Redskins clean house...release 10 players

[angelbaby]

Gone are backup quarterback Todd Collins, receiver Antwaan Randle El, guard Randy Thomas, kick returner Rock Cartwright, cornerback Fred Smoot, running back Ladell Betts and defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin. Their contracts were terminated.

Also exiting via waivers: Running back Marcus Mason, fullback Eddie Williams and defensive end J.D. Skolnitsky.

“Obviously it’s a day of change for the Redskins,” general manager Bruce Allen said. “We made some decisions that we feel address some of the concerns we have and address our plans for the 2010 season and beyond.”

It is often said that football is a young man’s game. Samuels retired at 32. Smoot will be 31 next month. Cartwright, Betts and Randle El are 30, Thomas and Griffin 34 and Collins 38.

The Redskins opened the 2009 season with the NFL’s highest average age. They will now be getting younger. The more obvious aim, after cutting players who were part of a 4-12 team, is to get better.

Thomas’ exit was a mild surprise, coming as it did on the same day that left tackle Chris Samuels formally retired. The only starting lineman from last year’s opening-day lineup still under contract is guard Derrick Dockery and the line was perilously thin in terms of depth.

Can the Redskins rebuild that area in one off-season of free agency, the draft and possibly trades?

“Yes,” Allen said.

Thomas, a 12-year veteran, played in only two games last season and was lost with a torn triceps. He had said he had every intention of continuing his career and was a constant presence at Redskins Park. Just hours before his release he attended Samuels’ news conference. Samuels, of course, missed the final 11 games of the season and his career due to a neck injury.

Neither Cartwright nor Betts has played for any team but the Redskins. Both were drafted by the club in 2002, Betts in the second round and Cartwright in the seventh.

Betts finished last season on injured reserve with a knee injury suffered in the Nov. 22 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Subbing for an injured Clinton Portis in 2006, he started nine games and rushed for 1,154 yards.

Smoot served two tours with the Redskins. The popular and garrulous cornerback was a No. 2 choice in 2001, made 13 starts and had a career-high five interceptions. He departed as a free agent, spending 2005-06 with the Minnesota Vikings. When they released him, the Redskins quickly signed him back.

Griffin, a 10-year veteran defensive tackle, played the last six seasons here after breaking in with the New York Giants. Collins, a 15-year veteran, led the Redskins to the playoffs in 2007 in relief of an injured Jason Campbell when he made his first starts since 1997 while with the Buffalo Bills.

Randle El’s struggles as a punt returner and the emergence of young receivers Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas figure in the Redskins’ thinking. Kelly and Thomas are bigger targets and Thomas has doubled as a kick returner.

The Redskins made these cuts now, Allen said, “to give these players an opportunity at the starting line of free agency to be able to find a job. If all of them sign in the next week, we’ll be happy for them.”

Allen said that owner Daniel M. Snyder imposed no financial restrictions on free-agent signings in the first uncapped year since 1993 and that he expected to be very busy with telephone calls at a minute past midnight.

“We have a game plan that we have shared with ownership and they have not only embraced it but hope we execute it,” Allen said.

I am not surprised over a single one...In fact I am

 

[Merlin99]

I am not surprised over a single one...In fact I am

How come fat albert didn't make the list?

 

[Mojo]

How come fat albert didn't make the list?

Probably because when he's in there and not injured or sucking down oxygen on the sideline, they never run the ball up the middle.

 

[smilin]

I am not surprised over a single one...In fact I am

That's why it's called 'athletics'. Time, aging will get you every time.
Nobody should be surprised that Shanahan & Allen would clean house and bring in their own. The team needs some immediacy that only fear brings.

 

[clevalley]

That's why it's called 'athletics'. Time, aging will get you every time.
Nobody should be surprised that Shanahan & Allen would clean house and bring in their own. The team needs some immediacy that only fear brings.

You hit the nail on the head. The players in there need to have the fear of God struck back in them - to know they are accountable not only on the field, but off the field. Once respect for their coaching staff is instilled in them they can have respect for themselves and hopefully this will reflect in their game play.

 

[Otter]

I hope they show me they are serious by not signing Peppers.

