OK, it's almost 2 p.m. so let's get started. The Redskins, thank goodness, close the preseason Thursday night in Jacksonville. They're 2-1 but who really cares about the record? There are still a bunch of unresolved issues -- most of them injury-related -- that need to be settled before the Sept. 9 opener against Miami. E-mail any questions to skinsmailbag@washingtontimes.com.
We start with some breaking news -- veteran defensive tackle Joe Salave'a has been released. The Redskins got down to 75 players by also waiving fullback Pete Schmitt and placing OL Ross Tucker and WR Jason McAddley on injured reserve. I expect both Tucker and McAddley to have injury settlement/releases. Salave'a was one of the players us media thought could be on his way out, but this was before he appeared to have a solid camp. Salave'a played 44 games in the last three seasons.
From Donald in Richmond:
What's the minimum Gibbs has to do this year to keep his job? Am I totally alone among Skins fans in thinking "the Eighties were fine and all, but what have you done for me lately?," etc.?
Ryan O'Halloran:
Coach Joe will be on the Redskins sidelines until he decides he wants to retire to North Carolina to spend time with the grand-babies. I would be shocked if he's pushed out, be it this year or next year. As for thinking about the glory days, you probably aren't alone. The 1980s doesn't buy you anything in 2007 and Joe would be the first to tell you that. But I also believe the natives are getting more restless with The Danny than they are with Gibbs.
From Donald Sanger in Falls Church:
Seems to me like the Skins have seen just about everything they need to see in the preseason. Shouldn't the NFL just cut it down from four games to three?
Ryan O'Halloran:
They should absolutely cut the preseason from four games to three games. The final game is meaningless for the front-line players. The NFL should then add a 17th regular season game and have each team play one international game, be it Europe, Canada, Mexico or in a U.S. city like Honolulu (my choice for a Redskins game). The fact the owners fleece fans in preseason games charging regular-season ticket and parking prices is absurd.
From Steve Koren in Rockville:
Were you surprised by any of this week's roster cuts, particularly Tucker and Butler?
Ryan O'Halloran:
A little surprised by Butler since I think he's a better cover cornerback than Ade Jimoh but the Redskins obviously have a soft spot for Jimoh and his special teams talent. Tucker went on IR with a neck problem but he wouldn't have made it anyway. As I said a few moments ago, Salave'a was a surprise because he was playing well in the games. That leaves Cornelius Griffin, Kedric Golston, Anthony Montgomery and Lorenzo Alexander as the top four defensive tackles. Ryan Boschetti's time may run out this week as well. If Griffin goes down, that position is in trouble.
From Kristen in Fairfax:
How do players get paid for training camp/preseason? Do they make more money on top of their big contracts?
Ryan O'Halloran:
Players get a stipend during the month of August but it's not part of their salary. The first "game checks" will be received Monday, Sept. 10. The envelopes are at the front desk of Redskin Park and I've never seen a player forget to pick up his envelope.
From Judson in Gaithersburg:
Isn't a no brainer to dump Shaun Suisham for Dave Rayner?
Ryan O'Halloran:
I had to look up Rayner because I didn't know much about him. He kicked last year for Green Bay and made 25 of 36 field goals. Supposedly, he's a good kickoff guy. His job may be in jeopardy if the Packers stick with rookie draft pick Mason Crosby of Colorado. But the Redskins are sticking with Suisham. He's had a solid preseason in field goals and kickoffs.
From Gary Fogel in Reston:
Should Jason Campbell play Thursday night against the Jaguars so he at least gets a little bit of work in before the opener, or is that just risking an even more serious injury?
Ryan O'Halloran:
This has been one of the big issues at the Park. My view: No way Campbell should play, even if he proves to be 100 percent. He played seven games last year. He played nearly 50 snaps against Tennessee and Pittsburgh earlier this month. LT Chris Samuels still isn't playing. The risk of losing Campbell to a blind-side hit is too great. Hall of Famer Sonny Jurgensen had the opposite view yesterday when talking to myself and another reporter. Sonny said Campbell should play and play a lot. Not just two three-and-outs. If the Redskins' o-line was intact, then I would agree with Sonny. But I wouldn't play Campbell.
From Irving in Georgia:
Now that camp is over how does the teams day to day schedule change chronologically?
Ryan O'Halloran:
This week is wacky with the Thursday game so I'll talk about next week. Monday -- practice/film (if the Redskins win the previous day, Gibbs usually gives them the day off; if the Redskins lose, they come in for film review and weight lifting); Tuesday -- day off (although a lot of players come to work out or watch film on their own); Wednesday -- start of the new work week (meetings most of the morning and practice from 2-4); Thursday -- practice from 12-2 with meetings before and after; Friday -- practice 12-1:30 with meetings; Saturday -- walk-through at Redskin Park before going to their team hotel near FedEx or flying to a road game.
From Gary Fogel:
Who are your picks going into the season as the Redskins best offensive and defensive players?
Ryan O'Halloran:
I'll stick with WR Santana Moss as the Redskins' top offensive player, followed by TE Chris Cooley. On defense, I'll go out on a limb -- S LaRon Landry.
From Tom in D.C.:
How optimistic should I be that the Redskins get off to a good start?
Ryan O'Halloran:
If most of their systems are go, the Redskins should get off to a solid start during the first six games. Anything less than 4-2 would be a disappointment. They should win home games against Miami (Week 1), the Giants (Week 3), Detroit (Week 5) and Arizona (Week 7). Their road games at Philadelphia (Week 2) and Green Bay (Week 6). ... After the Arizona game, things get tough -- at New England, at Jets, Philadelphia, at Dallas, at Tampa Bay.
That looks like all of the questions for this week. Our next chat will be Tuesday at 2 p.m.
