WP-Redskins Reacquire Thrash

RedskinsFanInTX · Post by **RedskinsFanInTX** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 1:19 am

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... Mar29.html

By Nunyo Demasio
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 30, 2004; Page D01

The Washington Redskins made their second draft-related deal in 24 hours last night when they reacquired wide receiver James Thrash from the Philadelphia Eagles, according to NFL sources.

The Redskins sent Philadelphia a 2005 fifth-round draft pick for Thrash, who played with the Redskins from 1997 to 2000. Thrash, who will turn 29 at the end of next month, started all 16 games for the Eagles last season. He caught 49 passes for 558 yards and one touchdown.

Redskins officials refused to comment last night, but the deal is expected to be announced today, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal is not yet official.

Earlier yesterday, Washington completed a trade that sent fullback Bryan Johnson to the Chicago Bears for a sixth-round pick in the upcoming draft. That trade was negotiated late Sunday night, according to Johnson's agent, Derrick Fox.

Thrash had started 47 consecutive games over the past three seasons with Philadelphia, but was most effective as a third wide receiver and kick returner. Last season, he averaged 24 yards on 34 kickoff returns. The Eagles upgraded their wide receiving corps this month when they acquired Pro Bowler Terrell Owens.

During his Redskins stint, Thrash sparkled on special teams, which Coach Joe Gibbs has emphasized. The Redskins are already flush with wideouts, including Laveranues Coles and Rod Gardner. The Redskins are also likely to sign restricted free agent Darnerien McCants to a new deal this week.

Speculation has circulated around the league that the Redskins will eventually put Gardner on the trading block, possibly for a draft pick.

The Redskins signed Johnson on Friday, matching a four-year, $4.1 million offer by the New Orleans Saints for the restricted free agent. By turning around and trading Johnson to the Bears -- a deal first reported in the Washington Times -- the Redskins managed to clear $2.2 million in salary cap space and gain a draft pick instead of losing him to the Saints without compensation.

Even though Johnson was a restricted free agent, the Saints would not have been required to compensate the Redskins with a draft pick for signing him because Johnson was undrafted out of Boise State in 2000.

The Redskins needed to complete the trade yesterday because Johnson was due an $800,000 roster bonus today.

Gibbs originally had hoped to keep Johnson, who plays well on special teams and who team officials had indicated would have been the starting H-back next season. But his contract would have counted $2.145 million against the salary cap in 2004, which is unusually high for a player of his status.

The leading candidate to replace Johnson appears to be Mike Sellers (6-3, 260 pounds), who played well in minicamp. Sellers played with the Redskins from 1998 to 2000.

McCants wasn't able to participate in Gibbs's three-day minicamp over the weekend because he is rehabilitating from arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder. But Gibbs has seen enough on film to tell that McCants has many similarities to Art Monk.

Before the start of free agency, the Redskins signed McCants to the lowest tender offer, $628,000, which allows Washington to receive a fifth-round draft pick. But the Redskins have started negotiations for McCants so that they don't risk losing him.

McCants said he received word of the Redskins' intentions in a voice mail from Gibbs last week after returning from a three-day vacation in Barbados. "I want to play for Coach Gibbs," said McCants, who expects to be healthy enough for the next minicamp following the late-April NFL draft. "And getting a phone call like that really makes you feel wanted. It's great to know that I'm going to be here. Now I can buckle down and learn this offense."

After trading Johnson, the Redskins have three selections in the draft, including the No. 5 overall pick and a fifth-round pick. The Redskins hope to gain another draft pick by relinquishing linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, who was disinvited from minicamp and told to seek a trade.

portis26 · Post by **portis26** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 1:31 am

What is Thrash's salary? What is his cap number the next few years?

skinsfaninroanoke · Post by **skinsfaninroanoke** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 1:36 am

they won't release that until tomorrow or the day after most likely - it always takes time - most reporters get that from the NFL offices when the teams file the contract, and that doesn't happen right away...

Rumors always run faster than facts don'tcha know?

funbunchfever · Post by **funbunchfever** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 1:39 am

I'm sure G. Williams will be picking Thrash's brain about Philly's offense. I like it!

welch · Post by **welch** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 1:45 am

The leading candidate to replace Johnson appears to be Mike Sellers (6-3, 260 pounds), who played well in minicamp. Sellers played with the Redskins from 1998 to 2000.

Wish he was 6-5, and it would help if he has glue-fingers, but a 260 pound H-back sounds promising.

funbunchfever · Post by **funbunchfever** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 1:46 am

It was tough to watch Thrash in that Philly jersey. (same goes for Kalu and B. Mitch)

I'm glad to have him back.

