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AP: Springs Talks About Off-Season


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AP Interview: Redskins' Springs Talks About Eventful Offseason

http://sports.iwon.com/news/06142007/v2069.html

Jun 14, 5:27 PM (ET) Email this Story

By JOSEPH WHITE

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -When the Washington Redskins asked Shawn Springs to take a pay cut, he said no.

"You only get two choices," Springs told The Associated Press on Thursday. "Either keep me, or let me go."

In his first interview since rejoining the team for offseason workouts, Springs put his eventful offseason in very simple terms. He seemed bemused about the attention he's been receiving, wondering aloud more than once why he's in such demand.

"I ain't going to be the type of person that causes drama," Springs said with a smile. "You know how my personality is. I'm so easygoing and laid-back."

Even so, there's been plenty of drama surrounding the 32-year-old cornerback. He had three injuries last year - a sports hernia, a hamstring injury and a broken shoulder blade - limiting him to nine games and only one interception. In the offseason he was the subject of trade rumors, and the Redskins asked him to take a pay cut from a contract that is scheduled to count a team-high $7.4 million against the salary cap this season.

Springs, figuring he would command plenty of attention from other teams if the Redskins cut him, essentially called the team's bluff. He would only play under the contract he signed.

"Either you want me or you don't," Springs said. "All that other stuff, that ain't important."

Springs complicated matters by not showing up for the start of voluntary spring practices in early May, deciding instead to remain in Arizona to pursue his own workout regimen. He and safety Sean Taylor were the only notable absentees during the first week, and Taylor eventually reported. Coach Joe Gibbs told reporters he had "lost contact" with Springs.

"I lost my phone," Springs said with a shrug. "That happens."

More seriously, Springs said he preferred to complete the program he had begun in Arizona. Then, when he finally did report last week, he had to leave abruptly when he got a call from his pregnant wife. She has since given birth to a boy - "everything's good," he said - and he was at Redskins Park on Thursday to have his physical in preparation for the mandatory three-day minicamp that begins Friday.

"This minicamp's going to be rough," said Springs, referring to the baby at home, "because I ain't getting no sleep."

When healthy, Springs has been a solid No. 1 cornerback, but the Redskins were stung last year when the defense ranked 31st overall and set an NFL record for fewest takeaways in a non-strike season. Since then, they have added free agent cornerbacks Fred Smoot, David Macklin and Jerametrius Butler to a group that already includes Springs and Carlos Rogers.

Springs is still probably the cream of that crop, and the team's thoughts about possibly moving him to safety faded when Washington selected LaRon Landry with the No. 6 overall pick in the draft in April.

"I don't know why they were talking about that anyway," Springs said of the move to safety. "Maybe they don't think I'm a good corner."

Springs said he has not sought to have a clear-the-air talk with Gibbs. The very fact that he'll be on the field Friday in a Redskins uniform says all that needs to be said.

"I'm here, so they want me here," Springs said. "And nothing else matters."

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"I don't know why they were talking about that anyway," Springs said of the move to safety. "Maybe they don't think I'm a good corner."

Everything else read fine. I don't know what this is all about, though.

whenever you hear him speak, he always tries to be funny once or twice. I took that comment as him making fun of himself. - He sounds as though he has a good attitude and I'm thinking now has something to prove.

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yeah that read did leave a bitter taste in my mouth. Shouldnt he be saying stuff like "I'm glad to be back. Ive worked out in Arizona and the injuries have sucked but im in the best shape of my life. Landry was a great pick, cant wait to start working out with the guys again." Eh whatever. All im saying is that he better stay healthy this year.

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"Either you want me or you don't," Springs said. "All that other stuff, that ain't important."

this line also got to me. Yeah im sure they want you, but not at the price theyre paying you especially since you are unable to stay healthy for an entire season.

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+

What a clown. He better perform this year and NOT get injured like the little ***** that he is.

I completely agree with you, Now I remember why I wanted him cut back in March. I bet if the team was on the verge of cutting him before, he just crossed the line into free agency.

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I like Springs. So he's a little ****y. Most corners are. If he stays on the field and produces I have no beef with him at all. Talk is talk. Production is what I want.

2 picks in 2 seasons does NOT equal production. the only thing he produces is game missing injuries and a big mouth. after this interview i like springs even less. what a waste. we should have cut his weak ass.

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its obvious from his tone that hes not happy with how they handled him this offseason, they should have just cut him. and a guy with 2 ints in the past 2 seasons shouldnt be talking like that.

Letalone making $7.4 million when we have guys who are young, stay healthy, and produce but make pennies compared to that. Maybe they should have tried to restructure it so it was dependent on performance. He probably would have rejected that too, though.

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The guy signed a contract he was offered. He has a right to decline a paycut if he wants and there is nothing wrong with that at all. The skins made the right choice by not releasing him. He was better than any player we could have signed. If he doesn't work out this year then we let him go next year but i think he is going to pan out. As far as working out in Arizona. He probably feels that the workout he had with the team at Redskins Park last offseason was the reason for why he was not healthy. Shawn Springs is a good guy and will surprise many of you next season.

Bold Prediction for the season. He will be a shutdown corner and will play in all 16 games!

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The guy signed a contract he was offered. He has a right to decline a paycut if he wants and there is nothing wrong with that at all. The skins made the right choice by not releasing him. He was better than any player we could have signed. If he doesn't work out this year then we let him go next year but i think he is going to pan out. As far as working out in Arizona. He probably feels that the workout he had with the team at Redskins Park last offseason was the reason for why he was not healthy. Shawn Springs is a good guy and will surprise many of you next season.

Bold Prediction for the season. He will be a shutdown corner and will play in all 16 games!

considering he hasnt played a full season in 6 friggin years, i will disagree. and hes far from shutdown. the only thing that shuts down is his body.

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2 picks in 2 seasons does NOT equal production. the only thing he produces is game missing injuries and a big mouth. after this interview i like springs even less. what a waste. we should have cut his weak ass.

Your posts are a waste. I said I WANT PRODUCTION. I didn't say he produced. Only thing here that's weak is your dumb hating on our best corner.

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