Nine years ago, the Redskins began their free agency period with a bang when they signed linebacker London Fletcher to a five-year contract.
In fact, it began precisely at 12:01 a.m. on Friday morning, March 3, with Fletcher receiving a call from head coach Joe Gibbs and later defensive coordinator Gregg Williams at 3 a.m. welcoming him to the team.
The next day, Fletcher was in a suit fielding questions from reporters.
"This was the place I wanted to be," Fletcher said. "... It's one of the all-time great franchises in the history of the National Football League, and when I look at the roster, the coaches, the potential, I see and know this team is not far from returning to its glory days.