Primary Photo Credit – danwoolsey.com

What we saw from Adrian Peterson tonight was refreshingly dynamic, and the starting defense looked very strong against the run for *most* of their time on the field. Here’s the Breakdown of the biggest notes from the game.

Quarterly Breakdowns

During the game, I post a quick Breakdown of everything happening. Here are the posts from the end of each quarter.

Breakdown’s Top Things to Note

Adrian “All Day” Peterson – “He’s washed up.” “He’s 33.” “He barely averaged over 3 yards per carry last season.” I’ll start with this stat line. 11 carries for 56 yards and 5+ yards per carry! Hail Yeah Baby!!!

I doubt even the optimistic fans thought we would see this much positive play from AP. Starting with his first carry, where he follows FB Holtz for a gritty 7 yards, Peterson looked electrifying all night long. He capped his encouraging performance with a 4^th down conversion that was just BEAUTIFUL. Everybody and their brother knew he was getting the ball, and he still managed to pull off a huge gain of 15 yards to convert for a first down. It was the type of run where in the past we saw Kelley or Perine lower their head and run right into the lineman in front of them. Instead, AP follows the stretch and bounces outside for a run that made all Redskins fans giddy with excitement.

Not only did he play well, but Gruden gave him A LOT of work in a short span of time. I was surprised to see him line up as the first running back, but he took advantage of this opportunity and proved that he truly is in game shape. This is going to be an exciting year if Peterson can keep up this pace!

J.P. Holtz – Most fans probably have no idea who I’m talking about. Riggo’s Rag posted an article on him before the game, and I didn’t think much of it until after seeing him in action tonight (you can check out their article here). He needs to be considered, as I think he is going to make the final roster as our primary FB. Holtz played with the first team, and he was integral in Peterson’s big night. AP is a great downhill runner, and he knows how to leverage a lead blocker. If the Redskins want to maximize what they get from AP this year, they need to have a legitimate FB on the roster, and I think Holtz might be that guy.

Alex Smith and the passing Offense – Setting aside a few decent gains, the passing game for the starting offense was not strong tonight at all. Smith did not seem comfortable in the pocket, and he was not rewarded for relying on Vernon Davis early in the game. The biggest thing we should all keep in mind is that tonight was probably the most vanilla offense you will see from the Redskins all season. Not only does Gruden not want to put anything usable on film for our competition, but our starting offense also had to keep things simple any time Peterson was in the game because he just got here on Monday. I know AP wasn’t always in the game when Smith passed the ball, but the entire starting offense became predictable while running basic schemes.

That being said, I’m not letting Smith off the hook here, or Gruden for that matter. I think Alex Smith’s total play count this preseason is 37 plays. If the Redskins start slow again this season, as they’ve done over the last 5 years with Gruden, the coach will face a lot of criticism. I just don’t understand why we didn’t see more from the starters.

Entire Starting Defense – When I wrote about what to watch for earlier this week, I was expecting a much stronger performance from the starting defense. I did like the run defense on the first few drives, but it wasn’t enough to satisfy me. It started to look like the dominant run defense I was expecting… then they got lazy with their tackling! Although, to be fair, there were some back-ups in at that point. On the first touchdown run for the Broncos, Zach Vigil was in and got completely washed out of the play.

However, I still needed to see something better from this unit, regardless of if all starters were in or not. The farther we got into the game, the worse the run defense seemed to get. We have Arizona in Week 1. While their offensive line isn’t very good, they have and elite running back in David Johnson. We better get this figured out!

Fabian Moreau – I was impressed tonight with Fabian Moreau. While he gave up one long pass to Sanders (in spite of solid coverage), he covered admirably from the slot and he even had one very promising pass break up against Sanders over the middle. He was originally pegged as an outside corner because of his stature, but he proved to me tonight that he can handle being the top nickel corner for us this year.

Anthony Lanier and Tim Settle – I mentioned these two in my article earlier this week on who to watch for. Lanier and Settle are the top two rotational guys along the defensive line. Lanier is a solid pass rusher and Settle is a stout defensive tackle with surprising athleticism. Neither are perfect, but I’m very grateful to have them coming off the bench for our defense. There was one particular series where they both shined in back to back plays, and I gave myself just the smallest pat on the back for pointing them out together. Settle jumped up to swat a pass and then Lanier followed that up with a pretty sack. It doesn’t get better than that!

Josh Harvey-Clemons – (In my Cris Collinsworth voice) Now here’s a guy we talked about earlier this week as well (end impression- if you didn’t get it, just google Cris Collinsworth drinking game). While I think Martrell Spaight and Shaun Dion-Hamilton are better pure talents at inside linebacker, JHC is the first one off the bench because of his ability in pass protection. We saw this play out tonight, as he got significant playing time with the starters. Fortunately for him and us, he did not disappoint! I expected him to look good in coverage, but he also played admirably against the run. He even made a very pretty open field tackle in punt coverage! The future is bright for this kid if he can continue to develop with these opportunities.

Martrell Spaight – When we started the preseason, the talk was about Spaight competing with Zach Vigil for a roster spot. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. This discussion can be put to rest, as Spaight has clearly separated himself. He has shined in each preseason game so far, and he is very clearly the top back up behind Mason Foster. This tweet really says it all from my perspective…

Adonis Alexander – We haven’t seen Alexander yet this preseason, but our first glimpse of him was pretty impressive. I wasn’t sure what to expect to be honest. He had flashes at Virginia Tech, but there’s a reason he ended up in the supplemental draft.

Setting all of that aside, he showed legitimate coverage skills tonight on a few occasions. Right now, with only one game of tape on him, I firmly believe he is the sixth corner we keep on the final roster. There’s a lot of young talent in our secondary, and that’s pretty exciting!

