Practice Squad Formed

From beating the best in the business to barely hanging on

Update: Wed 3 Sept by Ben, although the original reporting had tight end Tyler Ecker being signed to the practice squad, I can find no actual evidence of this and this seems comfirmed by Washington's signing of receiver Devin Aromashodu, like late receiver signee Anthony Mix last year, Devin was also an Auburn teammate of Jason Campbell. Jason La Canfora at Redskins Insider mentions Tyler here and here while David Elfin at Redskins 360 mentions it here. I cannot find any mention of the Redskins signing Tyler in any of the easily available Redskins transaction trackers, ESPN, CBS Sportsline, TheHogs.net, SI (this one is pathetically behind datewise), NFL.com. Must have been a bit of confused reporting and some wishful thinking by Tyler.

A day after final cuts the Redskins filled up the practice squad. According to the rules of the practice squad a player first clear waivers if not already a free agent and have eligibility (see also here). The practice squad, it is all composed of players cut Saturday, cleared waivers meaning no other team signed them and re signed by the Redskins:

Devin Aromashodu (see update above)
Nehemiah Broughton, fullback
Devin Clark, offensive tackle
Andrew Crummey, offensive tackle
Tyler Ecker, tight end
Horace Gant, receiver
Curtis Gatewood, linebacker
Matteral Richardson, cornerback
Byron Westbrook, cornerback

Nehemiah Broughton aka Nemo could be seen this year, the Redskins are going with one fullback Mike Sellers. This is likely his last eligibility for the practice squad so he is in the awkward position of hoping the guy ahead of him, 33 year old Mike Sellers retires, is cut or otherwise moves on.

Horace Gant becomes the default number five receiver, I thought Maurice Mann outplayed Horace, who else will be running reps for the scout team? I think I have this one figured out, Horace played at St. Olaf College, where offensive assistant slash quality control coach slash quarterbacks coach in all but name Chris Meidt coached for six years before coming to the Redskins. Horace is one of Chris' former players. Who says it's all about skill?

Matteral Richardson and Byron Westbrook are developmental, I think Matteral has the better prospects at this point. Byron is stuck down the depth chart and did not look terrific returning kicks in the Jaguars preseason game, of course he could still be a contributor in special teams coverage.

Derek Devine was not retained, it would appear as though his knowledge of the Jim Zorn system did not outweigh Colt Brennan's prospects.


Other teams may move to sign any player on the Redskins practice squad, the team has right of first refusal, if the team wants to keep the player then Washington must promote the player to the active roster.



Matteral Richardson and University of Arkansas coach Houston Nutt after Arkansas beat number one ranked LSU 50-48 in triple overtime in November of last year: Ann Heisenfelt / AP photo from here.