Archuleta Continues To Watch

[SkinzCanes]

Archuleta Continues To Watch
Fox Takes Over For Injured Vincent

By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, November 20, 2006; Page E14

TAMPA, Nov. 19 -- Adam Archuleta, the highest-paid safety in NFL history, plunged to a new low Sunday, when he was relegated to spectator status in the Redskins' 20-17 loss to Tampa Bay at Raymond James Stadium even after starting safety Troy Vincent was injured.

Vincent, 35, took Archuleta's starting position shortly after signing last month. He left in the second quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return (his status will be determined Monday), yet Archuleta remained on the sideline with the game and season on the line.
Archuleta was an integral part of an expensive 2006 free agent class recruited by Gregg Williams, assistant coach-defense, to put the defense over the top, along with end Andre Carter (two sacks all season). But few individuals have managed to make an impact in Williams's scheme -- Washington stands 30th in the NFL -- and Archuleta has been benched two straight weeks with Vernon Fox, a veteran special teams players signed off the street for depth in August, playing ahead of him Sunday.

Archuleta, who like Carter signed a six-year deal with $10 million guaranteed, declined to share his thoughts on the situation, saying he wanted to keep them private for now. But his agent, Gary Wichard, said the coaches are making an example of his client and pointed to the repeated breakdowns that have continued with Archuleta sitting out.

"Adam has been made to be a scapegoat," Wichard said in a telephone interview after watching Sunday's loss on television. "It's been proven the last couple of games that it's certainly not just Adam. Gregg Williams and [safeties coach] Steve Jackson, they wanted Adam Archuleta and they recruited him to Washington because of how they had seen him play on film.

"They know what type of player he is, and [Chicago Bears Coach] Lovie Smith wanted to sign Adam in the worst way, and so did Gregg Williams. I don't know what's changed in all of that since March, but Gregg Williams was the person recruiting Adam in free agency, and Adam hasn't changed as a player since then."

Archuleta, 28, has struggled in pass coverage, with his role steadily declining, but the entire secondary has suffered, too, including safety Sean Taylor, the fifth overall pick in 2004. That Williams would play Fox, who was signed off waivers by Detroit in 2004 and played almost exclusively on special teams for the Lions the past two seasons, ahead of Archuleta Sunday was a clear indication of where he stands on the depth chart.

Fox "has done a very good job tackling and he's come along very well in our packages," Williams said of the decision to play Fox ahead of Archuleta. "He arrived late at training camp and at this point in time we have to see what all of our guys can do."

Williams has yet to introduce rookie linebacker Rocky McIntosh into the base package, however, despite the struggles of starting weak-side linebacker Warrick Holdman and the fact the team traded two picks, including a second rounder, to move up and take McIntosh in the second round in April.

The critiques of players by coaches in meetings can be particularly caustic and Archuleta has caught their wrath on several occasions, players said, with some wondering early on if this would be a good match of player and staff.

Fox, 27, said he had no idea of why he played ahead of Archuleta, but was happy for the opportunity Sunday. "I've tried to show these guys that I'm more than just a special-teams player," Fox said, while in recent weeks Archuleta has been used as nothing more than a special-teams player.

The Redskins gave Archuleta a $5 million signing bonus, and have a $5 million option bonus on his contract due in March, according to sources with knowledge of the deal. However, should the team not exercise that option in March, Archuleta's base salaries over the next three seasons would escalate and become guaranteed, with that total equaling $5 million as well. If they cut him after the season, besides owing the guaranteed money, the Redskins would take a $9 million salary cap hit in total, a sum that could be spread over two seasons -- with about $7 million due in 2008 -- depending on the timing of his release.

[aswas71788]

I think this article is a good example of the poor personnel decisions of the Redskins. In my mind, there is a question that no one will answer and that is "What is going on inside the Redskins organization that has produced such poor quality this year?"

The coaches are not dummies, the players are not unskilled, the offensive and defensive schemes have proven to work in the past, what gives?

[Redskin in Canada]

If they cut him after the season, besides owing the guaranteed money, the Redskins would take a $9 million salary cap hit in total, a sum that could be spread over two seasons -- with about $7 million due in 2008 -- depending on the timing of his release.

Fantastic. When a signing like this one is made, it kicks you -twice- in the mouth, doesn't it?

