What does it all mean?

The Redskins made their cuts to 53 today. While these 53 players certainly aren’t the ones who will make it through December, they are the players who have survived OTAs, Mini-Camps, Offseason Workouts, Training Camp, Preseason and finally to Labor Day.

In a couple of days the team will sign eight players to its practice squad, bringing the total at Redskins park back to 61 players. But we’ll get to that in a minute.


No third string quarterback
The NFL world is buzzing about the Redskins going into the regular season with only two quarterbacks.

Colt Brennan was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury sustained during the Jaguars game. This has the scent of the team trying to hide a player who they know isn’t ready to take the field in 2009, but has potential for down the road.

Chase Daniel was outright released. According to ESPN reports, he isn’t under consideration for a practice squad spot.

No doubt this is the most surprising move the team made, given the hype surrounding the battle. We all know the risks of playing in the regular season with two quarterbacks, but that’s not the most interesting question (if both get hurt in a game, the job will fall to Antwaan Randle El, who played QB at Indiana).

During the regular season, players sustain injuries; we know that too. But what happens when Jason Campbell needs to sit for a practice? He has the flu, headache, MRI, a wedding to go to…whatever. Todd Collins takes all the reps? He’s 38 years old, and his arm isn’t as strong as it was even two years ago.

Lets hope ESPN is wrong on this one, and Daniel is back with the team come Monday.


Backup running backs
The team kept four running backs, only one of whom plays special teams (Rock Cartwright).

Mason has looked good in the past two preseasons, leading the team in rushing yards each time. Betts had a 1,000 yard season a couple of years ago, and has established himself as a good backup, if not necessarily the best change of pace back.

But can the team afford to have two reserves who don’t play special teams?

Maybe the answer lies at the fullback spot, where Mike Sellers is now holding down the fort on his own after the release of seventh-round pick Eddie Williams. After Sellers, Betts is the biggest back on the roster, and is known for running between the tackles.

Maybe we’re seeing the beginnings of a position switch? Betts as a fullback and reserve starting tailback, with Mason as the in-game change of pace back?

Time will tell.


Offensive Line
10 offensive linemen? No surprise here. The second and third string offensive lines have looked terrible during the preseason. Hopefully with a few more weeks work, Coach Bugel can whip some of these folks into shape, starting with Mike Williams.

Williams was one of the offseason’s better feel-good stories, dropping well over 100 pounds to make his way back into the NFL after three years out of football. He looked shaky at best, but seemed to find something of a groove during the Jacksonville game Thursday night.

It wouldn’t be surprising for the team to make a signing or two if a decent offensive lineman finds himself out of work over the weekend.


Five Defensive Tackles and Only Six Linebackers?
Again, more questions about who will be playing special teams.

The big guys are no doubt important, but keeping an extra defensive tackle in favor of a seventh linebacker raises questions. Linebackers are among the most versatile players on the roster, with all the backups and even the occasional starter seeing time on special teams.

We know that starters Brian Orakpo, London Fletcher and Rocky McIntosh won’t see much, if any, time on special teams. Chris Wilson will likely see some, but as a converted defensive end, he won’t be playing gunner anytime soon. That leaves only H.B. Blades and Robert Henson.


Six Cornerbacks
The Redskins love them some corners; in the last few years alone, they’ve drafted three and signed two to large contracts.

The mild surprise here is Justin Tryon, who seemed to secure his ticket to the Meadowlands by intercepting a Jaguar pass late in the third quarter and returning it a good clip. Before that, Tryon had looked awful; lost in coverage and even limited athleticism.

Byron Westbrook was another mild surprise, though after two seasons on the practice squad, it was clear that defensive backs coach Jerry Gray clearly saw something in Brian Westbrook’s brother. Word is he’s quite versatile in practice; he often plays opposing running backs and receivers in addition to his DB duties, including his brother.

No doubt he’ll take one of those vacant special teams spots; expect to see him making a lot of tackles from the gunner spot.


The Kicker
Short and sweet: Dave Rayner didn’t distinguish himself as being any better than Shaun Suisham. Tie goes to the incumbent.


Practice Squad?
Ahh, the last key question of the offseason.

Despite ESPN’s reports, it would be surprising for the team not to bring back Chase Daniel for one of the eight spots, if for no other reason than to have an extra practice arm. He could be claimed off waivers, but it’s doubtful that any team would give up a QB who has been in their system for the last several months for an undrafted rookie free agent.

Two virtual locks are FB Eddie Williams and LB Cody Glenn, two 2009 draft choices who were in the midst of position changes.

Williams was converting to fullback from tight end and showed some talent. Glenn is still finishing his conversion to linebacker after playing running back his first three seasons at Nebraska. This is only his second season on defense.

Both have talent and could make it work with some seasoning.

No doubt either Dominique Dorsey or Anthony Alridge will be on the team. Both are versatile backs; quick and speedy, good return men and both play special teams. Dorsey got more time with the first team returning punts, particularly in the key third preseason game.

Alridge looked good against reserves, but had a key fumble on a kick return against the Jaguars. While it’s not fair to hold that against him after eight months of work, expect that to break the tie between him and Dorsey, though it’s conceivable that both get the nod.

With only five receivers after final cutdowns, the team will probably look to add a receiver. The one that “jumps” out at you is Keith Eloi, who made a key catch against the Jaguars. He’s not the tallest player out there, but of the team’s receiver cuts, he probably came the closest to making the final roster.

As described here, this would be a offense-heavy practice squad. It’s anyone’s guess who will claim the remaining two or three spots representing the defensive side of the ball.

There’s very little chance the team will bring back another cornerback since they have six. It’s also highly unlikely that the team will add another defensive linemen, with nine on the roster, not including LB/DE’s Brian Orakpo and Chris Wilson.

With only six linebackers on the roster and Cody Glenn likely to take one practice squad spot, the team might look linebacker. The only practice-squad eligible linebacker the team released was Darrel Young, but he did little to distinguish himself during the preseason.

Another practice squad spot might be allocated to safety. While he struggled during the preseason, it wouldn’t be surprising for Lendy Holmes to lay claim to the slot. Holmes is a versatile player who played safety, cornerback and even some receiver in his collegiate career.

But, like with the offensive line, never rule out someone new joining the Redskins own elite eight on the practice squad.