Skins Wrap Up Pre-Season With Win, Get Set For Opener

Labor Day weekend has come and gone, and that can only mean one thing: we're that much closer to the start of the NFL regular season. The league's pre-season is in the books, and with only days until the 2011 season kicks off, teams around the NFL had to do their dirty work and make the necessary roster cuts to get down to the 53-man roster.

The Washington Redskins finished their pre-season by picking up their third win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, scoring the game winning touchdown late after surrendering the lead just before the two minute warning. The fourth pre-season game is normally used as the final tune-up for each team, and don't normally play their starters, but allowing the players near the bottom of the depth chart to earn their spots on the roster.

Rex Grossman didn't dress for the game, adding to speculation that he would be the week one starter, while John Beck started at quarterback. He didn't impress whatsoever, completing under 50% of his passes for just over 100 yards and he also threw an interception. It was announced on Monday (9/5/11) that Grossman will in fact start the opener against the New York Giants (via ESPN.com <http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6932915/rex-grossman-start-washington-redskins-season-opener-according-reports>). Tim Hightower also didn't dress for the game, but last year's main workhorse, Ryan Torain suited up for his first pre-season action. He carried the ball 17 times for 73 yards, just over 4 yards a carry, including an 18 yarder. Despite only playing in just over a half of football this pre-season, Torain secured himself a roster spot as the second back behind Hightower. Others weren't so lucky.

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Some notable names were on the cut list, though, and won't be suiting up in the burgundy and gold this season. The Skins decided to only keep two quarterbacks on their final roster and cut both Kellen Clemens and Matt Gutierrez. Clemens had played in all four of the Skins' pre-season games and completed 18 of his 33 pass attempts for 203 yards, one touchdown and one interception. While not flashy or really capable of putting up huge numbers, Clemens would have been a solid number three should anything happen to Grossman or Beck. He showed some promise, especially in leading the Skins down the field at the end of the Tampa Bay game and throwing for the game winning score.

Several draft picks also didn't make the cut. Washington waived 7 th round pick Maurice Hart (offensive line), and 6 th round picks Aldrick Robinson (WR) and Evan Royster (RB). It was a bit surprising to see Royster not make the final roster. He had a very productive pre-season, totaling 110 yards on 26 carries and finding the endzone for a score. Unfortaunte for him, though, fellow rookie running back Roy Helu was more impressive. Helu will fall into the depth chart behind Hightower.

Other notable cuts included Chris Horton, who was beat out at safety by rookie DeJon Gomes, nose tackle Anthony Bryant, linebacker Horatio “H.B.” Blades, offensive lineman Artis Hicks, and running back Keiland Williams, who was beat out by veteran Mike Sellars' versatility.

One of the more surprising movies made by the Redskins wasn't the cuts they made, but the decision to keep eight wide receivers on the 53-man roster. Rookies Niles Paul and Leonard Hankerson, Brandon Banks and veteran Donte' Stallworth made the roster, rounding out the receiving corps that also features Santana Moss, Jabar Gaffney, Anthony Armstrong and Terrence Austin. Banks should be lucky to make the roster, as he almost blew it when he appeared to thrown the ball down before crossing the goal line on a 95 yard punt return (replay held up, but it looked like he definitely let go of the ball before crossing the plane).

With the roster in place, the starters more or less set, and the season less than a week away, let's get ready for some football! Hail to the Redskins!

By Matthew Dagen
ProFootball-fans.com Washington Redskins Correspondent