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ES Coverage & Interactive Game Day Thread: 2012 Redskins vs Buccaneers (Final)

themurf

By themurf
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themurf

themurf

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ES Coverage: 2012 Redskins vs Buccaneers

8/28/12

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BEATDOWN

Redskins 30 - Buccaneers 3

:helmet:

Hello everyone and welcome. For this evening's game, I have enlisted the services of Jack Anderson to assist me in providing coverage. Some of you might know him from his days with SB Nation DC and some of you might know him as the guy I enjoyed abusing on Skinscast.

Either way, Jack is a bright young 'Skins fan who has always done a great job covering this team. I have no doubt he'll do a solid job of holding down the fort while I'm trying to stay awake on the sidelines during this final exhibition affair.

:helmet:

JACK'S PREGAME THOUGHTS

In the grand scheme of things, today’s preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers isn’t going to be noteworthy unless you’re a member of Kirk Cousins immediate family.

But for us diehards, it will feel surreal.

This will be the first time since 2003 the Washington Redskins will take the field without longtime tight end Chris Cooley being a part of the organization. Arguably the franchise’s most popular player for the better part of the past decade, Cooley has played for three head coaches, caught passes from seven different starting quarterbacks and even managed to marry a former Redskins cheerleader.

With 108 career games – all in the burgundy and gold – it was understandable to see him so emotional when speaking with reporters yesterday. He’s given everything to this franchise and hasn’t seen much success in return, but that lack of team success has never stopped him from offering his full effort on the field and support of coaches off it.

Players come and go, but it’s not often a departure can really stick with you like this one. The last player to leave on such an emotional note for me was Darrell Green, but sadly Cooley never saw the Redskins reach the ultimate goal like No. 28 did.

So it’s a very bittersweet parting for Cooley as there’s certainly some unfinished business. But on an individual level there’s no doubt that he’s left mark, finishing as Redskins all-time leader in receptions by tight ends.

So that’s the biggest story in mind entering tonight’s game. However, there’s still the little matter of finalizing the final 53-man roster.

With Cooley on the way out, that opens the door for Logan Paulsen and Niles Paul to make an impression. Paul hasn’t had the most impressive preseason, but the coaching staff appears dead set on keeping him. He’s a hard worker, but sometimes I wonder if he’ll be able to put it all together given his lapses in concentration.

The other disturbing thing is there seems to be so much confidence in a player who really doesn’t hasn’t actually accomplished anything at the pro level. Last year he wasn’t given an extensive opportunity so I won’t knock him for his two catches on the season, but in college he never quite developed into the receiver Nebraska hoped he’d be. Either way, it appears the Shanahans are determined to find a place for him.

That being said, the running back situation is probably the biggest dilemma in my mind. Roy Helu has typically been my go-to guy if you ask me to pick a starter, but his recent inability to stay healthy amidst a crowded stable of competitors has certainly lessened my expectations.

I’d love to get excited about Alfred Morris, but how many times have we found the guy in last few years? We’ve used so many running backs that look good for brief stretches, yet not one has managed to sustain any measure of success.

That leaves us with Evan Royster and Tim Hightower. Royster can really stake his claim with a big game and given the injury situation it’s likely he could end up the starter Week One. I don’t know about you, but that would leave me feeling rather uncomfortable about the running backs. I really do like Hightower, but the seriousness of last year’s injury makes me think twice about how much the Shanahans should count on him this season.

One player I’m very excited to watch is Dezmon Briscoe who is playing his former team tonight. Two preseason touchdowns don’t mean much, but the kid is doing all he can to make a case on a team where receiver depth is going to be an issue.

That brings us to Cousins who can not only help himself with a strong performance, but also guys like Briscoe who will hope to form a little chemistry with him to catch the Shanahans’ eye.

