The Redskins started reshaping their roster Thursday, cutting key veterans hours before free agency begins.
Washington has released: guard Randy Thomas, receiver Antwaan Randle El, cornerback Fred Smoot, defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, running back/returner Rock Cartwright and running back Ladell Betts. This also came on the day when longtime left tackle Chris Samuels officially retired. All the players released are over 30 years old; Washington had one of the NFL’s oldest rosters last season. The Redskins have saved nearly $12 million with these moves.
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“I’m shocked,” receiver Antwaan Randle El said. “I had no indication.”
Randle El signed with Washington in 2006 as the Redskins sought help in the return game and at receiver. But Randle El did not deliver the numbers many had hoped for, though he did catch 186 passes. However, he only had eight touchdown receptions and provided little spark in the return game.
“I never felt like I was used like I should have been,” Randle El said. “Al [Saunders] did a great job with some stuff and last year in the first six or eight games with Jim [Zorn] things were cool. I was making plays. But they brought in Malcolm and Devin … I knew they had to put those guys in.”
Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas competed for the No. 2 job this summer, with Randle El having little chance to win that position.
“It bothered me,” he said, ” but I wouldn’t let anyone know it and make a big uproar.”
Thomas missed most of last season with a torn right triceps and, considering he turned 34 in January, his release was predictable. But he was not told until he returned home — after attending the retirement press conference for teammate Chris Samuels.
“I’m a little surprised,” he said. “Just the timing of it, when me and my agent were in the same building. I was just sitting there with Chris… It’ll be a memorable day to me.
“But it’s a business and when you don’t stay on the field, you got to make a change. I couldn’t stay healthy and that’s what led to the decision. They did release me before free agency and that was nice. But calling my teammates and letting them know I got released, that’s the tough thing.”
Thomas said the Redskins told him they’d keep him on their “board”, presumably in case they can’t sign another right guard in free agency. He also said his goal was to play 15 years in the NFL; he just finished his 11th.
Losing Griffin and Smoot will rob Washington of veteran leadership defensively. However, if Carlos Rogers returns, the Redskins would also have young corners in Justin Tryon and Kevin Barnes, creating a logjam at this spot. But neither Tryon nor Barnes has proven they could be anything other than a No. 3 at this point. Rogers is upset that he was tendered for a first-round pick.
Betts’ release is not a surprise considering the Redskins want to add speed in the backfield. If Clinton Portis returns, then they’ll try to find a complementary back, one who likely can also return kicks, in free agency or the draft. One option, San Diego’s Darren Sproles, is off the market unless the Redskins want to give up a first- and a third-round pick for him. The Chargers tendered him Thursday, after letting it be known that they would not do so. The Redskins had targeted Sproles.
Cartwright, Griffin and Samuels were team captains. Cartwright had developed into a key special teamer under coach Danny Smith, but the Redskins have wanted to add more speed at this spot for a couple years.
