a nose dive starting two seasons ago. Talib’s recorded just four interceptions over the last two seasons, a mark that he matched or beat in each of his first three years.

On top of that, Talib’s missed five games since 2010 due to multiple suspensions, and also faced an aggravated assault charge in 2011. The charges have since been dropped, but regardless, Talib isn’t exactly the great locker room leader the Redskins could use in their secondary.

The Redskins may need to concede this bidding war to the other bidders. The organization does not have a good history of dealing with disruptive players, and you can be sure that if the Redskins do somehow sign Talib, every Washington media publication will be asking if he winds up as a “mini Albert Haynesworth.”

New England managed to keep Talib in line last season, and that’s probably the ideal fit for him. The Patriots are perhaps the best in the league at keeping their players in line, and also at getting the most out of every man on their roster. With Talib’s personality and inconsistency on the field, why wouldn’t he want to return?