Erigion Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49971-2004Aug31.html In a Surprise Move, Ralph Brown Is Cut By Jason La Canfora Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, September 1, 2004; Page D07 The Washington Redskins made their final cut necessary before yesterday's 4 p.m. deadline, releasing cornerback Ralph Brown. The move caught many at Redskins Park by surprise because Brown, 25, was signed to a two-year, $1.38 million contract in March after spending the last four seasons with the New York Giants. His deal included a $250,000 signing bonus and team officials believed he would play considerably, most often as a nickel -- or fifth -- defensive back. Gregg Williams, the Redskins' assistant head coach-defense, said the team released Brown early to give him a better chance to sign with another team, a policy that the Redskins also applied to veteran defensive back Ifeanyi Ohalete and linebacker Kevin Mitchell, who were early cuts. Brown's departure had more to do with the emergence of young players in the secondary and was not an indictment of Brown's play, Williams said, adding that several teams have contacted the Redskins about Brown in recent days. "We want to make sure he gets a job," Williams said, "and we have some young guys who have had a really good camp." Rookie safety Sean Taylor has gained lots of attention for a superior training camp and ascension to a starting role, but he is not the only defensive back to catch Williams's eye. He pointed to undrafted free agents Rufus Brown (Florida State) and Garnell Wilds (Virginia Tech) as deserving of praise and it would seem both have a chance to crack the roster. They must continue to make plays on special teams and in the secondary, Williams said, after the defense lagged in the last preseason game at St. Louis. "Rufus has been battling really hard and he can do some things in special teams," Williams said. "He's one of our quickest, most ballistic, movement guys we have. He needs to step up and help [special teams coach] Danny Smith this weekend as does Wilds. Both of those guys come from backgrounds where the [NFL] game is not too big because they played at a pretty high level in college and both have special teams-oriented backgrounds, too. So it's good for them." The Redskins are still carrying 11 defensive backs among the 76 players in camp. Washington must cut down to 53 players by Sunday. Injury Report It is looking increasingly likely that linebacker Mike Barrow will miss the entire preseason with his knee injury and could miss the opening of the regular season against Tampa Bay on Sept. 12. Barrow again missed practice yesterday and has put no timetable on his return. Linebacker LaVar Arrington practiced for the second straight day after missing two games with a knee injury and is participating in more contact drills by the day, making a return for Friday night's game against Atlanta more likely. Tackle Chris Samuels is no longer wearing a walking cast but his sprained ankle remained taped and he was unable to practice yesterday. He is not expected to play Friday night. Guard Randy Thomas rested yesterday after getting an MRI exam on his neck injury; the MRI showed no structural damage. Thomas said he may be able to play Friday. Offensive lineman Marcus Spriggs missed practice for the second straight day because of a sprained ankle. Should Samuels and Thomas not play Friday, the Redskins would be without three of the six linemen who were projected starters when camp began. Tight end Fred Baxter remains out with a knee injury. Team Does Lunch The Redskins practiced early yesterday -- from 8 until 9:30 a.m. -- and then traveled by bus to the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Tysons Corner for their annual welcome home luncheon. Wide receiver Laveranues Coles was named the team's 2003 offensive player of the year, cornerback Fred Smoot was named the defensive player of the year and kicker John Hall was the special teams player of the year. Coach Joe Gibbs was given a standing ovation and again was effusive in his praise for Redskins fans. "If you want to coach or play, there's no better place to be," he said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renegade7 Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 Wow. So I guess we're keeping Rufus and Jimoh after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiefhogskin48 Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 This was pretty predictable given his mediocre play and lack of special teams prowess. I still think he could have helped a lot with our depth at the position. Now the health of Walt Harris is that much more important. And Bauman had better step up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiefhogskin48 Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 Damn, I forgot about Jimoh. :doh: He must be an incredible practice player.... God help us if he ever sees the field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posse81 Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 I predict we'll keep six CBs. Special teams is obviously a priority with this staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimster Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 I thought Bauman might have gotten cut, but I guess he showed something. I could see us keeping Rufus and putting Wilds on the PS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagletooth Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 Williams wants solid tacklers in his secondary. Ralph Brown maybe adequate in coverage but I feel he really lacks a physical presense vs the run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. S Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 Jimoh is still gone, he better be. I wanna keep Wilds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet Sassy Molassy Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 After reading this article Tory Holt says, "Hey! That's the guy I beat for the TD, I danced in-front of him! Haha, er ... um, why is everyone leaving the room?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinned Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 They must owe someone a favor to have kept Jimoh on the roster this long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saqs Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 Why not trade Brown? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shims3 Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 Wilds making the team is wild. He was not really even a standout for VT. I am excited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McMetal Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 What a waste of 250 G's... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The X-Factor Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 I don't see how Jimoh is still on the team. He is looking like another David Terrell type to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inmate running the asylum Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 I cant see this team keeping 7 CB's. No way. This would mean we would be short at some other position. Therefore Jimoh is still a goner I believe. I cant even see this team keeping 6 CB's really. I think Rufus Brown makes the team as the 5th CB, and Wilds who has 3 special team tackles, winds up on the PS. And Williams statement that other teams contacted the Skins about Ralph Brown I find hard to believe, being most people thought he might be cut. So if this is true, why didn't they trade him for a 7th round pick? Williams was just trying to be nice to Ralph Brown and letting him down easy. I mean lets face it, he looked lousy in a couple of preseason games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlanta Skins Fan Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 In the end, they could only watch as the receiver faded into the distance. "Ade, I'm scared. Too scared to wet my pants." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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