The NFL preseason is far from black and white...with plenty of shades...grays...and other hues that either make no sense or won't need to be thought about in three weeks. Still, NFL teams charge full price for these "don't call them exhibition" games-- so the Redskins Recap will go full bore...and trust me, like those sitting in the upper deck at Fed Ex Field--you will probably feel a little ripped off after reading this. Take heart-- I'm feeling gypped myself...and this is only the first paragraph.
Here's how the NFL can win: just charge half price for these games...creative accounting by teams (increasing regular season tix by 11.25% while slashing preseason games by 50%) can ensure nobody loses revenue...and the fans can justify the August affairs knowing they're discounted.
At least they scored...and seventeen points--although the win over Pittsburgh didn't count in the standings it was reassuring to see the team play much better than they did in the Baltimore blowout.
The offensive line looked much better... generating a ground game that averaged 4.4 yards per carry while allowing just a pair of sacks. Clinton Portis shined in his limited action (5 carries while backups Marcus Mason and Dominick Dorsey played well in relief. After a dismal 1 for 11 against the Ravens, the Skins were 9 of 18 on third down against the Steelers.
The 2008 second round triumvirate combined for 5 catches...60 yards and a touchdown (thank you Fred Davis). Malcolm Kelly's looked better than Devin Thomas so far this preseason--while Marko Mitchell made his case for the 53 man roster by leading the team in catches (3) and scoring a touchdown.
Return to sender? Dominic Dorsey and Keith Eloi shared punt return duties...with Dorsey averaging 12 yards on two returns...and Eloi generating one yard over two tries. One can only wonder which combination gets the nod against New England.
H-O Line...the combination of free agent Albert Haynesworth and first round draftee Brian Orakpo made their debut as a duo...while the rookie notched a tackle and three assists Haynesworth for the most part tied up blockers during his limited action.
Campbell and Chase compare and contrast: looking at the line Jason Campbell (1 of 7 for 10 yards) did not have a good night while rookie Chase Daniel (2 touchdown passes) shined; I wish they had left Campbell in for one more series to give him a chance to get everything out of his system. After the game coach Jim Zorn said they were working on different things and Campbell's progress shouldn't be landlocked in the context of his numbers... but all eyes are on Daniel as he competes with second-year pro Colt Brennan (who's been less than stellar) for the #3 spot.
NASCAR Nationwide aside... what would it be like if Clinton Portis chose 1 or 2 Miami Hurricane games to play in each season? That's exactly what NASCAR is doing by allowing Sprint Cup drivers maintain schedules in the Nationwide Series...which is basically the AAA of stock-car racing. What's the point in cultivating the stars of tomorrow when today's elite can drop down and cherry-pick whenever they feel like it? I'm not a big auto racing fan...and I'd never doubt the NASCAR business model--but this just doesn't seem right.
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