afparent Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A63987-2004Sep5.html Redskins Waive DE Upshaw, RB McCullough During Final Cut Associated Press Sunday, September 5, 2004; 4:30 PM ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs put the finishing touches on his first NFL roster in 12 years Sunday, cutting nine-year veteran defensive end Regan Upshaw and 21 other players to reach the 53-man limit for the regular season. The cuts resolved a tight competition for the backup running back positions -- Ladell Betts and Rock Cartwright beat out Sultan McCullough and John Simon -- and curiously left the team with just four cornerbacks, including two who have durability issues. Upshaw was the biggest name to go, but his release wasn't much of a surprise. He was a disappointment last year, starting only eight games after signing his five-year, $7.5 million contract. Upshaw had a chance to stay because his replacement, newly signed free agent Phillip Daniels, missed nearly all of training camp with an abdominal strain. But Daniels returned to play in final exhibition game and appears set to start the regular season opener next Sunday against Tampa Bay. Betts and Cartwright were the obvious choices to back up Clinton Portis at running back until both were injured during the preseason, giving McCullough and Simon a chance to move up the depth chart. McCullough led the team in rushing with 212 yards on 61 carries in the exhibition games, but Betts cemented his spot by returning from his hamstring injury to rush for two touchdowns Friday against Atlanta. McCullough clearly wasn't happy as he arrived at Redskins Park to turn in his play book. He said he had a dream that he made the team, but he awoke to a telephone message from running backs coach Ernest Byner informing him that reality would be different -- that McCullough at best might end up on the practice squad. "I don't want to be on the practice squad, honesty," said McCullough, who made the roster last year but only played in one game. "I think I'm good enough to be on the roster. To me, it's like a slap in the face" Cartwright sat out the Falcons game with a shoulder injury, but his special teams abilities saved his roster spot. Simon also missed the game with a shoulder injury, so the team placed him on injured reserve, ruling him out for the season. "I was nervous," said Cartwright, whose natural position of fullback doesn't have a place in Gibbs' offense. "I did the things I needed to be able to do, and I made the roster" The biggest surprise might have been the decision to keep just four cornerbacks: Shawn Springs, Fred Smoot, Ade Jimoh and Walt Harris. Springs is trying to shake an injury-prone label after missing 13 games over the last three years with Seattle, while Harris missed most of training camp while recovering from a serious knee injury. Jimoh was one of the few players openly criticized last year by coach Steve Spurrier for poor play, yet he made the team over Rashad Bauman, a reliable nickel back for the last two years. Meanwhile, 5-foot-11 Smoot wants to prove he's a top-notch cornerback after three years of playing in the shadow of departed Pro Bowl player Champ Bailey. The thin cornerback corps is compensated somewhat by the addition of first-round draft pick Sean Taylor at free safety. Taylor had a very good preseason, displaying the talents of the big-time play-maker. All four draft picks -- Taylor, H-back Chris Cooley and offensive linemen Mark Wilson and Jim Molinaro -- made the team. However, there are no undrafted rookie free agents among the 53, despite Gibbs' repeated emphasis on the need to find overlooked talent during the draft process. The full list of cuts: tight ends Leonard Stephens and Fred Baxter; defensive tackles Ryan Boschetti and Cedric Killings; cornerbacks Rufus Brown, Garnell Wilds and Bauman; receivers Jafar Williams, Sean Dillard, Gari Scott and Dameane Douglas; offensive linemen Pita Elisara, Ben Nowland, Marcus Spriggs, Daryl Terrell and Bill Ferrario; quarterback Gibran Hamdan; kicker Ola Kimrin; running back McCullough; defensive ends Darrell Wright and Upshaw. Linebacker Chris Clemons was released with an injury settlement. ... Three players -- Simon, safety Dennard Wilson and tackle Jon Jansen -- are on injured reserve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimster Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 Well it sounds as though Sultan needs to grow up. With Dorsey Levens being released, I can definitely see him going up there. I guess Bamuan is another Daryl Gardner - suddenly Bauman is a superstar because we cut him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PiLfan Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 so how do the redskins plan to compensate for the lack of their nickle corner, now that Bauman is gone? i know Sean Taylor gives the Skins more options in coverage with their safety position than they've probably had in years, but will that be enough? i also noticed the team kept a whopping number or LBs. that definitely seems to fit into Williams' attack-style defense....but does anyone know the number of LBs to CBs he's had on his previous teams? just trying to figure out if this is a normal set up for him going into the regular season. :point2sky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inmate running the asylum Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 Well if McCullough publicly says "it was a slap in the face," and he doesn't want to be on the practice squad, I doubt if we will see him on our PS. A public statement like that is a slap in the face to the coaching staff. The Raiders who are always looking for speed or Miami who needs a RB will probably claim Sultan. Right at the moment, if Portis or Springs goes down with an injury, we could be in a world of hurt, with a lack of depth at RB and CB. I still dont think that Betts is 100% and I would hate to see Cartwright or Morton the starting RB if Portis gets dinged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 Bauman was beaten folks. You saw it, I saw it. #25 was often in position stride for stride but the receiver(s) went up and got the ball. While there is a hole behind Harris, it was there last year behind Bailey and Smoot, so things have actually improved Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebowski Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 What about bringing Buckley in. He would be a great 4th or 5th CB. He probably wants to be paid liek a 2nd or 3rd though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inmate running the asylum Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 Originally posted by PiLfan i also noticed the team kept a whopping number or LBs. that definitely seems to fit into Williams' attack-style