Rich Tandler's Real Redskins

The 53: Extreme makeover at defensive back

The Redskins will report to training camp on July 25. Over the next five weeks they will undergo the process of cutting their 90-man roster down to 53. Which players will get those coveted spots and which will join the ranks of the unemployed? Over the next couple of weeks we’ll go through position by position and try to predict what decisions Mike Shanahan and company will make.

So far we’ve covered the offense, the linebackers, and the defensive line. Today we’ll look at the defensive backs.

There are 15 defensive backs on the roster, the Redskins will keep nine.

Cornerback: DeAngelo Hall, Josh Wilson, Cedric Griffin, Richard Crawford, Chase Minnifield
Safety: Brandon Meriweather, Tanard Jackson, Madieu Williams, DeJon Gomes
Out: Kevin Barnes, Brandyn Thompson, Morgan Trent, Jordan Bernstine, Travon Bellamy, Reed Doughty

Changes from 2011: LaRon Landry signed with Jets as a free agent, O. J. Atogwe was released, signed with Eagles, Byron Westbrook not resigned; Signed Griffin, Meriweather, Jackson, Williams, and Trent as free agents, drafted Crawford and Bernstine (both 7^th round), signed Minnifield as undrafted free agent.

Breakdown

This is the “extreme makeover” edition of The 53. The secondary may be better than it was last year or it may be worse but it seems certain that it will be very different. The Redskins are guaranteed to have two new starting safeties in the wake of the departures of both Landry and Atogwe. It appears that they are ready to bring in a whole new batch of nickel and dime backs and depth players.

Hall and Wilson will be the staring corners. Barnes was the nickel back for the first 13 games of last season before the now-departed Westbrook started to get most of the nickel snaps at the end of the year. Griffin was signed to be the nickel back and the team may be ready to move on from Barnes after three years and give Minnifield and Crawford a shot. The rookies stood out during OTA’s and minicamp and if they can replicate that performance when the pads go on it will be hard to keep them off of the roster.

Thompson is in the mix as well. He is athletic enough to be the playmaker that the Redskins are looking for at the position. Thompson bounced between the active roster and the practice squad all year and they only played him four snaps on defense, however, and he will have to show that he can earn some playing time if he is going to stick around for a second season.

If they decide that they would rather not go strictly with youth for depth, Trent could stick around. He bounced around with three teams last year but he does have 36 games of NFL experience under his belt including three starts.

One wild card in the mix is Westbrook. He remains unsigned. Word was that the Redskins offered him a three-year deal but he thought he might be able to get a better opportunity for playing time elsewhere. If he is still looking after a week or so of camp there could be a reunion between the 26-year-old, who has been with the organization since 2007, and the Redskins.

At safety, the 30-year-old Williams was not guaranteed a roster spot when he signed as a free agent but he worked his way into great position to grab one during the offseason. With Jackson limited as he recovers from a shoulder injury Williams spent a lot of time with the first unit and his play and leadership drew a lot of praise.

However, Mike Shanahan said over and over that safety was one of two positions (along with running back) that are very difficult to judge without pads on. It would not be surprising at all to see Bernstine earn a spot over Williams or Gomes or to see Doughty survive one again.

It is also possible that Bernstine or Doughty could make it as a fifth safety. They went with four most of last year so they could do so again. Or maybe they will go with nine linebackers instead of the 10 I projected and keep another safety. Or perhaps the additional defensive back spot will go to Barnes, who could be a reserve at both corner and safety.

Linebackers 

 

In: Brian Orakpo, Ryan Kerrigan, Rob Jackson, Markus White, Chris Wilson, London Fletcher, Perry Riley, Lorenzo Alexander, Keenan Robinson, Jonathan Goff
Out: Donnell Holt, Bryan Kehl, Brian McNally, Monte Lewis

 

Defensive line

In: Stephen Bowen, Jarvis Jenkins, Adam Carriker, Kedric Golston, Barry Cofield, Chris Neild
Out: Darrion Scott, Kentwan Balmer, Doug Worthington, Chris Baker, Delvin Johnson

Running backs

In (4): Roy Helu Jr., Tim Hightower, Evan Royster, Darrell Young


Out: Tristan Davis, Alfred Morris, Antwon Bailey, Lennon Creer

Tight ends

In (3): Fred Davis, Niles Paul, Chris Cooley


Out: Logan Paulsen, Richard Quinn, Beau Reliford

Wide receivers

In (6): Anthony Armstrong, Pierre Garçon, Leonard Hankerson, Josh Morgan, Santana Moss, Aldrick Robinson


