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Redskins Sign Defensive Tackle Stephen Paea

Redskins Sign Defensive Tackle Stephen Paea

Redskins Sign Defensive Tackle Stephen Paea

The Washington Redskins opened the 2015 NFL free-agency period by signing former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Stephen Paea.

Paea (6-1, 300 lbs) is coming off his best season as a pro, the 26 year-old had six sacks and two forced fumbles while starting all 16 games for the first time in his four-year career. In his four years in Chicago Paea has 94 tackles, 12 sacks, 5 passes defended and 2 forced fumbles.

The signing of Paea signals a possible change in technique for the Redskins along the defensive line as Paea is more of a one-gap rusher in the 3-4. Paea will likely play end in the Redskins base package scheme and move inside on third/passing downs.

The Redskins are looking to re-tool their defensive line this off-season having already cut Stephen Bowen and Barry Cofield, saving nearly $10 million in cap space in the process. The team also signed defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois a couple weeks back. Jean-Francois was drafted by new Redskins GM Scot McCloughan while in San Francisco.

Below is a video of Paea at the NFL combine when he broke the bench-press record.

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