Washington Redskins: 10 Guys Who'll Join Clinton Portis in the Unemployment Line
This NFL offseason is unlike any other that we've seen in quite some time.
The owners and NFLPA are taking shots at each other in the media, rookies are being encouraged to boycott the draft and perhaps what is most significant is the fact that players can't be traded, signed, or even talked to by coaches.
Every team in the NFL is no doubt enduring the effects of the lockout, but the Washington Redskins and their fans might be feeling them the most.
As Redskins fans, we're used to seeing Dan Snyder attack the offseason like a free buffet.
He and Mike Shanahan managed to get one new player on the roster before the lockout in O.J. Atogwe, but other than that, it's been eerily quiet around Redskins Park.
For the purposes of this article, we're going to assume that the labor issues will work themselves out in due time and that the 2011 NFL season will kick off as scheduled.
With that said, we'll assume that players will eventually be able to sign with new teams and some will, consequently, be released from their current ones.
For the Redskins, it's widely agreed that both Albert Haynesworth and Donovan McNabb will be playing for new teams next season.
Who else might we see vacate his locker in Ashburn? I'm not going to focus on the guys who are supposed to be free agents right now (Carlos Rogers, Santana Moss, etc). When the CBA is worked out, those players will either be resigned or they'll decide to walk. Time will tell.
Instead, I'm going to take a look at the guys with plenty of time and money left on their deals, but lack the production on the field to match.
Dear John....
No. 10: WR Roydell Williams
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Not a huge surprise here.
Williams (30) did very little last year to justify a roster spot. He was marginally better than Joey Galloway, which isn't saying a whole lot, and the Galloway release was way overdue.
With up and coming receivers like Anthony Armstrong, Terrance Austin and Brandon Banks, and the probability that the Redskins will pick a wide receiver somewhere in the draft, Williams will most likely be sent packing.
His remaining one-year, $640,000 deal isn't that bad, but his contribution potential on the field is.
No. 9: DE Vonnie Holliday
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Vonnie Holliday (36) was once a very effective defensive end in the 3-4 scheme, but those days are gone.
He did provide some leadership last season, but his production on the field was non-existent. The $1 million left on his deal is money the Redskins will be glad to add to their available cap room.
One of the biggest defensive issues for the Redskins last year was getting after the quarterback, and it started up front. The defensive line put almost zero pressure on opposing quarterbacks and consistently got blown off the ball in the run game.
When Kedric Golston went down with an injury, Vonnie Holliday stepped in, and well, did nothing. Golston, by the way, would have made this list if he wasn't a free agent. Mike Shanahan would be wise to let him follow Holliday out the door.
Looks like the Redskins will need to find a new Union rep.
No. 8: G Artis Hicks
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You know it's bad when very few pictures of you in a Redskins uniform exist.
Artis Hicks (33) has been a journeyman guard and tackle for his entire career. He's never had the talent to hold down a starting job. Throw age into the equation, and it's even harder to justify keeping him on your roster.
The bottom line is, even when healthy, Hicks doesn't fit into the Shanahans' system. Coach likes smaller, more mobile lineman and Hicks is 330 lbs.
He's got two years and $5 million left on his deal. That's money that can be spent paying a younger, more athletic guy to step in for Hicks.
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No. 7: S Kareem Moore
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I guess hoping that a guy from Nicholls State University would blossom into an NFL safety was wishful thinking.
There was a lot of hype around Kareem Moore heading into the 2010 season. Mike Shanahan and Jim Haslett thought they had found their free safety of the future.
Then two things happened. First, he got hurt, and struggled all season to get back on the field. Second, when he was healthy, he was terrible.
He's got good athleticism, but showed almost no football instincts whatsoever, whether in pass coverage or against the run.
The signing of O.J. Atogwe only cements the fact that Moore is a goner.
Oh well, it was a fun experiment.
No. 6: DE Phillip Daniels
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Like Vonnie Holiday, Phillip Daniels (38) provided very little in 2010 other than leadership.
He was decent against the run, only because he's a very strong dude, but he lacks any kind of quickness to disrupt the line or pressure the quarterback.
