We are only a couple of weeks away from the start of the 2013 NFL season. But more importantly we are a couple of days away from the August 27th deadline to cut the team down from 91 to 75. These past three weeks have shown us that the Redskins have depth at many positions and that it is going to be really hard not only to get to from 91 to 75, but to get from 75 to 53. There have been so many story lines heading into this preseason and there will be a lot of story lines throughout the season, but let’s take a look at the story lines that have gone on throughout the preseason.
First, let’s start with a few of the many stories circulating about; Robert Griffin III. Clearly where this guy goes, the media follows.
I completely agree with Mike Shanahan’s decision to put his foot down and say RGIII wont play. Some felt he should play one or two series in the preseason finale to get him ready for game speed. I wholeheartedly disagree and I think he will be ready by the season opener on Sept. 9. The risk to reward just isn’t favorable.
I wanted to get a second and third opinion on the matter, so I employed two rabid Redskins fans – Cole and Daniel – to get their perspective. When asked if they wanted to see RGIII play in the fourth preseason game, Cole replied, “No, I think RGIII is too important to send him out there and risk him getting re injured.” Of course acquiring a further injury is always an important consideration, just look at Richard Crawford. Crawford tore his LCL and is out for the season. Now I know there is going to be risk of injury any time a guy steps on the field to play football, but why not save that risk for when the big money’s on the table?
Bringing up Richard Crawford, I asked Daniel if what happened to Crawford change his feeling toward whether Griffin should play. He replied, “No it doesn’t matter and it wouldn’t change my mind about it but I would be a little scared when he plays.”
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but in all honesty I disagree. You need your star quarterback to be healthy and fully prepared for the sixteen-game season, and there is just too much at stake to put him in a game that in the long-run means very little. Sit him.
Now, let’s take a look at other story lines that don’t involve Robert Griffin III – yes, there are some. The one thing that everyone was looking forward to seeing this preseason are the rookie defensive backs. Most fans have been looking forward to seeing them in game action since the draft in April. I will admit, I’ve been really excited to see them in game action. I am impressed with what I’ve seen from them through training camp and preseason for the most part. Certainly there are times where we see flashes of brilliance but other times where we see the rookie in them.
Bacarri Rambo he has good instincts and good tackling but he needs to work on the angles that he takes; there are times where he has taken a wrong one leading to a missed tackle or an interception.
David Amerson has looked really good and I think that he could beat out Josh Wilson for the starting job. He also hasn’t been immune to a missed tackle or two, caught with his head down. This is definitely a story line that can change as the wind blows from game to game.
Let’s part with some Pat White news. Pat White has taken Washington by storm and has played really well. Well enough that in my opinion he has earned a roster spot. I asked the two Redskins fans we met earlier who they would rather have on the team. Both answered quickly that they would prefer Pat White over Rex Grossman, and I, as well as most Skins fans, couldn’t agree more. White has outplayed Rex Grossman. This is going to be the talk of Redskins Nation until the final cuts, if not sooner.
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Main Photo Credit: Neontommy.com, cC
