Is Chad Morton really worth it?

Californiaskin · Post by **Californiaskin** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 1:52 am

Was it just me or were the rest of you dissapointed with the play of Chad Morton last year. I thought he had an average season at best serving as our primary kick returner. Then when we needed him to play RB he was ineffective and often injured. I think we could trade him and his 900,000+ cap number and spend the cash somewhere we could use help(d-line). Then we could stick Cliff Russell back there and watch him burn up the field on kick returns while serving as a competent back up at WR. Anybody know Coach Gibbs thoughts on Chad?

It seems as though we are always signing and filling up cap space with these "stars" for lack of a better term(ie Deion, Bruce Smith, Jeff George, Jerimiah Trotter) instead of developing younger players to become the next generation of "stars".

Brian Mitchell was much better than Chad. Dude was sweet. Scoring on returns, running the ball hard, making special team tackles, and throwing the ball out of a hb option or as QB. Jawing everybody the whole time. What thinks you fellow skins?

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 2:15 am

Well you also have to realize that he didn't have decent blocking. Infact I'll go as far to say that the blocking was non-existant. SS didn't even work on special teams. This year he will be very effective. Regardless for his role he is overpaid. We need to release him ASAP and let C. Russell or Jacobs return.

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 6:54 am

I like Chad, I think they should have used him more on third down. He seemed to be the only back that has a burst last year. I like the versatility he gives us. Great hands and great speed he will make more plays this year.

LALUVAH · Post by **LALUVAH** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 7:23 am

I have to give him a pass for last year. Special teams was an afterthought under Spurrier. I did like him in the backfield, though, so I have to disagree with your assessment. He was hurt a bit, but he ran hard on third downs. In fact, I recall that the only time I felt confident that we would gain any yards on the ground were when C.M. was in the backfield. He's shifty.

joebagadonuts · Post by **joebagadonuts** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 7:28 am

the value of having someone who does not fumble punt returns is undeniable. while morton didn't score many (or any??) tds on returns, he also didn't give the ball to the other team, which counts for something in my book.

i'd expect, with some attention paid to return blocking this year, that you'll be hearing morton's name more often.

Redskins Rule · Post by **Redskins Rule** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 8:52 am

Morton doesn't count alot to the cap until the third year of his contract. I say keep him until then. He did return one kick off for a touchdown last year. Seeing that was sweet. Under Coach Gibbs and his staff I hope he can return more then one.

I like Chad he showed up to play every time he took the field, even when the team was losing. I don't think that $900,000 is alot to ask for if your very valuable to special teams as a returner. If you can always give your offense a short field to work with and be a threat to go all the way then you can win lots of games for your team.

Thrash can also return kicks. He's not as good as Chad, but he'll be a good back up to him.

JonC56 · Post by **JonC56** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 8:55 am

well he returned one kickoff for a touchdown last year, and obviously spurrier didnt put alot of emphasis on special teams, but I thnk he'll have a better year this year. Also with Gibbs the special teams unit will be coached alot better.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 9:29 am

Is he worth the money? No, he's not. But cutting him will cost entirely too much to justify losing him. He is a great return man, and like everyone else, I expect the blocking units to be improved under Gibbs...

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 9:44 am

I think he IS worth the money...so long as he is allowed to fulfill his duties as part of the negotiation. It only looks bad now, since he did not have as stellar a year under Spurrier. Remember, Chad was coming off a monster year with the Jets, and would have been paid similarly by the Jets had it not gone to arbitration (or was that Coles?). He was also brought in to play RB, though in a limited role.

In that limited role, he did well, in spurts, last season. He brought a lot of energy, but didn't have the necessary blocking -- or size -- to stay healthy.

I think he deserves more than one year before sending him packing. After all, if that were the case, we should also ship John Hall outta town, since he was less than stellar after games 1-4, and he's pretty well paid, no?

DieselFan · Post by **DieselFan** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 10:01 am

I'll keep it brief: personally, I like him...just give him time.

wormer · Post by **wormer** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 10:16 am

He is probably a bit overpaid but isn't that prety common here? Good or bad that's the way Danny boy does it.

For those of you who make it out to camp this year you won't miss him. He seems to be operating in a differnt gear then the other players and work VERY hard. He really sticks out.

I would say he's a faster, stronger version of Joe Washington.

riggofan · Post by **riggofan** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 10:43 am

Kind of hard to judge him last year really. The whole team seemed to underperform. I understand what you're saying though. He was definitely a little disappointing considering the money we paid for him.

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 11:06 am

I know for a fact this thread was made because there is nothing to talk about in early July. :lol:

I like Chad a lot. He improved our special teams quite a bit and provided a scoring threat that we haven't had since B-Mitch. We hadn't run a kickoff back for a few years until Chad did it. I'm convinced that Chad is the fastest guy on the team along with Cliff Russell. Clinton and Laveranues are just behind them.

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 11:07 am

I won't add to much to this but to say if you go by last year our entire team was overpaid. Including the coach! But I'm not using anyone's performance last year to judge them, except for Spurriers.

MtSherwood7 · Post by **MtSherwood7** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 11:51 am

I personally think that the team would be better suited if they cut Chad (Russel and Jacobs could handle his return duties) and use the freed up cap space to go and sign a defensive lineman.

joebagadonuts · Post by **joebagadonuts** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 11:56 am

NikiH wrote:I won't add to much to this but to say if you go by last year our entire team was overpaid. Including the coach! But I'm not using anyone's performance last year to judge them, except for Spurriers.

you're right-for suprrier, last season he earned $1 million per win.

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 12:08 pm

To be honest, I'll miss his on-field expressions. Danny should market a "Spurrier Bloopers Reel" with his best scowls.

Check out this cool drawing.