So what did we learn from the “Rainout in Raljon” on Saturday? The Washington Redskins run a heckuva evacuation drill. In fact, it was so nice they did it twice.
Mostly, the Redskins gained very little from what is traditionally the most important preseason game when starters play three quarters. The weather undermined much of the 13-7 win over Baltimore before it was called in the third quarter following the second of three thunderstorms passing through FedEx Field.
At least the Redskins and NFL made the right calls in first delaying the start and later stopping with 11:38 remaining third quarter.
Remaining in the upper deck of FedEx in a storm would be one step past lunacy — like sitting in an electric chair. Fans are used to rough conditions, but lightning is the death card.
With the final preseason game on Thursday at Jacksonville, the Redskins couldn’t postpone the Ravens game until Sunday in what coach Joe Gibbs called a “nightmare” scenario. The teams merely waited out the first storm, but too much emotion was spent in the locker room during the 71-minute opening delay.
“When you’re sitting around the locker room like that,” coach Joe Gibbs said, “you can cut the tension with a knife. Guys are ready to go. … [But with the delay] after awhile people start talking and you lose a lot of the intensity.”
Both teams were sloppy with 13 combined penalties in the shortened game. While Baltimore’s nine flags don’t seem like the Redskins’ fault, it clouds the defense’s success because the Ravens were often in long-yardage situations.
Aboutthe only person the Redskins really gained a fair look was quarterback Todd Collins, who started his first game in 10 years. Collins threw a 40-yard strike on the first play, but otherwise was 7 of 14 for 48 yards. It was effective enough against a standout defense to merit the No. 2 job, though.
Losing most of the second half when reserves would have played doesn’t really factor into the first cuts on Tuesday. Only 10 players must go instead of 20 like years past and none of those dismissed early would have made the team no matter how well they played versus Baltimore. There’s probably a player or two that might make the team given a standout game against Jacksonville, but the roster is mostly set.
Redskins.com was selling rookie Dallas Sartz’s No. 55 jerseys on the home page yesterday after his game-winning touchdown, though. Sartz probably won’t make the team, but owner Dan Snyder doesn’t miss a chance to make a buck. In fact, it’s now eight bucks for a beer at the stadium. Nothing sells beer like a rain delay.
It seems only fitting the key preseason game was a wash. With three offensive starters out with injuries or a roster move plus quarterback Jason Campbell’s bruised knee costing him a week, the preseason seems like a wash. The NFL should just move two exhibitions to the regular-season already.
So much for the summer of tough love.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
