Preseason game 5: Jaguars 24, Redskins 3

3 comments

August 29, 9:49 AM

by Mark Newgent, Washington Redskins Examiner

 

 

"Don't worry, be happy." 

 Yikes, another ugly outing from the starters.  Three series, seven plays 14 yards, and no first downs, isn’t the tempo building confidence inspiring performance Jim Zorn, nor we wanted.  At least no players were hurt to add injury to insult.

I didn’t get to see this game as living in Charm City the NBC coverage was preempted for the Ravens-Falcons game so Ravens fans could play my three quarterbacks.  I usually head to the Sly Fox Pub, my oasis of burgundy and gold, in a see of garish purple.  However, my wife is due to give birth any day now with the Redskins 2030 first round pick so I had to stay close to home. 

Team Performance

Rich Tandler live-blogged the game from the press box at Fed Ex Field, and even with technical difficulties he provided great coverage.  Here are his quarter-by-quarter summaries:  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4. 

Ben at the Curly R, as always, gives his witty and incisive analysis.

Previously, I talked about letting the memory of the Carolina game ferment until the opener, then come out and beat up on the Giants.  Well now, the starters can add this game to the bubbling stew.  Via Matt Terl Jim Zorn finds the silver lining in the dark cloud of ineffectiveness.

Chris Cooley says relax, “As soon as a couple of us start to put things together and make some plays, it makes it harder to cover everyone else. I know this much: We're going to get a lot of chances to make plays.”

I agree.  I still believe that the offensive players, the receivers especially like this offense and are very comfortable with it.  How long it takes them to produce in it, is another matter, but I still say not time to panic. 

One thing I noticed from all the commentary and analysis is the defense’s trouble getting off the field and preventing third down conversions.  Some of this is missed tackles by the rookies.  However, and I will say this ad nauseum, opposing offenses will continue exploit the short and intermediate passing routes against this defense.  Those passes, usually gain enough yardage to convert.  The defensive coaches need to adjust their scheme. 

Individual Performances

Derrick Frost may have saved his job last night, with two booming punts (and one not so booming).  However, Durant Brooks was able to place his kicks right where they needed to go.  I think the decision on punter is now a toss up for the coaching staff. 

Albert Fincher made the most of his opportunity to be the sixth linebacker.

Ryan Boschetti once again made plays. I just don’t think the numbers work out for him.

Matterral Richardson may have jumped (offside) his way off the roster.

Devin Thomas again looked a rookie who is out of shape and doesn’t know the offense.  Where was Malcolm Kelly? 

Odds n Ends

Jason LaCanfora fires a shot right across the bow of SS Cerrato, criticizing the front office’s failure to address the offensive line and the decision to draft three pass catchers with team’s first three picks.  Here is the red meat, “Zorn will be the public face for all of the decisions, with the wins and losses going next to his name. But any head coach is at the mercy of the decision makers above him, and success will depend on their competency as much as Zorn's.”

Cindy Boren continues to test my patience ;)

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