Jump to content
Washington Football Team Logo
Extremeskins

Its official - Phillip Daniels a Redskin - passed his physical!


Recommended Posts

Tuesday, March 2, 2004

Associated Press

ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins signed former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Phillip Daniels on Tuesday, giving the team three significant potential player acquisitions even before the start of free agency.

Daniels and his wife, accompanied by linebackers coach Dale Lindsey, were flown to Washington in owner Dan Snyder's jet from Tallahasse, Fla., near Daniels' Georgia home. Daniels passed his physical and arrived at Redskins Park late in the afternoon to sign his contract.

"That's what I want to be on, a team that wants to win," Daniels said. "Not a team that wants to save money."

Daniels, who will turn 31 on Thursday, joins Jacksonville quarterback Mark Brunell and probably Denver running back Clinton Portis as new Redskins in an earlier-than-usual start to Snyder's offseason splash of signings.

A trade for Brunell was worked out two weeks ago and was formally announced by the Jaguars on Tuesday. The trade for Portis neared completion Tuesday, pending a contract agreement between the Broncos and Washington cornerback Champ Bailey.

Brunell will arrive Wednesday, with Portis set to follow with his own news conference on Thursday.

Although free agency officially doesn't begin until Wednesday, the Redskins were able to sign Daniels because he was cut by the Bears on Monday. Chicago's move was long-expected, and the Bears had given the Redskins permission to negotiate with Daniels before his release.

Daniels has played four seasons each with Seattle and Chicago, with 44½ sacks and 370 tackles playing both end and tackle over an eight-year career. He had 2½ sacks -- his fewest since his rookie season in Seattle -- and 41 tackles while starting all 16 games last season for the Bears. His projected $3 million salary for 2004 made him an ideal salary-cap casualty as new Chicago coach Lovie Smith attempts to rebuild the team.

Daniels will be reunited with new Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache, who held the same job during Daniels' four years with the Bears.

Brunell, Portis and Daniels are just the beginning for the Redskins. Washington acquired nine players in the first four days of free agency last season, and they just may find a way to top that this time around as they look to fill several holes from last year's 5-11 season.

Defensive linemen Jevon Kearse, Cornelius Griffin and Robaire Smith, cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Troy Vincent, tight end Walter Rasby and punter Chris Gardocki are among the players the Redskins are set to pursue when the market opens Wednesday morning.

"We're going to have the plane going non-stop," coach Joe Gibbs said.

Daniels is the first step in a needed overhaul of the defensive line. The defense ranked 24th against the run, and the top pass-rushing threat last season was 40-year-old Bruce Smith, who has since been released. Defensive end Renaldo Wynn could be the only starter who retains his job next season.

The Redskins plan to send four-time, Pro Bowl cornerback Bailey and a second-round draft pick to the Broncos for Portis, who agreed to an eight-year, $50.5 million contract with Washington on Monday. The final step is for Denver to work out a contract with Bailey, and his agent said that deal could be "wrapped up quickly" after resolving a few details.

A third-round pick is the price for Brunell, who agreed to a seven-year, $43 million contract with the Redskins last month. The flurry of activity, added to deals made in previous years, has left Washington with just two selections -- in the first and fifth rounds -- in this year's draft.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Originally posted by inmate running the asylum

"We're going to have the plane going non-stop," coach Joe Gibbs said.

It's one thing for the fans to be saying those kinds of things in jest... but when it comes from the mouth of Joe Gibbs you have to take it for what it is. I don't know why... seems a little out of character for some reason.

But it'll be an interesting couple of weeks. Exciting times again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Defensive linemen Jevon Kearse, Cornelius Griffin and Robaire Smith, cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Troy Vincent, tight end Walter Rasby and punter Chris Gardocki are among the players the Redskins are set to pursue when the market opens Wednesday morning.

Not that I'm greedy or anything :drool: but do we have the cap room to sign ALL of these guys?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Originally posted by Die Hard

It's one thing for the fans to be saying those kinds of things in jest... but when it comes from the mouth of Joe Gibbs you have to take it for what it is. I don't know why... seems a little out of character for some reason.

But it'll be an interesting couple of weeks. Exciting times again.

You're right DH, it seems a little ****y for Gibbs but being around NASCAR drivers and sponsors will do that to you. :cheers:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmm. I wonder what this means for Renaldo Wynn? Phillip Daniels was not a backup last year. He started all 16 games at left defensive end for the Bears.

If Wynn were cut immediately, the Skins would take a $2.132 Mil dead money cap hit. His base salary for 2004 is $ 2.0 Mil.

If he is cut after June 1st, it would be split in half or only $ 1.066 Mil.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Originally posted by Die Hard

It's one thing for the fans to be saying those kinds of things in jest... but when it comes from the mouth of Joe Gibbs you have to take it for what it is. I don't know why... seems a little out of character for some reason.

But it'll be an interesting couple of weeks. Exciting times again.

DH do you think Danny and Joe might be going on a spending spree because they think it is all or nothing the next few years?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From the highlights ive been seeing on the local news and comcast, our new found friend Mr. Daniels can really lay the wood!

damn, he may have only gotten 3 sacks, but he got his money's worth. whew, he really crunked up Ahman Green too. Whoa.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Inmate, I fully expect Wynn to get a fair shot to make the team. I really think Williams will rotate players on the D-Line to keep them fresh and keep pressure on the opposing O-Line.

George Edwards tried to do that last year but just didn't have the horses on the D-Line to make it effective.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Originally posted by jbooma

DH do you think Danny and Joe might be going on a spending spree because they think it is all or nothing the next few years?

It's all or nothing every year in this league. But moreso for the Redskins since Snyder bought the team 5 years ago. So it's no different than any other year.

Unlike most, I think Gibbs plans to be here all 5 years. But why waste time if we have the cap room to improve the team.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Originally posted by inmate running the asylum

Defensive linemen Jevon Kearse, Cornelius Griffin and Robaire Smith, cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Troy Vincent, tight end Walter Rasby and punter Chris Gardocki are among the players the Redskins are set to pursue when the market opens Wednesday morning.

What happened to Jim Kleinsasser? I thought he was also sought after by the Redskins.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Originally posted by inmate:

Hmm. I wonder what this means for Renaldo Wynn? Phillip Daniels was not a backup last year. He started all 16 games at left defensive end for the Bears.

If Wynn were cut immediately, the Skins would take a $2.132 Mil dead money cap hit. His base salary for 2004 is $ 2.0 Mil.

If he is cut after June 1st, it would be split in half or only $ 1.066 Mil.

IMHO Wynn can be moved inside to DT as well as play LDE. He plays the run very well and gets reasonable pressure into the offensive backfield.

Originally posted by a_good_brotha:

What happened to Jim Kleinsasser? I thought he was also sought after by the Redskins.

The Vikes resigned Kleinsasser today.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...