On Saturday, Aug. 23, the Washington Redskins will travel to Charlotte, NC to take on the Carolina Panthers in Bank of America Stadium. It will be Washington's fourth preseason game and Carolina's third.
For the Redskins, like most other teams across the NFL, this preseason game is considered a "dress rehearsal" of sorts. The starters are expected to play most of the first half, with the coaches spending the week leading up to the game using a more "normal" routine.
What this means is that Redskins' Head Coach Jim Zorn will be showing us a small glimpse of his "real" offense. Zorn and his offensive staff have spent time this past week studying film on the Panthers and have formulated a game plan specific to the Panthers' defense.
This is the first time Zorn and his players have done this in Zorn's preseason debut as head coach and primary play-caller for the Redskins. For the players, they also were able to get the "feel" of how Zorn will handle such things during the course of a normal week during the regular season. Their excitement, as well the fans', is building.
Defensive Coordinator Greg Blache also had the opportunity to work his players through the week in the same manner, another first for Washington. Blache will be showing his players how he prepares a game plan and show the fans a bit more insight into his defensive philosophies.
On both sides of the ball, the starters will play most, if not all, of the first half against the Panthers. For starting quarterback Jason Campbell, an opportunity to erase an erratic performance last week against the New York Jets looms ahead of him.
Completing only 40 percent of his passes last week, Campbell showed us that he is not completely comfortable in the offense just yet. Coach Zorn has stressed this week that Campbell needs to trust his arm more and "just make the throw."
Showing some hesitance on several plays last week, Campbell passed on at least two potential touchdowns. He needs to speed up his decision making in the passing game. The Panthers' defense, meanwhile, intends to help him do just that.
The Panthers have been very aggressive throughout the preseason, blitzing often. This creates an ideal circumstance for Zorn and his new offense. The Redskins' divisional opponents—the Dallas Cowboys (one of the league-wide favorites for a trip to the Super Bowl), the Philadelphia Eagles (widely considered to be "reloaded" and ready to make a run to the top), and the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants—all employ pressure defenses.
This week against the Panthers will be another test to see how the Redskins' offense, Zorn, Campbell, and an aging offensive line can handle that pressure.
On the offensive line, 32-year old Jon Jansen, coming off a season-ending injury in Week One last year, needs to show marked improvement in his overall play. In the Redskins' first three preseason games (due to the Hall of Fame Game appearance, the Redskins, along with the Indianapolis Colts, will play five preseason games, all other NFL teams will play only four), Jansen's play could best be described as spotty.
While he has shown improvement in each game, he needs to show he still "has it" against the Panthers.
8 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Rick Weaver 10 months ago
The skins looked horrible. Like the 32nd best team in the NFL.....The qb is horrible...Everyone was getting hurt...Portis was the onlybright spot ...However, after the panthers figured out campbell could not throw a rock and hit a barn from 5 feet, portis was easily shut doen....look forward to 09 skins fam...cause it sure is not happening in 08...no way, no how!
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Craig Garrison Sr 10 months ago
It sure looked bad. I would use caution however in reading too much into this game for the Skins, the same as reading too much into the "great" performance of the Panthers.
But it sure did put a damper on the enthusiasm of Redskins' Nation.
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Tanner Kluth 10 months ago
They had a terrible performance, but won their other three games. Look at how the Pateriots have been playing in Preseason.
Can't judge a team in Preseason. Sorry.
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Rick Weaver 10 months ago
However, you certainly can judge, to a degree, the 2 quarters where the skins "first" squad went up against the Panthers first team. They are the best the best the skins had to offer and for a person sitting in the stands there is no question the skins must make a change at qb. Face it, the skins took a good defense and a great runner (Portis) and rode them and them alone to a playoff game last year.
The receivers look to be 2nd and even 3rd tier players, ah...you ever draft one in a fantasy league?...That shoudl answer your question...(though Moss really deserves a solid QB to toss it to him to see what he "really" has...as he could be really good). A good qb can make average wideouts look great...a halfway qb can make a good receiver look horrible.
Redskin nation....Demand Todd Collins...then have them teach Colt Brennan the "pro"throwing motion as any and I mean ANY first team defensive backfield would intercept him 40 percent of the time with the telegraphing throwing motion he has.
Also, an open letter to Danny Snyder.....Please sir, remember how winners are made (except for the Yankees) and that is through the draft and prospecting talent...not signing pre-madonna defensive ends whose antics have had them dancing more over the last 6 months than playing ball...draft yourself a team and get ready for '09...Cause it is not happening in '08...and all of this from a guy who thought the Panthers were going to make a run on JT in the offseason.
Also, my thoughts are with the Bugle family after the loss of Holly. We miss you coach!
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Craig Garrison Sr 10 months ago
You apparently haven't paid attention to anything in the offseason. The Redskins drafted VERY WELL this year, and only traded for Taylor after losing their starting end on day of camp, in fact PLAY ONE IN CAMP, and later losing a backup end in SAME AFTERNOON. Snyder didn't go after Taylor, and I think ANY FOOTBALL PERSON ACROSS THIS NATION would disagree with your description of "pre-madonna defensive ends", not a fair attack in any way.
And Jason Campbell did not play well, but HIS LINE PLAYED EVEN WORSE THAN HE DID. Why Collins? Did you see something I didn't? Collins didn't get anything done either.
Their is NOTHING DEFINITIVE one can get from this game, no more so than any of the other three games.
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Tanner Kluth 10 months ago
Jason Campbell wasn't all that bad. He still hesitates a lot of the time, but he completed 6 of 10 passes. Plus he still hasn't thrown a single interception in Preseason, unlike Mr. Matt Leinart who threw three last night.
The offensive line was the reason for the struggles. And bad luck.
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Craig Garrison Sr 10 months ago
I mostly agree Tanner, after I get a closer look at the game(tonight hopefully) I will see more, but he certainly didn't make any "BAD" decisions. The line absolutely collapsed in front of him. And the defensive line couldn't hold there gaps, and we saw generally bad tackling.
All of which could easily put into poor technique, which can be fixed.
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Mike 10 months ago
I sure hope that this isn't the best the skins have to offer it's fans this year if it is Washington.KC,Oakland will soon be on the clock for the 1st pick in next years draft
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