Late in a game in December of the 1998 season between Indianapolis and Seattle, Phillip Daniels and Shawn Springs came up with a decisive play. Daniels forced a fumble that Springs scooped up and returned 14 yards for the touchdown that produced a 27-23 Seahawks win. Six years later, those two players--Daniels and Springs--find themselves reunited as teammates. Both have a chance to become key contributors in the Redskins' defense of 2004.
Springs, a first-round draft pick by Seattle in 1997 out of Ohio State, basically has been penciled in as the replacement for Champ Bailey at one of the cornerback spots opposite Fred Smoot. Daniels, now in his ninth NFL season, hopes to regain the form that made him an outstanding pass rusher in his four years with the Seahawks and four more with the Chicago Bears.
"I've had a great career so far and hopefully it will get better," said Daniels, a 6-5, 288-pound defensive end. "What I'm going to tell my new teammates is that we've got to work together on this and get it done as a team. I'm going to come in here and be a leader and do what I can to help point this team in the right direction."
Daniels' best season was in 2001 in Chicago when he produced 72 tackles and nine sacks. The University of Georgia product dropped off to just 2.5 sacks in 16 games a year ago but with a new setting he's excited about the opportunity to become a key force in the Redskins' defensive scheme.
Last year, inconsistent play plagued the Redskins' defensive line. To improve matters, their first move was to bring in Daniels, who has extensive NFL experience at both defensive end and tackle. His nine sacks in 2001 matched his career high; Daniels had nine sacks for Seattle in 1999 as well.
Originally drafted in the fourth round of the 1996 draft by the Seahawks, Daniels moved on to Chicago in 2000. By the close of last year, he had started 28 straight games for the Bears at defensive end.
In Chicago, Daniels played under defensive coordinator Greg Blache, who has since joined the Redskins as defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.
"When free agency started, we had numerous conversations to find a defensive lineman who is versatile," said Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs. "Greg told us Phillip would be a great Redskin. He's a great person, a great workout guy, and is the right kind of person."
Daniels, a native of Donalsonville, Georgia, said he started his off-season conditioning a month early this year.
"I went down to Atlanta and trained. I wanted to get in the best condition after leaving Chicago and hoping to make a new name for myself here with the Redskins," the veteran defensive lineman added.
"I had a few injuries the past few years, so I wanted to start out earlier this year. I'm getting older, so I had to start a little earlier. It really helps."
The Redskins' produced just 27 sacks a year ago. If Daniels can return to his 1999 or 2001 style of play, he could really make a difference.
Bear in mind that during Gibbs' first tenure as Redskins head coach, getting to the quarterback was vital. The 1984 Redskins defense produced a team-record 66 sacks; in six of Gibbs' 12 seasons, Washington's defense came up with at least 50 sacks per year.
In mini-camps, Daniels has been working hard to prove that he can bring a great deal to his new team. He says he has no real preference as to where he plays, so long as he sees the field.
Adds Daniels: "The Redskins have put together a good foundation here. I just want to go out and make the best of my opportunity."
PROBOWL TOM wrote:I disagree with Gambit again.onesided mind as usual.Time will tell that is my answer.Be objective about things skins hater.
So probowl tom you think Daniels is a better defensive end then Wiley.
In 2001 Daniels had 9 sacks and Wiley had 13. They both declined in 2002 and 2003 with Daniles going from 5.5 to 2.5 and Wiley going from 6 to 3.
The reason why i say we got the better signing is because Wiley is a year younger. Wiley will be lining up with a better defensive line. Also Wiley's last couple of years at San Diego he was surrounded with less talent then he will be at Dallas.
There's really not much of a difference between Daniels and Wiley.... had you asked me at the beginning of the year who I would have rather had, I probably would have said Wiley, but I like Daniels attitude that he's brought to the table so far.... well see who was the better choice at the end of next season
BringThePain! wrote:There's really not much of a difference between Daniels and Wiley.... had you asked me at the beginning of the year who I would have rather had, I probably would have said Wiley, but I like Daniels attitude that he's brought to the table so far.... well see who was the better choice at the end of next season
Yeah it does appear he has a good attitude. Especially since he was man enough to admit that he is getting older and needs to start preparing earlier. Now if we can just get alot of other NFL players oh excuse me and NBA players (Shaq) to think the same way.....