Out: Brandon Banks, Terrence Austin, Darius Hanks, Brian Hernandez, Lance Lewis, Samuel Kirkland

Quarterbacks

In (3): Robert Griffin III, Rex Grossman, Kirk Cousins


Out: Jonathan Crompton

Offensive line

In (9): Trent Williams, Kory Lichtensteiger, Will Montgomery, Chris Chester, Jammal Brown, Willie Smith, Tyler Polumbus, Josh LeRibeus, Tom Compton


Out: Erik Cook, Grant Garner, Adam Gettis, Maurice Hurt, Nevin McCaskill, James Lee, Nick Martinez

Rich Tandler blogs about the Redskins at www.RealRedskins.com. You can reach him by email here and follow him on Twitter @Rich_Tandler. 

 

The 53: Loading up on linebackers?

The Redskins will report to training camp on July 25. Over the next five weeks they will undergo the process of cutting their 90-man roster down to 53. Which players will get those coveted spots and which will join the ranks of the unemployed? Over the next couple of weeks we’ll go through position by position and try to predict what decisions Mike Shanahan and company will make.

So far we’ve covered the offense and the defensive line. Today we’ll look at the linebackers.

There are 14 linebackers on the roster, the Redskins will keep 10.

In: Brian Orakpo, Ryan Kerrigan, Rob Jackson, Markus White, Chris Wilson, London Fletcher, Perry Riley, Lorenzo Alexander, Keenan Robinson, Jonathan Goff
Out: Donnell Holt, Bryan Kehl, Brian McNally, Monte Lewis

Changes from 2011: Rocky McIntosh signed with the Rams as a free agent and Keyaron Fox was not resigned; Redskins drafted Robinson (4^th round), signed Goff and Kehl as free agents.

Breakdown

This unit is one of the strengths of the team. It would not be surprising if any of the four starters—Orakpo and Kerrigan on the outside, Fletcher and Riley on the inside—made the Pro Bowl.

The starters are every down players. That was literally the case with Kerrigan, who played every one of the 1,056 defensive snaps last year. Fletcher didn’t rest much as he played 1,033 snaps. Orakpo was injured in the last game of the season and took an occasional rest so he played “only” 956 plays. McIntosh started the first eight games of the season and Riley the last eight and they combined to play just over 1,000 snaps.

It is a plus to have such a versatile group that the coaches can trust in virtually any down and distance situation. The issue is that it gives the reserves very few reps to develop and get ready they are needed. Jackson played 113 snaps last year and the departed Fox played just 51. Riley came in as the starter having played just one defensive snap in the first eight games of the season and just eight as a rookie in 2010. White was active for just two games and did not play a defensive snap while Lorenzo Alexander played just 11 snaps.

Alexander is of value to the team even if he doesn’t play at all on defense as he is the special teams captain. Wilson, who lined up on defense only occasionally when he was with the Redskins from 2007-2010, also would be a special teams specialist for the most part.

Jackson and White will be the top reserves at outside linebacker while Goff will be the backup on the inside. Robinson has a chance to be Fletcher’s eventual successor and his 2012 will probably be like Riley’s 2010, playing special teams when he’s active and learning mostly by watching and getting a few practice reps.

While there is a role for each of the 10 players, there may not be room for all of them. If they decide to trim one linebacker to create a spot elsewhere, Wilson and White likely would be the players on the bubble competing for the one last linebacker job.

Kehl could sneak up a grab a spot if Wilson and White falter. The best that Holt, McNally, and Lewis can hope for is a spot on the practice squad.

Defensive line 

In: Stephen Bowen, Jarvis Jenkins, Adam Carriker, Kedric Golston, Barry Cofield, Chris Neild
Out: Darrion Scott, Kentwan Balmer, Doug Worthington, Chris Baker, Delvin Johnson

Running backs

In (4): Roy Helu Jr., Tim Hightower, Evan Royster, Darrell Young


Out: Tristan Davis, Alfred Morris, Antwon Bailey, Lennon Creer

Tight ends

In (3): Fred Davis, Niles Paul, Chris Cooley


Out: Logan Paulsen, Richard Quinn, Beau Reliford

Wide receivers

In (6): Anthony Armstrong, Pierre Garçon, Leonard Hankerson, Josh Morgan, Santana Moss, Aldrick Robinson


Out: Brandon Banks, Terrence Austin, Darius Hanks, Brian Hernandez, Lance Lewis, Samuel Kirkland

