Redskins @ Titans Thread

These are some of my impressions of some Redskins players during the game. They are more feelings based on players flashing talent versus analysis based on observations.

- I was absolutely amazed by Fred Davis! He looked better than ever, as if he was never injured. I think he could have a monster season.

- Kirk Cousins looks like a 10-Year NFL QB. He is a real gamer. I don't worry about a thing when he is in the game.

- I think we have at least two rookies who will contribute this season and eventually become very good NFL players. They are David Amerson and Brandon Jenkins.

- Brian Orakpo is a pass rushing beast! He has a great motor but he is a bit over-eager at this point and the Titans took advantage of that to abuse him in the run game. I think he'll settle down and play the run better.

- Aldrick Robinson has great quickness as well as great speed and he is playing with passion. He will contribute more this season.

- Leonard Hankerson has so much talent that I'm hoping he can find the same type of passion for the game that Orakpo and Robinson have. If he does, he'll be unstoppable.

- Roy Helu, Jr. looked like the complement to Alfred Morris that we need. He had a very solid game and he deserves a lot of credit for the way he has come back from injury.

- Richard Crawford played like a man possessed. He looks like a man who won't be denied his spot on the 53-man roster.

- I thought Baccari Rambo did alright for his first time out. I'm looking forward to seeing how he develops as the preseason continues.

- I'd like to see more of Xavier Nixon. He's huge and athletic and he looks like an NFL talent to me. I hope we can hold onto him on the Practice Squad.

Overall, I think this was an encouraging first preseason game.

Yeah I kinda had a problem with it because Cousins put the ball perfect where he shoulda cut and been in stride with momentum to pick up the first down. He caught the ball perfectly but he then looks and kinda slows his feet down. He needs to have better instints by now and needs to make that play. Moss and Garcon get that first down.

Hankerson on the touchdown play is much more aggressive, he catches the ball and quickly accelerated towards the endzone, running people over and inviting the contact. It was a nice rebound from the first down play.

I'll have to see the play again. What I recall is that his momentum at the time of the catch was across the field, not up the field, and that he had a good 5 yards to make after the catch. Given the angles, I just am not sure Garcon or Moss make that either.

1) I thought Hankerson, in general had a good, solid game with a couple of nice grabs and a solid run on the screen for the TD. Set up and used his blockers well to max out the yards. Effort was not a problem for Hank last night - can he do it every play, every game is the question.

2) On the particular play, I just didn't see it that way. He caught the ball on a slant, changed momentum to turn it more upfield and was hit by two defenders - one of whom had an angle on him. From what I recall, he ran into the contact and did not shy away from it at all.You saw him "going straight down", I saw him lower his shoulder in anticipation of contact with two tacklers. Between the basic physics of his motion/inertia and bringing 200 lbs (at least) less to the collision than his tacklers, not sure you could expect anything different.

I think, in general, he played well, too. That play just rubbed me the wrong way.

I see what you're saying, but I felt more like he had turned it upfield and his legs sort of went dead on contact, that's why I said "he went straight down." I incorrectly characterized it as him shying away, when I should have said "didn't really fight for it." That's how I saw the play. I'd like to see it again, honestly

I think, in general, he played well, too. That play just rubbed me the wrong way.

I see what you're saying, but I felt more like he had turned it upfield and his legs sort of went dead on contact, that's why I said "he went straight down." I incorrectly characterized it as him shying away, when I should have said "didn't really fight for it." That's how I saw the play. I'd like to see it again, honestly

I agree with you he seemed to shy away from the play. MS saw it that way too because he gave him a tongue lashing.

I think the young CB's - Crawford, Minnifield and Amerson - played well. It will be difficult to cut any of them. Not sure how many we keep but, if they continue to play that well, I see all three on the final roster. If we keep 5 CB's, I think Hall makes it and Wilson and Biggers are fighting for the final spot.

How many CB's did we keep out of camp last year?

The CB position this year kinda reminds me of the WR debate last year. From a position of weakness (i.e. Moss, A. Anderson and Gaffney), to a solid position that flashes strength (Garcon, Morgan, Moss, etc.). I would not be surprised if the last CB we cut is snapped up by someone.

BTW - Thought Morgan had a good night also. All this talk about Hank and Robinson, remember, Morgan is the No.2 and last night he showed why. Seriously, this group of WR's is light years beyond what we had in 2011. Light years.

I agree with you he seemed to shy away from the play. MS saw it that way too because he gave him a tongue lashing.

Didn't see that part. If true, maybe why he went into beast mode later.

Like I said, I would like to see the play again and Shanny's reaction. I really am going from memory about a play that clearly did not stand out to me in the way it did to you. I may have just missed it.

Any update on the Thomas injury?

Why is everyone talking about Rambo being beat one on one in wide open space and not how Orakpo completely messed up?

and lets not forget that this was the rookies first live game action, so the first time the really seen live game speed . . . they should all start taking better angles once they get used to the speed of the game . . . veterans too as while they have been there before, they haven't tackled at all until last night . . .

I thought the rookies played as expected, especially for the first preseason game which is nothing more than a glorified scrimmage... No game planning involved, basic schemes, etc. It's a learning experience and something to build on.

Any update on the Thomas injury?

Phillip Thomas injury: Redskins rookie dealing with foot sprain - SBNation.com (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/8/9/4605530/phillip-thomas-injury-foot-sprain-redskins)