Breaking News -- Iffy Ohalete Cut This Morning

cyberaj · Post by **cyberaj** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 9:33 am

I just heard on the WTEM 980 that Iffy was cut this morning.

No playing around this year. Players will be held accountable for their assignments.

oafusp · Post by **oafusp** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 9:54 am

Heard it too.

I bet Marvin Lewis picks him up...just a hunch

JDC · Post by **JDC** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 9:58 am

That will say a lot about Iffy (or the Bengals current crew)

Warmother · Post by **Warmother** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 9:59 am

Well after Sat. I'm not surprized. With Taylor and Lott playing so well and Iffy struggling against back-up's. He'll get a job someplace. I wish Him well.

hkHog · Post by **hkHog** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 9:59 am

Finally, no more stupid "I think Iffy is better than Bowen" threads ](*,)

Redskin Stouff · Post by **Redskin Stouff** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:04 am

I think Iffy is better than Bowen.

JUST KIDDING! He was Iffy to make the team anyway (I'm truly sorry for that).

oafusp · Post by **oafusp** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:13 am

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... Aug17.html

Redskins Release Safety Ohalete

By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 17, 2004; 10:36 AM

The Washington Redskins released safety Ifeanyi Ohalete this morning after the two-year starter had slipped to third on the depth chart. Ohalete said he did not see "eye-to-eye" with his position coach, Steve Jackson, on his technique and he did not perform well in Washington's first two preseason games.

Ohalete, 25, started 15 games last season -- finishing third on the team in tackles and second in interceptions -- and he started nine games the season before that but never seemed to find his way under this coaching staff. He was signed by Washington as an un-drafted free agent out of the University of Southern California in 2001 and had spent his entire career here. However, Ohalete began training camp behind safety Andre Lott and with Washington taking safety Sean Taylor, a projected starter, with the fifth overall pick, his release did not come as a surprise.

"They were going to move me to strong safety, that's why Andre started playing free safety," Ohalete said before leaving Redskins Park around 10 a.m. "And the next thing I knew, I got moved down to the third team. You have to ask the coaches about that one. According to my position coach, the way he grades us over the week, I was grading top two in the offseason and in the first three days of passing camp. You have to ask him about that one, but that's the way the cookie crumbles and that's the nature of the business. So I've just got to look forward to hopefully another team picking me up."

Coach Joe Gibbs and the rest of the staff were not immediately available for comment, as the team was still on the field for the first of two practices when Ohalete left. Ohalete made headlines in the offseason when running back Clinton Portis was acquired. Portis wore No. 26, Ohalete's number, and first offered to box his teammate for the number, then eventually purchased it from Ohalete in exchange for a car and other perks (Ohalete switched to No. 30).

Ohalete accepted blame for not using the techniques that Jackson espouses and said their differences were not "on a personal level; he just didn't think I was listening to him on the football field."

Gregg Williams, assistant head coach-defense, has implemented an ultra-aggressive system very unlike how the team played the last two seasons under Coach Steve Spurrier.

"I don't think any of us are that surprised [by the release]," Ohalete said. "That's the way it's been going."

The timing of the move could help the safety, as it is still relatively early in camp, rosters are not set and teams are looking for help. Ohalete is a favorite of former coach Marty Schottenheimer, who is now coaching San Diego, and that may provide his best opportunity to find immediate work. Ohalete said that he never really felt settled in Washington, as the team annually brought in more players at his position.

"They had their wish," Ohalete said of team management, "but three years [here], two years starter. I mean, somebody has to do the math, so it's not me. All I can do is keep trying to continue on my career in the NFL."

Redskins Notes: Several players did not participate in the morning session, with veterans Portis and receiver Laveranues Coles rested. Linebacker Mike Barrow (knee tendinitis), tight end Fred Baxter (knee), cornerback Rashad Bauman (hamstring), cornerback Rufus Brown (quadriceps bruise), linebacker Chris Clemmons (hamstring), wide receiver Cliff Russell (hamstring), running back Chad Morton (sore ankle), receiver James Thrash (tight hamstring) and defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin (sore groin) also missed practice and are listed as day-to-day. Linebacker Antonio Pierce did not dress for practice but the nature of his absence from drills was not immediately known. Some of those players could be back in action when the Redskins practice again at 4:30 p.m.

Redskin Stouff · Post by **Redskin Stouff** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:24 am

He doesn't sound bitter at all.

NC43Hog · Post by **NC43Hog** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:43 am

Portis could have gotten #26 for nothing. ](*,)

Too bad, Iffy was at times a bright spot on a dismal defense that last 2 years, but if you don't fit in you are out and Gibbs ain't gonna mess around.

gambit187 · Post by **gambit187** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:54 am

WOW this is a shocker, so it seems he didnt fit into their new system. I wish him the best of Luck..

Hey Iffy can you play free safety Dallas needs you, come to Dallas and BE A STAR.

Redskins Rule · Post by **Redskins Rule** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:13 am

Iffy was smart. He got a brand new car from Portis before being cut. It wouldn't surprise me if Portis would box him for real now.

Redskins1974 · Post by **Redskins1974** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:18 am

I just liked saying his name. Seriously though, he showed streaks of promise but I never viewed him as a starter. I think it gives him the opportunity to find a new job and us the opportunity to put some answers to rest. I don't mind this move.

