Waiting game remains Wynn's only outlet

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By Bob Cohn

Perhaps no one has suffered through this miserable Washington Redskins season more than the players, the ones who put in the time and work and end up with another loss more often than not. It also hasn't been easy for those who have yet to suit up for a game and can only watch, sometimes from a distance.

Especially defensive end Renaldo Wynn.

Wynn believed he had seen just about everything during his 13-year NFL career. But that was before he was released by a team for the first time ever, re-signed, released again and again re-signed, all within 11 days last month. "You gotta laugh about it," he said.

It wasn't ha-ha funny, though.

"You go, 'Man, this is weird,' " Wynn said.

Wynn has not dressed for a game all season. But his roller-coaster ride had more to do with punter Hunter Smith's groin. Smith got hurt against Tampa Bay on Oct. 4, and the Redskins quickly signed Glenn Pakulak to take his place.

Someone from the 53-man roster had to go, and it was Wynn, 35, who started 64 games for the Redskins from 2002 to 2006. He rejoined the club as a free agent in March after playing with New Orleans and the New York Giants.

After missing the next game, against Carolina, Smith believed he might return the following week. Pakulak was released, and Wynn came back. But after Smith determined he couldn't play against Kansas City, Pakulak returned. Wynn again got cut. He wasn't exactly thrilled, but Smith, his former Notre Dame teammate, was even more upset.

"It's really unfortunate," said Smith, who has recovered and is punting again, allowing Wynn to rejoin the squad. "Renaldo has a great perspective on it, but every time it happened, I got all bent out of shape. I'd go over to him and have to apologize. And he says, 'Don't worry about it.' He's not losing any sleep or money."

Wynn, personable and chatty, found Smith's guilt trip amusing.