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Laveranues Coles finally got his wish. The disgruntled Redskins receiver is headed back to the New York Jets after asking out of Washington.
Coles was traded Saturday for the speedy Santana Moss, a deal that was in the works for over a week. Moss' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said in a phone interview the deal was contingent on both players passing physicals. Moss had his physical scheduled for Monday at Redskins Park.
A source within the league, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, also said Coles got the restructured deal he wanted, which held up the trade. But the Redskins are responsible for the final $5 million of the $13 million signing bonus he got when he joined the team in 2003.
Coles is due that money April 1. The Redskins, anticipating they would be stuck making the payment, restructured the contract of left tackle Chris Samuels so they could afford it. A message left for Coles' agent, Roosevelt Barnes, was not immediately returned.
Coles met with coach Joe Gibbs twice after the season to state his desire to leave the Redskins, following an unsatisfying year in the team's conservative offense.
He had 90 catches for 950 yards for a career-low 10.6 yards a catch and only one touchdown in the Redskins' 6-10 season. The year before, under pass-oriented coach Steve Spurrier, Coles had 82 receptions for 1,204 yards and six touchdowns.
The 5-foot-11, 193-pound Coles emerged as a top receiver with the Jets in 2002, quickly becoming a favorite target of Chad Pennington. He had 89 catches for 1,264 yards and six touchdowns, and commanded big money on the open market.
Though he was given assurances he would be re-signed, the Jets failed to match the Redskins' seven-year, $35 million offer. Coles, who was drafted by the Jets in the third round in 2000, was critical of coach Herman Edwards after he left, though it appears the organization is willing to look past that.
Last week at the combine, Edwards said, "I never take that personally. It's part of the process."
As for the 5-10, 185-pound Moss, the game-breaking receiver had a big year in 2003, with 74 catches for 1,105 yards and 10 touchdowns. But his productivity slipped in 2004, when he had 45 catches for 838 yards and five touchdowns while battling through a sore hamstring.
He also was critical of his role in the Jets' conservative offense, and said in December, "I am coming out there furious sometimes because I think every time I get out there I can beat somebody. But if I don't get the ball, what can I do?"
The Redskins showed interest in Moss during the 2001 draft, but chose Rod Gardner with the 15th selection instead. Moss went to the Jets with the next pick. He won't get the chance to play with Gardner, who was granted a request to seek a trade in January.
Moss is entering the final year of his contract, and Rosenhaus expects to have the receiver signed to a new deal shortly after the trade is completed.
"He's very pleased," Rosenhaus said. "It's not because he wanted to leave New York, but Washington offers him some great opportunities. He's going to be a focal point of their offense. I anticipate that we'll be able to work out a very lucrative extension for him."
The departure of Coles means the Redskins will have two new starting receivers when the season beings. Coles and Gardner accounted for a combined 141 catches and 1,600 yards for the Redskins last season, but both were disenchanted with an offense that produced few big plays downfield and ranked 30th overall.
Moss will pair up with David Patten, another big-play receiver who signed a five-year, $13 million contract with a $3.5 million signing bonus earlier this week as a free agent from New England.
One area of concern for the Jets could be a chronic toe injury that has plagued Coles the last two seasons. The Redskins wanted him to have surgery, but Coles was reluctant to undergo any procedure. If he is healthy, Coles provides the Jets with a solid offensive option under new coordinator Mike Heimerdinger to go with Justin McCareins - provided Pennington is fully recovered from rotator cuff surgery.
Source: AP
Coles was traded Saturday for the speedy Santana Moss, a deal that was in the works for over a week. Moss' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said in a phone interview the deal was contingent on both players passing physicals. Moss had his physical scheduled for Monday at Redskins Park.
A source within the league, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, also said Coles got the restructured deal he wanted, which held up the trade. But the Redskins are responsible for the final $5 million of the $13 million signing bonus he got when he joined the team in 2003.
Coles is due that money April 1. The Redskins, anticipating they would be stuck making the payment, restructured the contract of left tackle Chris Samuels so they could afford it. A message left for Coles' agent, Roosevelt Barnes, was not immediately returned.
Coles met with coach Joe Gibbs twice after the season to state his desire to leave the Redskins, following an unsatisfying year in the team's conservative offense.
He had 90 catches for 950 yards for a career-low 10.6 yards a catch and only one touchdown in the Redskins' 6-10 season. The year before, under pass-oriented coach Steve Spurrier, Coles had 82 receptions for 1,204 yards and six touchdowns.
The 5-foot-11, 193-pound Coles emerged as a top receiver with the Jets in 2002, quickly becoming a favorite target of Chad Pennington. He had 89 catches for 1,264 yards and six touchdowns, and commanded big money on the open market.
Though he was given assurances he would be re-signed, the Jets failed to match the Redskins' seven-year, $35 million offer. Coles, who was drafted by the Jets in the third round in 2000, was critical of coach Herman Edwards after he left, though it appears the organization is willing to look past that.
Last week at the combine, Edwards said, "I never take that personally. It's part of the process."
As for the 5-10, 185-pound Moss, the game-breaking receiver had a big year in 2003, with 74 catches for 1,105 yards and 10 touchdowns. But his productivity slipped in 2004, when he had 45 catches for 838 yards and five touchdowns while battling through a sore hamstring.
He also was critical of his role in the Jets' conservative offense, and said in December, "I am coming out there furious sometimes because I think every time I get out there I can beat somebody. But if I don't get the ball, what can I do?"
The Redskins showed interest in Moss during the 2001 draft, but chose Rod Gardner with the 15th selection instead. Moss went to the Jets with the next pick. He won't get the chance to play with Gardner, who was granted a request to seek a trade in January.
Moss is entering the final year of his contract, and Rosenhaus expects to have the receiver signed to a new deal shortly after the trade is completed.
"He's very pleased," Rosenhaus said. "It's not because he wanted to leave New York, but Washington offers him some great opportunities. He's going to be a focal point of their offense. I anticipate that we'll be able to work out a very lucrative extension for him."
The departure of Coles means the Redskins will have two new starting receivers when the season beings. Coles and Gardner accounted for a combined 141 catches and 1,600 yards for the Redskins last season, but both were disenchanted with an offense that produced few big plays downfield and ranked 30th overall.
Moss will pair up with David Patten, another big-play receiver who signed a five-year, $13 million contract with a $3.5 million signing bonus earlier this week as a free agent from New England.
One area of concern for the Jets could be a chronic toe injury that has plagued Coles the last two seasons. The Redskins wanted him to have surgery, but Coles was reluctant to undergo any procedure. If he is healthy, Coles provides the Jets with a solid offensive option under new coordinator Mike Heimerdinger to go with Justin McCareins - provided Pennington is fully recovered from rotator cuff surgery.
Source: AP