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:25 am

I thought IFfy would be able to stick around and develop into "core redskin", considering his "upbringing" in our organization. He's developed a lot since he first got here, but definitely regressed this offseason.

Seeing how badly he's been beaten in the preseason, I think he should have listened to his position coach. :lol:

Best of luck, Iffy.

RedskinsRule56 · Post by **RedskinsRule56** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:50 am

I am very surprised by this! I liked Iffy. Despite him getting beaten bad in the Panthers game I still thought he was going to compete hard with Bowen for the other Safety spot! I guess Gibbs is very impressed with Lott!

verm04 · Post by **verm04** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 12:01 pm

I am not surprised by this..sad, but not surprised. I hope he gets picked up by the Chargers or the Bengals...

Oh i was thinking.. Maybe the reason he was so upset lately was the whole Portis number thing and the Sean taylor thing. OF course its the way of the business but look from his perspective. He was an undrafted free agent ( i think?) who worked very hard to make it too a starter in the league. Then all of the sudden he is usurped by this young cocky freak of a saftey. Even though thats how it works ide still be a little upset too.... but hey thats just a theory so who knows right?

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 12:13 pm

Man, this really stinks IMO for many reasons.

1. The guy can still play.
2. He will go to another team and produce like all of the other former Skins in the league.
3. We could have traded him and GOT SOMETHING IN RETURN.
4. His wife is really hot. I met her last year after a game. She was very nice to me. I didn't recognize her this year at camp but I was still staring for at her few reasons. Just ask SkinsChic and Taz. :lol:

RedskinsRule56 · Post by **RedskinsRule56** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 12:18 pm

Jake that is a damn good point! Why did not we trade him! He would have decent value and we could get something in return for him such as a DE or another Offensive Lineman!

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 12:25 pm

Redskins Release Ohalete
By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
August 17, 2004

The Redskins have released safety Ifeanyi Ohalete, vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato said on Tuesday morning.

"We felt that since he was a veteran, we should release him now to give him an opportunity to pick up with somebody else," Cerrato said.

The third-year player had worked his way into the starting lineup at safety each of the last two seasons, but the team drafted Sean Taylor with the fifth overall pick in April and second-year player Andre Lott had been playing well in preseason.

"The other players had moved ahead of him," Cerrato said. "You have to give credit to the other guys. Players move themselves and players move themselves down."

Added Gregg Williams, assistant head coach-defense: "It's really not what he wasn't able to do. It's that right now where we're at with the team, we've got some young guys who are going to get the opportunity to play."

"He'll get a job somewhere else. Instead of letting him get caught in the shuffle at the end of training camp, let's allow him to catch on at another team's camp and get a job."

Ohalete spoke briefly with reporters upon leaving Redskins Park this morning.

"You can never think things are going your way," Ohalete said. "Even last year, Pro Bowlers get cut. I just wasn't getting the job done according to the coaches this year, so they had to do what they had to do."

Ohalete came to the Redskins out of USC as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2001. He was elevated to a starting job midway through the 2002 season and started 15 games last year. He recorded 105 tackles for the Redskins last season, third best on the defense. He also logged three interceptions and two forced fumbles.

http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=3023

Skinsane1 · Post by **Skinsane1** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 12:47 pm

Iam suprised by this move but it looks like Iffy wasnt helping the situation. Im sure he will get picked up soon.

riggofan · Post by **riggofan** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 12:56 pm

Surprised to hear this! But he's right about the fact that they kept bringing in all of these safeties. I actually like his attitude in moving on. He sounds like a pro and a classy guy. Cool

of the Redskins to do this early too, so Iffy can catch on somewhere else.

cvillehog · Post by **cvillehog** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 1:06 pm

The Skins are saying they released him to give him a chance to catch on with another team, but maybe they released him this early to get rid of him before the installed the complete offensive package so that we can't be the victim of any "industrial espionage"?

Cali616 · Post by **Cali616** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 4:08 pm

Jake wrote:Man, this really stinks IMO for many reasons.

1. The guy can still play.
2. He will go to another team and produce like all of the other former Skins in the league.
3. We could have traded him and GOT SOMETHING IN RETURN.
4. His wife is really hot. I met her last year after a game. She was very nice to me. I didn't recognize her this year at camp but I was still staring for at her few reasons. Just ask SkinsChic and Taz.

Who is skinschic and taz?

genuswine hoglover · Post by **genuswine hoglover** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 4:34 pm

RedskinsRule56 wrote:Jake that is a damn good point! Why did not we trade him!

For what? The draft is no longer 12 rounds!

njskinsfan · Post by **njskinsfan** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 7:31 pm

I told you guys he was one player DEFENITELY gone this year.

Iffy - Gone
Trung - Gone
Stephens - Soon
Moore - Gone
David Terell - gone
Jimoa - Soon
Hamden - see ya soon

the scrubs must go.

Scooter · Post by **Scooter** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 7:36 pm

Too bad Portis coughed up all that money for a number that he was gonna get anyway... oh well, it was pocket change for him :0).

As for Iffy, I hope he signs with the Cowboys and disables a few of their players for a while - that dude laid hits on Redskins better than anyone in the NFL. Ba-Bye, don't let the door hit you on the way out!

Are you still here? Get the f(shhhhhhhh)