 

[BuddyLee]

I hope they show me they are serious by not signing Peppers.

Your wish is granted.

 

[Dondi]

Can the Redskins rebuild that area in one off-season of free agency, the draft and possibly trades?

Didn't George Allen pretty much do this some 40 years ago, only with over-the-hill players?

 

[Larry Gude]

People are totally over playing this. Not one player of consequence was cut. Thomas has been hurt two years in a row. Griff is well on to the downside. Rock is a special teams standout on average special teams. Randl El isn't going to start for anyone. Neither is Collins. Same for Freddy.


What about Portis?

We're already staying with Campbell, it seems.

No unloading of Mr 60%, Albert.

There's no drama or change of direction or new day when you get rid of guys that will be lucky to be second or third string anywhere.

 

[cattitude]

What about Portis?

Somebody has to talk to Danny at practice.

 

[Larry Gude]

Somebody has to talk to Danny at practice.

You mean...he cut SONNY??????????

 

[cattitude]

You mean...he cut SONNY??????????

I think that love affair ended last year, Sonny was pretty outspoken...perhaps it will rekindle this year.

 

[3M3tib]

They did this with a certain amount of class in getting it done now to give those guys as much of a chance as possible to hook up with another team. That having been said, now they need to go out to get a QB who can throw long, some O linemen, and a more durable running back. Actually, they were 4-12 last year - they need everything.

 

[BuddyLee]

People are totally over playing this. Not one player of consequence was cut. Thomas has been hurt two years in a row. Griff is well on to the downside. Rock is a special teams standout on average special teams. Randl El isn't going to start for anyone. Neither is Collins. Same for Freddy.


What about Portis?

We're already staying with Campbell, it seems.

No unloading of Mr 60%, Albert.

There's no drama or change of direction or new day when you get rid of guys that will be lucky to be second or third string anywhere.

I think you're over playing it a bit as well.

I mean, it's the first official day of the new NFL season. We don't know who is going to be on the final roster.

 

[BuddyLee]

They did this with a certain amount of class in getting it done now to give those guys as much of a chance as possible to hook up with another team. That having been said, now they need to go out to get a QB who can throw long, some O linemen, and a more durable running back. Actually, they were 4-12 last year - they need everything.

Defense is set, perhaps another linebacker.

Offense is the area that needs help. o-line needs a major overhaul. Perhaps a QB but that's not the top priority. Another fresh young running back would be nice.

 

[angelbaby]

What about Portis?

Here's your answer Larry...

Last week, Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan announced that the Washington Redskins will keep running back Clinton Portis around for the 2010 season, despite the numerous rumors about his possible release.

He will enter his seventh season with the team after playing just eight games in 2009 due to injuries.

Portis missed four games following a concussion in Week Nine, before being placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season for safety reasons. His concussion suffered against the Atlanta Falcons was so bad, that doctors feared that Portis' condition could become worse if he took another severe hit.

Many wondered whether Portis would return to the Redskins after the 2009 season. Not only was his season cut short by the concussion, but there were also a number of issues off the field that could have influenced team owner, Daniel Snyder, to part ways with him.

Instead, Portis looks to bounce back and help a Washington team that averaged just 94.4 yards per game on the ground, ranking them 27th amongst other teams. It's no secret how much the running game needs improvement, considering Portis led all rushers last season with 494 yards despite playing in just eight games.

Of course, no running game is as successful without the help of a strong offensive line, which is another area the Redskins should focus on in the upcoming draft. As tempting as it may be to take a shot on a quarterback in the first round, like Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen, it may be in the team's best interest to select an offensive lineman.

Rutgers offensive tackle Anthony Davis and Oklahoma State's Russell Okung are two names who could land with the Redskins at the No. 4 pick. Both players could see significant time during their rookie season and either player could help pave the way for Portis if drafted by Washington.

From 2007—08, Portis rushed for a combined 2,749 yards and 20 touchdowns, so it's no secret he's an effective threat at running back when healthy. If he's going to be the go-to-guy next season at running back, the Redskins will need a better offensive line than last year—and what better way start than the 2010 NFL Draft?