Game Thread: Redskins @ Ravens

[Krusheasy]

 

[Sportster 72]

Are you ready for some football

 

[skinsdad62]

Erin Hawksworth

✔@ABC7Erin
Gruden: Crowder, Doctson, Reed will definitely not play Thursday at Baltimore. #Redskins

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Add Moreau and Nicholson to that list. And Kendal Thompson

 

[Sharkinva]

Add Moreau and Nicholson to that list. And Kendal Thompson

Crowder and Reed being out doesnt really bother me.

Dr. Moreau wasa bonus pick and Im fine with them taking their time with him and Nicholson.

Thompson..... time he misses only hurts his chances.

Doctson being injured again....

 

[countryroads316]

Jay Gruden Presser: Six Redskins ruled out vs Ravens

Jay Gruden Presser: Six Redskins ruled out vs Ravens

 

[Buffalo_Nickel_1]

Nfl network reply Redskins vs Ravens saturday 7AM est 6AM Central..HTTR

 

[Caliskinsfan]

By Nora Princiotti - The Washington Times - Wednesday, August 9, 2017
RICHMOND — There’s a good way and a bad way to watch preseason football.

The bad way is to care about who wins.

The Redskins open the preseason in Baltimore on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Kirk Cousins and the starting offense should play just a series or two, then hand things over to Colt McCoy and Nate Sudfeld. Let this serve as your watch guide, with things to look for and pointers on how to get the most information out of the game. If you’re in the market for a prediction, though, you’ll have to look elsewhere.


Pay (some) attention to who starts

This mostly applies on defense. The Redskins starting offense is clear, but you won’t see it Thursday because of injuries. Kirk Cousins’ top three targets Jordan Reed (toe), Jamison Crowder (hamstring) and Josh Doctson (hamstring) are all out. Watch Terrelle Pryor (it’s fun) and check out how Rob Kelley looks when tacklers are actually trying to bring him down.

On defense it’s a different story. Phil Taylor is the player who has done the most to establish himself as the starting nose tackle, and he’s listed as a starter on the team’s unofficial depth chart, but it wouldn’t be shocking if the Redskins went with Joey Mbu or A.J. Francis over him.

On the one hand, it’s not too important who starts in a preseason game, but it is one way for coaches to reward or motivate players. Between Stacy McGee and Terrell McClain, for instance, McGee has looked the better of the two Redskins free agency acquisitions along the defensive line. If McGee gets the starter treatment, and plays few snaps, it’ll serve as further proof that the Redskins are satisfied with what they’ve seen from him. The longer they keep someone like McClain out there, the more the coaches are saying “Show me something.”

McGee and McClain are easy to lump together because of how and when they joined the team (plus the whole Mc thing) but the same kind of thinking applies to many players. Inside linebacker Zach Brown has had a great camp, but is listed behind Mason Foster on the depth chart. Will playing time indicate that that’s an accurate hierarchy?

Outside linebacker and second-round pick Ryan Anderson has flashed immense talent and passion throughout camp, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he takes 20 snaps or more Thursday because he’s also looked lost at times, like any work in progress.

Watch the heavy-hitters

Whenever a running back rips off an impressive carry during training camp, a little warning bell should go off as a reminder that no one is tackling. Starting running back Rob Kelley cut five percent of his body fat this offseason and has looked muscular and powerful. Fourth-round rookie Samaje Perine has also impressed during camp, routinely displaying the power and forward momentum that could eventually help him push Kelley for the starting job, and should help in the red zone right off the bat.

Still, all that comes with an asterisk until they do it against another team. Perine, in particular, has a ways to go in the passing game, but that’s not going to be fixed in one game. Look to see if the Redskins backs are breaking into the second level and having success running up the middle.

On defense, watch the linebackers and safeties. The Redskins had the worst defense against tight ends in the NFL last season by yards allowed and receptions, and better play from those positions would go a long way toward fixing that. Preston Smith (ankle) is out and the likes of Ryan Kerrigan, Trent Murphy, Will Compton, D.J. Swearinger and Su’a Cravens aren’t likely to play much. But do the Redskins have any depth in linebackers Martrell Spaight, Lynden Trail or seventh-round pick Josh Harvey-Clemons?

Look for down-the-roster standouts

The obvious direction is to look at McCoy and Sudfeld. McCoy has had a good training camp while Sudfeld has been iffy. Without Reed, Crowder and Doctson, though, there will also be plenty of opportunities for wide receivers like Ryan Grant, Robert Davis, Brian Quick, Matt Hazel and Zach Pascal. Grant is probably safe, but the other four are fighting for their spots in September. All have made plays, but also mistakes, working with the second and third team defenses in training camp.

Also look at fifth-round tight end Jeremy Sprinkle. He’s enormous (6-foot-5, 252 pounds) and, while he’s an in-line, blocking tight end, he’s made more than a couple plays with his hands over the past 10 days, including a touchdown catch from Colt McCoy. With veteran Niles Paul also having a good camp, Sprinkle will need to do enough to convince the Redskins it’s worth keeping four tight ends.

On defense, you probably haven’t heard much about undrafted safety Fish Smithson, but it caught our eye that Smithson has stuck with the team while other bottom-of-the-roster players at that position, Earl Wolff IV and Josh Evans, were waived and swapped for Stefan McClure and Tim Scott. DeAngelo Hall and fourth-round pick Montae Nicholson won’t play, so Smithson should get ample reps.