Quarterbacks

In (3): Robert Griffin III, Rex Grossman, Kirk Cousins


Out: Jonathan Crompton

Offensive line

In (9): Trent Williams, Kory Lichtensteiger, Will Montgomery, Chris Chester, Jammal Brown, Willie Smith, Tyler Polumbus, Josh LeRibeus, Tom Compton


Out: Erik Cook, Grant Garner, Adam Gettis, Maurice Hurt, Nevin McCaskill, James Lee, Nick Martinez

Rich Tandler blogs about the Redskins at www.RealRedskins.com. You can reach him by email here and follow him on Twitter @Rich_Tandler. 

 

The 53: Can Balmer grab a DL spot?

The Redskins will report to training camp on July 25. Over the next five weeks they will undergo the process of cutting their 90-man roster down to 53. Which players will get those coveted spots and which will join the ranks of the unemployed? Over the next couple of weeks we’ll go through position by position and try to predict what decisions Mike Shanahan and company will make.

So far we’ve covered the offense. Today we’ll start breaking down the defense with the line.

There are 11 defensive linemen on the roster, the Redskins will keep six.

In: Stephen Bowen, Jarvis Jenkins, Adam Carriker, Kedric Golston, Barry Cofield, Chris Neild

Out: Darrion Scott, Kentwan Balmer, Doug Worthington, Chris Baker, Delvin Johnson

Changes from 2011: Jenkins back from injured reserve

Bubble watch: If Balmer can be more than just an impressive physical specimen and actually play good football, he could push for Golston’s spot.

Breakdown

The big competition in training camp this year is unlikely to be for a roster spot but for a starting job. Cofield is set at nose tackle while Jenkins and Carriker will compete to see who starts at left end opposite Bowen. In any case, those four have roster spots locked up.

Neild also is fairly safe as the backup nose tackle although he could be pushed by Baker. The Redskins have shown a preference to hang on to their own draft picks so that favors Neild. But if Baker clearly outplays Neild in camp and in the preseason, which is not out of the questions, Baker could be a surpise 2012 roster addition replacing Neild, who surprisingly survived the 2011 final cuts.

The Redskins did resign Golston as a free agent contract but his one-year deal contains no guaranteed money so his spot on the roster is not secure. They brought Balmer in after Golston went on injured reserve midway through last season. He did not impress immediately, playing just 28 snaps in three games. But the coaches are intrigued by his potential and if the 25-year-old can revive his NL career (this is the former first-round pick’s fourth team in his fifth NFL season) he could push the  29-year-old Golston out.

Scott was on the roster last year but the return of Jenkins likely leaves him without a spot. Worthington spent most of last year on the practice squad and could return there this year. Johnson’s best hope is to land on the practice squad.  

 

The 53: The numbers game on offense

Over the past week we’ve gone through the Redskins’ offense position by position and I’ve given you my prediction on who will make the team and who will be joining the ranks of the nation’s unemployed when the final cuts take place on Sept. 1. Before moving on to the defense, let’s take a quick look back at the offense to tie up a few loose ends. We’ll start The 53 on defense on Friday with the line.

I had the positions break down like this—four running backs, three tight ends, six wide receivers, three quarterbacks, and nine offensive linemen for a total of 25 offensive players. Most of the time an NFL 53-man roster will have 25 of offense, 25 on defense and three specialists and those are the guidelines I used in putting this together.

That’s usually the way it is but there is no rule that says it has to be that way. A 26/24 split is unusual but not unheard of.

I have both tight end Logan Paulsen and rookie running back Alfred Morris on the outside looking in right now. But it is likely that the Redskins want to hold on to at least one of them. If they don’t want to part with another running back or tight end to do so they could have them compete for a 26^th offensive roster spot and shave back on defensive spot.

The Redskins also could open up a roster spot by going with two quarterbacks or with five wide receivers. Mike Shanahan had as few as four receivers on his roster when he was with the Broncos and two quarterbacks have been the norm form him over the years. But the four-wideout rosters were before teams started to routinely line up four and five WR’s on one play. And it is difficult to see Shanahan going with just rookies Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins at quarterback for the season. Rex Grossman almost certainly will be kept around.

So the more likely route for Morris and Paulsen to make the 53 is to knock off someone at their own positions. Could Paulsen’s superior blocking ability knock out either Chris Cooley or Niles Paul? Might the Redskins opt for Morris over Evan Royster if the former can back up at fullback?