Why is Ryan Clark laughing his head off now?

[Chris Luva Luva]

This team will be stuck spinning its wheels in the land of mediocrity if a huge philosophy change in regards to personel management is not made.

These issues existed before Gregg, Joe, Danny or anyone else. The bad part is that they all have bought into a flawed and broken system.

We have been trying to 'win now' since 2000. Well Redskins Park, its 2006 and 'now' has become 6 years later.

[poper2]

Troy Vincent is 35 and simply beat out AA at age 28? My question is: Who had to have AA? Was it Williams? If so, he should not make any more of those decisions. The defense is aweful. I didn't see any fire in the play of the defense. There will not be a 7 in a row or we don't go this year. More like, blow up the defense or the skins might NEVER have a chance to go.

[Redskin in Canada]

These issues existed before Gregg, Joe, Danny or anyone else. The bad part is that they all have bought into a flawed and broken system.

I know you are frustrated and angry. I am too. But this is inaccurate. The "issues" that you refer to did not exist prior to the arrival of Dan Snyder as an owner. He brought this "culture" and his "wallet" to the organization and it all has been down hil ever since.

In fact, the contrary is true. Joe would have to come almost on his hands and knees to persuade JK Cooke to get an expensive player. There were epic battles between Joe and GMs. Hirings were very difficult. Trades were examined in every detail. Our scouting department was one of the best if not the best in the league.

There were stories about these late daft picks or walk-in players who later became stars with us. Not one, not a single story of those has happened since Snyder took over.

Q: What is the record of our scouting department?
A: Worse than that of the Redskins this season.

Man, they have not been able to find a single kicker who might get the ball to the end zone during kick-offs. Not a single kick-off from San Diego got outside of the Bronco's end zone yesterday. Novak's kicks land in the 15 yard line at best.

[PulpExposure]

I really don't like the way Williams dealt with Archuleta, actually. It's pretty crappy to bench the guy and then ignore him. Sure, bench him, but explain to him why and give him a chance to play his way back into favor. Williams was thought of as a jerk in Buffalo by his players...it looks like he's still a jerk.

These issues existed before Gregg, Joe, Danny or anyone else. The bad part is that they all have bought into a flawed and broken system.

I know you are frustrated and angry. I am too. But this is inaccurate. The "issues" that you refer to did not exist prior to the arrival of Dan Snyder as an owner. He brought this "culture" and his "wallet" to the organization and it all has been down hil ever since.

In fact, the contrary is true. Joe would have to come almost on his hands and knees to persuade JK Cooke to get an expensive player. There were epic battles between Joe and GMs. Hirings were very difficult. Trades were examined in every detail. Our scouting department was one of the best if not the best in the league.

There were stories about these late daft picks or walk-in players who later became stars with us. Not one, not a single story of those has happened since Snyder took over.

Q: What is the record of our scouting department?
A: Worse than that of the Redskins this season.

Man, they have not been able to find a single kicker who might get the ball to the end zone during kick-offs. Not a single kick-off from San Diego got outside of the Bronco's end zone yesterday. Novak's kicks land in the 15 yard line at best.

You're forgetting the post-Jack Kent Cooke years. Those years of mediocrity. For instance, remember us signing Dana Stubblefield for that massive contract?

[air_hog]

Yeah, you know you suck when the backup gets unjured, and instead of putting you in, they put in the backups backup

But the sad part is, I don't think he cares. I mean everyone said he was like the hardest worker in the NFL when we got him, but if that's true, wouldn't he be out there 24/7 trying to regain his spot...

I think he is just one of the guys who got paid, and now everythings cool.

[cleg]

Williams likes to make examples of players - like he did with LaVar. The thing is, I don't know if that works with these diva's. Whether we like him or not AA is going to be with us at least a couple of years and should be given the chance to redeem himself.

[Chris Luva Luva]

These issues existed before Gregg, Joe, Danny or anyone else. The bad part is that they all have bought into a flawed and broken system.

I know you are frustrated and angry. I am too. But this is inaccurate. The "issues" that you refer to did not exist prior to the arrival of Dan Snyder as an owner. He brought this "culture" and his "wallet" to the organization and it all has been down hil ever since.

