2014 Mason/Brennan Hype! Awards: Preseason Week 3 Edition

Every season, a new class of draft picks and undrafted free agents are signed during the preseason. The majority of these players will never be on the roster for a regular season game, but there are always a few diamond in the rough late round/UDFA players who do bring hope to players and fans. That racetrack betting slip that you find on the floor that someone didn't scout properly.

Redskins fans are very familiar with the hype that comes with the offseason, especially over the last two decades of dreary seasons. Between the overpriced free agent signings, and the overhyped preseason performances by rookies, we were the perennial offseason champions. Names like Marko Mitchell, Marcus Mason, Brandon Banks, and everyone's favorite Colt Brennan became legendary in training camp and preseason, only to be relegated to the practice squad or the bowels of the depth chart, never to be heard from again.

The Mason/Brennan award has been given out unofficially by the fans for years to each preseason's most hyped players, but now we're going to make it official, and bring it to a vote. This week's vote will cover the offseason, draft and OTAs/mini-camps. Place your vote for who you feel has been the most hyped player up to this point, whether the hype is deserved or not.

Hype is a very real, and a very exciting part of football in the preseason. We all read the daily training camp reports and get excited at the prospect of a late round pass rusher getting sack after sack on 3rd string offensive lineman, or a wide receiver catching everything thrown his way, or a running back who's not injured.

Well it's almost over, and we've had another great hype season here at Hogs Haven.  A few guys rose quickly, only to fade out of our memories.  There was controversy over Keenan the Barbarian's admission into our offseason lovefest.  Ryan Grant emerged as the most hyped up player we've seen in a while.  Bacarri Rambo found a second wave of hype late in the game.  And most shocking of all, a kicker actually made the list this year.  We've lost a few good candidates already with the first wave of cuts happening already, but we're not going to lose another one damnit.

The Rules:

1. Player must have been drafted late or signed by the Redskins as an undrafted free agent. Players that have only been on other teams practice squads that are signed by the team are also eligible.

2. A player that has been on the team for several years is still eligible if most of that time has been spent on the practice squad, inactive, or with very limited productivity/time

3. The Pat White Rule: High draft picks(busts/out of the league) from other teams who have never completed an NFL pass, but can run the read option/wildcat are now eligible.

Last Week's Winner: Ryan Grant with 50% of the vote

2nd Place: Bacarri Rambo with 17% of the vote

The Nominees:

1. Bacarri Rambo, S - Rambo hype is alive and well, and he has gone to the Reed Doughty school of VooDoo and job security.  Rambo is set to start vs the Buccaneers to see if he is ready to handle the SS position with Brandon Meriweather's 2-game suspension. He's also helped by the return of Ms. Frank to the foot of fellow second year safety Phillip Thomas.  This leaves a serious hole in the depth chart at safety if Meriweather's suspension isn't repealed, and Thomas misses any more time.  Rambo's here to stay.

Jay said he showed twenty clips to defenders today and Ryan Clark will speak to players. Bacarri Rambo is top option per Gruden

— ESPN 980 (@ESPNRadio980) August 26, 2014

Bacarri Rambo took first team snaps at strong safety during training camp practices with Meriweather nursing bumps and bruises.

— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) August 25, 2014

2. Will Compton, ILB - Compton had a quieter game on Saturday, but he still seemed to be all over the field.  With Darryl Sharpton still sidelined with an ankle injury,  Compton has a chance to put on a show against the future grocery baggers of America tomorrow night.

@_willcompton making plays on teams and on defense. Would like to see him make the #Redskins with a backup LB spot

— ⒽⓉⓉⓇ ②④-⑦ (@JsteelznSkinz) August 24, 2014

Will Compton is interesting. Jim Haslett loved him last year but he needed work. 2nd-year ILB could play way onto 53-man as special teamer.

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) August 19, 2014

3. Ryan Grant, WR - Grant had a quiet game vs the Ravens, but played the 3rd most snaps on offense.  The hype for "The Surgeon" and the 10 year vet is still through the roof with some fans listing him as high as the 4th WR on their depth chart predictions.  All Cody Hoffman and Rashad Ross hype has now been transferred to Mr. Grant.

