Redskins vs. Panthers: 5 Washington Veterans Who Must Step Up

The Washington Redskins take to the road to go against the rebuilding Carolina Panthers this Sunday.  After last week's disappointing defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Redskins must avoid letting their early-season promise slip away altogether.

It won't be easy against a young Panthers team that has played the opposition close this season.  Out of their five losses, the biggest margin of defeat has been 14 points.  The other four came by a touchdown or less.

The Redskins will need to be sharper on both sides of the ball than they were against the Eagles, to avoid providing the Panthers with their second win of the campaign.

Most of the focus on Mike Shanahan's team will naturally fall on newly-named starting quarterback John Beck.

But it is the play of established veterans that can lead the Redskins to victory in a difficult looking road game.  Here are five veteran players who need to step up in Week 7.

5. Donte Stallworth

At 30 years old, wideout Donte Stallworth has yet to make a significant impact since signing with the Redskins.  Against a Panthers secondary susceptible to the big play, Stallworth needs to provide Beck with a legitimate deep threat.

The former Baltimore Raven showed some steady improvement against the Eagles, hauling in three passes for 30 yards.

With Anthony Armstrong relatively quiet this season and rookie Leonard Hankerson still a no-show, Stallworth needs to showcase his ability to stretch the field and force the Panthers safeties to remain deep.

4. DeAngelo Hall

Motormouth cover man DeAngelo Hall needs to start producing for the Redskins secondary.  Hall will have his hands full this week, attempting to corral dynamic veteran pass-catcher Steve Smith.

Despite his age, Smith remains one of the league's best vertical threats, and Hall must take away the big-play option and force rookie Panthers passer Cam Newton to find holes in the underneath zones.

Hall needs to use his aggressive play and excellent zone instincts to prevent Smith from getting behind the Washington defense.

3. Tim Hightower

After a positive start to the season, the Redskins' running game has been poor in recent games.  Tim Hightower needs to produce a strong showing this week. 

In the defeats to the Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys, the ground game failed to lead the offense and relieve the pressure on the beleaguered quarterback position.

The Redskins' rushing attack needs to be better against a young Panthers defensive front that has struggled to repel the run so far this season.

Carolina's defense is 31st in the league against the run, surrendering 140 yards per game at a 4.8 yards per carry average.

Hightower should find plenty of openings to exploit, and he can use his speed on the Redskins' zone stretch plays to produce some big gains and keep Newton off the field.

2. Rocky McIntosh

Rocky McIntosh has shown some improvement in his second year in the Redskins' 3-4 scheme.  But the athletic inside linebacker needs to step up and make himself more of a force against the run.

Although they have been quiet for most of the season so far, Carolina backfield mates DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart have the speed and strength to torment Washington's defense.

Add Newton's powerful scrambling to the mix, and the Redskins' often-soft run defense will need to show significant improvement to keep the team in the game.

McIntosh has been victimised by power-based ground games in the past, most notably by division rival the New York Giants.

He will needs to be more aggressive at the point of attack, and show more desire to use his natural quickness to avoid blockers and get to the ball carrier.

McIntosh will also need to perform better in coverage than he did a week ago.  The Redskins defense was routinely exposed in underneath coverage against the Eagles.

The Panthers use a lot of intermediate routes and can call on excellent tight ends Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen to be a dangerous dual threat in the middle zones and the seams.

McIntosh must use his athleticism and instincts to ensure the Redskins are not left too vulnerable in these areas.

1. Jammal Brown

Right tackle Jammal Brown is a player the Panthers may look to exploit.  Brown will be matched up against speedy left defensive end Greg Hardy.

The Redskins' offensive line has struggled in pass protection during the team's first five contests, and Brown has been one of the main culprits.  The former left tackle continues to struggle to adapt to the challenges of playing on the right side.

Brown has found it particularly difficult to cope with speed-rushers, and Hardy is tremendously quick off the edge. 

Hardy has logged three sacks this season and Brown must work hard to keep him at bay and give Beck time in the pocket.

In addition to Hardy, Brown must also be aware of strongside linebacker James Anderson, who is an excellent blitzer.

In nickel and dime packages, the Panthers like to move the dangerous Charles Johnson over to left end.  Johnson has five sacks already this season and has the power and technique to terrorise Brown.

It promises to be a tough day for the veteran offensive lineman, but Brown must start to step up and solidify one side of the Redskins' offensive front.

Despite the Redskins' positive start to the season, it is suddenly difficult not to envisage the Panthers  pulling off a mild upset.

Question marks at quarterback and a suspect running game and rush defense for the Redskins, seems to favour the upstart Panthers.

But the Redskins have the players to move the ball and exploit a young Carolina defense.  If Washington's 3-4 front can be a little more disciplined and take away the run, the Redskins can return to winning ways.