Wellness

[Spurt]

On 3/30/2014 gardenman said:

There's something big going on with DeSean. There were nine teams interested in him and now we're down to three (maybe two if the Raiders back out.) The Redskins and Bills still seem interested but I'm not sure how long that will last.

There are thirty-two teams in the NFL and only nine showed any interest in a pro bowl caliber receiver? Six of those have now dropped out of the running leaving just three still involved. There's definitely something going on there. The local press is all just assuming Chip Kelly is a moron and this is all a power play on his part to show that he's in charge, but if that was the case then teams would be lining up to sign DeSean. Teams with a desperate need for a big play speed receiver are passing on DeSean including KC where he's known by the coaching staff.

It would be nice if the local press would get off their tail-sides and do some real reporting on what's really going on instead of simply moaning about the mean old Eagles not telling them everything. Apparently 29 teams in the NFL have figured out the issue, so you'd think one reporter would step up to bat and actually do some investigating to find out the answer. Clearly the Eagles aren't going to publicly comment on it, and they aren't obligated to talk to the press until just before the draft and even then the talk will likely be limited to the draft and any questions about DeSean will be politely turned aside. I'm guessing Jay Glazer or another of the big guys will have to get the scoop while our local yokels lie around and complain.

GARDENMAN, the Redskins may not have enough cap room for Desean...now there are 2 mystery teams that have come forth.....do local sports guys actually do any investigating anymore? Im sure Glazer and Adam S will be having their sources researching all of this...

[gardenman]

I'm not really buying the "two mystery teams in active negotiations with DeSean's agent" story-line. That strikes me as a rumor started by the agent to get the Redskins to ante up quickly. DeSean apparently made contact with RGIII and plans to stay in Washington tonight and tomorrow as they try to work out an agreement. If there is a mystery team it could be Dallas. Jerry Jones would love to make a move like this, but finding the cap space would be a problem.

One player personnel source seems to feel that whatever contract DeSean signs will be for five years and around $25-30 million (possibly larger) with $15 million guaranteed. I'm thinking that's absurdly optimistic, but I could be wrong. I wouldn't guarantee a dime of the money and I would include tons of incentives.

[Spurt]

On 3/31/2014 gardenman said:

I'm not really buying the "two mystery teams in active negotiations with DeSean's agent" story-line. That strikes me as a rumor started by the agent to get the Redskins to ante up quickly. DeSean apparently made contact with RGIII and plans to stay in Washington tonight and tomorrow as they try to work out an agreement. If there is a mystery team it could be Dallas. Jerry Jones would love to make a move like this, but finding the cap space would be a problem.

One player personnel source seems to feel that whatever contract DeSean signs will be for five years and around $25-30 million (possibly larger) with $15 million guaranteed. I'm thinking that's absurdly optimistic, but I could be wrong. I wouldn't guarantee a dime of the money and I would include tons of incentives.

Hey GARDENMAN....thanks for the update....that is a ton of money for someone with all kinds of issues....I hope the Redskins learned their lesson with the Haynesworth deal....most of the negotiations are going to take place on Tuesday....he will probably just be wined and dined tonight....One player can certainly cause chaos in a locker room, with a new coach and a new system I just want peace and concentrate on improving...

Damien Woody on first take said he had a legal right to know why he is released of course the Eagles would probably come up with something vague such as "conduct detrimental to the team".........

[gardenman]

Jeff Skverski the local (Philadelphia) channel 6 sports guy says the Redskins and DeSean Jackson have agreed on a contract and it will be signed later today assuming DeSean passes the physical.

Kudos to DeSean's agent. He's played this brilliantly. He took a radioactive client who those who knew him the best wanted nothing to do with, and created demand for him (not all of it likely real) and got him a deal that may well make him the highest paid free agent wide receiver this year. A few days ago I would have bet that, at best, DeSean would have signed a veteran minimum contract (like that signed by Kenny Britt with the Rams) and been given a chance to prove himself with a new team. I wouldn't have been shocked to see him end up in the CFL instead of the NFL. Instead, his agent went to the team that DeSean has played the best against (the Redskins) and somehow convinced them that he's just what they need, despite their having a brand new, unproven head coach, and this being a receiver rich draft class.

I'm guessing a lot of DeSean's money will come up front in the form of a signing bonus also since the Redskins are pretty tight on cap space. The Redskins signed Ryan Clark the ESPN analyst/Steelers' safety yesterday also eating up more cap space. If they've given DeSean a five year deal front loaded with a signing bonus then the cap impact could be minimal and DeSean would get his money upfront and could pretty much behave however he wanted which could be a problem for the Redskins. Given their cap situation though they didn't really have a lot of other options. This could be a lot of fun to watch. (At least from an Eagles' fan perspective.)

