Cerrato: Roster 'deeper' this year

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By Ryan O'Halloran

Encouraged by the improvement of returning players and potential impact of 12 newcomers, Washington Redskins executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato declared the team's final 53-man roster as better equipped for the 16-game grind than the group that limped to the finish last year.

"I think the offensive line and defensive line [are improved], we're deeper in the secondary, we're deeper at running back and Jason [Campbell] is a lot better than he was last year," Cerrato said Saturday evening at Redskin Park after the roster was completed.

Eight days before the season opener at the New York Giants, the Redskins released 21 players and placed quarterback Colt Brennan on the season-ending injured reserve list with hip and hamstring injuries.

The Redskins joined New Orleans, New England and the Giants in keeping only two quarterbacks. That decision joined the inclusion of offensive linemen Edwin Williams and D'Anthony Batiste, linebacker Robert Henson and cornerback Byron Westbrook as the surprises.

As expected, Shaun Suisham won the kicking competition over Dave Rayner. Among the surprising cuts were veterans Jeremy Bridges (offensive tackle) and Robert Thomas (linebacker), two players signed during the offseason with the idea of providing experience.

"We had good discussions on quite a few things," Cerrato said. "I wouldn't say one [decision] was harder than the other."

The Redskins will sign an eight-man practice squad Sunday. Cerrato said 10 players are under consideration but that the personnel department will scour the waiver wire for candidates. Quarterback Chase Daniel said he will sign once he clears waivers.

Among the dozen newcomers are four of the six 2009 draft picks, free-agent signings Albert Haynesworth (defensive tackle) and Derrick Dockery (left guard), and running back Marcus Mason, a waiver pickup. The only player cut who finished last year on the Redskins' active roster was defensive end Rob Jackson.

The roster has 25 offensive and defensive players apiece and three specialists. Twenty-three players are age 25 or younger, and 16 players are 30 or older. Twenty-six Redskins draft picks made the team.

Brennan would have been on the roster but injured the labrum in his left hip against Baltimore and tore his left hamstring against Jacksonville. Brennan tore the labrum in his right hip as a senior at Hawaii and will visit the same surgeon for a diagnosis. He could need surgery.