3 Pro Bowl linebackers in the same backfield!!
Redskins steal Pro Bowl linebacker from Eagles
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By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
It took more debate than a Senate bill, and nearly fell apart on at least two occasions Friday afternoon, but the long-awaited coupling of the Washington Redskins and middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter is finally completed.
Trotter
ESPN.com has learned the two sides have agreed to a seven-year, $35.5 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $7 million. The contract will void to five seasons if Trotter simply accomplishes minimal playing time benchmarks.
In a blockbuster move for Trotter and agent Jimmy Sexton, the entire signing bonus is payable upon execution of the contract.
The deal was consummated despite a maddeningly harmful approach to negotiations by the Redskins, who stalled repeatedly before pulling the trigger on the agreement. At one point, when Washington officials began backing off a Thursday night proposal from Sexton that essentially formed the framework for the agreement, Trotter appeared ready to break off talks entirely and visit with the Green Bay Packers next week.
The acquisition of Trotter now provides Washington a third linebacker with Pro Bowl credentials. He will join strongside linebacker LaVar Arrington and weakside 'backer Jessie Armstead in the Redskins lineup.
Both sides seemed confident Thursday night that an agreement was imminent. But there remained several hurdles Friday. The signing bonus was altered, among other things, and the deal will void after five years instead of four seasons, as Sexton had proposed.
Trotter is, by any measure, the top defensive player remaining in the unrestricted talent pool. By obtaining him, the Redskins not only upgrade a defensive unit that statistically ranked No. 10 in 2001, but also create momentum heading into the weekend draft.
Since the Redskins face the Eagles twice annually in divisional play, Washington clearly was an intriguing landing spot for Trotter, and offered a built-in opportunity for revenge. Trotter dined with owner Dan Snyder on Sunday night and liked him immensely. He also struck a quick relationship with defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis, who became very active in recruiting him.
Lewis was the architect of the Baltimore Ravens defense that established an NFL record in 2000 for the fewest points allowed. Just as he did for Ray Lewis, he will designs schemes to feature Trotter, one of the things that attracted the former Eagles star.
The Eagles rescinded the "franchise" designation on Trotter, 25, on April 5, when they apparently became convinced he had no intention of signing a long-term deal with the team. That made him an unrestricted free agent and able to sign with other teams. Officials cited Trotter's anger at having a "franchise" tag placed on him and referred to remarks he would not return to the Eagles.
Days earlier, Sexton apprised the Eagles that Trotter would sign the one-year tender of $5.515 million for a "franchise" linebacker, provided the team stipulated that it would not use the label on the four-year veteran again next spring. There have also been reports that the Eagles attempted to trade Trotter just hours before lifting the "franchise" designation.
Trotter has averaged 135 tackles per season and was selected by his teammates as the Eagles' most valuable defensive player last year. The former Stephen F. Austin star, who has played in two Pro Bowl games, was a fourth-round choice in the 1998 draft.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
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