Redskins are confident after play in preseason ASHBURN — The Redskins know it’s preseason and the games don’t matter. So they look for little clues themselves, reasons this season will be different than the last. And they look for hope. After a six-win season, that’s what they need.
The Redskins don’t point to their 2-0 preseason record or to the fact that they’ve outscored Indianapolis and Pittsburgh by a combined 32-10 and have the NFL’s top-rated offense and defense this summer. It’s more about what they think they’re starting.
“You always want to create a winning atmosphere and have a good showing,” linebacker Lorenzo Alexander said. “You don’t want to lay a dud and then people talk really bad about you. I’d rather be good and win in the preseason than lose.”
– John Keim
| Redskins position review: Linebacker |
| Ryan Kerrigan |
| Kerrigan wanted to work on leaning forward in his stance to get more explosion. He succeeded in getting a quicker start after the snap, but there were two times when he nearly lost his balance. He had to put his hand down at his side to steady himself. “I felt a lot more comfortable in a two-point stance,” Kerrigan said. “I felt I was exploding out of it better. I didn’t have as many false steps and wasted movement.” |
| Lorenzo Alexander |
| Alexander lost weight, and he said his body fat is 5 percent lower than in 2010. That’s one reason he said he reached the quarterback quickly Friday, recording a sack and quarterback hurry. Another is former Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington. Alexander said he worked out at Arrington’s house “four or five times” in the offseason at 90 minutes a session. “I’m not a natural pass rusher,” Alexander said. “So working with him on little things and going over and over and over it again, it becomes more natural for you. Everything with him was being explosive, being just violent with whatever move you’re doing.” |
| Perry Riley |
| The second-year linebacker is showing he could be a factor at some point this season. Against the Colts’ backups, Riley played fast and decisive. He showed the same attributes last year but also made a lot more mistakes. On Friday, Riley didn’t miss any tackles and made strong reads. He’s behind Rocky McIntosh in the inside linebacker slot opposite London Fletcher. Riley would have been helped by a full offseason, perhaps proving to the coaches he was capable of being a starter this season. |
| Notes |
| » Strong safety LaRon Landry had hoped to return Sunday with a strengthened Achilles tendon. But then he tweaked his hamstring while running when the team was in Indianapolis. Now his return remains uncertain. “I don’t know how bad the hamstring is,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “We all know hamstrings sometimes take a day or two. We’ll just have to wait and see.” Landry has yet to practice since workouts started July 29 as he continued to work on his Achilles. He missed the final seven games in 2010 because of a ruptured Achilles tendon. |
| » Landry’s safety partner, Oshiomogho Atogwe, returned to practice. Atogwe had not practiced since Aug. 6 because of a sore left hamstring. “I felt pretty fast, quick thinking,” Atogwe said. “It felt good to be out there. |
| » Redskins running back Ryan Torain said he’s still cleared only to take handoffs and catch the ball during practices. He’s not expected to play until the preseason finale vs. Tampa Bay on Aug. 31. “I don’t think it will take long at all,” Torain said. “I’m getting back in shape, getting used to contact.” |
The little signs stand out most for them. Actually, they’re not all that little. Nose tackle Barry Cofield’s play gives the defense reason to believe it will be improved.
“You don’t realize how good he is until you see him making plays not only in the run game but against the pass, putting pressure on the quarterback,” said linebacker London Fletcher, who returned to practice Sunday after not playing Friday with a sore hamstring/groin. “That added dimension will be huge for us.”
Their starting safeties still haven’t played together. Their starting outside linebacker, rookie Ryan Kerrigan, is still transitioning from playing end in college. He has a long ways to go to perfect his coverage skills. But he improved in his second outing and had a sack.
And those who played in the defense last year understand it better. August is the time when optimism grows.
“It’s a vast improvement over where we were last year,” linebacker Brian Orakpo said. “Guys are more familiar with the defense and are able to go out and react and not think so much. Guys are able to play, and that’s the main thing.”
“We’re moving faster because there’s more than just a handful of guys who understand the defense and what’s going on,” Alexander said. “That alone makes you play faster.”
The Redskins also have two quarterbacks who have played well in their respective starts. The quarterback position still could be a problem as the season unfolds. But for now, both Rex Grossman and John Beck have posted strong statistics.
Grossman completed 19 of 26 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown in his start vs. Pittsburgh. Beck completed 14 of 17 passes for 140 yards vs. the Colts. Beck worked the underneath passes against a team that prevents big plays. It’s what the coaches wanted to see.
“John made some good decisions,” Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said.
