Redskins go to 2-0 in preseason

By Brian Hunsicker

Published: August 9, 2008

LANDOVER, Md. – Though the Washington Redskins are 2-0 in the preseason, the games will be an afterthought a month from now, when rosters are down to 53 men and the games really do matter. These exhibitions, like Saturday’s 17-14 victory over Buffalo, are about development.

The Redskins had a baseline from which to judge their progression. From last week’s Hall of Fame Game win over Indianapolis, some storylines came further into focus: the second-string offensive line looked better, quarterback Colt Brennan wasn’t as sharp and injuries will be an ongoing battle.

The preseason, of course, is rarely about the projected starters, and it’s particularly true with Washington. There remains only one open contest for a starting job, where incumbent punter Derrick Frost is trying to hold off draft pick Durant Brooks. Frost was solidly unspectacular against Buffalo – Brooks handled the punting against the Colts – by averaging 34 yards on four punts. Though three were inside the Bills’ 20-yard line, only one was inside the 15.

Washington’s offensive and defensive starters appeared for two series and then gave way to the backups. Jason Campbell hit on 70 percent of his passes and, more often than not, demonstrated head coach Jim Zorn’s mantra of quick decision making. On his first third-down attempt, Campbell cruised through his progression and completed a pass to Santana Moss on a slant pattern for 14 yards; the recognition took seconds.

Though the drive stalled three plays later, Campbell showed he was sharp. On the Redskins’ second effort, a 12-play, 53-yarder that ended with a Clinton Portis plunge, Campbell hit on five of eight passes and kept the offense going.

“The offense moved the ball. That’s what we planned to do, that’s what we wanted to do,” Portis, who had 18 yards and a touchdown on seven carries, said. “We wanted to come out and sustain a drive and be able to move the ball. And we did.”

Defensively, the Redskins gave up only a field goal in their two series. The new bookend defensive ends, Andre Carter and Jason Taylor, debuted and induced a pair of false-start penalties on Buffalo’s first two series. The Bills, however, were without tackle Jason Peters, one of the game’s up and comers; he’s holding out for a new contract.

Beyond the starters, the Redskins’ second-string offensive line showed improvement. The second unit allowed only one sack, though their culpability in that is questionable: Running back Marcus Mason knocked off a blitzing linebacker late, but left Brennan no room to step up into the pocket; by the time linebacker John DiGeorgio and end Chris Ellis converged, Brennan was caught in the middle.

Washington’s backup offensive line was effective in the running game. They opened holes for Mason, allowing him to rack up 80 yards on the ground – more than Buffalo’s total as a team. During the final quarter, when the Redskins were trying to hold on to a three-point lead, the running game provided five first downs.

“I think they did a great job protecting the quarterback,” starting tackle Chris Samuels said. “And then, late in the game when we needed to run the ball, the offensive line came off the ball and our running backs ran hard.”

Brennan needed some protecting. He played the third quarter and yielded to Derek Devine in the fourth. His decision-making was not as crisp as Campbell’s – a continuing concern from head coach Jim Zorn – as he completed four of his eight passes. A week ago in Canton, Ohio, Brennan was a perfect five for five.

But Brennan said he injured his hamstring in the game against the Colts and was just trying to make it through without injuring it further.

“I think that kind of affected my sharpness,” he said. “I don’t think I was quite as on-point as I usually try to be. And that’s a good lesson to be learned. I’ve got to learn about having to battle through things. But it was a win for me, I got out of there.”

Brennan’s injury is one of many the Redskins have endured during a long and physical training camp. On Saturday night, receivers Antwaan Randle El and Anthony Mix both missed time because of injuries. Both went into the locker room for X-rays; Randle El for his wrist, Mix for his ribs. Both came back negative, though Mix was said to have bruised ribs.

In all, nine players were held out of the game, including two starting defensive backs, safety LaRon Landry and cornerback Carlos Rogers. That led to the shift that began in the early days of training camp when Shawn Springs, normally a corner, opened the game at safety.

Defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery, who has missed time with a broken hand, did make an appearance with the second teamers. He wasn’t expected to play on Saturday. Neither was reserve linebacker Rian Wallace, though he played as well.