If Smithson makes the team it will be because he can contribute on special teams. He was part of the first punt return unit used during the Redskins special teams practice last Wednesday. Smithson ran a 4.51 40-yard-dash at his Kansas pro day, which would have tied him for sixth among safeties at the combine.

 

[Buffalo_Nickel_1]

the best part about preseason is to watch the 2 and 3rd stringers and if you win its a bonus

 

[SoCalWizFan]

the best part about preseason is to watch the 2 and 3rd stringers and if you win its irrelevant

Fixed it for you.

 

[skinsdad62]

i had to break down and get game pass .

 

[skinsdad62]

• 
  
  John KeimESPN Staff Writer

The Washington Redskins' starters will play a series, perhaps even two, when they play at Baltimore in the preseason opener Thursday night. That's how coach Jay Gruden has always approached the first preseason game. So it will be hard to make any sort of grand pronouncements about how they fare.

But linebacker Junior Galette won't play because of a hamstring injury, and the Redskins hope it's a minor one. With Galette having missed the past two seasons with Achilles injuries, there's no sense having him risk making any sort of leg injury worse.

Preston Smith(ankle), and receivers Jamison Crowder (hamstring) and Josh Doctson(hamstring).

The first game will be all about evaluating talent rather than worrying about the result.

Here are other aspects to watch:

The rookie class: The three that jump out are the obvious ones -- end Jonathan Allen, linebacker Ryan Anderson and running back Samaje Perine. Yes, others matter but each of these players could -- should -- become a key participant for the Redskins this season.

Allen, the first-rounder, has looked good at times, especially against other backups. But it's not as if he wins every battle against them. With no Galette or Smith, Anderson will get plenty of action. He's jumped out in camp because of how he plays with good power and leverage. One key will be how he develops not only as a pass-rusher but in coverage.

Anderson does have versatility, as do all the linebackers. At times, in a nickel package, he can rush from the middle (along with Galette). Don't confuse that with playing inside linebacker, but it's more about the depth and versatility the Redskins hope they have at this position.

It's hard to measure running backs in practices where they don't hit -- or when they do, it's certainly not at game level. Perine runs with power, staying low and leaning forward through the hole. But he must prove he can handle pass protection at the NFL level.

The defensive line: Aside from Allen, it'll be interesting to see how the Redskins use their front. They've rotated them throughout camp. Who will emerge? Nose tackle remains the most up for grabs with Phil Taylor and Joey Mbu in particular having spent more time with the first unit. But that's no guarantee they'll even make the roster

Meanwhile, ends Matt Ioannidis and Anthony Lanier are players of interest, too. Of these two, Ioannidis appears to have made the most progress; he's playing more end -- his natural spot -- rather than nose and has been consistent throughout camp. Lanier displayed his athleticism last summer, which is why he made the roster. He's bulked up; how much difference will it make?

Add quarterback Nate Sudfeld to this list. He has looked better than he did in the 2016 camp, but there remains a clear gap between him and the other two quarterbacks in camp: Colt McCoy and Kirk Cousins. That should be the case given their experience level, but Sudfeld will receive plenty of chances Thursday. His development is more about to what extent he can help in the future if Cousins leaves than about 2017.

Defensive backs: Two in particular, safety Su'a Cravens and corner Kendall Fuller. Cravens loves having gone from linebacker to his more natural safety spot. But this will be his first game action to show what he can do. Fuller has played well in camp. Does it translate to the game?

Running backs: Rob Kelley is the starter, but how firm is that grip on the job? He re-shaped his body in the offseason, losing body fat. He worked on his hands. But whether because he was just a rookie or because of a knee issue late, Kelley was rather ordinary in the last six games of 2016, averaging 3.3 yards per carry in that time. And what if Matt Jones has a big preseason? Does he somehow get back into the mix for a roster spot? Will Mack Brown continue to play well and continue to be the guy that fans (and others) wonder, "Why doesn't he play more?"

i keep hearing about ionman and lanier . man if they could make a nice jump wouldnt that be great ?

 

[Caliskinsfan]

SPaight also out tonight with a hammy

 

[skinsdad62]

SPaight also out tonight with a hammy

opens up a slot for harvey cleamons . he has a good shot here

 

[skinsdad62]

Analysis | Five story lines to follow in the Redskins preseason opener against the Ravens

here is what the WAPO has to say

 

[skinsdad62]

A viewer’s guide to the Redskins preseason opener

the interesting thing here is smithson . i didnt catch on to it but they kept him over a couple of veterans wolf and evans . i hadnt heard much on him and wondered why but he does seem to impress the coaches

 

[skinsdad62]

Five Redskins players to watch in Thursday night's preseason game

another good angle on who to watch

 

[skinsdad62]

Five Redskins rookies to watch in preseason opener Gallery Slides

some more on the rookies , kalis making a big splash

 

[skinz2winz]

Five Redskins rookies to watch in preseason opener Gallery Slides

some more on the rookies , kalis making a big splash

I think between Kalis, Catalina (wine mixer) Leary and Nsekhe will make back ups along with Williams, Lavaou, Long, Schreff and Moses as starters.

 

[skinsdad62]

I think between Kalis, Catalina (wine mixer) Leary and Nsekhe will make back ups along with Williams, Lavaou, Long, Schreff and Moses as starters.

do you mean roullier rather then leary ?