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

Archuleta Continues To Watch
Fox Takes Over For Injured Vincent

By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, November 20, 2006; Page E14

TAMPA, Nov. 19 -- Adam Archuleta, the highest-paid safety in NFL history, plunged to a new low Sunday, when he was relegated to spectator status in the Redskins' 20-17 loss to Tampa Bay at Raymond James Stadium even after starting safety Troy Vincent was injured.

Vincent, 35, took Archuleta's starting position shortly after signing last month. He left in the second quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return (his status will be determined Monday), yet Archuleta remained on the sideline with the game and season on the line.
Archuleta was an integral part of an expensive 2006 free agent class recruited by Gregg Williams, assistant coach-defense, to put the defense over the top, along with end Andre Carter (two sacks all season). But few individuals have managed to make an impact in Williams's scheme -- Washington stands 30th in the NFL -- and Archuleta has been benched two straight weeks with Vernon Fox, a veteran special teams players signed off the street for depth in August, playing ahead of him Sunday.

Archuleta, who like Carter signed a six-year deal with $10 million guaranteed, declined to share his thoughts on the situation, saying he wanted to keep them private for now. But his agent, Gary Wichard, said the coaches are making an example of his client and pointed to the repeated breakdowns that have continued with Archuleta sitting out.

"Adam has been made to be a scapegoat," Wichard said in a telephone interview after watching Sunday's loss on television. "It's been proven the last couple of games that it's certainly not just Adam. Gregg Williams and [safeties coach] Steve Jackson, they wanted Adam Archuleta and they recruited him to Washington because of how they had seen him play on film.

"They know what type of player he is, and [Chicago Bears Coach] Lovie Smith wanted to sign Adam in the worst way, and so did Gregg Williams. I don't know what's changed in all of that since March, but Gregg Williams was the person recruiting Adam in free agency, and Adam hasn't changed as a player since then."

Archuleta, 28, has struggled in pass coverage, with his role steadily declining, but the entire secondary has suffered, too, including safety Sean Taylor, the fifth overall pick in 2004. That Williams would play Fox, who was signed off waivers by Detroit in 2004 and played almost exclusively on special teams for the Lions the past two seasons, ahead of Archuleta Sunday was a clear indication of where he stands on the depth chart.

Fox "has done a very good job tackling and he's come along very well in our packages," Williams said of the decision to play Fox ahead of Archuleta. "He arrived late at training camp and at this point in time we have to see what all of our guys can do."

Williams has yet to introduce rookie linebacker Rocky McIntosh into the base package, however, despite the struggles of starting weak-side linebacker Warrick Holdman and the fact the team traded two picks, including a second rounder, to move up and take McIntosh in the second round in April.

The critiques of players by coaches in meetings can be particularly caustic and Archuleta has caught their wrath on several occasions, players said, with some wondering early on if this would be a good match of player and staff.

Fox, 27, said he had no idea of why he played ahead of Archuleta, but was happy for the opportunity Sunday. "I've tried to show these guys that I'm more than just a special-teams player," Fox said, while in recent weeks Archuleta has been used as nothing more than a special-teams player.

The Redskins gave Archuleta a $5 million signing bonus, and have a $5 million option bonus on his contract due in March, according to sources with knowledge of the deal. However, should the team not exercise that option in March, Archuleta's base salaries over the next three seasons would escalate and become guaranteed, with that total equaling $5 million as well. If they cut him after the season, besides owing the guaranteed money, the Redskins would take a $9 million salary cap hit in total, a sum that could be spread over two seasons -- with about $7 million due in 2008 -- depending on the timing of his release.

If they cut him after the season, besides owing the guaranteed money, the Redskins would take a $9 million salary cap hit in total, a sum that could be spread over two seasons -- with about $7 million due in 2008 -- depending on the timing of his release.

Chris Luva Luva wrote:These issues existed before Gregg, Joe, Danny or anyone else. The bad part is that they all have bought into a flawed and broken system.

Redskin in Canada wrote:

Chris Luva Luva wrote:These issues existed before Gregg, Joe, Danny or anyone else. The bad part is that they all have bought into a flawed and broken system.