Other Quick Notes

• DON’T OVERREACT TO THIS GAME – Play calls are selected to specifically put our players at a disadvantage. Many KEY starters were rested earlier than Broncos counterparts. Tonight was about getting looks for key rotational players.
• Da’Ron Payne is a stud. That is all.
• Ryan Anderson showed a little more promise as a pass rusher, but I still have only seen it shine against backups
• Kapri Bibbs looks good against backups again. Unfortunately, he didn’t show much with the starters.
• Troy Apke did not have a good night from my perspective. It’s clear that his speed allows him to be in the mix, but he just doesn’t make the play.
• I was SHOCKED Rob Kelley didn’t get carries with the first team. With Peterson’s strong showing, I don’t see how Kelley makes this roster.
• Trey Quinn didn’t have any splash plays. He was targeted a lot, which shows how the coaches feel about him, but I’m still waiting to see something special in the games.
• Zach Vigil played early, but is losing ground to keep a roster spot. On the Broncos first TD run, he got washed completely out of the play.
• Kevin Hogan threw a couple of TDs late to keep the game respectable. Always like seeing good play from a local kid!

 

As always, thanks for reading. Follow us @TheBurgundBD on Twitter, and check out some of our latest content below!

Preseason Week 3 Preview – Starters to Watch

Redskins vs Jets Post-Game Breakdown

Redskins vs Patriots Post-Game Breakdown

Preseason Week 1 Preview – Defensive Players to Watch

Preseason Week 1 Preview – Offensive Players to Watch

Primary Photo Credit – Redskins.com

Now that we have finally arrived at the only preseason game most fans talk about, it’s time to turn our attention to the starters (at least the starters who are going to play this week). Here is a complete Breakdown of every starting player you should be paying close attention to against the Broncos.

On Friday, the Redskins are hosting the Denver Broncos for their third preseason matchup. This is often referred to as the “dress rehearsal” because it is the only preseason game where we will see the starters for a significant amount of time. I’m not a fan of this particular term because it makes it sound like a musical, but I am a huge fan of the third preseason game. After a long offseason of hopes and dreams, we finally get to see our favorite team suit up in what feels like regular season action!

Two weeks ago, I posted a Breakdown of all the offensive and defensive players deep into the roster that would see significant playing time in week one against the Patriots. Now that we have finally arrived at the only preseason game most fans talk about, it’s time to turn our attention to the starters (at least the starters who are going to play this week). Here is a complete Breakdown of every starting player you should be paying close attention to against the Broncos.

As always, if you enjoy the content, follow us on twitter @TheBurgundyBD and like/share/comment to let us know what you think!

Offense

Adrian Peterson – We might as well start with AP (or AD depending on your preference) because he’s clearly the main attraction for the national media. Personally, I am very excited to see what he has left in the tank. The day after the injury to Derrius Guice, I posted a quick analysis on Twitter of available running backs that the team may want to consider, and Peterson was my top pick. I have not forgotten that he’s 33 and coming off of two injury shortened seasons. I also recognize that he did not look consistently great last year even when healthy. However, as Gruden and Doug Williams pointed out to the media this week, Peterson is in unbelievable physical condition, and I also haven’t forgotten that Arizona had a woefully underperforming offensive line combined with no real threat of a passing game.

I do not expect to see Peterson in any third down situations because it would be unreasonable to expect him to be familiar with all of the blocking assignments and adjustments necessary to contribute in those situations. However, he doesn’t need to know the playbook in depth to know how to run downhill left or right, so I expect to see him get touches on early downs and in short-yardage situations. I firmly believe that AP at 80% is better than Kelley or Perine, so I expect Peterson to take advantage of however many opportunities he gets this week and be named starter heading into the regular season.

Photo Credit – Porterville Recorder

Rob Kelley – I’ll keep this short and sweet. Kelley has the advantage of being the only first and second down running back on this team that isn’t injured or brand new to the squad. I fully expect Gruden to give him significant carries with the first team offense this week, and that means Kelley still has a chance of being the starter for the regular season. It will depend on Peterson looking rusty and Perine taking longer than expected to return from his ankle injury, but it is possible for Kelley to shine with a few big runs against the Broncos. Gruden has all but confirmed that the team needs a backup to Chris Thompson on the roster for third down duty, and the team is not going to keep five running backs. If Kelley doesn’t show something this week, I don’t see a scenario where he makes the final roster.

Side note- Don’t tell me they might keep Kelley as a FB. Until we see him take snaps at FB in a preseason game, I’m not entertaining that discussion.

Alex Smith & The Passing Attack – All I really want to see from Smith is one clean drive that culminates in a TD. It doesn’t even need to be a passing TD, I just don’t want to see a bunch of short drives and field goals. I was very pleased to see how smoothly the starting offense operated against the Jets on the first drive, and I want them to build on that this week.

As for the starting receivers, the only one I’m really looking at is Josh Doctson. Setting aside some time missed for minor injuries here and there, the overwhelming consensus from training camp this year has been how good he looks and how good Smith is at getting the ball to him. We saw Doctson make a nice third down catch last week against the Jets, and I’m looking to see more of that against the Broncos. With it being the preseason, I’m also looking to see at least one contested ball thrown his way. The narrative all offseason has been that Alex Smith will help Doctson take the next step in his career because Alex is willing to make throws that Kirk wouldn’t. That is a nice storyline, but now it’s time to see if that actually holds up in live action.

Photo Credit – NBC Sports

Chase Roullier – The starting center is the only offensive lineman I really care to watch closely this week. Scherff, Moses, and Williams are all playing at high levels as expected, and I have no real doubts or concerns about their health or capability going into the season. Lauvao is not a great left guard (heck- he’s barely even a passable starter), but I know what we get with him, and there isn’t anyone getting close to replacing him on the current roster. Sure, I could watch Lauvao closely and get upset at his level of play, but why put myself through the headache when nothing is going to change right now?

Roullier however, has a lot to show in my mind. After being selected in the sixth round of last year’s draft, the talk has consistently been that the Redskins may have gotten a steal, as Roullier might be our starting center for a decade. I love the narrative, but now is the time to see it play out on the field. He contributed admirably as a rookie last season, but I am expecting a significant step up in year two. While I want to see how well he handles his blocking assignments, it is more important to see how he handles calling adjustments at the line of scrimmage. Given that most blocking assignments for the center are partnered with one of the guards, the best quality a center can have is their intelligence. A highly cerebral center can help the entire line mask any of its weaknesses.

