Vision Quest: Close But No Cigar

After the Redskin loss on Monday night I sat around trying to think of exactly who we should be blaming for the loss. Sure the easy answer would be John Hall who missed the 48 yard FG to tie the game. And for those of us Danny Smith haters out there, a group I am proud to be associated with, we could point to a general malaise of the coverage units and even Punter Derrick Frost whose 31 yard punt set up a Minnesota FG which was the margin of victory. Some will point to the defense that could not generate a pass rush all night and dropped 3 interception opportunities. And of course there is the vaunted Saunders offense that produced 16 points in the first half including 3 FGs inside 27 yards, but none in the second half.

All these options are right but I have come to another conclusion: Maybe Joe Gibbs has not spread himself thin enough.

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A Quick Reaction to the Final Cuts

I just wanted to post a quick reaction to the final roster cuts. As you know the Redskins cut 21 players today. While there were no real major surprises there are some curious moves.

Here are the 21 players released:

DB Julian Battle
DB Curry Burns
DL Nic Clemons
WR Mike Espy
DB John Eubanks
WR Jimmy Farris
OL Spencer Folau
RB A.J. Harris
WR Steven Harris
OL Jasper Harvey
LB Spencer Havner
DL Cedric Killings
OL Kili Lefotu
DL Vaka Manupuna
LB Robert McCune
DB Christian Morton
TE Buck Ortega
OL Chris Pino
WR Richard Smith
DL Joe Sykes
FB Manuel White, Jr.
I was mildly surprised by the release of three players: FB Manuel White, DL Cedric Killings, LB Spencer Havner. And I am not just saying this because they were the only 3 of my predictions that did not make it. Taking their place are Nehemiah Broughton (FB), Ryan Boschetti (DL), and Reed Doughty (S). First off the cut of Manny White (paired with the expected cut of Buck Ortega) leaves the Redskins with only 2 TEs. Someone will have to fill in on goal line situations. The cut of Killings over Boschetti was surprising as Killing was specifically targeted to resign with the Redskins in the off-season and started the last pre-season game. Havner leaves the Redskins shorter at LB (6) then they have been in the past and most likely will come back as a PS player.

Injuries probably played a large part in the roster decisions. Injuries to starting running back Clinton Portis and starting corner Shawn Springs resulted in extra players being kept at those positions. The as the Redskins decided to keep 10 defensive backs instead of the usual 9 and 4 running backs instead of the normal 3 (as well as keeping Nemo at FB who can play Rb as well). To make up for those numbers they went short on TE (2) and

Of the 21 players cut only 13 (Espy, AJ & Steven Harris, Harvey, Havner, Lefotu, Manupuna, McCune, Morton, Ortega, Pino, Smith, Sykes) are eligible to come back as PS players. The Redskins must wait until 3 pm tomorrow to sign the players and most likely will do so only moments after the deadline.

A quick prediction: Look for the Redskins to scour the other cuts but barring any additions to either the roster (like a 3rd TE or an Veteran OL) or to the PS I would bet the Redskins will sign the following 8 players: Mike Espy & Steve Harris (WR), Spencer Havner (LB), Jasper Harvey & Kili Lefotu (OL), Buck Ortega (TE), Christian Morton (DB), Joe Sykes (DL).

Vision Quest The Final 53, The Final Guess

Cut day is coming.

It is an NFL reality. Every year in May teams take 90 players into camp but only 53 players get roster spots in September. Almost half are left to wander the CFL and Arena leagues and dream about next year. But it is not just a reality in the NFL, even the Galaxy is getting into the act, recently cutting Pluto and then resigning it to there version of the Practice Squad, the dwarf planets.

But back to the NFL where tomorrow the dreams and nightmares of many players, vets and rookies, will be realized. Most of those players, unbeknownst to them, will not get a next year. They will spend a few years drifting in and out of Pro and semi-pro leagues and then fall back on whatever career path is offered to them. Late at night they will drink beers in a bar and watch other players on Sundays and tell their mates how it could have been them

So before we go onto the cuts lets all raise a glass in toast to those who took their shots but missed. I salute you the fallen brotherhood of athletes who just could not attain the most coveted place in your profession: A NFL roster Spot.

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