Ryan Grant supposedly slow but just repeatedly putting dudes in clown suits.

— Burgundy Blog (@BurgundyBlog) August 25, 2014

Ryan Grant as well. Insane hands...Insane route runner. Another pleasant surprise. We have too many weapons man....Oline must hold up

— TheAbstract (@Abstract_cool) August 25, 2014

4. Akeem Davis, S - Gruden said Davis has taken advantage of his opportunity here. Coach Kotwica loves him and Coach Gruden said that he's a "force to be reckoned with" on special teams. A little behind at safety getting into the system. On special teams, he's a guy that you want out there. They will try to find a spot on the roster for him.

Check out former Memphis DB Akeem Davis in the NFL Network's series "Undrafted" #gotigersgo http://t.co/yZPfoApTYY

— MemphisTigerNetwork (@TigersMedia) August 21, 2014

Interesting presser today with #redskins HC Jay Gruden. He gave a few endorsements indirectly to S Akeem Davis and RB Chris Thompson.

— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) August 26, 2014

5. Chase Minnifield, CB - Chase Minninfield had the best year of his professional career in 2013.  Not injured?  Check.  Made the Practice Squad?  Check.  Made the 53 man roster during the season?  Check.  Active on game day?  Negative.  No one can slight Minny for being injured at the beginning of his career.  Losing in the Mason/Brennan voting last preseason has reportedly put a huge chip on his shoulder this offseason, and he will be working for your votes at Training Camp.  Oh, and also, you know, actually playing in a regular season game finally, but first things first.  Minnifield continues to be an aggressive CB who the receivers hate to play against in practice.

Minny injured his hamstring on Saturday, but we fully expect him to play tomorrow and put on a show.  If not the practice squad is calling his name.

Chase Minnifield foils Tyrod Taylor. My life has changed less than I thought, apparently.

— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) August 24, 2014

6. Silas Redd, RB - Redd was an unheralded signing after the draft after a disappointing college career that saw him getting injured and limiting his productivity and raising questions about his durability at the next level.  Redd was getting very little hype during OTA's, but now that training camp has started, he is getting daily praise from fans and reporters.  Redd is a long shot to make the final roster, but his hype is getting bigger by the practice.

Redd's first two games in the preseason were more impressive than the Ravens game, but he is still a darkhorse to make the roster.  Chris Thompson's still hurting, and Seastrunk didn't play on Saturday.  This one will go down to the wire.

Hands down the player most of the Redskins are excited to see on Thursday? Rookie running back Silas Redd from Connecticut. #Redskins

— Dianna Marie Russini (@NBCdianna) August 26, 2014

Silas Redd born in CT, played at Penn State and SC. He was bitter on draft day. Now he wants to prove them all wrong on Thursday. #Redskins

— Dianna Marie Russini (@NBCdianna) August 26, 2014

7. Gabe Miller, OLB - Mr. Miller made a name for himself last week by harrassing Johnny Manziel.  He is slowly surviving all the competition for the last OLB spot on the team.  The latest victims are veteran backup Rob Jackson, and new addition Adrian Robinson.  Now Miller's got one more person to beat out to make all past nominees proud.

Johnny Manziel learning a lesson here tonight. Got straight run down by #Redskins reserve LB Gabe Miller earlier. Good camp for Miller.

— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) August 19, 2014

Removed:

Rashad Ross - "Rocket" Rashad will need to ask his agent for a new job to go along with his nickname.  He will be missed here at the Mason/Brennan nomination committee.

Lache Seastrunk - Condolences on his grandmother, but his hype has died down over the last week, and not playing vs the Ravens killed his chances to be on the ballot here.

Zach Hocker - Sorry Mr. Hocker, kickers don't make the list unless they make football plays.  No tackles, no list.

Added:

Akeem Davis - Gruden was raving about him in his latest presser, and Coach Ben Kotwica is in love with the guy.