Press Release: REDSKINS SIGN SIX TO RESERVE/FUTURES CONTRACTS

For Immediate Release

January 8, 2013

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. – The Washington Redskins announced today that they have signed the following players to Reserve/Futures contracts:

NFL

PLAYER               POSITION             HEIGHT                WEIGHT                D.O.B.            EXP.          COLLEGE

Chigbo Anunoby         NT                   6-4                   324                  1/4/89              R          Morehouse

Dominique Hamilton     DL                   6-5                   315                  1/18/89            R          Missouri

Eric Kettani           FB                    5-11                 240                  3/26/87            1          Navy

Korey Lindsey          CB                   5-10                 194                  2/3/89              1          Southern Illinois

Phillip Merling        DE                   6-5                   315                  8/19/85            5          Clemson

Deangelo Peterson      TE                    6-3                   243                  1/11/89            R          Louisiana State

Anunoby (ch-BOO Ann-u-noby) signed with the Redskins’ practice squad on Sept. 25, 2012, where he remained for the rest of the season. He originally signed with the Indianapolis Colts as a college free agent on April 30, 2012, before being waived on Aug. 31, and signed with the Colts’ practice squad a day later. Anunoby was released from the Colts’ practice squad on Sept. 18.

Hamilton signed with the Redskins’ practice squad on Sept. 18, 2012, where he remained for the rest of the season. He originally signed with the Oakland Raiders as a college free agent on May 4, 2012, before being waived on Aug. 31.

Kettani signed with the Redskins’ practice squad on Sept. 11, 2012, where he remained for the rest of the season. He originally signed with the New England Patriots as a college free agent on May 4, 2009. He was placed on the Reserve/Military list on July 29, 2009. Kettani was released from the Patriots’ practice squad on Sep. 4, 2012.

Lindsey signed with the Redskins’ practice squad on Dec. 5, 2012, where he remained for the rest of the season.

Lindsey was originally drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals out of Southern Illinois in the seventh round (No. 207 overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft. He was waived by the Bengals on Sept. 3, 2011, before being claimed off waivers on Sept. 5 by the Arizona Cardinals. In 2011, Lindsey was inactive for Weeks 1-2 and 4 with Arizona and did not play in Week 3. He was released from the Cardinals’ active roster on Oct. 5, before being re-signed to the team’s practice squad on the same day.

Lindsey was waived by the Cardinals on May 30, 2012, before being claimed off waivers by Indianapolis Colts a day later. He was placed on the Colts’ Reserve/Injured list on Aug. 31, before being waived from the Reserve/Injured list on Sept. 25, 2012. Lindsey signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad on Nov. 14, before being released a day later.

Merling signs with the Redskins after having spent time with the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers since being originally drafted by the Dolphins out of Clemson in the second round (No. 32 overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. He was placed on the Dolphins’ Reserve/Non-Football Injury list on Aug. 31, 2010, before being activated on Nov. 30. Merling re-signed with the Dolphins as a restricted free agent on April 11, 2012, before being released on April 23. He signed with the Green Bay Packers on May 23, before being released on Nov. 6.

Merling has appeared in 50 regular season games with five starts, totaling 72 tackles (52 solo), 3.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries, all according to coaches’ film. He also had one interception as a rookie, which he returned 25 yards for a touchdown against the New York Jets in Week 17.

Merling played collegiately at Clemson from 2005-07, appearing in 38 games while starting his final 26 contests. He finished his collegiate career with 146 tackles (99 solo), including 31 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 45 quarterback pressures, seven passes defensed, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors as a junior in 2007.

Merling, 27, attended Fork Union Military Academy in 2004, where he played defensive end and tight end. He also attended Cordova (Tenn.) H.S., as a senior, where he earned first-team all-state honors. He attended Calhoun H.S. in Saint Matthews, S.C., for his first three years. Merling was born on Aug. 19, 1985, in Portsmouth, Va.

Peterson signed with the Redskins’ practice squad on Sept. 2, 2012, where he remained for the rest of the season. He originally signed with the St. Louis Rams as a college free agent on May 8, 2012, before being waived on Aug. 31.

Didn't realize Phillip Merling had fallen like that. Also didn't realize how big he was. Maybe our team can whip him into shape to be a contributor; he obviously had the talent at some point.

Funny considering that we seriously considered drafting Merling before trading down in 2008.

what is a future / reserve contract, and why did we sign merling, that is the wrong clemson guy, we need clowney.

what is a future / reserve contract, and why did we sign merling, that is the wrong clemson guy, we need clowney.

These are guys who didn't play in the NFL last year. After the season ends, you are allowed to sign these guys for next year's roster. For guys who did play in the NFL last season, you need to wait until FA starts.

Before anybody tries to write these guys off remember, one of Mike's first signings was getting Lichtensteiger on a future's contract. Sure, they're not the cream of the crop, but that doesn't mean they're all worthless.