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The Washington Redskins took a huge moneysaving gamble
Tuesday, releasing defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson over a contract dispute even though they lack a proven starter to replace him.
The Redskins and Wilkinson couldn't agree on a deal to cut his team-high $3.5 million salary. Owner Dan Snyder's negotiations with agent Brig Owens continued even as Wilkinson stood on the field watching the second day of training-camp practice, but a compromise could not be reached.
"We couldn't continue this any longer, didn't need the distraction any more," vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato said. "That's why we've done it when we've done it."
The Redskins and Wilkinson agreed to cut his salary to $2 million, but Wilkinson wanted incentives that Cerrato said would make it "very easy" to make back the $1.5 million. Cerrato said the team countered by offering incentives based on Wilkinson's average playing time over the past five years, structured so they would not count against the salary cap.
"We felt like we offered a very fair package that would enable him to get all his money," Cerrato said.
Wilkinson said the Redskins' proposal offered "no sense of security."
"It's time to move on," he told WTEM-AM radio.
Wilkinson, 30, had a career-low 17 tackles and no sacks last season. He played part of the season with a bad wrist and missed the final month with a calf injury.
Cerrato said Wilkinson's performance played a part in the team's tactics. The team also needed the salary-cap space to begin negotiations with cornerback Champ Bailey, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
"You only have so much money, so much cap space," Cerrato said. "For us to be able to do the things we need to do in the future with our contracts, we could not afford to pay Dan Wilkinson the $3.5 million."
But the move has its risk. With Wilkinson gone, fourth-year player Jermaine Haley becomes the first-string left tackle. Haley had nine starts with Miami in 2000 and 2001, but he was a backup all last season. Defensive end Bruce Smith lobbied not to cut Wilkinson, saying, "There's no replacement."
Asked if Haley is the answer, Cerrato said, "That's what training camp and preseason are for."
Haley was hardly celebrating his sudden promotion."I was going to play a bunch anyway," Haley said.
"I wish he would've stayed, because I liked the rotation. I've got to step up."
Cerrato also said the team would consider trading a draft pick for a defensive end and would keep an eye on the waiver wire.
"There's nothing out there right now," Cerrato said. "We've got to be a patient group. We want to see what we've got."
Cerrato said the door was open for Wilkinson to return. Wilkinson is expected to look for work elsewhere, but he's unlikely to get an offer anywhere close to $3.5 million.
When training camp opened Monday, Wilkinson wasn't allowed to practice. The Redskins didn't want him to take part because if he got injured, the team could be liable for his entire salary under league rules. Complicating matters was Wilkinson's decision to fire his agent Friday.
Wilkinson had the longest continuous service on the Redskins roster, having been acquired in a trade with Cincinnati in 1999. He was drafted No. 1 overall by the Bengals in 1994.
Tuesday, releasing defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson over a contract dispute even though they lack a proven starter to replace him.
The Redskins and Wilkinson couldn't agree on a deal to cut his team-high $3.5 million salary. Owner Dan Snyder's negotiations with agent Brig Owens continued even as Wilkinson stood on the field watching the second day of training-camp practice, but a compromise could not be reached.
"We couldn't continue this any longer, didn't need the distraction any more," vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato said. "That's why we've done it when we've done it."
The Redskins and Wilkinson agreed to cut his salary to $2 million, but Wilkinson wanted incentives that Cerrato said would make it "very easy" to make back the $1.5 million. Cerrato said the team countered by offering incentives based on Wilkinson's average playing time over the past five years, structured so they would not count against the salary cap.
"We felt like we offered a very fair package that would enable him to get all his money," Cerrato said.
Wilkinson said the Redskins' proposal offered "no sense of security."
"It's time to move on," he told WTEM-AM radio.
Wilkinson, 30, had a career-low 17 tackles and no sacks last season. He played part of the season with a bad wrist and missed the final month with a calf injury.
Cerrato said Wilkinson's performance played a part in the team's tactics. The team also needed the salary-cap space to begin negotiations with cornerback Champ Bailey, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
"You only have so much money, so much cap space," Cerrato said. "For us to be able to do the things we need to do in the future with our contracts, we could not afford to pay Dan Wilkinson the $3.5 million."
But the move has its risk. With Wilkinson gone, fourth-year player Jermaine Haley becomes the first-string left tackle. Haley had nine starts with Miami in 2000 and 2001, but he was a backup all last season. Defensive end Bruce Smith lobbied not to cut Wilkinson, saying, "There's no replacement."
Asked if Haley is the answer, Cerrato said, "That's what training camp and preseason are for."
Haley was hardly celebrating his sudden promotion."I was going to play a bunch anyway," Haley said.
"I wish he would've stayed, because I liked the rotation. I've got to step up."
Cerrato also said the team would consider trading a draft pick for a defensive end and would keep an eye on the waiver wire.
"There's nothing out there right now," Cerrato said. "We've got to be a patient group. We want to see what we've got."
Cerrato said the door was open for Wilkinson to return. Wilkinson is expected to look for work elsewhere, but he's unlikely to get an offer anywhere close to $3.5 million.
When training camp opened Monday, Wilkinson wasn't allowed to practice. The Redskins didn't want him to take part because if he got injured, the team could be liable for his entire salary under league rules. Complicating matters was Wilkinson's decision to fire his agent Friday.
Wilkinson had the longest continuous service on the Redskins roster, having been acquired in a trade with Cincinnati in 1999. He was drafted No. 1 overall by the Bengals in 1994.