Redskins to Be Quiet in Free-Agent Market - Dallas Cowboys Forum

**trickblue** · 03-01-2005

I'll believe it when I see it...

Redskins to Be Quiet in Free-Agent Market
By JOSEPH WHITE
AP Sports Writer

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -- Dan Snyder won't be fueling up the jet to fly a parade of players across the country on the first few days of free agency this year.

In fact, the Washington Redskins' new approach to the open market can best be summed up with a name that isn't exactly at the tip of anyone's tongue: Casey Rabach, Baltimore's center for four years and one of the few players the Redskins were expected to target immediately when the NFL's free agency signing period began at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

Should Rabach accept an invitation to Redskins Park, that would be the closest thing to a splash the Redskins would create on opening day, a far cry from the six signings over four days of a year ago.

"I think we'll do a lot less than last year because our needs are not nearly as many as last year," coach Joe Gibbs said.

The Redskins' top priorities are receiver and center, a shorter shopping list that gives Gibbs time to deal with a mess of unresolved developments that have made for another chaotic winter in which damage control has been the major theme.

Receiver Laveranues Coles wants to leave, but his contract demands are a stumbling block to a trade and the Redskins don't want to cut him. Receiver Rod Gardner also wants out, and he's been given permission to seek a trade. Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce and cornerback Fred Smoot are "real Redskins" that Gibbs wants as part of his core group, but both want to test the open market before re-signing.

Tackle Chris Samuels' contract is scheduled to count a whopping $9.5 million against the salary cap this year, but talks on a new deal dragged on much longer than expected.

The Redskins usually steal the show early in free agency. Marcus Washington, Shawn Springs, Cornelius Griffin and Phillip Daniels were signed quickly last year, while trades were completed for Mark Brunell and Clinton Portis in a pace so furious that multiple pilots were needed to fly the jet.

This year, the top need is a receiver to replace Gardner. A second receiver could be needed, depending on the resolution of Coles' situation.

Cornerback becomes a major priority if Smoot doesn't re-sign, although reports touting an interest in Samari Rolle, recently released by Tennessee, were premature at best.

Smoot has said he wants to be return, but he balked at the Redskins' offer of a $10.3 million signing bonus - even though it would top the $10.25 million Springs received last year. Pierce wants to test free agency but has said he will give the Redskins a chance to counter any offer he gets.

"Hopefully we can get all those guys taken care of," Gibbs said. "The only time I think we'll lose somebody is if it's totally unworkable. Everybody knows who we value as real Redskins."

Coles has asked to leave because of his frustration over Gibbs' conservative offense. However, the Redskins don't want to release a player who caught 90 passes last year and get nothing in return - especially since cutting him would cost them $9.3 million against the salary cap this year.

The Redskins would be amenable to a trade - Coles for Santana Moss in a swap with the New York Jets is a possibility, but the Jets and other teams aren't enthusiastic about Coles' desire for a new contract if he switches teams. Complicating matters is a $5 million bonus due to Coles on April 1, which could be paid by either the Redskins or a new team.

**MichaelWinicki** · 03-01-2005

Ha-ha-ha!

Cbz40 · 03-01-2005

Only if Snyder is locked in a closet somewhere.

JBRockBottom31 · 03-01-2005

LMAO that is classic!

**big dog cowboy** · 03-01-2005

Danny boy is gonna be doing a slow burn all day tomorrow.

**MichaelWinicki** · 03-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cbz40

Only if Snyder is locked in a closet somewhere.

Evening CBZ.

Cbz40 · 03-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

Evening CBZ.

And a Good evening to you Michael

Portland Fanatic · 03-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by big dog cowboy

Danny boy is gonna be doing a slow burn all day tomorrow.

LOL...he will need to be admitted for withdrawel symptoms by 4 pm tomorrow.

**trickblue** · 03-01-2005

Well... it's the only thing Danny seems to beat the Cowboys in...

I say they go for a third straight off-season moves Lombardi trophy...

Yeagermeister · 03-01-2005

They will have to drug Synder and put him in a straight jacket for that to happen. I just don't see it happening.

Wheat · 03-01-2005

as a Skins fan, I pray its quiet.

I know they gave Samuels a new deal with a big fat signing bonus. But, the numbers confuse me since it overlaps with this years hit. But it gives room to deal Coles......or to keep Smoot and Pierce.

Do that, keep Coles......trade Gardner for a 2nd (which is what the word on the street is). Draft a rookie WR in the 1st round..... and maybe some more blue collar guys.

No Derrick Mason, No Rolle, Nothing stupid PLEASE! PLEASE JOE PLEASE!

Dale · 03-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bufford

as a Skins fan, I pray its quiet.

I know they gave Samuels a new deal with a big fat signing bonus. But, the numbers confuse me since it overlaps with this years hit. But it gives room to deal Coles......or to keep Smoot and Pierce.

Do that, keep Coles......trade Gardner for a 2nd (which is what the word on the street is). Draft a rookie WR in the 1st round..... and maybe some more blue collar guys.

No Derrick Mason, No Rolle, Nothing stupid PLEASE! PLEASE JOE PLEASE!

If you can get a 2nd rounder, I'd consider that quite a steal for Gardner, though he does represent a former "busted" first-round pick.

Wheat · 03-01-2005

what I've heard is that a few teams have asked about him. Tampa and some others, Baltimore, etc.

It might be a LOW 2nd....but a 2nd would be awesome. I'd even not be pissed with a 3rd.

Happy Hunting guys......less that 5 hours to go.

In my head, I see the cast of Cannonball Run getting ready.

ghst187 · 03-01-2005

imagine Danny boy having to sit on his hands for once while his arch rival Jerry J goes shopping and signs 4 or 5 moderate to big name guys....plus two first round draft picks....

Wheat · 03-01-2005

I imagine it sucks for him. That's for sure. But us fans are loving it. I hope.