cooley released

[Deadskins]

Gutted.

I just had a feeling this was coming though...

Link to his 'Goodbye' is below, prepare to choke up....

http://blog.redskins.com/2012/08/28/video-chris-cooley-says-goodbye/

Damn, he's all choked up himself, how could you not be too?
This totally sucks; he was easily my favorite player.

[Irn-Bru]

What I'm mostly PISSED off about is that we didn't figure out any way to get anything for him at all. That's what just doesn't make any sense to me. I understand his salary sucks but there's got a be a way to work it out with the new team to sign him to an extension or fully renegotiate it with him to make it a more trade friendly cap hit.

The chance to get anything more than a conditional late-round pick passed the year before last.

If it makes you mad that we won't get, e.g., a 6th rounder for him, maybe you can take solace in the fact that Barnes will likely yield us one, and we were cutting him anyway.

[cleg]

<-- sick to the stomach.

Just one guy finish out his career here with us and retire immediately.. that's all I wanted from Synder.

I mean, we couldn't restructure ey's contract to stay with us for the very few years he has left?

Not sure who will pick him up at his age and with his past injuries but obviously I wish him the greatest of luck and I hope I can be at Fedex when he comes back to retire a Skin.

Mike Sellers.

[Deadskins]

<-- sick to the stomach.

Just one guy finish out his career here with us and retire immediately.. that's all I wanted from Synder.

Chris Sammuels. Mike Sellers. London Fletcher and Santana Moss (probably). It's rare, but then again that's the NFL.

I think he meant start and finish here. Samuels fits that bill.

[emoses14]

<-- sick to the stomach.

Just one guy finish out his career here with us and retire immediately.. that's all I wanted from Synder.

I mean, we couldn't restructure ey's contract to stay with us for the very few years he has left?

Not sure who will pick him up at his age and with his past injuries but obviously I wish him the greatest of luck and I hope I can be at Fedex when he comes back to retire a Skin.

SNYDER.
HAD.
NOTHING.
TO.
DO.
WITH.
THIS.

Thank you.

Sad to see ey gone.

[riggofan]

Interesting article just up on PFW:

Former Redskins tight end Chris ey believes he can still play, and he doesn’t seem to be interested in playing for another team.

In the end, he could be right back with the Redskins.

The hint came not long into his press conference. “Today, for the time being, will be my last day as a Redskin,” ey said.

Though it’s unclear whether the Redskins’ decision to cut ey was preceded by a request to reduce his base salary of $3.8 million, an important factor was absent from the normal take-a-pay-cut-or-take-a-hike protocol: ey has no agent.

His agent, Gary Wichard, died March 11, 2011, the day the player lockout started. NFLPA records still list Wichard as ey’s agent.

If ey had an agent, the agent could have “gauged the market” for ey’s services, calling around to see who would be interested and how much they would pay before giving the Redskins an answer. (Yes, it’s tampering. And, yes, it happens all the time.)

Since ey has no agent, the Redskins had to cut ey before he could find out whether and to what extent their offer compares favorably to what other teams would pay. In the end, with or without an agent, ey may realize that the reduced money the Redskins would be willing to pay ey is still more than what anyone else would offer — especially with ey hitting the market less than two weeks before the start of the 2012 regular season.

Still, ey could have options elsewhere, especially with teams copying the Patriots multi-tight-end approach. His best move would be to quickly hire someone to gather offers so that, in the end, he can decide whether his best move will be to return to the Redskins for a much lower salary in 2012.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

For those that think Shanny doesn't give a toss, he's the story from CSNWashington with footage of Shanny shedding a tear as ey says his goodbyes...

http://www.csnwashington.com/football-washington-redskins/redskins-talk/Redskins-release-Cooley?blockID=764213&feedID=10316

Alls I saw was the same Cooooooooooooley presser, from a different angle, w brief *game footage.

*not playing or wearing shoulder pads jus on the sideline

[Chris Luva Luva]

What I'm mostly PISSED off about is that we didn't figure out any way to get anything for him at all. That's what just doesn't make any sense to me. I understand his salary sucks but there's got a be a way to work it out with the new team to sign him to an extension or fully renegotiate it with him to make it a more trade friendly cap hit.

You're pissed about this, yet you have no idea if any of the parties wanted this.

- You don't know if ey wanted to be traded.
- You don't know if the salary could be worked out.
- You don't know if he'd be open to restructuring.
- You don't know if a team wanted him.


I don't get how people have such strong stances without ANY facts or knowledge to back it up. This isn't Madden folks, these are real people with goals and motives.

[Irn-Bru]

<-- sick to the stomach.

Just one guy finish out his career here with us and retire immediately.. that's all I wanted from Synder.

Chris Sammuels. Mike Sellers. London Fletcher and Santana Moss (probably). It's rare, but then again that's the NFL.

