Coles refusing to rework contract

Why is there no cry and hue for Brunell to rework his contract? It seems like every year Samuels has to go through this but the ultimate underperformer isn't being asked to do anything.

I've heard Brunell may be approached at some point for a restructure but right now we've obviously got more pressing issues.

Why is there no cry and hue for Brunell to rework his contract? It seems like every year Samuels has to go through this but the ultimate underperformer isn't being asked to do anything.
Keep in mind that a "simple restructure" to reduce cap hits would only reduce his guaranteed salary for this year by converting it into bonus - thereby increasing the hit later. If the Skins were to do that, it would make Brunell harder to get rid of later.

Ah, that makes sense. His contract is really going to kill us in a couple of years though.

I'd accept a really, really awful off season in exchange for a great season. It seems to me that every year we are the offseason winners and it never equates to anything.

I'd accept a really, really awful off season in exchange for a great season. It seems to me that every year we are the offseason winners and it never equates to anything.

Yeah good point, being champs of the offseason has gotten us nowhere.

I totally agree.

The way to deal with Brunell is to bury him as the 3rd string backup, he believes he can still play and start in this league, well he ain't doing either, he might be willing to return some of his bonus as well to get out we will see how much confidence he has in his abilities or if he's just going to hang on for a paycheck, but we have to start purging and rid ourselves of some of these mistakes.

i've been pondering this for a bit...

and i think the Skins best scenerio is, to keep him, play him, and make him the #1 receiver in the NFL.

sounds crazy right? skins can't trade without a restructure...he doesn't want to, and we can't release him without significant cap problems. so keep him, have him honor his contract, and throw the ball deep to him. Gibbs will open the playbook this year, and you will see more downfield throwing. Make Coles the deep threat, sign Mason to make him possession, and have Thrash and Jacobs in 3 and 4 sets...and go with it.

right now, there are only a handful of teams that might be willing to take a chance. his toe is the biggest concern on everyone's mind, and unless we can get Abraham from the Jets, the best we'll be able to do is like 2nd round or lower.

if he has a big year, scores 4-9 TDs, gets another 90 catches, for 1500 yards...he'll be even more profitable next year, then ship him out.

we do have other pressing needs right now, and should focus on them, as opposed to a hard working guy who is using a prima donna card right now.

The way to deal with Brunell is to bury him as the 3rd string backup, he believes he can still play and start in this league, well he ain't doing either, he might be willing to return some of his bonus as well to get out we will see how much confidence he has in his abilities or if he's just going to hang on for a paycheck, but we have to start purging and rid ourselves of some of these mistakes.
I want to disagree with you somewhat. Brunell was a mistake. Lav Coles (the asshole) was not a mistake. I dont think anyone can argue that he is a top talent. He simply does not get the ball in a position to do anything with it. He's tough, he's got good hands, he can block, his speed is above average right now, and his route running is average because of the toe injury. And we do pay him alot, but we can still use him if we cant get something for him. Releasing him for nothing but cap space is a bit of a joke to me.

If we can't work a trade I'm starting to think we should just tell him to suck it up and honor his contract.

You know Matty I'm starting to think the same way. Even if the guy gives back $6M, he'll still count $3M against our 2005 cap, but we won't have the player. If we can't get something back in return then maybe we just keep him for the same $3M cap hit and let him stew on the bench all year.

When his cap hit becomes $7M in 2006, then maybe we dump him. He'll have lost a year of playing time by then, be seen as a malcontent, and his market value will only go down.

I can't believe I'm bad mouthing Lav like this, but Matty's right, it's enough already.