Reed Doughty walked off FedExField after the 2010 season finale wondering if a chapter was closing in his life.
Doughty, a 5-year veteran safety, is entering the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and his future is uncertain with the club.
"It was really weird walking off the field," Doughty said shortly after the Redskins lost to the New York Giants 17-14 on Jan. 2. "I thought about it a little bit before the game – I play every game hard, but I wanted a really good game to go out on.
"I wish we could have won, but I liked the way our defense played and it was fun to be out there on the field. Hopefully it's not the last one, but if it is, it has been a good run for me."
Doughty joined the Redskins as a sixth-round draft pick in 2006 and he has worked his way into playing time through the years.
Last season, Doughty started eight games, three at free safety and five at strong safety. He finished with 84 tackles, fifth-best on the team, and added one sack and three passes defended.
He may be best suited to play strong safety, where he can play closer to the line of scrimmage and be aggressive with ball-carriers. At free safety, he has struggled in pass coverage at times.
While Doughty is unsure of the Redskins' plans for him, he is certain that he would like an opportunity to claim a starting job.
"I've enjoyed my five years here, I've enjoyed he coaches – it has been all I've known [in the NFL]," he said. "I'm just going to take a look at the situation. With the [Collective Bargaining Agreement], there's so much up in the air.
"I would like to be back [in Washington] but I would also like the opportunity to start somewhere and I hope that's here. If it's not, we'll see what the best opportunity is for my family and for playing."
Doughty admitted he was "anxious to figure out what's going on" with his NFL future. Like other players, he must play a waiting game this offseason.
From modest beginnings, the 6-1, 210-pounder has managed to piece together solid credentials.
For his career, Doughty has started 25-of-60 games and logged 249 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one interception.
He has also emerged as a standout on kick and punt coverage units. In five seasons, he has posted 75 special teams tackles, including 16 last season, third-most on the team.
"It's one of those situations where over the last five years I feel like I've constantly gotten better," Doughty said. "I feel like I've put film out there that I can be proud of. [Teams] can look at me, both this team and other teams, and say that this is a guy who can fly around the ball, work hard, play special teams and defense."
