Redskins Prepare for First Preseason Game

Richmond – The Washington Redskins finished up their last open practice today under some intense heat. While the energy level wasn’t quite as high as it has been on previous days, there was an focus that was noticeable once the stretches were finished and the music turned off. In two days, the team travels to Cleveland to play the Browns and the game was likely on many players’ minds.

Tight end Niles Paul (shoulder) and cornerbacks Chris Culliver and DeAngelo Hall (groin) were all on the field again during drills although wide outs Jamison Crowder (hamstring) and DeSean Jackson (shoulder); and linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (precautionary) were all in shorts and T-shirts. Offensive guard Brandon Scherff (ankle) practiced fully and newly signed linebacker Junior Galette (pectoral) participated in drills. Tight end Logan Paulsen (toe) and cornerback David Amerson (shoulder) did not practice.

Quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy are listed on the unofficial depth chart right now at No. 2 and 3 but don’t take that as Gospel… the players don’t.

“Jay said all along that the preseason was probably going to be the best way to evaluate us,” Cousins said to reporters. “Until we’ve had multiple preseason games, I don’t really feel like we can show much.”

While much of what dictates how long players will play in preseason games is how well (or badly) they are doing, Cousins and McCoy will likely see a fair amount of playing time Thursday night. QB Robert Griffin, III will start but how long he stays in is yet to be determined. He has said he is preparing to play four quarters but he won’t.

“We want to go out and get some points,” RGIII said today after practice, “put some drives together and just start getting into a rhythm… that’s all that matters.”

“We’re going to run the offense that [coaches] want to run,” he continued. “Whatever they call we’re going to execute it. We’ll focus on the little things, the fundamentals so that we can get back in the swing of the guys at game speed and get going. I’m not worried about how many passes we throw or this, that or the other. I just want to make sure we’re all on the same page.”

As far as the head coach is concerned, Robert’s playing time could very well be more than just a series or two.

“We’ll see how it goes right now,” Gruden said about how much guys will play Thursday night. “When I say a quarter, it depends a lot on the situation of the game. If we have a nice 12- or 14-play drive, that could change everything. We will be on a play count for our ones on offense. We’re going to discuss that at a later date here, probably tomorrow morning. But I want them to anticipate playing at least a quarter so that they get in their frame of mind that they might have to go back out for a second or third series. You tell them one series and it’s three-and-out, that’s not good enough for us. We have got to make sure we get some plays on tape, get them back in the flow of playing football against a live pass rush. Our whole offense needs to do that… come of the football. Our running backs need to work on their ball security and hitting the new running lanes and the plays that we have and get some good practice. We have not a new line coach and some new schemes going on both offensively and defensively and we need to work.”

This is going to be one of the more interesting preseason games that the team has had in a few years. The free agent veterans that General Manager Scot McCloughan has talked about… the leaders on and off the field, etc. has had some serious play in the media. Now spectators will be able to see if that leadership, combined with their talent, will pay off in a successful 2015 campaign.

Of course, it’s all about execution. No matter how talented a certain player is, if he doesn’t execute the play correctly, it will not succeed. It’s all about doing it on the field.

Defensive end Stephen Paea feels that no amount of talking matters anymore and this first preseason game is the only way to show the world that there is quality talent on this Washington Redskins roster.

“We haven’t faced an opponent yet except for the three days with the [Houston] Texans so we’re going to find out real soon in the next two days what we’re all about. That’s what it’s all a about. If we can do that here in practice we have to carry it over to the game. The leadership, the being fast, the being strong… all of that hype that’s out there just has to show on the field.”

He is absolutely right and this sentiment was echoed over and over again today.

Wide out Jamison Crowder is a guy who’s really looked good in this camp. The kid is a natural… he creates separation seamlessly and has the ability to get open 99.9 percent of the time. He may become such a notable receiver that Gruden doesn’t risk him as a punt or kick returner. Hopefully he’ll be able to play Thursday.

There are some rookies and former second-stringers that will be interesting to watch Thursday night. The 6’5” tight end, Chase Dixon made a nice one-handed catch during 11-on-11 drills today. The pass he caught could only have been caught by a guy his size and it will be interesting to see the kind of matchups the second-year player has versus the Browns.

Speaking of returners, that position will get some different looks Thursday night probably. Running backs Chris Thompson and Trey Williams and receivers Rashad Ross and Reggie Bell were all returning balls today during drills. There are a fair amount of options for that on the team this year so it will be interesting to see who wins the job.