Game Thread: Bills @ Redskins Preseason Week 3

[skinsdad62]

just saw nice block by mack brown on mccoy pass

 

[skinsdad62]

brown did what he could but no blocking there

 

[skinsdad62]

if you havent noticed i am looking at pass protection tonight from the rookie backs

 

[skinsdad62]

paea blew up that play nice job

 

[skinsdad62]

cravens looked awful on that attempted sack

 

[countryroads316]

Fuller with the interception seals the win

 

[Sharkinva]

Fuller might end up being a draft steal

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Initial thoughts on the Redskins' "dress rehearsal" preseason win over the Bills from Manny Benton including two playmakers making plays.

LANDOVER -- The Washington Redskins had a eventful dress rehearsal game against the Buffalo Bills Friday night in which they ultimately won, 21-16. The Redskins had their share of struggles, especially on offense. Below we'll give our initial pre-film study reactions on how each side of the ball played.


Offense:

• Kirk Cousins had a roller coaster of a night. His interception was a bad decision as he had Ryan Grant in his vision lane wide open. Instead, Cousins tried to squeeze the ball to Rashad Ross. He threw several balls behind the receiver -- which seems to be a trend. I noticed last year that Cousins struggles at times to lead the receiver on those crossing intermediate routes. That continued Friday night. Cousins also under-threw DeSean Jackson on a deep fade. He did find more success in the second quarter, albeit, against Buffalo's second and third stringers. Cousins ended the second quarter, and likely his preseason, with three consecutive drives ending in a passing touchdown.

• Rookie RB Robert Kelley had a nice 3rd and 1 conversion on the first drive. He did a great job cutting up-field and gaining the necessary yardage. He also had a couple great pass block pickups in this game. I really like the way he cuts up-field. He's very decisive and appears to have solid vision. Kelley had 51 yards on 12 carries in the first half. He may have secured his spot on the 53 man roster.

• RT Morgan Moses had a couple poor drives early in this game. He ended up sustaining a left ankle injury. I'm not certain when it happened, but that may have affected his play. We did see Moses in the locker room after the game and he appeared to walk fairly well. There wasn't a noticeable limp in his step.

• DeSean Jackson was the spark that helped propel the starting offense to three consecutive scoring drives in the second quarter. Jackson had a nice 39 yard catch (37 yards he created on his own). He also looked great running that deep fade in which Cousins under threw him. Jackson had a step on the corner and it likely would've been a touchdown. Even on that play, Jackson displayed one of his most underrated traits -- an ability to adjust to the ball. He's destined for a big season, if he stays healthy.

• Center Kory Lichtensteiger had three holding calls in the first half. He was pushed back way too much, which is something that happens a lot for him. Jay Gruden played off the Bryan Stork addition Thursday by calling it a depth move. But I think everyone knows it's his job to have if he shows up and stays healthy. Gruden confirmed after the game that Stork is expected to be in Washington Saturday. He has not yet made a decision on whether he's retiring or not.

• LG Shawn Lauvao again out-shined Spencer Long in this game at Left Guard. Long and Lauvao split quarters playing with the starting unit at left guard. Lauvao looked especially stout in the run game -- creating several big rushing lanes.

Pain and gain? Redskins down Bills 21-16
The Redskins offense labored early before a scoring-filled second quarter while the defense proved stout and the injuries mounted in their third preseason game.


byBen Standig
Breaking Burgundy
5:21 PM




Defense:

• CB Quinton Dunbar injured his shin Friday night. There was a noticeable limp when watching him walk in the locker room.

• If the Redskins legitimately plan to have Kedric Golston start for them at nose tackle, then that's a major issue. Golston was pushed back a lot in this game which created huge running lanes down the gut of the defense.

