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Redskins vs. Ravens Preseason Recap

This early in the season, most defenses are ahead of offenses. The NFL rules concerning practices, OTA’s (organized team activities), mini-camps and training camps does not give NFL coaches enough time to be ready for the regular season. Also, a factor coaches are dealing with this season is that they have more players to evaluate. This season there was no NFL cut down from 90 to 75 players. This is good because it gives players more opportunity to win a roster spot.

In the first preseason game at Baltimore, the Ravens defense dominated the Washington Redskins offense. The offensive line did a poor job in both pass protection and run-blocking. However, in this disappointing loss with a score of 23 to 3, I did see an improved pass-rush and harder hitting defense. There were some impressive individual plays. However, this game proved there is room for improvement and hopefully this poor performance will be a “wake up call.” Preseason games do help evaluate players and help coaches decide who will make the 53-man roster. The Redskins lost Trent Murphy for the season. Josh Doctson did not play after a hamstring pull in training camp. Su’a Cravens suffered a knee injury and will not play for 2 -3 weeks. Junior Galette is also being checked out by the medical staff for what is reported to be a possible hamstring injury.

Here are some statistics from last Thursday night’s game which reflects a poor game overall by the Redskins: Passing yards – only 99. The Ravens had 135 yards. Ravens won the time-of-possession battle by almost 10 minutes. The Redskins made a pitiful showing on 3rd down conversations at only 15.38%.

Rushing statistics: Perine – 6 carries, 15 yards; Mack Brown – 4 carries for 15 yards; Thompson – 2 carries, 10 yards; Kelley – 3 carries for 2 yards and Matt Jones – 3 carries for minus 1 yard. Performance definitely has to get much better before we open against the Philadelphia Eagles in less than a month.

For whatever reason, Head Coach Jay Gruden did not keep our starting quarterback Kirk Cousins in the game long enough to get our offense moving the chains. Cousins went 1 completion of 2 passes for 5 yards; Colt McCoy was 6 of 13 for 40 yards and threw an interception. Nate Sudfeld went 5 of 12 attempts for 68 yards. All three of our quarterbacks were not protected well by our offensive line.

There was good individual play by some Redskins players. I saw an improved pass-rush! Anthony Lanier II, Zach Brown, Nico Marley and Phil Taylor were impressive. Our number 1 draft pick Jonathan Allen got a sack. Robert Davis, wide receiver, made a 31-yard reception and ran good routes. Wide receiver Brian Quick had 3 receptions. Jeremy Sprinkle, tight end, caught one pass and should have been targeted more because of his height (6’5″ tall). Ryan Grant had a catch for 17 yards and running back Matt Jones had also had a 17-yard catch.

Although the Washington Redskins first preseason game did not go well, I do expect to see a better Redskins team when we play the Green Bay Packers next. I am sure offensive line guru and Assistant Head Coach Bill Callahan will get our offensive line doing a better job pass protecting and run blocking. That will increase the passing and rushing yards tremendously. We fans do have to remember our coaches are not going to show all their cards in the preseason and they do have more players to evaluate this season.

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