Shawn Springs is not the bad guy. Don’t let the backroom whispers, sports talk hacks and second-guessing bloggers fool you. The Washington Redskins cornerback knows after a decade in the NFL that it’s a business and wasn’t letting the team mislead him like they have so many others over the years.
Springs was the last starter to report for “voluntary” organized team activities at Redskin Park on Tuesday. He waited for the June 1 salary cap deadline that better ensures he’ll be around this season. Beforehand, it was a little less certain so Springs worked out with a personal conditioning coachin the desert rather than Ashburn like coaches wanted.
Bravo, Shawn — way to not let anybody run you.
NFL coaches think voluntary really means mandatory or else you’re not a team player. Coach Joe Gibbs finally lightened up and let several out-of-town players work out in their hometowns until the OTAs began May 8. Technically, this is the down time to do as they want and you can’t begrudge players wanting to be near friends and family for a few months given they barely see them from July to January.
That said, OTAs are only three days a week over a month before minicamp begins June 15. It’s not a lot to ask. Still, when the team makes noise about cutting your deal, a player has the right to protect himself. Springs was probably still a little sore over being rushed back last year from preseason abdominal surgery that led to a groin injury, too.
At 32 and playing only nine games last year, Springs is vulnerable. Fortunately for Springs, last season’s 5-11 debacle proved the Redskins secondary is even more vulnerable without him. Signing free agent Fred Smoot over the offseason helps nickel coverage and depth, but Springs is still the No. 1 corner.
Springs’ cap number is $7.35 million, the Redskins’ second highest behind offensive tackle Chris Samuels. He’ll earn $6.75 million in base salary with a $600,000 proration of his signing bonus. The Redskins could have cleared $5.5 million in cap room by cutting Springs before June 1 and eaten a $1.8 million cap hit, but there wasn’t anyone in free agency worth paying $5 million over Springs. Waiting until June 1 lets the Redskins split the cap for $600,000 this season and $1.2 million in 2008 if desired. Ironically, the Redskins have an extra $1 million in cap room for once so they can afford to keep Springs.
Ultimately, Springs is going nowhere and everyone knows it. Both sides need each other this season. Next year is different with Springs probably gone, but the Silver Spring native wasn’t bluffed by his hometown team into reporting early this time.
Besides, anybody who can stare down Dan Snyder is worth keeping.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
