The Final 53: Post Buffalo

Well we finally saw the first string offense all together and it looked impressive for the few series it was out there. And the defense made strides but it is still missing some important parts as 2 starters (Landry and McIntosh) and two main subs (Rogers and James) are still sidelined with injurioes. Injuries in the pre-season give rookies and bubble players a chance to shine.

So with all that in mind, here is The Final 53 projections with the Buffalo game in the record books.

Quarterback

Projected Roster Spots: 3

Projected Starter: Jason Campbell

Projected Bench: Todd Collins, Colt Brennan

Outside looking in:Derek Devine

Nothing new here. Collins looked better but but not great and Brennan came back to earth. Still it looks like Devine will not get a shot at replacing him just as Brennan will not get a shot at replacing Collins.

Running Back

Projected Roster Spots: 4

Projected Starter:Clinton Portis

Projected Bench:Ladell Betts, Rock Cartwright, Marcus Mason

Anybody still want to trade Betts? If you saw how the offense worked with pboth Portis and Betts on the field and still want to trade either you better be a Cowboy fan. Mason had a big hiccup but he still ran the ball hard. He should get a few more looks at kick off returns but at this point it is to back rock up, not to replace him.

Tight End/Fullback

Projected Roster Spots: 4

Projected Starter: Chris Cooley & Mike Sellers

Projected Bench:Fred Davis, Todd Yoder

On the Bubble:Jason Goode

Outside Looking In:Nehemiah Broughton

No change here. This is about as written in stone as can be. Goode should get a shot at the PS unless there are major injuries in another position we need to stack up there.

Wide Receiver

Projected Roster Spots: 6

Projected Starter:Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle-El

Projected Bench: Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly, Billy McMullen, James Thrash,

On the Bubble:Maurice Mann, Anthony Mix,

Outside Looking In:Horace Gant, Burl Toller

Mix's injury opens up the 6th WR spot for McMullen who is out there catching balls, and not sitting on the sideline. And Mix's injury will sideline him for another week. A strong performance by McMullen and he will be out of the ...uhm Mix. Mann and Toller are battling for the last PS spot

Offensive Line

Projected Roster Spots: 9

Projected Starter:Chris Samuels, Pete Kendall, Casey Rabach, Randy Thomas, Jon Jansen

Projected Bench:Andrew Crumney, Chad Rinehart, Jason Fabini, Stephon Heyer

Outside Looking In:Kerry Brown, Devin Clark, Justin Geisinger, Todd Wade, Taveres Washington

Chad Rinehart's emergence and the need for a backup center is combining to hurt Todd Wade's chances, and his injury and salary is not going to help him any. It looks as if Andrew Crumney can climb into that 9th spot. The rest are fighting for ps spots. but you got to like the upside of Washington & Geisinger.

Defensive Line

Projected Roster Spots: 8

Projected Starter:Jason Taylor, Kedric Golston, Cornelius Griffen, Andre Carter

Projected Bench: Anthony Montgomery, Lorenzo Alexander, Demetric Evans, Erasmus James

Outside Looking In: Rob Jackson, Chris Wilson, Matthias Askew, Ryan Boschetti,

Injured reserve/PUP: Phillip Daniels, Alex Buzbee

Ok 8 is a little light in the roster spots but here is my thinking. Montgomery and Golston are battling for the starting DT spot next to Griffen, and Carter and Taylor are safe. Demetric Efvanas can back up both dt and DE. Lorenzo Alesxander can be an emergency DT guy and Erasmus James will be the situational pass rusher. Rob Jackson can spend a year on PS getting ready. The odd guy out is Chris Wilson but he has done nothing all camp and pre-season to warrant his inclusion on the roster.

Projected Roster Spots: 7

Projected Starter: Rocky McIntosh, London Fletcher-Baker, Marcus Washington

Projected Bench:KharyCampbell, HB Blades, Matt Sinclair, Alfred Fincher

Outside Looking In: Curtis Gatewood, Rian Wallace

I think Alfred Fincher has done enough to warrant looking at him for a roster spot. he is a former third round pick who always seems to be around the ball and can play special teams. You have to like a guy like that. He is going to make a case for keeping 7 lbers.

Cornerbacks

Projected Roster Spots: 5

Projected Starter:Shawn Springs, Fred Smoot

Projected Bench:Carlos Rogers, Justin Tryon, Leigh Torrence

On the Bubble:Matteral Richardson, Byron Westbrook

Outside Looking In:Cedrick Holt

Boy Tyron looks a little lost out there, but I doubt the Redskisn give up on a 4th round pick so early. Matteral Richardson will need to do more to get ahead of himn for the 5th CB spot. Byron Westbrook is trying to make a case as a kickoff returner, but it is not a very good one. Both matteral and Westbrook will fight it ourt for the PS.

Safety

Projected Roster Spots: 4

Projected Starter: Reed Doughty, Laron Landry,

Projected Bench: Kareem Moore, Chris Horton

On the Bubble: Vernon Fox

Outside looking In: Patrick Ghee, Justin Hamilton

Fox being excusesd from this last week's game did not help his case any. Horton and Moore are both draft picks and both have played well in the one game they were in. With Shawn Springs able to play Safety the Redskins can afford to go a little light here.

Special Teams

Projected Roster Spots: 3

Projected Starter:Sean Suisham (k), Durant Brooks (p), Ethan Albright (ls)

On the Bubble: Derrick Frost

Frost showed that he can still place the punts inside the 20 but you have to believe Brooks is still the odds on favorite to win the punting job and will need to implode before Frost can regain the top spot, Suisham hitting the long go ahead FG helped out his confidence...and ours.

Projected Practice Squad:

Derek Devine (QB), Jason Goode (TE), Maurice Mann (WR), Tavares Washington (OL), Justin Geisinger (OL), Curtis Gatewood (LB), Matteral Richardson (CB), Rob Jackson (DE)

We will see what this week's practices and this weekend's game shapes the roster.

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