The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

SkinzCanes wrote:There is one common thread running through all of this: Drew Rosenhaus. Moss wants a new contract so this is a ploy by Rosenhaus to get him a long-term deal. Taylor's situation sounds similar to the TO situation now in Philly. Rosenhaus began representing both Taylor and Owens after they had signed their current contracts and therefore he doesn't het paid unless they sign new deals. So I'm guessing he sold both players on getting them new deals and that's why they both switched agents. And I'm sure that he's telling Moss, Taylor, and Owens that they best way to get their money is to play hardball.

THE NEWS

Redskins' head coach Joe Gibbs called out wide receiver Santana Moss and safety Sean Taylor on Wednesday due to both players failing to take part in the voluntary offseason workout program. "Everybody should be here and it's very disappointing to us when they're not here," Gibbs told the Washington Post.


OUR VIEW

Moss' failure to appear is believed to be due to his desire for a new contract, which the Redskins and his agent are working on. Likewise, Taylor has asked team officials to restructure the contract he signed as a rookie last season.

I wouldn't be upset if either player was on the bench for the opener. We'd be good to go with Bowen, Lott, or Clark. We'll be just fine.

Smithian wrote:People forget...

Sean Taylor had a dirt cheap contract. I knew this was coming, personally. I think, though, we are blowing this out of proportion. Not like they're missing training camp.

andyjens89 wrote:Taylor will still be a beast, he's prolly workin out on his own time, and Moss isnt gonna be less fast or not be able to catch a ball. I think we'll be fine

Redskins | Gibbs Frustrated with Moss - from www.KFFL.com
Thu, 7 Apr 2005 09:48:52 -0700

Jason La Canfora, of the Washington Post, reports Washington Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs is frustrated WR Santana Moss has not been regularly attending the team's offseason program. Gibbs believes Moss' absence is related to his desire to have a new contract.

Smithian wrote:..Oh. My. God.

I clicked on this thinking someone with three posts decided to post this... But you did.

Thomas Says Moss Will Arrive in Prime Condition
Newly Acquired Wide Receiver 'Is Going to Like It Here'

By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 8, 2005; Page D03

Although wide receiver Santana Moss, the cornerstone acquisition of the Washington Redskins' offseason, is not participating in voluntary workout sessions, at least one of his new teammates is confident that when Moss does report, he will be in great shape. Right guard Randy Thomas, who played with Moss in New York, said the receiver is training diligently in Florida and expects big things from him.

The Redskins traded top wide receiver Laveranues Coles to the Jets, and took a $9 million salary cap hit in the process, to land Moss, who has yet to show up at Redskins Park as the third week of offseason work comes to a close. Although these workouts are voluntary, Moss's absence is unexcused and tied to Washington's inability to agree to a long-term contract with him, Coach Joe Gibbs said. Moss, 25, had one season worth $450,000 left on his current deal.

Safety Sean Taylor, 22, who is seeking to renegotiate his rookie contract, is also missing the sessions and both players are working out with other former University of Miami players in South Florida, according to teammates. Both players are represented by agent Drew Rosenhaus, who has declined to comment on either situation.

Thomas, who was a vocal proponent of shipping out Coles once he made his trade request, said he had a phone conversation with Moss a few weeks ago.

"I don't know what's behind it," Thomas said of Moss's absence, "but the guy he is . . . I guarantee you, he's working out. He's not going to be sitting around the house not doing anything. For whatever personal reasons -- we just don't know why -- he's not here. We'd like him to be here, but he's a Redskin, and I can't be sitting here asking why because he's my teammate.

"I just know this guy is going to like it here. He's going to want to be here. For whatever reasons he's not here -- I don't know -- I talked to him [last month] and he's an excited guy. He's excited to get away [from the Jets] and get a fresh start and take that role. We'll see what happens. You now how things are. I can't question a man's heart, I only question a guy who doesn't want to be here, and this guy is going to go fight for us."

Talks on a new deal have slowed and Moss has not been in the area since his introductory news conference, during which he stressed that he was a team-first player. The Redskins continue to work on a contract; Moss, who has one 1,000-yard season in four years, is seeking to be compensated among the top wide receivers in the game, sources said. Washington is about $1.5 million under the salary cap, must still sign draft picks, and anticipated trades and foreseeable cuts could free up another $2 million to $5 million. Based on Gibbs's recent comments on Taylor's contract status, the team does not seem inclined to make any significant alterations.

Despite the voluntary nature of these workouts, numerous players said they consider it part of their job responsibilities to be here. As Pro Bowl linebacker Marcus Washington put it: "It's pretty voluntary, like if your wife or girlfriend tells you . . . [not to] get her nothing for her birthday, and then if you don't come home with a present, you know you're in trouble. It's kind of like that."

Moss is supposed to be the focal point of an expanded offense after Washington ranked 30th in passing last season. The voluntary sessions are a time in which to learn the playbook and get in sync with the quarterbacks, who have been in meetings with coaches, running drills and throwing to receivers.

"If you want to be a Redskin, you might want to be here," backup quarterback Mark Brunell said.

Said starting quarterback Patrick Ramsey: "We're doing more than just playing catch. I don't know if chemistry is the word for it, but timing is one of the words you could use, and knowing what to expect from a receiver, and a receiver knowing what the quarterback is going to throw, where the ball is going to be, the velocity. This, as little as we are doing right now, is important, and what you do in March and April -- surprisingly enough -- really affects what happens come training camp."

Center Cory Raymer said it's difficult not to form an impression of a new teammate who is not present for his first workouts. "It's not a good start," he said. "We know who's here and who's not and we know who is here and just getting in and getting out as quick as they can."

Taylor drew attention last season for leaving a mandatory league rookie symposium without permission and being arrested on drunk driving charges -- he was suspended for one game and later acquitted.

"I would hope he would be here," said safety Matt Bowen, who started alongside Taylor before suffering a season-ending injury, "but it's up to each individual. It's not mandated by the league or anything. You have to want to be here, and if someone has a reason for not being here, I'm sure it's a good reason, but we'd like to have everyone here."

"If you want to be a Redskin, you might want to be here," backup quarterback Mark Brunell said.

Manchester_Redskin wrote:Quote from the Washington Post...

"The Redskins traded top wide receiver Laveranues Coles to the Jets, and took a $9 million salary cap hit in the process, to land Moss, who has yet to show up at Redskins Park as the third week of offseason work comes to a close. "

So, we trade a player that dosnt want to be here, for another player who is not showing much enthusism for being here, and take a $9 million hit on the salary cap in the process. How is that a good deal for us? Ok, the workouts are voluntary and may prove nothing about Moss's commitment to the team, but to my mind he has lost a great chance to show that he is a 'team player' and bond with the Redskins fans. These workouts are important, specially for new players. He's gonna have to rely on Ramsey to help him make the plays. If it were me then I'd haul my butt in there and get as much practice as possible. Seems we either going to have to pay him a large contract (and he hasnt proven thats he's worth that) or risk him holding out , in which case we end up with no replacement for Coles, for a $9 million hit.

I'm sorry but this deal is starting to suck.

Maybe we can offer Moss and Gardner and our #9 for a trade up and take Williams? can't see that that deal would be any worse than what we've already got here.