Jump to content
Washington Football Team Logo
Extremeskins
Forum Rules and Guidelines

Tupa is a Redskin

StevieInferior

By StevieInferior
in 2004 Archives Forum

Recommended Posts

StevieInferior

StevieInferior

Posted
Posted

The only question I bring to the table that the article does not bring up is where does this leave Hasselbeck? If memory serves me correct, Tupa has also played emergency QB. Given the Skins kept two QBs last year, does Tupa give them an ability to carry two QBs in a safer way than last year?

The Washington Redskins picked up a punter but otherwise decelerated the free agent chase yesterday. While veteran punter Tom Tupa accepted a four-year deal and interior offensive lineman Eric Beverly visited, team officials continued to await word on tight end Walter Rasby and made no further plans for major acquisitions.

Of course, that depends on the definition of "major." As coach Joe Gibbs said, "When you say 'significant,' we've got some things that are still really important to us."

Nonetheless, the Redskins are taking a step back from the frenetic acquisition pace that netted 10 players through yesterday evening. A source close to the negotiations said Tupa agreed to join the Redskins, who have paced the league for a second straight year with a bounty including Pro Bowl players Mark Brunell, Clinton Portis and Shawn Springs.

"We've been very aggressive," Gibbs said. "I don't think you can get everything you want. But I've been very, very happy with what's happened. I think we've got the right kind of guys and really helped our football team."

Tupa, 38, replaces Bryan Barker and rounds out a solid group of Redskins specialists that also includes kicker John Hall, return man Chad Morton and long snapper Ethan Albright. Washington was interested in Tupa a year ago but stuck with Barker while Tupa re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A key reason for the Redskins' interest was Hall, whose holder was Tupa on the New York Jets from 1999 to 2001. Despite Tupa's advancing age, he has intangibles like reliability and the ability to hold that NFL clubs value over the pure distance a young punter might provide.

"You'd love to have young guys at every spot, but there's a trade-off there as far as somebody who's been here, had the experience and can do it," Gibbs said. "You constantly try to make a good decision based off of balancing those two things."

Meanwhile, Rasby, 31, finished a visit with the Houston Texans, and an NFL source said contract negotiations would follow. The New Orleans Saints, Rasby's team last season, also are interested in retaining him but appear concerned about offers from Washington and Houston. It was unclear when his decision might come.

Washington's top blocking tight end has been Robert Royal. The two-year pro has flashed potential since being taken in 2002's fifth round, but he remains somewhat of a project after missing his rookie year with a high ankle sprain and 10 games last season with a fractured hip.

Rasby played for the Redskins in 2001 and 2002, getting signed for Marty Schottenheimer's grind-it-out offense and becoming expendable after a year in Steve Spurrier's Fun 'n' Gun. Under Gibbs, the Redskins again have a Rasby-friendly offense.

"It's very important for us to have the big blockers — the guys who can control the edge of the formation," Gibbs said. "In football today, it's evolved to a lot of defensive ends on tight ends. ... It becomes a big priority to get a tight end who can be effective on a defensive end. It's a big deal for us."

Beverly, 29, arrived shortly after noon. His agent, Vern Sharbaugh, said Beverly has trips planned to other NFL teams.

Signing Beverly, who started at center and guard for the Detroit Lions in recent years, might lead to the release of former starting center Larry Moore, who missed the second half of last season with a broken foot. The Redskins would save $1.3 million by cutting Moore, and they already have re-signed Lennie Friedman, who started the final eight games at center.

There has been some speculation that Washington might look for another starter at safety or on the defensive line, particularly a pass-rusher. But the Redskins now are weighing potential signings against the No. 5 overall pick they hold in the April 24-25 draft, where they could select Miami safety Sean Taylor or Oklahoma defensive tackle Tommie Harris.

In the defensive backfield, St. Louis Rams cornerback Jerametrius Butler is being eyed by the Redskins, a source said.

The presence of linebacker Marcus Washington, who officially signed his six-year, $24 million contract, is a big reason the Redskins aren't looking for a pass-rushing end. Washington is expected to play strongside linebacker with LaVar Arrington on the weak side, and either could rush from an end position on third downs.

Gibbs wouldn't confirm the lack of defensive ends in the Redskins' plans but did explain the twin threat of Arrington and Washington.

"We all know that if you've got one person you're worried about rushing the passer, that's one scenario," Gibbs said. "You can get the tight end chipping over there or the back chipping over there. But if you're balanced up ... I can tell you that complicates it from an offensive standpoint. It's double jeopardy. It's hard to help on two guys."

Washington, 26, is considered an up-and-coming defender who could blossom in coming seasons. Big (6-foot-3, 247 pounds), durable (he has played in 63 of 64 NFL games) and instinctive, Washington not surprisingly drew interest from the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Diego Chargers as free agency opened Wednesday.

The Indianapolis Colts, who drafted Washington in 2000's second round and employed him for four seasons, pretty much knew they had no shot at him.

"I wanted to get paid, and I think they only had $5.34 [million] left," Washington said at his introductory news conference, a reference to the Colts' recent $98 million contract for quarterback Peyton Manning.

As for the Redskins' finances, Gibbs emphasized that salary cap considerations are being monitored closely. NFL officials who have seen the Redskins' cap situation say the club will face some big decisions in 2006, after two seasons under Gibbs, but the coach indicated he has no intention of working in a set window.

"It's not a three-year thing with me," Gibbs said. "I've looked at everything, and I believe we can keep our guys together. That's a big deal with me. It's a long-term deal. We're looking for Redskins, and my goal is to keep them together into their 30s."

http://www.washtimes.com/sports/20040306-120211-4933r.htm

Link to comment
Share on other sites
gfunk76p

gfunk76p

Posted
Posted
Originally posted by SkinFaninOKC

The 2 QB thing is dumb. Whoever came up with that idea needs to be flogged 40 times with a Cat O' Nine Tails.

EXACTLY!!! I feared that if ramsey and you know who both went down in a game that Steve (the spur in our @$$) would just forfeit the rest of the game or just take knees and punt.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ax

Ax

Posted
Posted

Roster size is the reason some teams, including us, decided to go with only two active QB's. The third we kept on the practice squad.

I'd like to see rosters go back up to sixty, in addition to the practice squad. At the very least, special teams play around the league would improve greatly. Teams could also protect more of their young roll/project players.

I'm sure NFL Europe wouldn't like it though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
KingGibbs

KingGibbs

Posted
Posted
Originally posted by pga

They have to keep Hasslebeck.....his wife is good looking....like most players wives! But she's on tv....lol.

:pint:

She is not that good looking IMO. I think it is split between most guys on whether she is good looking or not.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Bugs'

Bugs'

Posted
Posted

Anyone know how Hamden is progressing in Europe? I would be worried not carrying three QB's on the roster...I do like the increased threat of the fake punt of FG now....plus he is a good punter...and John Hall feels comfortable with him holding for FG's....

:applause:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
panthro

panthro

Posted
Posted
Originally posted by ladybugs

Anyone know how Hamden is progressing in Europe? I would be worried not carrying three QB's on the roster...I do like the increased threat of the fake punt of FG now....plus he is a good punter...and John Hall feels comfortable with him holding for FG's....

:applause:

Training camp just started... No games yet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
PersonsFan

PersonsFan

Posted
Posted
"I wanted to get paid, and I think they only had $5.34 [million] left," Washington said at his introductory news conference, a reference to the Colts' recent $98 million contract for quarterback Peyton Manning.

I love how some brain-dead editor ruined the humor of the Washington quote by inserting "[million]" when Washington really did mean five bucks and thirty-four cents. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

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