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Receiver Marques Hagans--a quarterback at the |
BY RICH CAMPBELL
ASHBURN
--The Washington Redskins' roster began to take shape yesterday, as they cut five players ahead of Tuesday's NFL deadline to reduce rosters from 80 players to 75.Veteran linebacker Albert Fincher and wide receiver Marques Hagans, the former University of Virginia quarterback, were among the cuts.
Tackle Devin Clark, cornerback Michael Grant and defensive lineman Michael Marquardt also were released.
"These guys have to be better than just doing it right half the time," coach Jim Zorn said. "They've got to do it right all the time or almost all the time. We're shooting for that from these players."
Fincher was entering his fifth NFL season and his second with the Redskins. He played in 15 games with Washington last season, primarily on special teams, and made two tackles.
He actually practiced with the first-string defense at outside linebacker on the first day of training camp because rookie Brian Orakpo had yet to sign a contract.
Zorn has some difficult decisions to make at linebacker before Saturday's deadline to finalize the roster at 53 players. Seven-year veteran Robert Thomas is in the mix, as are late-round draft choices Cody Glenn and Robert Henson and undrafted rookie Darrel Young.
"I think it was more that the younger guys were still coming on," Zorn said. "We felt that Al, in all fairness, he was here a year ago. The other guys are doing as well as he, and so we decided that maybe they'll have a higher ceiling."
Hagans finished last season on the Redskins' practice squad and has six games of NFL experience. He flashed his potential throughout training camp, but he seemed to disappear after dropping a deep pass from Jason Campbell in the first quarter of the first preseason game.
Zorn said that drop alone didn't cost Hagans his job. Hagans had one preseason catch for nine yards.
"As the preseason starts, the guys that don't continue to rise up and really make a difference are the guys that you have to question and make a decision," Zorn said.
Clark was among the young offensive linemen whom the organization touted as prospects during the offseason. Marquardt was added to the roster after training camp began. Grant had only one tackle in the preseason.
THOMAS AS A RETURNER?
Special teams coach Danny Smith was a bit coy yesterday when asked about wideout Devin Thomas' prospects as a kick returner.
Thomas, who has not returned kickoffs since his college days at Michigan State, averaged 26.3 yards on three returns against New England on Friday. That average leads the team this preseason.
"First time out, he did OK," Smith said. "We'll try anything and anybody. If they can do it, we'll put him out there.
Smith was asked whether Thomas and incumbent Rock Cartwright could form a formidable return duo.
"I don't know," he said. "He hasn't done it enough to say that. We just gave a couple reps to see. He's done it in his past, and we tried it out. We'll see where we go from here."
Cartwright said he'd be open to splitting return duties.
"Any time you got a guy back there with speed like Devin has who has big-play capability, it definitely can help you," Cartwright said. "I don't plan on giving him my job, but if Danny wants to put him back there then I'm all for it."
Mason not for MVP
Reserve running back Marcus Mason may lead the Redskins in rushing with 87 yards this preseason, but he's going to have to improve his pass blocking and show some promise on special teams to earn a roster spot, coaches said yesterday.
"I love Marcus Mason, but he's never played in an NFL game," special teams coach Danny Smith said. "Let's not name him MVP today. He has improved from when we had him [last preseason] when we had him on [special] teams. He has done a good job there. Now he's in position to make plays. When he starts making them, we'll consider him for one of those core positions."
THIS AND THAT
Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth missed practice yesterday with a stomach ailment, Zorn said. Cornerback Carlos Rogers (strained left calf) missed practice, and his status for Thursday's preseason finale at Jacksonville is uncertain.
Running backs Clinton Portis and Marcus Mason both missed practice with bruised ribs. Portis will not play Thursday, Zorn said.
Safety Kareem Moore (hamstring) was limited in practice.
The Redskins' first-teamers will play Thursday, but not for long, Zorn said. Backup quarterbacks Colt Brennan and Chase Daniel will both play.
Rich Campbell: 540/735-1974
Email: rcampbell@freelancestar.com
