I Dislike Your Favorite Team

Washington's starters led at the half and the team beat the Jets in the penultimate preseason game. The game affirmed many of the troubles the team has, but the defensive emphasis on causing turnovers is a bright spot: it's working.

Gross Rexman, it has been affirmed, is a boner-puller of historic proportions. Add two more fumbles to his stat line, and an INT that was called back. One was on a sack by LB Calvin Pace (who abused rookie Trent Williams the entire half), the other was a shotgun snap that hit him in the hands ... on their own goal line ... leading to an unforced safety. That's some nasty old runny mayonnaise you're trying to put on my tasty sandwich.

RB
Willie Parker was not effective. The line was not able to open holes against the Jets starters. Washington will be eating a steady diet of run-stuffing teams right away. The running game has simply not been good enough. Clinton Portis sprained his ankle on his only run, but it's not supposed to be serious. Larry Johnson did very well against the Jets backups, and likely cemented his role as the #2 RB. This position is expected to catch a lot of passes out of the backfield.

#2 WR
Washington forced the ball to Galloway, who caught half of them to go 3-29. Better was rookie Terence Austin catching 3 for 3 and a modest 34 yards against the backups. Lil' Brandon Banks had some catches but also fumbled a punt return. Boof.

With Grossman forcing passes into Moss and Galloway (of his 8-16 night, he was 5-12 to them) it's going to be hard for another WR to make a move. It would take great practicing and dominance in the final preseason game. The WRs fall into two camps: known value and unknown value. Galloway, Roydell Williams & Bobby Wade are known values and it's pretty obvious what kind of production they will bring: some. All the youngsters have shown tantalizing potential but don't have the veterans' consistency. This position will again be in focus next week, with Devin Thomas especially slated to see some balls.

Defense
Washington continues to cause turnovers, a delightful change. The defensive backfield especially seems to be hungry. The D also recorded four sacks in the game.

However, our starting run defense is a major problem. Our LBs are getting blocked and are not making tackles. Good running teams have a lot to take advantage of right now. This must improve, or Washington is in for a depressing season.