Washington Redskins get back to work after exhibition win
Quarterback Kirk Cousins proved a solid backup, but Washington committed too many penalties.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
The Washington Redskins return to practice today after winning their first preseason game Thursday night, and they take the fields in Richmond with a new understanding of the personnel they have this season.
For the rookies, things can go back to normal after the nerves that come with game one in the NFL.
“You get the jitters out, get that first time, and then it’s just back to doing what you’ve been doing your whole life,” safety Phillip Thomas said.
Thomas headlined the injury report, which is always a top concern of coaches; they hate to lose players in games that don’t count.
Thomas suffered a mid-foot sprain, and was in a walking boot after the game to provide additional protection. Whether he’ll practice today remains to be seen.
Also of concern was a hamstring injury to receiver Donte Stallworth. He has fought through the injury since camp opened, but aggravated it while going for a pass. It raises fresh questions as to whether he should get the team’s final roster spot at wide receiver.
One player who improved his stock was quarterback Pat White, who has had a mostly mediocre camp, but shined under the lights at LP Field.
His game-winning drive won’t land him a roster spot with the Redskins, but he executed the trendy read-option offense successfully, and that may make him an intriguing pickup for another team.
The Redskins are set at quarterback, which became increasingly clear with backup Kirk Cousins’ stellar showing.
Coach Mike Shanahan praised Cousins after the game. He said that Cousins has “been impressive from the time he got here. He’s a student of the game and has a lot of God-given talent. He’s an extremely great guy that works hard.”
The way the season plays out likely will indicate whether Cousins is the quarterback of the future in Washington, or whether he can be traded for an elite player during the offseason. That’s less on Cousins, of course, as much as it is on quarterback Robert Griffin III and his recovery from ACL surgery.
Not all was satisfactory for Shanahan, though. He was concerned with the team’s 11 penalties, including personal fouls for illegal celebration and a late hit on a Titans’ touchdown run.
“We’re going to go back and hopefully limit some of those mistakes, especially the silly mistakes,” the coach said. “We’ve got to be a more disciplined team.”
The Redskins hosted an officiating crew during practice last weekend, and there seemed to be a large number of penalties called then, too. It’s a growing concern now that the trend repeated itself.
Tight end Fred Davis was called for the illegal celebration for falling to the ground after scoring a touchdown. He said he was caught off guard when he scored, and next time he’ll come in with a choreographed celebration.
Davis was playing for the first time since rupturing his Achilles last year, and was practically giddy after the game.
“Even just coming into the locker room and getting dressed … little things like that felt good,” he said. “Scoring felt good, too. It feels like it’s been years.”
As the final week of training camp approaches in Richmond, there are finally signs of football in the air.
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THE ROANOKE TIMES
