bubba9497 Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Courtship of Russell heats up By Jody Foldesy THE WASHINGTON TIMES http://www.washtimes.com/sports/20031028-115621-7498r.htm The Washington Redskins opened an aggressive courtship of controversial defensive tackle Darrell Russell yesterday, flying him from Los Angeles to Chicago to meet with owner Dan Snyder over dinner, team officials said. Vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato boarded Snyder's private jet Monday night to accompany Russell to Chicago, where the NFL owners' meetings begin today. Giving Russell the same whirlwind treatment afforded players like Randy Thomas and Brandon Noble at the start of free agency, the Redskins planned to bring him back to Redskin Park today and perhaps close a quick deal to bolster their no-name defensive interior. Some in Russell's camp, however, were said to want to take the signing process slowly. Several other teams were said to have expressed interest, including Miami and Tampa Bay. The latter is coached by Russell's former coach in Oakland, Jon Gruden. Russell also was in the process of changing agents from Leigh Steinberg to Gary Wichard, NFL sources said. But sources said Steinberg would waive the mandatory five-day waiting period before a player's new agent can begin negotiating. Ultimately, Washington appeared to have the inside track to the talented but troubled defender selected second overall in 1997 and named to the Pro Bowl in 1998 and '99. Russell, after being reinstated from 11/2 years of suspension Monday, cleared waivers as expected yesterday and became an unrestricted free agent. No team wanted to take on the remainder of his $10 million salary this season and hefty contract in coming years. Instead, the Redskins hope to sign Russell cheaply, as they did defensive tackle Daryl Gardener in the 2002 preseason, and let him prove himself to the league. Gardener did that for Washington and then scored a six-year, $33 million contract from Denver. But with Gardener, the Redskins were gambling on a reputed bad attitude; with Russell, there are two drug-related suspensions by the NFL and a since-dropped charge that he drugged a woman and videotaped two friends raping her. For that reason, Redskins players were divided Monday over whether the club should sign Russell. Some players felt he could be a disruptive or perhaps even dangerous influence on a roster that has avoided major legal trouble in recent years. Coaches and club officials weren't able to comment on Russell on Monday while he remained property of the Raiders. Yesterday coaches were unavailable while game planning for Sunday's contest at Dallas, and Cerrato was unavailable while traveling with Russell. Team sources said the Redskins weighed a low-cost gamble on Russell's background against what he could provide to a defensive interior that has held up against the run but generated no push into the backfield. The lack of interior rush has made it easier for opposing quarterbacks to step up into the pocket and avoid sacks by Redskins defensive ends. Russell compiled 281/2 sacks for Oakland from 1997 to 2001, including 191/2 in 1998 and 1999 combined. On Monday, Redskins defensive end Regan Upshaw, who played alongside Russell in Oakland in 2000 and 2001, called him "one of the best athletes [he has] ever seen at the three-technique." The three-technique is the defensive tackle position that plays on the outside edge of the guard. Generally it is reserved for quicker, pass-rushing defensive tackles. "He's big," Upshaw said. "He's fast. He runs like a deer. He's bouncy. He's explosive. He can pass-rush. He can play the run. He can be all that you can possibly be at the three-technique in the NFL." Of Russell's background, Upshaw said, "He's had off-the-field problems; we all know about it. If he's got himself together off the field — and everybody's got problems in life — then I don't see why not [sign him]. You'd be getting Darrell Russell for a steal." Besides legal trouble, Russell had a reputation in Oakland for consistent tardiness to meetings and practice and for failing to take responsibility for any of his difficulties. In an interview with USA Today published yesterday, Russell said he has "something to prove" and added, "I've learned my lesson. I'm ready to do something positive." Of his problems, he said, "It's a mixture of bad luck and putting yourself in situations where maybe you shouldn't be, especially if you're in the profession I chose. It would have been easy to go around hating life and everyone around me, but I just chose another path. I had to question myself: Was I this bad person? And I had to take responsibility for my actions. Whether I did anything or not, I put myself in the situation where the chances of something negative happening was really high." Note — The Redskins signed cornerback Calvin Carlyle and waived linebacker Orantes Grant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAC Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Sounds like it will probably happen. Guess we had better hope for the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SkinsHokie Fan Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 My question is doesn't he still have a 9 million dollar deal with the Raiders. Are we obligated to that or what if we pick him up? The idiots on Around the Horn today were talking about it; I am not sure if it is a big deal or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba9497 Posted October 29, 2003 Author Share Posted October 29, 2003 Once he cleared waivers any team that signs him, is not obligated in any way to his Raider contract. If he is still owed money from the Raiders it will be on their cap not his new team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Master Jay Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 D-Rus can be the spark the Skins need on Defense. Lord knows we need one before were looking for draft picks in November. