BCS:BraveCaringSoul Posted April 25, 2002 Share Posted April 25, 2002 with an occasional ray of hope (like Micheal "Cheapshot" Westbrook skipping town). from the Wash. Times: April 25, 2002No go for Matthews? By Jody Foldesy THE WASHINGTON TIMES The Washington Redskins appear unlikely to make a move for quarterback Shane Matthews, who finally was released yesterday by the Chicago Bears after being dangled as trade bait Matthews, the Bears' backup last season, was a star at Florida under Redskins coach Steve Spurrier. Washington initially offered a low-round draft pick for Matthews but the Bears held out. Talks later involved swapping late-round selections, but the Redskins ultimately decided not to make the deal. The apparent final stake came when Washington spent a first-round pick on Tulane star Patrick Ramsey in last weekend's draft. The club now has four quarterbacks on the roster — Ramsey, Spurrier protege Danny Wuerffel, Sage Rosenfels and Dameyune Craig — and apparently does not intend to add more. Meanwhile, former first-round wide receiver Michael Westbrook has accepted that he won't return after spending the first seven years of his career with the Redskins. Westbrook was the fourth overall pick in 1995 but his career has been marred by controversy, injuries and last season by the ultra-conservative offense of Marty Schottenheimer. "The communication [between me and the club] just isn't there," Westbrook said. "I guess I'll just go ahead and move on." Westbrook intends to sign with a new team soon and said one has shown serious interest. Although he surpassed 1,000 yards receiving just once with the Redskins, in 1999, he had 57 receptions last year, has an ideal frame (6-foot-3, 221 pounds) and is fairly young (29). Washington this offseason has signed three former Gators receivers — Jacquez Green, Reidel Anthony and Chris Doering — and restructured the contract of Kevin Lockett, last year's No.3 wideout. Joining that group is starter Rod Gardner, third-round draft pick Cliff Russell, and young players Derrius Thompson, Darnerien McCants and Justin Skaggs. Westbrook said he regrets falling short of his potential in Washington, but he is determined to finish the job elsewhere. " I look back and say, 'Why did I have to get injured?'" Westbrook said. "If you put me in a lot of famous receivers' situations, I would multiply [their production]. But that's life, that's the nature of the game. I'm not leaving [the NFL] until I prove exactly what I can do." The Redskins apparently will pass on Matthews despite his low cost and starting experience. Matthews could be had for around the $650,000 minimum and would count only about $450,000 against the cap. He has started 15 NFL games, all in the past three seasons, while Washington's most experienced passer is Wuerffel, whose six starts all came more than three years ago. The Redskins appear to be done signing free agents until after June1. The club has only about $500,000 of salary cap space following last week's signing of linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, and it will need far more than that just to sign its 10 draft picks. The NFL has not informed clubs yet of their rookie pools — a cap-within-the-cap based on the quantity and quality of each team's draft picks — but it is safe to say the Redskins' rookie pool will be more than $3million. That cap room will be needed when it comes time to sign the selections, around July. The biggest source of potential cap space is to cut defensive end Marco Coleman after June1, a saving of $3.5million. The club might try to restructure Coleman's contract to retain him, but the acquisition of veteran Renaldo Wynn and the large potential savings from cutting Coleman will allow Washington to take a hard-line negotiating stance. The Redskins have just two players besides Coleman whose deals allow for significant savings through restructuring, and neither makes sense. Defensive end Bruce Smith turns 39 in June and any cap savings probably would come due next season or in 2004. Running back Stephen Davis has been told by the team that he will be released after the upcoming season if he does not agree to a new deal. That deal would provide cap relief, but talks are expected to be protracted. Two Redskins are likely to be released at some point — cornerback Donovan Greer and long snapper Ethan Albright — but they offer only about $1.2million in combined cap savings. Ultimately the Redskins' tight cap might prevent them from negotiating an extension for underpaid right tackle Jon Jansen, one of the game's top blockers. Jansen will earn only $563,000 this season and the last year of his rookie contract, 2003, is set to void. Thus, he will be able to test the free agent market next spring if he does not agree to an extension. Notes — The Redskins signed 16 undrafted rookies: Idaho defensive tackle Wil Beck, Florida State offensive lineman Ron Boldin, Penn State linebacker Shamar Finney, Florida running back Robert Gillespie, Michigan State long snapper Tony Grant, Notre Dame safety Ron Israel, Tennessee defensive end Bernard Jackson, Virginia Tech wide receiver Emmett Johnson, Central Florida safety Ricot Joseph, Southern California running back Charlie Landrigan, Appalachian State cornerback Du'Shon Martin, South Carolina offensive lineman Melvin Paige, Appalachian State offensive lineman Wayne Smith, Clemson offensive lineman Akil Smith, Appalachian State running back Jimmy Watkins and Arizona defensive tackle