This is not a knock on any second-, third- or fourth-string NFL players but the fourth preseason game can sometimes be not a lot of fun for many besides the guys playing, the coaches and the team scouts… especially if said game is not going well for one of the teams on the field. But for fans of the Washington Redskins that are into evaluating the deep depth on the team, the team’s final game of the preseason against the Baltimore Ravens was right up their alley.
There were a few bright spots and a few dark ones.
Early in the contest, the defense perpetuated its bad tackling from the first three preseason games. It did get a little better later in series and sporadically throughout the game but it wasn’t consistent.
There were players on both sides of the ball that made real cases for themselves to be on the 53-man roster or practice squad.
The guys that played that were either fighting for roster spots or were already slated for situation-specific plays flashed to be sure.
RBs Rob Kelley (11 carries for 49 yards) and Samaje Perine (seven carries 30 yards) have certainly gotten the memo about future Hall-of-Fame RB Adrian Peterson being the new sheriff in town and they both ran hard. Rob especially ran like a starter. He never stopped pumping his legs and MUST be considered for a roster spot. He said during training camp that he has been working hard to become an asset to the team in every phase of his game.
Perine has got to stop putting the ball on the grass.
RB Rob Kelley has worked hard this offseason ad it's showing in his pass protection. Wonder if that could be the the difference come Saturday's cut deadline? He's running to beat the band, too #Redskins
— Diane (@DiChesebrough) August 31, 2018
The running back group is going to be tough with AP on the roster, however.
Wideout Trey Quinn had a couple good receptions (three catches for 43 yards) and showed he is a viable consideration as a return specialist with good vision and decision-making returning balls.
Cornerback Greg Stroman made some good tackles and CB Adonis Alexander had a very athletic pass breakup that will stay on the minds of fans and coaches.
LBs Pete Robertson and Ryan Anderson, and DL Ondre Pipkins all worked together to collapse a Ravens pocket nicely in the first half to help hold the Ravens to a field goal but subsequent out-of-place defensive players and bad tackling still resulted in Baltimore getting the points.
If one were to just have watched the game overall (not watching individual players), it was just not very pretty. The defense, again, except for a few good plays every now and then, just wasn’t good. The Ravens moved the ball too easily.
A couple guys who stood out… a little:
CB Greg Stroman also made a little bit of noise during this game.
Greg Stroman just helped himself with that tackle. Gruden loves his guys that also play special teams #Redskins
— Diane (@DiChesebrough) August 31, 2018
Ranthony Texada, the UCFA out of TCU, did show some great reaction with a rebound INT in the fourth quarter. Gruden mentioned him a few times during training camp. He may make the practice squad.
Running back Kapri Bibbs (two carries, 11 yards and two receptions for 34 yards with a long pass of 26 yards) belongs on an NFL team. If Gruden decides that veteran RB Adrian Peterson cannot only be the team’s No. 1 RB but also be Chris Thompson’s backup third-down back, Bibbs will no doubt get picked up by another team. It would be easy to see why the Redskins would keep him one way or the other.
Late in the second quarter, TE Matt Flanagan made a key block on a Bibbs run for five yards. Gruden had to love that because he is all about the skill position players being able to block on runs. That doesn’t mean he earned a roster spot but it will look good on film.
Wideout Simmie Cobbs, Jr. made a nice 27-yard catch along the right sideline on a pass from Hogan. At 6-4 and 220 lbs., Cobbs is a big, tall receiver and it wouldn’t be a surprise to find him on the practice squad either. He led the team with three catches for 75 yards (longest was 38 yards).
This is the fourth preseason game so there’s not so much to be excited or upset about. The coaches will have seen what they need to see to make an informed decision about the final 53-man roster this Saturday (at 4 p.m.) and that’s what’s important.