Defensive line
Liked: The first unit was fairly solid, even if they didn’t make many plays. Actually, they’re not supposed to make many. Adam Carriker played nose (for one snap) and end. He played strong for the most part. Maake Kemoeatu was stout on a couple plays. Albert Haynesworth was the most effective and his presence changes the offense. Buffalo was very aware of him on the field and it showed, whether with audibles or timeouts or penalties. On a two-play sequence, he split a double team and then drove his man back the next time. He played end and nose and tackle (in a two-man front). Vonnie Holliday got some pressure; he played with good pad level at end. He knows how to stay low. Darrion Scott made a couple plays, getting off one block to stop a tackle. Jeremy Jarmon was more active than in recent practices and actually had a couple nice plays in which he shed his man and helped on the tackle. Played with good leverage for the most part and he competed.
Disliked: Kemoeatu was driven back on one play more than five yards. Even if it was a double team, it was surprising to see. Some gaps were missed; looked like Haynesworth one time hit the wrong gap and it caused an opening for a big run. Jarmon’s best play turned out to be one of the Bills’ best runs as well; Jarmon shed his man while playing nose but missed a tackle in the backfield and it turned into a long gain. Jarmon was driven to the ground on another run. Howard Green is really, really slow. He’s probably best over the nose, but they tried him at end and he just can’t run.
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Linebackers
Liked: London Fletcher had a terrific play in which he was knocked to the ground, bounced up and made the stop for a short gain. A Pro Bowl play. Brian Orakpo was most effective when lining up on the line as a linebacker. When he played off he didn’t seem to have as much explosiveness. I love seeing him in his stance; looks ready to pounce. But it’s why he was able to take on a blocker, knock him back a smidgen and then get off to make the tackle. On the next snap he hit the QB as he threw. Earlier, when he lined up as a left outside ‘backer, he drove the tackle deep. Perry Riley was active; he missed a tackle (the same play as Jarmon) but he was in a great spot to make the play. Riley didn’t seem to hesitate at all; wasn’t perfect, but a good first start. Read a screen pass and made a tackle. Chris Wilson was solid.
Disliked: Andre Carter was caught too far inside and allowed a play to get around him. Also, while Orakpo bent heavily at the knees, Carter was bent more at the waist. That seemed to prevent him from rushing with more explosion; he never really threatened the QB. Rob Jackson hit the wrong gap on a long run. Chris Draft looked a little robotic. Love H.B. Blades’ heart, but he just never made a play. Seemed to get blocked a little too easily.
Secondary
Liked: DeAngelo Hall’s interception. Of course, had the ball been thrown earlier, it would have been a completion. But Hall got a little twisted, recovered and still made the pick. It’s what he does best. Justin Tryon had a nice pass defensed late in the game; Byron Westbrook had a good coverage as did Ramzee Robinson. Reed Doughty was active. The Redskins weren’t beaten on any long passes.
Disliked: LaRon Landry appeared to hit the wrong hole on one run. Kareem Moore had a personal foul for grabbing the facemask. Both seemed to be solid, but those were negatives. Anderson Russell missed a tackle on a long run; tried to go way too high and was a little stiff-armed. Westbrook missed a tackle. Hall was not very good in run support. The Redskins blitzed, but no one really got to the QB.
Special teams
Liked: My man Brandon Banks. Yes, he’s my man now. Grew to like him this past week because of how quick he got off the line and how hard it was for defenders to get a hand on him. He has different speed and it showed on the touchdown. It really wouldn’t have been open to many runners, but he came from the far side around the right end and was never touched. It wasn’t like the Bills got too much out of their lanes, either. Graham Gano had excellent kickoffs and Josh Bidwell punted well. Terrence Austin had a nice punt return.
Disliked: Banks muffed a punt then lost a couple yards. I’ll forgive him. Austin ran north-south on kick returns, but all it took was one bump and he dropped to the ground. Uh, Devin Thomas, what the heck was going on with the first kick return? Yes, he was anxious, but he’s played this game how long? The coverage units were less than spectacular, but that’s not a surprise in the preseason. A couple penalties, but they wiped out good plays.
NOTE: For a look at the offense, click here.