Defense

Allen, Payne, & Ionnidis – This is simple for me. Can the starting defensive line continue the dominance we have seen so far this preseason? Despite signing QB Case Keenum in the offseason, the Broncos don’t appear to be an offensive juggernaut, so I am looking to see if these guys play big or play down to the competition.  We should see free lanes for Zach Brown and Mason Foster to control the run game, and we should see the pocket quickly collapse on nearly every pass attempt. The Broncos should not feel comfortable doing any long-developing passing plays if this unit plays to their potential.

As a quick side note for Payne specifically – I am curious to see if they continue to leave him in the game on passing downs. He got his first sack against the Jets last week, and I would really like to see how much potential Payne has as a pass rusher.

Photo Credit – @TheBandGreport

Tim Settle & Anthony Lanier – Neither of these players are starters, but they are first up in the defensive line rotation. I’ll be watching to see how frequently they play with the starters and in what situations. Will they trust Lanier on first and second down situations or short-yardage situations? Will we see Settle tested in passing downs? If the coaching staff believes in these young guys enough to keep the rotation consistent along the defensive line, we will be able to keep our premier talent fresh all game long. For Lanier specifically, if he can’t be trusted in the run game to hold his ground, the coaching staff may elect to keep another guy like Phil Taylor over him (I don’t think this will happen, but we have a lot of pass rushing talent on the DLine, and the NFC East requires a top flight run defense to compete).

Josh Harvey-Clemons – While I believe he is our 5^th best inside linebacker (behind Brown, Foster, Spaight, and Hamilton), I think he is the first one off the bench (barring injury) because of his ability in pass coverage. On third downs, I fully expect Zach Brown to come off the field unless he is blitzing, and that means JHC should see significant playing time with the starters. Against the Broncos, I’ll be watching to see if this strategy plays out as expected and how JHC performs.

Fabian Moreau – The release of Orlando Scandrick had a lot to do with the depth at the corner position, but is also had a lot to do with the team’s confidence in Moreau to play a significant role. I expect Moreau to play in the slot primarily, and I am curious to see how he performs against the Broncos. Emmanuel Sanders is very good from the slot, so Moreau will be tested early and often this week. I’m not looking for him to immediately replace the level of play we lost when Kendall Fuller was traded, but he should not be a liability either.

I’m also curious to see how much he moves around on the defense and if they are planning to use him as a hybrid player similar to Cravens. Both played safety in college, both ran similar 40 times (4.68 for JHC and 4.69 for SC), and JHC is taller (6’5 compared to 6’1). The potential is there is he performs well on game day.

Danny Johnson – I love this guy. He has shown up big in both preseason games so far, and I have already said I think he is the team’s fourth best corner on the roster. I know this is supposed to be a list of starters and Johnson is another player who isn’t a starter (yet), but he’s looking like he might be the primary punt returner based on his performance so far. Plus, this is my article, and I get to talk about Danny Johnson as much as I like!

Anyway… I’m curious to see if he does get the first opportunity as the punt returner. I know Crowder hasn’t played so far this preseason and he might still be the top return guy, but it can only be a good sign if they keep giving Johnson these prime opportunities. Also, don’t be surprised if you see him on the field with the first team at some point this game. When you have a young guy who has only shown you good things, it might be worth it to see how much he can handle, especially considering it is still the preseason. Whenever he does get on the field, I’ll be watching very closely!

Photo Credit – Boston Herald

Other Things to Watch For

• Will Pernell McPhee get playing time with the starters in passing situations?
• How much impact will Montae Nicholson have? Can he live up to his influence being compared to that of Jordan Reed?
• Does Josh Norman still look/perform like a top-caliber corner?
• Will we see Quinton Dunbar play in the slot at all?
• Will Ryan Kerrigan actually get home on a sack?
• How involved will Paul Richardson be? Will we see a deep shot to him finally?
• Can Jeremy Sprinkle handle being the #2 TE without Reed in the lineup, and actually excel?
• Will we see Rob Kelley take snaps at FB so Jay can try to justify keeping him on the roster?

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Redskins vs Jets Post-Game Breakdown

The 6 Silver Linings of Guice’s Injury

Redskins vs Patriots Post-Game Breakdown

Preseason Week 1 Preview – Defensive Players to Watch

Preseason Week 1 Preview – Offensive Players to Watch

 

Primary Photo Credit – Tulsa World

We couldn’t get a TD with the first team Offense, but the starters on both sides of the ball were impressive tonight as the Redskins beat the Jets 15-13. Here’s the Breakdown of the biggest notes from the game.

Quarterly Breakdowns

During the game, I post a quick Breakdown of what stood out. Here are the posts from the end of each quarter.

Breakdown’s Top Players to Note

All Starting DLine – The first half of this game was a brilliant showing of Defense, led by the Defensive Line. The pressure up the middle is THE difference maker this team missed most of last season.

Da’Ron Payne – The big fella from Alabama got his first sack tonight, and it was pretty. He’s clearly going to be a big factor against the pass this season, and the potential has got me excited!

Rob Kelley – While Kelley had one play tonight where he flashed his ability to catch the ball on a nice crossing route, my overall description of his play tonight was… meh. I guess I didn’t hate it, but I certainly didn’t feel confident in it. The night didn’t start out well as we watched him run right into the back of the OL. He ended up with a couple of solid carries, but he just didn’t do enough to hold off Perine.

Samaje Perine – I was impressed with Perine tonight. He came in and IMMEDIATELY made his presence felt. He didn’t play long thanks to an ankle injury, but he definitely appeared to be a step up from Kelley.

Dustin Hopkins – Tonight was not starting out well for Dustin Hopkins. After hitting the uprights and nearly missing on a chip-shot 35 yard field goal, he kicked the ensuing kickoff out of bounds. The Redskins did not bring anyone in to compete with Hopkins during training camp, and it was looking like they might have to if things didn’t turn around. However, after his rocky start, he was perfect for the rest of the night and finished as the team’s only scorer.

