Springs remains unsure of status

[1niksder]

Springs remains unsure of status

By David Elfin
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
February 24, 2007


Shawn Springs has been one of coach Joe Gibbs "core" Redskins during his three-year tenure in Washington. However, Springs isn't feeling the love from the organization these days. The veteran cornerback said yesterday that he wouldn't be surprised if he were cut soon as the Redskins revamp their roster following the 5-11 debacle of 2006.
"I'm in the dark," said Springs, who missed half of last season with three different injuries. "The last time I talked to them a couple of weeks ago, they said they didn't know what they were going to do, so how I am supposed to know? But you know what? I can't worry about it. If they do cut me, I'll be somewhere else and I'll be fine."
Springs is vulnerable to being released by the salary cap-strapped Redskins for several reasons. He'll be 32 two weeks from tomorrow; he missed so much time last year; and because his $7.35 million cap cost for 2007 is Washington's second-highest.
Contrary to published reports, Springs said that the Redskins shouldn't feel any urgency to make a decision about his future because his roster bonus isn't payable on Thursday. Instead, Springs said he's due $1 million on April 1 and another $1 million on June 1.
"We have to work through the situation and see what we can do," Gibbs said. "The good thing about Shawn is that he can start at corner, he's ... a bright guy who can play nickel and he can certainly move to safety at some point. He's somebody that has real value. We're trying to talk through that game plan that will be good for him and us."
Springs, a starter throughout his 10-year career with Seattle and Washington, signed a six-year, $30 million deal with the Redskins in March 2004 immediately after the team traded perennial Pro Bowl corner Champ Bailey to Denver for running back Clinton Portis.
Springs was superb in his first season in Washington and helped the Redskins end a six-year playoff drought in 2005. However, 2006 was very frustrating. Springs missed two months following pelvic surgery on Aug. 15, sat out another game with a bad hamstring. He ended the season on injured reserve after breaking a shoulder blade in St. Louis.
"Things happen," Springs said from Arizona, his offseason home. "The shoulder wasn't that big a deal. I was moving around real well two weeks later and my [pelvic injury] is fine. I'm running fast and bench-pressing 300 pounds. I hear how I'm going to be 32, but [receivers] Joey Galloway, Marvin Harrison and Terrell Owens are all older than me and no one says anything about their age."
Springs is obviously at home in Washington after starring at Springbrook High while his father Ron -- a former Dallas running back -- was an assistant coach at Howard. However, Springs said whether he stays put or not isn't his choice.
"I'd love to stay here, but that isn't up to me," said Springs, who figures to be a hot free agent if he's on the market in early March when teams will have plenty of cap room. "That's up to Coach Gibbs."

[Skins2daGrave]

cut em loose. he's not worth the 7 games a year

[Countertrey]

cut em loose. he's not worth the 7 games a year

WHAT?????????

[frankcal20]

Ok, this is just crazy. When healthy, he is a shutdown corner. If you don't think that is a good idea to cut him then you are not thinking rationally but thinking with your emotions.

[SkinsFreak]

I've always liked Springs. But his current salary is a huge chunk of the cap. Were his injuries last year just a fluke? Who knows, he is getting a little old. I do however, like the idea of moving him to safety in some packages and I hope they can find a way to keep him, preferably at a lower price.

[1fan4ramsey]

Springs remains unsure of status

By David Elfin
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
February 24, 2007


