Poor Marcus Mason.  The Redskins decided to keep three running backs so he got the shaft.  Mason played in 5 games this preseason for the Redskins and he carried the ball 66 times for 317 yards (4.8 ypc) and he also caught 8 passes for 56 yards (7.0 avg) with 1 TD grab.  The Redskins won’t be able to add him to the practice squad as the Ravens signed him to theirs.

The Redskins have released safety Stuart Schweigert.  When Schweigert signed with the Redskins over the offseason he said he would be the starting strong safety for the Skins but he was wrong.  Reed Doughty apparently has looked good enough in training camp that the Redskins felt o.k. in letting Schweigert go.  Doughty played in all 16 games (6 starts) for the Redskins last season and he made 53 tackles, had 1/2 a sack and he defensed 2 passes.  Look for him to do a solid job for the Redskins in 2008 especially on run defense where he packs a wallop.

The Redskins acted quickly to replace injured DE’s Phillip Daniels and Alex Buzbee by acquiring Jason Taylor from the Dolphins for a 2nd round pick in 2009 and a 6th round pick in 2010.  Despite getting up in age, Taylor is still an impact player.  He played in 16 games for the Dolphins last season and he made 55 tackles, defensed 4 passes, had 11 sacks, forced 4 fumbles and he intercepted a pass that he returned 36 yards for a TD.  Look for Taylor to add to his Hall of Fame credentials by making a huge impact on the Redskins’ defense in 2008.  Taylor has now played in 172 games in his NFL career and he has made 662 tackles, defensed 77 passes, has 117 sacks, forced 40 fumbles and he’s intercepted 7 passes (3 of which he returned for TDs).  This was a great move for the Redskins.

The Redskins have signed free agent safety Stuart Schweigert.  Schwiegert played in 15 games (10 starts) with the Raiders last season and he made 69 tackles, defensed 4 passes and intercepted 2 passes.  Schweigert has played in 63 games (42 starts) in his NFL career and he has made 315 tackles, defensed 18 passes and he’s intercepted 4 passes.  LaRon Landry will be moving to strong safety setting up a battle between last year’s starter Reed Doughty and Schweigert for the starting job at free safety this season.

The Redskins have acquired 25-year old DE Erasmus James from the Vikings for a conditional 7th round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.  James has missed a lot of time due to injuries in his career but if he can stay healthy he can help the Redskins with one of their weak points as he can rush the passer.  He played in only 6 games last season for the Vikings and he made only 7 tackles.  James has now played in 23 games in his NFL career and he has made 37 tackles, has 5 sacks and he has defensed 2 passes.  James was a first round pick just three seasons ago by the Vikings so he’s definately worth a gamble with a 7th round pick.

The Redskins also released WR/KR Jerome Mathis.  Mathis was not really needed after the Redskins drafted Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly.