Team cuts ties with Carter and Dockery
Once more the Redskins released veterans. Once more, the moves weren’t a surprise.
One day after cutting running back Clinton Portis, the Redskins continued their purge by releasing linebacker Andre Carter and offensive guard Derrick Dockery.
These weren’t cost-cutting moves. Neither Carter nor Dockery figured into the starting lineup next season even if they had returned.
Also, according to the NFL Network, the Redskins will release nose tackle Ma’ake Kemoeatu later this week.
“I knew this time was coming,” Dockery said. “I’m excited man. I’ve always worked hard and I know I’ll be somewhere next year. I can’t wait.”
Carter also knew he eventually would be released. The Redskins owed him a $4.1 million bonus by July. But the big reason is that Carter was ill-fitted to play linebacker in a 3-4 after spending all but one season of his career at defensive end.
In fact, his last year in San Francisco was spent in a failed experiment at linebacker. That’s why he signed with Washington in 2006. Carter recorded 11 sacks in 2009, the second most of his career.
“That was one of my best seasons, by far,” Carter said. “It was definitely memorable. I told everyone it was a tough pill to swallow playing in a 3-4 for the second time.”
He had 2.5 sacks this past season as a linebacker, though the Redskins used him often as a defensive end as well.
“I told [Mike Shanahan], ‘I’m a defensive end,'” Carter said. “That’s something I was bred to do. I’ve been very successful from it and I have a few more years left in me and I want to finish it the best way I know how.
“I definitely got better [as a linebacker]. We all had to make that adjustment to a 3-4. You take a new scheme, you embrace it the best way you know how. That’s what I did. If I started playing this a long time ago, I’m sure I could have excelled. But I am what I am; I’ve played end my whole life.”
Dockery spent six years in Washington, starting 79 games. He signed a lucrative free agent contract with Buffalo after the 2006 season, but returned in 2009 following his release from the Bills. The Redskins brought him back last offseason, even though he was bigger and not as quick as the typical guard under Shanahan.
Eventually, Kory Lichtensteiger — nearly 30 pounds lighter — replaced Dockery in the starting lineup.
“Yeah I was surprised,” Dockery said. “But sometimes things happen and you roll with it. I wasn’t going to complain or be one of those guys and be a distraction. I went with the flow.
“They felt I wasn’t playing up to a certain level I guess. Who knows? But I’m moving forward.”
Cutting Dockery will save the Redskins approximately $1.6 million against next year’s salary cap. Carter will still cost Washington approximately $3 million vs. the salary cap next season.
“I’ll miss the guys, I’ll miss the city and the organization,” Dockery said. “It wasn’t a big shock. I’m excited about the opportunity and what the future holds.”
The Redskins are expected to tender contract offers to linebackers Chris Wilson and H.B. Blades.
