PDA

View Full Version : The Coles Situation: Blessing in Disguise



GSF
February-21st-2005, 09:34 AM
Hello all. I'm coming out of lurkdom to make a post on this most surprising turn of events with Laveranues. While, I have no doubt that thousands of hard core Skins fans in Extremeland and the rest of the world are already freaking out about this, the truth is that Coles wanting out is a stroke of luck that couldn't have come at a better time. Oh I know what many of you are thinking," but Coles doesn't like us anymore! Nobody wants to play here b/c Snyder is ruining this team! Gibbs is senile and won't throw long passes, and most of all, that bug eyed Ceratto has got to go!" I'm sure I wouldn't have to look too hard to find those threads, but the more level headed here have already realized why this is a good thing.

First, let me say that I have been a huge fan of #80. I had him on my fantasy team in 2002, when I said many times on this very board, "we need to get this guy!" I was shocked and thrilled when we did get him, and in 2003, just like in 2002, he was virtually uncoverable.

The problem is he broke his toe. He broke it, and he doesn't want to fix it surgically b/c of the risks involved. Those who watched Coles closely last year know that he was not anywhere near the same Coles of '02 and '03. Instead of being uncoverable, #80 could barely get open. He couldn't get off the line when pressed, and he couldn't beat anybody deep. In addition, Coles couldn't catch as well either b/c along with his broken toe, he had a broken finger. People who watched Coles also remember that he could be seen limping and hobbling up and down the sidelines in nearly every game. Coles poor health also caused him to be a liability in the running game b/c he was scared to block. I remember seeing Coles pull up on several blocks at the games I attended.

Coles is damaged goods, and he will most likely continue to be so until he takes a chance on fixing his toe. If this injury was going to completely heal on its own, it would have already. This injury transforms Coles from a burner, deep threat into a possesion receiver, and in that condition, he is not worth the contract we gave him.

Here's the good part, Coles will give back his signing bonus in order to be waived. This will create over 3 mil in cap space that we can use to pick up a legit big play wr. The addition of a big time wr, like a Moss or Porter, coupled with a a hungry Jacobs and a savvy Thrash will add up to a better wr corp in 2005.

It's a shame really, b/c Coles had the potential to be the next Gary Clark in this offense. Too bad he didn't understand that Gibbs will go deep much more often as soon as he's comfortable with the protection and the poise of the qb. But the thing to do now is to move on. This in the long run will make us a better team. Think about this possibility, we send Coles and Smoot to the Vikes for Moss after all 3 players agree to redo their deals. That could be a good trade for both teams involved.

Relax friends, Gibbs knows what he's doing. Enjoy, and as always, Hail to the Redskins!!

:cheers:

Leonard Washington
February-21st-2005, 09:37 AM
i hope you right. i'll be a sad mofo if our passing game sucks and coles is going to hawaii next year.

ntotoro
February-21st-2005, 09:39 AM
I've been defending the guy and his decision not to have the surgery, but quietly realize his injury has been hindering his performance. I hate to admit it, but this really is the best thing for both parties. The guy might never bee 100% or even remotely close to what he did his first 2-3 games here. Combine that with the fact that he doesn't want to be here and his leaving will help our cap number and this is a no-brainer.

Nick

bubba9497
February-21st-2005, 09:41 AM
Just think of Jacobs big play against the Vikings.....

foreshadowing :D

jrfriedm
February-21st-2005, 09:48 AM
Originally posted by bubba9497
Just think of Jacobs big play against the Vikings.....

foreshadowing :D

Well Jacobs is going to have to become a real big contributor real fast. He will probably share time with Thrash as the #1 and #2 guys. We need to go after Derek Mason, and get Mike Williams in the Draft. :(

fosback
February-21st-2005, 09:58 AM
____________

Here's the good part, Coles will give back his signing bonus in order to be waived. This will create over 3 mil in cap space that we can use to pick up a legit big play wr.

_________


Dream on!!! He may give back a PART of his signing bonus. Lets see what it end up being. Most likely it will not give any relief this year.

REEGSKINS
February-21st-2005, 10:00 AM
jacobs is in his third year and ready to go.

bubba9497
February-21st-2005, 10:02 AM
Originally posted by REEGSKINS
jacobs is in his third year and ready to go.

I agree

jimster
February-21st-2005, 10:10 AM
Well said GSF - these are the same reasons I'm not worried about it.

bnacpa
February-21st-2005, 10:14 AM
Jacobs needs to show that he can stay healthy. He got injured in his rookie year and hardly played. Last year after impressing Gibbs in mini-camps ... got injured and was slow to get into the lineup during the season early on.

