Washington Redskins' Biggest Preseason Disappointments So Far

It's only been two weeks of preseason action, but that's been enough time for more than a few members of the Washington Redskins' roster to rate as disappointments. Sadly, the roll call of the lowly features the team's starting quarterback and top draft pick, hardly welcome news for a rebuilding franchise.

But there's just no hiding the fact the first-team offense has been a horror show of poor execution and shaky confidence. No touchdowns against either the Cleveland Browns or Detroit Lions offers ample proof of that.

Defensively, things have been a little better. New coordinator Joe Barry's group is playing with plenty of energy and tenacity, welcome qualities after last season's limp surrender.

Yet while the pass rush and willingness to swarm have been strong, the tackling has been weak. It's also true that not every prominent member of the front seven has made an impact.

Find out which five players have been the most disappointing during the first two exhibition games.

Willie Smith, LT

Ron Schwane/Associated Press

Expected to be the deputy of choice behind Trent Williams, all Willie Smith has done has encouraged fans to pray Williams never suffers another injury. Smith was a central figure in the systematic destruction of quarterback Robert Griffin III against the Detroit Lions.

Some, including NFL Network analyst Michael Robinson, have claimed the beating he took against the Lions was Griffin's fault. While Robinson has a point, at least in terms of No. 10 needing to do a better job identifying pressure pre-snap, let's not kid ourselves. The offensive line was a shambles against Detroit, and most of the problems came from Smith's side.

The 28-year-old was beaten off the edge all too easily and often. While Griffin might want to explore the benefits of actually reading a defense and sliding his feet in the pocket, he can't be blamed for getting hit before he even takes his second step back from center. But that's what happened more than once with Smith manning his blind side.

Obviously, when Williams is healthy the Redskins can count on a Pro Bowl performer at this vital position. But the lack of quality depth behind 2010's fourth-overall pick is discouraging.

It would be nice if Smith, a player with starting experience in the NFL, was able to offer a solution. So far though, all he's done is play himself into a spot on the final-cuts list. 

Brandon Scherff, G

Mark Tenally/Associated Press

If you're looking for a silver lining from Brandon Scherff's rough introduction to life in the NFL, tell yourself it's only preseason. That's the only comfort to be taken from the fifth overall pick's current struggles.

Yes, he's only a rookie. I know, you know, we all know. We get it, just a rookie.

But that excuse has a shelf life. Granted, it's a concession still far removed from its expiration date, but at some point Scherff will simply have to do better.

He's already been moved from tackle to guard to try and mask some of his issues in pass protection. Yet that plan hardly resembled a rip-roaring success against the Lions.

Tyrunn Walker manhandled Scherff for an early sack. He was literally dumped into Griffin's lap. Not sure there's any read RG3 can make with a 6'5", 319-pounder blocking his view.

Unfortunately, that isn't Scherff's only gaffe this preseason. It's just the most memorable lowlight.

Desmond Bryant and Randy Starks also pushed him around in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns. All in all, you're looking at a pretty lame start from Washington's top draft pick.

Of course, if Scherff goes through his baptism of fire when the games don't count, nobody will care. Time is certainly on his side in terms of his chances of getting better.

It would also be unfair not to mention how the ex-Iowa standout has looked more than competent knocking open holes in the running game. Scherff is displaying excellent move skills to the second level of a defense, and he hits for keeps once he's there.

But this player is supposed to be a cornerstone of a revamped offensive line. Blue-chip blockers have to excel in both phases of the offense.

Lineman whisperer Bill Callahan must get Scherff up to speed by the time the Miami Dolphins come to town in Week 1.

Robert Griffin III, QB

Mark Tenally/Associated Press

The surrender of the five guys in front of him aside, Robert Griffin III has still been a pretty big disappointment so far this preseason. He hasn't led a touchdown drive in two games. But he has shown all-too familiar issues with accuracy and timing from the pocket.