If you are going to analyze the two signings you should look at cap $ spent as well. Daniels hits the cap for 1.260 1.705 2.600 3.100 over the next four years. Wiley signed a 4 year $16 million dollar deal. He costs twice as much as Daniels, so the quesion is does he bring twice the value?
JDC wrote:If you are going to analyze the two signings you should look at cap $ spent as well. Daniels hits the cap for 1.260 1.705 2.600 3.100 over the next four years. Wiley signed a 4 year $16 million dollar deal. He costs twice as much as Daniels, so the quesion is does he bring twice the value?
So i guess you have the cap numbers on Wiley , and I guess the Cowboys front load their contracts while the skins backload theirs.
gambit187 wrote:I was just wondering who was the better signing Daniels for the skins or Wiley for the Cowboy.
Now you all know i would say Wiley.
How can you compare? The Wiley signing is much better, although the Skins needed d-linemen more than the boys. Wiley has put up better stats than Daniels. Sorry people.
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JDC wrote:If you are going to analyze the two signings you should look at cap $ spent as well. Daniels hits the cap for 1.260 1.705 2.600 3.100 over the next four years. Wiley signed a 4 year $16 million dollar deal. He costs twice as much as Daniels, so the quesion is does he bring twice the value?
good point, plus, I think Daniels is a team player w/ good character.
I remember Wiley having some character issues recently...so he did have Cowboy written all over him going into the offseason.
JDC wrote:If you are going to analyze the two signings you should look at cap $ spent as well. Daniels hits the cap for 1.260 1.705 2.600 3.100 over the next four years. Wiley signed a 4 year $16 million dollar deal. He costs twice as much as Daniels, so the quesion is does he bring twice the value?
good point, plus, I think Daniels is a team player w/ good character.
I remember Wiley having some character issues recently...so he did have Cowboy written all over him going into the offseason.
Ok so you remember Wiley having character issues but you post no proof. Or does he have issues because he speaks his mind and is open and upfront.
Wiley is a better DE hands down. There's not even an argument here folks. Sure Daniels has a better attitude but doesn't have the same capabilities that Wiley has. I hate to admit it but the Cowboys signed the better DE.
Redskins4Life wrote:Wiley is a better DE hands down. There's not even an argument here folks. Sure Daniels has a better attitude but doesn't have the same capabilities that Wiley has. I hate to admit it but the Cowboys signed the better DE.
NO NO NO THAT WAS TOO EASY....YOU WERE SUPPOSE TO DEBATE AND CALL ME LOTS OF NASTY NAMES.....DAMMIT YOU MESSED UP THE CYCLE......LOL
One is a Redskin and the other is a puke! We think one suits us and I do not care what happens to the other as long as he plays/suits-up for anybody in that part of the country.
Until recently, Snyder & Allen have made a lot of really bad decisions - nobody with any sense believes this franchise will get better under their guidance Snyder's W/L record = 45% (80-96) - Snyder/Allen = 41% (59-84-1)
Wait isn't Marcellus Wiley a reject from a team that's posted worse numbers than the Skins? (The Chargers) I may be wrong, but, Daniels was a cap casualty and not a cut. More upside on Daniels, from a psyche standpoint.
RED(EEMED)SKIN wrote:Wait isn't Marcellus Wiley a reject from a team that's posted worse numbers than the Skins? (The Chargers) I may be wrong, but, Daniels was a cap casualty and not a cut. More upside on Daniels, from a psyche standpoint.
Yeah the same team that let Seau go, Rodney Harrsion Go. Let 2 of there d-line go and there secondary averaged 2 years.
So that says UMMMMM he had no help....
It wont be like that lined up with Ellis and Glover and a good depth at DE and DT. That was the missing piece from last year a pass rushing DE.
gambit187 wrote:So that says UMMMMM he had no help....
It wont be like that lined up with Ellis and Glover and a good depth at DE and DT. That was the missing piece from last year a pass rushing DE.
That may well be true, but you must admit, the guy is getting up there in age, and was dumped by his former team.
He may prove the naysayers wrong, but it's gotta feel horrible to lose his job security, relocate, and try to adapt to a new system, all the while carrying the pressure of having to prove yourself.
The upside, he's going to a team that's better than the one he was dumped from.
I was just wondering - why are you still here? Aint Coauwboyz fans got puters? Wiley used to be a good player - but a funny thing happens when a player puts on a helmet with a blue star...
