Redskins vs. Colts: 5 Things to Watch During NFL Preseason Week 2 Matchup

The first week of the 2011 NFL preseason wasn't nearly as sloppy as some expected. With the lockout causing a late start to training camp—followed by cram sessions to school players—many games were played with few penalties involved.

Rookies are still further behind than they would be, but that did not stop several teams from starting them and have them butt heads with the veterans. There were quite a few newcomers who played well on the field.

Though the Washington Redskins are in the NFC East and the Indianapolis Colts are in the AFC South, long-time fans of both franchises cannot help but feel melancholy during this Week 2 game between the squads.

It is not just the fact many players on both rosters faced each other last season, but because the two teams have a rich historical bond that was broken when the Colts moved from Baltimore in 1984.

With just 50 miles between the two teams before then, it was common for them to practice and scrimmage together. They have faced each other 29 times in the regular season, but just 13 since the Colts joined the AFC in 1970. The Colts have won 19 of the contests, thanks to 15 victories pre-conference switch.

There also were frequent transactions between the two while neighbors. One of the more famous ones was when Redskins offensive coordinator Ted Marchibroda left to become the Colts head coach in 1975, three years after he helped Washington get to Super Bowl V.

Marchibroda would later sign several Redskins to his Colts team. He and Frank Kush, who was with the Colts when they made their infamous "Midnight Move" to Indianapolis, are the only men to be a head coach for the Colts in both Baltimore and Indianapolis.

While it may be only preseason to the casual fan, the game still holds importance. Molding newcomers is the biggest reason, but it also can be used as a measuring stick of progress in this abbreviated exhibition season.

Beck Beckons

John Beck was tabbed the starting quarterback by head coach Mike Shanahan a while ago, but a few starts in his 2007 rookie year is his only real NFL experience. Beck has been struggling with his health ever since the announcement, but has been splitting snaps with veteran journeyman Rex Grossman this week. 

After not playing in the Redskins first preseason game—a victory in which Grossman played decently—Beck is expected to give Redskins fans a glimpse of what Shanahan sees in him. Beck getting work against the Colts' first defensive unit would be the better measuring stick, but Shanahan may decide to let Grossman get the bulk of the work in order to ensure Beck's health. 

Getting snaps for Kellen Clemens is also needed however, since the veteran is trying to become acclimated with Shanahan's system. Clemens looked good last week, even if he did his work against reserves and players who may not be in the NFL much longer.

It would also nice to see Matt Gutierrez and Ben Chappell get some meaningful snaps. While neither is expected to make the team, seeing them in actual game-time situations is the best way to determine how long they should stay with the team. 

Gutierrez has bounced around the league since 2007, but the fact he keeps getting job offers says he has the ability. Chappell got a meaningless appearance in the first preseason game, but he does have the desired size for an NFL quarterback. In practice, he has lined up at cornerback, safety and linebacker for the scout team. 

Indianapolis has some intriguing players in their secondary, including former Redskin Justin Tryon. Many have experience, so all Redskin quarterbacks should face a strong test through much of the contest. 

Hello Helu

Rookie Roy Helu got eight carries last week, even lashing the speed he is known for. Yet Evan Royster—picked two rounds behind Helu—led the team with 15 carries and performed well. 

Tim Hightower may start this year, though 10 carries in his first game is too much work for a player the team may have to lean on in 2011. Last year's starter Ryan Torain is coming off hand surgery and may not play. 

Helu may get more carries this week since the Colts defense typically have issues with the run game. And given Royster's performance last week, the rookie should also get his share of touches. 

Veteran James Davis was not seen on the field last week and left the team. That gives more opportunities for Royster and Helu, giving fans a little better taste of what they'll see in season.

Time For The Blockers To Have A Big Day

These two teams faced each other in the sixth game of the 2010 season. Both teams had three wins at the time, but Washington needed the win to keep abreast in the tough NFC East. 

Despite Redskins running backs grinding out 112 yards on 22 carries against a suspect Colts run defense, Washington offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan mostly relied on the pass and had Donovan McNabb chuck 45 short passes. Indianapolis won the game 27-24. 

Showing inexperience and stubbornness last year, the younger Shanahan will need to show his progression as a coach this week. With new offensive linemen at some positions, now is the time to see what Washington has up front. 

Indianapolis had added a few veterans like Tommie Harris, Tyler Brayton and Jamaal Anderson to help shore up the run defense, as well as drafting Drake Nevis. Washington's blockers will have an opportunity to see if they can mash the Colts and show how reliable the ground game will be this year.

Defensive Building Blocks Continue

The Redskins defense did a very good job last week, holding the Pittsburgh Steelers to 186 totals yards while Washington gained 452. The Steelers starters did just miss on a long touchdown pass, but the Redskins generally shut down most of Pittsburgh's plays. 

While third-year pro Kevin Barnes played well last week, the nicest surprise may have come from rookie safety Dejon Gomes. Picked in the fifth round of this year's draft, Gomes is trying to compete with veterans like Chris Horton, Reed Doughty and Anderson Russell for the right to back up Oshiomogho Atogwe at free safety. 

Doughty and Horton are reserve strong safeties, but they have some free safety ability. That versatility helps their cause while Gomes helped himself last week by getting a sack and a pair of tackles. 

After spending his collegiate career at defensive end, top pick Ryan Kerrigan had a nice game for a rookie transitioning to linebacker. He had three tackles last week in limited duty, which was good enough to tie for the second-most in their 16-7 victory. 

Keyaron Fox, a 2011 free agent signing who spent the last three years with the Steelers, also had three tackles. Though the former special teams captain of the Steelers is being counted on to that role in Washington, he could give the Redskins much needed quality depth at inside linebacker. 

The good news for the Redskins is that future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning will not play as he recovers from neck surgery.

Though Manning carving up the Redskins secondary for a series or two might help Washington coaches judge a little better, facing the likes of Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky provides a better chance for the defense to continue building confidence.

Graham Gone Oh

Placekicker Graham Gano seems to have the kicking job sewn up already after Washington recently cut veteran Shayne Graham.

Graham is the third-most accurate kicker in NFL history, but missing two field goals last week buried his chances with Washington. 

Gano will not play this week however, as he welcomes a new child into the world, so perhaps the release of Graham was a bit premature. Clint Stitser was signed to do the kicking this week. Stitser played five games for the Cincinnati Bengals last year, Graham's former team, and missed two extra point attempts in 10 tries. 

Getting Gano stiffer competition would be a wise move, so Washington may keep their eye on the waiver wire after this weekend. With Gano missing 11 of 35 field goal attempts last year, the onus is on the Redskins to get better in the area for 2011.