For weeks, sources have said that the Redskins -- cap-crunched as they are -- are, by far, the leading candidates to land MLB London Fletcher-Baker, which would be a major upgrade over Lemar Marshall, a "Mike" in "Will's" clothing. Better yet, Marshall should be their nickel guy. Anyway, Fletcher is in Washington now and reportedly has taken a physical already, which is a pretty good precursor to a deal.

This is likely to happen quickly. Another potential Redskins target, CB Nate Clements, Fletcher's former teammate in Buffalo, reportedly will not sign in the next 24 hours, preferring to take his time, sort out the numerous offers that will come in and decide where he'll play once the initial market splurge as cooled. That's a smart move for the man seen as the most-coveted free agent in what is a bad crop of available players.

Up the shore from Washington, there appears to be a bi-coastal war for free-agent LB Adalius Thomas between the Patriots and 49ers -- both of whom have money to spend. Thomas would be a great fit in either defense, and 49ers head coach Mike Nolan knows all too well how Thomas' versatility can change a defense, but ever since Bill Belichick coached Thomas at the Pro Bowl (where the coach allowed Thomas to address the team before and after practice), I have gotten the feeling that this is a match. Sure, the 49ers might offer a few dollars more, but Thomas knows his window for competing might be closing a bit, and there's now better place to pursue a title than New England as long as Belichick and Tom Brady are around.

Like Rosie Colvin in 2003, Thomas might accept a couple fewer bucks to play for the Patriots for a better situation. That move would allow Mike Vrabel to shift inside on a moer permanent basis, making his role more like that of former Patriots run plugger Ted Johnson and less liek a pass rusher, as he has been used most.