Frustrated over contract situation, McIntosh to skip minicamp

Linebacker Rocky McIntosh, who has expressed frustration about his contract situation, said Friday he will not attend this weekend's voluntary minicamp and intimated that the Redskins might trade him soon.

Contacted by phone at home Friday morning while the Redskins' first practice under Coach Mike Shanahan was underway at Redskins Park, McIntosh said he was not upset with the coaching staff, adding, "but I've got to do what I've got to do."

"I'm just chillin'. I respect their decision and I'm not upset at the coaches or anybody. There's nothing I can do about that now. Whatever happens, happens."

Asked whether he has requested a trade, McIntosh paused and chuckled for a few seconds before responding. "Ah, that's between me and them," he said. "I'm going to keep that private. You can probably answer that better than I can. Let's just say I hope the situation will be resolved soon."

McIntosh is one of many restricted free agents who would have been unrestricted in a "normal" year. But under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement for the uncapped 2010 season, McIntosh, cornerback Carlos Rogers and quarterback Jason Campbell, among others, remained under the Redskins' control as long as the team made qualifying tender offers to retain right of first refusal. (Rogers reported for the start of minicamp. Campbell is out of town.)

The Redskins on March 3 offered McIntosh a second-round tender, meaning they would receive a second-round pick as draft compensation for McIntosh if he signed with another team until Thursday's deadline. First, however, McIntosh had to sign the one-year, $1.759 million contract that would only become guaranteed if McIntosh suffered a season-ending injury during the offseason or if he were on the 53-man roster for the season opener. He has not signed the contract.

After having the best season of his career in 2009, McIntosh believes he deserves a multiyear deal. McIntosh was credited with a career-high 94 total tackles, which ranked second on the team only behind middle linebacker London Fletcher. He also had a personal-best 64 unassisted tackles and finished second on the team with two interceptions. McIntosh was considered the Redskins' best linebacker in coverage.

"I worked hard and I did everything I was supposed to do," McIntosh said. "No one can say I didn't do my job. They can't say that about me."
In the final year of his rookie contract last season, McIntosh had a base salary of $535,000. He also received a $100,000 workout bonus. In 2008, the former University of Miami standout had a $445,000 base salary and received workout and roster bonuses totaling $620,000.

"I just want what's fair," McIntosh said. "I'm definitely not at the end of my career. I would love to stay here. And I would love to be in camp right now, but they've got to take care of the other part of it and get me in. I'm just trying to do what's fair."

Despite skipping the first of Washington's three minicamps, McIntosh, if he remains with the team, would not be far behind his teammates in learning defensive coordinator Jim Haslett's 3-4 scheme, he said.

"The system is not that complicated," McIntosh said. "It's not that hard. It's just a different variation of what we did when we blitzed a lot [under defensive coordinator Gregg Williams from 2004-07]. It's kind of an under front. But it's pretty simple."

If things can be worked out with the Redskins, McIntosh would be pleased, he said. But he would be fine if he had to go elsewhere to get what he believes he deserves based on his performance and dedication to the Redskins these past four seasons.

When asked about the possibility of receiving an extension offer from the Redskins, McIntosh chuckled again. "I don't know about that," he said. "But I think we're close to finding a resolution."

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(washingtonpost.com)