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

Posted: **Fri Dec 24, 2004 2:11 am**

Brunell Says He Has No Plans to Retire

By Nunyo Demasio
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, December 24, 2004; Page D04

Quarterback Mark Brunell said that he will not retire despite Coach Joe Gibbs recently naming Patrick Ramsey the starting quarterback for the 2005 season. Brunell, 34, added that he still hasn't given up hope of eventually being a starter again.

The 11-year veteran said Gibbs hadn't yet specifically told him that he has permanently lost the starting job.

"I want to play," Brunell said, "and I'm confident that I can still play at this level. That's where I stand on it. But you have to be given another opportunity too, so we'll see."

When Brunell was asked by a reporter whether he would consider restructuring his contract, Brunell said that he wouldn't rule out such actions, to ease the team's salary-cap burden. Brunell signed a seven-year, $43 million deal, which included an $8.6 million bonus, with the Redskins during the offseason.

"That's something that I would have to discuss with my family and my agent, of course," Brunell said. "When you get to that point [of no longer being considered the starter], that's when you think about that. Not having put any thought into it, I really couldn't comment further on it to be honest."

Brunell would be one of the most expensive quarterbacks in the NFL next season. But if Brunell retires before April 11 or is released, his signing would be an albatross for Washington's salary-cap situation. Brunell's contract would cost the Redskins about $7 million against the cap in 2005. A retirement or release after June 1 would cost the Redskins $2 million in $2005 and $6 million in 2006.

More Work for Arrington

Linebacker LaVar Arrington isn't expected to start Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. However, Arrington will participate in significantly more snaps than last week, when he played for the first time after missing 11 games because of arthroscopic surgery followed by the discovery of a bone bruise in his right knee. In the 26-16 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, Arrington didn't replace Lemar Marshall in the regular rotation until the third quarter.

"We have more plays in the ballgame for him," said Gregg Williams, assistant head coach-defense. "We just have to see what style of play that the Cowboys have." . . .

With the Redskins' intentions to sign middle linebacker Antonio Pierce to an extension by next week, linebacker Mike Barrow's future with the club comes into question. During the offseason, Barrow signed a six-year, $11.6 million contract, including a $2.5 million bonus. But Barrow didn't play because of knee tendinitis and was replaced by Pierce, who is the club's leading tackler. Pierce's contract will almost certainly assure him a starter's role.

"Anything he gets he's earned," Barrow said. "He's taking advantage of his opportunity. It's too early to talk about my future as a starter but it doesn't change my beliefs in what I can do."

Barrow, 34, had been coming off one of his best seasons before the injury, and there is no financial incentive to release him.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... rss_sports

Posted: **Fri Dec 24, 2004 2:27 am**

I really think Mark is a good QB coach/mentor for Patrick...he needs to stay off the field. And he needs to help out the cap by retiring!

Posted: **Fri Dec 24, 2004 2:37 am**

i'm no cap expert but seems like it would really help if he restructured... retiring might accelerate the rest of his signing bonus, right?

as far as barrow, his salary seems quite reasonable so i'm sure we'll keep him around and be loaded with depth at LB. who knows if he'll "start", but i'm sure gregg williams would like to be able to rotate all those good LBs in and keep them fresh.

Posted: **Fri Dec 24, 2004 10:53 am**

Where is Tonya Harding when you need her??

Posted: **Fri Dec 24, 2004 11:17 am**

I agree, DCD - If he restructures, that would be the best option for cap purposes.

Posted: **Fri Dec 24, 2004 12:21 pm**

Mark's contract is set up as such that his signing bonus is paid in like the first 3 seasons. That way we could cut him worry free after 3 years.

There's no way to restructure his deal, he'd still get his old bonus money. We'll just have to stick with him.

Posted: **Tue Dec 28, 2004 3:21 pm**

He better restructure his contract. While he didn't play well this year, neither has Patrick. :shock:

Everyone should be much more improved next year, beginning with Joe and his play calling.

Posted: **Tue Dec 28, 2004 3:47 pm**

The point is that it's not possible for Brunell to restructure his contract. His bonus is paid in the first 3 years. If we restructured we would need to pay that bonus, take a monster cap hit and then resign him to aother contract.

We're stuck with Brunell for two more seasons, then he will retire or be released with no cap penalties. At least that's my understanding of it.

Posted: **Tue Dec 28, 2004 3:51 pm**

there will be some dead money even after three years, because the signing bonus is pro rated over the life of the deal, meaning it'll cost about 4 million to cut him at that point. :puke:

Posted: **Tue Dec 28, 2004 6:39 pm**

I really think Mark is a good QB coach/mentor for Patrick...he needs to stay off the field.

To be a succesful team in the NFL you need a capable backup because there aren't that many qb's that can stay healthy through an entire season. Imagine where the Steelers would be if they hadn't had Ben as a backup or look at the Falcons last year when Vick got hurt. If Brunell sticks around then I would hope (pleae please please) that he is made the 3rd string QB so that if Patrick goes down next year we have a backup that is actually capable of giving us a chance to win.