Ryan Anderson – I have been pretty tough on Anderson, primarily due to his lack of pass rush ability. That being said, I finally saw what I was looking for! It wasn’t the true edge rush I was looking for, but I’ll take it!

Trey Quinn – Pretty much said it all with this tweet. After not pulling down a TD catch from Smith while rolling with the 1^st team (to be fair, it was heavy traffic in the RedZone), Quinn put together a steady game that also included some flashes on special teams.

Cam Sims – This was an up and down night for Sims. After some nice footwork to convert for an early 1^st down, he dropped a pretty easy catch that resulted in an INT for Colt McCoy. What I liked from him was that he didn’t let that impact the rest of the game. After a good catch in traffic down field, he held on to a great high-point catch in the end zone while getting drilled in the ribs. It was called back for an illegal formation on the play, but Redskins coaches won’t forget it. Then, to finish the night on a high note, he made a beautiful back shoulder catch against nice coverage that set up the game winning field goal. Sims WILL make this team at this rate. The Redskins can’t afford to let him go.

Danny Johnson – I said it early in the game… Danny Johnson may be our best corner behind Norman, Dunbar, and Moreau. He has been THAT good this preseason, and he’s also contributing on special teams as a solid return man. He showed us he is human tonight when he got run over coming up to stop a run, but he followed that up with an excellent play for any corner. Robbie Anderson wanted a 1st down badly, but Johnson just wouldn’t let go. This kid will be special.

Geron Christian – I like his versatility, but he is not ready to be our primary swing tackle. He just doesn’t have the technique to compete at this level, and he doesn’t have the strength. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not writing him off. He just needs to grow this year before we’ll be able to rely on him. Tonight only reinforced my opinion.

Other Quick Notes

• Ryan Kerrigan looked good in limited action tonight. He was close to a sack on multiple occasions, and I would prefer to see him get home, but he was very disruptive, as we all expect.
• Byron Marshall suffered a lower leg injury, so we will wait to see how that plays out. Besides that, he was clearly the top guy on 3^rd He was brought in for every 3^rd down passing situation early in the game. Still giving edge to him over Bibbs.
• Kapri Bibbs also had a solid night. He definitely has good vision as a runner, but he might be lost due to the numbers at the position.
• Martez Carter suited up for game action for the first time in his career, and he had two plays in the second have where I literally said “WOW” out loud (almost woke up my baby). He is very quick and shifty, but he may also be lost due to numbers at the position. I would be the Redskins bring him back to the Practice Squad though.
• Martrell Spaight looked like the top ILB after Foster and Brown. He was a factor on almost every run, and he looks a step faster than last year. It was discussed that he and Zach Vigil might be playing for one roster spot, but it isn’t looking like much of a competition to this point IMO.
• Shaun Dion-Hamilton had another good night as a whole. He had his hiccups, as you would expect from a rookie. He missed one open field tackle and he missed a sack opportunity by diving too quickly against Bridgewater. That being said, he had another night showing excellent instincts against the run. He has a bright future.
• Pete Robertson had one really nice edge rush in the 3^rd quarter that drew a holding penalty. At this point, I would rather have him rushing the passer on 3^rd and long over Ryan Anderson, so I hope he makes the squad.
• Troy Apke got his first interception off a tip from Deshazor Everett. He had to slide/dive to make the catch, and his speed was definitely a factor as I don’t think a slower guy makes that play.

Primary Photo Credit – Washington Post

Regardless of how bad the storm seems, there are always silver linings in life that show up to help us through difficult times. Here’s a Breakdown of everything Redskins fans should be thankful for in the wake of Derrius Guice’s injury.

There is no sugar coating this injury. Every Redskins fan felt that echoing crater in their gut the moment it was announced Derrius Guice would be done for the year before the season even began. This was followed by at least five minutes of deafening silence as we all tried to come to terms with the new reality. The worst part is that Guice is such an easy guy to root for. He immediately endeared himself to every fan he met, and quickly became one of the most gravitating personalities with his infectious spirit.

Regardless of how bad the storm seems, there are always silver linings in life that show up to help us through difficult times. Here’s a Breakdown of everything Redskins fans should be thankful for in the wake of Derrius Guice’s injury.

As always, let us know what you think in the comments and follow us @TheBurgundyBD on Twitter.

1. At least we got to see his potential

Injuries happen every year, and so many players don’t even get an opportunity to show what they can offer. Albeit brief, at least we were fortunate enough to see one exciting run from Derrius Guice before he went down. We saw his burst, a sweet spin move, and a powerful stiff arm that together show us exactly how high his ceiling could be (Insert brief moment to grieve. It’s okay… the wound is still fresh).

Remember when the Jaguars drafted Dante Fowler Jr. third overall in 2015? I do, because I was really high on him going into the draft. Do you also remember when he went down during an OTA in May? Not only were Jaguars fans robbed of his rookie year, they didn’t even get to see him in any live action.

To that point, at least we got SOMETHING to get us by until next year that is more than just accounts from Training Camp.

Photo Credit – Alamy

2. Timing, Timing, Timing…

While it was great to see him in live game action, I think all Redskins fans are left wanting a little bit more. However, the timing of this injury really is best for everyone.

Adrian Peterson is a physical freak, and he set the bar higher than anyone when he returned to regular season football only 9 months after his surgery. Not only did he play, but he put up one of the best seasons of his HOF career. That said, us Redskins fans are all much more likely to think of much more difficult times when we try to remember players returning quickly from a bad knee injury (QB who shall not be named).

If we concede that we are in a universe where this injury was inevitable, at least it comes at a time when we can basically guarantee Guice will be 100% before the start of the 2019 season. He may even be able to get some mild work in during OTAs and Training Camp.

3. At least we have Da’Ron Payne

I know Payne is a Defensive Lineman. Stay with me.