In fact, the contrary is true. Joe would have to come almost on his hands and knees to persuade JK Cooke to get an expensive player. There were epic battles between Joe and GMs. Hirings were very difficult. Trades were examined in every detail. Our scouting department was one of the best if not the best in the league.

There were stories about these late daft picks or walk-in players who later became stars with us. Not one, not a single story of those has happened since Snyder took over.

Q: What is the record of our scouting department?
A: Worse than that of the Redskins this season.

Man, they have not been able to find a single kicker who might get the ball to the end zone during kick-offs. Not a single kick-off from San Diego got outside of the Bronco's end zone yesterday. Novak's kicks land in the 15 yard line at best.

Im sorry, that was a mistake on my part. When I said "Danny', I was reffering to Danny Smith the special teams coach.

The flawed system is Daniel Snyders. The system helped sink an already flooding Norv boat, it killed of Marty, it didn't help Spurrier and its limiting Joe Gibbs.

[roybus14]

How does one keep his job after he just cost the organization $30 million dollars. Hell, if any of us working folks costs our jobs even $3,000 dollars, we'd be fired or it would be seriously considered.

Now AA's agent has to play mop up because both he and GW are at fault here. The agent knows his client's strengths and weaknesses and he had to know that signing his guy to the richest deal for a Safety was going to coming with serious scrutiny. Look at A-Rod in NYC and look at what going to happen with Alfonso Soriano in Chicago. Now if he did it to open up doors for Safeties, he did a bad job. If anything, now owners are going to be reluctant to sign their Safeties to great deals because of fear that they will turn out like AA.

This franchise, right now, is a joke and Danny needs to do some serious self analysis and housecleaning.... Because just like alot of think that GW has lost his players, Danny may be beginning to lose Redskins Fans. I know us die-hards on this board won't leave but what about the other legions of fans out there?????

[SkinsJock]

I agree CLL but I think the problem is Gibbs. I think he has made some mistakes and he is the one who needs to make the "adjustment". This is a guy who was renowned for being able to adjust to what he was seeing "on the field". IMO he is having a tough time adjusting to some of the errors he or his coaches have made and the team is suffering because of this.


I also think he has the ability to make it all better because if he doesn't, I think we are in a lot worse shape than we know.

[PulpExposure]

I think it's fairly clear that we need a general manager. Our personnel errors are ever more glaring in light of the money we throw at them.

Not to mention we repeatedly neglect the draft. It's fine to do that when you have a GM like Beathard who can pluck people from the lower draft picks, but...

We can't.

[The Hogster]

Troy Vincent got injured and Vernon Fox came in to replace him. Obviously Archuletta has fallen way out of favor with the defensive coaches....because its clear he has been benched, but all we hear out of Skins park is "he's not in the packages"...sound familiar??

I hope he can buy his free agency by forfeiting his roster bonus...he likely will force us to pay it or cut him though.

[Irn-Bru]

How does one keep his job after he just cost the organization $30 million dollars. Hell, if any of us working folks costs our jobs even $3,000 dollars, we'd be fired or it would be seriously considered.

While I agree that Archuleta is (a) overpaid and (b) a sour disappointment this season, it's not accurate to say that he cost the Skins 30 million. Nor is it really accurate to call him the highest paid safety in league history, as we keep hearing. Don't get me wrong--he's overpaid--but to talk about his contract total is to bring up an irrelevant point. . .in reality, 30 mil. and Archuleta have very little to do wtih each other; he won't see half of that money even if he stays here for a while.

Of course, we'll keep hearing his contract total from ESPN and the Post, but it's just (as Colbert would say) 'truthiness' embellishment to their editorializing.

[SkinsJock]

..While I agree that Archuleta is (a) overpaid and (b) a sour disappointment this season, it's not accurate to say that he cost the Skins 30 million. Nor is it really accurate to call him the highest paid safety in league history, as we keep hearing. Don't get me wrong--he's overpaid--but to talk about his contract total is to bring up an irrelevant point. . .in reality, 30 mil. and Archuleta have very little to do wtih each other; he won't see half of that money even if he stays here for a while.

Of course, we'll keep hearing his contract total from ESPN and the Post, but it's just (as Colbert would say) 'truthiness' embellishment to their editorializing.

