Redskins vs. Browns: Previewing Washington's Preseason Week 1 Matchup
The Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins ended the 2014 season in similar and familiar fashion: Under the direction of new head coaches, both franchises once again watched the postseason from home.
In response, both teams sought to remake their respective rosters this offseason.
Looking to spruce up the NFL's 27th-ranked scoring offense, Cleveland made wholesale changes at the skill positions. Meanwhile, with new general manager Scot McCloughan calling the shots, Washington could sport as many as nine new starters.
It won't be for long, but Thursday's preseason opener will give fans the first glimpse of these changes.
Here is a preview for the Redskins-Browns preseason Week 1 contest.
Location: FirstEnergy Stadium; Cleveland, OH
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: NBC (CSN)
Latest Injury News
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Washington entered training camp with prominent players such as Ryan Kerrigan, Trent Williams, DeAngelo Hall and Jordan Reed all on the mend from injuries.
Nearly two weeks into camp, more casualties have entered the fray.
Bashaud Breeland was the first: He suffered a sprained MCL and will miss at least a month of game action.
Next up, DeSean Jackson. The receiver who recently proclaimed himself to be unstoppable was stopped cold by a blocking sled in pursuit of a pass during the team's scrimmage with the Houston Texans. Jackson has since disputed the cause of his injury, but the end result remains the same: The separated shoulder he suffered will keep him sidelined for one-to-two weeks.
Joining Jackson on the injury list with shoulder injuries are David Amerson and Niles Paul, according to ESPN's John Keim.
Moving to the Browns' side of things, their players have kept the training staff busy as well. According to Cleveland's Fox affiliate, injuries have already sidelined five of the team's running backs.
Following Monday's practice, you can now add iron man Joe Thomas to the injury report. Head coach Mike Pettine deemed it minor, but Thomas suffered an injury to his knee and ankle.
Knowing that the outcome of the teams' preseason opener carries little weight, one could merely look at the injuries on both teams as opportunities for less heralded players to state their cases for roster spots.
Key Matchups
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Washington Offensive Line vs. Cleveland Front Seven
A season removed from surrendering 58 sacks, Washington will usher in a youth movement up front, particularly on the right side. Spencer Long, top pick Brandon Scherff and Morgan Moses are all in competition to fill the starting jobs vacated by Chris Chester and Tyler Polumbus.
Snagged from the Dallas Cowboys, offensive line coach Bill Callahan will be charged with seeing their development through.
Cleveland is no juggernaut in the sacks department: It tallied just 31 sacks in 2014, 27th in the league. As such, this matchup will be a good barometer to gauge the progress of the Skins' line.
LB Preston Smith vs. OL Cameron Erving
High picks were spent on Preston Smith and Cameron Erving in the 2015 NFL draft. Erving was selected with the second of Cleveland's first-round picks (19th overall), while Smith was taken with the 38th overall pick by Washington.
Despite their lofty draft statuses, though, their paths to playing time are littered with roadblocks.
Smith was initially slated to compete with Trent Murphy for the starting spot opposite Kerrigan. Then Junior Galette entered the picture. Between Murphy's prowess as a run defender and Galette's 22 sacks in the past two years, Smith's spot on the bench is all but set in stone.
In the case of Erving, Thomas and John Greco stand in his way. Drafted for his versatility, Erving has seen the majority of his snaps at left tackle and right guard in camp, as noted by Pat McManamon of ESPN.com.
For the time being, though, playing time should be plentiful for this duo. Thomas' injury figures to give Erving additional playing time, and knowing that Galette won't play in the preseason opener, according to Brian McNally of CBS DC, the same could be said about Smith.
Stay tuned.
Jamison Crowder vs. Browns Secondary
The latest Washington signee to underachieve, Andre Roberts' inaugural season was forgettable.
Brought aboard to bolster the team's receiving corps and return units, Roberts was a colossal bust. He caught only 50 percent of his targets in 2014 and averaged 7.4 yards per punt.
Enter Jamison Crowder.
Initially tabbed to improve the Skins' return unit, the fourth-round pick out of Duke has drawn rave reviews for his work as a receiver.
Take what Mike Jones of the Washington Post had to say, for example: "The most impressive rookie of the draft class by far is Jamison Crowder, who electrified with his speed on an end around and also made a couple of tough catches. Crowder also used speed and crisp route-running skills to shake defenders and get open for catches."
We're talking about practice, though. If Crowder is to truly challenge Roberts for the No. 3 spot, his play will have to translate to games.
With a top-10 passing defense a season ago, backups or not, Cleveland's secondary will serve as a good measuring stick early on.
Matchup X-Factors
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Redskins X-Factor: RB Matt Jones
All offseason, the Skins have asserted their intentions to sport a physical ground attack. As far as backs go, they don't get more physically imposing than third-round pick Matt Jones.
The 6'2", 231-pound back is a load to bring down. And according to head coach Jay Gruden via the team's official Twitter feed, that's a task only Washington's safeties have been up to.
