Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder telephoned the San Diego Chargers on Wednesday to discuss the Chargers' No. 1 overall pick, according to a league source with intimate knowledge of the call. It was the second time Snyder contacted the Chargers, but the Redskins don't have enough to meet the Chargers' demands, said the source, who requested anonymity.
Although the Redskins, who possess the No. 5 overall pick, have professed no desire to move up, the Chargers are the second team with a higher pick the Redskins have contacted. Last week, the Redskins spoke to the Oakland Raiders about their No. 2 overall pick, according to another front-office official with knowledge of that conversation.
At the time, Redskins Vice President Vinny Cerrato dismissed rumors that left tackle Chris Samuels was part of an offer for Oakland's top pick, dubbing the trade talk a belated April Fool's Day joke. Cerrato could not be reached to comment last night.
Wednesday was the first day Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith seriously considered trade offers for the top pick. Smith has been candid about his willingness to give up the No. 1 overall pick -- for the right price. Two NFL general managers yesterday predicted the Chargers would keep the pick because the club is seeking too an exorbitant return. After eight straight seasons without a winning record, the Chargers' main needs are tackle and quarterback, and, to a lesser extent, a defensive lineman and wide receiver.
NFL sources believe the Redskins desire Iowa left tackle Robert Gallery, who is considered among the top four draft prospects, with quarterback Eli Manning and wideouts Larry Fitzgerald and Mike Williams. Gallery was among top offensive prospects who visited Redskins Park last week, but the club described the arrangement as a perfunctory move for teams with top selections.
Recently, Samuels and quarterback Patrick Ramsey, who both have the same agent, Jimmy Sexton, have been part of draft-related trade rumors. Sexton requested a Ramsey trade after the Redskins acquired veteran quarterback Mark Brunell, but Coach Joe Gibbs has insisted Ramsey won't be traded.
Last season, Samuels repeatedly declined Washington's request to restructure a six-year, $30.6 million deal signed in 2000 after he was selected No. 3 overall in the draft. Samuels's 2004 cap hit of $8.75 million takes up roughly 10 percent of all Redskins players. The left tackle receives a $1 million roster bonus on July 16, and it would be financially imprudent to deal him after that date. Samuels is due roughly $15 million over the remaining two years of his contract. Thus, the left tackle would only restructure if the Redskins give him a $15 million signing bonus in a new deal, according to a source close to Samuels.
Meantime, the Redskins were able to keep reserve linebacker Antonio Pierce after the Minnesota Vikings tried signing him to an offer sheet before yesterday's 11:59 p.m. deadline.
According to a source, the Redskins preempted Minnesota's offer sheet partly by giving the linebacker a new deal. Pierce had been one of four Redskins restricted free agents who signed a one-year tender offer of $628,000. "It was a tough decision for him," Pierce's agent, Mitchell Frankel, said last night, "because he came in with Washington and they gave him his first opportunity."
Redskins Note: Free agent linebacker Warrick Holdman has accepted a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns, declining a second, sweetened offer from the Redskins. Washington has turned its attention to linebacker Mike Barrow, who visited Redskins Park on Thursday for a physical. Barrow could replace middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, who is likely to be released after June 1.
