Josh Wilson: Under-Appreciated or Free Agent Signing Gone Wrong?

Rogers' emergence in San Francisco made it tough for Redskins new CB

Carlos Rogers used to be unpopular in Washington because he couldn’t catch the ball. Now he’s despised precisely because he can.

The former Redskins cornerback was often ridiculed for his stone hands, unspectacular play and dissatisfaction with the Redskins as an organization. He was never so much a liability as an underachiever -- an impression he’s quickly left behind after heading out west to play for the San Francisco 49ers.

After recording just eight interceptions in six seasons, the former first-round pick had six in his first year with the 49ers. One season after Redskins fans were ready to run Rogers out of town, he’s the guy everyone wishes had stayed.

But even with the hindsight from Rogers’ terrific season, getting rid of him was a no-brainer. He was unhappy with his role on the team and tired of the Redskins’ dysfunctional ways. The team was displeased with his lack of production and it was time for the rocky relationship to end.

Of course everyone wants to criticize the Redskins for letting him go now that he’s played his way into the Pro Bowl with the Niners. Couple that with what appeared to be a pedestrian season for his replacement, Josh Wilson, it’s once again chic to pile on the Redskins’ front office.

Yet those who do are missing the point.

Washington was never going to get an elite performance from Rogers. He didn’t want to play here and his career numbers weren’t good enough to justify signing him to a big deal anyway. As for 2011, it could very well be an outlier in what has otherwise been an unimpressive career.

And since Rogers’s departure was inevitable, the Redskins actually did a good job in replacing him with Wilson. Though he was far from being a shutdown cornerback, Wilson’s stats in 2011 were significantly better than Rogers’s were in 2010.

Rogers played 779 snaps in 2010 and gave up 50 completions on 72 targets (69.4 percent caught). Quarterbacks threw his way for 569 yards (11.4 yards per catch), three touchdowns and two interceptions with a rating of 95.2.

In 972 snaps this season -- his first starting all 16 games -- Wilson was targeted 92 times and allowed 46 completions for 607 yards good for 13.2 yards per catch. He was tied for 15th among all corners in percentage caught (50 percent) and 12th in passes defensed (10). Opposing quarterbacks had five touchdowns and two interceptions against him with a rating of 80.3.

So in 193 fewer snaps, Rogers gave up just 38 fewer yards than Wilson. He also surrendered four more completions on 20 less targets. The only category Rogers was markedly better in was yards per catch, meaning he did do a good job limiting downfield throws. Also, don't forget that Rogers played on an elite defense while Wilson and his mates were trying to resurrect one of the NFL's worst.

Wilson’s 2010 numbers give further credence to the Redskins decision to sign him. With nearly half the snaps he had in 2011, he put up even better stats with the Baltimore Ravens, placing in the Top 10 in both percentage caught and quarterback rating.

Overall, given what we knew about the two players before 2011 and Wilson’s steadiness in place of Rogers, the move was the right one to make regardless of the latter’s performance this season.

Thanks as always to Pro Football Focus for the advanced stats.

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