1. Will Rex Grossman make a difference? The last time I really saw him was in training camp practices and at that time he looked a lot like …. Rex Grossman. That means a guy who would make bad decisions under duress. Now, who knows how he’ll fare if not under pressure and in an offense he supposedly knows well (or, at least, better than the other two quarterbacks).
2. How is Dallas’ pass rush? It has not been as good as last season; the Cowboys recorded 42 sacks in 2009 and have 24 this season. DeMarcus Ware remains a threat with 9.5 sacks, but nobody else has more than 3.5 (NT Jay Ratliff). So the rush might not be as big a threat to Grossman as it would have been last season. Of course, if the Redskins are placed in a position where they must throw the ball, then this could change.
3. How is Dallas’ pass defense? Again, another issue. The Cowboys’ corners have been bad most of the season, a surprise considering how well Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins played last year. And the safeties – Alan Ball in particular — have allowed a lot of deep balls. What’s funny is that in Grossman’s press conference Friday he talked about the progression of the offense going from deep to intermediate to short. Earlier this year – and I don’t remember which network it was – the analyst talked about this as a change for McNabb, who read the opposite in Philly. Kyle Shahanan dismissed that notion. But Grossman basically confirmed what the network had said. If that’s the case, then maybe he’ll attack more downfield. Not that McNabb was shy about that, but perhaps Grossman will be better? Only problem is, he doesn’t have a strong arm and he throws a lot of interceptions.
4. Will this move somehow inspire the Redskins? Can’t see how it does; McNabb is popular in the locker room and is considered a leader. Players knew he struggled, but they liked how he made plays. But if Grossman doesn’t bounce passes to them and they move the ball, then they will be inspired.
5. Is there anything else to pay attention to in this game? Ummm, the cheerleaders perhaps? Actually, I am curious to see how Ryan Torain fares, with his health and his production. The coaches know what they have in him; he just needs to stay healthy. If he’s able to string together four good games at the end of the season in which he carries 20-25 times, that would help ease some worries. Still, fingers will be crossed with him until he does it in 16 games. Regardless, it’ll be worth watching him today. Dallas’ run defense hasn’t been very good (4.3 yards per carry), but the Cowboys, thanks to Ratliff and outside linebackers Ware and Anthony Spencer, have done well vs. Washington’s run game.
6. What other changes deserve attention? This is a change thanks to injuries, but if Jeremy Jarmon plays, it would be good. Why? To see if he can actually play in a 3-4 and to see what sort of leg strength he has. It wasn’t good earlier this year, and it was a weakness coming out of college. With Kedric Golston sidelined, Jarmon should get snaps. Also, Anthony Bryant should play more than Maake Kemoeatu at nose. He did a much better job than Kemoeatu vs. Tampa Bay. In the final two preseason games, matched against No. 1 offenses, I thought Bryant was more effective. Don’t know that he’s anything more than a solid backup, but Kemoeatu has proven he can’t be effective as a starter.
7. What is at stake in this game? If the Redskins finish third in the NFC East, which they would clinch with a win, they will host the third place finisher in the NFC North (likely Minnesota) and play at the third place team in the NFC South (likely Tampa Bay). If they finish last, the Redskins would host Detroit and play at Carolina. So now what do you hope happens?
8. What does the Redskins’ defense need to do? Stop the run. Jason Garrett the head coach has been more committed to the run than Jason Garrett the offensive coordinator. In the past five games Dallas has averaged 141 yards per game. They’ve averaged 11 more carries in the last five games than in the first eight. They don’t have a superior back, but they do seem to block well and they are effective. With Marion Barber questionable, that could dent the success of Dallas’ run game.
9. Which side of the defense needs a good game? The right side. Dallas runs predominately to its left, behind T Doug Free and G Kyle Kosier. According to the Dallas Morning News, approximately 75 percent of their runs that have resulted in first downs have been to the left. The majority of their runs that have resulted in a loss have been to the right side.
10. Who needs a big game? Brian Orakpo. Not as much in terms of stopping the run – that’s not his strength. But in terms of making plays. It’s been a few games since he’s done much of note and this would be a good game to make something happen. He also has been used mostly on the right side in recent weeks; maybe Sunday he’ll be moved around more. Orakpo vs. Free should be a good one for him, but an even better one is Orakpo vs. RT Marc Colombo.
11. Who will win? Didn’t think the Redskins would win before the change; don’t think they’ll win now. This isn’t about the quarterback play; it’s about an offense that lacks enough talent and a defense that isn’t any good. If the defense plays well, as they often do vs. Dallas, then they can win. Yes, they’re in transition, but it’s not as if most of these players will be around in two years when they might be good. Translation: this isn’t just about the move to a 3-4. Anyway, that’s the problem. Dallas wins. Cowboys 28, Redskins 17.
