Chris Samuels Retires, Others Shown the Door

Chris Samuels, 32, announced today that he will be retiring from the NFL. He announced with his retirement that he has been dealing with a spinal condition called stenosis through out his career and after an injury against Carolina in the 2009 season, a doctor told him it was time to retire. "A lot of people, they've been praying for me to receive a miracle," he said. "But they really don't realize that I received a miracle when I got up off the field in North Carolina."

Samuels has been a starter ever since he was drafted number 3 overall in 2000. Since that time he has made the Pro Bowl six times. While he has already been given an internship to work with the team as a coach in the offseason, Samuels presence on the line will be sorely missed. The Redskins are a team already looking to rebuild and now they have to account for one of the few stable players on this team. Samuels leaves behind an already depleted offensive line.

Samuels wasn't the only departure today. Randy Thomas, Antwaan Randle El, Rock Cartwright, Fred Smoot, Cornelius Griffin, Ladell Betts, and Todd Collins were all among the players cut today. In a clear effort to clear up cap space, the Redskins released several veterans to make ready to rebuild the team. Some of these moves make little sense. I don't understand Randle El at all. Ok, so the Redskins have been trying to give more time to young receivers Malcom Kelly and Devin Thomas. Yet, Randle El had as big of an impact as both receivers last season even with reduced playing time. I really think the Redskins are seeing what they want to see here and not reality. Kelly and Thomas are not proven commodities yet and the Redskins are really gambling here with the assumption that they can handle the load.

Three of these cuts give us a great preview of what Washington will be looking for in free agency and the draft. Betts has been a dependable back up for Clinton Portis and Cartwright has been a huge asset on the special teams. Releasing them both tells me the Redskins are looking to make some moves for a running back. Brian Westbrook is available, but it would make little sense to sign him to backup Portis. He would be a great as a number two guy, but the Redskins need a guy who can also carry the load when Portis goes down. His durability does not make him a good fit, but it will be interesting to see what they try to do. Ladainian Tomlinson is also available, but he will come with a hefty price tag and I'm not sure he'll be too eager to come to a team that already has a number one back. The most important cut is that of Collins. Collins has stepped into several games in relief of a struggling Jason Campbell. I don't read his departure as an endorsement of Campbell, however. I believe it signals that the Redskins will be looking for Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen at the draft. Dare I hope that this is the beginning of the end for Campbell?

The question now for Daniel Snyder, Bruce Allen, and Mike Shanahann is how to begin rebuilding. With free agency set to start at midnight, Snyder is no doubt licking his chops again. While he has proven repeatedly that buying agents is not the way to build a winner, Samuels' departure may force his hand. The Redskins only get so many picks and we are all crossing our fingers that they will be taking a quarterback in the first round (at least I am). With an offensive line this bad, they may need Snyder to open up the check book and bring in some talent. He will probably have to have his arm twisted a bit though since he seems to hate spending money (sarcasm). A lot of the cuts made today, however, signal that the Redskins are looking to buy more than just an offensive line. Once again, they will try to buy their way out of the hole they've dug. How many more times will we have to watch this before Snyder learns it doesn't work? Let's hope Allen and Shanahan will know what moves to make and disconnect Snyder's phone.