And of course could this be the last hurrah for Brandon Banks. Quite frankly, I’ve had enough of the sideshow act. The guy can’t play receiver in this league and he’s too much of an injury risk to give him a spot as a returner. Give me Richard Crawford and Santana Moss to handle the punt duties and save Banks’ spot for someone more deserving.

Another offensive guy I want to see is Aldrick Robinson (heard nothing but good things about his development). I’d also like to see some signs of progression from the reserves on the offensive line this evening.

Defensively, I see a battle for the eighth linebacker position, should the redskins opt to keep that many. Chris Wilson might have locked himself up a roster spot last week and I’d expect Markus White to lose out on the final spot to Keenan Robinson.

Although I’m disappointed Kevin Barnes is on the way out, we knew this was coming. And if it means getting rid of another player from the Zorn era, then I can deal with that.

If Richard Crawford hasn’t played his way onto a roster, then I don’t know who has. The Redskins aren’t exactly stocked full of talent at CB anyway so I’d expect him to make it, but I’ll have my eye on Brandyn Thompson who should make this team with Barnes out of the picture.

Who’s the odd man out at safety? In what was considered a wide open battle coming into camp, I’m still not sure who gets the nod behind the Tanard Jackson and Madieu Williams. I’m leaning towards Reed Doughty and Brandon Merriweather.

Since notable cuts have been the topic du jour, I’ll mention Graham Gano. Always thought he had potential and it’s a little disappointing to see the Redskins give up on a player they’ve spent a lot of time developing, but it’s hard to pass up on Billy Cundiff’s kick off numbers. They are excellent, but it’s too bad to see Gano let go.

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m ready to put this one in the books and get the season started. New Orleans is just around the corner.

With all of that out of the way, I’ll open the floor for questions.

IN THE PRESS BOX

5:00 - This is Jack and I'll be writing under murf's name today. I'll try and not screw things up as much as he would. Anyways this will be my first coverage since the end of last season so it's exciting even if it is a week 4 preseason game.

I had fun fighting through glorious DMV traffic and learned on the way that the Gray lot is now where media parking is located. Honestly, the walk wasn't too bad and quicker than the old shuttling from the mall across the street.

Caught up with murf and took in the new Redskins Reserve wine the team just released. I'm not a wine guy, but for anyone interested it'll be available at Harris Teeter starting in mid-September.

6:30 - Players on the field for warmups. I've been catching up with a few old friends and it's good to get murf's take on things. Also spoke with some of the beat guys who mentioned they were at least slightly surprised about the Cooley development from yesterday. Not a lot of love for the Cundiff signing either.

7:00 - Just got through player intros and we're ready to go. Hope all at home enjoys Antwaan Randle El's dulcet tones.

7:15 - Adam Gettis looked pretty good on several plays. He was able to get good leverage on several runs and helped give Cousins plenty of time on their first third down conversion. He did get beat on a later run, but Royster had already chosen his spot further down the line.

7:22 - Lorenzo Alexander looks like he's fitting in nicely at ILB. Solid run pursuit, also looked smooth in coverage and appears to be comfortable doing whatever the coaching staff asks of him.

7:25 - First Chris Cooley bit today. Fan holding a #47 jersey shown on the jumbotron and we get the obligatory COOOOLEY chant. Gonna miss him.

7:28 - I know it's just reserves, but the Redskins front seven looks very, very good. Controlling the line of scrimmage and getting constant pressure on Ratliff.

7:35 - Brandon Banks hasn't hurt his chances tonight. He seems to like playing TB in week 4 of preseason action apparently:

7:43 - Murf hits the nail on the head here: https://twitter.com/HomerMcFanboy/status/240957515511242752. I'm still not drinking the NP Kool-Aid.

7:47 - Winners after the first quarter? For me I've got Banks and Royster by way of a Roy Helu fumble.

7:50 - Who would have thought Rob Jackson would be a Zorn era holdout? The dude has always brought it whenever I've watched him. Even in the regular season a la the Jacksonville game in 2010...

