Bucs vs Redskins: Live Game Grades & Player Analysis

Game action is now underway between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins, as players from both sides battle for final roster spots with their respective teams. 

We will be providing live game grades and updated analysis throughout the evening. Make sure to keep this live report card open and follow along this evening as we evaluate the Redskins in their search of last minute talent. 

Kirk Cousins -- A

OVERALL GAME GRADE -- A

I was very impressed with Cousins' command of the pocket tonight and his offensive line deserves a lot of credit. Cousins stood tall in the pocket and delivered good passes all night. 

His one interception came by way of a pass that he was trying to fit in tight space, which doesn't deserve too much criticism. At that point, Cousins was firing on all cylinders and he trusted his arm to make a big-time throw. 

Cousins finished the game with 222 yards on 55 percent passing and one interception. 

Q4 -- N/A

Cousins was pulled late in the third quarter. 

Q3 -- A

The offensive line has been effective in creating a pocket for Cousins and he's using it. Cousins had Aldrick Robinson open on one play, but a finger-tip deflection by the Bucs resulted in an interception. Hard to blame it on Cousins, but it was definitely a tight window. 

Fourth-string quarterback Jonathan Crompton entered the game with about five minutes to go in the quarter and that will end Cousins' night. Crompton was cut as part of the team's first roster limitations, but was quickly re-signed when Chris Cooley freed up a roster spot. 

Q2 -- A-

Cousins really looks good in the pocket. His footwork is above-average for a rookie, but he's still adapting to handling pressure. He has delivered accurate balls so far and he threw a nice deep ball to Anthony Armstrong that landed perfectly in his hands down the left sideline for 46 yards. 

With his red zone trip near the end of the quarter, it would have been nice to see Cousins work the middle of the field. 

Q1 -- A-

Through one quarter, Cousins has looked confident in the pocket and he's delivering accurate throws. He had one pass off his back foot as a result of middle pressure, which was inches away from being intercepted by the Bucs. 

Cousins has also displayed his deceptive mobility with spacious roll-outs and a nice 11-yard scamper down the middle of the field to set up a red zone field goal. 

Offense -- A-

OVERALL GAME GRADE -- A-

Although Roy Helu and Kirk Cousins put together some very impressive outings tonight, it was all a result of good blocking by the offensive line. 

Not that tonight's line could be as effective against first-string opponents, but tonight's performance provides fans with some security regarding depth along the trench. 

Finally, Brandon Banks put forth his best case for versatility tonight. Along with his returning ability, Banks ripped off a run and hauled in a catch -- both just a hair shy of 50 yards. 

Q4 -- A

Slightly unexpected, we get to see fullback Dorson Boyce receive some late-game carries. Boyce runs hard, but he does so too tall. One thing I do like, however, is his encouragement of contact. Boyce lowers his head and looks for defenders.

Like I've said all preseason, implementing Brandon Banks in the offense and getting him the ball in space could really payoff. Midway through the fourth and we see Banks receive a pitch from the backfield and turn it up field for positive yards. And while that specific run didn't go to the house, there's always seems to be a chance with him. 

A few plays later, Banks lined up at running back and fumbled the handoff. Tampa Bay recovers and the Redskins coaching staff shakes their head. Banks is famous for the big play, followed by the low play. 

Q3 -- A

Dezmon Briscoe registers on the stat sheet with a catch. A big second half could really help his stock. His 6'2" frame is a huge target no matter who's throwing him the ball. 

Downfield blocking shows well, as Helu shows patience and good burst when he finds his seam. From a health standpoint, Helu's cuts look emphasized. He was also able to come up with a long-stride 20-yard touchdown and then found paydirt again with a touchdown just before the three-minute mark. 

Brandon Banks' potential roster spot relies on his ability to contribute in other areas and his big catch in the third quarter bodes well. Banks used his speed to separate from the defense and Cousins found him with a perfectly placed ball. He showed up later in the quarter with an end-around that proved the statement: speed kills. 

The offensive line won't receive much credit for their work tonight because the names on their jerseys aren't popular. But the offense's ability to move the chains tonight has been a direct result of the blocking up front. 

Quarterback Jonathan Crompton made a horrible pass down the left sideline that resulted in an interception. Despite a pocket and room to step-up, Crompton threw without balance or velocity. The sitting safety also appeared to be an afterthought. 

Q2 -- A-

After fumbling a pitch in the first quarter, Roy Helu took a delay handoff for about 15 yards with a sick juke move -- a good sign for his sore Achilles'. With each opportunity, Helu is demonstrating his speed. His receiving out of the backfield also appears to be the most reliable amongst the Redskins' backfield.  

Josh Morgan continues to pull in catches and work for yards. That was the sole purpose for his signing this summer -- yacability. 

Like he did in the first quarter, Royster looks to bruise on every run. He had a one-yard touchdown run to give the Redskins their lone touchdown of the first half and he has been sharp with his cuts. 

Q1 -- B+

The offensive line has been impressive thus far, showing some tenacity against a weak Tampa defensive front. 

