Redskins Acquire Vikings' James In Trade

jeremyroyce · Post by **jeremyroyce** » Tue May 27, 2008 4:49 pm

http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=35999

By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
May 27, 2008

The Redskins have completed a trade for Minnesota Vikings defensive end Erasmus James, the team announced on Tuesday.
The Redskins sent a conditional 2009 seventh-round draft pick to the Vikings for James, a 6-4, 266-pounder entering his fourth season in the NFL.

The Vikings had waived James last week, but they later rescinded the transaction. The Redskins were able to acquire James via trade before he hit the free agent market.

James was the Vikings' first-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, but after a strong rookie season he has been slowed by knee injuries.

James played college football at Wisconsin where he was tutored by current Redskins defensive line coach John Palermo.

"We really liked Erasmus coming out of college," executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato said. "He's young and talented, and he has a great deal of potential. We like the fact that his defensive line coach at the University of Wisconsin--John Palermo--is our current defensive line coach."

Said Palermo: "Erasmus is an every down player. He's tough enough to play on first and second down and fast enough to give you a good pass rush on third down.

"He has been injured, so he really hasn't had an opportunity to play a lot, but when healthy he has proven to be a physical lineman."

James adds depth to a defensive line unit that includes Andre Carter at right defensive end and Phillip Daniels on the left. Demetric Evans and Chris Wilson are backups, and linebacker Marcus Washington lines up at defensive end in pass-rushing situations.

To make room for James, the Redskins released defensive end Dorian Smith, an undrafted rookie free agent.

spudstr04 · Post by **spudstr04** » Tue May 27, 2008 5:00 pm

The Washington Post reports that the Redskins have traded a conditional seventh-round 2009 draft pick to the Vikings for DL Erasmus James.

James was reportedly limping badly before being waived by the Vikings, but the price is right to take a chance on the oft-injured 25-year-old. James was the No. 18 pick in the 2005 draft, and while knee surgeries have likely hindered his explosiveness, he could contribute depth to a thin defensive line in Washington if he manages to get healthy.

http://www.rotoworld.com

Redskins Trade for Erasmus James
The Redskins have traded a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2009 draft to Minnesota for defensive end Erasmus James. James has fallen out of favor with the Vikings but Washington has had a glaring need on the defensive line.

Redskins new defensive line coach John Palermo knows James well - he coached him at Wisconsin - and the Redskins are in essence giving up nothing for a player who has had some issues but certainly has potential. The deal is contingent upon James making Washington's 53-man roster. Could be a very favorable move if it works out and kudos to them for finally addressing the lack of depth in the trenches.

The Vikings placed James on waivers last week, but then withdrew him from the waiver wire prior to the deadline for doing so in order to deal him to Washington. Waivers work in reverse order from the 2007 standings, and with the Redskins reaching the playoffs another club could have claimed James before he fell to their spot, hence the trade.

James, 25, is 6-4, 266 pounds and was selected by the Vikings 18th overall in the 2005 draft. His production has been scant - just five career sacks - and injuries have limited him to just eight games in the past two seasons. He was waived by the Vikings last week after failing to pass a physical, and is scheduled to take a physical for the Redskins Wednesday.

The Redskins have just two proven defensive ends on the roster - veterans Andre Carter and Phillip Daniels - and failed to add any experienced talent through trades or free agency in the offseason. They also did not select a defensive lineman until the seventh round of the draft in April.

James has made 12 career starts; nine of them came in his rookie season, when also registered four sacks. He appeared in six games last season then tore his anterior cruciate ligament for the second straight year, ending his 2007 season. James was limited to largely light work in his latest comeback with the Vikings and was not participating in team drills during Minnesota's organized team activity practices, but the Redskins are optimistic about his health and ability to contribute.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/2008/05/redskins_trade_for_erasmus_jam.html

jeremyroyce · Post by **jeremyroyce** » Tue May 27, 2008 5:01 pm

What do you guys think of this. I think for us its a win-win situation

JimAmy2005 · Post by **JimAmy2005** » Tue May 27, 2008 5:28 pm

I think it is OK! I mean he will have to make the roster. We can't lose anything. Atleast we beat everyone else. Also, someone who has worked with James before might be able to show him the light. Who knows maybe James will have the light turned on and he will show us something.

