Just filed the roster story for tomorrow’s dead tree edition. A full roster with position by position analysis will also be included.
Based on Friday’s roster projections, I hit on 48 of the 53. I missed with Colt Brennan (IR), Jeremy Bridges, Anthony Alridge, Robert Thomas and Cody Glenn. I didn’t have Marcus Mason, D’Anthony Batiste, Edwin Williams, Robert Henson or Byron Westbrook on the roster.
SEE RELATED:
Some thoughts on the 53, which was revealed to us around 6 p.m. today.
OFFENSE
*Because he didn’t play much against the Jaguars, I figured RB Marcus Mason would be on the roster. He sustained a rib injury against the Patriots and you don’t play injured players you intend on keeping around.
Vinny Cerrato commended Mason for his third-down play and that will be a interesting thing to monitor. Clinton Portis like to play every down and this preseason, Ladell Betts took the third down reps. Now what happens to Betts? He could be phased out if Mason proves good in pass protection and can get the first down/touchdown on short-yardage runs.
*The offensive line decisions were interesting. Jeremy Bridges wasn’t very good and he deserved to be cut. But the Redskins are banking on their starters staying healthy because T D’Anthony Batiste has four career starts and G/C Edwin Williams is a rookie.
As for Mike Williams, Cerrato continued on Jim Zorn’s theme from Friday’s presser by saying how well the big fella was playing. I’ll fall on the sword if Williams turns out to be productive but Jason Campbell is undoubtedly hoping that Stephon Heyer and Chris Samuels stay healthy.
*No surprises at tight end or receiver — the expected five WRs and three TEs made the roster.
*It’s not a big deal the Redskins are going with two QBs. Jason Campbell and Todd Collins are tough guys and rarely does disaster strike and both QBs go down in a game. If it happens, WR Antwaan Randle El will play QB, like he did at Indiana.
DEFENSE
*No surprises on the defensive line — 9 for 9 with five DEs and four DTs.
*At linebacker, I didn’t think Robert Henson had a shot — he was that unimpressive throughout camp. He probably did enough — Cody Glenn/Robert Thomas did so little — at Jacksonville to make the team.
After Thursday’s game, defensive coordinator Greg Blache said on Comcast that one player had played his way off the team. It had to be Glenn or Thomas.
*Of the Redskins six linebackers, two are converted from defensive end.
*In the secondary, the four safeties were as expected but Byron Westbrook made it as a sixth cornerback.
Cerrato said Westbrook’s inclusion had nothing to do with Carlos Rogers’ left calf, but so what if it is? It would be justified. Rogers’ injury has lingered for more than a month. Why not carry some Week 1 insurance?
Westbrook could play a role. Kevin Barnes hasn’t been very good and Justin Tryon not much better so there’s an opening for Westbrook to be the No. 4 or at least No. 5 corner.
SPECIAL TEAMS
*Everybody thought Shaun Suisham would have to really screw up to lose the kicking job to Dave Rayner. And Suisham’s 48-yard field goal Thursday night was the clincher.
— Ryan O’Halloran
