Redskins Sign NFL Europe Standouts DE Jonathan Brown and DB Fred Booker

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http://www.redskins.com/story.asp?ContentID=11739

Redskins Sign NFL Europe Standouts DE Jonathan Brown and DB Fred Booker

06/19/2003

Ashburn, VA - The Washington Redskins announced today they have signed defensive end Jonathan Brown and defensive back Fred Booker. Terms of the deals were not disclosed. Both players recently finished the NFL Europe season, where they were teammates on the Amsterdam Admirals. Brown is a former NFL Europe Co-Defensive MVP and Booker started at cornerback in 2003 and recorded 27 tackles and one interception.

Brown, 6-3, 270 lbs., joined Amsterdam this spring for his second season in NFL Europe. He was an immediate contributor to the Admirals defensive lineup, ushering in a team-high 6.5 sacks (also fourth in the league) and 26 tackles. Brown also played in the NFL Europe League in 2000, and led the league with 10 sacks with Berlin, earning him Co-Defensive MVP honors. He entered the NFL as a third round selection (90th overall) by Green Bay in the 1998 NFL Draft. Brown appeared in four games with Green Bay in 1998 and three games for St. Louis in 2001. He was out of football in 1999 after being released by the Packers and spent the 2000 preseason with San Diego and the regular season on the Denver practice squad. He was an All-SEC selection his senior season and collected 25 sacks during his career at Tennessee.

Booker, 5-9, 188 lbs., started at cornerback for the Admirals in 2003 and posted 27 tackles (20 solo), four passes deflected, and four special teams tackles. He also had one interception for a 16-yard return. Prior to the 2002 season, he attended training camp with the San Francisco 49ers. In January 2003, he was signed to the Indiana Firebirds Arena League team but was placed on the injured reserve list before leaving to play in the NFL Europe League. Booker began his pro career with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in April 2001 but was released in July. Booker played college ball at LSU, where he appeared in 44 of 45 games and started every game during his junior and senior seasons. In 2000 he had two interceptions, finished sixth on the team with 42 tackles (four for loss), and received first team All-America honors. He finished his college career with 126 tackles (83 solo), four interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.

http://www.redskins.com/story.asp?ContentID=11740

2003 Player Profile: Del Cowsette, DT

06/19/2003

By Jason Gould

Editor, Redskins.com

Third-year defensive tackle Del Cowsette has been a consistent performer for the Redskins the past two seasons after spending one season on Washington's practice squad. In 32 career games, he has recorded 28 tackles, two sacks and one fumble recovery. Cowsette and his teammates will be in action at Redskins training camp, which is set to begin on July 28 at Redskin Park in Ashburn, Virginia. Admission and parking to training camp are free. Click here for driving directions and other pertinent information.

Del Cowsette

Number: 99

Height: 6-1

Weight: 296

Experience: 3rd season

College: Maryland

Career Highlight: Cowsette recorded a key third quarter sack of Rams quarterback Kurt Warner in Washington's thrilling 20-17 win over St. Louis in Week 12 last season. Cowsette had recorded his first career sack in the season opener against the Cardinals. His third-down sack of Warner forced St. Louis to punt from its 1-yard line, setting up the Redskins' final touchdown.

Did You Know?: Cowsette starred at the University of Maryland from 1995-99. Playing in all 44 games in his college career, Cowsette compiled 280 tackles and 13 sacks in his four seasons as a Terrapin. He earned defensive MVP honors for Maryland in 1999. The Redskins selected Cowsette in the seventh round (216th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft.

Expectations: Cowsette has been a consistent and durable backup for the Redskins since being drafted in 2000. After spending a season on Washington's practice squad, Cowsette has provided important depth for the Redskins the past two seasons. The Redskins hope Cowsette can continue to be a solid player at defensive tackle.

Quote: "I want to play a key role on this defense, but I have to take it one step at a time. I'm improving on my quickness up the field, bull-rushing and getting off the ball. Those are the skills that earn you playing time."

-Del Cowsette

[Golgo-13]

As soon as I saw the word "standouts" in the title of the article, I knew it had to have come from Redskins.com. :laugh: :laugh:

[bulldog]

Del was claimed by the Colts and spent a season in Indy before returning to the Redskins after Marty left.

Del came into the league at 6'1 and 264, he has beefed up to 296 according to the article. At 26 the question is does he now have enough skill to match his weight room work to become a regular contributor at this level?

He has been a backup, but has been sparingly used. It is telling that Carl Powell was inserted into EACH vacancy on the line during the seaon, even though by size and inclination is more effective at DE.

Del has to prove he is more than the #9 lineman, hoping to stay on the roster as the #42 or #43 player, and that year to fish or cut bait is 2003.

Haley may or may not be suspended for his driving arrest, if anything the uncertainty will give Cowsette a chance to show what he can do in camp as the #4 DT may end up being part of the regular rotation in the opener.

[GURU]

In all fairness, Cowsette was really banged-up and had to have off-season surgury, which could be a reason for his lack of playing time last season. He was becoming a regular contributor under Marty, and was rotating regularly with Kennard Lang by the end of the season. I remember Doc Walker specifically mentioning Cowsette as the type of blue-collar, lunch pail-type player that the Skins need to develop because you just can't have 22 highly paid, blue-chip starters on the roster.

Cowsette was a playmaker at Maryland who displayed a real nice feel and enthusiasm for the game. After 3 years of working extremely hard to develop an NFL body, maybe Cowsette could be surprise. He's the kind of player I always end up routing for.

[TerpSkin]

You are exactly right, Guru. That wrist injury really limited him last year and was the primary reason Powell was ahead of him in the DT rotation. When Del did get his chances last year, he produced with 2 sacks and a forced fumble (not bad for a sparingly used player as Bulldog pointed out).