As Redskins fans, we all know what it’s like to be without first round talent heading into the season. First, we had to deal with 2013 and 2014 drafts with no first round picks (result of QB who shall not be named). Then, after drafting Scherff in 2015, we had to watch 2016 first round pick Josh Doctson sit out for basically his entire rookie campaign due to a lingering Achilles injury. Follow that up with Jonathan Allen flashing elite level talent, only to leave us after five games.

For once, after a tragic loss to one of our top rookies, we still have a first round rookie on the team playing at a high level.  That’s something to be grateful for.

Photo Credit – Redskins.com

4. Second Chance for Samaje Perine

Perine may very well punch me in the face if I told him this was a good thing from his perspective. The running backs on this team are a tight-knit group, and I doubt Perine would ever say this out loud. However, I will… gladly.

SAMAJE PERINE IS THE LUCKIEST S.O.B. ON THIS SQUAD! After only one year, he was very close to being traded or released at the end of the preseason. Gruden LOVES Rob Kelley, and the Redskins were likely going to prioritize keeping a backup on the roster for oft-injured Chris Thompson. That left Perine on the outside looking in.

Now, he has a legit shot to earn the top role if he can gain some steam in the next three preseason games. I was ready to write him off due to the log-jam at the running back position, but now I think he may be my favorite to step up. The NFL has seen many running backs take a season to get their feet under them, and Perine was just given a golden ticket. I hope he realizes the opportunity and seizes it.

5. More looks for Alex Smith and the Passing Game

I do believe the Offensive Line will be much stronger this year after getting healthy. I also believe that Jay will make a more concerted effort to run more RPO plays to maximize Smith’s ability to run, which will open up lanes in the run game. However, we all know that Jay likes to pass the ball when backed into a corner, and the Redskins will inevitably have more of those situations without Derrius Guice in the lineup.

This doesn’t sound like a silver lining, but that depends on how you look at it.

Having Guice out of the lineup means we get to test the theory that last year may have been a fluke for Alex Smith. To go along with that, we will get more chances to see if Paul Richardson is more than a speed guy, we will get to see if Josh Doctson can really step it up as a true number one receiver, and we get to see if Jamison Crowder can return to producing reliably with a higher volume of targets. I’m not saying we weren’t going to have those opportunities with Guice in the lineup, but the frequency of opportunities will definitely be higher without him as an option in clutch situations.

Photo Credit – YouTube

6. Team Galvanization

Remember the movie Hardball from 2001, when Keanu Reeves was supposed to be a baseball coach to a bunch of inner-city kids from Chicago? The team doesn’t really become a TEAM until one of the youngest boys, G-baby, is shot and killed (seriously… still cry about that scene on occasion). If that movie wasn’t your thing, I bet you could google search for 5 minutes and find one million other examples of movies where a team or group rallies around a tragedy.

Like I said in the beginning, Derrius Guice had an infectious spirit. He hasn’t been tainted by the “business side” of football yet, and he truly enjoys playing the game every single day. His attitude was a major contributor to the running backs growing very tight as a unit. More than that, however, his spirit was slowly influencing the entire team in a positive way. Now, after his injury sent shock waves through the team to remind them of how fleeting the moment can be, the entire team is going to come together in his support.

Teams galvanize around tragedy. Derrius Guice was pure in the eyes of his teammates, and I believe they are all going to play just a little harder every week in his name. He was everyone’s little brother, and the team is going to step up in his honor.

“When the purest light goes dim, it is up to every surrounding star to shine a little brighter in its place.” – Unknown (just kidding, I made it up. Sounds good though, right?)

Photo Credit – Redskins.com

 

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Primary Photo Credit – Hogs Haven

Even though it’s the preseason, I hate losing! The Redskins lost to the Patriots 26-17, but looked pretty solid overall after leading 17- 3 through the first half. Here’s my Breakdown of the biggest notes from the game.

Breakdown’s Top Players to Note

Derrius Guice – Early reports suggest he’s dealing with a knee injury. It’s never good to see your top back potentially have a knee injury, but I have reason for optimism. I lean in the direction of guys knowing their bodies. After going down, he could be seen on the sideline smiling and talking with teammates, and he didn’t have any noticeable limp when walking into the locker room.

As for his play… HOLY COW! I’m so excited to see him this year.

Matt Ionnidis – Hopefully, he’s also not injured too badly. Not sure if it was an ankle or knee, but I hope he’s OK. Besides that, there’s only one word to describe him tonight. DOMINATING.

Danny Johnson – We highlighted this guy in our Breakdown of the Defense earlier in the week. This kid is something special. Even though he’s an undrafted FA, there’s no way we can get away with stashing him on the practice squad with the way he’s playing. He flashed on Defense in the run game, the pass game, and he even looked pretty good on punt return duty. What can’t he do?

Maurice Harris – He FLASHED some legit skills tonight. Glad to see him do it on game day (albeit preseason). He even looked good on a punt return. I need to change my tune a bit on him. I don’t know if we can afford to let him go at this point.

Robert Davis – He played early and flashed some great potential. After quieting down relative to Harris in camp lately, it was good to see him make some plays. He was also a surprise inclusion on the first kick return to start the game.

Cam Simms – Here comes the undrafted rookie making a few good plays! Would love to say I am surprised, but if you read my Offensive breakdown, you knew I was watching for him. I tweeted it during the game, the Redskins have more depth at WR than pundits would lead you to believe.

Rob Kelley – He’s clearly the number one guy. He showed good vision and burst early, and Jay clearly holds him in high regard after only playing him early.

Samaje Perine – He looked like he was going to shine, giving me hope that someone may actually want to trade for him. Then, he fumbled. Not a good day for Perine IMO.