Since I wrote the article with the offensive line predictions my doubts about who will make it have grown. Until seeing them in pads in training camp for a week or so I think that anyone besides the five starters is vulnerable.

Running backs

In (4): Roy Helu Jr., Tim Hightower, Evan Royster, Darrell Young

Out: Tristan Davis, Alfred Morris, Antwon Bailey, Lennon Creer

Tight ends

In (3): Fred Davis, Niles Paul, Chris Cooley

Out: Logan Paulsen, Richard Quinn, Beau Reliford

Wide receivers

In (6): Anthony Armstrong, Pierre Garçon, Leonard Hankerson, Josh Morgan, Santana Moss, Aldrick Robinson

Out: Brandon Banks, Terrence Austin, Darius Hanks, Brian Hernandez, Lance Lewis, Samuel Kirkland

Quarterbacks

In (3): Robert Griffin III, Rex Grossman, Kirk Cousins

Out: Jonathan Crompton

Offensive line

In (9): Trent Williams, Kory Lichtensteiger, Will Montgomery, Chris Chester, Jammal Brown, Willie Smith, Tyler Polumbus, Josh LeRibeus, Tom Compton

Out: Erik Cook, Grant Garner, Adam Gettis, Maurice Hurt, Nevin McCaskill, James Lee, Nick Martinez

 

The 53: OL starters look set, battles for reserve spots

The Redskins will report to training camp on July 25. Over the following five weeks they will undergo the process of cutting their 90-man roster down to 53. Which players will get those coveted spots and which will join the ranks of the unemployed? Over the next couple of weeks we’ll go through position by position and try to predict what decisions Mike Shanahan and company will make. 

So far we’ve covered the running backs, tight ends, quarterbacks, and wide receivers (see below for breakdowns). Today, it’s the offensive line

There are 16 offensive linemen on the roster, the Redskins will keep nine.

In: Trent Williams, Kory Lichtensteiger, Will Montgomery, Chris Chester, Jammal Brown, Willie Smith, Tyler Polumbus, Josh LeRibeus, Tom Compton
Out: Erik Cook, Grant Garner, Adam Gettis, Maurice Hurt, Nevin McCaskill, James Lee, Nick Martinez

Changes from 2011: OT Sean Locklear left as free agent (signed with NY Giants); Lee signed as a free agent, LeRibeus, Compton, Gettis selected in draft.

Breakdown

There are many out in Redskins Nation who are undoubtedly disappointed that it appears that the same five players who started the season opener on the offensive line last year will do the same this year. It appears that the only thing that will prevent that from happening is a setback in the recovery of Kory Lichtensteiger’s injured knee.

But the Redskins were 3-1 with that unit before things fell apart. And after the 10-sack Week 8 debacle in Toronto against the Bills things gelled for the reserves. The Redskins gave up an average of just two sacks a game in the last nine games of the season.

The pressure is on Williams to become a star. At the other tackle, the pressure is on Brown to stay healthy and stay on the field. If he can’t Smith or maybe even Compton could take his job as the year goes on. Lichtensteiger, Montgomery, and Chester aren’t threats to make the Pro Bowl but as long as they can plug up the middle on pass plays and get out to the next level on the stretch play they will be more than adequate.

It appears that two of the backup spots are set with Smith and Polumbus. Smith made the team as an undrafted rookie last year and started the last three games of the season at left tackle after Williams was suspended. He was far from dominant but he did show some promise. Polumbus started games at both left guard and right tackle last year and he is a valuable backup.

It seems like LeRibeus, the second player the Redskins drafted after RG3, quickly became a favorite of the coaches by diving in and learning both center and guard. Mike Shanahan has stressed versatility with his linemen and LeRibeus should earn a spot if he can master all three interior line spots, or at least become competent enough to fill in.

Compton is in on a hunch and by default as much as anything else. Hurt has been moved back to tackle after starting eight games at guard last year and he will need to show substantial improvement to get a roster spot. The same goes for Cook, who started two games at center. While it would be a mistake to completely write off either one of them, the Redskins may just want to start fresh and work with Compton.

If Compton demonstrates reasonable competence and potential it is hard to see him not staying over the 27-year-old James Lee, although the veteran does bring some experience as a starter with him. Compton would really have to fall on his face for the Redskins to keep Lee over him.

And it wouldn’t be a total shock for Gettis to make it over any of those four. He also is learning both guard and center and they could figure that they are set with Polumbus and Smith as the backup tackles and choose to develop him.

