Jim Zorn threatened to play them once more this preseason. And the offensive guys have one thing to say: we deserve it. So instead of having the night off vs. Jacksonville, with the season opener a week away, the offensive starters will play at least a series; maybe even a quarter.
It’s not punishment for how poorly they played in the 47-3 loss to Carolina; but it is designed to end preseason on a better note.
The offensive line struggled mightily, though they will tweak their pass protection for this game (something the players wanted to do during the game). Other players blamed poor technique, allowing their hands to stay too wide.
“Do I want to play?” Redskins’ guard Pete Kendall asked. “I go do what I have to do. I understand the arguments on both sides. I understand trying to re-establish some sense of rhythm and cohesion and I also understand the flipside: Do you want to risk people seven days before you play a game that counts?”
Also, keep in mind that Jacksonville defensive coordinator Gregg Williams might have a point to make to his former employers. He loves to blitz, even in the preseason. Nobody coaches with a bigger chip on his shoulder than Williams.
“This is a big moment for him,” Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell said.
Still, the offense hasn’t shown much spark the past three quarters of preseason action, generating three points and lots of headaches. Campbell has been hesitant at times; the offensive line hasn’t protected too many times.
“It’s good to go back out there and wash that out of our memory,” Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels said.
There’s a difference between how the offensive and defensive coaches view last week. The offensive guys want to regain their rhythm; the defensive coaches want their players upset. Which is why the starters won’t play Thursday.
One Redskins source said some defensive starters told him that they were spooked by Jason Taylor’s knee injury Saturday and played as much to avoid injury. Regardless, they got trounced, but must live with it until the opener.
“Let them leave it in their mouths as long as they can,” defensive coordinator Greg Blache said.
