Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 14, 1994 TAG: 9404140080
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
The Redskins, undergoing a major remake under first-year coach Norv Turner, parted with Rypien and his $3 million salary as they continued to clear room under the new salary cap before the NFL draft.
Turner has made it clear he wants to use the Redskins' first-round pick, third overall, to draft a quarterback - preferably Tennessee's Heath Shuler or Fresno State's Trent Dilfer.
The Redskins also have taken a look at some free-agent veterans - Rodney Peete of Detroit, Chris Chandler of Arizona and John Friesz of San Diego.
The team said in a statement that Rypien had requested his release after the Redskins asked him to re-negotiate his contract, which still had one year left at $3 million and an option for another season at the same figure.
"The Washington Redskins are now pursuing other opportunities to sign a veteran quarterback, and Mark Rypien is free to sign with another NFL club," the team said in a brief statement.
The Redskins also announced Wednesday they had signed wide receiver Henry Ellard, a free agent from the Los Angeles Rams. That fills a void left when the Redskins parted ways last week with Art Monk, the NFL's all-time leader in receptions.
Ellard, who had 61 catches for the Rams in 1993, signed a two-year deal. Other terms weren't released by Washington or Ellard's agent, Frank Bauer.
According to an NFL source familiar with the negotiations, the Redskins recently offered Rypien a package cutting his salary by roughly two-thirds. With incentives, it would have paid him $1.5 million this season or half of what he was scheduled to make.
However, Rypien rejected that offer, the official said.
As for Rypien's future - Cleveland, Kansas City and Tampa Bay already have shown interest.
Rypien was the Super Bowl MVP in 1992.\ Rypiens Rise and Fall\ + Super Bowl XXVI MVP with 292 yards and 2 TDs passing in 37-24 win over Buffalo + Played in 1989 and 1991 Pro Bowls + Threw 28 TD passes and only 11 interceptions in 1991 - Was lowest-rated quarterback in NFC in 1992 with 13 TDs and 17 interceptions - Was NFC's lowest-rated passer in 1993 as Redskins went 4-12
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by CNB