The exhibition season for the Washington Redskins took another turn for the worse for the second year in a row. Sadly, losing to the Steelers 12-10 at home, was not the worst part of the night.
In the preseason opener a year ago, Redskins’ tailback Clinton Portis injured his shoulder while making a tackle following a Mark Brunell interception. The Portis injury and Brunell’s horrendous play lingered throughout the season until “Quarterback of the Future” Jason Cambell took over for Brunell in Week 10.
Fast-forward to 2007 and in last night’s preseason tilt with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Skins fans held their collective breaths as an eerie feeling of déjà vu fell over Fedex field. Another Redskin starter, this time QOTF Campbell, rolled around in pain holding his left knee following a low tackle by Steeler DE Brett Kiesel.
Luckily, Campbell walked off the field under his own power and was seen on the sidelines in the second half with the knee heavily iced. Losing Campbell would ruin the Skins season before it starts. With a quarterback platoon of Brunell and Todd Collins, the Skins would be lucky to win 4-5 games. More news on Campbell’s injury should be available Sunday or Monday.
As for the game itself, Campbell looked very good in the few series he actually played. He hit Santana Moss on some good out routes and connected with TE Chris Cooley on a few passes, including the 29-yard completion over the middle on the play he hurt his knee. He showed poise in the pocket during the numerous Steeler blitzes and threw accurately with guys in his face.
Cooley was a beast in the first half, catching everything thrown his way. I think Cooley could have a great year except for the fact that he’s going to need to stay in and block and help out the offensive line most of the season. That part of the offense could be a problem all year, unless they find a left guard to replace Derrick Dockery who signed as a free agent with the Bills.
Hopefully, Brandon Lloyd’s touchdown is a sign of things to come and the receiving corps will post much better numbers in 2007.
In the preseason opener a year ago, Redskins’ tailback Clinton Portis injured his shoulder while making a tackle following a Mark Brunell interception. The Portis injury and Brunell’s horrendous play lingered throughout the season until “Quarterback of the Future” Jason Cambell took over for Brunell in Week 10.
Fast-forward to 2007 and in last night’s preseason tilt with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Skins fans held their collective breaths as an eerie feeling of déjà vu fell over Fedex field. Another Redskin starter, this time QOTF Campbell, rolled around in pain holding his left knee following a low tackle by Steeler DE Brett Kiesel.
Luckily, Campbell walked off the field under his own power and was seen on the sidelines in the second half with the knee heavily iced. Losing Campbell would ruin the Skins season before it starts. With a quarterback platoon of Brunell and Todd Collins, the Skins would be lucky to win 4-5 games. More news on Campbell’s injury should be available Sunday or Monday.
As for the game itself, Campbell looked very good in the few series he actually played. He hit Santana Moss on some good out routes and connected with TE Chris Cooley on a few passes, including the 29-yard completion over the middle on the play he hurt his knee. He showed poise in the pocket during the numerous Steeler blitzes and threw accurately with guys in his face.
Cooley was a beast in the first half, catching everything thrown his way. I think Cooley could have a great year except for the fact that he’s going to need to stay in and block and help out the offensive line most of the season. That part of the offense could be a problem all year, unless they find a left guard to replace Derrick Dockery who signed as a free agent with the Bills.
Hopefully, Brandon Lloyd’s touchdown is a sign of things to come and the receiving corps will post much better numbers in 2007.
The defense looked excellent except for the Steelers final drive of the first half when they gave up a few big pass plays (a major problem last year), but stiffened up and only allowed a field goal. The secondary looked much better and with Springs, Rogers, Smoot, Macklin, Stoutmire, Taylor, and Landry they have a ton of depth. The linebackers looked very good and Rocky McIntosh seems to be ready for a breakout year. He was everywhere and led the team with seven tackles in the game.
The starters played well, put constant pressure on Roethlisberger and usually had the receivers blanketed. I think the defense will return to being the strength of this team, but unless Campbell returns soon, it won’t matter at all.
The starters played well, put constant pressure on Roethlisberger and usually had the receivers blanketed. I think the defense will return to being the strength of this team, but unless Campbell returns soon, it won’t matter at all.
1 comment:
This is why I hate preseason. If I have to suffer through another season of Mark Brunell I think I'll die.
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