Shawn Springs has been one of coach Joe Gibbs "core" Redskins during his three-year tenure in Washington. However, Springs isn't feeling the love from the organization these days. The veteran cornerback said yesterday that he wouldn't be surprised if he were cut soon as the Redskins revamp their roster following the 5-11 debacle of 2006.
"I'm in the dark," said Springs, who missed half of last season with three different injuries. "The last time I talked to them a couple of weeks ago, they said they didn't know what they were going to do, so how I am supposed to know? But you know what? I can't worry about it. If they do cut me, I'll be somewhere else and I'll be fine."
Springs is vulnerable to being released by the salary cap-strapped Redskins for several reasons. He'll be 32 two weeks from tomorrow; he missed so much time last year; and because his $7.35 million cap cost for 2007 is Washington's second-highest.
Contrary to published reports, Springs said that the Redskins shouldn't feel any urgency to make a decision about his future because his roster bonus isn't payable on Thursday. Instead, Springs said he's due $1 million on April 1 and another $1 million on June 1.
"We have to work through the situation and see what we can do," Gibbs said. "The good thing about Shawn is that he can start at corner, he's ... .a bright guy who can play nickel and he can certainly move to safety at some point. He's somebody that has real value We're trying to talk through that game plan that will be good for him and us."
Springs, a starter throughout his 10-year career with Seattle and Washington, signed a six-year, $30 million deal with the Redskins in March 2004 immediately after the team traded perennial Pro Bowl corner Champ Bailey to Denver for running back Clinton Portis.
Springs was superb in his first season in Washington and helped the Redskins end a six-year playoff drought in 2005. However, 2006 was very frustrating. Springs missed two months following pelvic surgery on Aug. 15, sat out another game with a bad hamstring. He ended the season on injured reserve after breaking a shoulder blade in St. Louis.
"Things happen," Springs said from Arizona, his offseason home. "The shoulder wasn't that big a deal. I was moving around real well two weeks later and my [pelvic injury] is fine. I'm running fast and bench-pressing 300 pounds. I hear how I'm going to be 32, but [receivers] Joey Galloway, Marvin Harrison and Terrell Owens are all older than me and no one says anything about their age."
Springs is obviously at home in Washington after starring at Springbrook High while his father Ron -- a former Dallas running back -- was an assistant coach at Howard. However, Springs said whether he stays put or not isn't his choice.
"I'd love to stay here, but that isn't up to me," said Springs, who figures to be a hot free agent if he's on the market in early March when teams will have plenty of cap room. "That's up to Coach Gibbs."

Sounds like he wants to get rid of him by trade, but is that possible at this point?

[1niksder]

Sounds like he wants to get rid of him by trade, but is that possible at this point?

Not with his injury history, sounds more like they are saying he isn't worth starter money anymore and should be willing to take saftey or nickle money.

[frankcal20]

What you have to remember is this is how Vinny structured his salary. Its not like springs said, "ok your going to pay me "x" and I want it like this" Don't blame the recipient. He was promised a certain amount of money and he wants to hold the organization to that amount of money. We should keep our promise just like we expect the players to. I don't have a problem with that. Not to mention the fact that we overpay free agents and he is one of our guys and deserves to get his $$$ if he is going to help the team out with their cap situation that they got themselves into. Gibbs said we have a 3 year plan and we are on year 3. This is the backlash of that overpay system.

[1niksder]

What you have to remember is this is how Vinny structured his salary. Its not like springs said, "ok your going to pay me "x" and I want it like this" Don't blame the recipient. He was promised a certain amount of money and he wants to hold the organization to that amount of money. We should keep our promise just like we expect the players to. I don't have a problem with that. Not to mention the fact that we overpay free agents and he is one of our guys and deserves to get his $$$ if he is going to help the team out with their cap situation that they got themselves into. Gibbs said we have a 3 year plan and we are on year 3. This is the backlash of that overpay system.

The contract was back-loaded and SS knew what signing a back-loaded contract meant when he signed it. Everyone says the Skins over pay but look what happens when that 3rd and fourth year kicks in.

One of two things happen.

1. You restructure without being in jeopardy of being cut (this is actually a pay raise in most cases). At this point the team is saying we are happy with your work but we need your help. Again it's a pay raise 9 out of ten times

or

2. You are asked to restructure and take less money to save cap space or be cut to save even more cap space. Here the team is saying we've paid you a lot of money, but we really haven't gotten our monies worth.

