Breaking News: Redskins release Lemar Marshall

by Skin Patrol on Aug 21, 2007 11:58 AM EDT in Redskins News

The Redskins have released linebacker Lemar Marshall, the team announced on Tuesday.

The move comes as somewhat of a surprise, as Marshall was a versatile linebacker who could play all three positions for the Redskins.

But with Marcus Washington slowed by a dislocated right elbow this preseason, it appears the team wanted a linebacker with greater size than Marshall's 6-2, 225-pound frame.

Uhh, so sign one and cut Leigh Torrence, or Mathias Askew, or Dee Brown, or Jake Nordin, or Burl Toler, or any other number of identifiable camp fodder revealed by a compendious examination of our roster. Lemar Marshall? What the deuce?

So much for the suggestion that Rocky has done well enough to possibly play for an injured Marcus Washington which would necessarily leave the weak-side job to Lemar Marshall, where his size is less of an issue.

Gary Fitzgerald goes on to note that "Marshall is among the success stories for the Redskins' personnel department this decade" then documents that success, which makes the move all the crazier, in my opinion. And to replace what I thought was a clear-cut "Redskins guy" whatever the fudge that concept is supposed to mean now, we sign someone else's 11 year veteran who happens to be bigger, although I can't confirm that since he doesn't exist in either the current or former NFL player's list at the league's official site. He's not on the roster. All we know of Godfrey is:

Godfrey is an 11-year NFL veteran who has played for the Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks and San Diego Chargers.

Godfrey played for Redskins assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams with the Titans in the 2000 season.

And:

Like Marshall, Godfrey has versatility as a linebacker, but his size makes him a better fit to play the strong-side position.

But we don't even know his size, as that isn't listed. Is he 3 pounds heavier? 15? 100? If he's packaged as a large package it stands to reason to provide the weight.

Another strange development:

The Redskins have also signed wide receiver Jerel Myers, who played in the Arena League with the Kansas City Brigade last year. He spent time on the Buffalo Bills' practice squad in 2003-04.

~~So did we even need to cut Lemar Marshall? It sounds like we had an extra roster spot.~~ As Lee Gibbons points out, we picked up an additional roster spot due to the Espy injury.

I'll update pending additional information.

The Redskin Report, Lemar Marshall Cut, Godfrey Signed
AOL Fanhouse, Redskins Release LB Lemar Marshall
The Curly R, Let Me Get This Straight: Linebacker Edition

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WR Slot

I think the WR spot came open because of Espy's injury. He probably went onto IR. Surprising move, although Marshall's performance fell off the map last year.

by Lee Gibbons on Aug 21, 2007 12:44 PM EDT reply actions

Ahh touche on the Espy spot

Go Register. Or else.

by Skin Patrol on Aug 21, 2007 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope this was a good move

all of a sudden linebacker depth seems thin with the MW injury and release of LM.1 more injury to one of these guys and things get dicey at this position and were possibly back at square one here.One guy named London Fletcher isnt going to tackle everyone all the time and his age doesnt make optimistic about injuries and rest time for him, even though he hasnt missed a game in his life.All it takes is one time!

by Sincethebeginning @ Hogs Haven on Aug 21, 2007 3:10 PM EDT reply actions

I'm getting a headache

Holding my screams of lunacy, as I'm at work right now. If I were still a cussing man, the total number of letters used in this comment box would surely be easily divided by four...

by JustinU804 on Aug 21, 2007 3:44 PM EDT reply actions

WOW.

by Burgundy and Gold on Aug 21, 2007 5:30 PM EDT reply actions

This is some of the weirdest news...

I don't understand this one at all. First of all, as everyone has said, Marshall was familiar with our system, versatile enough to play multiple positions, and was also very cheap (1 million on the cap this year!). Why would we sign an 11 year vet that has no experience with the team, whereas Marshall started last year???!?!

And, why did we sign another WR in his spot despite the fact that we recently signed Corey Bradford AND Todd Stinkston!?!?! We know who our top 4 receivers are anyway, how many more do we need for the competition???

I don't understand this. I bet the Eagles sign Marshall, since they just released Trotter.

by mmford10 on Aug 21, 2007 6:03 PM EDT reply actions

Re:

Marshall was familiar with our system

I know, it's like having an additional coach on the team. He's been in this system and understands it as well as anyone; he was calling the plays last year.

His size was the deciding factor yet he can't even play on the weak-side? I don't believe that for a second.

Go Register. Or else.

by Skin Patrol on Aug 22, 2007 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Sounds to me like...

Marshall just wasn't getting it done in the eyes of the staff.

Maybe this opens up a spot for one of the 2 LBs the team drafted but I doubt it. Plus, a backup LB is pretty much a mainstay on special teams, so maybe that's where Marshall was lacking. It's hard to say.

And if I had to guess... I just don't know but it seems like there is more to the story. Maybe economics or something inside the locker room.

I just don't know.

by TexSkins on Aug 21, 2007 6:48 PM EDT reply actions

The only explanation

is that he was just playing horribly in TC.

Dallas Sartz still has his work cut out for him to earn a spot behind Marcus Washington, though maybe he's got a better shot on the weak-side (even though that isn't his natrual position)? Can Khary Campbell be moved behind Rocky? I think The Hamburglar is safe and will make the team behind London.

Go Register. Or else.

by Skin Patrol on Aug 22, 2007 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions