What Will You Be Looking For In Tomorrow's Tampa Bay Game?

[Diehard Otis]

Hey guys.  I was a bit surprised that this topic hadn't been started already, so here goes nothin'.

 

In tomorrow's Pre-Season wrap up game, what will you specifically be looking for out of the players or the team?

1. First of all, I will be keenly interested to see if any starters take the field.  In a thread a couple of days ago, I saw Coach Gruden mull it over as an option.  I hope it doesn't happen.  Our Team is remarkably healthy heading towards Week 1, & I'd like to see it stay that way.  Starters playing is a needless risk to me.
2. I hope to see more good things from Redd & Seastrunk. (and I hope we keep both - at least stash 1 of the 2 on the Practice Squad)
3. Will Breeland continue to impress?  From what I recall, the Ravens picked on him a little bit, but that's good for his growth & development.  How will he bounce back from last week?  
4. If he's good to go, I want to see Moses get plenty of work.  Let's face it, the kid needs it.

Obviously, most of us are going to watch the game.  So what things will you be paying attention to or looking for?

[TexasSkinsFan]

1. Pray for no injuries. We dont need any ever especially this close to the start of the season

2. I really want to see Seastrunk solidify a spot on this roster with a strong performance. I like him over Redd and dont like seeing draft picks get cut but he has to prove he belongs here still

3. I want to see a reason Kai should be cut before it happens. Sorry but for a guy whos entering his third season as a Kicker I dont like giving up on him so quickly. I fear he gets cut, the rookie struggles and costs us a game later, while he goes on to another team and we regret it. I get that the rookie was drafted and while I dont like cutting them I believe rookie kickers are far to volital to trust. It takes some time for them to develop too

[skinsfan212689]

I'm looking for the following:

 

1. Moses & Long looking good at RT/RG

2. Breeland playing extended time

3. Back up Center hopefully J. LeRibeus get some reps(Unless they are serious about Chester being that)

4. One of the kickers take the job

5. All of the RBs

[TradeTheBeal!]

No injuries and a couple of cold beers.

[Diehard Otis]

3. I want to see a reason Kai should be cut before it happens. Sorry but for a guy whos entering his third season as a Kicker I dont like giving up on him so quickly. I fear he gets cut, the rookie struggles and costs us a game later, while he goes on to another team and we regret it. I get that the rookie was drafted and while I dont like cutting them I believe rookie kickers are far to volital to trust. It takes some time for them to develop too

Agree completely.  Our Kicking Game had been a joke for FAAAR too long before Forbath came along (The Skins don't Win the Division without his contribution in 2012).  I know his leg on Kickoffs in inadequate, but it seems extreme to me to fire him for that.  Not to mention, as you point out, trusting a Rookie over a proven Veteran in the Regular Season strikes me as folly.  Coach better damn well be right about that one.

[Voice_of_Reason]

I probably won't bother watching, since of the players who will actually suit up, a very good number of them from both teams won't make the 53, or if they do, won't be active on gamedays.  

 

What I hope the coaches can get enough info on is who should grab the last 3-4 roster spots that are up for grabs.  You would think those would be RB, WR, Safety, LB...

 

Shrug.  This game is probably CT's career SB.  If he doesn't show something, then he might be out.

 

I also kindof hope that they don't play Cousins at all.  I'm sure they will, but I'm not sure what you get from that.  His stock is as high as it's going to get in the off-season.  And he clearly doesn't need reps against backups.  Let McCoy play the entire game.

[roanoker]

Pittman4two saying the cannons will roar.

[drowland]

Kickers take center stage.  Hocker vs Forbath and Malone vs Way.  Might be the one time you see a HC play for FGs the whole game. 

 

Everything else is a numbers game. 

[Koolblue13]

Damn, stealing dgs thunder? That's not going to go well.

[BRAVEONTHEWARPATH93]

Starters aren't playing. Gruden said that yesterday

I'll watch it after my two basketball games...or I'll just play madden

I'll watch eventually tho lol

[Diehard Otis]

Starters aren't playing. Gruden said that yesterday

Thanks BRAVE, I hadn't heard that.  What a relief!

 

You get props; I just can't bring myself to not watch it.  I know that sounds silly but after waiting patiently through the entire off-season, I GOTTA have me some Redskins Football.  I always watch the Pre-Season.  Year after year.

[jflow78]

Damn, stealing dgs thunder? That's not going to go well.

Hey, he's asleep on the job.  (just kidding DG)

 

- I'm in agreement with hankersonfan, I don't feel comfortable with cutting Kai until Hocker actually wins the competition.  I guess, to be fair, I haven't really been impressed by either of them this preseason (as far as kickoffs go).  Hocker hasn't shown that his leg is superior to Kai's so I'm not even sure there's a reason to keep Hocker for kickoffs.  I was hoping that this was only because coaches wanted to see how the ST performed, but I honestly haven't seen anything that's said, "Yeah, obviously Hocker has the stronger leg".  I even tweeted John Keim because he'd reported that Kai had kicked one through the uprights on a kickoff during practice.  I thought he might have put the wrong name and he confirmed it was Forbath.  So, I'm not sure we should bother to keep Hocker, he hasn't won the job, IMO.

 

- I want to see the same out of the RBs.  Usually we have that ONE guy who sort of steals the competition, but even Helu hasn't shined this preseason.  Royster's had a couple moments and that's it.  Other than that, Redd has probably been the most consistent, but lacks the 3rd down back speed, Thompson is injured AGAIN, and Seastrunk hasn't shown anything BUT speed (which is great, but doesn't help when you can't get on the field, even during the preseason.  I'm assuming it's because he can't pass block).

 

- I think most of the competitions are over (besides those listed above.  There are only a handful of "this guy vs that guy" that are left.  Really, I think it comes down to Forbath vs Hocker, Malone vs New Punter Guy, Biggers vs Crawford, Sharpton vs Will Compton, and Neild vs Golston.  

 

Thomas' situation will probably decide whether we keep Trenton Robinson or not.

[goldbean]

1. No injuries.

 

2. RBs to clear the "logjam" themselves with one or more complete-back performances (strong in the running/passing games, good protection)

 

3. Impressive performances by the P and K who will make the final roster.

 

4. Disciplined play on the field (few penalties/mental mistakes).

 

5. No injuries.

 

EDIT:  6. Strong play/improvement by the O-line.

 

Damn, stealing dgs thunder? That's not going to go well.

 

Don't understand this comment or how it relates to the discussion.  Please explain?

[Diehard Otis]

Hey, he's asleep on the job.  (just kidding DG)

 

- I'm in agreement with hankersonfan, I don't feel comfortable with cutting Kai until Hocker actually wins the competition...I'm not sure we should bother to keep Hocker, he hasn't won the job, IMO.

Agreed.  We KNOW what Forbath gives us, & if drafting a kicker serves to properly "motivate" him, then I'm fine with that.  It does seem that tomorrow night's performances will ultimately tell the tale.

[GoDeep81]

I also hope they don't cut Forbath just because they've drafted a kicker (who doesn't seem to be able to kick it any deeper on KO's than Kai).. It's too bad, with a 45 man roster, they can't find someone who can kick the thing through the back of the endzone on a kickoff.. Hell, someone put on a square toe shoe and Mark Moseley the thing into the 1st row of seats!!

[Gregpeck99]

I recall last year's pre-season game #4 vividly: The stars were Pat White, Desmon Briscoe, Evan Royster and Chis Thompson (ran back punt).  Also recall Kai kicking for the Bucs.  This game is so lame.  Virtually everyone on the Field in the second half will end up on the cut list (both teams).  Kai has to perform perfectly to withstand Hocker's charge and Draft status.  If Chris Thompson does not excell he will be in trouble (probably is anyway).  Compton, LaReeb, Stevens and Hurt will have to play well behind Colt to stick.  They are all on the bubble as far as I am concerned.  Perhaps the most interesting aspect of game to me will be Nick Williams.  If he shines .... he has excellent chance of sticking.

 

I'm delighted game isn't blacked out this year in St. Pete.  Won't have to waste my time at Ray Jay.    

[AlvinWaltonIsMyBoy]

Chris Thompson.  

 

Moses and Ribs.

 

I'm gonna go the other way on the kicker situation.  I think Hocker has a significantly stronger leg, and I think he sticks.  I understand Kai's been a very good kicker for us, but I think Gruden rolls the dice and goes with the rookie.

 

I'm gonna try to single out Akeem Davis on ST.  Does anyone know what number he is?  Gruden specifically mentioned him as a guy battling for a spot because he's been awesome on teams.  Love those kind of guys.  Watching the Falcons special teams coach on Hard Knocks last night was hilarious.

 

And I think the Nick Williams lovers need to prepare for some hard truths no matter how he plays in this game.  He's not gonna make the 53.

[Old Bay]

Honestly, if we cut Forbath I'm going to be peeved.  Our kicking has stunk for a long time and Forbath has stabilized that.  Yes he could have a stronger kickoff leg but I'll take field goals over touch backs.  I know he's looked shaky in the preseason but there's nothing that the rook has done to unseat him.

[arftech]

DG suppose to start this thread!

 

I'll be watching how CT handles the pressure of a make or break game for him

How both Long and Moses play 

Watching how effective Rambo will be

Watching the battle of who will step and make plays at the receiver position

 

HTTR!

 

[Koolblue13]

I think the job is already hockers.

DG suppose to start this thread!

I'll be watching how CT handles the pressure of a make or break game for him

How both Long and Moses play

Watching how effective Rambo will be

Watching the battle of who will step and make plays at the receiver position

HTTR!

Rambo is the only back up FS and he might play SS. I'd like to see that.

[mike tatertot]

Cheerleaders!

[Mr. Sinister]

1.) Chris Thompson

2.) Chris Thompson

3.) Chris Thompson

4.) Chris Thompson

5.) Chris Thompson

[Voice_of_Reason]

Honestly, if we cut Forbath I'm going to be peeved.  Our kicking has stunk for a long time and Forbath has stabilized that.  Yes he could have a stronger kickoff leg but I'll take field goals over touch backs.  I know he's looked shaky in the preseason but there's nothing that the rook has done to unseat him.

I honestly would prefer if Kai won the competition, but I think you're minimizing what a touchback means in terms of field position.  Especially late in the season, outdoors, you could give up 5-10 yards every kickoff on average if you can't get the damn ball into the endzone. 

 

Eventually that adds up.

 

Sure, the FG kicking is madly important, but I'd take half a tick down on the FG kicking percentage if the TB percentage went up significantly.  

Moses and Ribs.

 

Thought Moses was out until the opener?

[RWJ]

I also hope they don't cut Forbath just because they've drafted a kicker (who doesn't seem to be able to kick it any deeper on KO's than Kai).. It's too bad, with a 45 man roster, they can't find someone who can kick the thing through the back of the endzone on a kickoff.. Hell, someone put on a square toe shoe and Mark Moseley the thing into the 1st row of seats!!

Actually there is a punter/KO specialist out there (Colton Schmidt) I am hoping they sign that can do this.

[TimmySmith]

1/2 of Cousins and 1/2 of McCoy should lead to an easy win.  As far as roster decisions go, it seems that ST might not be locked in, but everything else pretty much is.