The Redskins have so much talent hidden deep on their roster, but unfortunately much of that talent will be gone in a few weeks. By the end of August, Washington must trim their 80 man roster down to 53, meaning some of the preseason stalwarts will be cut to finalize the roster.
Everyone has their opinion on who should be spared from players, to fans, to coaches, and in the end everyone will be upset at the loss of at least one player. However, that's the way it goes when around thirty players are to be cut.
So in order to prepare the Redskins world for disappointment I have decided to make my own roster cuts while attempting to display little if any partiality for certain players. Without further ado here it goes.
Firstly I am going to take into account how many players at each position will make the team. I am uncertain if my numbers will be correct, but this is how I see it playing out.
Jim Zorn will keep three quarterbacks, one fullback, six receivers, three tight ends, four running backs, and nine offensive linemen on offense. Defensively I expect to see six corners, four safeties, six linebackers, and eight defensive linemen. Also on the roster will be a kicker, punter, and a long snapper.
The O-line has some big battles brewing and several talented players will be cut. Justin Geisinger, Fred Matua, and Tavares Washington will likely be released, but I could see Todd Wade getting the axe if Washington continues his strong performance. Wade has a sprained ankle and is an aging player entering his eighth season. I know he's got the experience, but the line is old and a youthful injection might be what Zorn wants.
The sixth receiver spot is a battle between Billy McMullen and Anthony Mix. Mix is out two weeks with a broken rib while McMullen has wowed coaches thus far in preseason. Look for Mix on the practice squad because McMullen has most likely made the team.
At running back I can't see how the Skins ignore Marcus Mason. Rock Cartwright is primarily the return man and probably won't see too many carries. So why not sacrifice a player for Mason? He is way too good to throw on the practice squad again.
Mike Sellars will be the lone fullback as Zorn will rarely use one. Sellars is great catching passes out of the backfield and is valuable in short yardage situations.
At tight end Todd Yoder has been solid in the preseason and is still second on the depth chart. It may take Fred Davis a little time to break into the NFL, so I expect to see Yoder on the final roster.
The defensive secondary is the most hotly contested area at this moment. At safety Laron Landry and Reed Doughty obviously make it, but behind them, there's a mess.
Justin Hamilton played well last week, but he's a long shot. Vernon Fox has the most experience and I expect he'll make it. Chris Horton will make it. So in the end, it will be Horton and Fox with Patrick Ghee, Kareem Moore, and Hamilton leaving town.
Rounding out the secondary with the corners we have Springs, Smoot, Rogers, Torrence, Tryon, and the unknown number six.
Byron Westbrook has yet to impress me and Cedrick Holt has been outperformed by Matteral Richardson. Richardson has a great pass breakup last week which was following his pick six performance the week before. Richardson should get the spot, but Westbrook had the talent to push him.
7 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Jack Anderson 10 months ago
Ahh forgot about Rob Jackson!!! The D-line is loaded. Tough call to say who will be making this team. So much talent!
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Pat 10 months ago
Can Mix be signed to the practice squad? He was signed from the Giant's practice squad and I thought the rule states that now he can only be on the active roster. Being an Auburn fan I know that Mix wasn't a stand-out WR but he was a solid player and always came through on clutch 3rd downs. I hope I've read the rule wrong because right now I think that McMullen has the edge on the position.
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Rich Tandler 10 months ago
Pat, I'm pretty sure that Mix is not eligible for the PS, although I have a very knowledgeable friend who thinks otherwise.
Great analysis, Jack. I can't poke too many holes in it. I just wrote an article detailing the difficulties that Todd Wade will have in making the final cut. If he can't get back on the field soon, he won't make it back ever.
James seems to be progressing well although we have to see him in live action to get a better gauge. If he can cut it, I think that will leave Chris Wilson on the outside looking in. The buzz among the beat reporters is that none of them can recall a single play that Wilson has made in team drills the the three-plus weeks of camp so far.
If Rogers is healthy--and he may play some vs. the Jets--they may drop down to five corners and carry another linebacker, with Fincher and K. Campbell both making it.
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Craig Garrison Sr 10 months ago
Nice job Jack. I couldn't agree more on the O-Line situation, looks like we have some solid potential there, Fabini has played well, and with Rinehart playing the way he has, Buges can have him ready. Wade may be jobless in a couple of weeks. I also don't think Mix is eligible for the PS, it's a shame, but I don't think he makes the cut.
I also agree that James is going to be difficult for Wilson to beat out, I expect Wilson will lose his spot if James shows he is healthy, much more upside. Jackson will be hoping to make it to the practice squad though, he has shown promise, but he's not ready for primetime.
I'm also not sure about Tryon, although he has shown flashes, I'm just not sure about his upside, he may never be able to be a starting CB. Richardson on the other hand, I think could/should make it for sure. It'll be between Westbrook and Tryon for the last spot as Holt hasn't impressed me in the least.
At safety, I think it's pretty tricky. Horton deserves a spot, and they really seem to like Moore. Hopefully he can get more time in and show us why. I also think Blache is concerned about the lack of experience at safety and they may keep some one or sign yet another for that simple purpose, Fox may get it by default. A mistake in my opinion, unless someone truly worthwhile comes free, but a mistake none the less.
McMullen should have that last spot if it's there, but prepare for a shocker Skins fans, Thrash just might get cut for this youth movement. I am NOT predicting it, but it IS A SERIOUS POSSIBILITY.
The linebackers are also very interesting, depth here concerns me a great deal, Sinclair has played well, but he certainly hasn't lit up the world. Fincher has been quite impressive, in just showing one heckuva nose for the ball.
Big decisions indeed for the Skins come cut time, it will be fun to watch, Zorn gets his first real test just setting his roster!
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Jack Anderson 10 months ago
Wow i was expecting to get ripped to shreds just because everyone has their own opinions about the players they like. Well I'll take the agreement :)
Interesting you think that about Tryon, Craig. I really haven't been impressed with him either, but as a mid round draft pick, I think he will make the team. Also as good as Richardson has been, we have to remember that he has played against Sam Baker and and Jared Lorenzen. I like him a lot and I think he'll make it, but you never know.
Very interesting to hear about Chris Wilson as well, Rich.
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Craig Garrison Sr 10 months ago
I just think Tryon REALLY needs to stand out on special teams, with his physical play(especially for such a small guy) he SHOULD be able to that, but I haven't seen is so far. But then again, I don't really think the competition at CB is all that hot, Holt has been virtually invisible, Westbrook likely has a leg up just from being on the PS last year. Richardson has been noticed by the coaches, Blache has only criticized his technique in zone coverage as far as I know, where as Tryon has been noticeably ignored by Blache for the most part during interviews. And yes, Richardson has looked good against 3rd, 4th, and NO stringers, but Tryon hasn't looked GOOD against ANYBODY yet. I do like his physicality though, he tackles hard and with authority, but is that enough?
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Jack Anderson 10 months ago
Lol yeah Tryon really hasn't. But I think we'll take 6 CBs so that mean Richardson and Tryon will make it.
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