By John Pappas
Skinscast Editor

The Washington Redskins marched into the New Meadowlands Stadium with something to prove. After all, they were there to play one of the best defenses in football in the Jets. Plus, they were coming off a less than stellar showing last week against Baltimore.

The game against the Ravens exposed portions of the Redskins’ game. Baltimore was able to wreak havoc with defensive pressure; sacking Washington’s quarterbacks, stuffing the run, and keeping them almost completely off the score board. And the Ravens offense was able to hang 23 points on the defense, 13 against the first team. Following the paltry three-point effort, the Redskins were keen to improve against a Jets team that appeared in the AFC Championship game last year.

Washington responded by gutting-out a well-earned 16-11 victory. The defense was magnificent in creating four turnovers. The offense was able to move the ball against one of the best defenses in the league.

Woven throughout was the reality that first cuts occur this Tuesday and for some players, Friday’s game would be their last chance to make a statement.

DeAngelo Hall – Hot

Hall’s interception has our vote for defensive play of the preseason. It was a play not a lot of cornerbacks can make because it required three things in equal measure; the vision to see where the quarterback was going to throw, the presence to know where help was, and the stones to make the split-second decision to try and intercept.

All this before we discuss the brilliant physical effort involved in catching the ball and getting up field for 35 yards.

Hall was lined up on Braylon Edwards, and covering for a corner route. When Edwards ran a post instead and Hall saw tight end Dustin Keller coming towards that side of the field in the flat, he released Edwards to safety Reed Doughty, and sprinted towards the oncoming pass from Sanchez and the interception.

Hall was able to read the play, make a decision, and execute in the blink of an eye.

Run offense – Not

The Redskins came in to Friday’s game struggling in the running game, ranked in the bottom third this preseason. Their ranking did not improve much following the game. Washington showed Friday they are committed to running the ball. However, they appear to also be committed to finding new ways to fail in the effort.

Everyone took turns making mistakes. First, it was Derrick Dockery unable to block his man. Next, Casey Rabach let the nose tackle flow down the line to make the stop. Later, Chris Cooley was getting knocked back into the rushing lane, or the up back couldn’t create a lane.

Washington managed only 22 yards rushing in the first half. They managed only 25 in last week’s game. The Redskins have played a couple of the best defenses in the league over the last two weeks. But it will be difficult to just flip a switch and turn on the rushing attack in week 1.

Rex Grossman – Hot

Let’s be clear; Grossman’s 8-for-16 for 111 yards, and a muffed snap and safety is nothing to write home about. But placed in context, he deserves kudos. Grossman was facing the top overall and top passing defense from 2009. It is a defense that loves to blitz.

Grossman played with poise. He made plays when they were there, scrambled well, and his read-and-reacts were above par. Despite the pressure, he never looked lost or overwhelmed. And if Santana Moss could have caught the perfectly thrown ball deep downfield, Grossman’s numbers would have looked a lot better.

Grossman missed a few he should have had. One in particular to a wide open Joey Galloway running downfield. Another near the goal line in the flat. But Grossman showed he can be a serviceable backup in the event Donovan McNabb is unable to go.

Run defense – Not

Appreciating that the run defense improved significantly after the first few series, which seemed to coincide with the defense settling down and Albert Haynesworth playing more, you cannot give up 125 yards in the first half and escape the ‘Not’ list.

Washington is ranked 31st in rushing defense as of Saturday night. They earned it.

The Redskins are still adapting to the 3-4 front, so deserve a little patience. But this is difficult when you see the same mistakes over and over. Washington’s lineman are getting pushed around too much, and it starts with Maake Kemoeatu. Kemoeatu is returning from a pretty serious Achilles injury, and we continue to wonder if he is playing on a bad leg.

Then there are the linebackers, who still flow with the ball instead of maintaining gap discipline.

In defense of the defense, the 43-yard scamper by LaDainian Tomlinson was a thing of beauty for the Jets. The key to the play was a spectacular block of Brian Orakpo by Braylon Edwards. Great execution is difficult to defend.

Albert Haynesworth – Hot

Anyone who thinks the Redskins should ship Haynesworth out of town for his misdeeds, or sit him on the bench for an extended period, should at least take a close look at his work Friday night.

Haynesworth showed a level of quickness and burst surprising for a man his size. He likewise demonstrated a level of hustle some would be pained to acknowledge. We noticed the run defense improved a bunch after Haynesworth got in the game.

Washington played Haynesworth at right end much of Friday. The position suited him. Haynesworth was able to be a disruptive force on the line; pushing people back, blowing up plays, and pressuring the quarterback. Haynesworth was only credited with one tackle, but he helped everyone else when he was in.

Reed Doughty – Not

Doughty was thrust into the starter’s role with the injury to Kareem Moore. Moore needs to hurry and get healthy. Doughty was a step slow Friday. Starting on the first series when he was a step behind the receiver in the slot, or later when he gave too much cushion on the comeback route, he was always a step behind the action.

Doughty is a very smart player, and a very sure tackler. The problem is speed. Doughty lacks the type of closing speed needed to make big plays at safety. As a result he needs to be dead-on with his reads. If he hesitates at all, as he did at times Friday, bad things can happen in the secondary.

Joey Galloway – Hot

We loved seeing Galloway finally getting some chances. Galloway finished the game with 3 catches for 29 yards. But he should have had a bomb for a touchdown if Grossman could have got him the ball.

Despite his age, Galloway showed he can still play at this level. He was able to make catches in traffic and extend drives. On the play Grossman missed, Galloway showed the speed is still there, making a double move inside then out to get open.

If he and Donovan McNabb get on the same page, Washington will have a real downfield threat.

Brandon Banks – Not

We wrote a few weeks ago that Banks’ roster spot was his to lose. He may have Friday.

Banks committed the cardinal sin of fumbling the ball on a punt return Friday, making his team defend a short field in a close game. Banks was careless with the ball in traffic, holding it with only one arm and allowing an easy punch out.

Prior to that, he had done little in the return game to generate excitement. In fact, he had done little since he returned the punt for a touchdown in week 1 of the preseason.

Banks was able to redeem himself a little in the fourth quarter with a nice sideline catch from Richard Bartel. But it was a net loss on the night.

Anthony Armstrong – Hot

Armstrong has done too much, and made too few mistakes, to not make this team. Armstrong made 1 catch for 10 yards to extend a drive. But it was his special teams play that most impressed.

Armstrong was responsible for no fewer than three tackles in punt coverage in New York. He showed impressive quickness in getting around blockers and making the play. It seemed that every return, Armstrong was getting there to make the play.

The ability to contribute on teams and with the offense raises Armstrong’s stock significantly.

Honorable mentions

Willie Parker – Parker didn’t post a bunch of yards rushing, but on the first play from scrimmage he picked up the blitzing linebacker and allowed Grossman to complete the pass. He was able to do that a few times Friday, showing an important skill. His lack of run production was not too concerning, as there were no running lanes.

Larry Johnson – You have to love how he stuck with it and finally got something going. Don’t discredit Johnson’s yards  and touchdown late in the game; New York had starters in well into the fourth quarter. Johnson showed nice burst on a few runs, especially on the screen for the touchdown.

Trent Williams – We love his quickness, and the things he can do in space. A great addition to the team.

Tags: albert haynesworth, brandon banks, deangelo hall, joey galloway, Larry Johnson, Reed Doughty, rex grossman, washington versus new york jets, weeding otu the suckers, willie parker

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