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WP:After Trade Fails, Coles's Release Appears More Likely


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After Trade Fails, Coles's Release Appears More Likely

By Nunyo Demasio

Washington Post Staff Writer

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A58567-2005Feb27?language=printer

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 27 -- The seemingly inevitable departure of wide receiver Laveranues Coles from the Washington Redskins has turned into a soap opera. And after the latest twist, NFL general managers here at the Scouting Combine believe Washington will be forced to release Coles or bring him back -- if the team can't persuade him to drop his demands for a contract extension from trade suitors.

On Saturday, Coles caused the collapse of a trade with the New York Jets for wide receiver Santana Moss by requesting an extension from his potential new team. Despite Coles's troubled toe, several teams -- including the Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- remain interested, sources said. But even if Washington finds another trade partner, that team will be reluctant to consummate a deal for a player who requests an extension, said several NFL team executives.

One NFL personnel official said Coles doesn't appear willing to budge from his stance because the wideout believes Washington reneged from an agreement to release him. Coach Joe Gibbs, who denied any such agreement, insisted Saturday that the Redskins will retain Coles for the 2005 season if the club doesn't receive equal value.

"You have to talk to the kid or his agent before you make the trade. You don't make the trade blind," said an NFC general manager who requested anonymity. "If you find out what Coles wants and you're not willing to pay it, you don't do a deal. You're trading for a guy who already has foot issues. Even if he's contractually bound, you don't want to bring him in with an attitude about his contract.

"[The Redskins] have to get the $5 million back before Wednesday. The clock is running out. If I'm the Redskins, I'd release him for the $5 million because he still has too much leverage."

But another AFC executive disagreed: "All it takes is one team willing to deal with any problems later. What's he going to do, not show up?"

Coles is due a $5 million bonus payment on April 1 and has appeared willing to forfeit the money if Washington releases him, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent. But Coles must do so by Wednesday for Washington to benefit from cap relief this season. After Wednesday, the Redskins would only benefit in the 2006 season.

The issue became moot since Washington appeared to find a way to trade Coles, whose agent Roosevelt Barnes did not return several calls to his office, without his consent. In the Moss-Coles trade, Washington was willing to assume cap responsibility for Coles's $5 million bonus. The Redskins intended to create enough room under the cap to trade Coles by restructuring tackle Chris Samuels's contract via an extension. Talks between Samuels and the Redskins progressed over the weekend, sources said, and an agreement is near.

Meanwhile, sources said the Redskins have a strong interest in acquiring cornerback Samari Rolle, who was released last week by the Tennessee Titans in a salary cap purge. Vice President Vinny Cerrato last night denied the Redskins were in serious negotiations with Rolle. Rolle's agent, Peter Schaffer, declined to comment.

Acquiring the 6-foot, 175-pound Rolle would almost certainly end cornerback Fred Smoot's career in Washington. Late last season, talks for an extension reached an impasse after Smoot declined Washington's offer that included a $10 million bonus. Smoot's camp countered with a $14 million bonus. One NFL source said Rolle, who was coached by assistant head coach of defense Gregg Williams when both were in Tennessee, has requested a signing bonus of at least $12 million.

"He's not quite the cover guy that Smoot is, but he would be one of the top three cornerbacks available" in free agency, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Sunday at a hotel where his team officials, including Coach Bill Parcells, are staying. "He can still play."

Last season, Rolle appeared in 12 games, finishing with one interception and 28 tackles, before undergoing left knee surgery. The seven-year veteran's best season was in 2000; Rolle made the Pro Bowl after making seven interceptions for the Titans.

Saturday, Gibbs said the Redskins still hoped to re-sign Smoot and noted the cornerback was at Redskins Park last week for a meeting that included owner Daniel Snyder.

Although the Redskins have emphasized character players, Rolle is scheduled for an April 6 court hearing for allegedly hitting his wife on Valentine's Day. Rolle turned himself in to police the next day on one misdemeanor charge of assault. He faces probation or up to one year in jail.

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In case you can't figure out why the thread title as changed.

7. Please use descriptive and accurate subject titles for your posts. Strict accordance with this rule allows visitors to utilize discretion when selecting content to read. It also serves to notify members if a particular topic has already been posted and discussed and potentially prevents multiple threads on the same topic.

If you are posting a published article from a news source... please follow the respective naming convention - "SOURCE SHORTFORM: HEADLINE" (ex. WP: Redskins sign Shawn Springs). Be respectful of the fact that some people come to ExtremeSkins explicitly for latest Redskins news and content without the editorials.

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I think the title of the WP article is misleading. I think now with Muhammed off the market, the Skins and Gibbs are learning its stupid to just let this guy go. It sets a bad example and is even worse than the league rolling over for TO last season.

If a Samuels deal is done, Coles has lost all leverage. He's not the type to cry in a lockerroom.

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The title is so misleading - it's more WP Dumyo bs. It says "more likely to release him - or bring him back" in the article. With that line in the article - What exactly is news here?? We already knew a trade was unlikely if coles demands a new contract and we've already been talking about the real possibility of him coming back. Another badly done article.

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No way should they release Coles. Tell him if he wants to go he can find a team willing to take over the 5 million and shut up about a new contract. Otherwise he can stay here. Gibbs said he would "try" to accomodate anybody who didn't want to be here. Well Coles, that only works with your contract if you meet him halfway, otherwise shutup and play. :mad:

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"He's not quite the cover guy that Smoot is, but he would be one of the top three cornerbacks available" in free agency, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Sunday at a hotel where his team officials, including Coach Bill Parcells, are staying. "He can still play."

Guess we know who's doing the talent evaluation in Dallas. Good luck with that Bill.

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Originally posted by pr11fan

No way should they release Coles. Tell him if he wants to go he can find a team willing to take over the 5 million and shut up about a new contract. Otherwise he can stay here. Gibbs said he would "try" to accomodate anybody who didn't want to be here. Well Coles, that only works with your contract if you meet him halfway, otherwise shutup and play. :mad:

I agree 100% that you don't let a player with value just walk away without getting anything in return. But, there are already players coming out publicly (Pierce and Randy Thomas to name two) that have said Coles needs to leave if he doesn't want to be here. Pierce even went as far as saying that his 'negativity' would be a distraction in the locker room.

I don't doubt Coles would play hard but it's certainly not an ideal situation for the team if they're forced to keep him.

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But even if Washington finds another trade partner, that team will be reluctant to consummate a deal for a player who requests an extension, said several NFL team executives.

wrong. only if the other team is willing to take on roster bonus

because Coles is under Contract for 5 more years.... he has zero barginng position.... exect if he agrees to re-do his contract because of the $5 million due

4-1

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