If Cook and Hurt do not make it, neither is eligible for the practice squad. Compton and Gettis are eligible along with McCaskill, Martinez, and Garner. The practice squad is probably the most that the latter three can hope for.

Projections to date (click for details and breakdown):

Running backs

In: Roy Helu Jr., Tim Hightower, Evan Royster, Darrell Young
Out: Tristan Davis, Alfred Morris, Antwon Bailey, Lennon Creer

Tight ends

In: Fred Davis, Niles Paul, Chris Cooley
Out: Logan Paulsen, Richard Quinn, Beau Reliford

Wide receivers

In: Anthony Armstrong, Pierre Garçon, Leonard Hankerson, Josh Morgan, Santana Moss, Aldrick Robinson
Out: Brandon Banks, Terrence Austin, Darius Hanks, Brian Hernandez, Lance Lewis, Samuel Kirkland

Quarterbacks

In: Robert Griffin III, Rex Grossman, Kirk Cousins
Out: Jonathan Crompton

 

The 53: QB appears to be set in stone

The Redskins will report to training camp on July 25. Over the next five weeks they will undergo the process of cutting their 90-man roster down to 53. Which players will get those coveted spots and which will join the ranks of the unemployed? Over the next couple of weeks we’ll go through position by position and try to predict what decisions Mike Shanahan and company will make. 

So far we’ve covered the running backs, tight ends, and wide receivers (see below for breakdowns). Today, it’s the quarterbacks.

There are four QB’s on the roster, the Redskins will keep three.

In: Robert Griffin III, Rex Grossman, Kirk Cousins
Out: Jonathan Crompton

Changes from 2011: John Beck (3 starts in 2011) out, Griffin and Cousins in; average age drops from 30.5 years to 25.4

Breakdown

This has been pretty well set since that controversial moment when the Redskins took Cousins with a fourth-round pick. That was two days after Washington drafted Griffin with the second overall selection. 

As Mike Shanahan announced in the early going, Griffin is “the starter, period.” He will take the vast majority of the first-team reps in camp and will be behind center when the Redskins open at New Orleans on Sept. 9 and, everyone involved hopes, for every game for the next decade or so.

Grossman is likely to start the season as the second-team quarterback but Cousins could push him for the position as the year goes on. The Redskins and their fans fervently hope that the identity of the second-string quarterback is only a matter of semantics and that RG3 will live up to the hype and remain healthy. 

Last year they carried only two quarterbacks on the roster, Grossman and John Beck, who has been released. The addition of the third signal caller will have ripple effects through the  roster as there will be one fewer player at another position.

Crompton spent last year on the practice squad and although he is eligible to do so again that is unlikely. With three QB’s on the roster there is no room for a fourth.

Projections to date (click for details and breakdown):

Running backs

In: Roy Helu Jr., Tim Hightower, Evan Royster, Darrell Young
Out: Tristan Davis, Alfred Morris, Antwon Bailey, Lennon Creer

Tight ends

In: Fred Davis, Niles Paul, Chris Cooley
Out: Logan Paulsen, Richard Quinn, Beau Reliford

Wide receivers

In: Anthony Armstrong, Pierre Garçon, Leonard Hankerson, Josh Morgan, Santana Moss, Aldrick Robinson
Out: Brandon Banks, Terrence Austin, Darius Hanks, Brian Hernandez, Lance Lewis, Samuel Kirkland

The 53: One less job at wide receiver

The Redskins will report to training camp on July 25. Over the next five weeks they will undergo the process of cutting their 90-man roster down to 53. Which players will get those coveted spots and which will join the ranks of the unemployed? Over the next couple of weeks we’ll go through position by position and try to predict what decisions Mike Shanahan and company will make. 

So far in the 53, we’ve looked at running backs and tight ends (see projection below). Here is the projection for wide receivers.

There are 12 wide receivers on the roster, the Redskins will keep six.

In: Anthony Armstrong, Pierre Garçon, Leonard Hankerson, Josh Morgan, Santana Moss, Aldrick Robinson
Out: Brandon Banks, Terrence Austin, Darius Hanks, Brian Hernandez, Lance Lewis, Samuel Kirkland

Changes from 2011: Jabar Gaffney released, Donte Stallworth and Dave Anderson left as free agents, Niles Paul moved to tight end; Garçon and Morgan signed as free agents

Bubble watch: Banks has defied to odds to spend two years on the roster and he won’t go easily. Austin is a favorite of the coaches but he might not get a third year to break through. Armstrong and Robinson are vulnerable if those two shine.

