Washington Redskins Host Patriots In 2014 Preseason Debut

The Washington Redskins are set to open their 2014 slate of preseason games against the New England Patriots Thursday night at 7:30 pm.  Each football club had a taste of what to expect during their three-day joint practice at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center in Richmond, VA this week.

Jay Gruden, Washington Redskins Head Coach, will make his coaching debut Thursday. Not only will it be his first game at helm with the Redskins, but it will be Gruden’s first game as a NFL Head Coach. That in itself is a unique storyline for the team and together they hope to develop into a formidable club.

“I’m going to be excited, obviously, running out for the first time,” said Gruden. “My No. 1 objective is to make sure to keep order on the sideline, make sure everybody is poised. Make sure everybody is well organized, everybody gets in that needs to get in. Butterflies will be there before the game, but once the game starts, man, it’s business, and the biggest thing is get our guys out there and let them perform and try to find our best 53 moving forward.”

Who Not To Expect:

• The Redskins will be without at least one of their top two receiving targets in Pierre Garcon, who is nursing a hammy. DeSean Jackson was cleated in Wednesday’s glorified walk-through by a New England player and twisted his ankle ‘just a hair.’ I wouldn’t expect him to play.

• Safeties Philip Thomas and Ryan Clark are out.

What To Expect and Who To Watch:

• Gruden says the starters will be in for ’8-10 plays, tops.’ But said it would depend on his satisfaction level. Of course, the starters received over 30 snaps a day during their two day 11-on-11 vs the Patriots in Richmond. So they’ve had a lot of time to get the rust off their bodies.

• Rookie RB Silas Redd expects to play most of the second half Thursday night. Pre-season games are important for running backs. It’s hard to gauge a guy’s true ability during practice. Gruden will likely dedicate most of a half to different young backs throughout the pre-season to get a good feel of the player’s ability. This is a big opportunity for Redd.

• With Washington’s top receivers both likely out, this will be a huge opportunity for rookie WR Ryan Grant who has shined during training camp. It will also be another chance for Aldrick Robinson to prove he can consistently make plays. Washington has several young receivers battling it out for spots on the 53-man roster. I’m interested in seeing big 6ft 4 WR Cody Hoffman. My guess is, he’s a guy made for the preseason.

• Kirk Cousins vs Ryan Mallett. This is a storyline that’s not generating enough buzz… These could quite possibly be the best two backup QBs in the NFL. It doesn’t sound like either team is interested in trading their respective backup unless they get a great offer.

• Robert Griffin III really doesn’t have a lot of preseason experience. In 2012, his rookie year, Griffin was towards the very bottom of the preseason QB snaps list. In 2013, he didn’t play at all. So this preseason is very important for him. I want to see a better and more comfortable player in the pocket. I also want to see a guy who knows where he’s going with the football — gets through progressions. A guy who doesn’t hold on to the football — knows when to unload it. Of course, the offense will be vanilla. But these are simple technical traits he’s struggled to display in the past.

• Jordan Reed needs to make it through this game without getting injured. He is arguably the Washington Redskins best receiver. Yes, I said that.

• Bacarri Rambo is a guy I was high on pre-draft last year. His coverage skills were evident and still are. However, just like in college, he’s struggled with angles and tackling. This is something he has to improve on or he won’t make the football team. I underrated the importance of that. But for the last line of defense, it is highly important. Something has to click in Rambo’s head, because when he does take the right angle — the guy can hit. It’s all mental. He needs to get out his head.

• Keenan Robinson and Will Compton are two young ILB’s I’m interested in watching. With both players the huge question is, how well can they tackle? Each guy doesn’t have much experience — and for Robinson, he’s a guy who will likely start. Both players have great ability, however, and it would be ideal for the team if they can surface as quality players.

• Bashaud Breeland has a chance to be really good. I hope he studied guys like Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner this week, because that’s his style of play. Breeland, much like Browner, likes to grab — although he has to channel that. He’s an aggressive player who likes to get in your face. But being overly aggressive can get you beat — a lot.

• I’m also interested in watching the offensive and defensive line as a whole. I want to see the depth, or lack thereof. I want to see the young players — Morgan Moses, Spencer Long. On the defensive side — Jarvis Jenkins and I’ll even slide Trent Murphy here.

• Special Teams! It has to be better in 2014. I said earlier this year I expect rookie kicker Zach Hocker to beat Kai Forbath. I don’t think they can keep both. But the competition starts Thursday night. The Redskins hope to have solidified their kick returning spot with Andre Roberts — I think he’ll be solid. However, Santana Moss is listed as the top punt returner and it’ll be something worth watching. That would be his way of making the squad, in my opinion. DJax would only be used for a spark. I hope they put Roberts on punt returns also just for a look-see.

Check back after the game for instant notes and analysis. 

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