• All-pro CB Josh Norman played lights-out football against the Bills. Norman forced a 3rd down stop on the first drive by blanketing WR Sammy Watkins on an out-route. Bills QB Tyrod Taylor was forced to look elsewhere which resulted in a fourth down. On the second drive, Norman prevented a touchdown in the back of the end-zone. I really like the way Norman blocks off a receiver's leverage. It begins with his stance in off man coverage. WRs are at a disadvantage leverage-wise as soon as they get off the ball just by Norman's stance. He's a pure technician.

• OLB Preston Smith has low-key been the star of the preseason for Washington. In the locker room post game, general manager Scot McCloughan made it a point to go over to Smith and complement his play. McCloughan appeared to be very impressed by Smith's progress. Against the Bills, he had a tackle for a five yard loss while taking on two blockers. I think that's been the most under-talked about trait in his game. He's doing a great job against the run as well as rushing the passer. He's in for a big season.

• CB Bashaud Breeland was tested twice in the redzone against his former Clemson teammate Sammy Watkins on the defense's second drive. Breeland won both matches. The pairing of him and Norman is going to create some major frustration for opposing receivers.

• LB Will Compton again showed his on-field intelligence by diagnosing a run and plugging the hole before the play could even form. He's going to take his game to the next level this season.

• DL Ziggy Hood had a really nice play slicing through the interior of Buffalo's offensive line for a run stop. I think he's just about secured his spot on the final 53 man roster.

• I think we got a taste of how the Redskins plan to use LB Su'a Cravens. The rookie came on the field for every third down with the starters Friday night. As anticipated, that appears to be his duty heading into the season. He's still developing and learning the scheme. But he appears to be settling into his own as weeks have passed.

• DL Stephen Paea has created havoc each game this preseason. Granted, against second and third stringers, but he's played well. It's a weird situation because there's some who thinks he's on the roster bubble and others who believe he should be used more. I think he should be used more.

• Rookie CB Kendall Fuller has had his ups and downs this preseason, but I like the way he plays. He reminds me of a young Asante Samuel. He attacks the ball well both in the air and against the run. Fuller ended the game on a high note -- forcing an interception.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

This nonsense that this defense really doesn't use a NT is a load of crap. It was a hole, it continues to be a hole, and as a result our run defense is a very real problem. LMAO at Lich, we need the new guy ASAP. What is to decide? He's 25 and if he retires he is obligated to pay part of his bonus back. Stop being all butt hurt, trades happen, and get to work learning the offense.

I was frustrated at the drops but Kirk was really bad early. Good to see him improve at the end of the half. And yeah I was looking at Kelly's run blocking too.

 

[Tdog21Skins]

Has Matt Ioannidis done anything this preseason cause I sure haven't seen or heard anything from him!

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Dang forgot all about that dude.

 

[Buffalo_Nickel_1]

fuller is the only draft pick doing anything could be shaping up to be a horriable draft

 

[deanpet21]

Kelley was solid tonight. He should make the team. Cravens is going to be a factor on our 3rd down defense. I think if Pot Roast gets cut we will look at him b/c Gholsten is just not getting it done IMO.

 

[Krusheasy]

my random observations:

josh norman & clinton portis seem to be getting along ... they had a 10+ minute conversation at the end of the game.
Doc Walker gets to walk around smoking his cigar.
DMV traffic is still the worst. A parking lot on the way there & the wild west on the way out.
Whoever replaced Moses at right tackle looked big & fast.
The live game experience is overrated in my opinion ... i was frustrated not having information, such as who replaced Mosses at right tackle ... or the name of the player that slammed the Bills running back to the ground like a man-child.
We would not have known about Kerrigan groin injury if it wasnt for the radio.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Any of you film guys notice this?

 

[skinsdad62]

it looks like the only questions we solved this off season was ILB and depth at CB . on defense and LG and TE (BU) on offense

still have questions at center RB , NT and both safeties

penalties are keeping us from being an elite team and could push us back to sub 500 .

we dont look ready to beat a team the caliber of the steelers

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Was happy for Lo.

For Moses and us, not so much.

Thought that roughing the passer call was tricky tacky.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Caliskinsfan]