In Saturday’s win over the Buffalo Bills, the Redskins showed a little more of the personality of their head coach. During one drive in the first quarter, the persistence and resilience that helped define Jim Zorn as a player could be seen in full view.
Starting quarterback Jason Campbell (played two series, finishing seven of 10 for 71 yards with no interceptions) made a point of mentioning the team's persistence during interviews and in his postgame news conference.
The Redskins committed two penalties on the drive. Each of which would have killed the drive for several teams, including the Redskins of last season.
But as Campbell pointed out, the Redskins overcame the penalties and continued the drive, which culminated in a Clinton Portis one-yard run for a touchdown on 4th-and-goal.
Defensive coordinator Greg Blache also had the opportunity to show his personality. With starting defensive end Jason Taylor seeing his first game action as a Redskin, Blache was aggressive at the point of attack, which was all the more impressive considering the Redskins are still shorthanded at free safety.
So much so that veteran cornerback Shawn Springs was inserted into the position. Third-year player Leigh Torrence started opposite veteran Fred Smoot at cornerback for Springs.
This particular situation deserves further thought.
The Redskins have shown some concern over depth at free safety. Signing Patrick Ghee and Justin Hamilton, first and second-year players respectively, the Redskins continue to work through players at the position.
Second-year standout LaRon Landry will start the regular season at free safety, but the Redskins are obviously concerned about his primary backup. There are options for Blache, but they are thin at safety when one considers experience. This will continue to be a hot spot for competition, and we will watch it closely.
Another hot spot for the defense is depth at cornerback. Torrence seems to have a leg up here, but rookies Matteral Richardson and Justin Tryon have shown some ability.
With Byron Westbrook (who spent last season on the practice squad as rookie) and fellow second-year man Cedrick Holt vying for the same positions, this is a very competitive roster battle.
With fourth-year player Carlos Rogers slated to start at corner opposite Springs, Rogers’ recovery from major knee-surgery is a major concern, making depth at cornerback particularly important.
Depth at linebacker is another key factor for the Redskins. With injuries and age at linebacker, the Redskins are looking not just for depth, but for future starters.
Second-year player Matt Sinclair seems to be on the fast track to a roster spot. Second-year man H.B. Blades is already slated to be the primary backup to longtime veteran middle linebacker London Fletcher, leaving a need for both outside linebacker positions.
14 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Jack Anderson 10 months ago
Yeah the line is the most interesting to me. Crummey and Geisinger have both played some center thus far and we are still in need of a backup there. But the big thing is finding a good replacement for Jansen. Don't get me wrong he could turn it around, but as of now, he doesn't look anywhere near ready to play in a live game.
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Craig Garrison Sr 10 months ago
I felt very much the same way last week about Jansen Jack, but he showed improvement on Saturday, that was a good thing to see. Heyer or Rinehart are working into that role though, whether it is now or next year, or the year after, they are there to take the spot. I have liked the way Crummey and Washington have played, Washington has a nasty streak that you can see on the field, he likes to take his man to the ground and keep him there, he could be a solid guard.
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Craig Garrison Sr 10 months ago
And Washington has had snaps at center as well
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Jack Anderson 10 months ago
Oh he did! That's good because I also liked his mean streak!
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Shaun Ahmad 10 months ago
Good work. I really like McMullen and his size. I'm glad we have some depth now at WR and it seems to be guys who can make plays after the catch too, which is important.
One thing I don't want to see is the penalties. You're on point about how we didn't let them kill our drives, but I hope those don't carry into the season.
The defense has played well thus far too, and I'm sure Blache isn't showing even 20% of his cards yet. We'll have all types of flexibility on defense with Taylor getting moved around. I like what I'm seeing so far!
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Kevin Paul 10 months ago
Definitely a promising start for Redskins fans this preseason... so far so good for Jim Zorn, but obviously life is going to get tougher. The 'Skins have three divisional foes on the road in the early going...
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Shaun Ahmad 10 months ago
You're absolutely right.
@Giants, New Orleans, Arizona, @Dallas, @Philly
That's not a very forgiving start to a season.
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Craig Garrison Sr 10 months ago
No it's not going to be easy at all. But it will definitely test this teams chemistry and leadership, even if they roll through it, like 4-1, dealing with that kind of success can be just as difficult as dealing with failure, Zorn will be tested no matter the outcome of the first 5 games. Let's hope the test is more along the lines of "how to deal with success" rather than the "failure" part!
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Craig Garrison Sr 10 months ago
Devin Thomas back at practice full go, we should see him against the Jets. Very cool, now if we can just Kelly out there.
And my prayers out to Buges, his daughter is very ill and he has gone to be with her.
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Craig Garrison Sr 10 months ago
Also, Erasmus James was activated from the PUP list and practiced some today, may do MUCH more tomorrow, and MAY see time against the Jets. Very cool.
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Jennifer Johnson 10 months ago
Craig I had heard about Bugel's daughter in the Post 3 weeks ago. Bone cancer at 37 is tragic. My prayers are with Joe and his entire family.
Good new about Thomas. Anything on Landry? He was on the same schedule for his sore hammy as Thomas.
Favre do you hear it? It's the sound of Andre Carter's pitter patter coming to make your face splatter. What a schmuck you have turned out to be. Glad Green Bay is playing the Bengals tonight. Aaron Rogers show Favre that u got skills.
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Tanner Kluth 10 months ago
Landry should see some time against the Jets unless the 'Skins are going to be cautious about his return.
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Craig Garrison Sr 10 months ago
Zorn said today that Landry likely won't play this week, but for sure in "one of the games", I would guess that means in game 4(for us, 3 for everyone else) against the Panties, I mean the Panthers. Same for Rogers and McIntosh. We shall see, it sure would be nice to see the WHOLE starting defense be healthy for at least one preseason game. Mix is really losing ground now too, with as much as 2 weeks to the rib injury, it could cost him a roster spot for sure.
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frank santangelo 10 months ago
I think the Skins are going to surprise a lot of none belivers Zorn will keep the squad working hard they could very well be in the running for the division title belive it.THey now have a good pass rush and also have speed and size at wide reciver and running back position. Now if we keep jason healthy at the QB position look out Dallas Giants Eagles it will not be a free ride in that NFL division. Good luck Zorn GO GO SKINS 2008
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