1 Can they build on this offensive showing? It’ll be tough because they won’t be playing a team that has two receivers playing defensive back this week. But the Giants also are hurting along the line so that will help. And the fact that they’re running so well lately gives them an opportunity for consistency with their play-action passing game. Keep in mind, too, that the Giants rank 30th in total yards allowed (and 27th in scoring). So yeah, it’s possible. 2 Is Roy Helu for real? Yes. Now, the real question is how good is he? Three games is never enough to accurately make that determination. But Helu continues to do a lot on his own. His footwork is excellent. Yes, he still misses the occasional hole. But in the past three games, he’s rushed for a combined 209 yards after contact. Sunday, 77 of his 126 yards came this way. It’s not as if he’s ripping through huge lanes and has great cutback holes.
3 Will LaRon Landry return this week? It’s uncertain because his groin is still an issue. But it would be good if he did. The Redskins missed him last week trying to stop tight end Rob Gronkowski. And while rookie DeJon Gomes has been fine, Landry is simply better. The real question then becomes: is this Landry’s last season here? That’s tougher to say. There’s some frustration on his end, but the Redskins also recognize his talent and can franchise him. And few players turn down good long-term deals.
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4 Did left tackle Willie Smith show promise in his start? A little bit, yes. He had some definite issues, as you would expect from a rookie making his first start (an undrafted one at that). A couple times he lunged for his man and bent at his waist as he went to block. But he also had one run where he drove his man downfield. It’ll help him to get a few more games to see if he has any real promise.
5 Should DeAngelo Hall return next season? He had a bad game this past week no doubt. And he’s allowed some big plays this season. He’s not an elite shutdown corner. Rather, Hall is a playmaker who needs to get his hands on more passes. Should he be a captain? Not if loses his poise on the field too often. The Redskins could always use another corner, perhaps as a No. 3. But the Redskins have other holes to fill requiring good money without adding another position to the list.
– John Keim
