Gibbs Allows Workout Plan

Gibbs said the Redskins must also decide soon on Brunell and Springs. Springs will count for $7.35 million against the 2007 salary cap, while Brunell's figure is $6.71 million.

A decision looms in Brunell's case. The Redskins have committed to Jason Campbell as the starting quarterback and do not figure to carry a backup at Brunell's price tag. Brunell said last week that he has not given up hope of starting for another team but would only be willing to play as a backup for Washington. He said he and the Redskins were making "good progress" on a reworked contract that would reduce the amount of his salary that would be counted against the cap.

Gibbs sounded the most vague regarding Springs's future. Springs was the closest the team had this season to a cornerback who could shut down an opponent's top wide receiver. "I think that one is again, one of those, I'm not going to talk a lot about, but I think you have to work through that situation there and see how we do," Gibbs said.

Springs, who turns 32 next month, is in an interesting position with the Redskins because it may not be in the interest of either side to compromise. The two sides have engaged in periodic contract talks in recent weeks without much resolution. The Redskins, unsure of Springs's durability, want Springs to take less money, though it is unclear if the team wants him to accept deferred compensation or has asked him to take a direct pay cut.

Should the Redskins cut Springs -- who is training in Scottsdale, Ariz. -- he would be one of the premier defensive players in a free agent market that has grown weaker in recent days. Many of the top defensive players -- New England's Asante Samuel, Chicago's Lance Briggs and Indianapolis's Dwight Freeney -- have been designated franchise players by their teams, making them ineligible for free agency, thinning the market and raising Springs's value.

Meanwhile, the Redskins almost certainly will look to the free agent market for help at middle linebacker and cornerback. Washington's assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams has previously coached two potential free agents from the Buffalo Bills -- linebacker London Fletcher and cornerback Nate Clements.

On Thursday, Buffalo Bills General Manager Marv Levy said he was still interested in retaining both Clements and Fletcher. Clements is considered the top free agent corner on the market and could command as much as $15 million to $18 million in guaranteed money.

"We like both guys. They've told us they like us. We're still trying to keep them. They've said they like the Bills, and we haven't given up on them," Levy said. "To us, there's five minutes left in the fourth quarter and the score is tied, so does that signify optimism or pessimism? I don't know."