Hog Wire: Filling out the Roster
The Washington Redskins had to go back to their list of “players that could help if needed” this week; even that list has to be running out of names with all the injuries the team has faced in 2007. Safety Omar Stoutmire was re-signed to take the roster spot of cornerback John Eubanks who was released Thursday. Stoutmire has been with the team on and off since 2005, and played a couple of games early this year.
Not on the Redskins ‘list’ was defensive end Alex Buzbee, he was already on the practice squad, and ahs been all season. Washington had decided to move Buzbee to the active roster but while trying to reach his agent, the team heard he was about to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs. Vinny Cerrato was able to contact Buzbee and his agent before the Chiefs deal was signed, and the rookie out of Georgetown chose to sign with the Redskins. Buzbee will take the roster spot of linebacker Rocky McIntosh.
The Redskins filled out the practice squad roster, signing 6-2 257 pound defensive end Tommy Davis (North Carolina), and 6-2 244 pound linebacker Danny Verdun-Wheeler (Georgia). Davis who’s from Goldsboro, North Carolina was originally signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2006 and spent time on the New York Giants practice squad this season. Verdun-Wheeler who’s from Thomson, Georgia was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent this year.
Quotes and Notes:
— Rookie safety LaRon Landry was the first player Coach Joe Gibbs selected in last years NFL draft, he was picked ninth overall. Landry is the only first round pick since the return of Gibbs that’s still on the field. Sean Taylor was the first, number one pick (5th overall) of the “Gibbs II” era, and was taken from the team tragically a few weeks ago. Cornerback Carlos Rogers who was ninth overall the following year (2005) is sidelined for the season. The Redskins traded their first round pick for the 2006 draft to select Quarterback Jason Campbell fourteen players after Rogers was taken, Campbell was sidelined two weeks ago and his return is questionable.
— Head athletic trainer John Burrell announced Marcus Washington has been named the Redskins’ Ed Block Courage Award winner. The award is given to one player from each NFL team who has overcome injuries while at the same time maintaining a high level of sportsmanship and professionalism both on and off the field. Marcus was sidelined late last season with a knee injury. During the off season, he underwent hip surgery, and suffered a dislocated right elbow injury in a preseason game. Though ten games this season Washington has 48 tackles, five sacks and one interception.
— Players like Redskins lineman Lorenzo Alexander are a rarity in today’s NFL; Alexander plays goal line offense, defense, and on the special teams. With a depleted offensive line, he plays the tackle eligible, but filled in briefly for Jason Fabini as a pulling guard Sunday night against the Giants. Lorenzo’s position is listed as a defensive tackle but should be DT/TE/G/T that also plays ST. Alexander went undrafted out of college (California) and spent most of the 2006 season on the Redskins’ practice squad. Defensive coaches told Joe Gibbs and Joe Bugel they should give him a look on the offense line during this years OTA’s and he has become one of the team’s most versatile back-ups.
— The Washington Times reported that Redskins coach Joe Gibbs is open to the possibility of staying beyond the 2008 season. Gibbs would not address the rumors that owner Daniel Snyder had offered him a two-year extension by saying “I don’t want to dredge up a bunch of stuff, hear people talking about, ‘Hey, Joe wants to talk to Dan about a contract,’ “We’ll talk at some point. That stuff takes place in the off-season. My focus now is on Minnesota. That’s where I’m going to leave it.” Asked if the rumor had anything to do with ensuring the players that he wouldn’t be a lame duck in 2008, Gibbs said “I think the players kinda know,’ “They know me, what I’m all about. I don’t think they’re worried about that. They’re worried about the playoffs. They’re not worried about me.”
— Clinton Portis rushed for 126 yards on 25 carries (5.0 YPC), to go over 1000 yards for the fifth time in six seasons. Portis has only had three 100+ yards games this year and two came in games at the Meadowlands; he rushed for 196 yards against the Jets on November 4th
Up Next:
The Redskins will face the Minnesota Vikings (8-6) on Sunday, at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET. The Vikings defeated the Chicago Bears 20-13 on Monday night, Tarvaris Jackson was picked off three times but the Vikings defense only allowed 32 rushing yards. The Vikings are led by Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (69.6 QB rating, 1516 yards, 6 Touchdowns, and 10 Interceptions) and Middle Linebacker E.J. Henderson (105 Tackles, 85 Solo/20 Assists and 3.5 Sacks). The Minnesota Vikings are ranked 11th in points scored with 325 points and the defense is ranked 8th in points allowed, giving up 257 points.
Complete Tale of the Tapes:
Total Offense: Washington is ranked 16th with 329.5 yards per game and New York ranks 11th with 339.1 ypg.
Rushing Offense: Washington is ranked 11th with 116.7 yards per game and New York ranks 1st with 169.6 ypg.
Passing Offense: Washington is ranked 15th with 212.8 yards per game and New York ranks 30th with 169.5 ypg.
Total Defense: Washington is ranked 10th giving up 317.8 yards per game and New York ranks 20th with 334.4 ypg.
Rushing Defense: Washington is ranked 9th giving up 94.8 yards per game and New York ranks 1st with 67.9 ypg.
Passing Defense: Washington is ranked 19th giving up 222.9 yards per game and New York ranks 32nd with 266.4 ypg.
Injury Report:
QB Jason Campbell (knee) is listed as Out
Campbell is doing well and has seen good improvement over the last week and will be out at least another two weeks.
C Mike Pucillo (Back) is listed as Out
Pucillo returned to practice on Friday but go not particapate
TE Todd Yoder (Knee) is listed as Doubtful
Yoder has a cartilage problem in his right knee, but is going to try to play through it and deal with it during the off season, he did not practice this week.
WR Keenan McCardell, (Calf) is listed as Questionable
McCardell returned to practice on Friday and will be a game time decision
DT Cornelius Griffin (Back) is listed as Probable
Griffin was limited in practice this week but is expected to play.
DE Phillip Daniels (Knee) is listed as Probable
Daniels was limited in practice this week but is expected to play
S Pierson Prioleau (Hamstring) is listed as Questionable
Prioleau did not practice until Thursday and will be a game time decision.
S Vernon Fox (Knee) is listed as Probable
Fox was limited in practice this week but is expected to play
Injured Reserves:
The following players are done for the 2007 season:
FB Broughton, Nehemiah (Knee)
TE Ecker, Tyler (Groin)
WR Espy, Mike (Knee)
WR Harris, Steven (Knee)
WR McAddley, Jason (Hamstring)
OL Tucker, Ross (Neck)
OT Jansen, Jon (Ankle)
CB Carlos Rogers (Neck)
RG Randy Thomas (Arm)
LB Rocky McIntosh (Knee)
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Bernie Marshall