Redskins-Panthers: What Will We See This Week?

Fellow second-round draft pick (the Redskins' first overall selection) Devin Thomas will be seeing action in his second game in the preseason. Thomas didn't log any catches last week, playing on three special-teams units and seeing significant time with the offense throughout the game, and hopes to change that this week against the Panthers.

On defense, Blache will have the closest thing to a "full strength" defensive unit he has seen yet. With the exception of standout safety LaRon Landry (still nursing a pulled hamstring that has held him out of most of training camp and each game so far), all the starters will be on hand this week.

That is significant.

Cornerback Carlos Rogers and linebacker Rocky McIntosh, both returning from devastating knee-injuries last season, will see their fist extensive game action.

Blache will be unveiling more of his rotation along the defensive line this week as well, giving us a long look at newly-acquired defensive end Jason Taylor. Taylor is expected to help bolster the Redskins' pass rush this season, a sore point for the franchise for several years.

Blache is not known for a tendency to blitz often, and with defensive end Andre Carter (10.5 sacks last season) working opposite Taylor, he hopes to be able to keep it that way.

The tackle rotation is also something to watch closely this week. Youngsters Kedric Golston and Anthony Montgomery are battling for the starting spot alongside veteran Cornelius Griffin and have been pushing each other to elevate their play.

Will veteran cornerback Shawn Springs start at free safety in Landry's place? He has already seen time at free safety this preseason, with third-year player Leigh Torrence starting at corner opposite veteran Fred Smoot, making this is another intriguing story line.

Last week, rookie Kareem Moore got the nod with the first-team defense, will he get another opportunity this week or will one of the other youngsters get their shot? At cornerback, we may also get some hints as to how Blache feels about his backups: Which player comes in to be the fourth corner if a dime package is used?

Rookies Justin Tryon and Matteral Richardson seem to have leg up here, but nothing has been decided.

The punting battle also heats up this week. Veteran Derrick Frost and rookie Durant Brooks have been in a competition for the punting duties since training camp began in July. Neither punter has distanced himself from the other, both having solid outings each week. One of these men needs to step up and take the job.

We may also get an idea of how the coaching staff is leaning in regards to several roster battles taking place this week. With the first round of roster cuts pending (all NFL teams must trim their rosters to 75 players on Tuesday, Aug. 26, teams are allowed a maximum of 80 players at this point) several players will have their last opportunity to showcase their talents.

For the Redskins, this could mean narrowing the search for backups at wide receiver, along the offensive line, at cornerback, safety, and the defensive line.

With five players to be cut, Zorn and his staff could use this as an opportunity to send a message to several players: It's time to "put up or shut up."

The wide-receiving corps could be trimmed to make way for increased practice time to the expected winners of the battles at backups. Wide receiver Anthony Mix is expected to play this week, though he may be slowed by cracked ribs, and he is involved in a very tight battle with Billy McMullen to convince the coaching staff to carry a sixth wideout on the active roster (many teams carry five, while six is not out of the ordinary).

Running back Marcus Mason continues his quest to show the coaches that he is worthy of an opening-day roster spot.

On defense, it is likely the defensive backfield to be trimmed first. The Redskins are facing difficult decisions here as well. With an extreme lack of experience at safety, there are several players "on the bubble" and will need to standout this week in order to keep their dreams of making the opening-day roster alive.

Special teams are always a key in the preseason. But for many of the Redskins' hopefuls, special-teams play will be particularly important. While a player may play well when at his "regular" position, the numbers crunch all NFL teams will face forces them to make decisions that are "roster efficient."

This means that versatility is critical for backup players at every position; that means playing well on special teams.

So "game on" 'Skins fans, the regular season is just around the corner!

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