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cskin Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Although I think the risk is warranted, I'm just not sure how much he can help us in Nov. It's been mentioned that he's been staying in shape with a personal trainer, but I don't quite know the difference between "in shape" and in "football shape". Anyone else know? As for the contract, I hope it's a two or three year deal with a mininmal signing bonus and incentive clauses. I'd hate for him to come in and dominate in Dec. and then be a free agent in March. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 I think one of the few positions that DOESNT require football shape is DT. It's not like a WR or CB that needs game situation reps to hone his skill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redskin56 Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 I'll tell you that football shape for a DT is just as demanding, if not more so, than for WR or CB. Running all over the field requires superb conditioning, however, pushing around 300lb+ OL all game with a tremendous burst of power is no easy task. Granted a play only lasts about 6 seconds, but during that 6 seconds you are pushing you body so hard that it takes several minutes to recover. IMHO it'll take more than just a few days to get him into any kind of shape that he'll be able to last a whole half, let alone a whole game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMonkey Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 The thing that I found most intereresting is this quote Several other teams were said to have expressed interest, including Miami and Tampa Bay. The latter is coached by Russell's former coach in Oakland, Jon Gruden. Tampa has pretty decent backups there already, this little bit of news may have Sapp a little more pissed off considering this is his contract year... back on topic........I would like to see this deal get done we have nothing to loose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 I guess my point is that it's easier to duplicat game situation in the weight room for a DT than a WR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redskin56 Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 I agree with that Kilmer, atleast he can keep his strength up in the weight room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowghost Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 I think that any help we can get on the D-line is worth it. Since I can't gain 125 lbs and do it, lets give him a shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldo da Magnificent Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 :gus: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funkyalligator Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 I think we should sign him...with moral clauses in his contract of course and definetley for 3 years and then we could perhaps trade him at the end of the season for some draft picks if we must Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luca Brasi Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 I hope this deal gets done today. 980 is reporting that Dallas is in the mix for Russel as well. The last thing we need is to let a cheap and available probowl talent go to the enemy. And even ignoring all of that, we are in such incredibly bad shape along the DL that we must make this move. Russel can give us penetration up the middle, and that's something we desparately need. We haven't flushed a qb out of the pocket all season. Many people are focusing on the possible negative "trickle down" effect Russel could have in the locker room. But you also must think about the positive trickle down this could have on the field. If we start getting pressure up the middle, qb's will start making mistakes and giving our defense opportunities to make plays. This in turn will give our offense the ball more frequently with more opportunities to score points. You may think that one player can't make that much of a difference, but we clearly witnessed what a difference a quality DT can make last year. The similarities are apparent. You also have to think about next year. If we can groom Russel back into playing condition this year and next offseason, while drafting one or two blue chip D lineman, all of the sudden we're looking pretty damn good on the line. Once again, I hope this deal is done by this afternoon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankbones Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 I hope we sign this guy. I wonder if he is looking for something long term or a one year contract Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sisko Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 As much as it turns my stomach to say so, I think we need to get him signed. Our DL is just not very good. However, I would make doubly sure that 1) there is some sort of morals clause so that the team isn't left holding the bag if he decides to revert to form and 2) he knows that he has a veeeery short leash here. One slipup and it's "Don't let the doorknob hit ya in the behind on your way out". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarhog Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Could we make two or three slip-ups? I mean, just to be fair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCS Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 2 or 3 slip ups and you're out kind of thing. Got ya. :cool: Sort of like the 3 strikes and your out deal but different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarhog Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 how 'bout a slip-up per sack? I could live with that :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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