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For some, it is not the end. It is the process.
Roster Battle
Papa touched on it in his preview write-up for DE Martin Ifedi, but the defensive line is pretty crowded. It's going to be a tough task for veteran DT Doug Worthington to make it in the week one grouping.
A year ago, the 53-man cut included nine defensive lineman (alphabetical): Michael Brockers, Alex Carrington, Aaron Donald, William Hayes, Kendall Langford, Chris Long, Robert Quinn, Eugene Sims and Ethan Westbrooks. Both Carrington and Langford are out, but in comes free agent addition Nick Fairley.
If that leaves an open ninth slot, the competitors include Ifedi, DE Matt Longacre, DT Louis-Trinca Pasat and Worthington. It's an interesting setup with four DEs and three DTs locked in; it might tip the scales toward the tackles' favor for injury coverage.
Expectations
Compared to the UDFAs, Worthington carries a notable surplus of NFL experience now coming into his sixth NFL season: the first split with Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay, the next three with Washington and last year split between San Diego and St. Louis. That being said, Worthington has been a roster name more than anything else with just six games for Washington in 2012 serving as his only playing experience.
Chances of Making Final Roster (2/10)
Worthington's got two things going for him: the lack of a clear fourth DT on the roster and the life experience of making it through an NFL calendar at the back end of the roster. He's lived the life of staying in shape in case. Of staying around in case.
I initially had him at a 1 out of 10, but I'll give him the extra bump just, well, in case.