Early Cut list, or Please Get Off My Team

I know this all sounds like I have a man-crush on McMullen -- I don't, for the record. I just can't identify another receiver who has out performed him.

I agree. If we're going by performance only right now McMullen has to be the obvious choice.

Geisinger has been playing C. Wade, when healthy, should be backing up at T.

One question for the mcmullen fans: has he played any special teams?
That will determine a lot in the final wr spots. Mix has been hurt much of training camp, but the coaches know more of what they have in him already. I think Mcmullen has to outperform the others by leaps & bounds to make the team if he's not playing teams.

Can he play teams? I don't know.

Geisinger has been earning praise from his teammates, particularly the QBs for his work handling the offense line while at the Center position. Also, I think Wade will be one of Zorn's "I'm running the show now" cuts. The ones that that every new coach has to remind people that there's a new sheriff in town. I think Wade and Khary Campbell will be the victims of that.

McMullen should be playing well. He has extensive experience in NFL regular season games and with the WCO. However, I think this is the best we'll get out of B Mac, a solid big receiver who can shine (to an extent) against nickel corners but likely won't get much playing time. I think Mann on the other hand will get more time on teams, has more upside, and gets better separation as a receiver. I also think the presence of a veteran WCO guy in Thrash makes McMullen more expendable. I wouldn't be surprised actually if McMullen even requested he get released earlier to improve his chances of latching onto another team that could use him more so than we would. I think he'd be a good fit in Denver for example.

Honestly, this is the first time I've heard of Geisinger. But from what you wrote about him, he sounds like a valuable guy. I should also note that Doc Walker (take his word for what it's worth) doesn't believe Wade, or Fabini for that matter, are locks to win the backup OL positions. On the outside looking in, it would seem they have the edge just based on the fact that they are seasoned veterans. But to cut one or both could speak to the renewed sense of going with youth for this franchise -- which I like.

I believe you're right about McMullen asking for a release. Whether we keep 5 or 6 wideouts is immaterial; barring injury, the guys who are stuck with those spots aren't likely to see much action anyway.

One question for the mcmullen fans: has he played any special teams?
That will determine a lot in the final wr spots. Mix has been hurt much of training camp, but the coaches know more of what they have in him already. I think Mcmullen has to outperform the others by leaps & bounds to make the team if he's not playing teams.

Can he play teams? I don't know.

Good question -- I don't know either. That's one of those things that's really hard to see if you're only going by what you watch on television. Unless you're at the games, it's impossible to pick out a certain player and analyze him in specific situations. On TV, we can only see the ball carrier. So unless McMullen or any other guy makes a big play for the tackle or makes a key block, the television observer has no earthly idea.

Since he's not making any real noise on special teams, my guess is that McMullen is 'nothing special' in that regard.

Practice Squad

Jackson, Rob –
Curtis Gatewood
Colt Brennan
Justin Gesinger
Clark, Devin
Anthony Mix
Richardson, Matteral
Broughton, Nehemiah

You can put this in pen guys, its a rap......

broughton and mix can't go on PS (only first two years), brennan would be taken, not sure on the others...

McMullen can't choose which tier of players he lines up against. If he's facing only the scrubs, then that's by the design of his coaches, and all he can do is perform the best that he can despite the level of competition from the opposition.

I agree that he can't choose his competition. Given his inability to choose his competition, however, he must perform in a manner that reflects his experience. He simply has failed to do so. How well do you think Randle-El or Thrash would be doing against the guys McMullen has been playing against? That's the standard he has to match, I would suggest that, while good, he has not dominated against these guys. That's what he needs to do and that's what he hasn't done.

QB: LB: McIntosh, Fletcher, Washington, Blades, Fincher, Wallace
Cut: K. Campbell,

Practice Squad: Crummey, Toler, Horton, Gatewood, Sinclair, Washington, Dirtbag, Earthquake



i really don't see the skins cutting k. campbell but i do agree with putting dirtbag and earthquake on the ps.

Honestly, this is the first time I've heard of Geisinger. But from what you wrote about him, he sounds like a valuable guy. I should also note that Doc Walker (take his word for what it's worth) doesn't believe Wade, or Fabini for that matter, are locks to win the backup OL positions. On the outside looking in, it would seem they have the edge just based on the fact that they are seasoned veterans. But to cut one or both could speak to the renewed sense of going with youth for this franchise -- which I like.

I believe you're right about McMullen asking for a release. Whether we keep 5 or 6 wideouts is immaterial; barring injury, the guys who are stuck with those spots aren't likely to see much action anyway.

Some recent comments on Geisinger

Geisinger, 26, who could fill a huge void at backup center, got off the line to make a block 10 yards downfield on the play, and he held the line together making the calls and adjustments in pass protection while working in front of three quarterbacks. (Buffalo registered just one sack.)

"He communicated very well," Zorn said of Geisinger. "There were a couple of miscues. . . . But for the most part he did a great job."

Veteran quarterback Todd Collins said: "Geisinger is doing a good job. He's a smart kid. He lockers right next to me and he has some experience [with Tennessee and on Washington's practice squad] and he's a big body who gives a good snap, which I like. He can make all the calls and knows the offense."

washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/10/AR2008081002350.html)

Zorn noted how well the linemen played in space on the screen pass that Ladell Betts turned into an 12-yard touchdown. And he had particular praise for Geisinger, who spent most of last season as a guard on Washington's practice squad. Geisinger is trying to convince Zorn and Bugel to keep him as a ninth or 10th lineman instead of shifting Pete Kendall from left guard if anything should happen to center Casey Rabach.

"For the most part, [Justin] did a great job of communicating in there," Zorn said. "They all talked. They all worked together and kept their [helmets] on the guys they should have kept them on. It was a great effort by that group."

Snapping to veteran backup Todd Collins and then to young passers Colt Brennan and Derek Devine, Geisinger anchored a line that generated 240 yards on 47 snaps. The quarterbacks completed 12 of 21 passes for 118 yards behind the second unit, while Mason, Betts and Nehemiah Broughton churned out an impressive 114 yards on 26 carries. The Redskins wore down the Bills with six first downs on the final 88-yard drive.

Washington Times - It's a numbers game for reserve linemen (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/aug/11/its-a-numbers-game-for-reserve-linemen/)

I agree that he can't choose his competition. Given his inability to choose his competition, however, he must perform in a manner that reflects his experience. He simply has failed to do so. How well do you think Randle-El or Thrash would be doing against the guys McMullen has been playing against? That's the standard he has to match, I would suggest that, while good, he has not dominated against these guys. That's what he needs to do and that's what he hasn't done.

The point I'm trying to make is that of the wideouts McMullen has competed against for a roster spot, nobody so far has outplayed him. I'm not saying he's a top-tier guy by any means, we're just trying to see who's most likely to win the sixth WR position -- if there is one.