Does this mean Rod Gardner gets traded? Maybe, but we could handle having Coles, Gardner, McCants, Jacobs, and Thrash at WR.

Plus, Thrash will be a HUGE contributor to special teams!!

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 1:48 am

Who's going to moniter his diet. He needs to gain about 30lbs. But, from a positive standpoint, he really hasnt been injured. I actually dont remember him playing for Wash. Was he any good? I know more than anything, Philly will have to change a lot of their plays b/c Thrash is going to fill them in on everything. Philly probably would anyways b/c they didnt have a receiver like Owens before but still. I'm not sure that this is the best move. Thrash really hasnt been too much of an impact player for Philly. Us on this site have scrutinized philly b/c of their receiving corps. Well, we'll have to wait and see. On another post i asked who was going to be back there with Morton on Spec. teams. I guess the post answered my question. Probably Thrash.

RedskinsRule56 · Post by **RedskinsRule56** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 1:54 am

He blows. But he will probably serve as our 3rd or 4th receiver. I wonder if this means Gardner is out. I have heard his name being on the trading block! DMAC will be resigned! He will be a good contributor on special teams I dont see him do too much else other then that.

funbunchfever · Post by **funbunchfever** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 1:59 am

Thrash is a good player. (Plus, he has a cool last name!)

He was the 3rd receiver when he was with us the first time around.

He has gone from philly to the skins, then back to philly and now back to the skins again.

You know how Gibbs wants "Redskins guys." Thrash is that type of guy. We should have never let him go. Same with S. Barber, B. Mitchell, N. Kalu. (All were signed by philly after playing for the skins.)

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 2:00 am

I'm pretty sure some team will give up a good draft pick for him. Think about it. Oakland is dying for a young receiver. I think i saw Jesus at their training camp talking about the good ol' days with rice and some of those guys. There are quite a few teams that could use the guy and its easier to get a guy who's already proven then pay a rookie big $$$ and not produce. Also, who does San Diego have to step in for D. Boston being trade. We know that it wouldnt be logical to trade him to someone in the NFC East but i see him going to a team in the afc. For Sure.

cjpck44 · Post by **cjpck44** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 3:47 am

Funbunchfver said it right. Thrash was a great lockerroom guy and was one of the first guys in and last guys out. He'll be a great Redskin, if not a star player. Great special teams, really good speed with hands. He made it on the Redskins' roster by taking two kicks back for TD's one game and one more in another in the preseason 7 years ago.

From what I've read his salary will be 1.4 mil this year and 2.2 the next. Kind of high so I think they would renegotiate for it.

And that does spell maybe a trade for Gardner. Except everyone else they've traded was not invited to minicamp. They might just be planning for Gardner to leave after this year, since it's his last in the contract. They probably wouldn't pay him what he would want next year anyway.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 4:49 am

Gardner has produced much more than a Michael Westbrook, but he has never really reached his full potential under the Redskins. Last year a good number of balls hit him right on the chest or on the hands, and with each drop of his Patrick Ramsey looked worse than he really had to.

I do remember watching that young upstart James Thrash work his way from our practice squad to becoming a break out receiver under Norv's last year (or was it Shotty's year that he did so well?). He did it all--kick/punt returning, reverses, catching the ball deep and over the middle. . .it was very tough to watch him go when he had developed into such a player (out of nothing) as a Redskin.

For a while, I thought that a receiver who mostly got work in during preseason and training camp (number 19 I think: Justin Skaags) would pull a Thrash and become a good receiver of ours. But even though Skaags worked hard and played in NFL Europe, I think that a broken leg ended his hopes of becoming a Redskin.

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 6:02 am

Dang! I saw the rumor last night. Some poeple said that they heard someone on the radio (In Philly) saying that the deal would be done in the next 24 hours but I didn't want to believe it.

I like Thrash but I don't want another receiver. I guess he needs to fill the void BJ left on special teams.

Magoo · Post by **Magoo** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 7:13 am

Giving up a 5th rounder for him seems high unless Coach Gibbs sees this as an important acquisition.

It's gotta be all about special teams. If he returns punts and kickoffs - remember how vital Mike Nelms was back in the day - what does that mean for Chad Morton? Chad was nearly a bust last year and doesn't bring much to the table as far as being an offensive backup. We don't need him to play running back with Portis, Betts, and Candidate in front of him on the depth chart. Maybe he figures into this as well as Gardner?

