During the NFL Preseason, fans are drawn to the sizzle of a quarterback competition while sometimes the substance of the team's rebuilding goes under the radar. That's been the case since the Sonny/Billy days... and although the focus over the past year has been the line of succession from Jason Campbell to Donovan McNabb to Rex Grossman to potentially John Beck, the state of the Skins is much more than that. And although it's only August and these are just preseason games... the feel is this franchise is on the right track. Is this a contending year? Not necessarily-- but it looks to be better than last year's evaluation and housecleaning season. After 2010, transition year never sounded so good.
Rex & Beck's Battle Royale-- Friday's 16-3 victory over Indianapolis saw a tale of two halves; John Beck completed 14 of 17 passes for 140 yards and directed the Skins to four scoring drives- while Rex Grossman had less success: 7-12 with an interception... and no points (Skins gained just 122 of their 415 yards after halftime). Advantage-Beck.
Setting the bar Hightower-- the Skins ran for 215 yards against the Colts... on a clip of 6.1 yards per attempt. Tim Hightower set the early tone again with a 58 yard scamper on the team's first possession and scored the games lone touchdown to wrap up that drive. Tim's tally through two preseason tilts: 114 yards on 16 carries.
Youth served again-- Just like week one against Pittsburgh... Hightower's rookie replacement outgained him. This time it was Roy Helu's turn: 14 carries for 101 yards-- with a 51 yard run setting up a second quarter field goal. He also paced the team with 4 catches. After 2010's ground game ran aground-- it's always nice to have multiple options in the backfield.
Catch as catch can-- does one focus on what was or what wasn't? Leonard Hankerson tallied 3 catches for 46 yards but had a drop. That's been an issue this preseason. Meanwhile, Mike Sellars continues his adjustment to the tight end position with a pair of catches.
D earns an A-- Okay... Peyton Manning didn't suit up. Austin Collie did not play. But the Skins defense went out and shut down the opposition for the second straight week- limiting the Colts to 1 yard rushing in the first half and 12 of 27 passing (one week after holding Pittsburgh to 11 of 27) with an interception for the game. Darrion Scott notched two tackles, three assists and a sack. Kedrick Golston added two tackles plus two assists. On the night the defense allowed just 150 yards- and with a unit that ranked 31st in the league last year, back to back outings of under 200 yards allowed has to be somewhat encouraging.
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