The Chopping Block: A Reaction to the Cuts

The first cuts are in and as always there are some surprises, some expected results, and some big question marks.  In general the redskins surprises.  The first surprise is that the Redskins decided to only keep 5 WRs.  All indications from the analysts were that the Zorn offense needed 6 WRs, especially with the injuries in the pres-season for Thomas and Kelly.  Also the decision to not keep 4 Rbs when Marcus mason has had a great pre-season and Portis and Betts having injury histories as well.  Instead the Redskins kept 10 offensive linemen and 5 Safeties.  That means this team is Defensive heavy with 26 Defensive Spots, 24 ffensive spots, and 3 Specialists.  It is not horribly unbalanced, but for a team with injuries in the Offensive line & Wide receiver as well as injury history in the Running backs and Quarterbacks it is a little curious.
It is possible that the redskins will scan the waiver wire and make a Veteran Free Agent Signing, perhaps at Wide receiver.  If that happens one of those extra safeties or Defensive Line may just be in trouble.  After the jump I will discuss each cut individually.

Matthias Askew, DT
Simply did nothing in his career with the Redskins.  Did nothing this pre-season, and now will get nothing this off season.  A former 4th round draft pickwho has now washed out of his second club uin 2 years.  He majored in merchandise Management in Michigan state so the only way he will be at fed ex  in the Fan store at Fed Ex, or buy a ticket.
Ryan Boschetti, DT
The Average NFL Player stays about 4-5 years in the NFL.  And Boschetti is just that, average.  for 4 years he made it past the final cut as the last guy on the Defensive line rarely seeing the field past Labor Day.  Though he is cut he may become this year’s version of Brian Kozlowski, first DL injury Blache may be giving him a call.
Nehemiah Broughton, FB
thus ends the disastrous second day draft of 2005.  Just two years later and only the twin first round picks Jason Campbell and Carlos rogers remain with the team.  Manny White (4th) spent a year on IR and was gone the next year.  McCune (5) spent a year on the Ps and and got into some late games but is now gone.  Newberry (6) never made it past the first round of cuts and  now Broughton, who spent a year as the 4th rb and two years on IR is leaving the team.
Devin Clark, T (PS Eligible)

Had a pretty good pre-season and could be coming back to the team tomorrow on the PS.
Andrew Crummey, G (PS Eligible)
Another fine pre-season and will probably be fighting for 2 Ps spots devoted to offensive linemen.  Ability to play both Center and guard should help.
Derek Devine, QB
Never really had a chance once Colt Brennan silenced his critics.  I doubt we are going to see him on PS but he is a hard worker and knows Zorn going back to Seattle so you never know.
Derrick Frost, P
For once the ball did not roll the right way for Frost.  I feel a little sorry for him actually.  He probably had his best pre-season in his time here, but a team does not waste a draft choice on a punter unless they want to make a change.  Brooks showed promise and in all honestly has more upside then Frost.  So thus Frost will be looking for another team to get an injury or be unhappy with their situation.
Horace Gant, WR (PS Eligible)

Can always and an r to his last name and take up basketball.  Seriously he may see a spot on the PS because the Redskins only kept 5 WRs and only two of the WRS cut are eligible.   Both may make it onto the squad.
Curtis Gatewood, LB (PS Eligible)

Gatewood had a great start to pre-season but fizzled.  Most likely will get a shot on PS as he has some raw talent.
Patrick Ghee, S (PS Eligible)

Nothing special here.  He has a shot to make th PS as a backup but with 5 safeties on the roster I doubt he will make it.
David Holloway, LB (PS Eligible)
He spent last year on Arizona’s PS and has a shot at a year on Redskins PS, but it is doubtful.  He got into camp late and never made a great impact.
Cedrick Holt, CB (PS Eligible)

Will be battling for a PS spot but never made an impact worthy of one.  With Richardson also cut it is likely he is looking at going to Canada or the Arena league.
Maurice Mann, WR (PS Eligible)

I would bet Marcus is a lock for the PS.  he had a great pre-season for an undrafted rookie and can return kicks and punts.  With only 5 WR on the roster he is one of the more likely to return.
Marcus Mason, RB (PS Eligible)
I am hopeful mason will be back for the PS.  Zorn said PS eligibility would come into some roster cut decisions and I hope this is one of them.  I truly felt he deserved a roster spot and another team may snag him up.  But there are going to be a few RBs on the open market and Mason may not get an offer.
Fred Matua, G
Without PS eligibility and never making an impression Matua is out of work.  Well he has some nice hair, so maybe that will help him land a pert commercial or something.
Billy McMullen, WR
The mild surprise here is not that McMullen did not make it but that the redskins only kept 5 WRs.  He had a decent camp but ran lazy routes and just never made an impression to the coaches apparently
Anthony Mix, WR
Never understood the fascination Redskins nation had for Mix.  Sure he is big but never got onto the field in any real way and never really impressed.  With no PS eligibility he will be out of the, uhm, mix.
Matteral Richardson, CB (PS Eligible)

I thought he had an outside chance of beating out Tryon but to be honest neither of these guys impressed at all.  Richardson has a shot at a PS spot but mainly as a body.
Danny Verdun-Wheeler, LB (PS Eligible)
Twice cut is not a good sign for Danny boy.  Still he ended last year on the PS for the Skins so he could be invited back if there is an opening.
Todd Wade, T
Can’t stay on the field, real expensive,a dn getting passed by an undrafted rookie is no way to stay uin te NFL  Look for Wade to end his NFL career somewhere else.
Tavares Washington, T (PS Eligible)

Has a shot at the PS but his play was uneven and will need to get lucky with others signing somewhere else.
Byron Westbrook, CB (PS Eligible)
Hate to say this about a Syracuse boy but Westbrook is not NFL material.  Only way he comes back is oon name and the stragth of his kickoff returns, which was not that strong.
That is it.  8 of the PS Eligible players will come back in 24 hours (unless the Redskins go somewhere else to fill those need).  the regular season is less then 5 days away.  Hail to the redskins!!!!