Other Quick Notes

• Greg Stroman showed well in coverage and on a couple of returns.
• Ryan Anderson popped off the screen setting the edge as a run defender. Still leaves a lot to be desired as a pass rusher.
• Byron Marhsall proves the initial depth chart meant nothing as he was on the field before Kapri Bibbs and scored a nice looking TD.
• I don’t love the mental lapses. False start. Wasted timeouts. Special Teams penalties. Not a big deal now, but a very big deal if it carries over into the season.
• RG Kyle Kalis (#67) played early… but not well. He got blown right by a couple of times, and he was the offender of the false start.
• Fabian Moreau played early and showed up nicely against the run. Good to see, but maybe next week we’ll see some highlights in the passing game.
• Tim Settle showed some promise in the middle. We may need more rotation from him if Ionnidis is out for an extended period of time.
• Shaun Dion-Hamilton – He flashed in the 2^nd half with a couple of solid hits and a TFL.
• Martrell Spaight – Really looked good against the run. If tonight was the deciding factor between him and Zach Vigil, I’d give the edge to Spaight. I just love how he navigates through traffic.
• I doubt Elijah Wellman makes the squad, but I’m thinking I should have included him in the Offensive breakdown this week.
• Kevin Hogan flashed with his feet and on a few throws. Local kid from Gonzaga.

 

Thanks to everyone who followed our first in-game coverage of the game! If you haven’t already, follow us on Twitter @TheBurgundyBD to follow along with us during the game!

#HTTR #TheBurgundyBreakdown

Photo Credit – Fan Zone Coverage

The defense may be my favorite thing to watch during the preseason because a big hit is a big hit, regardless of if the game counts. Here’s my run-down of each player, by position group, that really has something to show this week against the Patriots.

We published our Breakdown of the offensive players yesterday, so now it’s time to go through the defense! This will help you know what to watch for against the Patriots, and maybe it’ll give you a point or two to share with your friends/colleagues to sound like you know what you’re talking about!

As always, if you like the content, follow us on twitter @TheBurgundyBD and like/share/comment to let us know what you think!

Defense

Important to know before we begin – Don’t get worked up if you see the defense give up big plays on Thursday. Most of the time, coaches are going to call plays that put their players at a distinct disadvantage. This is the best way to evaluate the players on the bubble (at risk of being cut) because they are vulnerable. It means nothing. What you’re watching for is how they handle one-on-one match ups and who makes the most of each opportunity.

Secondary

Photo Credit – HogsHaven

Danny Johnson – If you haven’t been following training camp this year, you’re probably wondering who the heck this guy is. Don’t worry, you aren’t alone. He’s a small (5’9 181), undrafted free agent out of Southern A&M. Raise your hand if you’ve heard of them… that’s what I thought. However, in spite of his size and going undrafted, all accounts suggest he is blowing the team away during camp. Every day, the live streams of camp have at least one or two bullet points dedicated to this guy, so I’m very curious to see what the hype is about. He still has an uphill climb to make the roster in a crowded secondary, but it’s always exciting to root for the underdog!

Fabian Moreau – Ever since he was drafted last year in the third round, all I’ve read about him is how much potential he has, and how he would have been a first round talent if not for an injury in his final year at UCLA. Now is the time for him to show up. I expect him to be first off the bench this season behind Norman, Dunbar, and Scandrick, and that means I’m also expecting him to shine in these preseason games. Look for the coaches to put him in one-on-one match ups on the outside to really test his growth since his rookie year.

Greg Stroman & Adonis Alexander – Both of these guys are rookies this year from Virginia Tech. Stroman was drafted in the 7^th round, and Alexander was picked up in the supplemental draft last month. I know our DB coach, Torrian Gray, is a fan of these two from his ties to Virginia Tech. He’s probably the reason we picked them up. That being said, I do expect both to make the final roster, but I am still looking for a lot from them this preseason. For Stroman, I’m curious to know if they’ll put him back to return kicks/punts. Last year was tough for the Redskins in this area, and it would really solidify his spot on the roster if he can shine. As for Alexander, I’m mainly curious to see if he belongs. The raw talent is there, and his best season in college came while being coached by Gray, so I’m optimistic. These preseason games will show if he’s up to the task, or if they’ll have to risk putting him on the practice squad for the year.

Fish Smithson – It’s hard not to root for him. He’s not the biggest safety in the world (5’11 196), but he’s always played with a certain level of tenacity. Right now, I don’t think he cracks the roster. With all of the talent at corner this year, I just can’t see the Redskins keeping more than 4 safeties. Montae Nicholson and DJ Swearinger are locked in as starters, and Deshazor Everett has proven to be a solid back up and key special teams player. That only leaves one spot left, and I think that goes to Troy Apke, the Redskins 4^th round draft pick.

Troy Apke – In a room full of fast people, this guy is fast. However, that’s about all you can say right now. I think he makes the team, but that’s mainly because I just can’t see getting away with stashing a 4^th round pick on the practice squad. I’ll be spending a lot of time looking at this guy to see if he can step up to NFL talent. He’s saved him self a few times in camp by using his speed to make up ground after poor technique, but that won’t fly for very long in live game action.

Linebackers

Photo Credit – Redskins.com

Pete Robertson – Here’s what you need to know about Robertson. He’s big (6’2 243), he spent most of last season on the practice squad, and he’s Trent Williams’ cousin. Similar to Danny Johnson, everything I can find about him has been positive reports from training camp. As of now, it seems like he’s a lock to make it as the 5^th outside linebacker behind Kerrigan, Smith, Anderson, and McPhee. He’s another underdog I’m rooting for, and I’m looking for him to be DOMINANT against backup offensive tackles this preseason.

Ryan Anderson – I’ll keep it short and sweet. After being drafted in the 2^nd round last year from Alabama, he hasn’t really done much with the Redskins. If he wants to avoid being an early round bust, he needs to start flashing his potential this preseason.

Pernell McPhee – After a strong start to his career in Baltimore, injuries stifled his production in Chicago. Thankfully for the Redskins, this means we got him for a great price in free agency this year. Coming off the bench behind Kerrigan and Smith, there is hope that McPhee can return to the production he had with Baltimore. I expect him to get moderate playing time during the preseason to avoid risk of injury, but I also expect him to jump off the screen with limited reps. If he’s healthy, his talent level should be apparent against back up offensive tackles.

