NFL roundup: Redskins cut running back Stephen Davis
Washington Redskins running back Stephen Davis was cut Wednesday. The release of Davis, one of the NFL’s top running backs for the last half-decade, had been expected. If he didn’t renegotiate his contract, he would have counted $11.4 million against the Skins’ cap this season.
Another big-time player, Emmitt Smith, continued to dangle as the free-agent deadline approached. All teams must be at or below the $75 million salary cap by midnight today.
Among other veterans released Wednesday were quarterback Jim Miller and offensive tackle James “Big Cat” Williams by Chicago and tight end Wesley Walls by Carolina. And Tim McGee, the agent for Buffalo wide receiver Peerless Price, said his client would accept the one-year, $5.01 million tender offer as the team’s “franchise” player, then seek a trade.
Dallas owner Jerry Jones said Wednesday that he would decide by the end of the week whether Smith, who passed Walter Payton for the NFL career rushing lead last October, would return next season. If he stays, Smith would count $9.8 million against the cap.
That could set up an odd exchange – Smith to Washington and Davis to Dallas.
Even though Washington coach Steve Spurrier doesn’t have a particularly good relationship with Smith, who left Florida the year the coach arrived there, Washington owner Daniel Snyder loves to sign big-name players, particularly if they played for NFC East rivals.
Last year, he picked up linebackers Jessie Armstead from the New York Giants and Jeremiah Trotter from Philadelphia.
Davis, meanwhile, would fit perfectly with the offensive philosophy of new coach Bill Parcells, especially since the Cowboys’ starting quarterback is the inexperienced Chad Hutchinson.
As for Price, McGee said his client would not try to negotiate a long-term contract with the Bills, for whom he had 94 receptions last season. Instead, he said he would try to negotiate a deal with another team that would give Buffalo the first-round draft pick it surrendered last year when it traded for quarterback Drew Bledsoe.
“We’re going to pursue what’s in Peerless’ best interest,” McGee said. “And if there’s nothing out there that could afford him an opportunity to be a free agent, we’re going to take the tender and play for the Buffalo Bills next year.”