Two DeMatha Alumni Make Final 53

It's always fun to see local players make your favorite sports teams, and this year the Redskins gave me that pleasure by keeping Byron Westbrook and Edwin Williams, who attended my high school, DeMatha Catholic HS in Hyattsville, MD.

Westbrook, '02, made the team and should see a lot of playing time on special teams. He really had to fight for his roster spot this year, and it paid off in the end.

Keeping Westbrook "was kind of an easy decision," said Redskins executive vice-president of player personnel Vinny Cerrato. "He played well on special teams and he played well in the secondary...That was kind of an easy decision."

Cerrato thought heading into camp that Westbrook really needed a strong showing to make the team, and he did just that. He noted that when the ball was on the ground, Westbrook would get it and make some plays, and that in the end, he earned his right to be on the team.

Williams, '04, walked the halls with me for two years at DeMatha, and he was a pretty big guy then; I can't imagine how big he is now. He came into camp as a center, but the coaching staff loves versatility in their linemen, so they put him in at guard also, and Williams was up to the task.

Cerrato said he was pleased to find Williams, an undrafted rookie lineman who could play several positions and get better each week. That's how he earned his spot.

It's good to see these guys on the team, and I'll definitely be watching to see how they progress. It seems to me like Westbrook is the 53rd man on the roster, however, so if injuries come up and someone has to go, it could be him. He'll just have to show up every week like he's fighting for his job; they both should.