Evan Royster -- who could very well start the regular season -- started tonight and has looked good thus far. His vision is such a valuable asset and he's far from an easy tackle. Royster had two receptions in the first quarter and scrapped for extra yards. 

Josh Morgan has stood out as a receiver, with sharp routes and two nice catches for 14 yards. 

New hybrid tight end Niles Paul had a drop under quick tackle and was a target of an attempted red zone shot. 

Defense -- A

OVERALL GAME GRADE -- A

It's hard to nitpick a defense that stifled the opposition like the Redskins did tonight. The pressure applied by the front-seven was impressive and consistent pressure on the quarterback helped lead the Redskins to victory. 

Rookies Richard Crawford and Jordan Bernstine stood out to me tonight. Both very active and played with passion. Also, rookie linebacker Keenan Robinson looks to have improved with his play recognition and I expect him to be a big contributor in a couple years. 

Q4 -- A-

In addition to his third-quarter interception, rookie defensive back Jordan Bernstine had a very nice fourth quarter. He kept his eyes on the ball, put his helmet on a man and displayed some quality wrap-up tackling. 

Linebacker Bryan Kehl had a nice interception in the middle of the field and he capped it with a nice return into Tampa Bay territory. Kehl is making his case for a roster spot. 

Q3 -- A

Blanket coverage along the sideline resulted in Richard Crawford interception. The rookie from SMU seems to have solidified his spot on the 53-man roster. 

Later on in the quarter, we had a scare when Crawford went down with a lower leg injury following a gang tackle. Trainers came out, but Crawford walked out under his own power. He appears to be fine. 

The Bucs offense entered the redzone for the first time in the third, thanks in large part to soft coverage and spotty tackling. The pressure on the quarterback, however, has remained pretty relentless. Because of that pressure, the Redskins allow just three points.  

Q2 -- A

Pressure, pressure and more pressure. There's not much good to say about the Tampa Bay offensive line, but the Redskins' defensive front-seven is making the most of their opportunity. 

The defensive backs are sitting back and reacting to the play, serving primarily as a last resort for the Redskins defense. Thanks to pressure from the front-seven, rookie Jordan Bernstine was able to come up with an interception with 43 seconds to go in the half. 

Q1 -- A

No complaints of the Redskins defense so far. There has been good pressure up front by Doug Worthington and Delvin Johnson, while rookie linebacker Keenan Robinson appears comfortable flying to the ball. 

Tampa is 0-4 on third downs so far and they have under 25 total yards. Their weak offensive line doesn't help things either. 

Special Teams -- A-

OVERALL GAME GRADE -- A-

Other than the Brandon Banks muff and the Billy Cundiff hook, the special teams unit looked good tonight. The blocking was sturdy and Banks made positive yards out of a majority of his returns.

Q4 -- A

The special teams gets another rest in the fourth quarter with very little action. 

Q3 -- B

Not much action for the special teams in the third. The Redskins decided to start scoring touchdowns. Err, Roy Helu did anyway. 

Q2 -- B-

Banks continues his once-a-game muffs. He dropped a punt return that resulted in lost yards and pinned the Redskins deep in their own territory. 

The attention is still on Cundiff and maybe he can feel it. His 46-yard field goal to give the Redskins a 16-0 lead hooked hard right. Luckily he redeemed himself to end the half with a chip shot. We'll continue to ponder that roster move. 

Q1 -- A

With all eyes on the newly acquired Billy Cundiff, he has two touchbacks so far and two converted field goals. While it's nice to have the makes, they've been hardly a challenge for any kicker. 

Brandon Banks has had a couple punt return opportunities through one quarter. He's getting north and south and picking up valuable yards. 

Coaching -- A

OVERALL GAME GRADE -- A

For the first time in a long time, the Redskins coaching staff will have a very difficult time with the next series of cuts. As odd it sounds, there will be players cut from this Redskins team that will make a roster elsewhere. 

Q4 -- A

With the game out of hand, sticking to the run was understandable. However, I would've liked to see Dezmon Briscoe get a few more targets this game. Either Shanahan and the guys are confident in his abilities, or they just didn't feel the need to get another look. 

Q3 -- A

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. 

Shanahan isn't putting anyone to sleep with his playcalling, but his sequence is becoming somewhat predictable. The Bucs' defense has been so terrible in this game that the Redskins are executing at will. 

Pulling Cousins late in the quarter was a good idea. The rookie could compete with Rex Grossman for the team's QB2 position. No need to risk it. He played very well tonight. 

I'm not even sure if Haslett is still at FedEx Field. The defense has been so effective, I think an auto-pilot setting would suffice. 

Q2 -- A

Shanahan has kept it pretty drab through the first half. Offensive playcalling has been conservative, but well-versed. 

On defense, the secondary is sitting back and watching the front-seven eat up the Buccaneers. In fact, on the few plays that the Bucs did perform well on, it's typically a result of large cushioning by the Redskins defensive backs. 

Q1 -- A

Mike Shanahan and the Redskins have shown a nice mix of offensive playcalling and Jim Haslett's defense is obviously working. 

As normal, the fourth preseason game should remain quite vanilla.