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WHAT THE HELL. LAVERANUES IS GONE!
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:51 am
by Redskins4Life
I WAS SEARCHING THROUGH WASHINGTONPOST.COM AND STUMBLED UPON THIS AT 11: 27 TONIGHT. LAVERANUES COLES IS GONE. HE'S GETTING RELEASED I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW. HES 27, PRO BOWL CALIBER, AND IS ONE OF THE BEST YOUNG WIDEOUTS IN THE LEAGUE. I SIMPLY CANNOT BELIEVE THE AMOUNT OF SHOCK I AM IN. FIRST ROD IS ON THE BLOCK NOW LAVERANUES IS GONE. I CANNOT BELIEVE JOE GIBBS IS GONNA RELEASE HIM. HERE IS THE LINK FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO THINK THIS IS A SICK JOKE.......
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... Feb20.html
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 1:07 am
by Scottskins
he was an all star before the toe injury, now he's just a good possession guy. He can and will be replaced if this is true. Especially since he'll have to pay back his signing bonus...
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 2:09 am
by Jeremy81
that's going to make free agency so much more interesting...now we need a number 1 AND number 2 receiver
i hate to see coles go, but if he wants to leave then we're probably better off...i think he's a classy guy to avoid media because he didn't want to get caught saying anything bad about the team...he's smart...and i hope he doesn't go to dallas...
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 2:58 am
by Redskin006
ya, i agree with you jeremy that we will need a number 1 and 2. Mason should be available and the skins will probably look into him. Then we could also pick up another FA or draft a receiver in the 1st or 2nd, if we get one.
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 3:23 am
by Champsturf
Well, there went my predictions for a breakout seaon for our offense. Guess 6-10 isn't all that bad. Maybe we should put up a mailbox in the cellar of the NFC East. This SUCKS!!! I don't believe this crap is happening. I believe in Gibbs, but what the *&%^*&( is going on here?????
So much for keeping our guys together and developing chiemistry.
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 3:44 am
by Scottskins
he's cleaning house, getting rid of the me me me guys, and turning us back into a real football team.
We won't be a cellar dwellar next year. Trust in Joe. Even with new receivers, we will still challenge for the division. It's all about the trenches, and that will be fixed next season. The offense will be immensely better and the defense will actually improve as well.
I personally think Coles is stupid for wanting out. Joe will have this offense near the top of the league in no time flat. When we are winning the Superbowl in the next few seasons, Coles is gonna be smacking himself in the head with his bad hand

