Redskins will work out punters today, may cut sixth-round pick
Jim Zorn isn’t going to charge into the Redskins’ next meeting, single out players and demand answers. At least not when it comes to three fumbles, which led to a lost opportunity for Washington. He’s more irked by penalties.
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Singling out the punter? That’s another matter — one that could be rectified as soon as today.
The Redskins career of punter Durant Brooks is on life support after another shaky performance by the rookie sixth-round draft choice in Sunday’s 19-17 last-second loss to St. Louis. Washington will work out at least two punters today — Ryan Plackameier and Josh Miller. If the Redskins like one of them, then Brooks will be cut.
Brooks also underwent an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of a quad strain. But the Redskins had already contacted other punters before they knew Brooks was injured.
“I would say his position is in jeopardy because of performance, not because of injury,” Zorn said. “That’s very fair to say.”
Redskins executive vice president Vinny Cerrato said on his radio show Monday that, “Somebody else will be punting Sunday.”
However, Zorn said later in the day there’s a chance Brooks could remain.
If the punters don’t do well in the tryout, Zorn said, “then we’re staying with what we’ve got.”
Zorn is familiar with Plackameier, who kicked in Seattle before being cut this season. Miller has kicked with four teams, most notably Pittsburgh and was fourth in the NFL in 2005 with a 45.1-yard average.
Brooks has punted poorly in four of the Redskins six games. He’s last in the NFL in average (39.6) and net average (32.1). Sunday, Brooks averaged 41 yards on five punts, with a long of 51. He also had a 26-yard punt from his own end zone that led to a Rams field goal.
“He punted well all week long and he got to the game and did not punt well,” Zorn said. “We know he’s a good punter, but a good punter also punts good in the game and he did not.”
“If you don’t produce, you don’t stay,” Redskins returner Rock Cartwright said. “We like Durant, but he hasn’t produced.”
Meanwhile, Zorn’s biggest complaint from Sunday’s game wasn’t the three fumbles; it was the penalties — seven of them.
“That’s because of a lack of concentration,” he said. “That’s inexcusable.”
He also disagreed that the Redskins might have overlooked St. Louis.
“We don’t see ourselves as an elite team, strutting our stuff and walking in saying we are so awesome,” Zorn said. “We tried to win. [But] we had so many problems we couldn’t overcome them.”
