THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 13, 1997 TAG: 9702130572
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: THE WASHINGTON POST
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: 72 lines
The Washington Redskins will designate defensive tackle Sean Gilbert as their ``franchise player,'' giving the club the right to match any offer Gilbert receives after midnight tonight, the start of the NFL free-agent signing period.
In return, the Redskins will make him one of the NFL's highest-paid defensive linemen - perhaps more than triple his $1.25 million 1996 salary.
Being a ``franchise player'' means Gilbert will receive at least the average of the top five salaries at his position. That figure is $2.8 million and should rise even more by the end of the free-agent signing period on April 15. No Redskin was given that designation last season.
Gilbert is believed to be seeking a four- or five-year deal worth $4.5 million per season. When negotiations broke off last summer, the Redskins were offering a contract worth $3.4 million a season.
In other Redskins moves, middle linebacker Rod Stephens was released and the team said it would not re-sign strong safety Darryl Morrison for medical reasons. Morrison started the first 12 games in 1996, usually splitting time with Darryl Pounds, before suffering a herniated disk in his neck against San Francisco on Nov. 24.
Playing mostly on first downs and in running situations, Stephens started 15 games in 1996 and his 167 tackles were second on the team to Marvcus Patton. But the Redskins gave up an average of 142 rushing yards per game.
The Redskins will save $1.3 million under the salary cap by cutting Stephens, who signed a three-year, $4.8 million deal as a free agent in 1994 after six seasons in Seattle.
It's money the Redskins badly need as they prepare to spend millions of dollars to re-sign quarterback Gus Frerotte, cornerback Darrell Green, Gilbert and possibly running back Terry Allen and defensive back Tom Carter.
Allen and Green will become unrestricted free agents, meaning they'll be free to sign with any team - including the Redskins, who have 13 unrestricted free agents.
Redskins general manager Charley Casserly is involved in negotiations to re-sign both players and also has begun expected difficult discussions with quarterback Frerotte, who becomes a restricted free agent this week. The Redskins have the right to match any offer Frerotte receives.
Allen, who made $2 million last season, has indicated he might leave the Redskins if he is not signed by Friday. His agent, Tank Black, expressed optimism a deal could be struck.
Carter also is unsigned, but he carries the tag of ``transition player,'' giving the Redskins the right to match an offer for him as long as they make him one of the 10 highest-paid players at his position. Carter, who made $612,500 last season, will make at least $2.8 million as the transition player. The Redskins would like to sign him to a long-term deal.
Casserly, his scouts and coaches are discussing ways to create extra salary-cap room. Some NFL teams are expected to make wholesale roster cuts. The Redskins aren't strapped for money, but are making decisions about middle linebacker Rod Stephens, fullback Marc Logan, defensive end Sterling Palmer, safety Darryl Morrison and others on the bubble.
The free-agent signing period, the fifth since free agency, most likely will be another wild-and-woolly affair. Last year, a record 29 free agents received signing bonuses of $3 million or more. Another 42 got at least $1 million. And even though the league's salary cap is barely budging in 1997 - it is expected to increase less than $700,000, from $40.75 million to $41.4 million - there still figure to be some eye-popping contracts signed by some of this year's 335 unrestricted free agents. MEMO: The Associated Press contributed to this report. ILLUSTRATION: LAWRENCE JACKSON/Virginian-Pilot file photo
As the Skins' ``franchise player,'' defensive tackle Sean Gilbert,
right, will make at least the average of the top five salaries at
his position.