The Redskins, under new direction by Head Coach Mike Shanahan, have stressed the importance of competition at all positions on the team. The release of WR Marko Mitchell underscores a similar thought process throughout the Dan Snyder owned Redskins. It's a process that has weighed a team that has invested large salary figures on free agents over the development of its young existing players to the bottom of the division.
Mitchell became a fan favorite upon reading reports that he was lighting up practice and torching his counter parts on defense similar to starting receivers the Redskins faced on game days. His tall stature and likeable demeanor endeared him to the fans. The question during the season was if Mitchell had developed to the point where he could not only provide a good test for the starting secondary, but beat them on routes why wasn't he further ahead on the depth chart.
The answer was simple. Mitchell didn't consider himself a special teams player and preferred not to participate on the special teams squad...or at least that was the scuttlebutt.
Taking the following points into consideration a strong case could be made that the Redskins have fallen back onto a similar path when evaluating and making personnel decisions.
Special Teams & The Roster Size Game:
11 starters line up on offense and defense for a total of 22 players. If you toss in the long snapper, punter, and kicker there's a total of 25 noted starters. This leaves 20 active players plus a pool of starters that are often available and selected for special teams assignments. Mostly linebackers, running backs, and defensive backs comprise special teams with a receiver or two sprinkled on the team. How often do you recall Art Monk, Gary Clark, or Ricky Sanders on the squad?
Is it really necessary to take a promising young talented receiver not making the cut on special teams and force him on special teams duty over a player that may never see significant time on a playoff bound team but is willing to throw his body around with reckless abandon (that's necessary on special teams), because if the thought process is to maintain a roster spot for a player bound only for special teams over a player with a bright and promising future in the NFL wouldn't most teams find a way to retain the young player?
Competition at WR:
Mitchell's hands were never in question nor was his route running skills. Considering that no reports of 2nd Round Picks Kelley or Thomas routinely beating their defenders ever surfaced, then the feat that Mitchell was able to accomplish was pretty impressive. Impressive enough for the Detroit Lions to scoop him off of waivers the next day.
If competition is considered good at all positions why cut Mitchell? Doesn't McNabb's statement that signing TO would be fine by him. Not to belabor the point, but it also expresses publicly what others may have said privately that the quality at the receiver position is severely lacking. Is the talent at WR so bad that McNabb would rather deal with TO the lesser evil than forge ahead with the receivers in place?
Mitchell's size and ability would make for a great intermediate and goal line threat. More time was devoted to Thomas (who has difficulties running routes) and Kelly (who's had difficulty staying healthy) - both top draft picks. If beating defenders and moving the chains is a top goal why not put the players in place that give you the best chance to do so?
Anytime a team is desperate enough to go after the likes of Galloway and Porter it should instantly provide a position grade of "F" to the receiving core.
Mitchell showed up for practices, but apparently a likeable guy that shows up and performs in practice isn't enough. When the Haynesworth can defy a coaching staff's suggestion and fester team resentment but is allowed to venture forth on his own due to his talent than shouldn't Mitchell receive the same treatment or vice versa?
If Mitchell is able to upend Thomas and Kelly in practice doesn't that alone make a statement warranting more playing time and not less for the sake of "competition"?
Could another young talented Redskin player be cast aside to become a starter on another team like Antonio Pierce or is it another case of a coaching staff setting the rules...but marked with plenty of caveats when it fits the need to send a message they want to deliver. With Haynesworth scheduled to appear for the mandatory OTA, it will be intersesting to see what direction the coaching staff goes after taking a look at how well he's worked out on his own.
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