Man I like the way this site "works". Everything is covered by someone. Good point FFA.

As someone once said "everything is not as bad as it seems and it also is not as good as it seems".


This team is not as bad as their record and they are certainly not as good as we were hoping they would be this year.

Gibbs and Williams better do a better job this off season and hopefully the rest of this season will be used to evaluate and ensure we can be more competitive next year. I think we need to do a better job of making things work with the personnel we have than trying to make the personnel suit the system.

[USAFSkinFan]

Williams likes to make examples of players - like he did with LaVar. The thing is, I don't know if that works with these diva's. Whether we like him or not AA is going to be with us at least a couple of years and should be given the chance to redeem himself.

I agree... I'm certainly not going to defend AA's play, but the article is correct, the whole secondary has been terrible... and the funny thing is everyone in the secondary is playing worse than they did last year except AA... He's been playing the same in D.C. as did the last couple years in StL... he sure seems to have become Williams' new whipping boy...

[SkinsFreak]

"Archuleta Continues To Watch"

Ya, watching his bank account continue to grow!

[ClintonHill]

Nor is it really accurate to call him the highest paid safety in league history, as we keep hearing. Don't get me wrong--he's overpaid--but to talk about his contract total is to bring up an irrelevant point. . .in reality, 30 mil. and Archuleta have very little to do wtih each other; he won't see half of that money even if he stays here for a while.

While it's true he won't see all of that $30M, I'm pretty sure his $10M signing bonus is the biggest in the league for a safety. In that regard, he is the highest paid safety, unfortunately.

[ClintonHill]

Q: What is the record of our scouting department?
A: Worse than that of the Redskins this season.

I agree that our scouting dept is bad but imo that is secondary to another problem: not having a GM.

The Danny is not a football guy. He's like Matt Millen only with less experience. It is very difficult to build a winner without a GM, and yet that's what the Danny has been trying (and failing) to do since he arrived. Until we get a GM who's capable of looking at the long-term big picture, the Skins will continue this cycle of expensive failure.

[The Hogster]

Vinny Cerrato is a serious buffoon. Why can't he and Danny just be friends? Why does he HAVE to have a job of such importance with the Redskins.

[1niksder]

While it's true he won't see all of that $30M, I'm pretty sure his $10M signing bonus is the biggest in the league for a safety. In that regard, he is the highest paid safety, unfortunately.

I'm not gonna say it again....

Ed Reed igned a six-year contract extension on 6/27/2006, including $15 million in guaranteed money.

TtiT re-signed Roy Williams to a four-year, $25 million contract, with an $11 million signing bonus.

[HEROHAMO]

This is all because we let Arrington Go! The lack of a pass rush is definately a problem. We need to get some young beasts on the D line,a stud OLB, then our D will be fine. Really to be more specific one stud Dtackle along side Griff, a stud OLB to go along side Marshall and Washington and maybe a Stud DE then we should be good to go.

[Irn-Bru]

While it's true he won't see all of that $30M, I'm pretty sure his $10M signing bonus is the biggest in the league for a safety. In that regard, he is the highest paid safety, unfortunately.

I'm not gonna say it again....

Ed Reed igned a six-year contract extension on 6/27/2006, including $15 million in guaranteed money.

TtiT re-signed Roy Williams to a four-year, $25 million contract, with an $11 million signing bonus.

The media is a powerful force. When ESPN or the WP editorial staff calls Archuleta the "highest paid safety in history," good luck getting that out of people's heads, no matter what the numbers say. . .

[Britskin]

I love NFL and try to stay in touch with what we`re doing and how the season is going but I leave the game analysis to you guys because I know you understand it better. However, if I equate the AA fiasco to Premier League soccer I just can`t understand the hiring coaches getting it so badly wrong with so much money. Basically this guy cannot play the position in every game situation and yet with the money he`s paid he should be able to. This is a known NFL player - how could Gregg Williams get him so wrong? No wonder the defense is playing poorly when the other players see such an inadequate rich player signing. If this mistake was Gregg Williams then I think he should move on next season because we will be suffering from the fallout from this for years and ( whatever you feel about him) we`ve only just resolved the Lavar situation and we instantly recreate the problem. Please can we move to the simple philosophy of building a team through the draft and achieving something real. Go Skins!