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Who can top 84 degrees in Fredericksburg, Virginia at 5 PM on Thursday March 15th? Or how about 81 degrees at Redskins Park in Ashburn at the same time? (Yes I started this post yesterday afternoon)

The Redskins apparently wanted to celebrate this burst of early summer weather by signing Brandon Meriweather to a contract that was first reported by the New York Post, and first confirmed by ESPN 980 via a direct league source.

The Redskins hope they signed their replacement for LaRon Landry on Thursday. They'll never say it on the record, but that's exactly what Brandon Meriweather was signed to do. LaRon is about 99.99% assured of not returning to his familiar front-corner locker room spot at Redskins Park.

The Redskins reached a reported two-year, six million dollar deal in terms of value.  The signing was later confirmed by the club, but they do not release terms.

Meriweather is a two-time Pro Bowl safety, who has played in multiple schemes (4-3, 3-4) and was probably cast out of position last year with the Chicago Bears in a cover-2 scheme. Even though he has played some free safety principles in New England, his strength and comfortability  is obviously at strong safety.

Meriweather has 12 career INT's and 5 forced fumbles in his four year career. He also has combined for 293 tackles and 29 passes defensed.

What you won't read about with Meriweather from a team perspective is this. His reputation is simply awful, based on a sordid history of bad and sometimes frightening behavior.

The Redskins had to feel comfortable enough with the risks, as they met with Meriweather over the last 24 plus hours, to sign him and potentially have to deal with another player that is one mistake away from being suspended.

As far as we know, he is not in the same category of Fred Davis and Trent Williams, and that is obvious - but what we do know is that the New England Patriots who were simply desperate for defensive talent, gave up on Meriweather after a Pro Bowl season, releasing him on final roster cut down day last year.

Who does that? Nobody in their right mind, gives up on premium talent when a contract is in place and you have a gaping hole to fill.

Before he was released, Meriweather was reportedly benched or de-activated for free-lancing in the Patriots scheme. That's not good.

The excellent staff of football nuts and tape junkies at ProFootballFocus.com have shredded the Redskins moves in free agency so far, and that trend contiinued in this post http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/03/16/free-agency-day-3-5-questions-5-analysts-031612/, but to make it easier here is what they said about Meriweather.

"The Redskins are at it again. Not satisfied with seeing Brandon Meriweather stink things up for the Patriots (I don’t know how many times we told people that 2010 Pro Bowl berth was a travesty) our friends in the front office in Washington had another opportunity to see his worth in safety sparse Chicago. Granted he wasn’t as dreadful as in New England but there was nothing to make you believe he’d come good. As Darin Gantt tweeted on hearing the news, “apparently the Redskins are funding the Garcon contract with money saved on film."

Meriweather was part of the flurry of illegal hits in 2010 that led to a startling mid-season philosophy and enforcement change by the NFL when he illegally hit Todd Heap, then of the Ravens. He was fined 50,000 by the league, but more importantly - when you have a reputation already -- it doesn't take long for the league to step up and suspend you. Again, that would be less than stellar.

At the University of Miami, in 2006,  Meriweather was a huge part of a vicious on-field brawl with Florida International, in which he viciously stomped several FIU players who were prone on the ground. Meriweather was suspended by the conference and Miami, and that clearly became a part of his reputation moving forward.

As an appetizer to that ugly incident..there was a shooting incident involving a friend, a gun and a few trouble makers. Meriweather was not punished by the law, but you know, it's something that I am begging him not to get involved with here in DC.

I might be considered Mr. negative, but you must realize what the Redskins are dealing with here. A talented piece, but the Redskins hope  he is not a piece  of well, you know.

Chris Russell // RussellC@Redskins.com // sftherooster@yahoo.com // www.twitter.com/russellmania980 // www.facebook.com (ESPN 980 or Chris Russell)