[warpath1410]

I agreee with 1niksder But I am concerd about the injury's do we wanna put up with a guy that plays less or cut him now and have a shot at a young corner with skills to start right away. it seems like alot of money to save and might help the team reach the personal they want in here. (fletcher, clement, ect) I don't know the numbers but i gather springs is getting alot.

[frankcal20]

He is on the "Higher" salary list for our team but he has shown the ability to produce. If you remember season 2, he was considered around the league as a pro bowl snub. That was when our defense was a collective unit. Can you ask a guy to do everything? no and he got hurt because he, along with every other guy, got hurt for playing outside of their abilities. See our defensive line.

[spudstr04]

cut em loose. he's not worth the 7 games a year

who are we gonna replace him with?

[1niksder]

He is on the "Higher" salary list for our team but he has shown the ability to produce. If you remember season 2, he was considered around the league as a pro bowl snub. That was when our defense was a collective unit. Can you ask a guy to do everything? no and he got hurt because he, along with every other guy, got hurt for playing outside of their abilities. See our defensive line.

But now he can't stay healthy, and again it was a back loaded deal, meaning he got a big Signing bonus (all of it upfrount) two roster bonuses ($2.6 and $1.3 each of the last two years), Hasn't played a full season since he got here and now when the salary part of the deal kicks in he has issues?

BTW he got about two million in bonus money due this off-season (already counted in the cap) so if he doesn't re-do his deal soon he'll be gone regardless of who is available to replace him.
Would you give him a lot of options based on what he did last year. If he improved 100% over last year he'd still miss two games. $7 million in salary can go a long way to fix a lot of other problems when you are talking cap space.

[1niksder]

cut em loose. he's not worth the 7 games a year

who are we gonna replace him with?

Someone young, cheaper, faster... we can't rebuild him and if we do it looks like it will cost $7,000,000.00+

[brad7686]

More money to use on Clements! I wouldn't mind signing clements and bly and addressing other needs through the draft if a trade could be pulled off for somebody that would give us picks. I want to see if Carlos can fight his way to a starting spot instead of being the only option like he usually is.

[1niksder]

More money to use on Clements! I wouldn't mind signing clements and bly and addressing other needs through the draft if a trade could be pulled off for somebody that would give us picks. I want to see if Carlos can fight his way to a starting spot instead of being the only option like he usually is.

Bly would cost at the least a draft pick, But Smoot and Macklin/Harper would work. Clements can get paid elsewhere. If the Skins are going to spend money it should be at MLB and on the D-line

[Fios]

More money to use on Clements! I wouldn't mind signing clements and bly and addressing other needs through the draft if a trade could be pulled off for somebody that would give us picks. I want to see if Carlos can fight his way to a starting spot instead of being the only option like he usually is.

Bly would cost at the least a draft pick, But Smoot and Macklin/Harper would work. Clements can get paid elsewhere. If the Skins are going to spend money it should be at MLB and on the D-line

Amen

[SkinsJock]

Bly would cost at the least a draft pick, But Smoot and Macklin/Harper would work. Clements can get paid elsewhere. If the Skins are going to spend money it should be at MLB and on the D-line

Amen

I second that "Amen" - My take from the article is that a decision on Springs is not necessarily going to happen in the next few days - we seem to have some time here. I see this as not as negative a situation as some others - we seem to be considering a lot of options with Springs which is not a bad thing. Our defence was 30th last year and we need it to get a lot better and that will mean quite a few changes.

[Chris Luva Luva]

More money to use on Clements! I wouldn't mind signing clements and bly and addressing other needs through the draft if a trade could be pulled off for somebody that would give us picks. I want to see if Carlos can fight his way to a starting spot instead of being the only option like he usually is.

Wrong, I thought we were supposed to support our "core guys".

I can only rag on Rogers but so much.....! We don't have a fricken pass rush and our guys play/ed well when they had one.


1. Bring back Smoot and upgrade the pass rush.

2. Bring back Clark.

3. Leave Springs at CB. We're going to muck around and put him at safety and then try to convert him back as soon as we have an injury. Move him to nickel if you're worried about injury. Why the heck would we put him at safety wiith his injuries...

[gibbs4president]

I'm not so sure I agree with all of the "Bring back Smoot talk." I think he's overrated, and he probably is more trouble than he's worth. What did he do for the Vikings?

[SkinsJock]

... I thought we were supposed to support our "core guys".

I can only rag on Rogers but so much.....! We don't have a pass rush and our guys played well when they had one.


1. Bring back Smoot and upgrade the pass rush.

2. Bring back Clark.

3. Leave Springs at CB. We're going to muck around and put him at safety and then try to convert him back as soon as we have an injury. Move him to nickel if you're worried about injury. Why the heck would we put him at safety wiith his injuries...

We cannot afford to keep him at any position if he is not going to be on the field - we cannot afford to pay players just because of what they did for us in the past. That makes as much sense as asking a player to give back some money because he did not earn it.

I really like Springs and hope he can be on our team as either a CB or a safety, that being said, we cannot afford to keep anyone who cannot play! If his health is an issue then we will not be able to afford to keep him.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I really like Springs and hope he can be on our team as either a CB or a safety, that being said, we cannot afford to keep anyone who cannot play! If his health is an issue then we will not be able to afford to keep him.

Until we solidify that position he has to stay.

Until we solidify that position with two GOOD CB's, it'll be hard to let him.

I believe we can lessen his injuries by putting him in the nickel back position.

[SkinsJock]

I want him to be here CLL and I agree we are hurting at CB - I just wonder if he will be realistic, financially?

[1niksder]

I really like Springs and hope he can be on our team as either a CB or a safety, that being said, we cannot afford to keep anyone who cannot play! If his health is an issue then we will not be able to afford to keep him.

Until we solidify that position he has to stay.

Until we solidify that position with two GOOD CB's, it'll be hard to let him.

I believe we can lessen his injuries by putting him in the nickel back position.

The Redskins are still trying to rework cornerback Shawn Springs's contract, but there has been no progress in that matter this month and Springs could be released in June to alleviate the salary cap hit. The Redskins are expected to make a push to sign free agent cornerback Nate Clements (Buffalo) and many in the organization would be open to bringing back former Redskins cornerback Fred Smoot if he is released by Minnesota this week as expected. The team also approached veteran defensive lineman Renaldo Wynn about taking a cut in his $2 million salary, sources said, and could release place kicker John Hall, wide receiver David Patten and tight end Christian Fauria this week, creating more room to pursue free agents when the signing period opens Friday.

Link

[Chris Luva Luva]

I really like Springs and hope he can be on our team as either a CB or a safety, that being said, we cannot afford to keep anyone who cannot play! If his health is an issue then we will not be able to afford to keep him.

Until we solidify that position he has to stay.

Until we solidify that position with two GOOD CB's, it'll be hard to let him.

I believe we can lessen his injuries by putting him in the nickel back position.

The Redskins are still trying to rework cornerback Shawn Springs's contract, but there has been no progress in that matter this month and Springs could be released in June to alleviate the salary cap hit. The Redskins are expected to make a push to sign free agent cornerback Nate Clements (Buffalo) and many in the organization would be open to bringing back former Redskins cornerback Fred Smoot if he is released by Minnesota this week as expected. The team also approached veteran defensive lineman Renaldo Wynn about taking a cut in his $2 million salary, sources said, and could release place kicker John Hall, wide receiver David Patten and tight end Christian Fauria this week, creating more room to pursue free agents when the signing period opens Friday.

Link

Thanks for the quote.

I kinda wouldnt be upset with getting both Clements and Smoot BUT whats going to happen with the chemistry?

How is Rogers going to take to being demoted? If he's not demoted how will Smoot take to being demoted? He's stated that he wants to start.

It seems like we need to get one or the other and I'm leaning towards Smoot. He fits in, he did well in the system before and will most likely be cheaper. I admit that nate may be the better player but we need to look at the bigger picture.