Game Recap: Redskins 22, Titans 21

First off you can check out all of the stats and highlights at NFL.com here. Now lets get down to it..

1. Kirk Cousins looked really good. It's only preseason and only one game but he impressed me. He made quick decisions and was accurate with the ball. If he continues to show how he has progressed the rest of the preseason that's a good sign for the Redskins. He ended the night 6 of 7 for 52 yards and a TD. Overall, it makes me feel more comfortable about the quarterback position if RGIII goes down.

Krik Cousins

2. For the most part the rookie safeties were unimpressive. Rambo played OK, but the only two plays that really stuck out were negative ones. First, he took a bad angle trying to tackle Chris Johnson. In someways this was a speedy talented running back welcoming a rookie to the NFL. However, the run
wasn't really his fault.
The defensive line was blocked well and Orakpo played it poorly pushing too far upfield and failing to contain. Second, he hit a receiver late in the end zone and causing the Redskins to be penalized. Phillip Thomas got hurt early on so there wasn't much to see from him which is unfortunate because I believe he is the more physically talented out of the two rookie safeties and may have a brighter future.



2. David Amerson on the other hand looked good. He may have been the most impressive of the rookies. He almost had a nice interception early on but even though he dropped it he bated the quarterback and broke on the ball well with his size really giving him an advantage. I believe it was a really strong night and if anything it made me believe that by seasons end Amerson might be pushing to start. Minnifield actually looked pretty strong as well after missing his rookie season because of injury. He made one good break on a ball to break up a pass and covered well from what I saw with the exception of a few plays. He might end up being a better option than Crawford at the corner spot.

David Amerson

3. I have to admit I seriously underrated Brandon Jenkins. While I expected him to eventually make an impact it looks like that impact might come sooner than previously expected. He still has a lot to learn and is no where near polished but he really stood out with his pass rush ability. When Kerrigan got the first sack of the game for the Redskins I immediately saw both Orakpo and Kerrigan pushing the pocket. However, I also saw a third player really taking over and embarrassing the right tackle. That player was Jenkins, he showed that he can make a difference even against first team offensive linemen.

4. Orakpo and Kerrigan both got a sack. While Orakpo made a big mistake against the run it is still nice to see him back and rushing the passer. This is preseason so his mistakes don't worry me as much as seeing him out there creating pressure with Kerrigan on the other side excites me. I can't wait to see more of him and the combination of Orakpo, Kerrigan, Jenkins, and Rob Jackson. I have the feeling that the Redskins and Jim Haslett intended to use 3 or 4 of those guys at the same time on some plays. Should be an exciting season for the Redskins' pass rush.

5. The defensive line and the rushing defense as a whole wasn't at its best. Barry Cofield sat out this game and Jarvis Jenkins didn't play with the starters (as he is suspended for the first 4 games) but I was not impressed with the backups. The Redskins can not allow that many big runs when the season starts or they will be in big trouble defensively.

Brandon Jenkins

6. Roy Helu was impressive. He was fast, quick and showed his ability to cut back and turn runs in to big plays. If he can stay healthy he could turn the NFL's best rushing attack into an even better one. I'm not saying he has any chance of pushing Morris because he doesn't. Morris is the guy in Washington and will continue to be the bell cow. However, Helu has the ability to really contribute on third downs and when Morris needs a break. There were some runs that I saw and thought to myself if Morris was in he would have gained an extra 4 to 5 yards. On the other side there were a few plays that I'm not sure Morris could have gotten as many yards as Helu. Overall, this is a good thing for the Redskins.

7. It's just preseason but because the Redskins had so many penalties last year it's concerning that they were penalized 11 times last night. They really need to cut down on those penalties or it could hurt them in big games.

8. Pat White looked pretty good. It was only one game and I don't expect him to be pushing Rex Grossman for the 3rd quarterback spot like some Redskins fans want, but it's still nice to see a guy who is working hard progress. There is no guarantee that the Redskins will carry three quarterbacks so this could be the last we will see of Grossman and White.

9. The backup offensive linemen looked mediocre at best. Tom Compton was inconsistent at times playing well and at others getting beat easily. Josh LeRibieus only stood out because the penalties he committed and his overall poor play. I am not comforted by the lack of depth along the offensive line.

10. It's nice to have Fred Davis back. Davis caught 2 passes for 14 yards including Cousins' lone touchdown. He made a nice block upfield on another play and really its just nice to have such an athletic player back. He might end up being that second receiving threat after Garçon that the Redskins really need.

11. Aldrick Robinson dropped a pass when he was wide open and almost dropped another one later on. However, it's been reported by John Keim of ESPN that he has had a good camp with only one day of dropping a lot of passes. This could mean that this is Robinson's one preseason game of looking less than great. Leonard Hankerson played well and really showed his ability to play any of the three wide receiver positions. Him and Robinson are both promising for this year but even more so for the future as I still believe Josh Morgan and Santana Moss will be the main guys after Garçon for at least this year.