Because, of course, that's where the Redskins second preseason game will be played. You don't think I was looking forward to February, did you? August is the month of Football Fools' Gold as 4-0 teams in preseason go belly-up after Labor Day (Detroit followed an unbeaten preseason with a winless 2008)... and the reverse is often the case as well (Chicago and Indianapolis both won division titles after winless Augusts). But there are seasons that are seemingly lost with unproductive preseasons- 2006 saw the Skins go winless... and more importantly, seem listless and woefully unprepared for the regular season with a banged up offensive meal ticket (Clinton Portis) and a defensive toy that didn't fit (Adam Archuletta) the grand scheme. So even though Friday's preseason game didn't count in the standings... it wasn't meaningless.
Rex & Beck's Battle Royale-- with a groin injury sidelining John Beck... Rex Grossman completed 19 of 26 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown. Lost in the shuffle was a drive from the Skins 1 to the Steeler 10 in the first quarter that ended with a missed field goal. The job wasn't necessarily won Friday night-- but against a Steeler defense that won the AFC last year Grossman definitely had a chance to lose it. The longer Beck's on the bench-- the more established with the first team Rex becomes.
Ground Control to Major Tim? The Skins were able to pound out 140 yards on the ground and control the clock for 39 minutes... with recent acquisition Tim Hightower tallying 44 yards on 10 first half carries. With an offensive line stronger and better built for the Shanahan running game-- Hightower may be more than a preseason mirage.
Rise of the Rookies-- not unnoticed in the rersurgence of the running game was the debut of Evan Royster; the Penn State product provided 15 carries for 66 yards. Also making fine first impressions: linebacker Ryan Kerrigan tallied three tackles... while wide receivers Niles Paul and Leonard Hankerson each caught a pass.
Grading the D-- last year's unit ranked near the bottom of the league... and the first stringers came out strong against the Steelers starting unit-- notching two first quarter sacks and holding Pittsburgh to 32 yards on 12 first quarter plays. For the game they held the Steelers to 2 of 11 on third down... 41% passing on the night and 186 total yards of offense. Granted, Ben Roethlisberger only played one series-- but after being rated in the 31st last season, allowing under 200 yards is a little encouraging.
Father Flanagan in Foxborough? Absent from the defensive discussion was Albert Haynesworth-- and the former Skins malcontent didn't play in New England's preseason win over Jacksonville. Neither did Chad Ochocinco. Brandon Merriweather has been accused of shooting two former high school classmates. I'm waiting for Mickey Rooney to be signed up.
Kicking the Competition-- Graham Gano connected on attempts from 32, 34 and 45 yards while Shane Graham missed from 29 and 49 yards. Advantage Gano-- although they don't have to make a move at this moment.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment