cooley released

[riggofan]

So, he knew a couple days ago but couldn't "keep up the charade" that the team wanted him to wait until Friday?

So, why did he wait until today? He could keep up the charade for a couple days, but not all the days?

If the team wanted him to wait until Friday to announce it with the rest of the cuts, why didn't they just wait until Friday to tell him?

Why would it matter if he went out today, or Friday? Was it so he could go out with a group? Maybe they thought they could sneak him out while reading a long list of names and conspicuously cough when they read his name so we'd miss it? If they knew a couple days ago, why not just release him with the other cuts yesterday?

No, I shouldn't ask these legitimate questions that any reasonable reporter should consider before using an unnamed source. I should just take Mike Wise at his word and be mad at the team for being so mean to ey...

LMAO. Well done!

I kinda think ey will end up playing with another team. Hopefully not another NFC East team, but I hope its a good situation for him and not a waste of time like going to Miami or something this year.

I totally understand how upset some of the fans are about this, but it happens. Anybody remember Art Monk going on to play for the Jets and Eagles after 13 years as a Redskin? Sucked.

[markshark84]

I watched his interview, media statements and it was difficult to watch. He has been a fixture in the organization for 8 years. It's just a tough way to go out.

I do believe that a team will pick him up and tell him he can "compete" for a starting job -- and I think that is all it will take for him to go elsewhere. He did leave it open to returning, but it's a shame either way. ey clearly wanted to play his last game as a skin. It's just sad.

[44diesel]

I doubt that ey's just going to try and get a spot on a team - if he cannot find a starting job, he'll play here

maybe this is just wishful thinking - I just know there are going to be more than a few times that he's going to help this offense

As heartbroken as I was to hear the news yesterday, I understand that this is how the NFL is today. It's very rare for a guy to play his whole career in one uniform, but ey always felt like a player from a different era. He got it. He embraced the idea of the Redskins and bled B&G from day 1.

A great personality, a great player in the locker room, clutch player on the field, he was the people's champ. I'll really miss the "Cooooooley" chant at FedEx.

I always will be a fan of his regardless if he lands somewhere else, but for now I will keep that faint hope alive that we haven't seen the last of Capt. Chaos in D.C. just yet...

Best of luck #47. Thanks for the memories! Hail!

[frankcal20]

Wise's source is probably Tanner ey - Chris' brother who seems to have taken a strong position on this. He seems a bit pissed.

[StorminMormon86]

This news shocked the hell out of me. It really sucks to see him go, he was always one of my favorites. I just hope the rumors of him eventually returning for less money actually turn out to be true. Or maybe we just have to wait until Fred Davis tokes up again this year? Who knows?

It seems like the word around town was that ey was not "speedy" enough for Shanahan's offensive plan. I suppose that makes sense, but I just don't see why Niles Paul all of a sudden is an upgrade over ey at a position he's never played before.

[langleyparkjoe]

he has a fetish for midgets in spandex...

nuffin wrong wit dat

[SkinsJock]

We'll have an idea if ey really wanted to stay but ONLY if he could be a starter (or at least more involved) if he does in fact sign with another team and NOT be the starter

there are a lot of teams, INCLUDING the Redskins, that would love to have a TE like Chris ey at a reasonable amount

not sure that there are many he could start with though

we shall see

[riggofan]

there are a lot of teams, INCLUDING the Redskins, that would love to have a TE like Chris ey at a reasonable amount

I'm a little curious about the money part of this. We've been reading all off season about how his $3.8 million was too high for a backup tight end. My questions though are:

1) Yeah $3.8m is too much for a backup tight end, but was it really too much for Chris ey? The guy clearly was more to the team than just a backup tight-end. Was it really too much for Dan Snyder to pay for everything else ey brought to the team?

2) What does freeing up $3.8m get you now? Is there some player we can sign now that we couldn't before?

I think the answer to #2 is no, not really. But I don't know if it somehow helps with the salary cap next year or something.

[Deadskins]

there are a lot of teams, INCLUDING the Redskins, that would love to have a TE like Chris ey at a reasonable amount

I'm a little curious about the money part of this. We've been reading all off season about how his $3.8 million was too high for a backup tight end. My questions though are:

1) Yeah $3.8m is too much for a backup tight end, but was it really too much for Chris ey? The guy clearly was more to the team than just a backup tight-end. Was it really too much for Dan Snyder to pay for everything else ey brought to the team?

2) What does freeing up $3.8m get you now? Is there some player we can sign now that we couldn't before?

I think the answer to #2 is no, not really. But I don't know if it somehow helps with the salary cap next year or something.

Yes, we will get about 1.4 mil in carry-over cap space after you subtract the signing bonus.

[riggofan]

there are a lot of teams, INCLUDING the Redskins, that would love to have a TE like Chris ey at a reasonable amount

I'm a little curious about the money part of this. We've been reading all off season about how his $3.8 million was too high for a backup tight end. My questions though are:

1) Yeah $3.8m is too much for a backup tight end, but was it really too much for Chris ey? The guy clearly was more to the team than just a backup tight-end. Was it really too much for Dan Snyder to pay for everything else ey brought to the team?

2) What does freeing up $3.8m get you now? Is there some player we can sign now that we couldn't before?

I think the answer to #2 is no, not really. But I don't know if it somehow helps with the salary cap next year or something.

Yes, we will get about 1.4 mil in carry-over cap space after you subtract the signing bonus.

Thanks. I thought there was probably something like that.

Even at that savings - and I know every bit helps us right now - I'm still kind of skeptical that this was about the money. Anybody else?

[Deadskins]

I think it was more the roster spot than the money. But, if he comes back at a lower wage, I will change my mind.

[Hooligan]

I don't care how much sense the experts think this makes, I am still upset about this.


It looks like Fred Davis is the TE Shanahan wants on the field in his system. Adding a blocking TE to the formation will probably mean Paulson. Still, who wouldn't want ey on the field on 3rd down? In the red zone? He's never been fast, but the man is money in the clutch; he gets open and catches just about everything. You can't say that about too many others on the team.

So, is there a place and price for a solid situational TE/FB/HBack that bleeds for the team, the fans love, and is a good mentor?

Maybe I'm going out on a limb by saying this is a Madden-like move if CC doesn't return. Speed and numbers are great, but I believe CC makes the Redskins a better team and gives them an identity that the fans are passionate about rooting for.

[The Hogster]

Several factors made this the right move. ey was too expensive for the role he was playing. His age and injury history factors in. The fact that Niles Paul is younger, cheaper, & faster hurt him.

And, the cap penalty only made the decision to absorb the cap hit now the right move so that we can have more flexibility in Free Agency next year. Keep in mind, we traded away our first next season, so we may be more aggressive in FA.

[Redskin in Canada]

Several factors made this the right move. ey was too expensive for the role he was playing. His age and injury history factors in. The fact that Niles Paul is younger, cheaper, & faster hurt him.

And, the cap penalty only made the decision to absorb the cap hit now the right move so that we can have more flexibility in Free Agency next year. Keep in mind, we traded away our first next season, so we may be more aggressive in FA.

You are NOT allowed to write ANYTHING based on facts and common sense.

You are supposed to raise in arms with righteous indignation about this move ...

Come on guys, CC is an all time REDSKIN for life. Nothing takes away that even if he foolishly decides to play for another team instead of retire. I cannot blame the guy if he wishes to expose himself to more injury for a bit of extra cash at a time when he could EASILY end up in the NFL Network or a broadcast booth.

Sure, I would have wanted to keep him at the right price and the right health JUST because I know he would have his best year ever with RGIII. He might still have it if he comes back but not as a starter and a lower rate.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I think ey will be back, he knows where his heart is. And I don't think that Bruce will try to get over on him. I think he'll get a fair salary.

[cleg]

My family is not into video games and the kids could care less. I don't care much for them either but I do like to play Madden on the Wii (I know to Madden purists that is a no-no but I don't care). I got the new version in the mail yesterday and was excited to play RGIII and there was ey lined up in the two tight end set. I feed him the ball the whole game and beat the Eagles pretty badly. I hope he comes back.

[tribeofjudah]

Get this, ey said: "today, FOR THE TIME BEING, is my last day as a Redskins"

What is: FOR THE TIME BEING???

Is he going to go with his heart and re-sign with Skins for a lesser contract?

Rich Tandler also thinks what I'm thinking:

Redskins—You don’t have to parse the words too closely to figure out that when he said Tuesday “for the time being” was his last day as Redskin he was leaving the door wide open to a possible return.

