Redskins put faith in young cornerbacks after releasing Orlando Scandrick

RICHMOND — Josh Norman came into the Redskins’ training room Tuesday and found out his teammate, Orlando Scandrick, had been released. The news caught him off guard.

“It wasn’t something that I thought was going to happen,” Norman said.

Washington made the surprising decision Tuesday to move on from Scandrick — just five months after the organization signed the former Cowboys cornerback to a two-year deal in order to fill the void following the offseason departures of Bashaud Breeland and Kendall Fuller.

In doing so, the Redskins are now putting their faith in their younger cornerbacks — four of whom are rookies. Not counting Norman, the Redskins’ corners have started just eight games in the NFL.

Those eight, by the way, all belong to cornerback Quinton Dunbar, who will start opposite of Norman.

The Redskins may be inexperienced at the position, but that’s fine to coach Jay Gruden.

“Had nothing to do with his play, it was more of the rookies’ emergence really,” Gruden said of Scandrick’s release. “We want to give Orlando an ample amount of time to get on a team.”

The Redskins drafted seventh-rounder Greg Stroman out of Alabama and used the supplemental draft to select Adonis Alexander out of Virginia Tech. Stroman has had an uneven camp and Alexander is seen more as a project, but Washington likes their upside.

Washington has also been impressed by undrafted free agents Danny Johnson and Ranthony Texada. Johnson, in particular, had a strong showing in the team’s first preseason game against the New England Patriots.

Gruden said Johnson, a 5-foot-9 cornerback out of Southern University, has done a great job and is a good tackler. Johnson, barring injury, looks like a lock to make the 53-man roster.

But by cutting Scandrick, the Redskins ultimately rewarded Dunbar and second-year corner Fabian Moreau.

For Dunbar, the move allows him to see more playing time in Washington’s base package. Until now, Scandrick would see first-team reps in that formation. For passing situations, Scandrick would slot inside while Dunbar played outside. Dunbar has made considerable progress since switching to the position in 2015 from wide receiver.

Without Scandrick in the slot, the Redskins are counting on Moreau to take a step forward in 2018. He barely played as a rookie and the team spent time behind the scenes converting him from the outside to the inside.

“I commend Fabian because, at first, his mindset was always outside corner, outside corner,” Dunbar said. “But like I told him, ’Man, you know how talented you is?’ If you just put your mind to it and focus on being a nickel back, that’ll you more expandable. He can use that to his advantage. … He looks amazing at nickel back. I’m excited to see him out there.”

Washington will save $2 million after releasing Scandrick, though he will still be on their books for $1 million, which can be spread over 2018 and 2019.

The Redskins could look to add another cornerback, Gruden said. The team reportedly reached out to veteran Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie last week, which would add experience to the group. Scandrick was supposed to fill that role, but the Sports Capitol reported there was friction between him and the coaching staff.

But for now, the Redskins are sticking with their youth.

“We young, man,” Norman said. “We young. But you know that young, it draws fire. And if you get that fire directed at the right direction — woof. You’ve got some really explosive things right there.”