Even so, everything hasn't been smooth in camp for the Florida product. He's since recovered, but he did miss practice with a knee injury earlier in camp. Furthermore, in the opinion of Gruden, finishing runs is an area in which Jones could improve.
"A lot of the times in these practices you’re not sure how to finish runs, but we want him to finish violently," Gruden said, according to Jones.
Alfred Morris remains the starter, but with the backups likely to see the most action in this contest, Jones will be tasked with heading up the team's rushing attack.
Browns X-Factor: QB Johnny Manziel
Selected to be the savior of the franchise, quarterback Johnny Manziel was anything but in his rookie year. Two interceptions and one rushing touchdown were all he produced in five games.
Following the season, Manziel entered himself into rehab for substance abuse.
After a tumultuous start to his career, Manziel has rebounded with a strong showing in camp thus far. During Cleveland's Orange & Brown Scrimmage, he completed 9 of 11 throws for 93 yards and two touchdowns, according to CBS Sports' Sean Wagner-McGough.
It was against the second-team defense, but with Josh McCown in line to be the starting quarterback, Manziel will battle against a similar level of defense in the preseason opener—if not worse.
Down in considerable depth, Washington's secondary is vulnerable. Tevin Mitchel, Breeland, Amerson and Hall have all had visits with the team's training staff this summer.
Keeping this in mind, the conditions will be present for quarterback Manziel to have a strong outing. For the Browns to win, they'll need one.
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What the Experts Are Saying
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ESPN's Adam Caplan: Brandon Scherff Moved to Right Guard
"Reason why #Redskins rookie OL Brandon Scherff is lined up at RG is because he wasn't comfortable enough at RT, source said.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) August 10, 2015"
Scherff's best NFL position was an open debate in the lead-up to the NFL draft. Some envisioned him moving to the inside a la Zack Martin, while others (and seemingly Washington's brass) felt comfortable with him playing the tackle position.
A mauler in the running game, Scherff's ability to protect the passer on the edge was one of the chief concerns for him at tackle. And judging from his corresponding move to guard, he hasn't eased them thus far in training camp.
This move wouldn't have happened without Morgan Moses showing vast improvement. But considering only two guards have been drafted in the top 10 since 2000, one has to hope Scherff's move is a temporary one.
Redskins.com's Stephen Czarda: Offensive Starters to Play at Least One Quarter
Wanting to see how far his veterans, namely Robert Griffin III, have progressed in Year 2 of his system, Gruden relayed to Stephen Czarda of Redskins.com his intent to play his offensive starters for at least a quarter against Cleveland:
"I would think at least a quarter right now, just off the top of my head, but we'll see. Could be longer. Just depends on how many plays you get. We'll probably have a pitch count on him and go from there.
I want to see our veteran guys progress, however much they play – if it’s a quarter, if it’s a half, I don’t know yet – but I want to see how they’re progressing in Year 2 of our system.
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While this could benefit the starters in the long run, the snaps they take will have an adverse effect on the young and unheralded players vying for a roster spot.
Practice performance is one thing, but a player's performance during games usually carries the most weight. As such, with limited snaps this week, it'll be even more important for young players such as running back Trey Williams to come out firing on all cylinders.
Redskins.com's Andrew Walker: Front Seven Key to Stopping Manziel
"For the Redskins to rock that Manziel momentum, they’ll need constant pressure from guys like Jackson Jeffcoat and Preston Smith, who will likely be the two second-team outside linebackers this week. Defensive linemen Ricky Jean Francois, Kedric Golston (who’s had a strong camp) and Chris Baker will also likely be counted on to pack in a punch up front for Washington.
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Washington's shortcomings in the secondary have already been touched on. As such, the key to the defense's stopping Manziel will be the front seven.
In what is a relatively rare case, the second-team defense is littered with players sporting starting experience. The Skins are young on the outside with Jackson Jeffcoat and Smith, but in Ricky Jean Francois, Kedric Golston and Chris Baker, the second unit has experience up the middle.
Going against the mobile Manziel and possibly Connor Shaw, the team will count on such players to maintain their rushing lanes in an effort to keep the Browns quarterbacks contained in the pocket.
Prediction: Redskins 22, Browns 13
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It's the preseason, people—and the opener at that. Player development and evaluation takes precedence over winning the game.
But it just so happens that the Redskins are particularly keen on developing and evaluating their starting lineup, as their offensive starters are projected to play at least a quarter in this one.
Just a reminder: Starters typically only play a series—if at all—in the preseason opener. Edge for Washington, right?
With RG3, Colt McCoy and Kirk Cousins, you could argue that Washington sports the three best quarterbacks in this matchup. The receiving corps is well-stocked too, with Crowder and Ryan Grant in reserve roles.
The team's secondary is nicked up at the moment. But considering it'll be opposed by the likes of Shaw, Manziel and a makeshift Cleveland receiving corps for most of the contest, the defense has enough talent up front to mask this deficiency.
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