Two weekends to go before the regular season openers and the Redskins are still shuffling around with the roster. RB Jesse Lumsden and CB Dimitri Patterson were released to make room for the signings of punter Eddie Johnson and DB Vernon Fox.
With the trade to bring in TJ Duckett and Lumsden fighting off nagging injuries, the move wasn't too much of a surprise. The backfield was already considered crowded with Clinton Portis, Ladell Betts, Rock Cartwright and Mike Sellers (who's actually a FB). Once Portis returned, though, there wasn't much expectations for Lumsden to get carries during the games anyway.
Patterson more than likely will end up on the practice squad if he goes unsigned. He did record an interception against the Dallas Cowboys last year late in the season and saw some action due to injuries, but he hasn't stood out enough to be worthy of a roster spot yet. Vernon Fox will be brought in to compete at the safety position. Other than starters Sean Taylor and Adam Archuleta, the safeties are Pierson Prioleau and rookie Reed Doughty. If Fox performs well enough, all the warm fuzzy feelings for Doughty could come to an end. He has had some solid moments, but he's still riddled with rookie mistakes, and the Redskins aren't looking to rebuild this year. Fox is a fifth-year player, playing in 56 games in his career bringing some experience at the position. He has played for the San Diego Chargers and the Detroit Lions.
The move to bring in a punter was less of a surprise and more of a relief. Frost has been consistently inconsistent so far, just like last year, and could get a foot in the rear if he doesn't get his foot out his own rear. The only question with this move is why did it take so long? Then again, looking at incoming punter Johnson's stats, he played in 14 games as a rookie for Minnesota and had 56 punts for a frosty 39.1 yard average.
Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.
