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Redskins are likely to make high-profile roster cuts

With an uncapped season in 2010, the Redskins are expected to cut many high-profile players with big contracts because, well, there are no cap ramifications. We decided to take a look at the most likely candidates to be released later today before the Redskins, minutes after midnight tonight, begin what many league observers believe will be an aggressive push in free agency under Coach Mike Shanahan.

Rock Cartwright: Age: 30; POS: RB/KR; 2009 base salary: $945,000; 2010 base salary: $1.5 million.

The overachieving Cartwright has stuck in the NFL for eight seasons (all with the Redskins) because of his heart. A team captain, Cartwright has been a special-teams standout, but his role last season was reduced on kickoff returns. Some members of the former coaching staff would have preferred to list Cartwright as inactive in most games.

Antwaan Randle El: Age: 30; POS: WR/PR; 2009 base salary: $1.5 million; 2010 base salary: $1.375 million.

It seems this move could not come fast enough for many Redskins fans. Although it wasn't all his fault, Randle El was among the league's least productive full-time punt returners last season. Demoted to the slot receiver position, Randle El failed to have at least one touchdown reception for the first time in his eight-year career.
Fred Smoot: Age: 30; POS: DB; 2009 base salary: $2.65 million; 2010 base salary: $3.9 million.

Smoot still talks a good game. As for his coverage skills, well, he wasn't as impressive on that front. The Redskins are expected to begin a makeover of their secondary, and Smoot just doesn't seem to fit with what could be a new-look bunch for 2010. And with Smoot due a base of almost $4 million - that's not going to happen here.

Randy Thomas: Age: 34; POS: G; 2009 base salary: $1.6 million; 2010 base salary: $3.7 million.

Thomas was a key to the Redskins' productive running game during Joe Gibbs' second stint. Once considered particularly agile for a 300-pounder, Thomas excelled at pulling on the team's bread-and-butter stretch plays. But Thomas has played in more than three games only once in the past three seasons because of major injuries.

Cornelius Griffin: Age 33; POS: DT; 2009 base salary: $1.334 million; 2010 base salary: $855,000.

Griffin was the Redskins' most talented interior lineman until Albert Haynesworth joined the team. He regularly drew the most double teams from opponents, which helped others make plays. Griffin would seem to be best suited to play nose tackle in the Redskins' new 3-4 scheme, but there could be a logjam at the position.

Andre Carter: Age: 30; POS: DE; 2009 base salary: $1.5 million; 2010 base salary: $1.3 million.

With 11 sacks, Carter is coming off his best season with the Redskins and the second best of his career. But the Redskins are switching to a 3-4 base front and Carter has said he was miserable as a linebacker in his one season in the role in San Francisco. And if the Redskins land a big-name free-agent pass rusher, Carter might be moving on.

By Cindy Boren | March 4, 2010; 10:30 AM ET

Irn-Bru wrote:Andre Carter would surprise me. He's a physical specimen, and when he's playing in the right system he can cause some terror. The rest need to be cut, IMO, and they would be the bare minimum of who has to go. Throw on top of that Rogers and Landry. (Maybe even Portis or Betts. There, I said it. )

Irn-Bru wrote:Andre Carter would surprise me. He's a physical specimen, and when he's playing in the right system he can cause some terror. The rest need to be cut, IMO, and they would be the bare minimum of who has to go. Throw on top of that Rogers and Landry. (Maybe even Portis or Betts. There, I said it. )

skins2357 wrote:I think I would keep Griffin around for another year and try to trade Carter....There is no reason to cut a uy in the prime of his carrer who just registered 11 sacks...... If you want him gone, trade him and at least get something

VetSkinsFan wrote:

skins2357 wrote:I think I would keep Griffin around for another year and try to trade Carter....There is no reason to cut a uy in the prime of his carrer who just registered 11 sacks...... If you want him gone, trade him and at least get something

Griffin is rarely healthy/100% anymore and his play shows it. I say thxx for your contributions, but ya gotta go, bro.

skins2357 wrote:

VetSkinsFan wrote:

skins2357 wrote:I think I would keep Griffin around for another year and try to trade Carter....There is no reason to cut a uy in the prime of his carrer who just registered 11 sacks...... If you want him gone, trade him and at least get something

Griffin is rarely healthy/100% anymore and his play shows it. I say thxx for your contributions, but ya gotta go, bro.

I understand what ur saying but he is only making 855,000 base this yr....if we switch to 3-4 I feel like he wont be on the field as much as in the past, maybe keeping him healthy more? I say keep him this yr, peace out next....just my opinion though

Redskins cuts are beginning: RB Rock Cartwright will be released, according to league source

Redskins to release Randy Thomas, Randle El

Randy Thomas and Antwaan Randle El are among the Redskins who are being released today, according to a league source.

Thomas, 34, held down the starting right guard job since joining the team as a free agent in 2003, but he appeared in only two games in 2009 before a triceps tear ended his season early.

He earned $1.6 million in 2009 but was due $3.7 million in 2010, a high price that made it tough for the Redskins to retain him.

With Thomas' departure and Chris Samuels' retirement, also announced Thursday, the Redskins have now lost two starting offensive linemen who they've relied on the past several years.

Thomas was present at Redskins Park today and attended Samuels' retirement press conference. Coming from the Jets, Thomas was a considered a crucial cog to the Redskins' productive running game during Joe Gibbs' second stint. Once considered particularly agile for a 300-pounder, Thomas excelled at pulling on the team's bread-and-butter stretch plays. But Thomas has played in more than three games only once in the past three seasons because of major injuries.

funbunchfever wrote:Three running backs cut... I guess I'm surprised that CP wasn't one of them.