Cooley released!

The Washington Redskins released tight end Chris Cooley Tuesday, announcing after Tuesday’s practice that the nine-year veteran--one of the most popular and recognizable players on the team--is being given the chance to find a starting job elsewhere.

Cooley said he believes he still can be a productive NFL player but it would be difficult for him to play for another team.

“I’ll take some time and make sure what I do in the future is exactly what I want to do,” Cooley said.
“It’s been awesome,” he added.

Cooley said he leaves with no hard feelings toward the organization.

Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said: “We know how much Chris has meant to this organization and this community.”

Cooley wants to be a starter, Shanahan said, and the coach told him that Fred Davis is the Redskins’ starter at tight end. The team is giving Cooley an opportunity to seek a starting job elsewhere, Shanahan said.

“I think he’s earned that right,” Shanahan said.

Shanahan said the two sides did not discuss Cooley’s contract. The tight end, who has filled in at fullback with starter Darrel Young injured, would have counted more than $6 million against the salary cap this season if he had remained with the team.

On his Twitter account, Cooley wrote, "Im very fortunate to have played for a team and a fan base that have embraced me like they have. This team changed my life."

It's tough because Cooley was a great Redskin.  He was a solid player but he was supportive of the team no matter what.  He seemed like a great locker room guy but the fact of the matter was that he was not going to start and he was expensive. 

It will be interesting to see if Cooley hooks up with another team.  I don't doubt he can play and will generate some interest but I really don't think Cooley wants to go any where else at this point in his career.