Pre-Season Game 1 Review

It is hard, after such a long break from football, to not get overly excited about any crumb of good football you encounter during the first Pre-Season game of your beloved football team.  The Redskins started off the season in admirable fashion.  Lead by new Head Coach Jay Gruden, the overall reaction from the field and fans was a pretty good one.

It is hard to read into a Pre-Season game where the top 5 starters, or so, do not even dress, but there are some overall aspects to look at:

• Overall execution of plays, protection calls, assignment adjustments, and package substitutions went fairly smooth, after only having 10 players on the field for the first defensive play.
• Game and clock management showed signs of improvement, having only 1 bobble in the 2nd quarter (the still got he play off, but if cost them a loss on a run).
• Play-calling was fluid, precise and effective.
• We established the run right away.  
• Because the run was established, play-action worked.
• The offense looked patient, methodical, and lethal.
• Screen passes and short passes were effective, especially when we streched the field.
• Passes were fairly accurate, receivers seemed be able to get open, and catches were made.
• The defensive line rotation, even short two valuable starters, was very active.
• The secondary looked confident and performed well.
• Most importantly, the team showed battles at almost every position.  The RB and WR battles will be fierce and good talent will be cut eventually.  
• Overall tackling and pursuit looked good.
• Technique just looked better. 
• Players seemed to be in the right position to make plays...seemed to be a real issue under the Shanahan regime.
• DEPTH, DEPTH, DEPTH...teams will feast on our cuts this year.

...and there were some individual performances worth mentioning:

• RGIII looked comfortable, with a much quicker release on the ball.
• Every running back looked good.  Morris, Seastrunk and Redd averaged over 5 yards per carry.  
• Redd surprised many...I would not be surprised if he makes this team.
• Seastrunk is fast and led the team in rushing yards.
• Aldrick Robinson intends on solidifying his role in this offense and had a really good game.
• Rambo made a tackle and much better reads against the run.
• Most individual performances were solid.
• Kai Forbath had a rough night, missing one kick and looking weak-legged on kick-offs...the margin for error is tiny in his battle to keep his job.  
• Hocker looked solid on kickoffs and made his field goal attempts.

All in all, I think it is safe to get a little excited about this years team.

Hail to the Redskins!