The Redskins don’t have many former players still around for the postseason. They do have four who will play this weekend (and a few who were eliminated last weekend, such as Arizona linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, Pittsburgh kicker Shaun Suisham and defensive end Clifton Geathers, Cincinnati quarterback Jason Campbell and Detroit defensive end Darryl Tapp).
Here are the ex-Redskins final four:
Carolina kicker Graham Gano: He’s been a better kicker in Carolina than he was in Washington, where he made just 72.3 percent of his field goals; that’s tough in a league where the average kicker now makes 84 percent. So, Gano has become average. In Carolina, he’s made 84.9 percent of his kicks and was 29-of-35 this season. In last weekend’s win over Arizona, Gano made two of three field goals with successful kicks from 47 and 39 yards and a miss from 43 yards. But where he really would have helped Washington is on kickoffs; Gano has 65 touchbacks this season (and four vs. Arizona) after having 66 last year. The Redskins have had 49 touchbacks the past two years combined.
Denver center Will Montgomery: The Redskins cut him after last season and moved Kory Lichtensteiger to center. Montgomery spent the first part of the year as a backup offensive lineman. But Denver struggled to run the ball so after eight games the Broncos made changes along the line, inserting Montgomery as the starting center and shifting Manny Ramirez to left guard. Before these changes, Denver averaged 3.66 yards per rush compared to 4.35 after the switch. It didn’t make much difference in pass protection as before the move they allowed nine sacks compared to eight afterward. Few quarterbacks get rid of the ball faster than Peyton Manning.
Indianapolis safety LaRon Landry: The Redskins still need safety help, but he’s only been OK since leaving Washington. Landry missed five regular-season games this season and four a year ago -- one reason the Redskins let him leave via free agency was his durability (he was not happy with how they handled his injuries and was ready to leave). He’s not bad, but he hasn’t been making any plays (though he does have 2.5 sacks this season). He hasn’t intercepted a pass or forced a fumble since 2012 (when he had a combined six plays) with the Jets. Landry had three tackles in the first round win over Cincinnati.
Indianapolis tackle Xavier Nixon: Once considered a solid prospect, the Redskins signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He was placed on the practice squad, but the Colts signed him to their active roster in late September that season. Nixon appeared in four games with one start and, thus far, has played 89 snaps for the season. He started one game in 2013, too, at left guard. The Colts don’t have a good line, but that’s good for Nixon, providing him a longer look. It’s not as if the Redskins had a great line, either, but he was firmly behind those on the Redskins’ roster at the end of the 2013 camp. Nixon was inactive in the first round of the playoffs.
