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The Coles Situation: Blessing in Disguise
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!!
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