ASHBURN — One knew there was a chance. The other figured he could do what he’s always done: outmuscle time. So while Casey Rabach had an inkling, Phillip Daniels did not.
The Redskins released both longtime players in their quest as they told both, to get younger. Daniels is 38; Rabach is 34. Just a few days before training camp, Daniels was anxious to show how much his offseason training program had helped. He considered himself as strong as ever.
“Yeah it came out of nowhere,” he said. “I’m surprised. I spent the offseason working hard to get back and play. That’s the sad part about it; this is the best I felt in my whole career. In the 3-4, you need big strong guys. That’s the kind of guy you want in that system. If I was 10 years younger, it wouldn’t be an issue.
“I was ready to go. It came as a shock.”
Rabach was not as shocked. The Redskins had three other potential centers on the roster in Kory Lichtensteiger, Will Montgomery and Erik Cook. Montgomery and Lichtensteiger started at guard last season.
“I’ve been around long enough to know that it’s a young man’s sport,” Rabach said. “It wasn’t in the forefront of my thoughts of being released, but it was definitely in the back of my mind that it could happen. They’ve got depth at center.
“What are you going to do? You can’t throw a fit and tear up the coaches office.”
Daniels sounded more down than Rabach. Last season, in one interview Daniels was in tears talking about his desire to win a Super Bowl, a quest that was hurt by the drama surrounding the Redskins. It’s why he doesn’t want to retire.
“I’m not done,” he said. “I have too much left in the tank. … I did tell coach Shanahan that I hate that the age issue is a deciding factor. But I know there is no young guy that can give you what I gave you as a backup, give you what I gave you in goal-line and short yardage.
“All I did was lead and show guys the right way. I hate that I won’t be around to [lead] anymore.”