I know you are frustrated and angry. I am too. But this is inaccurate. The "issues" that you refer to did not exist prior to the arrival of Dan Snyder as an owner. He brought this "culture" and his "wallet" to the organization and it all has been down hil ever since.

In fact, the contrary is true. Joe would have to come almost on his hands and knees to persuade JK Cooke to get an expensive player. There were epic battles between Joe and GMs. Hirings were very difficult. Trades were examined in every detail. Our scouting department was one of the best if not the best in the league.

There were stories about these late daft picks or walk-in players who later became stars with us. Not one, not a single story of those has happened since Snyder took over.

Q: What is the record of our scouting department?
A: Worse than that of the Redskins this season.

Man, they have not been able to find a single kicker who might get the ball to the end zone during kick-offs. Not a single kick-off from San Diego got outside of the Bronco's end zone yesterday. Novak's kicks land in the 15 yard line at best.

Redskin in Canada wrote:

Chris Luva Luva wrote:These issues existed before Gregg, Joe, Danny or anyone else. The bad part is that they all have bought into a flawed and broken system.

I know you are frustrated and angry. I am too. But this is inaccurate. The "issues" that you refer to did not exist prior to the arrival of Dan Snyder as an owner. He brought this "culture" and his "wallet" to the organization and it all has been down hil ever since.

In fact, the contrary is true. Joe would have to come almost on his hands and knees to persuade JK Cooke to get an expensive player. There were epic battles between Joe and GMs. Hirings were very difficult. Trades were examined in every detail. Our scouting department was one of the best if not the best in the league.

There were stories about these late daft picks or walk-in players who later became stars with us. Not one, not a single story of those has happened since Snyder took over.

Q: What is the record of our scouting department?
A: Worse than that of the Redskins this season.

Man, they have not been able to find a single kicker who might get the ball to the end zone during kick-offs. Not a single kick-off from San Diego got outside of the Bronco's end zone yesterday. Novak's kicks land in the 15 yard line at best.

roybus14 wrote:How does one keep his job after he just cost the organization $30 million dollars. Hell, if any of us working folks costs our jobs even $3,000 dollars, we'd be fired or it would be seriously considered.

Irn-Bru wrote:..While I agree that Archuleta is (a) overpaid and (b) a sour disappointment this season, it's not accurate to say that he cost the Skins 30 million. Nor is it really accurate to call him the highest paid safety in league history, as we keep hearing. Don't get me wrong--he's overpaid--but to talk about his contract total is to bring up an irrelevant point. . .in reality, 30 mil. and Archuleta have very little to do wtih each other; he won't see half of that money even if he stays here for a while.

Of course, we'll keep hearing his contract total from ESPN and the Post, but it's just (as Colbert would say) 'truthiness' embellishment to their editorializing.

cleg wrote:Williams likes to make examples of players - like he did with LaVar. The thing is, I don't know if that works with these diva's. Whether we like him or not AA is going to be with us at least a couple of years and should be given the chance to redeem himself.

Irn-Bru wrote:Nor is it really accurate to call him the highest paid safety in league history, as we keep hearing. Don't get me wrong--he's overpaid--but to talk about his contract total is to bring up an irrelevant point. . .in reality, 30 mil. and Archuleta have very little to do wtih each other; he won't see half of that money even if he stays here for a while.

Redskin in Canada wrote:Q: What is the record of our scouting department?
A: Worse than that of the Redskins this season.

ClintonHill wrote:While it's true he won't see all of that $30M, I'm pretty sure his $10M signing bonus is the biggest in the league for a safety. In that regard, he is the highest paid safety, unfortunately.

1niksder wrote:

ClintonHill wrote:While it's true he won't see all of that $30M, I'm pretty sure his $10M signing bonus is the biggest in the league for a safety. In that regard, he is the highest paid safety, unfortunately.

I'm not gonna say it again....

Ed Reed igned a six-year contract extension on 6/27/2006, including $15 million in guaranteed money.

TtiT re-signed Roy Williams to a four-year, $25 million contract, with an $11 million signing bonus.