I think he meant start and finish here. Samuels fits that bill.

OK. Chris Sammuels? He wanted just one guy, no?

[Deadskins]

Former Redskins tight end Chris ey believes he can still play, and he doesn’t seem to be interested in playing for another team.

In the end, he could be right back with the Redskins.

The hint came not long into his press conference. “Today, for the time being, will be my last day as a Redskin,” ey said.

God, I hope that's true.

[Deadskins]

<-- sick to the stomach.

Just one guy finish out his career here with us and retire immediately.. that's all I wanted from Synder.

Chris Sammuels. Mike Sellers. London Fletcher and Santana Moss (probably). It's rare, but then again that's the NFL.

I think he meant start and finish here. Samuels fits that bill.

OK. Chris Sammuels? He wanted just one guy, no?

What did I say?

[frankcal20]

What I'm mostly PISSED off about is that we didn't figure out any way to get anything for him at all. That's what just doesn't make any sense to me. I understand his salary sucks but there's got a be a way to work it out with the new team to sign him to an extension or fully renegotiate it with him to make it a more trade friendly cap hit.

You're pissed about this, yet you have no idea if any of the parties wanted this.

- You don't know if Cooley wanted to be traded.
- You don't know if the salary could be worked out.
- You don't know if he'd be open to restructuring.
- You don't know if a team wanted him.


I don't get how people have such strong stances without ANY facts or knowledge to back it up. This isn't Madden folks, these are real people with goals and motives.

Actually we're getting a lot more information. See the article posted above about Cooley not having an agent and there being really no possible way for him to determine what the market would be like or how tradeable he is. Chill out a bit. Of course I wasn't in the room and don't have access to the information. That still doesn't change my opinion that the move frustrates me because he's been one of my favorite players on the team for a long time. I've spoken with him a dozen or so times and he's been a really cool guy. Sorry I want those kind of guys on my team that are proven and can still be a productive player in the NFL. Really could care less if you agree or not. Guess we'll know down the line.

[Irn-Bru]

<-- sick to the stomach.

Just one guy finish out his career here with us and retire immediately.. that's all I wanted from Synder.

Chris Sammuels. Mike Sellers. London Fletcher and Santana Moss (probably). It's rare, but then again that's the NFL.

I think he meant start and finish here. Samuels fits that bill.

OK. Chris Sammuels? He wanted just one guy, no?

What did I say?

Right. LPJ was looking for just one guy.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

Unfortunetly the quote "at least for the time being" could also mean...
When he retires as a skin later on.

I hope he comes back sooner and for this season, at a pay cut. Hurry up and wait-to-see

[SkinsJock]

What I'm mostly PISSED off about is that we didn't figure out any way to get anything for him at all. That's what just doesn't make any sense to me. I understand his salary sucks but there's got a be a way to work it out with the new team to sign him to an extension or fully renegotiate it with him to make it a more trade friendly cap hit.

You're pissed about this, yet you have no idea if any of the parties wanted this.

- You don't know if ey wanted to be traded.
- You don't know if the salary could be worked out.
- You don't know if he'd be open to restructuring.
- You don't know if a team wanted him.


I don't get how people have such strong stances without ANY facts or knowledge to back it up. This isn't Madden folks, these are real people with goals and motives.

Thanks Chris for what you've done for both this franchise and for us, the fans

Like CLL pointed out - we really don't know the full details

fans like to vent their frustration - to insinuate this FO is not trying to put the best roster together is wrong

some guys here really do carry on like it's their fantasy team or an EA Sports team

this franchise was in dire straits a few years ago - these guys are trying to put a roster together both for this season and beyond

anyone that thinks this FO is trying to hurt the franchise does not have any idea about what is happening here

[Redskin in Canada]

I am grateful for Chris ey's work with us. Great Redskin. This is a lesser blow in my mind because I was ready for it for several reasons a few weeks ago.

IMO, We need the cap space. I am still not sure whether he is truly as healthy as portrayed in the media and press releases.

He has a GREAT future in the broadcast booth. Why risk further injuries in the NFL?

[frankcal20]

What I'm mostly PISSED off about is that we didn't figure out any way to get anything for him at all. That's what just doesn't make any sense to me. I understand his salary sucks but there's got a be a way to work it out with the new team to sign him to an extension or fully renegotiate it with him to make it a more trade friendly cap hit.

You're pissed about this, yet you have no idea if any of the parties wanted this.

- You don't know if Cooley wanted to be traded.
- You don't know if the salary could be worked out.
- You don't know if he'd be open to restructuring.
- You don't know if a team wanted him.


I don't get how people have such strong stances without ANY facts or knowledge to back it up. This isn't Madden folks, these are real people with goals and motives.