Anthony Thomas. The club also signed two non-rookie free agents, tight end Leonard Stephens and offensive lineman Leon Hires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@DCGoldPants Posted April 25, 2002 Share Posted April 25, 2002 question? did you see the thread with the No Shane Mathews name? This wasn't a shot at you. Just wondering. Cause this stuff has kinda been all over the other threads. This just has then usual Washington Times "We hate the Skins" twist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wacky Ralph Posted April 25, 2002 Share Posted April 25, 2002 Westbrook will go wherever the money is. Miami would be a good fit for him because he already knows the Norv Turner offense. Assuming Norv wants him there. Prediction: In Westbrook's first practive as a Dolphin, he'll punch Ricky Williams in the face during drills. Westbrook's explanation? "It's not my fault. That guy head-butted my hand." Shane Mathews is a stiff. I'm glad we didn't trade for a guy who was going to get cut anyway. We only have $500,000 in money left? Okay. I say, if we re-do any contracts and free up any additional money, give it ALL to Stephen Davis. DON'T gamble on another FA. Give Davis two or three million dallars additionally NOW so we don't have to cut him next season. If a Pro Bowl RB hits the open market, that's like the WORST kind of bidding war possible. Half the teams in the NFL would give their left nut for a RB like Davis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCS:BraveCaringSoul Posted April 25, 2002 Author Share Posted April 25, 2002 Originally posted by Bufford question? did you see the thread with the No Shane Mathews name? This wasn't a shot at you. Just wondering. Cause this stuff has kinda been all over the other threads. This just has then usual Washington Times "We hate the Skins" twist. Are you suggesting that since Maske's WP article covers some of the same territory I shouldn't have posted the TWashington Times take? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wacky Ralph Posted April 25, 2002 Share Posted April 25, 2002 A haiku by Wacky Ralph: Taco, Burrito Beans, Beans, Burrito Supreme My bathroom smells bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted April 25, 2002 Share Posted April 25, 2002 All I know is you guys better keep cutting and pasting (link first) every article you see so we can keep adding them to the news forum. I need help dammit . BCS, if you had included the link here, I'd have put you on the front page again you super star you . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TennesseeCarl Posted April 25, 2002 Share Posted April 25, 2002 Not a bad little haiku, Ralph. We'll have a contest later in the offseason. Redskin Haiku goes over big. I'll be amazed...utterly amazed...if Westbrook ends up in Miami. You'll recall who was the first player to publically shove a knife in ex-coach Turner's back? That's right...MW. And Turner had protected Westbrook for years. I suspect Norv'll remember that stuff. I half-suspect that the Giants would like to give us some payback for Armstead and sign Westbrook to replace Jurevicious. You know the position - big target who disappears at money time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@DCGoldPants Posted April 25, 2002 Share Posted April 25, 2002 I'm saying that I guess that article would of fit in under the whole Mathews a no Go thread. You can post two articles with the same topic from two seperate place you know. nothing personal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mardi gras skin Posted April 25, 2002 Share Posted April 25, 2002 What about cutting Bruce Smith after June 1 and restructuring Coleman. Along with Albright and Greer, that's about 6 million, right? Good enough for the rookies, Adams, and Jansen. Forget about Davis until next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golgo-13 Posted April 25, 2002 Share Posted April 25, 2002 I agree Smith needs to go ASAP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigchuck Posted April 25, 2002 Share Posted April 25, 2002 When I think of ol Westy I think of this....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted April 25, 2002 Share Posted April 25, 2002 I think Westbrook will end up in Arizona or Dallas. The Eagles aren't going to take the risk nor are the Giants who are very conservative about signing free agents. Gamblers in the AFC include Jeff Fisher at Tennessee, Al Davis in Oakland, Vermeil in Kansas City, and Couglin in Jacksonville. The only problem there is that most of those teams are full up against the cap. Westbrook AIN'T gonna be getting a big contract this time around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funkyalligator Posted April 25, 2002 Share Posted April 25, 2002 Why is it that every article I have ever read by the Washington Times is anti-Redskin or just seems to be written to antagonize the Redskin players by starting problems? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted April 25, 2002 Share Posted April 25, 2002 Help me out here. If we extend Jansen, it shouldnt matter how much cap space we have in 2k2 because his extension wouldnt go into effect until 2k3, right? With S Davis I was thinking the same thing or we could reduce his salary this year add a 4 to 5 million dolar SB to his new contract and then the next person to look at would be Champ next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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