Highlights of Shanahan-Allen press conference, part 2
After GM Bruce Allen said his piece about the $36 million penalty the NFL dropped on the Washington Redskins last year, Head Coach Mike Shanahan took the lectern for today's unusual press conference at Redskins Park. Unlike Allen, Shanahan focused on the roster and the recent free agent moves that the team has made. Shanahan made only two direct comments about the penalty. The first: "I have a lot of hope we can get money back. We did nothing wrong. You never know what can happen." And the second: "If you took $36 million off other teams, you'd see some of their best players gone."
On CB DeAngelo Hall, who was released earlier today, Shanahan said "DeAngelo has done everything we asked. He got better each year and did a lot of the little things... As I told DHall, he was graceful and understood the position we were in. " When questioned about the possibility of negotiating a pay cut for Hall to fit him more comfortably under the salary cap, Shanahan said "He deserves a fair chance of open market value. I want to take care of the players who take care of us. We'll see how it goes." Shanahan did say he "definitely" would have Hall back on the team if the price is right and the defensive back receives no stronger offers on the open market.
On WR Santana Moss, Shanahan said the Skins were "not restructuring Moss at this time" but indicated it could still happen.
To a subject many Redskins fans are obsessed with, Shanahan said QB Robert Griffin III, recovering and rehabbing his injured knee, Shanahan said: "Robert is doing well. Working out six to seven hours a day. He's ahead of schedule, which means his muscles are stronger. Will he start week 1? I have no idea...I'll know in July."
Shanahan said injured OLB Brian Orakpo "is feeling great and will be ready to go" [for the start of the season]. "He's working out in Austin with Keenan Robinson." Regarding another Redskins linebacker, ILB London Fletcher, Shanahan said: "He is not a guy I'd talk to about taking a pay cut. He's full speed ahead he plays at a very high level. I'm excited he's getting himself ready. I'm looking forward to him leading our team on defense."
About Fred Davis, Shanahan said: "He's not ready yet, but will be ready for the season." The coach gave no indication if the Redskins would re-sign Davis.
Shanahan confirmed the Redskins are now $1 million under the salary cap and said the Redskins re-signed five of their six restricted free agents [all but WR/RS Brandon Banks] because the team wanted to take care of players who had taken care of the team.