Martrell Spaight & Zach Vigil – With injuries to both Zach Brown and Mason Foster last year, both of these guys got valuable playing time. Spaight is probably the better run defender, and Vigil is probably the better pass defender. My personal belief is that they are playing for one roster spot, as the next two guys on this list appear to be locks. This preseason will go a long way for each of them to make this squad.

Josh Harvey-Clemons – This is an interesting guy to watch. He’s tall (6’5), but he’s lean (212). It’ll be easy to spot him whenever he’s on the field because he looks like a big safety playing in the middle (which makes sense given that he played safety in college at Louisville). While he wasn’t fast enough to stick at safety in the NFL, he is faster than most middle linebackers, and his coverage skills set him apart. Whenever the team is facing third and long and has their nickel defense on the field (meaning 5 defensive backs on the field, usually pass defense oriented personnel), I fully expect for him to be the “go-to” guy. During these preseason match ups, I’m looking for the coaches to put him man-to-man against slot receivers, tight ends, and running backs to test his capability.

Shaun Dion-Hamilton – Here’s another Alabama player on the Redskins defense. Thanks to injuries in college, I think he has the potential to be the steal of this year’s draft when it’s all said and done. It’s not often that a 6^th round pick at linebacker is as pro-ready as this guy, but they breed them differently at Alabama. He’s been commanding the huddle and calling plays for the 2^nd defense during training camp, and that may mean he’s the primary back-up if Foster is ever injured. The main thing I’ll be watching to see this week is how he interacts with other defensive players pre-snap. I expect it to be apparent that he’s the leader of the pack, and maybe we’ll see his instincts on display too. I don’t know if they’ll limit his snap count because of last year’s injuries, but I’ll be excited for any playing time I get to watch.

Defensive Lineman

Photo Credit – Redskins Wire

Phil Taylor Sr. – I have to say, I’m a fan of Phil. I was excited for him to anchor our defensive line last season before he injured his left quad during the preseason. In spite of a strong showing in camp, many beat writers have him off their final roster projections. With 1^st round draft pick Da’Ron Payne and 5^th round draft pick Tim Settle presumably ahead of him at nose tackle (lines up primarily over center), there just doesn’t seem to be room for him. However, when Payne missed time in camp from his ankle injury, Taylor was the one who lined up with the starters. This is a guy who was a first round pick in 2011, and he played like one too until he caught the injury bug. *IF* he can regain that form, the Redskins will make room for him. All I’m looking for is to see how he moves after his latest injury, and to see him walk off the field at the end unscathed.

Tim Settle – As I mentioned before, he’s our 5^th round pick from this year’s draft. Many draft experts had him rated a little higher, but he fell due to concerns over his weight control. That being said, I haven’t seen anything to suggest he’s struggled since becoming a Redskin. I’m mainly looking to see how he moves against NFL talent. Will he look quick or sluggish, and will he still be useful after a few drives?

Ziggy Hood – It’s hard not to like Ziggy. He’s become the veteran leader of the defensive line, and he always seems to find his way on the roster because of it. He was forced to play defensive tackle last year out of necessity even though his natural fit is at defensive end. I’ll be curious to see if he stands out more from the end, because he may not make the cut this year if he can’t.

Anthony Lanier – This is a guy that’s hard not to love, and it’s simple with him. He’s a pass rushing defensive end, and that is what he is best at. After getting unexpected playing time last season due to injuries, he put up 5 sacks in 5 games. It’s hard to argue with that production. After originally coming to the team as an undrafted free agent, it’s been easy to fall in love with his underdog story. Sacks from the defensive line don’t come easily, and I’m excited to see if he can top his performance from last year and become the rotational piece to our defensive line that makes it one of the best in the league.

 

Players Not Mentioned

Same as yesterday, I didn’t include most of the obvious starters. The intent here is to help the average fan look deeper into the roster ahead of Thursday’s match up. That being said, not all backups are created equal. Here’s who didn’t make the cut.

DE Ondre Pipkins, DE Tavaris Barnes, OLB Vontae Diggs, OLB Dadi Nicolas, CB Ranthony Texada, SS Quin Blanding, SS Prince Charles Iworah, FS Kenny Ladler (Ladler was listed above Fish Smithson on the first depth chart earlier this week, but I don’t expect either to make the squad and I like Fish better)

As always, thanks for reading. Follow us on Twitter @TheBurgundyBD

#HTTR #TheBurgundyBreakdown

Primary Photo Credit – Fan Zone Coverage

With game one of the preseason on Thursday, I’m going to help show you what to watch for by doing a quick run-down of each player, by position group, that really has something to show this week.

Anyone who knows me knows that I love every second of live-action Redskins football I can find. That being said, I understand it can be difficult to maintain interest while watching the preseason games for most casual fans. Some get a little more involved when we hit the third preseason game because the starters actually play significant time, but even then… it’s still the preseason. I get it. There is nothing quite like that first regular season action, and the biggest disconnect is that the stars aren’t usually on the field, at least not for long anyway.

However, even when Trent Williams is in street clothes and Alex Smith is in a baseball cap, there is still so much more to watch if you know what’s going on. With game one of the preseason on Thursday, I’m going to help show you what to watch for by doing a quick run-down of each player, by position group, that really has something to show this week. We’ll start with the offense today and finish up with the defense tomorrow. This will help you know what to watch for against the Patriots, and maybe it’ll give you a point or two to share with your friends/colleagues to sound like you know what you’re talking about!

As always, if you like the content, follow us on twitter @TheBurgundyBD and like/share/comment to let us know what you think!

Offense

Quarterbacks

Kevin Hogan – Let’s be real. Smith is only going to play 1-2 series max this week, and McCoy just got an extension on his contract. We know they are 1 and 2 respectively, and that’s not changing. With the exception of the fourth preseason game, this is the most playing time he’ll get in a live game. I don’t personally think they have room on this roster to keep a 3^rd QB, but he can make it a tough decision with a solid performance against the Patriots. He’s a local kid from DC and played football at Gonzaga (high school), so it would be nice to see him stick.

