Casey Rabach understood the decision. Considering he’ll be 34 in September and three other players on the roster can play center, it didn’t stun him to be cut.
The Redskins told Rabach that they were going to release him later Thursday, ending a six-year run as the starting center. But Kory Lichtensteiger, Will Montgomery and Erik Cook all can play center. Lichtensteiger and Montgomery both started at guard last season, but are better suited for center.
“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.
“I’m thankful to know now instead of being in camp for two weeks not knowing and then trying to do something after that would have been tough. But it’s no fun, anyone who has ever been fired [understands]. What are you going to do? You can’t throw a fit and tear up the coaches office.”
Rabach missed one start during his tenure, playing during a period where there was often drama. He sees the drama subsiding, especially with the release of Clinton Portis earlier this offseason and the trading of defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth.
“It would have been nice to see,” Rabach said. “I like what Bruce [Allen] and Mike [Shanahan] are doing … putting this team on the right track. It would have been good to be a part of it.”
