OK, we know it’s only preseason. We know final scores of preseason games don’t count and, therefore, preseason game stats don’t count for much either. Yet it is good to see that the Washington Redskins ranked second in average yards per game after two preseason contests.
With all the focus on quarterbacks, why lead this post with a story about rushing performance? Just catering to my bias, folks. Even in 21st Century football, rushing is an undervalued ingredient to football success.
Here are three pieces of evidence:
The Redskins ranked 30th in rushing offense in 2010 when they finished 6-10.
They ranked 12th in 2007 when they made their last playoff appearance.
They ranked eighth in 2008 when they last avoided a losing season.
These are not coincidences.
Washington, so far, has exceeded our low expectations. For the Redskins to succeed, then how they run is every bit as important as how they pass. So enjoy the Beck or Grossman discussion, but don’t let it distract you. Pay attention to how well the O-line opens holes for the backs and whether the team averages 4.0-plus yards per carry.
Add two more wins to the season if the ‘Skins can pull that off. The preseason 5.1 yards per rush is a nice surprise and it comes without Ryan Torain. Just don’t expect to see it when the balls start flying for real next month.
Like everything else about the offense, we need more touchdowns from the ground game. Washington has one TD on the ground in two games. The best preseason performance for rushing touchdowns comes from the usual suspects: New England (6), Baltimore and Houston (4 each).
We have a ways to go. Baltimore will be a better test than Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. I expect they will cater to their fans by taking the Redskins more seriously than the Steelers and the Colts did.
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