Redskins vs Saints: Players Prepped For Excellence

The 2012 season opens for the Washington Redskins on Sunday, as the team heads to New Orleans for its debut against the Saints on September 9. Kickoff from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome is set for 1 p.m. ET. The game is expected to be the professional debut of Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, whom the Redskins selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Griffin, whose family hails from New Orleans, is expected to become the first rookie to start at quarterback for the Redskins in Week 1 since Norm Snead’s professional debut at San Francisco on Sept. 17, 1961.

For New Orleans, QB Drew Brees will lead an offense that set an NFL record with 7,474 net yards, while scoring a club-record 547 points, the fourth-highest total all-time. Brees set NFL single-season records for passing yardage (5,476), completions (468), and completion percentage (71.2%).

Robert Griffin III  is prepped for excellence - Though this will be the quarterback’s first career start, Griffin has an opportunity to show up and show out against the New Orleans Saints. He will face an opportunistic defense that prides themselves on creating turnovers, but is not consistent in coverage. With their defensive leader Jonathan Vilma injured, Griffin could create some big plays for the Washington Redskins.

DeAngelo Hall is prepped for excellence - If Hall is able to haul in an interception against the Saints, he will take sole possession of sixth place in career interceptions by an active player. Hall and Cincinnati Bengals CB Nate Clements are tied for sixth-most with 35. This season Hall will move around a lot – from nickel, to outside in zone, and even some safety looks. He could be considered the Redskins’ version of Charles Woodson, with the way Washington plans to move Hall around. The Redskins have concerns at the safety position with Tanard Jackson suspended for the season and Brandon Meriweather out for 2-4 weeks. Therefore, Hall will be leaned heavily on to make the necessary plays on the back-end. While Hall isn’t the Redskins best cover corner – he’s the best pure football player. Not to mention, over the past 2 seasons Hall has polished his ability to tackle. Since ’06, the Saints lead the league in yards after the catch (YAC). Washington needs Hall to play a physical, yet disciplined, game.

Alfred Morris is prepped for excellence - The Saints ranked 12th against the run last season, but after taking a closer look, that’s a highly deceiving stat. The Saints were the least run against defense in the NFL, yet allowed 5.0 yards a carry – ranking 29th in the league. With New Orleans’ high powered offense, opposing teams entered shootouts with the Saints, leaning heavily on the pass game. Mike Shanahan has yet to declare a starter at the running back position, but the sleeper is definitely Alfred Morris. The rookie running back excelled with the opportunities handed to him during the pre-season. Morris is a bigger back, who doesn’t go down at first contact. He’ll receive his fair share of carries, and if Washington is able to keep the score low – Morris could be a key player.

Perry Riley is prepped for excellence - In order to offset the Saints high octane offense, you can’t be predictable on defense. Jim Hasslet is known for his exotic blitzes. With Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan receiving the most attention from New Orleans, Perry Riley will be a huge factor in both the pass and run game. The linebacker has a unique skill-set and a nose for tracking the football. Riley does a great job of disrupting quarterbacks when asked to blitz, and it presents a dynamic that could stunt New Orleans’ offense from consistently moving the football.