The Redskins desperately need to get younger and more athletic along the defensive line.
Daniels has been a good Redskin, but it's time to part ways.
No. 5: NT Ma'ake Kemoeatu
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This is the point in the slide show when some of you may start to raise an eyebrow or two.
Ma'ake Kemoeatu is the prototypical nose tackle in a 3-4 defensive scheme. He's big. He's mean. The only problem is he's 32 years old and has an extensive history of injuries.
After missing the entire 2009 season in Carolina due to a torn achilles, The Redskins were hoping he would come in and anchor the defensive line going forward.
That just didn't happen. He couldn't stay on the field, and when he was on the field, he couldn't provide any push. Anthony Bryant proved to be more effective in his limited action.
The fact that he's owed $2 million next season doesn't help either.
The Redskins need to find a young, durable nose tackle with a high motor. Perhaps Sione Fua out of Stanford?
No. 4: S Chris Horton
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Chris Horton jumped into the starting lineup his rookie year (2008) and looked to be a turnover machine. He was picking off passes and scooping up fumbles left and right.
Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to reproduce that magic since. He's battled injuries and has been outperformed by every other safety on the roster.
With Laron Landry and O.J. Atogwe starting, and Reed Doughty and Kevin Barnes as the likely backups, there just simply isn't any room for Horton.
He had a nice, although short run, but it's time to move on.
No. 3: FB Mike Sellers
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Mike Sellers has been one of the more productive Redskins over the last decade.
Coming out a big-time school like Walla Walla Community College, you would think he'd be a first round pick. But no, he had to get his start in the Canadian Football League before becoming a Redskin for life.
He's been everything you could after want out of an NFL fullback. He's a big, strong guy with a mean streak. He was also pretty good catching passes out of the backfield.
Unfortunately, he's 36 years old and his play has declined over the past couple of seasons.
With three years and $4 million left on his deal, and Darrel Young looking like a promising, young fullback, it's time to get younger at that position.
The release of Mike Sellers will epitomize the youth movement in D.C.
No. 2: RB Keiland Williams
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Weren't expecting this one, were you?
I wasn't either, really.
You would think Keiland Williams would represent exactly what Mike Shanahan and company were hoping for going forward: a young, hard-working guy who can develop into a good player.
I think they'll find someone in this year's draft who will fill that role better than Williams, who saw a lot of playing time last year, but didn't do anything to earn a long-term spot.
In fact, Williams' best game came in the "game we won't speak of" in Philadelphia, where he had three touchdowns.
He's basically a less talented version of Ryan Torain, which isn't what the Redskins need at that position. This team has been in desperate need of a game-breaking burner in the backfield since Clinton Portis' first game as a Redskin.
I think Shanahan will try to find a speedy back late in the draft to come in and be a third down specialist, with Torain toting the rock on first and second.
Best of luck to you, Keiland.
No. 1: C Casey Rabach
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I think this one is pretty obvious.
Folks around these parts have been calling for Rabach's job for a couple years now.
All you have to do is turn on the film from the game against the Detroit Lions in 2010 to see why Casey Rabach no longer has a place on this team.
Ndamukong Suh made Casey look like his little brother in that game. He was either on his back or seven inches off the ground on every play.
Rabach, who just turned 34, has been consistently sub-par since joining the Redskins. He lacks the quickness and strength to effectively play the center position.
Like so many other positions, center is one that the Redskins need to add youth.
And they better hurry. They'll see Ndamukong Suh again eventually.
Bonus: Free Agent Keep/Drop List
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Keep:
CB Carlos Rogers: A lot better than his hands suggest
WR Santana Moss: Will be a very effective slot/#2 WR
QB Rex Grossman: Knows the offense, can run things until mystery rookie takes over
H.B. Blades: London Fletcher's eventual replacement
Reed Doughty: Experienced, smart reserve
Drop:
LB Rocky McIntosh: Overrated, wants too much money
DE Kedric Golston; Bad fit in the 3-4
OT Stephon Heyer: helpless.
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