Newz Forum: FOOTBALL: Redskins cut players

ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins cut linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, running back Trung Canidate and guard Dave Fiore on Wednesday, saving the team about $4.7 million under the salary cap for 2004.

None of the cuts was unexpected. Trotter was told months ago not to attend the spring minicamps and was given permission to seek a trade. A trade for Clinton Portis in March made Canidate expendable, and Fiore's history of knee injuries put his football future in doubt.

The Redskins also signed 12-year veteran tight end Fred Baxter, who spent the last two seasons with New England after stints with the New York Jets and Chicago. Baxter is expected to provide depth on special teams and as a blocking tight end behind projected starter Walter Rasby. Baxter was the Jets' special teams MVP in 1996.

Trotter, Canidate and Fiore were high-profile acquisitions that never worked out, representing the hit-and-miss pattern of offseason player signings under owner Dan Snyder.

Trotter never lived up to the seven-year, $35 million contract he received as a free agent from Philadelphia two years ago. The Redskins this offseason signed Mike Barrow from the Giants to replace Trotter at middle linebacker.

Canidate, acquired last year in a trade with St. Louis, was billed as the big-play back that would fit well into former coach Steve Spurrier's offense. But Canidate rushed for just 600 yards, scored only two touchdowns and missed five games due to injuries. Spurrier has since been replaced by Joe Gibbs.

Fiore's signing was a risk from the start. He already had a history of knee problems when the Redskins gave him a four-year, $6.5 million contract last year. He played only three games before his knee sidelined him the rest of the season.

The Redskins waited until June to cut Trotter and Fiore to lessen their salary cap value for this season. However, the pair will count more than $5 million against the team's cap in 2005.

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Not much surprise here, as these guys were pretty much busts asfter they signed with the Redskins.

who knows a player has a couple of bad seasons.....

Oh yeah, they will probably be alright where ever they end up. Just didn't work out for us. Expecially for the cash we were dishing out.