Redskins’ big trade a bold move
The St. Louis Rams agreed in principle Saturday to trading the No. 2 pick of the draft to the Washington Redskins for three first-round selections.
The Redskins are paying a hefty price to move into position to take Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III. They’re giving the Rams their first- and second-round selections this year, plus first-round picks in 2013 and 2014.
Chief operating officer Kevin Demoff confirmed to The Associated Press details of the trade, which cannot be completed until Tuesday, the start of the new league year. The Redskins are advancing four places from sixth in the April draft, leapfrogging any other team that would have an interest in Griffin, the Baylor quarterback. The Indianapolis Colts are expected to take Andrew Luck with the No. 1 choice.
The bold move demonstrates the Redskins’ desperation for a franchise quarterback after two decades of struggles. Coach Mike Shanahan has already whiffed on three in his two seasons in Washington, with Donovan McNabb, Rex Grossman and John Beck combining to produce an 11-21 record.
The Redskins were among the teams hoping to be in the running for Peyton Manning, but the odds are stacked against the former Indianapolis Colts quarterback coming to Washington. The offense needs upgrades at receiver and along the offensive line, and Manning would have had to face his brother Eli Manning of the New York Giants twice a year in the NFC East.
The Rams were in the market to trade because they already have their franchise quarterback, 2010 No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford. The Redskins had to make an offer they felt would outbid the quarterback-needy Cleveland Browns, who could have offered both the No. 4 and No. 22 selections in this year’s draft.
Speculation now that Manning is headed to talk to Cardinals
The Peyton Manning stakeout moved to Arizona, even though there was no sign of the superstar in the desert.
Manning spent nearly six hours at the Denver Broncos’ facility on Friday, and speculation was high that the Cardinals would be his next stop.
The Cardinals’ facility was a bee hive of activity as the setting for Kurt Warner’s annual “Ultimate Football Experience,” a fundraiser for his First Things First foundation that features current and past football stars. Among them was Cardinals star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who said he knew nothing of any contact the team may have made with Manning.
The presence of Fitzgerald, one of the best receivers in the game, is considered a major reason Manning would consider the Cardinals, who finished last season 7-2 after a 1-6 start to wind up 8-8.
The Cardinals have a strong young defense, but Manning might be concerned with an inconsistent offensive line that could lose left tackle Levi Brown, unless he restructures his contract.
Manning became one of the most sought after free agents when he was released by the Indianapolis Colts, the first move in a massive roster makeover for the team that had the worst record in the NFL last season.
Vikings release Hutchinson, Herrera and Griffin
The Minnesota Vikings released left guard Steve Hutchinson, right guard Anthony Herrera and cornerback Cedric Griffin, saving more than $13 million for this year by jettisoning three players who’ve been in their starting lineup for the better part of the past five seasons or more.