Since the hit-fest against the Lions, Griffin has received criticism over his lack of awareness to feel pressure, as well as his inability to make quick reads. Former Washington tight end Chris Cooley went on ESPN 980 to dissect No. 10's performance (h/t Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post).

Cooley particularly took Griffin to task over a first-down pass that blitzing Lions linebacker Tahir Whitehead batted down. The play is described as a "read rail" route:

"

Note from outside the organization, and this is a direct quote. … ‘I have never seen read rail get batted down.’ You just find a window to throw the football. … He did see the right read, he did make a throw. The quarterback has a responsibility to find a window to distribute the football. … It’s batted, so you’re not going to downgrade him. You would like to see him move and slide to find that window. It’s a big window.

"

In typical Redskins fashion, however, Griffin's woes this preseason aren't sounding the necessary alarm bells. He's still the starter, according to Thom Loverro of the Washington Times: "The Redskins have handed the starting quarterback job to the one who so far has looked the worst of the three in two preseason games."

If you need one quote to sum up why this franchise is a mess, consider Loverro's words ideal for the job.

The real issue with Griffin is he needs so much work. That process is why some believe head coach Jay Gruden had no choice but to get him as many reps as possible against Detroit.

CSNMid-Atlantic.com JP Finlay summed up the problem: "Griffin needed reps, and was playing behind 80 percent of the Redskins starting offensive line. The coach needs to see his starting quarterback work and show the progress that has been talked about all summer against live competition."

Basically, Griffin needs to do so much to get better that anytime he misses will damage his development. Yet keeping a struggling quarterback in behind a woeful O-line is either going to get that signal-caller hurt or cost Washington the chance of winning some games.

It's a vicious circle Gruden finds himself in. The Redskins have put him there because of the stubborn refusal to move on from No. 10.

Nobody can deny Griffin is a very game competitor. Gruden has confirmed how RG3 has already been cleared to practice following the concussion he suffered against the Lions, per the Post's Mike Jones.

But bravery will only take Griffin so far. At some point very, very soon he has to show real improvement with his mechanics and decision-making.

Perry Riley Jr., ILB

David Richard/Associated Press

It would have been easy to chide almost any member of Washington's front seven for poor tackling this preseason. But Perry Riley Jr. got the nod because he's already a player under considerable pressure.

Riley's coming off a dismal 2014 campaign, needing to prove he still merits a starting berth at the heart of the linebacker corps. Yet 2010's fourth-round draft choice has hardly done himself many favors during the first two weeks of preseason.

Missed tackles have been common from No. 56. That's not just a preseason fad not worth worrying about. Poor tackling has been a problem for Riley throughout his career.

Against the Lions, there were also incidents of receivers exposing Riley in space. Cue flashbacks to last season's defeats to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts.

Riley just has to do better. There's little in the way of credible depth behind him, so another below-par season will undermine an otherwise promising-looking front seven.

Trent Murphy, OLB

David Richard/Associated Press

Trent Murphy should consider the first two weeks of preseason one giant wasted opportunity. With star man Ryan Kerrigan and newby Junior Galette sidelined, the second-year outside linebacker has had the chance to really stake his claim for a starting berth.

Instead, Murphy has registered just a single tackle through two games. Talk about a distinct lack of impact.

To make matters worse for Murphy, this year's second-round pick, Preston Smith, has made plays. It isn't just Smith.

Fringe pass-rushers Jackson Jeffcoat and Houston Bates have also produced. The latter is actually the team's sack leader this preseason, per Liz Clarke of the Washington Post: "The 6'1", 245-pound Bates has accounted for three of the defense’s nine sacks in the Redskins’ victories over Cleveland and Detroit."

Murphy struggled as a pass-rusher during his rookie season. So far, he hasn't shown improvement in this vital area.

With Jeffcoat and Bates staking claims and Galette added to the roster, Murphy needs to deliver over the next two weeks.

Every player on this list must show substantial improvement this preseason. Without it, key areas of both the offense and defense will rate as major issues once the games start to count.

All statistics and player information via NFL.com.