Things I learned from watching the game again:
1. First, I’d like to thank the Colts for having a lousy offense without Peyton Manning in the game. Makes it a lot easier to watch the defense when you only have to worry about a handful of plays. It does make it hard to accurately gauge the secondary when facing Curtis Painter as opposed to Manning. Want some insight on that one? Manning’s a little better.
2. That said, the Redskins’ front seven faced the Colts’ starting line for two series and handled them fine. Their line is not considered a top one, but Manning makes them look better with his quick releases. Still, it’s mostly an experienced group (except for rookie LT Anthony Castonzo) and provided a solid test.
3. My favorite play was Ryan Kerrigan’s sack of Painter on the second series. It showed not only what he could do, but what the rest of the linemen can do as well. A group effort that highlighted several things, including Kerrigan’s relentlessness. On the play, the Redskins had their nickel package with Stephen Bowen on the right side and Jarvis Jenkins over center. Brian Orakpo rushed upfield, easily beating Castonzo and immediately making Painter feel pressure. But he couldn’t step up because Bowen had driven his man back and a bit inside. Jenkins, meanwhile, powered Jeff Saturday backwards, and was getting around to the outside. Meanwhile, Kerrigan started upfield, getting a little more burst than typical – get to that in a second – and wanted to go wide vs. right tackle Ryan Diem. Running back Joseph Addai chipped him. But because Diem was beaten, his back was nearly square to the line of scrimmage. Kerrigan bounced off Addai, never slowed and took off after Painter as he ran up.
4. One thing about Kerrigan: On Wednesday, talked to him about adjusting to rushing from a two-point stance. He talked about having to learn to put more weight on the front of his feet to get a burst. In a three-point stance, you can lean forward hard, putting the pressure on your hand. Anyway, you could see how much Kerrigan was trying to do this and he appeared on two occasions to lose his balance just a bit before the snap, forcing him to put his hand down to right himself. But it did help him get a little quicker step off the ball.
5. One of Kerrigan’s best rushes came against the second string right tackle, but give him credit for getting off the ball fast and taking a much sharper angle to the quarterback. It was one of the few times he had a good shoulder dip; didn’t round it off but just went straight around. Resulted in Painter having to step up and throw a hurried incompletion.
6. Two plays on NT Barry Cofield. The first one was a pass rush; the second a run defense in which he didn’t make the tackle. Both show what he can do. Rushing in the nickel defense, Cofield swatted the right guard with his right hand – good with his hands– creating a narrow opening. When Saturday came to help Cofield had the advantage and showed him back into Painter as he threw the ball. Yes, it was a completion. But it was a fast collapse of the pocket on a quick, three-step drop and throw. Next time that happens if the coverage is tight, that split second would be all Cofield needs to get a sack. Or that ability to collapse the pocket will help the corner get there from the slot on a blitz.
A couple plays later, the Colts tried a run to the left. Saturday initially, with the help of the left guard, moved Cofield a yard back and had his shoulders slightly turned outside. But Cofield recovered, slid down the line and helped clog the hole. Orakpo easily got off Dallas Clark’s block to make the tackle; had he not done so, Keyaron Fox was right there – he was unblocked. Cofield’s ability to get back in the play helped narrow the hole. Do I need to point out how few times that happened last season? Also liked that Orakpo got off the block on that play; he later made a play in space on a screen. That was an issue for him in the past. Curious to see more and how much he’s improved in this area.
7. Don’t know this for sure, but want to find out: I have to believe part of Jenkins’ education up front is learning how to not only take on blockers, but deal with double teams and combination blocks. Saw this happen early in the game when his leverage was OK at LE, but he got moved out because the guard blocked down. Jenkins was driven out; his shoulders turned. Not sure Jenkins knew this was coming. Can he prepare himself better if he does? Have to find that out. Still think Jenkins can get a little lower off the ball; but did not see him hesitate off the snap as happened last week.
8. Liked how Byron Westbrook seemed to use his eyes well in coverage. One time, in zone coverage in the right flat, he read the quarterback, broke on the ball and though it was an incompletion he was right there. Another time, he read the receiver on a comeback route and knocked the pass away.
9. The Redskins upgraded themselves with Keyaron Fox, even if he remains a backup. Just like how well he seems to know where to go in this defense.
10. And I like how fast Perry Riley is playing. Gregg Williams used to talk about knowing when a defender was ready for more time by how physical he was playing on special teams. Riley did a good job in this area the other night. But it was more than that – and part of it stems from having clean paths, too, thanks to the line. Riley finished with three tackles and a hurry. Also liked how strong Rob Jackson set the edge on a couple occasions (one time allowing Riley to make a good hit for a short gain). Jackson’s hands are strong.
11. LB Thaddeus Gibson had a chance to play two days after he signed. He lined up on the right side, and rushed a couple times with his hand in the ground. One time, he did give the backup left tackle fits, getting into his body, lifting him up a little and then hitting the quarterback as he threw the ball. On the same play, Markus White spun off his man and hit the QB as well. The Redskins appear to have some good young options at linebacker. The question is: How well can they play on special teams?
12. A few veteran backups who played well: Kedric Golston, Darrion Scott and Lorenzo Alexander. Given their experience, I would expect this. But it certainly is better than them not playing well, right? Alexander showed some better pass rush moves vs. the backups, one time even spinning off the tackle, staying low and getting the sack. Drew a holding penalty, too, against the same tackle Kerrigan beat (Jeff Linkenbach, who may start at LT if Castonzo fails).
13. NT Chris Neild received a lot of playing time. There was good and bad, but nothing that suggests he should make the final roster. But there was enough to say he is worth developing. He’s not very quick, but it seems he’s starting to learn to play with a little more strength. Nield does stay low (of course, he starts low too). Once, his helmet was at the blocker’s shoulder pads; yes, Neild won that battle. He got moved out a couple times, only to get back in the play once a second man peeled off.
14. Yes, that was a terrific job by rookie CB Brandyn Thompson on the interception. He was never beaten off the ball; he read the receiver’s eyes and turned around at the right time because of it then finished it off with some nice hands. He had good coverage earlier in the night, too. Haven’t been wowed by him in practice, but at least he had a couple good plays Friday.
15. Like DeJon Gomes’ feistiness. On a run to the left, Gomes was matched against tight end Tyson DeVree. Initially, Gomes was pushed back a little bit, but he managed to help string the play out by fighting his way back up a bit, getting his left arm into DeVree. Scott and Jackson ended up making the tackle, but it was a nice job by Gomes. DeVree whiffed on a block attempt vs. Riley a couple plays later.
