Commanders Post at The Warpath - View Single Post - Bashing the Coles-Moss Deal

BrudLee · 03-09-2005, 10:30 AM

It is a $9 million cap hit - but Coles would have been over $3 million on our cap if we'd kept him. There's a $6 million difference (give or take). Would I rather have the money? Of course - but not if it means keeping a player who very clearly is putting his personal goals above the team's goals.
"People say we're (Coles and Gardner) leaving now because we're selfish, but how are you supposed to be happy as a receiver when you go from a passing offense to a running offense? This wasn't what I signed up for."
You are supposed to be happy when you win. If you are all about the dollar (which I hear is going around) you are supposed to be happy with a $13 million dollar bonus. If Coles was entering a contract year, and was worried about his future earnings, this is a different conversation. But he was, in fact, due a $5 million payment on his signing bonus (at the time the largest in Redskins history, and I believe the second highest for a WR ever), which he received, and was in no danger of being cut unless he demanded it.
I understand wanting to do your best, and I understand the importance of a strong ego for an athlete at this level. Coles and I have very different recollections of the season, because I believe the offense did improve over the season - the benching of Brunell being one example - and if the Washington Post article stating that not getting enough catches in the final game (a victory!!!) was "the final nail in the coffin," then I can't side with Coles. The victory is always first.

03-09-2005, 10:30 AM	#12
BrudLee Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE Posts: 3,494	Re: Bashing the Coles-Moss Deal It is a $9 million cap hit - but Coles would have been over $3 million on our cap if we'd kept him. There's a $6 million difference (give or take). Would I rather have the money? Of course - but not if it means keeping a player who very clearly is putting his personal goals above the team's goals. "People say we're (Coles and Gardner) leaving now because we're selfish, but how are you supposed to be happy as a receiver when you go from a passing offense to a running offense? This wasn't what I signed up for." You are supposed to be happy when you win. If you are all about the dollar (which I hear is going around) you are supposed to be happy with a $13 million dollar bonus. If Coles was entering a contract year, and was worried about his future earnings, this is a different conversation. But he was, in fact, due a $5 million payment on his signing bonus (at the time the largest in Redskins history, and I believe the second highest for a WR ever), which he received, and was in no danger of being cut unless he demanded it. I understand wanting to do your best, and I understand the importance of a strong ego for an athlete at this level. Coles and I have very different recollections of the season, because I believe the offense did improve over the season - the benching of Brunell being one example - and if the Washington Post article stating that not getting enough catches in the final game (a victory!!!) was "the final nail in the coffin," then I can't side with Coles. The victory is always first. __________________ There's nowhere to go but up. Or down. I guess we could stay where we are, too.