Randle El, Carter Restructure Contracts

The Washington Redskins are a team that needs improvement in several areas to win in the beast that is its division. Being more than $5 million over the salary cap most certainly wouldn't leave them much flexibility this offseason, so some cuts or contract restructuring is necessary.

Defensive end Andre Carter and wide receiver Antwaan Randle El have done their part, agreeing to contract extensions which are essentially pay cuts. Each player had a deal set to expire after 2012, but each will now run through 2015.

Carter's new deal saves the team about $2.4 million in 2009, and lowers his case salary from $2 million to $1.5 million. Randle El's new deal saves $2 million in cap space for next season, and lowers his base salary from $4 million to $1.5 million according to sources.

The Redskins still have work to do before Feb. 27th, but they do have a few players -- like Jason Taylor, for one -- who could easily be released.

The moves from Carter and Randle El could be construed as selfless, but in the NFL there is always the threat of being cut. I still like, though, the idea of a high-paid athlete taking less money -- especially when it's a person the caliber of Randle El -- so I'll look at the glass-half-full side and commend the two players for putting team ahead of individual (especially in a division housing the Cowboys).