The Redskin Report

While many of us have been shocked by Sean Taylor’s murder this week, I’ve been following a bit of the business side as well as the legal side of the issue.  To that end, I have three observations to make, and an open question to ask for anyone reading The Redskin Report who might be more knowledgeable on league matters (say, a former or current player, or an agent, for example).

 First observation:  Sean Taylor  had 3 2/3 seasons of active service as a player in the league.  Nothing strange about that, it’s well known.

Second observation: To be fully vested in the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) retirement and insurance fund, under the current collective bargaining agreement, a player must have the equivalent of 4 full seasons carried in some capacity on the roster of players of one or more NFL clubs.  Partial seasons CAN count, if a player plays over a certain number of games in that season, but only as partial seasons; the total of the number of seasons must exceed 4, however.  In general, for a draft pick, they must qualify for Unrestricted Free Agency to be fully vested.  The NFLPA has already announced that Sean Taylor did NOT meet the minimum requirements for vesting; that means he (and his dependents) are not eligible for any of the NFLPA retirement/health/insurance bonuses per the current collective bargaining agreement.

Third observation:  This one won’t surprise most people who hadn’t thought about it, but may surprise those who payed cursory attention; the Washington Redskins on Wednesday signed a player (a WR) to the active squad (from the practice squad), using one of the player  roster spots; Sean’s death has ostensibly freed up a slot on the active roster.  However, at the same time, the RELEASED a player from the team, as well; that means they did NOT use Sean Taylor’s roster spot; he is still on the active roster by those guidelines, at least as of this morning, Friday, November 30th.

 Now, the question: If the Redskins continue to carry Sean’s roster spot open, they in effect could elect to continue to pay him for the remainder of the season (which they probably have to anyway).  Would doing so thus result in Taylor vesting after his death?  That would provide Sean’s young daughter with a large number of financial breaks and benefits that she would have received if Sean had died after the first play of the last game of the season.  Could that be one of the reasons Sean’s spot is vacant?  Or would it be possible for the Redskins to move Sean to the Physically Unable to Perform list. also a valid vesting roster spot, for the remainder of the season, thereby vesting him?   This is an open call for anyone who might have any light to shed on the issue to post comments.