Cut Day

Actually, this guy made it. Just like I predicted.

Coach wants to see you. Bring your playbook.

An inevitable part of football and doomsday for many a football career. I followed this preseason tighter than last year's and I had come to know a bunch of these players, some of whom have been with the Redskins for years, a few we met earlier this year and others we hardly even knew. In the context of cuts we see football strategy and answer the question finally, what team does the organization believe gives the Redskins the best chance for success?

There were two earlier rounds of cut this week, one Monday, one Tuesday and today. On Monday the notable cuts were CB Jerametrius Butler and WR Todd Pinkston. Jerametrius signed in June, had been a starter for the St. Louis Rams with his best years coming in 2003 and 2004. Based on that performance he would have made the team but he blew out his right knee before in 2005 training camp, missing that entire season and was not as effective in 2006. I guess the injury lingers.

Todd was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles after 2004 after five seasons in which he caught 184 passes, 116 of which for first downs. The Redskins for some reason are desperately seeking receivers and it's hard to see how Todd doesn't make the team if he's as healthy as he was two years ago.

On Tuesday Joe Salave'a was cut. That story is here. The other cut was Pete Schmitt. He was a rookie fullback with tight end experience from a Division III school, got to love those guys getting a look in the pros. I never really saw him perform as a fullback but he had one great catch in the Titans preseason game.

Today was the big day. Full list of player cuts here. Here they are:

Calvin Armstrong
Brian Bell
Matthias Askew
Fred Beasley
Brian Bell
Carl Berman
Corey Bradford
Dee Brown
Alex Buzbee
John Eubanks
Justin Hickman
Ryan Hoag
Ade Jimoh
Kili Lefotu
Jake Nordin
Jordan Palmer
Matt Sinclair
Omar Stoutmire
Burl Toler
Anthony Trucks
Byron Westbrook
Taylor Whitley
Renaldo Wynn

Renaldo Wynn was the big one. His release, along with Joe Salave'a's solidifies the idea that the Redskins are moving to youth on the defensive line. Renaldo was a first round pick by the Jaguars in 1997 and was signed by the Redskins before the 2001 season meaning he has been here through Marty Schottenheimer, Steve Spurrier and Joe Gibbs. He was bummed the Redskins waited so long to cut him, and with good reason. He may catch on with another team.

Ade Jimoh was the other surprise. He had played four season for the Redskins and was a good special teams player and the dime corner. I thought he would make the team on the strength of his consistent special teams play.

FB Brian Bell is not a suprise since he dropped two passes in the Jaguars preseason game. Dee Brown was a placeholder and I don't think this team really has a spot for a third-down scatback.

Kili Lefotu was a seventh round draft choice from the University of Arizona in 2006 and is memorable for being found unconscious in his dorm room during his rookie training camp. He recovered quickly and rejoined the team but was released before the 2006 season. He was re-signed and allocated to the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europa where he started a bunch of games. Even with the problems on the offensive line, Kili was never in the mix. The other reserve offensive lineman, Taylor Whitley was also cut.

Anthony Trucks was an undrafted free agent from the University of Oregon signed as a rookie by the Buccaneers. They released him before the 2006 season and the Redskins signed him (op. cit.) in January of this year. I thought he looked good and had some good hits in the Ravens and Jaguars preseason games.

Dallas Sartz was a fifth round draft pick this year who got hurt at the end of camp. He was a tad undersized and never really distinguished himself in my opinion. Anthony and Dallas lost out to HB Blades for the final linebacker spot, HB was drafted a round later than Dallas (op. cit.).

Carl Berman, Ryan Hoag, Burl Ives Toler and Corey Bradford were all receivers signed in the shotgun approach to finding a fifth receiver. Carl, Burl and Ryan all distinguished themselves with good play at some point but I guess the Redskins wanted more. They are floating new names at receiver (once and future Redskin Keenan McCardell? op. cit.).

Alex Buzbee was the Georetown grad. He might be back on the practice squad.

Omar Stoutmire left the Saints to come back to the Redskins and got cut. There is something of a logjam at safety and Omar was odd man out. He will catch on with another team.

Local product Byron Westbrook, an undrafted free agent seemed to have the basic skills at cornerback but there were a bunch of players in camp and he was juked badly in the Jaguars preseason game for Jacksonville's first score, seconds before the half. Byron likely will be back on the practice squad. John Eubanks returned kicks in addition to playing corner but did not distinguish himself as a returner. As a corner I really could not favor John or Leigh Torrence, who survived to make the roster. Looks like David Macklin will be the top reserve with Leigh playing the Ade Jimoh role.

Jordan Palmer was released but unfortunately that will be temporary as he will not doubt be signed to the practice squad, as will seven other players with nine or fewer regular games experience and/or on an NFL practice squad for two seasons or less.

What does this all mean?

That's next on Curly R.


Previous cut days: 2006



Marcus Mason scoring in the Titans preseason game: Joe Murphy / Getty Images