Saturday, April 20, 2002
NFL notes: Trotter newest Pro Bowl LB for Redskins
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, released two weeks ago by the Philadelphia Eagles, agreed to a seven-year, $36 million contract with the Washington Redskins on Friday.
Trotter, who will receive a $7million signing bonus, completes an all-Pro Bowl linebacking corps for the Redskins. LaVar Arrington, new signee Jessie Armstead and Trotter all went to Hawaii last season.
The contract terms were confirmed by a source familiar with the negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity. Trotter's agent, Jimmy Sexton, and Redskins management officials were not available for comment.
The Redskins had been talking to Trotter for nearly a week. He met with team officials Sunday and Monday, but Sexton had been listening to offers from Houston and Green Bay.
During his visit to Redskin Park, Trotter said he'd like to play for the Redskins because he'd get a chance to face Philadelphia twice every season in the NFC East.
Trotter is unhappy with the Eagles for removing his franchise player designation earlier this month, a move that made him a free agent.
With the franchise tag, the Eagles would have been obligated to give Trotter at least a one-year contract worth about $5.5 million, based on an average of the league's five highest-paid linebackers.
Depending on the structure of the contract, the Redskins will probably have to cut a player or restructure existing contracts be Trotter is actually signed. Running back Stephen Davis and defensive end Marco Coleman are likely candidates for contract restructuring.
The Redskins have already spent big on defense this offseason, signing Armstead and defensive lineman Renaldo Wynn. They still have several needs on offense, particularly at guard, which they are likely to address during the draft.
Trotter was a third-round draft pick by the Eagles in 1998 out of Stephen F. Austin. He became a starter in 1999 and led the team in tackles the last three years.
RAVENS: Free agent quarterback Jeff Blake is negotiating with three NFL teams, including Baltimore, after talks broke off with Buffalo. Blake, a nine-year veteran, was released by New Orleans in February after losing his starting job to Aaron Brooks.
After being briefly courted by Buffalo, Blake has moved on while the Bills continue their bid to trade for New England's Drew Bledsoe, Blake's agent, Ralph Cindrich said, on Friday.
“There's nothing there,” Blake's agent, Ralph Cindrich, said of the Bills' interest in Blake. He doesn't think Buffalo would return its attention to Blake if it fails to acquire Drew Bledsoe from New England.
“We haven't had any discussions along those lines,” Cindrich said. “... We've been talking with Baltimore and two other teams.” The other teams were not identified.
COLTS: Quarterback Damon Huard has been traded from Seattle to Indianapolis for a fifth-round pick. Huard was the Seahawks' third-round draft choice in 1999 and he has played in six games the past three seasons.
He started four games in 2000, but a series of injuries limited his playing time.
Huard has completed 58 of 104 career passes for 667 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions in his career. Last season, he completed 9 nine of 17 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown.
The Colts were looking for a backup for Peyton Manning. The only quarterback on the Colts roster was Cory Sauter.
VIKINGS: Minnesota agreed to terms with free agent tight end Hunter Goodwin, who played the last three seasons for Miami. He played for the Vikings from 1996-98 before he signed with the Dolphins. Goodwin, who primarily is a blocker, caught four passes for 27 yards last season.
He has 29 receptions for 219 yards and a touchdown in his six-year career.
BROWNS: Defensive tackle Gerard Warren pleaded guilty to a gun charge Friday and was sentenced to a year of probation, five months after he was arrested while attending a party in Pittsburgh thrown by Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress.
Police were questioning a passenger about suspected drug use in Warren's Chevrolet Suburban parked outside a nightclub on Nov. 20 when they spotted an empty gun holster, and a .45-caliber Lock handgun belonging to Warren was found locked inside a console in the vehicle. Warren had ownership papers for the weapon, but did not have a license for the gun.
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NFL notes: Trotter newest Pro Bowl LB for Redskins
