Cox mulls cfl return?

Question

heard anything

Answer 1

Yes, Herb Zurkowsky from the Montreal Gazette wrote a whole article about this

Chip Cox has been down this road before. He attended the

Detroit Lions training camp in 2005, but that was different. He was a rookie, right out of college, and said he wasn't mentally ready for life in the National Football League.

But this cut was the deepest of all. Cox was released last Friday by the Washington Redskins, the team he worked out for, and signed with last winter. As an option-year CFL player, Cox had roughly a nine-week window of opportunity to attract interest from NFL teams.

But he wasn't happy with the timing of his departure, coming weeks before the official start of NFL training camp. The Redskins needed room on their roster for a defensive back with more experience.

"I was just shocked. To me, I don't understand," Cox told The Gazette. "I feel like I was better than a lot of guys still there. Just seeing what was on the field ... the competition ... I definitely was one of the top four corners on the team. You can print it. I hope it goes to Washington.

"I thought I'd make it to the main camp. They couldn't even put me in a preseason game."

It wasn't a surprise to see Cox headed south. The Als had anticipated losing the 5-foot-9, 194-pounder, one of the quickest players on last year's team. Cox had an outstanding rookie season for Montreal. He tied for the team lead in interceptions, with three, including one he returned 54 yards. He recovered a fumble and forced three others, while knocking down five passes. Cox also was a force on special teams, blocking two punts.

Entering training camp, Montreal faced the prospect of attempting to replace two defensive backs, a daunting task in the CFL. Cox was in Washington, while the Als released Ricky Bell.

"It would be great to have Chip back here, especially with us rebuilding the secondary," general manager and head coach Jim Popp said. "He was outstanding in our secondary and on special teams. He's got a year under his belt, so is only going to be better. We've been trying to find two halfbacks. This would make it simpler."

Cox isn't in Montreal yet and will remain patient for a couple of days, in case another NFL team is interested. While that's unlikely, it should be remembered Cox also worked out for Denver and Minnesota before signing with the Redskins.

"I'm a little bit surprised as well," said Jeff Chilcoat, Cox's agent. "He was getting positive feedback. But the timing's pretty good. With Montreal's first (preseason) game this weekend, we're going to move really fast on this. We'll try to gauge NFL interest, but I also assume I'll be hearing from Popp this weekend.

"We're not going to let this drag. I think by Monday or Tuesday he'll either be with an NFL team or in Montreal. He was spectacular up there."

In fact, Chilcoat and Popp talked yesterday, and Popp said he is hopeful the defensive back will be in Montreal this week.

Cox turns 24 this month, young enough to continue the pursuit of his NFL dream. He has an option year to complete with the Als, and would be eager to discuss a new contract with Popp - albeit one for more than the roughly $50,000 base he got in 2006.

"I can still play, so I'm happy with that," Cox said. "I can't be down. I can still play football, and my goal is to play for a living. I want to play at the world's highest level, the NFL. I'm just not going to play at that level. There might be some politics, but the best play in the CFL.

"I think I'm good enough (for the NFL), and I'll keep trying as long as I can run, jump and be healthy ... until I see five cornerbacks that are legitimately better on the team.