Generating more points currently is Washington’s biggest problem on offense. The Redskins certainly can move the ball. In the two halves that the starters have played, Washington’s offense has generated 536 yards (324 through the air and 212 rushing). But the production fizzles once the team reaches the red zone.
Friday night, in four trips inside the red zone, Washington reached the 1-yard line, the 15, the 12 and 13, but came away with only one touchdown as third-and-goal runs or passes repeatedly came up short.
Video
The Washington Post's LaVar Arrington, Tarik El-Bashir, Dan Steinberg and Jonathan Forsythe discuss the significance of the Redskins' announcement that John Beck will get the start at quarterback over Rex Grossman on Friday against Indianapolis. (Aug. 16)
“There were a few plays where the defense did pretty good, and there was another play where if I threw a better ball to [Austin], then that play goes further up the sideline,” Beck said. “That’s one that I knew I could’ve tweaked. Right now, we’re doing a decent job of moving the ball, but we have to be able to finish.”
The only positive was that place kicker Graham Gano went 3 for 3 on field goal attempts as he fights to keep his job. The Redskins on Thursday signed free agent Clint Stitser to compete with Gano, but Stitser didn’t attempt a field goal.
Meanwhile, the Redskins’ starting defense turned in another strong performance. Led by linebackers Brian Orakpo, who recorded three tackles — one for a loss — and Rocky McIntosh (three tackles), Washington limited Indianapolis to 41 yards of offense and only one first down in the first half. The Colts were without Peyton Manning and top wide receivers Reggie Wayne and Austin Collie, so it wasn’t the perennial playoff-caliber Colts offense. But the Redskins still considered the outing a positive.
“Defensively we were on and off the field with a lot of three-and-outs, a lot of pressure on the quarterback, stopped the run for the most part,” said Keyaron Fox, who started at inside linebacker in place of the injured London Fletcher. “Those are all the things you want to see out of your starting defense regardless of who’s out there playing. You aim to pitch a shutout, and that’s what we did.”
Backup linebacker Edgar Jones suffered a concussion after he was blocked in the back, into oncoming punt returner Joe Lefeged, during the third quarter. Jones lost his helmet on the play and remained on the ground for several minutes before he was slowly helped off the field.
The Redskins will face the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday at M&T Bank Stadium.
Loading...
Comments