Breakdown

From the moment that the Redskins signed Garçon and Morgan it was obvious that those two and Hankerson would be the Redskins top receivers this year. As the offseason programs have gone on, Moss has clinched a spot in the rotation. 

Last year, the Redskins kept seven receivers on the 53-man roster for most of the year. That counts Banks, who returned kicks but played only a handful of snaps on offense, as a receiver. But this year something will have to give somewhere as it is very likely that the team will carry three quarterbacks. It appears that the return specialist role is the one that will be sacrificed to be able to carry the third QB.

This isn’t unfounded speculation, Mike Shanahan as much as said so when the talked earlier about the need for Banks to be able to play wide receiver if he is going to make the team. 

Working with six receiver spots and having the top four set, that leaves eight players for two roster spots. It would be a major upset if any of the four undrafted free agents–Lewis, Hanks, Hernandez, and Kirkland–put themselves into contention for anything more than a practice squad job. That leaves the other four fighting for those last two jobs.

You can make a case for or against all of them. 

--Armstrong could regain his 2010 form after having an off year due to injury.

--Robinson is green but he has speed and you can’t teach that.

--Austin has not done much in his two years with the team but he is a hard worker who might be ready to break through.

--The odds are slim that the 5-7 Banks will be able to contribute in the passing game. But then again he has defied expectations. 

The choices here are Armstrong and Robinson but none of the four making it would be a big surprise. 

Projections to date (click for details and breakdown):

Running backs

In: Roy Helu Jr., Tim Hightower, Evan Royster, Darrell Young
Out: Tristan Davis, Alfred Morris, Antwon Bailey, Lennon Creer

Tight ends

In: Fred Davis, Niles Paul, Chris Cooley
Out: Logan Paulsen, Richard Quinn, Beau Reliford

The 53: Stability at running back

The Redskins will report to training camp on July 25. Over the next five weeks they will undergo the process of cutting their 90-man roster down to 53. Which players will get those coveted spots and which will join the ranks of the unemployed? Over the next couple of weeks we’ll go through position by position and try to predict what decisions Mike Shanahan and company will make. 

The first area we will look at is running back, including fullback.

There are eight running backs on the roster, the Redskins will keep four.

In: Roy Helu Jr., Tim Hightower, Evan Royster, Darrell Young
Out: Tristan Davis, Alfred Morris, Antwon Bailey, Lennon Creer

Changes from 2011: Hightower back from injured reserve, Ryan Torain released just prior to the end of last season

Bubble watch: Morris, a sixth-round pick, has a chance if he can learn to play fullback as well as halfback. However, there appears to be no room for him. His best shot is to wind up on the practice squad and wait to be called up if someone gets hurt. 

Breakdown

This should be one of the most stable units on the team. All four of those who are expected to make it were with the team a year ago. Royster came off of the practice squad in Week 12 and Hightower was the starter in five of the first six games before winding up on IR.

It seems like Helu is penciled in as the starter right now, given how he finished up 2011, but it’s a very light pencil. Nobody would be surprised in the least if Hightower lined up for the first snap in New Orleans. During the course of the year, Royster could get his share of starts as well.

The starter could be the hot hand, he could be the last man standing. Hightower is coming off of a knee injury and Helu was banged up the last few games of last year after carrying the load for a month. 

Davis, Bailey, and Creer have talent but the numbers are stacked against them. Fortunately, to coaches are unlikely to work the front-line players too much during preseason games so those three and Morris should get plenty of carries. That will give them to get a shot at the practice squad or to get a look by another team.

 

Roster churn slows but continues

We’re just about done with the free agency phase of the offseason. There might be another signing before the draft and some after it but the focus now is on Radio City Music Hall in two weeks.

It seems like a good time to look at the Redskins’ roster from last year and see who will be back and who might not be. Here is the 53-man roster from the start of last year after the jump:

Redskins NT Baker reports promotion via Twitter

By Rich Tandler

It looks like the Redskins have filled one of the two open spots on their roster with a player from their practice squad.

Nose tackle Chris Baker tweeted the following on Tuesday evening:

I'm happy 2 let everyone know that I have been activated to the 53 man roster

The 6-2, 298 product of Hampton has played in two NFL games, one for Denver in 2009 and one for Miami last season. He has also been with the Hartford Colonials of the UFL. He signed on to the Redskins’ practice squad on Sept. 5.

Baker becomes the third nose tackle on the active roster, joining Barry Cofield and Chris Neild.