Rebuilding in Ashburn?? UPDATED

With free agency and the uncappped season beginning tomorrow, the Redskins today begin their perhaps a possible long rebuilding phase as they release several key veterans that has been with the team for several years and a player that has retried today due to his neck injury.

I'll first start off with the team's firing sale today. Here are the 10 veterans that were released,

RB Rock Cartwright

RT Randy Thomas

WR Antwaan Randle,

CB Fred Smoot,

DL Cornelius Griffin

RB Ladell Betts

QB Todd Collins

RB Marcus Mason

FB Eddie Williams

J.D. Skolnitsky

Anyone get the connection between these ten released players? Almost all of them are over the age of 30, and the Redskins had one of the oldest rosters in the league last season. Now, it appear they will be a lot younger in 2010 based on cuts today.

Also, for the uncapped year, the Redskins have some financial flexibility in terms of cutting and keeping players. Under the salary cap, the Redskins can re-structure contracts with these players for the short term and get fewer production results on the field in return. Cutting the players could hurt the team's value under the cap. Now, the Redskins can cut unproductive players with no financial hit.

So far, most teams are cutting some players ages 30 or older to save any money from a potential work stoppage in 2011, so the Redskins cuts today aren't surprising by no means.

GM Bruce Allen already stated that the "status quo" is unacceptable, and there is going to be major changes coming. Well, today it happen with cuts, but will that prevent the Redskins from their high spending strategies tomorrow when free agency arrives? Or will it lead to a rebuilding mode in 2010? Stay tuned!!

As for Chris Samuels, his retirement announcement today comes as no surprise. His season ending neck injury is the reason he's walking away at age 32. Samuels leaves the Redskins with six pro bowl selections and two playoff appearances. He was the No.3 pick of the 2000 NFL Draft. We'll miss you #60.