Mason v. Rock

Ive been an advocate for trading Betts since he did well when Portis went down. I like Betts, but we have Rock and Mason. This year, someone will take Mason if we practice squad him.

That's very true.

Unless I'm mistaken, practice squad guys are safe from other teams. I know you can't go on the practice squad after your second year though.

The ideal time to trade Betts would have been immediately after the 2006 season when he was steamrolling everybody. I wouldn't be opposed to the idea of parting with Betts for a couple of picks, but one of them would have to be a 2nd rounder at minimum. Betts fumbles too much for my tastes.

Besides, serviceable spot duty-type running backs grow like weeds in this league.

Mason is fine and all but is it really a big deal if someone scoops him up off the PS? Our RB tandem of Portis and Betts is more than satisfactory and should be that way for 3 or 4 more years. By that time, I would hope that another running back of Mason's skill level would be available either through FA or the draft in the next couple of years. We currently have a solid running game and a solid return game. Take away Rock and we still have a solid running game but now our return game becomes....questionable. I say keep Rock and let Mason sit on the practice squad, even if it means another team knows more about him than we do and grabs him. The Redskins future is not in jeopardy if Mason is not part of the team these next 3 years.

I haven't been paying close enough attention, but who's the better blocker of the two?

Unless I'm mistaken, practice squad guys are safe from other teams.

Not safe. It happens quite a bit.

I haven't been paying close enough attention, but who's the better blocker of the two?

Haven't seen much of a blocking roll for Mason, although he ran his ass off last night. But have seen plenty from Rock over time, I think clearly that would be Rock.

From Wikipedia:

Each NFL team may keep up to eight members on their "practice squad" in addition to their 53-member main roster. They consist mostly of rookies who were cut in training camps and borderline NFL-caliber players. Both rookies and young veterans are eligible for the practice squad. However, a player cannot participate on the practice squad for more than three seasons. Practice squad players practice alongside regular roster players during the week; however they are not allowed to play in actual games. They can be paid considerably less than active squad players: the minimum salary from 2008 to 2010 is $5,200 per week (2008-2010)[1] for 17 weeks, or $88,400 per season, in comparison to the NFL minimum rookie salary of $285,000. (Some practice squad players are paid considerably more, however: in 2006, the New England Patriots paid third-year player Billy Yates the full $425,000 he would have earned on the active roster.)[2]They are also ineligible for many fringe benefits such as service time, pensions, and the like. They hope to be promoted to the active roster either by their current team, or by another team who is scouting them. They retain free agent status and may sign with any team they wish without compensation to the original team.

No way they keep six wideouts -- there'll be five at most, and then one would be inactive every week. I believe the rule of thumb is to keep 9 or 10 offensive linemen. That means Mix is gone, unless he can unseat Thrash. I don't see that happening.

Nemo can't be on the practice squad anymore since this is his third year.

I think they'll also need one more fullback behind Sellers. That makes Mason the odd man out.


also, There is no way we go into the season with one backup Offensive Tackle.

also, There is no way we go into the season with one backup Offensive Tackle.

How about Heyer and Alexander?