I'm getting the feeling we're going to see quite a few more player moves before opening day - at this rate - the Skins will have a roster that looks like an expansion teams on opening day. After the last ten years of losing, maybe that's not such a bad thing.

jklote · Post by **jklote** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 8:07 am

What is our opposition to draft picks?????

joebagadonuts · Post by **joebagadonuts** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 8:09 am

thrash did well when he was with the skins, but it was because he was the third receiver. when he went to philly, he was expected to be their first receiver, and he's just not that good. i think if they get him back to where he belongs in the depth chart, he'll be effective again. i'm excited to have him back, but i agree with jake, i was looking forward to seeing what some of these other guys can do (jacobs & co.).

Warmother · Post by **Warmother** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 8:20 am

At first I wondered about getting another WR but the more I thought about it I think its a good pick-up even if only for just special teams. Morten is small and if He gets hurt having another KR is not a bad thing. Also having speed come in as a 4th WR can never hurt.

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 8:35 am

I like Jim Thrash a lot, and I'm glad to have him back...

but I've always believed in having one speed reciever and one possession guy... and with Coles and Thrash, it's just two speedsters

surferskin · Post by **surferskin** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 8:37 am

this a bad move...thrash sucks, we need to be aquiring draft picks not giving more up. i mean, after resigning mccants i thought that our receiving core was strong enough...whatever

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 8:44 am

"this a bad move...thrash sucks, we need to be aquiring draft picks not giving more up. i mean, after resigning mccants i thought that our receiving core was strong enough...whatever"

um... do you honestly think we could have gotten someone as good as James Thrash for a 5th round pick? If nothing else James Thrash and Chad Morton could be a great kick returning combo!

ii7-V7 · Post by **ii7-V7** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 8:44 am

surferskin wrote:this a bad move...thrash sucks, we need to be aquiring draft picks not giving more up. i mean, after resigning mccants i thought that our receiving core was strong enough...whatever

Thrash certainly does not suck. He's been to a lot more Championship games than any our recievers. Plus, he is a constant! He is never seriously injured. He is a weight room fixture, and locker room presence. He is the best example that I can recall of a mediocre NFL athlete living up to his potential is such a way that he able to contribute. He has good speed and hands. But, he was picked up primarily for his Special teams skills, which we need after losing Johnson. Also, Thrash will make Cliff Russell expendable. And if Gardner has another sub par year then he'll be gone too. Then our recieving Core will be Coles, McCants, Jacobs/Thrash.

I'm not excited about the fact that we gave up a pick to get him, but I am excited that we stole him from Philly and get to pick his brain about our biggest roadblack this year.

Chad

ii7-V7 · Post by **ii7-V7** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 9:00 am

Magoo wrote:It's gotta be all about special teams. If he returns punts and kickoffs - remember how vital Mike Nelms was back in the day - what does that mean for Chad Morton? Chad was nearly a bust last year and doesn't bring much to the table as far as being an offensive backup.

I don't think its fair to say that Chad Morton was a bust last year. He returned well and got a touchdown in a system where special teams was never an emphasis. The players themselves said that Spurrier couldn't care less about speical teams. So he didn't play like Dante Hall! I don't think that you can call it a bust.

As for his being a good back up I think he did pretty well last year at filling in where needed. No, he didn't win games single handedly, but is that really what you expect from a backup? Still, I do agree that he isn't really going to be an important part of our running game, but he might get used on screens and passes to the flats. His special teams abilities alone make him worth keeping on the roster.

Chad

surferskin · Post by **surferskin** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 9:13 am

unless we're getting trash..um..i mean thrash for nothing, he's not worth it. and it's silly to say that he's been to championship games with the eagles cuz in those games he's done nothing but drop passes like the rest of the philly receivers. we don't need another receiver we could use our fifth round pick for more d-line help.

Doughboy · Post by **Doughboy** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 9:17 am

BTW it's next years draft pick we gave up for him, so we still have a 5th rounder this year.

James Thrash is a stand up guy and a great locker room presence. A Joe Gibbs "Core Redskin" Completely unlike the guy he was a receiver behind last time he was a Skin ... Albert Connell! :oops:

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Tue Mar 30, 2004 9:25 am

A couple of points:

1. I really liked Thrash when he was here. I thought he was a good young WR with a good work ethic and a lot of potential. When he was in Philly, he seemed to drop a lot of balls though...so this has me a bit concerned. Also, I discussed this with an Eagles fan-friend of mine who, as most Eagles fans will tell you, knows everything about football. His complaint about Thrash was that his best/only route was the "out" or "go" routes...perhaps a post now and then. Other than that, he said Thrash had a difficult time releasing from the defendender to get open.

2. Gardner on the trading block? I like it.

I'm going to hold off a little before I give my official "blessing" to this signing; however, I want to say this: I'd rather have Thrash playing for the Redskins than for the Eagles.