Redskins-Panthers: What Will We See This Week?

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.

Another offensive lineman returning from injury, 32-year-old guard Randy Thomas suffered a minor knee-strain last week against the Jets and is in dire need of a strong, injury-free performance this week.

Star running back Clinton Portis will be making only his second appearance in the preseason. While Portis is no fan of the preseason, he has said this week that he is excited to get on the field and be able to get into a rhythm with his offensive teammates.

What rotation, if any, at running back will be interesting to see as well. With Ladell Betts waiting in the wings and having a very strong preseason, will Zorn show us how he intends to rotate the two standout backs? And will it include preseason star Marcus Mason?

The Redskins' wide-receiving corps may have the added service of rookie second-round draft pick Malcolm Kelly for the first time in the preseason as well. Kelly has been battling back from arthroscopic knee surgery (Kelly was originally sidelined by a pulled hamstring) all preseason and missed each game thus far.

Zorn said on Thursday that Kelly didn't look "full speed" to him in Thursday's practice, making it unlikely that Kelly will see any time on the field, but is listed a game-time decision.

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