The Redskins continue to make some low-key free agent signings and now they are working on their defensive secondary. In the last few days they have signed CB Leigh Torrance and safeties Madieu Williams (former Terp) and Tanard Jackson. With us not resigning Laron Landry and cutting OJ Atogwe, obviously safety was a concern for us. What it seems like we are doing with these guys are bringing in some former good player/under the radar type guys hoping they either make it big or play like they used to at the safety position. Right now Jackson and Williams will be battling for the starting safety spots with Reed Doughty, DeJon Gomes, Brandon Meriweather, and possibly Cedric Griffin. Not a ton of proven names on there but Merriweather, Jackson, and Williams have all proved to be at least serviceable in the past with Jackson and Merriweather classifying as “good” at one point in their careers. Here are my thoughts on the individual signings:

• Madieu Williams- Former Terp and DC native will probably be brought on as a backup but will have the opportunity to try to win a starting safety spot. I haven’t seen him play a lot since his UMD days but from what I hear he isn’t that great, but not terrible. I see him as an upgrade from Doughty at the backup safety position because really anybody would be. He could win the starting strong safety spot but I think Merriweather will hold that position.
• Tennard Jackson- Much like Williams I have not seen a lot of Jackson lately but from what I have heard he was once a solid player who has started for the last 4 or 5 years for the Bucs but has had some off the field and injury issues lately that has slowed him down. We do have former Buc head coach Raheem Morris on the staff so he will work with Jackson and hopefully be able to get him to revert back to his old ways. Jackson is still fairly young (26) so he is in the prime of his career and still should have the ability to be solid for the Skins. I see him as our starting free safety for the Skins and hopefully he can be solid for us.
• Leigh Torrance- More of a depth signing than anything. He has never been a starter in this league (played with Skins about 5 years back) and I am sure he never will be. I doubt he will be very good, I am expecting to had his name to the list of scrub corners we have after Wilson and Hall.

I am pretty cool with these signings, I don’t think Torrance will have a great impact on the team but I am expecting Jackson to start at FS alongside of Merriweather and for Williams to back up Merriweather and be a solid backup (much better than Doughty). All of these signings were low-risk (short contract, not a lot of cash) and at least Jackson has fairly high upside so I am alright with these. Like I said it seems like the Skins are just trying to get as many decent corners/safety castoffs that they can in here and hope a couple of them pan out so we can have a couple of solid starters. I am expecting Merriweather and Jackson to separate themselves from the pack and hopefully regain their once solid form and make a solid duo on the defensive backfield for us.