If the reports are accurate, then this may be the move needed for DeSean's agent to be Agent of the Year. The "mystery" teams in intense negotiations apparently helped motivate the Redskins to move quickly and likely forced them to overpay. We'll see what happens, but the history of the Redskins taking players form the Eagles tends to show that the Eagles get the upper hand. Donovan McNabb, Jeremiah Trotter, and even Darryl Tapp last year were former Eagles who the Redskins signed who didn't pan out. This year they've picked up Clifton Geathers a defensive end from the Eagles who was unimpressive during his time here. The kid looks impressive, but he doesn't play up to his appearance. Now the Eagles have cut loose a radioactive wide receiver and the Redskins seem to be the new landing place for him. It'll be fun to see how this all pans out.

[Spurt]

On 4/1/2014 gardenman said:

Jeff Skverski the local (Philadelphia) channel 6 sports guy says the Redskins and DeSean Jackson have agreed on a contract and it will be signed later today assuming DeSean passes the physical.

Kudos to DeSean's agent. He's played this brilliantly. He took a radioactive client who those who knew him the best wanted nothing to do with, and created demand for him (not all of it likely real) and got him a deal that may well make him the highest paid free agent wide receiver this year. A few days ago I would have bet that, at best, DeSean would have signed a veteran minimum contract (like that signed by Kenny Britt with the Rams) and been given a chance to prove himself with a new team. I wouldn't have been shocked to see him end up in the CFL instead of the NFL. Instead, his agent went to the team that DeSean has played the best against (the Redskins) and somehow convinced them that he's just what they need, despite their having a brand new, unproven head coach, and this being a receiver rich draft class.

I'm guessing a lot of DeSean's money will come up front in the form of a signing bonus also since the Redskins are pretty tight on cap space. The Redskins signed Ryan Clark the ESPN analyst/Steelers' safety yesterday also eating up more cap space. If they've given DeSean a five year deal front loaded with a signing bonus then the cap impact could be minimal and DeSean would get his money upfront and could pretty much behave however he wanted which could be a problem for the Redskins. Given their cap situation though they didn't really have a lot of other options. This could be a lot of fun to watch. (At least from an Eagles' fan perspective.)

If the reports are accurate, then this may be the move needed for DeSean's agent to be Agent of the Year. The "mystery" teams in intense negotiations apparently helped motivate the Redskins to move quickly and likely forced them to overpay. We'll see what happens, but the history of the Redskins taking players form the Eagles tends to show that the Eagles get the upper hand. Donovan McNabb, Jeremiah Trotter, and even Darryl Tapp last year were former Eagles who the Redskins signed who didn't pan out. This year they've picked up Clifton Geathers a defensive end from the Eagles who was unimpressive during his time here. The kid looks impressive, but he doesn't play up to his appearance. Now the Eagles have cut loose a radioactive wide receiver and the Redskins seem to be the new landing place for him. It'll be fun to see how this all pans out.

Hey GARDENMAN,

Thanks for the update. Well we got a safety in Ryan Clark (he is a bit outspoken too).... I just hope he has something left in the tank, but he is better than our rookies or other options in the draft.

As far as DeSean....good luck coaches!!!.....One Redskin writer I read said the only good trade between the Redskins/Eagles was Sonny Jurgensen....which does not fair well for my team. At least you know DeSean will play really hard for 2 games out of the year when we meet the Eagles..... And I still dont understand that whole McNabb trade at all...if he wasnt willing to change and adapt to a new system why get him. What was Shanny thinking....

There was also a rumor that Shanny may go back to Denver as a consultant....

[teganslaw]

I've been following the DeSean Jackson situation. I thought that he would end up with the Raiders or Jets , not Washington. I'm glad that the Colts play the NFC East this year; those are going to be good games.

Not much news out of Indy right now. Arthur Jones, formerly of Baltimore, is happy to be with the Colts, according to tweets he has posted. Also, Ahmad Bradshaw and Reggie Wayne will be back, along with Dwayne Allen. Now I'm just hoping everyone stays healthy.

OT: SPURT, even though I don't watch basketball, I have read about the Spurs winning 18 straight games and setting a franchise record. Congrats to them, that's some achievement!

[gardenman]

DeSean Jackson to the Redskins may not be as done a deal just yet. Channel Six was still saying they had an agreement in place as of noon, but they're the only ones who feel that way. The Redskins may still get him, but the Browns are now rumored to be jumping into the hunt for him along with the Niners.

[yellowrose]

Anyone else looking forward to Draft Day the movie coming out April 11th?

Football and Kevin Costner........what is there not to like? I'll sit in the movie theater for this one.

[kagey]

Huge Broncos fan here. Saw the comment about shanny coming back to denver as a consultant. Really doubt that. After elway retired shanny didn't want him around club headquarters and that did not set well with elway. Since elway is in charge I highly doubt it even tho he lives in Denver. But who knows. Time heals all wounds they say.

[kagey]

Oh and I see the Broncos signed will Montgomery. What's the story on him.