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The Dallas Cowboys experienced a renaissance of sorts in the secondary last season. They injected an enormous amount of youth, and as every cause has an effect, they moved on from some older players... namely Orlando Scandrick.
Scandrick served as a staple of the Cowboys secondary for 10 years. While he’s not someone that will go in the Ring of Honor or anything, he was solid for a decade in spite of repeatedly being overlooked.
Orlando was actually the second corner drafted by the Cowboys in 2008 (Mike Jenkins) and four years after that saw Dallas bring in Brandon Carr and trade up for Morris Claiborne. He outlasted them all and became so valued by the team that he was even voted a captain in 2017.
His release in Dallas was more about the business of the game than it was anything personal (although Scandrick was definitely ready to go). Dallas ultimately granted him the “freedom” he sought by releasing him, and he defected to the division rival Washington Redskins in free agency.
Scandrick had seemingly given his all to the Redskins over the offseason, training camp, and preseason. Unfortunately that may not have been enough as Washington released him on Tuesday morning.
#Redskins are releasing CB Orlando Scandrick, source says. Signed him to a two-year deal in the spring after getting cut by Dallas. Washington’s younger corners have impressed. Scandrick has a shot to latch on with another team looking for a veteran.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 14, 2018
#Redskins head coach Jay Gruden on the release of CB Orlando Scandrick: "It had nothing to do with his play. It was more of the rookies' emergence...it also gives Orlando time to get on another team."
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) August 14, 2018
It would have been interesting to see the Cowboys play against Scandrick as his fiery persona would have likely been on full display. He told NFL Network this offseason that part of the reason he chose Washington was so that he’d get a chance to play against Dallas, and he even somewhat recruited Dez Bryant there. Looks like that won’t be happening.