[SkinsJock]

I don't believe Chris ey plays for another team just for money

He will play here if he's not offered a starting job elsewhere



I will also say that we don't know for sure if he's completely recovered

[cleg]

My family is not into video games and the kids could care less. I don't care much for them either but I do like to play Madden on the Wii (I know to Madden purists that is a no-no but I don't care). I got the new version in the mail yesterday and was excited to play RGIII and there was ey lined up in the two tight end set. I feed him the ball the whole game and beat the Eagles pretty badly. I hope he comes back.

Alas, tonight I hit the update roster button and he is gone.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

My family is not into video games and the kids could care less. I don't care much for them either but I do like to play Madden on the Wii (I know to Madden purists that is a no-no but I don't care). I got the new version in the mail yesterday and was excited to play RGIII and there was ey lined up in the two tight end set. I feed him the ball the whole game and beat the Eagles pretty badly. I hope he comes back.

Alas, tonight I hit the update roster button and he is gone.

Happened to me last year with Jarvis Jenkins... Sucks u gotta buy the new one to get the new roster... My five rings on last year's would be nice to add to lmao

[riggofan]

I don't believe Chris ey plays for another team just for money

He will play here if he's not offered a starting job elsewhere

I don't know man. Didn't ey say just last week that he would play ANY role here to make the team? This is what Chris said:

“I absolutely can be happy with any role on this team,” ey said. “The Washington Redskins have played a huge part in my life. I daily feel like I want to do anything I can do for this team. I owe this organization a lot. The only thing I want to do is win. I want to win on this team. That’s the only thing I haven’t been able to do.”

There is a little disconnect there between what people are saying in the press, and what has actually happened. I'm not convinced ey would even be offered a roster spot for less money.

Also, I'm a little worn out by this indignation over the team letting ey go. Fans have been on here for years complaining that we need to start running this team like a professional organization instead of giving extensions to old, injured players (Portis, Jon Jansen, etc;) and signing former big names for too much money. I'm not saying ey falls into that category, because I'm not out at practice every day, but the possibility certainly exists.

Either way - we're getting what we asked for.

[SkinsJock]

I don't believe Chris ey plays for another team just for money

He will play here if he's not offered a starting job elsewhere

I don't know man. Didn't ey say just last week that he would play ANY role here to make the team? This is what Chris said:

“I absolutely can be happy with any role on this team,” ey said. “The Washington Redskins have played a huge part in my life. I daily feel like I want to do anything I can do for this team. I owe this organization a lot. The only thing I want to do is win. I want to win on this team. That’s the only thing I haven’t been able to do.”

There is a little disconnect there between what people are saying in the press, and what has actually happened. I'm not convinced ey would even be offered a roster spot for less money.

you could be right - we shall see

Also, I'm a little worn out by this indignation over the team letting ey go. Fans have been on here for years complaining that we need to start running this team like a professional organization instead of giving extensions to old, injured players (Portis, Jon Jansen, etc;) and signing former big names for too much money. I'm not saying ey falls into that category, because I'm not out at practice every day, but the possibility certainly exists.

Either way - we're getting what we asked for.

+1 - it's taking a while but these guys are getting this mess straightened out

the change in attitude here shows - all these guys are pushing each other

[riggofan]

+1 - it's taking a while but these guys are getting this mess straightened out

the change in attitude here shows - all these guys are pushing each other

Right, man? I know you and I are in agreement on this. We'll see if Shanahan is the right guy to get us winning games consistently, but I just don't think there is any debate that he and Allen have been doing the right things to make this a professionally run organization. And that means making player decisions with your head instead of your heart sometimes.

Either way, I wish #47 the best, and I fully expect him to be back here with the Redskins at some point even if it is not as a player.

[ATX_Skins]

Even if ey came back for less money what makes anyone think he would actually play?

He is no good anymore. I understand what he meant to the Redskins and what he did while he was here but man, get over it. He's gone, time to move on.

[Chris Luva Luva]

Even if ey came back for less money what makes anyone think he would actually play?

He is no good anymore. I understand what he meant to the Redskins and what he did while he was here but man, get over it. He's gone, time to move on.

He's good enough to be a backup, he hasn't fallen that far off the map. Niles still can't catch.