PulpExposure · Post by **PulpExposure** » Tue May 27, 2008 5:28 pm

jeremyroyce wrote:What do you guys think of this. I think for us its a win-win situation

I agree. That's a cheap price to pay (both draft pick and salary-wise) for what could be a decent move.

tribeofjudah · Post by **tribeofjudah** » Tue May 27, 2008 5:29 pm

didn't have time to read.... Is he a quality, stand up guy, to complement AC on the other side?

He better be a buster.....

John Manfreda · Post by **John Manfreda** » Tue May 27, 2008 6:07 pm

nothing to loose

yupchagee · Post by **yupchagee** » Tue May 27, 2008 6:22 pm

As I understand it, if he doesn't make the roster, it costs us nothing. I see no downside.

TincoSkin · Post by **TincoSkin** » Tue May 27, 2008 6:26 pm

so we threw away a draft pick for a guy that we are most likely going to drop? this guys best season was one where he played only nine games? a guy with three years of knee injuries? vinny said we liked this guy coming out of college. THAT WAS 4 YEARS AGO. hes done nothing since. good thing we are using our draft picks like this. drafting a guy 4 years out of college.

yupchagee · Post by **yupchagee** » Tue May 27, 2008 6:31 pm

TincoSkin wrote:so we threw away a draft pick for a guy that we are most likely going to drop? this guys best season was one where he played only nine games? a guy with three years of knee injuries? vinny said we liked this guy coming out of college. THAT WAS 4 YEARS AGO. hes done nothing since. good thing we are using our draft picks like this. drafting a guy 4 years out of college.

As stated above:

The deal is contingent upon James making Washington's 53-man roster.

So if he doesn't make the roster, we lose nothing.

hailskins666 · Post by **hailskins666** » Tue May 27, 2008 7:30 pm

yupchagee wrote:
TincoSkin wrote:so we threw away a draft pick for a guy that we are most likely going to drop? this guys best season was one where he played only nine games? a guy with three years of knee injuries? vinny said we liked this guy coming out of college. THAT WAS 4 YEARS AGO. hes done nothing since. good thing we are using our draft picks like this. drafting a guy 4 years out of college.

As stated above:
The deal is contingent upon James making Washington's 53-man roster.

So if he doesn't make the roster, we lose nothing.

stop with the logic already. the sky is falling. :lol:

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Tue May 27, 2008 7:36 pm

This is a good move and will cost very little, even if he does make the team. The fact that Palermo knows him and coached him in college is a good thing. If James passes his physical, can stay healthy and make the 53-man roster, he very well could turn out to be the player many thought he would be. Nothing but upside here. And at the very least, if healthy, he's better than most DE's we have on our current roster. Nothing wrong with giving him a chance to see what happens.

Cappster · Post by **Cappster** » Tue May 27, 2008 7:41 pm

Lets not forget that the Redskins actually made a good trade. Even if it doesn't work out and he doesn't make the roster, at least we give a guy that has upside a chance. If he doesn't work out, we lose nothing.

brad7686 · Post by **brad7686** » Tue May 27, 2008 8:08 pm

this works much better than if we had actually drafted him.

absinthe1023 · Post by **absinthe1023** » Tue May 27, 2008 8:49 pm

Great value to investment ratio here. If James plays well enough to earn a roster spot, he's worth a 7th round pick, most of whom don't typically make the 53 man roster. If he fails to make the team, no pick is surrendered.
This is a textbook "can't lose" deal.

You complainers should be happy for two things: that the 'Skins have made at least a small effort to improve the DE position, and that they didn't send 2 first round picks (or some other crippling offer) to MIA for a washed-up Jason Taylor.

yupchagee · Post by **yupchagee** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:20 pm

hailskins666 wrote:
yupchagee wrote:
TincoSkin wrote:so we threw away a draft pick for a guy that we are most likely going to drop? this guys best season was one where he played only nine games? a guy with three years of knee injuries? vinny said we liked this guy coming out of college. THAT WAS 4 YEARS AGO. hes done nothing since. good thing we are using our draft picks like this. drafting a guy 4 years out of college.