7:59 - Evan Royster isn't having a special game, but at this rate it might be enough to win him a week one starting gig. Also, Billy Cundiff nearly earned himself a short tenure (even by Washington's standards) as a Redskins kicker while helping make a tackle on that kick-off.

8:04 - Can we see that pressure in the regular season? The Redskins linebackers are just having their way with TB up front.

8:20 - Graham Gano on speed dial? Call him maybe? Given our skittishness in regard to new kickers, Cundiff couldn't afford to miss tonight unless it was of the 65+ yard variety.

8:52 - Really like the route running of Terrence Austin. He's more polished than some NFL regulars. Still it'll be tough for him to break onto this roster. Just not big enough.

8:56 - Well, I think Richard Crawford just made his case. What an athletic play to get that interception. The kid has done everything he can to make the team and I think that might have put him over the top.

9:04 - Nothing against Royster who's a solid back, but my eyes have told me Helu is the better back since college. Looks like it again tonight, fumble aside. Helu is quicker, faster and just an all-around better athlete with solid football sense.

Also, the wave has broken out here. Maximum intensity on Wednesday night!

9:08 - Looks like Richard Crawford is down. Not a good sign for someone who may have earned himself a spot tonight. However he did just walk off under his own power so that's a good sign.

9:14 - There goes the shutout. I'd like the point out that there are several CFL scouts sitting next to me in the press box. Usually a sign that the game your covering is of little consequence.

9:18 - For what it's worth, Briscoe badly missed his block on that big play from Banks.

9:23 - Helu with another TD. After that early gaffe, he's settled in nicely.

9:39 - Remember that time Tiquan Underwood got cut the week before the Super Bowl?

:helmet:

PHOTOS

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To see ExtremeSkins game photos click HERE

:helmet:

AUDIO

To listen to comments from Anthony Armstrong click HERE

To listen to comments from Brandon Banks click HERE

To listen to comments from Kirk Cousins click HERE

To listen to comments from Richard Crawford click HERE

To listen to comments from Billy Cundiff click HERE

To listen to comments from Fred Davis click HERE

To listen to comments from Kedric Golston click HERE

To listen to comments from Roy Helu Jr. click HERE

To listen to comments from Brian Kehl click HERE

To listen to comments from Josh LeRibeus click HERE

To listen to comments from Joshua Morgan click HERE

To listen to comments from Alfred Morris click HERE

To listen to comments from Aldrick Robinson click HERE

To listen to comments from Keenan Robinson click HERE

To listen to comments from Darrel Young click HERE

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themurf

themurf

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Any word on the Buccs plans as far 1st unit playing time?

I've tried to find information from the Bucs beat writers on Tampa Bay's game plan for this evening, and haven't really had any success yet. I did, however, find this interesting article with five Buccaneers to watch against the Redskins.

All you have to do is list one former Virginia Tech player and you know I'm going to read it.

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themurf

themurf

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We won't be seeing RGIII with his Beats on, that's for sure.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/08/29/rg3-loses-his-headphones-after-sonny-jurgensen-criticizes-them/

Anyone know what Sonny said?

Don't tell Sonny, but at least half a dozen players -- including Brandon Banks and Leonard Hankerson -- are currently wearing Beats By Dre headphones during warm-ups.

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Don't tell Sonny, but at least half a dozen players -- including Brandon Banks and Leonard Hankerson -- are currently wearing Beats By Dre headphones during warm-ups.

To get in the know/////

http://www.nfl.com/news/around-the-league?id=0ap1000000056250&module=HP11_headline_stack

---------- Post added August-29th-2012 at 06:43 PM ----------

Running back Roy Helu, who has been injured and hasn’t played this preseason, jumped in for a bit of the stretching portion of the drills, but then walked off to do work on his own when the players broke off for positional drills. No word on his status for tonight yet.

By Mike Jones | 05:04 PM ET, 08/29/2012

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