In a day where two Heisman Trophy winners, several Pro Bowl players, quite a few former first round draft picks, and even a Rhodes Scholar were directed to the unemployment line, the Washington Redskins trimmed their roster down to the 53 players they feel best give them a chance to win a championship.
There were few surprises in the final cuts, with the exception of possibly guard Chad Rinehart and C/ G Erik Cook. Rinehart was listed as the reserve right guard to newly acquired Artis Hicks, and some thought the recent release of second-year pro Edwin Williams signified the move to 2010 seventh round pick Cook as the new incumbent to aging center Casey Rabach. They opted to keep Kory Lichtensteiger, who was drafted by head coach Mike Shanahan in his last season as head coach of the Denver Broncos.
Though the Redskins appear dangerously thin along the offensive line right now, after cutting five men in a few days, there is a good chance they could soon be scouring the waiver wire for reinforcements.
Here is a list of players the Redskins released :
Chad Rinehart : When Washington drafted him in the third round of the 2008 draft, many thought the team had a steal. He started four games in 2009 before breaking his leg. His days may have been numbered after being arrested for public intoxication eight months ago.
Willie Parker : "Fast Willie" was plodding by the time the Redskins hired him a few months ago. The two-time Pro Bowler enjoyed three 1,000 yard seasons and two Super Bowl wins after making the Pittsburgh Steelers roster as an undrafted free agent rookie in 2004. He had a great career, yet it is possible someone still signs him this year.
Bobby Wade : Wade was trying to make his fifth team since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2003 draft by the Chicago Bears. A solid slot receiver who carried the ball 12 times for the Bears in one season, we might not have seen the last of the 29-year old receiver. It says a lot that the 93-year old Joey Galloway beat him out for a roster spot.
Tyrone Carter : Carter had a great collegiate career, winning the Jim Thorpe and Jack Tatum Awards, before becoming a fourth round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2000. After three years with the Vikings, and one with the Jets, he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers and stayed there as mostly a reserve the next six year. After being cut, the Redskins signed him ten days ago before releasing him. He was a member of two world championship squads in Pittsburgh.
Carey Davis : He made the Atlanta Falcons squad as an undrafted free agent rookie in 2004, then joined the Indianapolis Colts later that season. He joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007, lasting three years with them, and earned a Super Bowl ring. He might find a squad in need of a blocking fullback.
Darrion Scott : He was drafted in the third round of the 2004 draft by the Vikings. He earned a starting job at defensive end in 2006 and held onto it until the end of the next year, getting 9.5 sacks. He was cut after 2007 after being injured. He hasn't played in the NFL since, and may be heading back to the UFL.
Howard Green : Drafted in the sixth round of the 2002 draft by the Houston Texans, he played one game that year for the Ravens. He then joined the New Orleans Saints for two years, starting in 12 games one year. He went to the Seattle Seahawks in 2007, ands lasted two year while getting his only career sack. He played 12 games with the Jets last year, and was brought into the Redskins camp because of his experience at nose tackle.
Ryan Torain : Torain was drafted by Shanahan in the the 5th round in 2008 with the Broncos. He got a start, running effectively for 68 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown, before suffering a season ending injury. He hasn't played since.
Rob Jackson : He was the Redskins seventh round pick in 2008, and spent two years as a reserve defensive end with two different numbers on his jersey.
Robert Henson : Henson was drafted in the sixth round of the 2009 draft. He got in six games, recording one tackle. With his job on the line in the last 2010 preseason game, he stood out until he was injured. He might help someones special teams somewhere, or is headed for the UFL. He is on the Injured/ Waived list.
Ramzee Robinson : He was Mr. Irrelevant in 2007, and made the Detroit Lions for two years. He split time between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles last year.
Lee Vickers : Vickers is a mammoth tight end who has bounced around practice squads with the Steelers, Eagles, and Giants since 2006. He played in nine games for the Baltimore Ravens in 2007, starting two games and catching two balls.
William Robinson : An undrafted free agent offensive tackle who spent time on the Seahawks practice squad in 2008 and part of 2009 before the Redskins claimed him. He appeared in one game last year.
