Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 7, 1994 TAG: 9404070130
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Baltimore Sun and Associated Press reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Redskins gave Monk, 36, a Wednesday deadline to decide whether he was going to accept a reduction in his salary from $1.15 million to the $600,000 range and report to minicamp Friday.
When Monk, who didn't return a message left on his answering machine at home, again refused to take the pay cut, the Redskins announced his days with the NFL team were over.
Monk played more games (205) in a Redskins uniform than any other player in franchise history. Since he already was a free agent, the Redskins didn't have to release him.
New coach Norv Turner had indicated he wanted to keep Monk, but the Redskins couldn't afford to carry his old salary under the cap since he figured to be a part-time player.
At the owners' meeting in Orlando, Fla., a week ago, Turner said, "I'm a big Art Monk fan. I'm on record that I'd like to have Art with us."
In the statement issued by the team, the Redskins noted that Turner met with Monk a number of times to try to persuade him to accept the contract offer the team made March 11.
One receiver the Redskins are expected to pursue is the Los Angeles Rams' Henry Ellard, who visited Redskin Park last week. Turner was Ellard's position coach with the Rams. The Redskins also could bring back Ricky Sanders, a free agent.
Monk is the NFL's all-time leading receiver with 888 catches and he's fourth all-time in receiving yards with 12,028. He has caught a pass in 164 consecutive games, 12 shy of Steve Largent's record of 178.
In other NFL moves, Steve McMichael, the most durable of Chicago Bears, was waived at age 36.
McMichael, voted to the Pro Bowl in 1986 and 1987, holds the team record for consecutive games played (191). He also has played in more games than any other Bear: 191 regular-season and 12 playoff games. His sacks - 92.5 - are second on the club to Richard Dent's 124.5. McMichael also holds the club record with three safeties.
Philadelphia re-signed quarterback Bubby Brister and the Eagles also acquired defensive end Burt Grossman from San Diego for a conditional draft choice.
The strange saga of the Kansas City Chiefs' running backs took another turn with the release of former first-round draft pick Harvey Williams.
He joins Christian Okoye and former Virginia star Barry Word as backs banished from the Chiefs for no apparent reason.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB