Replace underperformers?

[Defensewins]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

If you recall he was never healthy even in camp, and probably had no business playing really. The year before he had 77 catches, he's only 29, too early to toss him to the trash heap.

If he's back to his old self, don't be surprised if he's starting over Davis.

His contract is not a burden to the cap this year, and they could always re-work it to reduce his number.

Don't forget Cooley started just 7 games in 2009-2010 and the 5 games he played last year he was more like Taylor Jacobs. The recent injury trend is not in his favor. I agree he was never healthy last year, I think he Bs'd his way on to the field last year. He was not able to get healthy last off seaon, that is not good.
Just like Portis, Cooley is a warrior that I hate to cut, but he is turning 30 this year and his body health is no longer what it was. We have to get younger. I think Skinster is right. Plus it looks like there are several good TE's in FA.

[MTK]

Doubt his trade value is much of anything at this point, CC is more valuable in a Redskins uniform.

[Gmanc711]

It would be one thing if we really needed the cap room, or could find actual upgrades from these guys in free agency... but I'm thinking we just stick with what we have for now. As much as I dont like him, I still think Hall is the biggest play maker on the defense. Cooley is clearly the #2 tight end now, but I want him in a Redskins uniform.

[Swarley]

In other words, there is no reason to get rid of him.

[artmonkforhallofamein07]

Manning to Cooley sounds pretty cool to me.

[MTK]

He couldn't get healthy because he wasn't able to work with the team doctors because of the lockout.

A little insight here, he seems unlikely to be cut

Could Chris Cooley be a 'cap casualty?' - NFL Nation Blog - ESPN

That said, when I met with Redskins coach Mike Shanahan in December, he mentioned Cooley's injury as one of the bad turning points for the Redskins in 2011 and spoke of how much he liked being able to "set the perimeter" on offense with two very good tight ends. So my belief is that he'd like to have Cooley back. And even if the Redskins decide $3.8 million is too much and they need him to restructure, Cooley's kind of all-in with the Redskins and likely would be amenable to such an idea if it meant staying with the team he loves.

[Defensewins]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

He couldn't get healthy because he wasn't able to work with the team doctors because of the lockout.

A little insight here, he seems unlikely to be cut

Could Chris Cooley be a 'cap casualty?' - NFL Nation Blog - ESPN

That said, when I met with Redskins coach Mike Shanahan in December, he mentioned Cooley's injury as one of the bad turning points for the Redskins in 2011 and spoke of how much he liked being able to "set the perimeter" on offense with two very good tight ends. So my belief is that he'd like to have Cooley back. And even if the Redskins decide $3.8 million is too much and they need him to restructure, Cooley's kind of all-in with the Redskins and likely would be amenable to such an idea if it meant staying with the team he loves.

So the Redskins trainers and doctors are the only health professionals that can get a person healthy? I call BS on any of the players that said they could not get healthy last off season due to the lock out. Millions of people and athletes do it every day. Plus Cooley and most NFL players have enough money to pay for the best health care and rehab in the world.
I agree with you that Cooley will not be cut. He is loved too much by everyone. Just like Portis, he will get a year or two of the benefit of the doubt type chances. When healthy he is a solid player and his cap number is low.
All I am saying is if there is a chance to get a young stud at TE, we take it, even if it means getting rid of Cooley.
In the salary cap era the good teams make these tough decisions every year. Teams like the Steelers and Pats cut good serviceable players all the time in an attempt to stay young and inexpensive.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Defensewins

So the Redskins trainers and doctors are the only health professionals that can get a person healthy? I call BS on any of the players that said they could not get healthy last off season due to the lock out. Millions of people and athletes do it every day. Plus Cooley and most NFL players have enough money to pay for the best health care and rehab in the world.
I agree with you that Cooley will not be cut. He is loved too much by everyone. Just like Portis, he will get a year or two of the benefit of the doubt type chances. When healthy he is a solid player and his cap number is low.
All I am saying is if there is a chance to get a young stud at TE, we take it, even if it means getting rid of Cooley.
In the salary cap era the good teams make these tough decisions every year. Teams like the Steelers and Pats cut good serviceable players all the time in an attempt to stay young and inexpensive.

He just underestimated his condition

Washington Redskins' Chris Cooley, on IR, says he's casualty of NFL lockout - ESPN

[Ruhskins]

Cooley is only 29 (wil be 30 when the season starts), can we drop the whole "he's old" moniker? He's not THAT old. What do we want, a 15 yr old pimpled faced kid playing TE?

Sent from my Samsung Epic 4G.

[skinsfaninok]

I'd hope to keep Cooley around but I see him being cut

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by skinsfaninok

I'd hope to keep Cooley around but I see him being cut

Why? He is still serviceable and after the success the Pats showed with to good TE's hard to imganie the Skins dropping Cooley.

[Defensewins]

Originally Posted by mredskins

Why? He is still serviceable and after the success the Pats showed with to good TE's hard to imganie the Skins dropping Cooley.

Because his knee MIGHT be like Lavar Arrington's knee that forced him to retire. If your knee swells and begins to hurt after one or two NFL games, you can not play in this league. I am not saying 100% that Cooley has this type of bad knee, but he has to prove he can stay some what healthy in order to take up millions of dollars in cap space.
I hope he recovers and is ready to play. When healthy he is a great player, but this is still a business, not a popularity contest.