Richard Bartel : He went undrafted in 2007, then spent almost two years on the Cowboys practice squad before the Jacksonville Jaguars put him on their practice squad. He spent last year on the Browns practice squad.
Curtis Gatewood : He played six games as an undrafted free agent rookie for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008, and hasn't played since.
Clint Oldenburg : After being drafted in the fifth round of the 2007 draft by the New England Patriots, he appeared in two games for the Jets that year and hasn't played since. He is on the Injured/ Waived list.
Erik Cook : He was drafted by Washington in the seventh round of the 2010 draft.
Terrence Austin : OK, Galloway is not 93, he is going to be 39 in a month. Still ancient for an NFL wide receiver. Austin was drafted in the seventh round and was solid most of camp, but fell victim to the numbers game despite leading the team with 10 catches for 146 yards and a score in preseason games. He should get a look by other teams.
Selvish Capers : Capers was drafted in the seventh round by the Redskins in 2010.
Anderson Russell : He was an undrafted free agent rookie from Ohio State University trying to make the team as a safety.
Shay Hodge : He was a free agent rookie wide receiver.
It is also time to pay tribute to a few ex-Redskins let go by other teams recently, thus probably signaling the end to their football careers. Many gave the Redskins many good times, and will not soon forgotten.
Jon Jansen : He was a second round draft pick of Washington in 1999. He started every game played until he missed one in 2006, then he played just one game the next season. After starting 11 of 14 in 2008, he went to the Detroit Lions and started two games last year. A gritty right tackle who played well enough to make "The Hogs" proud Jansen was a Redskin.
Ladell Betts : a second round pick by the Redskins in 2002, he spent his first four seasons as an oft-injured reserve halfback. After Clinton Portis went down early in 2006, Betts picked up the slack as the feature back by grinding out 1,154 yards on the ground while getting another 445 on 53 receptions. All were career high marks, as was his five touchdowns. He spent the next three years as an oft-injured reserve before being released at the end of 2009. He recently tried to make the New Orleans Saints, but was let go.
Patrick Ramsey : He was the Redskins first round draft pick in 2002. Starting five games as a rookie, he led the NFL in yards per completion. The offensive scheme of then-head coach Steve Spurrier left Ramsey exposed to big hits. He lost his starting job by 2005, after two injury filled years, then was released. He spent the next three years as a little used reserve for the New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans, and Detroit Lions before being recently cut by the Saints.
Colt Brennan : After a illustrious collegiate career, Washington drafted him in the sixth round of the 2006 draft. Though he never got into a regular season game, many fans cheered for him in exhibition games. He was released after 2009, and was just cut trying to make the Oakland Raiders.
Nick Novak : A local product from the University of Maryland, Novak joined the team as a free agent rookie after incumbent John Hall was injured. His first game saw him have a game-winning kick against the rival Dallas Cowboys. When Hall healed, he was released after the fifth game and later replaced the injured Neil Rackers for the Arizona Cardinals for five games.
He came back to Washington the next year to replace an injured Hall again,and kicked a 47-yard field goal to beat Dallas again. He was released after six games, replaced by Shaun Suisham. After being out of the league a year, he won the starting job for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008 and was replaced by Connor Barth after six games. He has been out of the league since, and was recently waived by the San Diego Chargers. In the vagabond world of the NFL kicker, we will probably see Novak again.
Randy Thomas : Though released a week ago by the Miami Dolphins on an injury settlement, after lasting one week in camp, Thomas is worthy of mention. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 1999 draft. After four solid seasons, he and three teammates joined the Redskins in 2003. He played right guard next to Jansen, and they were very effective as a duo. He played 5 total games in 2007 and 2009 due to injuries, so the team released him. He started in all 143 games he played over 11 years.
Marko Mitchell : Known as the last draft pick Vinny Cerrato ever made for the Redskins, he showed some promise in the teams 2009 training camp and caught four balls that year before being released at seasons end. He was recently cut by the Minnesota Vikings.
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