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 5:38 am
by SirSmizzy
LOL....Caution ...This is a Spin Zone.
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 8:16 am
by coachKarl
Gibbs is just getting rid of the Cancer before it spreads.
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 8:30 am
by Justice Hog
I've always liked Coles. Yes, we paid too much for the guy initially but he has played with a lot of heart while he's been here. If it is true that, in fact, he wants "out", then I think Gibbs & Co. are doing the right thing by releasing him. Maybe we can put a "condition" on his release papers that he can't go to Philly or Dallas. Then again, I suppose that's not possible. Oh well, keeping my fingers crossed he doesn't end up there.
my BOY
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 9:27 am
by SKIN1106
I feel sad & angry at the same time. I have personally met Lav. coles, but did not expect him to this to us. He wants out and GIBBS IS DOING THE RIGHT THING! You see people it takes two to make a relationship work. Having said that WE CAN'T KEEP anyone in "OUR TEAM" that doesn't want to be here. I love him> I Have my redskins ball signed w/him as well as his jersey..that i treasure. I m so mad that i want to break a bobble head that i have of his. I am really angry with him!!!! too bad... He will regret leaving us! Let's stay united and remain calm....GIBBS will lead us to victory!
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 10:29 am
by SkinzCanes
The offense will be immensely better... Joe will have this offense near the top of the league in no time flat.
Just wondering what you are basing those bold statements on. We have an o-line that cant block anybody, a qb that has been inconsistent thus far in his career, and after coles and gardner leave we wont have a single wr on our roster that deserves to start. Add to that the fact that there are no #1 type recievers on the free agent market, we're mostly likely going to a have a rookie (either williams and edwards) and a #2 type guy starting at wr. And you think that that is going to improve our offense??? Plus how many free agent WR want to come to DC after seeing what our passing attack looked like last year...
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 10:56 am
by oafusp
At least trade him...we gave up a 1st round pick for the guy.
I am in total shock...but I am very curious.
Let me get this straight....we are going to KEEP Mark Brunell....TRY to trade Rod Gardner....and RELEASE Laverneous Coles????????
WE NEED A FREAKING GENERAL MANAGER...CASSERLY HELP!!!!!!!
What the hell is Joe doing? And dont give me this "believe" crap.
As a fan tell me what the plan is cause now I am totally lost. Keep Brunell....DUMP LAVERNEOUS??????????????
Randy Moss has no value now....look at all the other receivers out there. Man, we could get a 1st round pick off of Coles. I just dont understand why we would part with him in the first place...and not get compensation for it anyway.
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 11:37 am
by DieselFan
Wow...just got back into town after being (ironically enough) in D.C. -- so I'm just catching up on the news.
I'm speechless...shocked. Didn't see this one coming. Don't know what to say other than that I've got complete faith in Gibbs.
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 11:54 am
by 1niksder
This really came from left field, but cutting him and getting some of the SB back is better than a trade we won't get anyone for him but we won't eat the $9M in cap $$ that is left on his contract (we may take the hit this year and be credited the returned portion next year when we really need it). I think if he had opted for toe surgery this would be a non-issuse... the descion was left up to him.
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 11:58 am
by redskincity
What the hell is Joe doing? And dont give me this "believe" crap.
Exactly and you know its coming.
Believe my *** from the looks of it we are doomed.
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:06 pm
by Redskin in Canada
My main problem with this situation is that I thought we were only ONE receiver short. I had hoped to EITHER get Williams at the Draft and fill our needs at CB and the OL through FA or lower rounds, OR get Rolle or trade down in the draft and get a good WR through FA.
All of the sudden, our needs have increased in a way that makes it very difficult to expect that all of them may be met before the season starts.
I remember the days when players would want to come to Washington and play for -LESS- money only for the privilege to win under Joe Gibbs. We need to go back to the future.
I will only say one thing:
I SINCERELY HOPE THAT DAN SNYDER STAYS AS FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE FROM ANY DECISION ON PLAYER SELECTION AT ALL TIMES!!!

