For Football Reasons Only, The Redskins Need Michael Sam

I have made no secret of my complete support of Michael Sam in his quest to be the first openly gay man to play in the NFL.  I think he should be able to do so, and he has gotten a bit of a chance.  It is interesting that the team that drafted him, the St. Louis Rams, cut him and now have the 23rd ranked defense, and are dead last in the league in sacks from a defensive line that was supposed to be the best in football.  Call it karma, if you want, because the Cowboys signed Sam and are off to a 6-1 start.  But now Dallas, too, has let Sam go.  This is where my beloved dumpster fire, the Washington Redskins, come into play.

Would it be great publicity to sign him?  Of course.  Would letting Sam play for the team help balance out all the negativity surrounding the team's name, Dan Snyder's attitude, the oft-injured franchise QB, and an abysmal record?  Sure would.  However, that should have nothing to do with his signing.  There are 3 amazingly obvious, football-only reasons that the Washington Redskins need to sign Michael Sam immediately.

1. Brian Orakpo is hurt again.  The 3-time Pro Bowler and current franchise player of the DC Football team re-tore his pectoral muscle this past week, and is out for the rest of the year.  In fact, there is a good chance his career in DC is over unless he wants to take a massive pay cut in the offseason.  The Skins looked like they were going to be moving on anyway, and still have a pass rush anchored by Ryan Kerrigan.  However, another injury would leave them severely short on edge rushers.  Michael Sam could come into a 3-4, play behind more experienced guys, work on his coverage and rush skills, and provide another serviceable warm body for Jim Haslett to plug into his system.

2. The Redskins may have the worst special teams in the league.  While the unit played well in their win over the Tennessee Titans, they still have massive holes on coverage and blocking.  This is where they could use a guy like Michael Sam.  A quality edge rusher can require more than one blocker, thus allowing one of the faster guys to get to the opposing punter or kicker cleanly.  Furthermore, a former SEC Defensive Player of the Year probably knows how to tackle guys, which seems to be an issue for the rest of the squad.  Also, Sam has the same build and speed as former Skins Pro Bowl Special Teamer Lorenzo Alexander, who may be the most sorely missed player in recent DC Football history.  To prove you can play in the NFL, you have to start on special teams.  Sam could flourish in this much-needed role.

3. Michael Sam knows the Cowboys system.  In case you didn't know, the Redskins and their fanbase absolutely hate the Dallas Cowboys.  So, why wouldn't the team want to gain every upper hand they could going into a week when they play the 6-1 division leaders?  Sam could have insight into the intricacies of Dallas' defense.  We know Colt McCoy will need all the help he can get.  A failure to sign Sam when he has experience in Dallas and when you have the open spot on your roster is a massive oversight.  Bill Belichick does this kind of move all the time, and he has won as many Super Bowls as Joe Gibbs.  As an organization, the Skins should probably start doing more things the Patriots would do.  They seem to be doing alright.


So there you have it.  Not one, not two, but three football-based reasons the Skins should sign Michael Sam immediately.  It has nothing to do with giving this young man a chance to make history.  It has nothing to do with trying to get positive publicity, though Snyder et al need as much as they can get.  It doesn't even have anything to do with the fact that Washington, DC has been voted one of the most gay-friendly cities in the United States.  It only has to do with football.  Sign the kid.  Improve the team.  Beat Dallas?  Maybe.