As stated above:
The deal is contingent upon James making Washington's 53-man roster.

So if he doesn't make the roster, we lose nothing.
stop with the logic already. the sky is falling.

Since when is logic against board rules :?:

John Manfreda · Post by **John Manfreda** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:33 pm

not only that, there aren't many 7th rounders as talented as him.

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:45 pm

yupchagee wrote:
hailskins666 wrote:
yupchagee wrote:
TincoSkin wrote:so we threw away a draft pick for a guy that we are most likely going to drop? this guys best season was one where he played only nine games? a guy with three years of knee injuries? vinny said we liked this guy coming out of college. THAT WAS 4 YEARS AGO. hes done nothing since. good thing we are using our draft picks like this. drafting a guy 4 years out of college.

As stated above:
The deal is contingent upon James making Washington's 53-man roster.

So if he doesn't make the roster, we lose nothing.
stop with the logic already. the sky is falling.

Since when is logic against board rules

He's not knocking you, he's applauding you

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:52 pm

yupchagee wrote:
hailskins666 wrote:
yupchagee wrote:
TincoSkin wrote:so we threw away a draft pick for a guy that we are most likely going to drop? this guys best season was one where he played only nine games? a guy with three years of knee injuries? vinny said we liked this guy coming out of college. THAT WAS 4 YEARS AGO. hes done nothing since. good thing we are using our draft picks like this. drafting a guy 4 years out of college.

As stated above:
The deal is contingent upon James making Washington's 53-man roster.

So if he doesn't make the roster, we lose nothing.
stop with the logic already. the sky is falling.

Since when is logic against board rules

Oops... methinks the yupster needs the joke explained to him...

aswas71788 · Post by **aswas71788** » Tue May 27, 2008 11:10 pm

This is a good trade. It costs the redskins very little, nothing if he does not make the team. But if he does and returns to form. It may be the steal of teh century. Remeber that Ladell Betts was injured most of his first years and look at him now.

sch1977 · Post by **sch1977** » Wed May 28, 2008 6:27 am

TincoSkin wrote:so we threw away a draft pick for a guy that we are most likely going to drop? this guys best season was one where he played only nine games? a guy with three years of knee injuries? vinny said we liked this guy coming out of college. THAT WAS 4 YEARS AGO. hes done nothing since. good thing we are using our draft picks like this. drafting a guy 4 years out of college.

We didn't "throw away" anything. IF the guy doesn't make the team, we don't lose the pick. There is definitely more to gain than there is to lose. The guy immediately adds depth, if nothing else, to a position where we need it.

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Wed May 28, 2008 7:38 am

I agree that this is a good investment option, but let's look at this realistically. He wouldn't have been cut (and rescinded) and immediately traded for a conditional 7th rounder if he was all that. He might pan out, he might not, but let's keep it realistic.

Mursilis · Post by **Mursilis** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:15 am

I'm going to agree with all the agreers here that this is a decent deal with good upside and minimal downside, addressing a position of need with minimal investment on our part. It's in stark contrast to things like the T.J. Duckett deal - a desperate, ultimately foolish move if there ever was one. Let's see - a relatively quiet off-season w/o any over-priced free agent signings, a decent draft which addressed positions of need, and a trade where the skins didn't get fleeced for once - time to re-evaluate the much-maligned Cerrato? :shock:

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:27 am

I'd like to see it happen more than once before pardoning Cerrato.

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:31 am

VetSkinsFan wrote:I agree that this is a good investment option, but let's look at this realistically. He wouldn't have been cut (and rescinded) and immediately traded for a 7th conditional 7th rounder if he was all that. He might pan out, he might not, but let's keep it realistic.

How are some "not keeping it real" ? Of course James was traded because of injuries and being paid the salary of a 1st round pick. The Vikes also brought in Allen, so they needed to release somebody. Maybe I missed something, but most here have said "IF" he stays healthy he could contribute and the deal with the Vikes is very low risk. I haven't seen anyone appoint him to the Pro Bowl yet.

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Redskins Acquire Vikings' James In Trade

Redskins Acquire Vikings' James In Trade

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