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Johnson Traded; Spearman Waived
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 3:06 pm
by Jake
Redskins Trade Johnson; Spearman Waived
03/29/2004
By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
The Redskins have traded fullback Bryan Johnson to the Chicago Bears in return for an undisclosed draft pick, the team announced on Monday.
Johnson, who entered the offseason as a restricted free agent, played in 49 games in four seasons with the Redskins after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2000. He also developed into a leader on special teams, finishing first in special teams tackles in 2002 and second in 2003.
Last Friday, the Redskins matched an offer for Johnson from the New Orleans Saints. During a press conference on Saturday, Gibbs indicated that Johnson's status with the team wasn't final, saying, "I think we're still going through a process there."
Johnson was not in attendance at the Redskins' recently concluded mini-camp.
The Redskins have fullbacks Rock Cartwright and Mike Sellers on the current roster. In Joe Gibbs' offense, fullbacks are often used as H-backs.
The Redskins also announced Monday that they have waived linebacker Armegis Spearman, a fourth-year pro who was signed in January 2004. Spearman previously played for the Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals.
http://redskins.com/story.asp?ContentID=12621
Man, to top off my day, we also cut a decent linebacker that I was hoping to make the roster.
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 3:34 pm
by Doughboy
We've already got plenty of depth at linebacker, and if he got cut after the first mini-camp then I'm sure that Joe and Greg saw something they did'nt like.
As far as BJ, I really thought he was a "core" Redskins kinda guy ... but that cap # was too much. And I gotta give the front office credit for turning that situation into a profitable one by manuevering for a draft pick. Of course, since we have to play Chicago this year, I fully expect BJ to make some critical play against us. (As it seems ALL good ex-redskins we let slip away do!)
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 3:40 pm
by Jake
I agree that there was probably something the staff didn't like about Spearman. Same goes with Houston and Cincy.
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 3:59 pm
by hkiss444
I hope they are able to replace Bryan Johnson's Special Teams play. He was young and only getting better and key ST contributers are so hard to find. As evidenced by our past few years performance on the Special Teams side.
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 5:19 pm
by Jeff Rhodes
If Bryan Johnson is involved in a meaningful play for the Bears when they face the Redskins, it will be one more than he had during his entire Redskin career.
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 5:28 pm
by Steve Spurrier III
Just because you didn't hear his name on TV it doesn't mean he didn't have a meaningful career here...
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 5:45 pm
by Jake
Steve Spurrier III wrote:Just because you didn't hear his name on TV it doesn't mean he didn't have a meaningful career here...
Agreed!
Jeff, he reason you don't think Bryan had a good career here is because he is very quiet and seldom interviewed. He was really good on special teams and was a decent blocking fullback.
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 8:56 pm
by tcwest10
Yes, all of this is true, Jake. Then again, we have to suffer some losses to recoup some draft picks given away in years past. Joe's "jewels" are found down around the 5th and 6th, and so we have to give him some options down there. Right now, after this trade, we have only three. Maybe Joe picked the lesser of two evils here and decided that he'd rather have some late picks than a third fullback. Maybe he saw something in Sellers and the Rock that told him, "Hey. We don't have to have all that cap money tied up. Let's give ourselves a chance to get some depth where we need it most, and give this young man a chance to start somewhere."
Couldn't it be ? Also, how many LB's do you want to have on the roster, and why would you figure Spearman to be better than any of them ? I never really saw him up close, so it's an honest question. What's the real deal here ?
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 10:18 pm
by Jake
I'm not mad because it's a bad deal or anything. I just had a great appreciation and respect for the guy. I am biased on a personal level. I hope he comes back when his 4 years are up in Chi-Town.
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 10:20 pm
by Justice Hog
FYI, Johnson was traded for a 2004 6th round pick.
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 11:22 pm
by tcwest10
Not for nothing, but just to help my friend Jake see me for where I'm coming from...
LATE ROUND PICKS: JOE GIBBS ERA
1981:
8th Round : Charlie Brown WR
9th Round : Daryl Grant G
12th Round Clint Didier WR (converted to TE)
1982:
(Lots of trading going on that year for us)
1983:
7th Round: Kelvin Bryant RB
1984:
Bupkes.
1985:
5th Round Raphel Cherry DB
8th Round Barry Wilburn DB
10th Round Terry Orr RB (converted to TE ?)
11th Round Raleigh McKenzie G
12th DT Dean Hamel
1986:
5th Round Ravin Caldwell LB
6th Round Mark Rypien (ummmmm, I don't know, QB ?)
8th Round Kurt Gouveia LB
1987:
5th Round Tim Smith RB
6th Round Ed Simmons T
8th round Clarence Vaughn DB
1988
6th Round Stan Humphries QB
1989
6th Round AJ Johnson DB
10th Round (some native alaskan named) Mark Schlereth C
1990
5th Round B-Mitch RB
1991
12th Round Keenan McCardell WR
I'd say the track record for talent aquisition is pretty okay. Have faith, brother.
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 11:24 pm
by skinsfaninroanoke
I still wish we had 12 rounds of picks now - you know Joe would have all the holes filled in a heartbeat...
Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 3:22 pm
by Jake
I know where you and everyone else is coming from. I just don't want Bryan to leave.
Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 3:56 pm
by RedskinsVision
it's a GOOD thing that the draft is only 7 rounds now.. more players for Gibbs to grab b4 anyone else can.. and u know most of those FA rookies are gonna favor coming to Gibbs w/ his track record of FA's who've gone on to become stars and winners.