Ravens at Redskins Preview

While you always want to win, preseason games are not about winning. They are about performance and execution. They are also about timing and coordination of key components. Measureable developement is as important as wins. In the preseason. The Redskins showed week-to-week improvement in the Steelers game, notwithstanding the final score [a 12-10 loss]. Quarterback performance improved to 63.6% completion. The offense scored an early touchdown on a TD strike from Todd Collins to Brandon Lloyd no less [may we see Lloyd do that 5 or 6 times this season]. At two yards per carry, the rushing game still has a way to go. Granted Clinton Portis did not play and Ladell Betts made a brief appearance, but Derrick Blaylock and Marcus Mason are not cutting it for NFL-level play. Part of their issue may be the offensive line. The Redskins boosted the left side by trading for OG Pete Kendall, effectively ending the Todd Wade experiment. Wade will likely revert to his tackle role while Mike Pucillo will goes back to his back-up center and utility blocker role after this game. Kendall will not play this week; neither will injured tackle Chris Samuel. Players in the spotlight QB Jason Campbell and LB Marcus Washington are not expected to play. Todd Collins will start at quarterback. He is trying to win the no. 2 position after Campbell. Mark Brunell will play in the second half and will be first off the bench next week against Jacksonville. Rookie linebacker H.B. Blades may fill in for Washington. A good performance helps his case for making the active roster. Newly signed linebacker Randall Godfrey is not expected to play.  The Redskins are giving Fred Beasley a chance to audition for a roster spot. He joined the team too recently to play this week. Beasley’s presence means that rookie Jim Schmitt must make the most of any playing time he gets in this game. Todd Pinkston should get some game time. It may be his one chance to see if he can be the “complimentary wide receiver” the Redskins are looking for. Preseason Report Card Hog Heaven is looking at certain benchmarks to evaluate preseason progress. We are looking for game-by-game improvement in these measures:

• Yards per carry over 4.5
• Yards per pass completed over 9.0 [disregard yards lost through sacks]
• Pass completion percentage over 60
• TDs to Interceptions 2:1
• Offensive touchdowns, preferably by the first team
• Time of possession over 30 minutes
• Third down conversions higher than the opponent
• Defensive disruptions: sacks, tackles for losses (not measured in preseason), interceptions, forced fumbles. Per George Allen, three take-aways should get you a win.

Its arbitrary, but the Redskins must meet these measures to be a playoff caliber team. Here’s the report card for the first two games:

Redskins Preseason Report Card:

For the Baltimore perspective of the game, go to the Raven’s Roost on MVN.com. _________________________ Deadspin.com took an irreverent look at the Redskins season. For their brand of humor, look here. [Shout out to Hogs Haven for pointing me there.]