Thanks Chris for what you've done for both this franchise and for us, the fans

Like CLL pointed out - we really don't know the full details

fans like to vent their frustration - to insinuate this FO is not trying to put the best roster together is wrong

some guys here really do carry on like it's their fantasy team or an EA Sports team

this franchise was in dire straits a few years ago - these guys are trying to put a roster together both for this season and beyond

anyone that thinks this FO is trying to hurt the franchise does not have any idea about what is happening here

I'm still scratching my head how either of you took that from what I posted about us not getting compensation for him with teams like the Jets and Oakland in DIRE need of a TE.

[HarleyHog]

so, once he's released his contract is nullified, right?
maybe it's a play to re-sign him for say, 2 mil vs 6?
they can't restructure an active contract for less actual money, just different payment schedule. If he still has gas in the tank, maybe he's taking one for the team.
I know, clutching at straws. . .

Hail ey!

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

I agree w Frank and posted it earlier.. how can we let free picks/ players walk? I think it might be the biggest hint he comes back at a lesser price tag or retires.

[chiefhog44]

If ey had come in and lit it up, he'd have a spot on the roster. But he lost a step. There were reports coming from camp, player comments, analysts, that all said this. But if the Skins had decided to part ways back on June 1st, it still would have been a guess. They had every reason to bring him in for training camp to see if he'd work out.

And keeping open the possibility of retaining ey in case Davis or Paul got injured was not classless. That was another legit chance for him to make the team for one last year and receive the millions his contract scheduled him for. Lots of players around the NFL sneak in an extra year or two this way. "Class" has nothing to do with it. He really had two chances to make the team: show that he hadn't lost a step, and take advantage of someone else's injury or inability to play TE.

What if the Skins had released him on June 1st? I bet you would have been livid — after all, at the time you were saying he'd have more catches than our 4th-6th WRs combined. And then suppose Davis got hurt in early August. I bet you would have been all over THN saying that the Skins should never have released him, because now we'd be looking to have him start on gameday.

It's damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Maybe you will deny that you'd have been mad; it's easy to deny anything. But are you willing to say that you would have called a June 1 release a classy move, at the time? Especially if another TE got hurt in July or August? I bet not.

He has time to find another team if he wants. I just don't see how anyone could see the Redskins as classless in this. Classless would be holding him until the final cuts and then informing him via text message or something.

So true. If we would have cut him in June, it would have been. How classless. How could we cut a guy that is a true Redskins without giving him a chance.

I mean, duh, yes, we hedged our risk by keeping him to make sure Niles Paul works out. And yes, it was probably what he wanted I'm sure. He wouldn't be sounding the drum for the organization if he didn't want that opportunity.

[FireVinny]

What I'm mostly PISSED off about is that we didn't figure out any way to get anything for him at all. That's what just doesn't make any sense to me. I understand his salary sucks but there's got a be a way to work it out with the new team to sign him to an extension or fully renegotiate it with him to make it a more trade friendly cap hit.

I'm not going to agree to renegotiate so the Skins have a better trade market. If you want to get rid of me, release me and let me go sign on the open market. I'm not going to help you out so you can get a 6th round draft pick off it. (And if I'm an agent, there's no way in hell I'm letting you do that to my client.)

ey is not a starter anymore in this league. His knees are old and broken down. He wasn't worth his cap hit, but he probably wasn't willing to restructure his contract in order to stay on as a back-up. If he was going to play for less money, he wanted a chance to start. So we released him. Now, if he's able to find a team that will give him a chance to start, he'll sign there. If he can't find one, I expect to see him back at Redskins Park in about a week with a greatly reduced salary.

[SkinsJock]

I'm sure that Mike & ey discussed the options and I don't think that this was easy for anyone

I hope we see ey playing in B&G soon is all I'm thinking for now

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

I'm hopin for the redskins park in b&g outcome. ey has been a fan favorite for years, including my sons all-time (in his short five year old life) favorite.

Ultimately he tried and failed this off-season, probably due to missing a lot of NFL time and not keeping his body in that top physical form. From all accounts it sounds like he tried but fact is he didnt. Moss DID. So its not like there's anyone to blame in this. Not saying he's done but its clear he isn't the same or worth that much $. Now, for eys sake, he has options.

[frankcal20]

I agree there is a chance that he could come back later at a smaller salary but once again, I'll point out that there are teams in this league that will need him to play for them. Also, I don't think there is a difference between the salary we pay him in a trade vs what he's paid when he's cut.

I really do believe that there are teams that would've made a trade for him next week like the Jets or Oakland. Look at what happened here when we lost two DEs on one day and we needed a starter so we traded away picks for Jason Taylor. I don't think we would get near the compensation but still there is a market out there for a player of his caliber.

[SkinsJock]

frank - I've always given you a lot of credit and I still do

IMHO this is not over and I think if ey's playing it will be here - let's see

this FO clearly knows what they need to do in order to be here for 2013

Captain Clutch should be here