Redskins Rehash... really?

Does one really have to break down all of the minutae after the fourth preseason game? Can't I lift my starters after one paragraph and rest up for the regular season opener? Sadly, fans are charged regular season prices for sodas and parking-- so we'll tough it out. Once again, this is the preseason-- and even though the Redskins 29-24 win over Tampa Bay took place September 1st, it's still August.

Rex & Beck's Battle Royale-- Grossman took the week off while John completed 10 of 21 passes for 108 yards and an interception; nothing beyond awesome that would propel him into the starting role. Still, the mantra remains that Beck was playing with backups-and at least he was better than Matt Gutierrez (signed off the scrap heap and returned in mint condition). Does Beck's subpar performance mean Grossman's got the #1 job locked up? If coach Mike Shanahan could let you know the day after the Giants game who would start it-- he would.

Taking the Torain-- the ground game gained 123 yards... primarily in the legs of Ryan Torain (17 carries for 73 yards) and Evan Royster (11-44). With Tim Hightower and Roy Helu on the shelf but ready to go on opening day... it appears as though the running game is in good hands (or feet) once the regular season kicks off.

Turnovers with frosting-- it's preseason! Who cares if the Skins lost a fumble plus two interceptions... those were backups as well as players who will get cut by Labor Day.

Third and Forever/Third and Never-- while the offense converted 6 of 16 third downs, the defense held the Buccaneers to 1 third down conversion in 14 attempts.

Triumvirate takes another hit-- now two thirds of the Redskins' famed 2008 second round is gone. Devin Thomas was waived last year, and this week the Skins released Malcolm Kelly. The oft-injured Oklahoma product just could never get healthy enough for a long enough period of time to live up to his potential. Now tight end Fred Davis shoulders the burden of the Class of '08...

Tough Choices-- while Kelly's injuries made his departure an eventuality... there are a few shades of gray decisions pending. Does Mike Sellers have a spot on this team as a fullback, tight end or solid locker room presence (unfortunately that is not a position on the field). Is Horatio Blades on his way out of town? And given the team's talent (let's not kid ourselves, this was a 6-10 squad in 2010) how active are they on the waiver wire this weekend?