Personnel officials around the NFL are scouring the waiver wire on this week as the post-June 1 phase of the offseason gets underway. June 1 cuts of veteran players have become a staple on the NFL calendar as teams seek salary cap relief.
Head coach Joe Gibbs said team officials are reevaluating the Redskins' roster while keeping tabs on other teams' players who may become available in the coming weeks.
"When we approach [June 1], you try and look over what's best for the Redskins," Gibbs said. "You have to make decisions in there sometimes. As for specifically discussing a player, I don't think I should do that. As a matter of fact, the league doesn't want you to do that. So it's all up in the air."
One player whose status with the Redskins is uncertain is Rod Gardner. The fifth-year wide receiver was granted permission to seek a trade at the end of last season and Gibbs has said that he is "skeptical" of Gardner returning to the team in 2005.
Gardner has not attended the Redskins' voluntary workouts or Organized Team Activity practices that started May 17.
It's evident that team officials would prefer to get value for Gardner, a former first-round draft pick, in a trade. But as the 2005 season approaches, both the team and Gardner appear to be running out of options.
The caliber of available players post-June 1 has declined league-wide in recent years as teams become more savvy managing the salary cap.
In 2004, the Redskins waived a trio of players shortly after June 1: linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, who last year was in a similar situation to Gardner, offensive lineman Dave Fiore and running back Trung Canidate.
Should the Redskins release a player this year, it could be so that the team has salary cap room to complete rookie contracts with the six draft picks or to add a free agent to the roster.
The Redskins brought in free agent cornerback R.W. McQuarters for a visit last week and Gibbs expressed an interest in signing the seven-year veteran formerly with the Chicago Bears.
McQuarters left Redskins Park without a contract and was expected to visit several other teams.
"I think he's going to consider his options," Gibbs said. "We have a good feeling [about him]. We'll just have to see what happens."
