Bacarri Rambo entered training camp in danger of not making the roster. But he showed the Redskins what they hoped to see -- an improved player who was more aggressive and a better tackler.
But when the games began, Rambo reverted to old and bad habits. It cost the Redskins two huge plays and, Tuesday, it cost Rambo his job.
The Redskins cut Rambo to make room for the return of suspended safety Brandon Meriweather. A source confirmed the move, which was first reported by Fox Sports. It was not a surprise. Many speculated Rambo was in danger of being released after a second consecutive bad play on Sunday. In the season opener, Rambo missed a tackle on receiver DeAndre Hopkins, turning a bad play into a worse one. Rambo did not blow the coverage, but his inability to tackle Hopkins in the open field, taking a bad angle, made it a 76-yard touchdown catch -- and killing momentum Washington had gained with an early 6-0 lead.
Then, in a 41-10 win over Jacksonville on Sunday, the one big play allowed by the defense again involved Rambo. On a 63-yard touchdown pass to tight end Marcedes Lewis, Rambo took a bad angle to the pass on the right side -- undercutting Lewis but making a feeble attempt on the ball. When Lewis caught the ball, he took off for the end zone with Rambo in pursuit.
Rambo struggled as a rookie sixth-round pick. He was made a starter from the opening day in part because of other issues at safety. But he consistently missed tackles and eventually lost the starting job. Rambo ended up starting three games last season and played in 11. He was a non-factor on special teams, too, which did not please the coaches. But Rambo looked better in the preseason and earned a roster spot. When Meriweather was suspended, the Redskins inserted Rambo, a natural free safety, as the starting strong safety. Both of his mistakes, though, came when he was playing deep where he's supposed to be better.
The Redskins also have safety Akeem Davis, who excels on special teams, and Duke Ihenacho, claimed off waivers after the final cuts. They also have Phillip Thomas on the practice squad, still recovering from a foot injury this summer.
