INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 26, 2005) -- The Washington Redskins are investigating trading disgruntled wide receiver Laveranues Coles, although coach Joe Gibbs said nothing is imminent.
Asked about reports that Coles was headed back to the New York Jets for receiver Santana Moss, Gibbs said such a trade "is not very likely, I'd say."
"For us, Laveranues is a very valuable guy and if we can work something out with somebody, that would be fine," Gibbs said at the NFL combine. "If not, he probably will remain a Redskin. Right now, (a trade) is not on the horizon. If we do not work out a trade, we'll go down the road with L.C. as a Redskin."
Coles, unhappy with his role in the offense despite making 90 catches last year, has asked Gibbs to move him. Coles signed with Washington in 2003 when Steve Spurrier was the coach, leaving the Jets as a restricted free agent when New York refused to match the Redskins' offer.
New York is in the market for a wideout. Head coach Herman Edwards last week praised Coles, who parlayed a huge third NFL season into his deal with the Skins.
"When he was with us, he was always there," Edwards said. "He's a very good player. He's a tough, physical guy and a really hard worker. We gave him an opportunity and he took it and ran with it."
Edwards added he would have no trouble with any player returning to his team.
"I never take that personally," he said. "It's part of the process."