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:26 pm
by ii7-V7
You guys are the most panic stricken bunch of people I've ever seen. My great aunt and grandmother (who are verifiably insane) are calmer than you people.
Coles was a number one top flight receiver for about three games last year, as in the 2003 season. I mean I love the guys work ethic and his passion, but last year he couldn't separate from Safeties, let alone a corner?
I am surprised that we aren't going to try to trade him and get at least some draft picks for him. However, with Lav volunteering to pay back some of his Signing bonus the cap relief will give us much more room to persue other guys, and will make room on the depth chart for other guys to move up.
The fact that Lav wants to pay some of his singing bonus back tells me that he already has a destination lined up. I just hope it isn't Baltimore or Dallas.
When and if Coles get healthy he will be an outstanding WR. Top 10 in the NFL without a doubt. But when I think about how he couldn't separate from the Raven's Will Demp, and Neon "Hey i'm 52 and I still play" Deon actually had to slow down to keep from losing him, I'm not upset about his leaving.
Any player who doesn't want to play for this team is free to go. And any fan who wants to go root for another team...be my guest!
Chad Dukes
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:30 pm
by BossHog
Brunell has to stay because of his contract.
Gardner can be traded because he is still under contract but the cap hit for trading him would be minimal.
Why trade Coles? You'd have to spend 9 million on cap for the right to do so. If you negotiate a settlement, and cut him without much cap ramification, then all you did was get a player for really cheap because his annual salaries had not yet even escalated.
The financial situation of each payer almost exclusively dictates the action required... and Coles WANTS OUT... What does Joe or a GM have to do with any of it? Brunell will also be cut when it's financially responsible to do so... until then, he'll hold a clipboard.
Just trying to fill in a few blanks.
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:36 pm
by wonker
There is NO WAY we challenge for the division. Are you blind?!?!? Philly's loaded, with a team that likes their coach and with TONS of picks.
This is awful.
wonker
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:41 pm
by oafusp
If you have something of value try to get something for it. Whether it is a car, a house, a wife, or a great wide receiver.
The only reason the Titans are CUTTING Derrick Mason is because they are 20 million over the cap...and they have 1 day to get under the cap. Otherwise they would have time to restucture his and other's deals...but with one day to get under the cap....and the trading period not open yet the Titans don't have an option...they have to purge.
The Redskins are UNDER the cap...so they COULD go into the trading period and at least get a 2nd round pick for Coles.
I agree that if you dont want to be here then get the hell out....but at least get value for a guy that is under contract.
Now, I am sure there are reasons for this that I and Nunyo Demasio don't know about.
Does anyone know the difference between cutting a player w/ them agreeing to pay back their bonus versus trading a player along with their contract to another team (plus getting a draft pick).
I think the Skins would still be liable for Coles signing bonus leftovers if they traded him...but at least they'd get a draft pick.
...I think they are cutting Coles only because he is willing to pay back the remainder of his bonus...then they will take that money and sign Derrick Mason...and draft a WR in the draft if available.
This sums it all up for me:
I don't think that I think I know what I think I should think about what made the Redskins think of doing this.
FROM ESPN:
Sources close to Coles told ESPN.com on Monday morning, however, that the Redskins were "trying to back off" their agreement to release the wide receiver and that they were tryng to trade him before making such a drastic move. A trade would be difficult, though, since the Redskins would absorb a salary cap hit in excess of $9 million.
"They can't have it both ways," said one source. "If he's going to repay part of (his signing bonus), it's because he can be a free agent, and choose where he contiinues his career, not to have them trade him. Honestly, it's a mess right now."

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:43 pm
by BossHog
Where would we get the 9 million dollars required in cap space to trade Coles.
... cause that's what we'd have to do with his existing contract.
And for what? To have the right to choose a player we can't possibly afford because we just blew 9 mil in dead cap?
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:48 pm
by 1niksder
BH wrote:If you negotiate a settlement, and cut him without much cap ramification, then all you did was get a player for really cheap because his annual salaries had not yet even escalated.
This seems to be our best option if he isn't going to be here.
BH wrote:Just trying to fill in a few blanks.
A few more blanks.....
1. The bonus money that he gives back will that effect the cap number this year or in 2006 (I read somewhere it would be credited next year but now I can't find it)
2.With a settlement agreement while the release date matter as far as the cap goes ( before/after June 1st)
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:54 pm
by Clinton Portis
WHAT!? What is this man!? COLES? LEAVING?
I have a Coles Poster...Coles has good stats...Coles is my favorite target on ESPN....WHAT's GOING ON HERE

This is an outrage! Don't leave us Laverneous! Now we don't have You or 50/50!
I'm sorry if I'm paniced but I didn't expect this at all!!!!! Who will be our go to guys!?!?! This offseason is confusing me.....wow...wow...I need time to think about this.

Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:54 pm
by BossHog
1. I can't answer what will happen with any money, because there is no contract to base it on. You see, if they want to get rid of the cap hit then they will have to completely re-do a contract. They can't just ignore the old one unless they have a new one.
As it stands now, the Redskins would have to pay 9 M to cut or trade him... so obviously in that situation, they would rather trade him... but that's only of you concede losing the money.
What they seem to want to do is to reach a contract agreement that says, we'll give you a signing bonus of whatever they agree on as monetary compensation , and it'll be a one day contract or something.
I don't see how you can leave it until after june 1st, but all they'd have to do to break up the cap hit is do so. Otherwise... anything done before then... the cap hit will be exclusively in 2005.
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:59 pm
by Primetime42
redskincity wrote:What the hell is Joe doing? And dont give me this "believe" crap.
Exactly and you know its coming.
Believe my *** from the looks of it we are doomed.
Hey, this sounds very familiar
