Redskins game day wake-up call August, 18, 2014 By John Keim | ESPN The Redskins play their second preseason game, hosting Cleveland at 8 p.m. ET tonight on Monday Night Football. That means Jon Gruden will call a game coached by his brother for the first time. The forecast calls for clouds and highs in the low 80s so by game time it’ll be in the 70s. Now you know. A couple things to set up the day: 1.This will be as hyped a preseason game as you can imagine. I never thought Shawn Lauvaos first game against his old team would be that discussed. Add in Johnny Manziel ... and Kyle Shanahan’s return ... and Robert Griffin III and it could be a fun night for a preseason game. Until you remember that it is, indeed, just an exhibition contest. By the way, former Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman returns as does Morocco Brown, who was third in command here but second in Cleveland, and receivers coach Mike McDaniel. 2.One thing I remember about Kyle Shanahan that others have touched on: His passion for playcalling and being an offensive coordinator. Like him or not, that part is real. I asked him one time about a typical week for a coordinator and he spoke for nearly six minutes before I asked another question. He provided me terrific insight into what goes into game-planning, and who was responsible for what. Jason Reid had it right in his column for the Washington Post Sunday when he said of Shanahan and Griffin, “people within the organization paint the picture of two gifted, headstrong individuals clashing over the best way to do things. Ive heard that a few times myself. 3.As a heads up for the rest of the day: I’ll have my updated projected 53-man roster at 8 a.m.; what to watch for tonight around noon, a Jarvis Jenkins piece in the afternoon. There also will be a quick observation post that will go live immediately after the game ends followed by any news and then Ten Observations. Maybe another piece or two interspersed, but those are the highlights. -------------------------------------- Washington Redskins projected roster August, 18, 2014 By John Keim | ESPN Examining the Washington Redskins roster: QUARTERBACKS (3) •Robert Griffin III •Kirk Cousins •Colt McCoy Jay Gruden only had two quarterbacks in each of his three seasons with Cincinnati, but Griffin still needs to prove his durability. Plus they like McCoy. So nothing has changed since the original posting. If something happened to Griffin, they would still be in good shape with Cousins and McCoy. If they go with two, then McCoy gets left off. RUNNING BACKS (4) •Alfred Morris •Roy Helu •Lache Seastrunk •Darrel Young Chris Thompson needs to return soon or hell be gone. But Seastrunk has a lot -- a lot -- to prove in the pass game, from catching the ball to protection. Silas Redd could make it more interesting with a solid game against Cleveland. And if they want the guy more ready to play now theyll take Evan Royster. Problem is, he lacks the sort of speed and dynamic ability they want out of this role. This remains fluid and the next three games will determine a lot. RECEIVERS (6) •Pierre Garcon •DeSean Jackson •Andre Roberts •Aldrick Robinson •Ryan Grant •Santana Moss Nothing has changed. Leonard Hankerson still doesnt seem close to returning. Hard to imagine hed not only be cleared in the next two weeks but then also ready for the start of the season. The group of six I have listed have been clearly ahead of the rest. TIGHT ENDS (3) •Jordan Reed •Logan Paulsen •Niles Paul All three have appeared to have strong summers while rookie Ted Bolser has had ups-and-downs. They dont need him this year so they can afford to keep him on the practice squad. OFFENSIVE LINE (9) •Trent Williams •Shawn Lauvao •Kory Lichtensteiger •Chris Chester •Tyler Polumbus •Morgan Moses •Spencer Long •Tom Compton •Mike McGlynn I wish this could be done Tuesday after a second preseason game so this could look a little different next week (with two games to judge players in that span). So, for now, Ill stick with last weeks selections. Im leaning toward putting tackle Tom Compton back on the list -- coaches felt he was the best of the second unit last week. Josh LeRibeus did not have the sort of night to match the storyline of his big redemption tour. Another up-and-down night against the Browns and Ill take him off -- Ill do it, I tell ya. But will they really keep four tackles? Still, LeRibeus did not play well enough and is now doing so for a new head coach who did not draft him. Pick it up, son. DEFENSIVE LINE (6) •Barry Cofield •Jason Hatcher •Chris Baker •Stephen Bowen •Jarvis Jenkins •Kedric Golston Bowen is confident hell be ready for the start of the season; well see. The coaches dont know if thats the case yet so he could end up on the physically unable to perform list. If he doesnt return this week, thats where Ill have him next week with Clifton Geathers taking his place. The big fella doesnt move well but can eat up space. LINEBACKERS (9) •Ryan Kerrigan •Brian Orakpo •Perry Riley •Keenan Robinson •Trent Murphy •Darryl Sharpton •Adam Hayward •Rob Jackson •Will Compton Nothing has changed here. Sharptons high ankle sprain makes him interesting, and he must do a better job in what hes asked to do. But hes on the roster for now. If he somehow has to be out a while then Akeem Jordan will get the nod here. But, for now, this group stays the same. CORNERBACKS (5) •DeAngelo Hall •David Amerson •Tracy Porter •E.J. Biggers •Bashaud Breeland Another easy position considering I think theyll only keep five players here with Chase Minnifield still eligible for the practice squad. Ive always been a fan of Richard Crawford, whom I consider a future coach. But hes still working his way back from last years knee injury. Breeland didnt have a good week off the field -- be smart young man -- but continues to impress on the field and excites them about his future. SAFETIES (5) •Ryan Clark •Brandon Meriweather •Phillip Thomas •Bacarri Rambo •Trenton Robinson Still not sold theyll keep five here. Robinson flies around and plays to contact; tough to leave a guy like that off the roster. But can he help you from scrimmage or is he just a special teamer? He might be tough to keep. Rambo was more aggressive last week, so if that continues against Cleveland hell strengthen his case. With questions about Clark and Meriweather lasting all 16 games they really need stronger backups. SPECIALISTS (3) •Zach Hocker •Nick Sundberg •Robert Malone Considering theyve done nothing, theres no reason to change here. The games will dictate the winner.
Posted on: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 14:37:12 +0000
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