Mike Rumph has an odd request. He wants the Redskins to ask him to clear out his locker.
Of course, he also wants them to find another one for him in the same room. For the first time in his career, the former first-round pick is on the bubble when it comes to final cuts. And, because he’s a new guy, the defensive back has one of the temporary lockers stationed in the middle of the Redskins’ locker room. They’ll be taken down once the final cuts are made.
“This is one of the most nerve-wracking things,” Rumph said. “I’ve never been in one of those lockers. It’s made me hungry to want to get out of that locker. It humbles you and makes you want to work harder.”
Rumph will find out Saturday if what he’s done in the nearly three weeks since he was acquired in a trade from San Francisco has been enough. The Redskins must cut 22 players to get to 53 by 4 p.m. Saturday.
“There are a lot of guys right now who are very nervous,” Redskins offensive lineman Ikechuku Ndukwe said. “It’s disturbing to get that call.
“It would be nice if they let us know — let them know — before the [scheduled Saturday morning] run.”
Ndukwe, who played the entire game at guard vs. Baltimore on Thursday, might be one of the lucky ones. The Redskins like him and he’s played well enough this summer to earn a spot. Plus the Redskins have little line depth and the alternatives after him are few.
“I have a lot to offer and they know that,” Ndukwe said.
Some positions appear tighter than others, such as running back. The Redskins will keep at least five. But two others could make the roster, Nehemiah Broughton and Manuel White. The latter could be kept as a third tight end; he played the position last summer and did so again Thursday. Broughton’s play on special teams, plus his physical blocking, give him a chance. Not that he’s analyzing the situation.
“If you do that, you can run yourself crazy,” he said.
Another intriguing spot is defensive tackle, where summer roommates and draft choices Kedric Golston and Anthony Montgomery could be vying for one spot.
“[Montgomery] had a good game, I had a good game; I’m happy for him,” Golston said. “[But] I think I’m going to be on this team. I really do believe that.”
