1. Jason Campbell ended the preseason with two excellent games. He has not faced a pass rush in the past two games and that will change in the opener vs. the New York Giants. But I loved how confident Campbell was in the pocket. He made decisive throws and the pass to Antwaan Randle El could not have been delivered better. Gotta make that catch. I’ve seen enough the past couple weeks, and last year, from Campbell to know that he’ll be fine – if the protection holds up and the running game is sound. The former is still a worry, despite the preseason numbers. We’ll learn a lot more in Week 1 than we did the past two weeks.
2. Anthony Alridge has to be in trouble now. I didn’t think he was safe, but I did think he’d find his way onto the roster because of his speed. The Redskins want, and could use, a change-of-pace back. But he fumbles too much; carrying the ball in the correct arm on kickoffs would help. If they want that speed they could opt for Dominique Dorsey. If they just want another tough, hard-nosed back they’ll keep Marcus Mason. But if you’re a fourth running back you’d best be able to help on special teams and I don’t see how Mason does that. Dorsey can return in a pinch, though I’m not crazy about him in that role. And this assumes any of them even make it.
3. Mike Williams should be cut. He has not demonstrated in training camp that he can help the Redskins. I love what he’s done; great story. But his issues were not just from rust. Time and again this summer he had issues with his hands and that flared up again vs. Jacksonville. He lets defenders, good ones in particular, get their hands into his chest and control him. Last night, it was a linebacker who did this. Williams is easy to root for because of his personality. Of course, the problem is that there’s not one backup tackle who you’d feel good about having to start. Jeremy Bridges has shown that he would not do well against starters, which is how you must measure a veteran starter in this league. Maybe he can help at guard, where Chad Rinehart has yet to prove himself (his lack of athleticism is evident when he must pull or block in space on screens).
4. Two other guys who really flashed: Robert Henson and Lendy Holmes. The former made plays both good and bad. But before this game I would not have predicted either would be on the final roster. Holmes is a swing guy. It would be hard for him to make it if Mason, or any other extra back, is on the roster. That’s really who the competition is between. Holmes would be a fifth safety and could be helped by Kareem Moore’s penchant for getting hurt. But he looked good on the blitz, better than LaRon Landry often has, and he made a good open-field tackle – and has in other games. Henson made some foolish penalties, but also made plays. Cody Glenn did not show up as much; nor did Darrell Young or Robert Thomas. Without knowing what they’re always asked to do, it’s hard to know if they did well or not. But Henson flashed and that’s good for him. Is it enough? I had heard Glenn and Young mentioned more than Henson through most of camp.
5. Shaun Suisham has to stay now, right? Dave Rayner got one kick in the preseason, so this was always about what Suisham could, or could not, do. Rayner showed some leg strength, but in games he’s a career 71.2 percent kicker. He had to knock out Suisham and he did not. But, Mr. Suisham, you’re on notice.
6. I was all set to anoint Colt Brennan as the No. 3 guy and still will, though Chase Daniel made that a little tougher to do when he came back in the game. I really like Daniel’s poise in the pocket and his decisions. But, as with Suisham, the coaches wanted to see progress in Brennan; had he played this way in the first preseason game there would be no discussions about his spot on the roster. Brennan showed good decision-making, went through his progressions and made plays. He threw more in rhythm. Where he got in trouble in the past was hesitating and then making a bad decision; he did neither last night. But the hard part is that Daniel progressed more as a rookie than Brennan did, executing plays the way the coaches wanted. That can’t be ignored. But the final word on this: If either kid has to play this year, the Redskins are in trouble.
7. I love how Justin Tryon has responded to his first preseason game. He steadily got better, but I’m not surprised. Tryon looked good in practice and following the Ravens game he looked really good. That says a lot about him. Of course, if the receiver doesn’t look back for the ball it’s easier for the DB to intercept it, but Tryon nonetheless has done his job. I would not want him starting by any means, but this summer he earned his roster spot and the No. 4 job. Kevin Barnes still gets beat by double moves, as he had in practice, too often. He’s still learning.
8. Analyst Cris Collinsworth likes the Redskins, as my colleague Brian McNally wrote about for our Cheers and Jeers page. Check it out: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sports/blogs/Cheers-and-Jeers/Skins_-_scary-good_-defense_-8194658-57080437.html
9. Notice a difference in the defense when Albert Haynesworth is in the game and when he’s not? Here’s what Tony Dungy said in a conference call the other day about Haynesworth: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sports/blogs/redskins-confidential/Dungy-not-sold-on-Haynesworths-effort-56746542.html. Anyway, if Haynesworth misses four games or so, the Redskins will miss the playoffs. If he plays 14, they have a great chance. But I’ll also say that Anthony Montgomery did a nice job last night. I’m glad he’s upset about being a backup, but if you want to start you have to play a certain way all the time. Still, he ran hard to the ball and was noticeable last night. Plugged a couple holes just by brute strength.
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