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With Final Cuts, Redskins Reduce Roster to 53
By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
Posted: September 5, 2009


The Redskins announced their roster cuts on Saturday, with wide receiver D.J. Hackett, offensive tackle Jeremy Bridges, defensive end Rob Jackson and linebacker Robert Thomas among the notable names.

The team resolved its competition for the No. 3 quarterback by placing Colt Brennan on injured reserve and waiving Chase Daniel. That means the team enters the season with Jason Campbell and Todd Collins as the only quarterbacks on the roster.

The Redskins also decided to hand the place kicking job to Shaun Suisham and part ways with Dave Rayner, his competition during preseason.

Two of the Redskins’ six draft picks were released: linebacker Cody Glenn and fullback Eddie Williams. Rob Jackson, a 2008 seventh-round draft pick, was also released.

Here is the Redskins’ complete list of roster cuts (excluding Brennan, who is on injured reserve):
REDSKINS ROSTER CUTS, SEPT. 5, 2009
Player Position Status
Robbie Agnone TE Undrafted Rookie
Anthony Alridge RB First-year Player
Jeremy Bridges G/T 7-year Vet
Scott Burley T Undrafted Rookie
Alex Buzbee DE First-year Player
Chase Daniel QB Undrafted Rookie
Antonio Dixon DT Undrafted Rookie
Dominique Dorsey RB First-year Player
Doug Dutch CB Undrafted Rookie
Keith Eloi WR Undrafted Rookie
Cody Glenn LB 2009 5th-Round Draft Pick
D.J. Hackett WR 6-Year Vet
Lendy Holmes S Undrafted Rookie
Rob Jackson DE 2008 7th-Round Draft Pick
Dave Rayner K 4-year Vet
Rueben Riley G First-year Player
Trent Shelton WR First-year Player
J.D. Skolnitsky DE Undrafted Rookie
Robert Thomas LB 8-year Vet
Eddie Williams FB 2009 7th-Round Draft Pick
Darrel Young LB Undrafted Rookie

Who made the final roster?

Mike Williams, the offensive tackle who lost more than 100 pounds to get in shape before training camp, showed enough in preseason to warrant a roster spot.

Jim Zorn indicated as much in his Friday press conference before the cuts.

"I like the way he battled," Zorn said. "He was real powerful against the Jaguars' No. 2 defensive end."

Marko Mitchell earned the No. 5 wide receiver job after a strong preseason. He led the offense with 11 catches for 113 yards and three touchdowns in preseason.

By keeping Marcus Mason on the roster, the Redskins opted to keep four running backs.

And by keeping Byron Westbrook on the roster, the Redskins kept six cornerbacks.

lowtharofthehill wrote:So did that WR Hagan also make the team then? i dont see his name on the cut list. I think that is the most suprising name and also 2 Qbs

yupchagee wrote:I'm surprised we are keeping both Edwin Williams & W. Montgomery. 2 back-up centers?

Edwin Williams joined the Redskins last April as an undrafted rookie out of Maryland. He has played primarily center in his career, but during preseason he transitioned to guard.

Williams is expected to continue his development as a key backup at both guard and center.

“Edwin Williams has been a pleasant surprise, I’ll tell you,” offensive line coach Joe Bugel said during training camp. “I moved him to guard--he’s another guard/center. He’s power-packed now. You look at his lower body and that’s the kind of body you like to have on a football player.

oneman56 wrote:Hagans was released earlier in the offseason

oneman56 wrote:I like Marcus Mason and think he's a decent RB but I really don't get keeping him on this team. He's not going to see the field as a back (minus injury) and on special teams I don't see him as an upgrade over Rock. I just don't see where he contributes....as much as I like him.

Deadskins wrote:A little pissed they wasted the #5 pick on Glenn. I had hoped Alridge would make it. Maybe he and Chase can make the practice squad. Also a little surprised about Bridges.

cowboyhater4life wrote:

Deadskins wrote:A little pissed they wasted the #5 pick on Glenn. I had hoped Alridge would make it. Maybe he and Chase can make the practice squad. Also a little surprised about Bridges.

I thought when the #5 pick came to us that there were good not great gaurds and tackles still on the board. We should have delt with the issue of the right side on the OL. I hate cutting a rookie that might need some time to mold them selves into NFL talent. I hope he gets signed to the PS

Redskins' Roster Reflects O Line Focus

A major concern coming into training camp was the depth of the Washington Redskins' offensive line. When final cuts were made Saturday, the Redskins took steps address it by keeping one more lineman than originally expected, cutting veteran guard-tackle Jeremy Bridges but keeping rookie guard-center Edwin Williams and third-year guard-tackle D'Anthony Batiste.

Bridges played 41 games for Carolina over the past three years, but he struggled during much of the preseason and missed time over the past week to deal with a personal situation. But Vinny Cerrato, the team's executive vice president of football operations, said Williams and Batiste simply beat out Bridges.

"I think what happens is the other guys out-perform," Cerrato said Saturday evening. "So what it comes down to, you evaluate, and what happens is guys kind of eliminate themselves and other guys force themselves to be on the team."

The Redskins also kept veteran tackle Mike Williams, a former first-round pick who hasn't played a regular-season game since 2005. Williams struggled with a sprained ankle and an abdominal strain during the preseason, but both Coach Jim Zorn and Cerrato praised Williams after Thursday's final exhibition game.

"I think any time he played, he showed power," Cerrato said. "The Baltimore game, he played well when he played, and this past game he played 50 snaps, and he maybe had one bad play. But he played well in that game. You see a guy who's a big, talented guy who can get movement off the ball."

Cerrato said Edwin Williams, who went undrafted out of the University of Maryland, was one of the surprises of the preseason, but made the team because he "can play three spots and got better each week, and he earned it." A center in college, offensive line coach Joe Bugel moved him to guard late in the preseason. Bugel called the 6-foot-3, 315-pound Edwin Williams a "pleasant surprise" two weeks ago.

"He's power-packed," Bugel said. "That's the kind of body you'd like to have on a football player. ...He has a legitimate chance, because he can whack you."

The 6-4, 314-pound Batiste has spent time with Carolina and Atlanta, and he started four games for the Falcons in 2007. The Redskins signed him off the Falcons' practice squad last December.

"You like his size and you like his feet," Cerrato said. "He's got excellent feet. He can handle a speed rush."

The Redskins now have a veteran starting unit, one on which third-year right tackle Stephon Heyer is the only player with less than seven years in the league. The backups, though, include Edwin Williams, 22, and second-year man Chad Rinehart, 24, who have never played in an NFL game; as well as Batiste and guard-center Will Montgomery, who have combined for just 17 appearances. Mike Williams, 29, last appeared in a regular season game for Buffalo in 2009 and was completely out of football in 2007 and 2008. He lost more than 100 pounds after signing with the Redskins in the offseason to get down under 350.

lowtharofthehill wrote:So did that WR Hagan also make the team then? i dont see his name on the cut list. I think that is the most suprising name and also 2 Qbs