The coach voiced concern, revealing his frustration with his repeated answers in a short press conference. The players echoed his words, letting the world, or at least those who care about the Redskins, know their outing wasn’t acceptable.
So much for preseason games not meaning anything. Try telling that to the Redskins after a 27-14 loss to the Jets Saturday night.
“We have a long way to go,” Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. “It’s a sobering fact for all of us. It has us really concerned.”
The players agreed.
“We didn’t do [anything] to even resemble a team that is improving,” Redskins defensive tackle Joe Salave’a said. “It’s a reality check.”
But what concerns are legitimate and what aren’t?
Special teams
The kick coverage units had a horrible night, allowing returns of 47 and 87 yards, the latter for a touchdown. But the concern level should be low. A half-dozen of the players in kick coverage Saturday night will not make the final roster. Special teams starters such as Pierson Prioleau, Mike Sellers and Rock Cartwright were not on the field.
Of much greater concern is the punting battle. Derrick Frost unleashed his usual shank from deep in his own territory. Another low line-drive punt resulted in a 17-yard roll, giving him a misleading boot of 56 yards. He also booted one into the end zone from the Jets’ 34. David Lonie had a strong 46-yarder, but he hasn’t done enough to unseat Frost.
Defense
The first-team defense played the entire first half, allowing 145 yards rushing on 18 carries. But 61 came on a reverse and another 32 came on three quarterbackruns by Brooks Bollinger. Take those away and the Redskins allowed 52 yards on 14 carries, which is still unacceptable.
Allowing big plays has been a problem by this defense over the past year. One big run resulted in four losses last season. So this is a concern.
“We’ve got to take a quantum leap as far as improvement,” Salave’a said.
“It’s unacceptable for us right now,” Prioleau said.
Offense
In two preseason games, the Redskins’ first-team offense has produced no points and six first downs in five possessions.
Saturday, they played minus starters Brandon Lloyd and Clinton Portis. Also, any new offense takes time to incorporate, so this unit’s struggles don’t warrant the same concern. Yet.
“We’re very limited in what we’re doing,” Redskins associate head coach/offense Al Saunders said. “It’s a process and it’s worked over the years every place it’s been and it will work here.”
