When the offseason began, Cornelius Griffin was just one of a handful of players remaining from the 2004 Washington defense that ranked third in the league.
Then on Feb. 20, strongside linebacker Marcus Washington, who had joined the Redskins at the start of free agency in 2004 just as Griffin had, was cut to save $4.5 million on the salary cap. The next week, defensive end Phillip Daniels, another member of the class of 2004, had his contract voided, making him a free agent.
On Feb. 27, cornerback Shawn Springs, who had also come aboard five years earlier, was released to make room for the re-signing of fellow cornerback DeAngelo Hall. And on Mar. 4, end Demetric Evans, the other remaining member of the 2004 defense, signed with the 49ers.
Suddenly, tackle Griffin, who restructured his contract in February to provide salary cap relief, was the only man on the roster who had been part of the defense in each of the past five seasons.
"We didn't go to the playoffs, but (2004) was probably my most memorable season," said Griffin, who led the NFL in tackles for losses while Washington made the Pro Bowl and Springs became the first defensive back to lead a team in interceptions and sacks. "No one gave us a chance. We practiced and played every day with a passion. We played lights-out football every play.
"I got to hold up the standard in the (locker) room," Griffin continued. "The way we've been playing since '04, we got to keep doing it. Any time you lose a buddy, especially one you've seen every day for five years, it makes you sad, but that's how the game is. You welcome the new guys, form a camaraderie with them and keep going."
It's still possible that Washington and Daniels could return at cut-rate salaries. Neither H.B. Blades nor Alfred Fincher are considered starter material at strong-side linebacker. The same goes for Chris Wilson, Rob Jackson and Alex Buzbee at left end. And the Redskins only have one pick among the first 75 in next month's draft.
But Griffin is upbeat about 2009 when he'll be lining up next to newly-signed All-Pro tackle Albert Haynesworth.
"It's going to be great for the Redskins and great for me," Griffin said. "Albert will be the main focus and that will leave me free. We're still going to stop the run first, but now we're going to get more pressure outside because Albert's inside and we'll collapse the middle. It should give me the opportunity to really penetrate and get pressure against the run and the pass. We already had a good rotation at the tackle position and Albert makes our line better. We can be a dominant force inside."