Receivers

Trey Quinn & Robert Davis – Two very different receivers, but very similar stories. The Redskins have draft capital invested in both players, and I don’t see them being able to get away with stashing either on the practice squad. Quinn may be behind Davis here, but I see both making the squad ahead of the next two on this list. All reports suggest Davis has taken a leap from last year, and everyone already wants to pencil Quinn in as our version of Cole Beasley. They may not be better than Harris and Quick today, but when you’re talking about 4^th and 5^th receivers, potential looms large. Davis sticks as the X or Z primary back-up (outside receiver), while Quinn sticks as the primary Y back up (slot receiver).

Maurice Harris – He’s had one hell of a camp by all accounts. However, his biggest challenge has always been showing up in games (save for one of the best catches of the year last year). If he looks like “the guy” this week, he might make it impossible for the Redskins to not have him on the final 53.

Photo Credit – NBC Sports

Brian Quick – Save for one or two splash highlight catches, Quick is enjoying the same success in camp this year. He’s slightly bigger than Harris (6’4 220 vs 6’3 200), and the two are likely competing for one roster spot behind Doctson, Crowder, Richardson, (and presumably) Quinn, and Robert Davis. This week will not be the last word, but it can set a strong positive or negative narrative for either of these guys.

Simmie Cobbs Jr. and Cam Sims – Two undrafted free agents with good size (6’3 220 and 6’5 214). Neither are likely to make the team barring injury. Outside of the initial momentum in the media when they were initially signed post-draft, there hasn’t been a ton of noise for either. While they won’t make the squad, a strong showing can help them land on the practice squad or more opportunities on other teams.

Running Backs

Photo Credit – Washington Times

Rob Kelley & Samaje Perine – Not everyone agrees, but I believe they are battling for one roster spot. Everything I read suggests Kelley is slimmer and looking good in camp. Perine has gotten praise, admittedly not as much, and I’m curious to see how he does in the game. Last year was a disappointment for Perine, and he’ll need a strong showing to look like anything other than a wasted draft pick. I don’t think the Redskins keep a dedicated FB on the roster, and it’s possible both make it in hopes that either can fill that role sporadically. However, I think the worries of running out of lineman again this year, or perhaps the need to hold on to as many defensive players as possible (see my post tomorrow), will likely mean only 4 backs on the final roster. Guice and Thompson are locks, and I would predict the team keeps a backup for each play style, especially considering Thompson’s injury history.

Kapri Bibbs & Byron Marshall – These guys are battling for Thompson’s back up. With the known injury concerns, this is a position likely to see some real playing time before the year is done. Both proved to be solid options on 3^rd down last year, but I would give the edge to Marshall. He was only available thanks to an overstocked backfield in Philly, and all accounts suggest he has a lot of currently untapped potential. However, the first depth chart released yesterday had Bibbs before Marshall… So who knows? One thing we do know—the spot is going to go to whoever shows out during the preseason.

Tight Ends

Photo Credit – The Sports Couch Dad

Jeremy Sprinkle – He’s really the only TE I’m interested in watching. I pray to the football gods that Jay doesn’t risk Jordan Reed in any preseason game, and we know what we have in Vernon Davis by this point. Redskins Wire posted an article on 8/5 about the growth Sprinkle has shown since last year. I’m excited to see what he can do! Imagine a 3 TE set where one of them can actually block AND catch the ball! (I joke—but not really)

Offensive Lineman

Chase Roullier – He’s slated as our starting center, and all accounts suggest he is not in jeopardy of losing his spot. I am looking for big things from him this year, but that all starts with solid play this preseason. He may not play much Thursday, but I want to see more from him anytime I can. I’m hoping to see control in the middle, error-free snaps, and solid communication (Centers are typically the main signal callers on the OL).

Ty Nsekhe – He’s basically a lock for the roster, and he may not even suit up on Thursday if they decide to be cautious following his offseason surgery, but he makes the list anyway. Mainly, I want to see if he lines up at guard. Just imagine if he lines up at guard and looks good…. That would be so sweet.

Photo Credit – Redskins.com

Geron Christian – After spending a 3^rd round pick in this year’s draft, there are definitely some expectations for Christian to become the future swing tackle (primary backup that can play both left and right tackle in a pinch). His athleticism has never been questioned, as he regularly switched sides of the line during his college days at Louisville. However, his strength has been questioned, especially after only putting up 19 reps on the bench press at the combine (Da’ron Payne put up 27). Even though he’ll be going against back-ups, I’m curious to see how he handles NFL level competition in live action.

Kyle Kalis, Tony Bergstrom, & Tyler Catalina – Even though Tony is technically a center, all three of these guys are interior lineman as far as I am concerned. When you aren’t starting, versatility is the key, and these three players may be playing for 2 roster spots if they keep 9 OL (5 starters, Nsekhe, Christian locked). The desire to keep an extra receiver, or the need to hold onto more defensive players that can better help on special teams, may lead to them only keeping 8 OL on the final roster. Plus, on top of everything else, starting LG Shawn Lauvao has a history of sub-par play and injuries. Since we lost Arie Kouandjio for the year already (torn quad), it would be nice to see one of these three step up and create legitimate competition for Lauvao.

Players Not Mentioned

Obviously, I didn’t include most of the obvious starters. Even though I want to see things from Guice, Alex Smith, Jordan Reed, Josh Doctson, and a handful of others, the intent here is to help the average fan look deeper into the roster ahead of Thursday’s match up. That being said, not all backups are created equal. Here’s who didn’t make the cut.

RB Martez Carter, FB Elijah Williams (like I said, if we use a FB it’ll be Kelley or Perine), WR Darvin Kidsy, WR Shay Fields, TE Matt Flanagan, TE Garrett Hudson, TE Manasseh Garner, G Isaiah Williams, C Demetrius Rhaney, C Casey Dunn, G Cameron Jefferson, T John Kling, T Timon Parris, T TJ Clemings (TJ almost made it, but they won’t need a 3^rd backup tackle behind Christian and Nsekhe).

 

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#HTTR #TheBurgundyBreakdown