Redskins Sign LB Junior Galette

The Redskins strengthened a position many already believed was strong Friday as the team signed former Saints LB Junior Galette to a one-year minimum deal. Galette has had some off the field issues recently that led to his release from New Orleans earlier this week. On the field, Galette is a monster of epic proportions tallying twenty-two sacks and four forced fumbles the last two seasons.

After meeting with head coach Jay Gruden, team president Bruce Allen and GM Scot McCloughan on Thursday night, the only thing left to do Friday was finalize the deal.

The move gives the Redskins a chance to let Trent Murphy and Preston Smith learn for another year. Both Murphy and Smith can now focus on situational pass-rushing and perfecting their positions. Of course in the NFL having depth is crucial in case of injuries.

Jay Gruden and other Redskins players spoke about Galette on Thursday.

“Obviously he’s had some issues in the past, but we like to draw our own conclusions about every individual that we bring into this building, and we’ll go from there,” Gruden said Thursday before being able to speak with Galette. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to him at all, so until I do, I won’t draw any conclusions on what’s happened to him in the past.”

Terrance Knighton played with Galette in college for two years, Galette was kicked off that Temple team after being arrested. Knighton said he knew a different side of Galette.

“He got a bad rap with the off-the-field stuff, but with a lot of things going on, you don’t really know what the situation is. Just being a football player, sometimes the spotlight is on you, and you react sometimes as a human being, and sometimes you forget what you do for a living.”

“He’s a great guy, and he would definitely add to the team defensively. Since I’ve known him, all he’s talked about is sacking the quarterback. He lives to sack the quarterback, and when you’ve got guys like that on the edge, it makes my job a lot easier.”

Below are a couple of videos of Galette from camp courtesy of Rich Tandler.