1. C Casey Rabach and RG Artis Hicks will play Sunday barring any setbacks, meaning the line will be at full strength. Yes, the line held its own vs. the Titans with those two mostly out of the game. But coaches do like Rabach, or at least like him better than anyone else at this spot. The Redskins’ schemes, coupled with Tennessee’s strategy up front, enabled Washington’s interior to be grouped closer together while in protection, preventing cracks in the blocking.
2. But Will Montgomery deserves credit for how he anchored. He did get shoved back, but it could have been worse. I also thought the line was helped by the play-calling, with lots of quick throws and screens.
3. Anyway, the line will have all its starters. Don’t kill the messenger.
4. Eleven Redskins are listed as questionable on the injury report: LB Lorenzo Alexander (hamstring), WR Brandon Banks (knee), G Derrick Dockery (knee), DL Kedric Golston (elbow/groin), G Artis Hicks (thigh), DE Jeremy Jarmon (hamstring), LB Rocky McIntosh (thigh), WR Santana Moss (knee), C Casey Rabach (knee) and CB Carlos Rogers (hamstring).
5. Of that group, only Jarmon didn’t practice. Very hard to tell who will be able to play; just pick a name and figure they’re a game-time decision. I’d cross my fingers on McIntosh and Alexander being able to play all game. Not sure about Banks, either.
6. For the Vikings, WR Bernard Berrian (groin), CB Chris Cook (knee), S Eric Frampton (hamstring) and WR Sidney Rice (hip) all are questionable. All were limited in practice. If Berrian and Rice can’t play, it gives the Redskins a major edge in a few ways. The Vikings might not be able to play as much spread offense, thereby getting Washington into its nickel or dime defense and then running Adrian Peterson. It also could limit the depth issues in the secondary.
7. Jim Haslett on Reed Doughty, who will start for LaRon Landry Sunday: “First of all, Reed is tough as nails. He’ll do exactly what you want to a T. You ask Reed to run through a wall and he’s going to pick out the bricks you want him to run through and he’s not going to deviate.”
8. Doughty’s desire to do it to a T is probably why he’s lasted in the NFL. But it’s also why he’s not a big interception guy. “Sometimes you’ve got to go out and play,” Haslett said. “Reed kind of does it by the book. He does it right. …We’ve got some guys on the team, him and Kareem; those guys are competitors and tough guys. I don’t think you can have enough of those guys on your team.”
9. Haslett knows the sort of bump a team can get from an interim coach; he capitalized on that when taking over St. Louis two years ago – and guiding the Rams to a win in Washington. “Leslie [Frazier] will bring high energy into the group,” Haslett said. “Players will play for him because it’s a newfound energy. They’re going to come in ready to play and they’re a talented team…Add the aspect of a coach getting fired and another guy taking over and there’s going to be an energy on the team.”
10. If Macho Harris has learned enough, don’t be surprised if he gets a little action Sunday. If nothing else he’d probably have to help on special teams. But if he plays from scrimmage, the Redskins will be limited as to what they can run, Haslett said. That’s natural considering the guy’s been here less than a week.
11. Just in case, the Redskins have worked CB Kevin Barnes at safety as well. Haslett called Barnes, “unbelievably smart. He probably had the fewest mental mistakes of anyone we had in the offseason.”
12. DeAngelo Hall has six interceptions – “He should have about 10,” Haslett said.
13. Former Redskins receiver Devin Thomas told New York reporters Friday, when asked why it didn’t work out for him in Washington and Carolina, that, “Things are a little unstable in Washington… I’m just thankful to be somewhere that’s stable. They have a stable organization, a stable quarterback situation, and so it should be a good opportunity for me to come in and make plays. I want to stay here as long as possible.”
14. This week’s Redskins Mailbag.