I agree that Jacobs has the physical tools/gifts to be great, but he has to stay healthy and put it all together.

GSF
February-21st-2005, 10:16 AM
Originally posted by fosback
____________

Here's the good part, Coles will give back his signing bonus in order to be waived. This will create over 3 mil in cap space that we can use to pick up a legit big play wr.

_________


Dream on!!! He may give back a PART of his signing bonus. Lets see what it end up being. Most likely it will not give any relief this year.

If he doesn't give the bonus back, do you think any other team is going to pay a guy who's injured and gave up on his team? The only way he gets a good contract elsewhere is if he gives back the bonus, or at least most of it. Just my opinion...

Chachie
February-21st-2005, 10:18 AM
I don't think it matters what we do at the WR position. Our WR corps was so watered down last season that even a major shake-up like this Coles situation will probably be for the better.

These are strange and tough times.

jimster
February-21st-2005, 10:34 AM
Originally posted by bnacpa
Jacobs needs to show that he can stay healthy. He got injured in his rookie year and hardly played. Last year after impressing Gibbs in mini-camps ... got injured and was slow to get into the lineup during the season early on.

I agree that Jacobs has the physical tools/gifts to be great, but he has to stay healthy and put it all together.

he got hurt in his rookie year busting his ***** on a special teams play in a pre-season game - This does not mean he is injury prone - a freak injury at that - a bruised pancreas. I don't remember him getting hurt in mini-camps last year, but I do remember he was the 1st WR that Gibbs had praise for. If anything thats sounds like a Gibbs-type player to me.

Monte51Coleman
February-21st-2005, 10:39 AM
Originally posted by jrfriedm


Well Jacobs is going to have to become a real big contributor real fast. He will probably share time with Thrash as the #1 and #2 guys. We need to go after Derek Mason, and get Mike Williams in the Draft. :(

I love James Thrash. With that said, if he is our starting #1 or #2 going into next season we are in a world of trouble.

End2round2sanders
February-21st-2005, 10:42 AM
Originally posted by bubba9497
Just think of Jacobs big play against the Vikings.....

foreshadowing :D
Hey even Tydus Winans and orlando truitt had a big catch for us remember them? Whoopdeefreaking doo.

TheDane
February-21st-2005, 10:46 AM
This injury thing scares me about the situation. Why? If it turns out that this release has something to do with the Redskins wanting Coles to have surgery, and Coles not wanting to have surgery, then I'm worried the NFLPA comes in and says: "Nope, can't give back the signing bonus."

Then releasing Coles yields a very unwieldy cap situation. :( Or, we end up keeping a disgruntled employee who continues to give us Grade A effort but (a) isn't physically able to be a true #1; and (b) handicaps our cap situation (pardon the double pun) to seek out a replacement WR via free agency.

Thoughts?

BIGGS_DADDY
February-21st-2005, 10:48 AM
Originally posted by REEGSKINS
jacobs is in his third year and ready to go. :yes:

bulldog
February-21st-2005, 10:51 AM
Coles' future is clouded by his injuries. I feel bad for him because after his trade in 2003 he looked like a guy who was going to breakout to be on of the top 5 receivers in the NFL.

Instead, because of the toe, he is now a tough little possession receiver without the quicks to get himself downfield on those 60 yard passes he and we anticipated seeing.

He has become Wayne Chrebet with better quickness.

That isn't worth $13 million.

the other factor with the Redskins is that Portis and Cooley are going to be major factors in the passing game in 2005 IMO and with the acquisition of some deep speed this team could have 4-5 players finish with 40 plus catches for good yardage.

Bigredskin77
February-21st-2005, 10:59 AM
Our passing game sucked with coles this year. I dont care if he goes. I rather have 30th ranked pass offense with Jacobs, thrash, and mccants, than with money makin Coles and gardner.

Id rather have our offense suck without them. I had enough of the b.s. Coles is a pain, we will feel better when he is gone. To hell with Coles. He doesnt want to be a part of the skins Fine.


COLES GET YOUR ASS THE HELL OUT OF WASHINGTON!!!!

End2round2sanders
February-21st-2005, 11:01 AM
someone call Gary clark and get him in for a physical.

cooleyisgod
February-21st-2005, 11:15 AM
gsf great post..should be required reading for all of those pushing the panic button...
my concern is what type of player can we get with the $ we save but i guessit doesnt matter since lc is bitter anyway..trust gibbs