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Ashburn, Va. – The Washington Redskins today released two players that back in 2011 were expected to be key cogs in the future of the team’s defense as well as then-head Coach Mike Shanahan’s career; DT Barry Cofield and DL Stephen Bowen.
At the time, Cofield came from the New York Giants and signed with the Redskins for six years ($36 million) and Bowen departed the Dallas Cowboys to sign for five years ($27.5 million).
Cofield, who had missed only one game in his previous eight seasons with the Giants and Redskins before last year, missed eight during last season’s campaign with an ankle injury. To his credit, he came from the Giants’ 4-3 defense and was asked to be more of an anchor in the Redskins’ 3-4 scheme.
The team saves roughly $4.12 million in cap space with his release.
Bowen missed eight games last year, starting the season on the PUP list after micro fracture surgery on his right knee. His release saves the team $5.5 million in cap space.
The moves should not be seen as a surprise. New General manager Scot McCloughan has already made his presence felt with the signing of defensive end Ricky Jean Francois for a three year, $9 million deal yesterday. Francois played the past two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and started 13 games for them in 2014. He finished the season with a career-best 28 tackles and three sacks. In 2009, while the GM was with the San Francisco 49ers, McCloughan drafted Francois out of LSU in the seventh round.
The Redskins have several defensive lineman who they must make decisions on this offseason. Only Jason Hatcher, Chris Baker, Frank Kearse and Kedric Golston are under contract for 2015.
The team also announced today that they have resigned Tom Compton. The 6’5″ 308 lbs. offensive tackle out of South Dakota supplanted right tackle Tyler Polumbus as the season progressed and at times played well. If anything, he has proven in two seasons that he can be a quality back-up. Compton provides depth for a much maligned offensive line that the team surely will be looking to upgrade via the draft and or free agency this offseason.
