Kemoeatu excited about being a Redskin

The Washington Redskins are banking on nose guard Maake Kemoeatu recovering quickly from a torn Achilles tendon, signing him to a two-year contract worth $7 million.

And Kemoeatu, who's due a series of bonuses between now and the start of the regular season, is excited about how he's going to be utilized in Washington.

So should Albert Haynesworth, who will be freed up to roam around with Kemoeatu occupying blockers.

"When you've got the big guy in the middle like Maake, it allows Albert to be a five-technique, move him around," said Ken Vierra, Kemoeatu's agent, in a telephone interview. "Now, he gets to have the glory while Maake, if he gets healthy, does the dirty work inside. Maake is very happy. He goes there and has a very good meeting with Jim Haslett and Mike Shanahan and everybody.

"Maake has played for the Ravens, the Panthers and now the Redskins. That's three pretty good organizations. Maake's metings with Shanahan were ideal. Everything kind of fell into place football-wise."

Kemoeatu, 31, has registered 208 career tackles, four sacks and seven pass deflections.

Vierra said that the contract is solid with reachable playing time clauses where the $7 million is achievable.

"It all assumes that the Achilles has to respond," Vierra said. "I know he'll put in the work. They are paying him various bonues before the season. That includes a signing bonus that's not seven figures. Is it the $5 million a year deal he had in Carolina?

"No, but this is a chance to rehan and get back in the league and reestablish himself as one of the top nose guards. You're not going to come off this injury and get marquee money, especially in this environment."

Vierra was referencing the labor strife enveloping the league and the potential 2011 lockout.

With that looming on the horizon, having a commitment from a team is a valuable thing.

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