defense....but does anyone know the number of LBs to CBs he's had on his previous teams? just trying to figure out if this is a normal set up for him going into the regular season. Not a whopping number, really. He kept 7 because the status of Mike Barrow is up in the air. Clifton Smith thus made the team as a backup MLB to Pierce. Just as The Thinker predicted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen-like Todd Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 That was a pretty stupid statement by Sultan. He's fast, he looks like he has potential, but so what? So do a lot of players in the NFL, along with a lot of players NOT in the NFL. He might get his wish, and NOT be on the practice squad, for those comments alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ragintd Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 Originally posted by jimster Well it sounds as though Sultan needs to grow up. With Dorsey Levens being released, I can definitely see him going up there. I guess Bamuan is another Daryl Gardner - suddenly Bauman is a superstar because we cut him. The Skins must be looking over the waiver wire for a pickup or 2. Only 4 CBs on the roster, one of which is Jimoh. Scary man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PiLfan Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 Originally posted by Zen-like Todd That was a pretty stupid statement by Sultan. He's fast, he looks like he has potential, but so what? So do a lot of players in the NFL. like Cliff Russel for instance? :laugh: actually, i didn't see Russel's name on the cut list...did he somehow manage to make the team again? :mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCS Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 No. He ws released in the first round of cuts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 didn't Patrise Alexander say the same thing Sultan did about deserving to make the roster and it being a slap in the face? remember what happened to him? :laugh: exactly. who does? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiCkSoULjA Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 Sultan was wrong for making the comments but he clearly out performed Rock. Rock is a good fullback he clearly lost alot of his power with the lost of weight. WRONG MOVE Buaman shouldn't have been cutt Upshaw was our best pash rushing lineman and hes cut. AHH this sucks. But I am no NFL coach so who the hell cares what I think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen-like Todd Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 Originally posted by bulldog didn't Patrise Alexander say the same thing Sultan did about deserving to make the roster and it being a slap in the face? remember what happened to him? :laugh: exactly. who does? I do! I think so, anyways. I THINK he wound up in the AFL for a bit. Or the XFL. Or both. Either way, he sure showed us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba9497 Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 so how do the redskins plan to compensate for the lack of their nickle corner, now that Bauman is gone? Andre Lott:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimster Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 I bet we're going to sign a player or two yet. I wouldn't mind us getting Stacey Mack. Has Thrash taken Russell's # yet or what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmchairRedskin Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 Did Lott see any preseason time as a corner? I'm betting that Bubba is right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 "Upshaw was our best pass rushing defensive lineman" Based on his play the past year plus here in Washington, I want someone to back this statement up. He had 1 sack last season and didn't do much this preseason either. All he did last year was prolong opponents' drives with boneheaded penalties and late hits. I had hoped the staff was going to help him turn his career around, but based on what we saw I don't see how anyone could label him our best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMat184 Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 I'm guessing we are gonna see Bowen,Lott, and Sean Taylor on the field together in clear passing situations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarhog Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 Originally posted by SiCkSoULjA But I am no NFL coach so who the hell cares what I think Now thats just too damn easy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W&M Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 Sultan gone doesn't surprise me ... Gibbs can't stand "wet diapers" for players. Sorry to hear that Bulman didn't make it. Corners are precious, and we have money invested in him, so I have to believe we was soundly beaten out if he didn't make it. Too bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potato Sack Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 Sebowski, I personally wouldn't mind seeing Buckley in a Redskins uni. Sure, he's getting older, but he's still a good defensive player. Might be a compliment as a backup. I knew Sultan wouldn't make it. Byner as well as the rest of the coaching staff know they need backs like Rock and Betts to hit the hole and not dance around as Sultan was prone to do. I can guarantee you that Sultan wouldn't listen to Byner when he was trying to teach the youngster you couldn't dance. I think Sultan is immature from the statements he made. Good riddance kid, good luck with you career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 McCullough didn't get drafted in 250 plus picks in 2003 for a reason folks. Actually, he was lucky to make last year's team as Spurrier and Hue Jackson were in the process of cutting him when Vinny intervened to save him, cutting Kenny Watson instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inmate running the asylum Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 Originally posted by bulldog didn't Patrise Alexander say the same thing Sultan did about deserving to make the roster and it being a slap in the face? remember what happened to him? :laugh: Patrise Alexander?? You sure you aren't confusing him with Patrise Mugumbo of the Belgian Congo? I believe they died in a coup. :laugh: If we get any more Nigerian players in the NFL with their funny names, I believe I'm going to switch sports to soccer. :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsfan51 Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 I hope Sultan doesn't turn out to be a superstar and make us eat our decision to cut him. I liked him and enjoyed watching him run. Gibbs knows best, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.