Jettisoned

N.Y. won't match Redskins' offer for Coles; get No. 13 pick

Laveranues Coles has amassed 2,132 receiving yards over the past two seasons. AP

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The New York Jets say the Washington Redskins overpaid for Laveranues Coles. The Redskins say they were just doing good business.

The Jets reluctantly let their top receiver go Wednesday, declining to match the Redskins' seven-year, $35 million offer -- including a $13 million bonus -- for a restricted free agent coming off a breakout season.

"It is extremely rare for a team to pay more than a player asks," Jets general manager Terry Bradway said. "In this case, it did happen. We did not expect that to happen."

The Jets will receive Washington's first-round draft pick -- No. 13 overall -- as compensation.

"We feel this is the best decision for our football team, in the short term and the long term," Bradway said.

First a Jet, now a Rocket? ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -- Bruce Smith discussed his retirement dilemma with the owner. Rocket Ismail came closer to becoming free agent signing No. 12. Laveranues Coles talked about the pressure that comes with a $35 million contract. It was yet another busy offseason day Thursday for the Washington Redskins. "We appreciate everybody coming out today to our weekly press conference," head coach Steve Spurrier deadpanned. "We seem to have one or two each week." Smith was the surprise guest. The 39-year-old defensive end indicated in January he was leaning toward retiring, even though he is only 3 1/2 sacks away from the NFL's all-time record. Now, after meeting with Spurrier and owner Dan Snyder, Smith is leaning the other way. "Dan and I had a good discussion, so I'm pretty optimistic," Smith said. "There's still some issues to work out." The team has also reopened talks with former Dallas receiver Rocket Ismail, who missed last season with a neck injury and has wavered on whether he wants to retire. "Mr. Snyder's handling that, so I'm sure it'll get done," director of player personnel Vinny Cerrato said. "He's anxious about playing. He's got four kids. He's lived in Dallas, so it'll be a tough move." Coles and Rod Gardner will be starting receivers, but Ismail, Coles and newly signed free agent Patrick Johnson would make for the one of the fastest receiver corps in the league. FULL STORY

Bradway needled the Redskins for overpaying for Coles and another Jets player, unrestricted free agent guard Randy Thomas, who received a seven-year, $28 million deal this month.

Washington owner Dan Snyder has set new salary standards for coaches and players since he bought the Redskins in 1999, paying head coach Steve Spurrier $5 million a year and assembling a $100 million roster for a team that went 8-8 three years ago.

Spokesman Karl Swanson said Snyder was not available to comment Wednesday. Vice president of football operations Joe Mendes defended the offer to Coles.

"The one thing that is historically true is that you have to pay more for a player to leave," Mendes said.

The Redskins this year have spent more than $27 million in signing bonuses on 11 free agents, nine unrestricted and two restricted, and traded for running back Trung Canidate.

They've restructured the contracts of four players to get under this year's salary cap, shuffling the numbers in a way that could set themselves up for serious cap trouble in future years.

"It's always a constant juggling act, with the needs of today as it relates to borrowing against the future," Mendes said. "We feel like we have a good handle on it to make a nice run."

Coles became the third Jets player to wind up in Washington this winter, joining Thomas and kicker John Hall. The Redskins also tried to get Jets kick returner Chad Morton, but New York matched Washington's five-year, $8 million offer for the restricted free agent last week.

There are unresolved matters concerning the Coles and Morton contracts. The NFL is investigating whether the Redskins violated rules by not informing the league promptly after Coles agreed to an offer sheet, which could result in a fine or the loss of a draft pick. The Jets are awaiting a possible ruling on whether they have to resubmit their matching offer to Morton because of the way the contract's structure.

The Jets have to replace a receiver who caught 89 passes for 1,264 yards in his third NFL season. They have had extended talks with unrestricted free agent Curtis Conway.

For now, the team's starters will be Wayne Chrebet and Santana Moss, a 2001 first-round pick who has been slowed by injuries.

Bradway said the Jets are interested in packaging their two first-round choices -- they also have the 22nd overall -- for better position in April 26 draft. The top receivers are Charles Rogers of Michigan State and Andre Johnson of Miami, and they are expected to go early.

 

Related information

Stories

Free-Agent Signings: AFC | NFC Don Banks: Baker's Dozen offseason moves Peter King: The Coles truth -- Jets have no choice

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video