Heels, Sox & Steelers

It looks like things are getting worse in Washington
Len Pasquarelli writes that Patrick Ramsey's agent had a sit down with Redskins owner, Daniel Snyder Friday to discuss his clients future--and it doesn't look like it will be in Washington. Miami, Buffalo and Dallas were mentioned as being very interested in Ramsey's services.

More on Patrick Ramsey

Nunyo Demasio reports in the Washington Post today that Ramsey will more than likely request a trade now that the Redskins have acquired Mark Brunell. While Gibbs has stated that he is not interested in trading Ramsey, he does have a history of getting rid of young, disgruntled QB's (see Jay Schroeder in 1987, who was traded to the Raiders after complaining about playing time after being benched for Doug Williams).

It also looks like the Redskins are looking for a blocking TE. Mark Bruener quickly comes to mind as one of the all-time great blocking TE's in the league who will probably be looking for a new team in the coming months. The Steelers restructured his contract before the start of last season, so he would certainly be attractive to the Redskins based both on his abilities and his salary.

Under the category of wishful thinking, I can envision a trade where the Steelers get Patrick Ramsey in return for this year's second round draft pick and Mark Bruener. And as long as I'm on fantasy island, maybe the Steelers will take a RB in the first round and a CB in the third round and sign an OT. There is also the scenario, where if available at the 11th pick, the Steelers would love to have Robert Gallery, the top rated OT, then take a RB in the third round (anyone but Clarett), draft a CB in the fourth round and try to sign someone like Shawn Springs (they can't afford Bailey or Woodson). I would also not hesitate to cut Chad Scott and restructure DeWayne Washington's contract and use him as the nickel back. Let's hope something happens.

Update:
Jerry Dipaola brought to my attention that Mark Bruener only restructured his contract for 2003. He's due to make a base salary of $2.4 million in 2004 which probably will precipitate the Steelers releasing him. If the Redskins are in fact interested in signing him, they can do it then because they probably don't want to make room under their cap for a 31 year old blocking TE at $2.4 million.