Studs and Duds: Week 1 review

Studs

LB London Fletcher. He had a terrific game with 18 unofficial tackles. He had some great sticks and was allowed to run free to the ball. Makes a difference.

LB Rocky McIntosh. For the most part was able to fill his gap very well. Forced some cutbacks into the teeth of the defense. Overran one play, but it did not hurt them.

DT Albert Haynesworth. He wasn’t always noticeable, but his work is reflected in the play of others. He required double teams most of the time and often bull-rushed his man deep into the backfield. They ran away from him most of the game. Fletcher’s tackle total is indicative of how both he and Cornelius Griffin played.

WR Antwaan Randle El. Did a nice job in the slot, even when the Giants tried to take it away a couple times. He should have thrown the ball away on his pass attempt. But as a receiver he looked comfortable in the slot.

SS Reed Doughty. Was very active and played more with the first unit in the final quarter, and then some.

Danny Smith. Terrific job scouting on the fake field goal. They knew they wanted to run that from the left hash and never hesitated when they got the opportunity.

 

CB Carlos Rogers. Mixed game as you’ll see below. But for the most part he was strong in coverage; better than the other corners.

Duds

CB DeAngelo Hall. Gave up way too much cushion and was intent on tackling high every time. Makes it easy for big guys to break free. Was in the right spot on the pick, but that doesn’t erase the rest of the day.

Jim Zorn. He did not have a good game as a playcaller, starting with the end around pass on the second play from scrimmage. That play was not close to being set up and it robbed the Redskins of any momentum. Very, very curious.

FS LaRon Landry. He made a terrific play on the interception, but overall took bad angles time and time again. And that’s what he had been working on all summer. Missed tackles, too. The late hit was ridiculous.

WR Santana Moss. True No. 1 receivers beat double teams. Moss does not. And he lost his cool against Corey Webster. Moss needed to help Jason Campbell more on the interception.

RT Stephon Heyer. He wasn’t horrible, but he did not help in the run game. He missed some blocks and fails to get on his guy for backside cuts. He was OK in protection.

QB Jason Campbell. He had some decent moments, but the bad one overrode a lot of his good work because of the result. He stood in the pocket for four seconds on his fumble and never moved forward. That lack of instincts cost them. And he seemed to carry the ball a little low at times. He audibilized once to a draw that failed. The interception was a bad decision and had crossed the line. Campbell did make some good throws and was given decent time by his line, but to beat good teams he must do better.

WR Malcolm Kelly. Was not physical at all. He needs to help with better blocking in the run game, too.

CB Carlos Rogers. For the most part he was solid, but the dropped interception on the first series was costly. Just like last year. Was penalized in the second half on a scoring drive. Rogers was better than the other corners, but he has to come up with the big play.