Local players hope to make an impact
ASHBURN – They were nice summertime stories, local kids trying to make an NFL roster. But Byron Westbrook, despite his lineage, had to overcome his college pedigree. The jump from Division III to the NFL is rare. And Marcus Mason had to prove he could crack a position that already seemed set.
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Then Westbrook showed that he could help on special teams and, in a pinch, at corner. Mason ran over a New England safety and crossed the goal line. At the same time, Marcus Mason crossed another line: from that of a summer sensation to full-time employment. It’s the play that Redskins executive vice president Vinny Cerrato mentioned when discussing Mason Saturday.
“He’s a pretty powerful runner,” said Redskins running backs coach Stump Mitchell.
Mostly, though, for Mason and Westbrook it was about completing — or at least taking the next step — in a journey filled with obstacles. As Mason reminded reporters Monday, things could change in a snap. Two years ago he made the final roster only to be cut after the first game.
Saturday, he was at the Redskins facility when he saw Cerrato, who initially said he wanted to talk to him. Mason thought another summer had ended badly. Only to quickly hear, “No, this time you’re good.”
However, the coaches already have said Mason is the No. 3 back, ahead of Rock Cartwright, the primary kick returner. If Mason, who was cut last season, proves he could help on special teams, he’ll be active most games — though coach Jim Zorn said it will be difficult to keep four backs active, which means Mason or Ladell Betts would be inactive.
Westbrook, cut each of the past two seasons, said he’s been told he’ll be a core part of the special teams.
“I can help this team doing anything,” Mason said. “It’s a blessing. It just shows if you really want something to keep working at it and it will happen. I couldn’t ask for more right now.”
Said Westbrook, whose brother Brian plays for the Eagles, “I grew up on the Redskins. I had Redskins colors my whole life …. Going out there wearing my jersey, the socks and everything, I’m going to enjoy it.”
They weren’t alone in feeling this way. Edwin Williams, like Westbrook, is a DeMatha alum. The undrafted free agent from Maryland earned a spot as a backup center/guard. Linebacker Robert Henson earned a job with a solid performance in the preseason finale.
Meanwhile, reserve tackle Mike Williams was out of the league for two seasons, hadn’t played in three and needed to lose 100 pounds. He’s on the roster. He summed it up in two words:
“It’s perseverance.”
