<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Washington Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs said yesterday that despite the Redskins' interest in several free agent cornerbacks, veteran Shawn Springs remains part of the team's plans and "I'm counting on Shawn being here next season."Springs said he would like to return to the Redskins if he is paid the $6.8 million currently due him in 2007. But he said he believed the possibility of him playing elsewhere next season still existed.The Redskins were nearing a deal with free agent cornerback Fred Smoot, a teammate of Springs's in Washington in 2004, last night and free agent corner Travis Fisher (St. Louis) is scheduled to visit Redskins Park today. But Gibbs said this should not be interpreted as meaning that Springs would be departing the Redskins.The veteran cornerback has been the subject of recent trade talks, however, according to sources with knowledge of the situation, and a source close to Springs believed it was possible Springs could approach the Redskins about parting with some money due him in order to secure his release so that he could test the free-agent market."I had a good talk with Shawn [Thursday]and we're counting on him being here," Gibbs said yesterday, a few hours after Springs expressed concern about his future in Washington. "Maybe somehow he misunderstood something, but we plan on him being here."Springs, when informed of Gibbs's remarks last evening, said: "It's good to hear they want me back and I'm hoping it works out. I want to be here, but I know this is a business. If they decide to keep me here by honoring my contract, then that's great, and if not, I understand. But they know what it takes to keep me here."Springs carries a $7.3 million salary cap total in 2007, including $4.8 million in base salary. Some within the Redskins organization have expressed reservations about his injuries in recent seasons. Springs, who turns 32 on March 11, has been Washington's top defensive back since 2004, but said the team approached him about taking a pay cut earlier this offseason and has offered no other restructuring options since. Springs is concerned about being released in June, when most substantial free-agent spending is complete. By cutting Springs, who is coveted by several teams including Detroit, sources said, after June 1 the Redskins would take only a $2.5 million salary cap hit in 2007 (and $5 million in 2008). But if they cut or traded him before, then Springs would count $7.5 against Washington's cap this season.Springs, who returned from a sports hernia injury to play last season before breaking his shoulder in late December, said he had discussed his situation with various team officials, but still harbored reservations about how it would be resolved.Springs is due about $2 million in deferred payments this year, according to a source with knowledge of the situation, and has considered parting with that and perhaps reworking some of his bonus payments to secure his release. Last March, former Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington parted with about $4 million in deferred money to gain his release from the team to become a free agent. The Redskins were eager to accept that deal given their lack of interest in retaining Arrington and their need to free up salary cap space.Springs, a team leader and a strong supporter of assistant head coach defense Gregg Williams, fills a much more valuable role on the team and the Redskins may not be as willing to part with him even under such a proposal.</div>
Yeah I remember hearing that earlier, we basically want a mix of Springs Rogers and Jimoh with a big name signing this offseason. Springs is expected to play some safety.
