The long-rumored traded of wide receiver Laveranues Coles to the Jets for wideout Santana Moss appears to be just two passed physicals away from being completed.
The deal had been held up by Coles getting a new contract from the Jets, which reportedly finally happened, although terms were not known.
The exchange will move the Redskins' disgruntled No. 1 target and add the deep speed that was sorely lacking from coach Joe Gibbs' offense.
At issue the past few weeks had been the complexity of the trade, which included three parties (the Redskins, the Jets and Coles) each with significant leverage and competing interests. At one point the process got even more confusing when Coles simply turned obstinate defied logic in his actions.
Coles wanted to be released outright by the Redskins, a scenario he at one point understood was possible. When Gibbs came out and said Coles wouldn't be cut under any scenario, the receiver clung to the hope and then began viewing his financial situation through the prism of being "owed" a big-time new contract.
By the time free agency started, Coles seemed beyond facilitating a trade and more interested in simply not helping the Redskins make any deal. That's where the gap in logic occurred, because from an outsider's perspective it made sense for Coles to work with Washington to get the trade of his choice done.
Finally, after free agency started and the possibility of a cut was removed (there were cap implications that made it necessary for the release to be negotiated before the league year opened), Coles was said to be moving closer to helping along a deal.
Either way, the Redskins seemed likely to be OK. With the deal, they will get a promising young receiver with deep speed in return. Washington still might need a big target to pair with Moss, but there's little doubt Moss could help on offense and as a punt returner.
And some Redskins officials were perfectly fine with the idea of Coles not being traded, because he's a guy who plays hard, plays hurt and doesn't cause a stink with reporters. Last year, in fact, Coles simply clammed up rather than express any of his frustration publicly.
NOTES, QUOTES
—The arrival of Rabach could solidify a line that was up and down in 2004. A big problem on last year's line was C Cory Raymer, who simply wasn't the same player he was during his first stint (1995 to 2000) with the Redskins. Coach Joe Gibbs, though, isn't looking to get rid of Raymer even though a replacement is here.
"Cory Raymer is somebody we care a lot about and we like," Gibbs said. "If we do something, it does not affect his future, other than we would be bringing in a good football player."
Bugel said OL Ray Brown, who is expected to return for a 20th NFL season, actually could push for an unspecified starting job. Speculation places that role at left guard, where Derrick Dockery didn't take much of a step forward last year as a second-year pro.
"I wouldn't underestimate Ray," Bugel said. "If he comes back, I think he'll challenge for a starting position."
—WR Laveranues Coles' frustration with the Redskins' offense shouldn't come as much surprise. Atlanta general manager Rich McKay, while talking about his own disgruntled wideout, said such emotions pretty much come with the territory at that position.
"Peerless Price is a receiver," McKay said at the combine. "By definition, those guys are frustrated. There's no receiver that's not frustrated. That's their definition, that's what they are."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He's a very frugal guy. He may take that with him." — assistant head coach for offense Joe Bugel, when asked about LT Chris Samuels' plans for his team-record $15.75 million signing bonus.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
The Redskins got quickly outbid for MLB Antonio Pierce on the first day of free agency, dampening enthusiasm after the club agreed to a deal with C Casey Rabach only hours after the signing period started.
Replacing Pierce won't be easy, and there don't appear to be many options in-house. The future of Mike Barrow (knee) remains in doubt, and LB Clifton Smith, while somewhat promising, has virtually no pro experience.
Washington did make two solid moves by re-signing NT Joe Salave'a (who should be a key rotation player in 2005) and LS Ethan Albright (who has done his job reliably since signing with the club in 2001). The club still is trying to trade WRd Rod Gardner, though there were mixed signals about the prospects.
NEEDS/DRAFT PRIORITIES
1. Wide receiver. Even with Santana Moss coming in the trade of Laveranues Coles, the Redskins are trying to trade Rod Gardner. James Thrash and Taylor Jacobs slated to back up.
2. Middle linebacker. Giants' pilfering of Antonio Pierce was a major blow for Washington. Club needs someone who can stay on the field all three downs (i.e. defend the pass and make plays in space).
3. Cornerback. Fred Smoot is likely gone. Walt Harris, last year's No. 3, looks healthy from a serious knee surgery in February, 2004, but remains somewhat of a risk. Everyone else is pretty green.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: OL Ray Brown; S Pat Dennis; S Jason Doering; S Todd Franz (not tendered as RFA); DL Cedric Killings; TE Brian Kozlowski; H-BACK Mike Sellers; CB Fred Smoot.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: RB Rock Cartwright; DE Demetric Evans; QB Tim Hasselbeck; S Andre Lott.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: PK Jeff Chandler; LB Chris Clemons; LB Devin Lemons.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED: LS Ethan Albright; LB Lemar Marshall; DT Joe Salave'a; RB John Simon.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED: WR Santana Moss; WR David Patten; C Casey Rabach.
PLAYERS LOST: WR Laveranues Coles; DT Jermaine Haley; OT Vaughn Parker; LB Antonio Pierce.
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