The Washington Redskins were able to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a final score of 13-10. Here’s a look at the Redskins breakdown for the game.
The 2017 NFL preseason is officially over. After a tough start in the first two contests, the Washington Redskins were able to finish with a .500 record after four games. They played well over the course of the past couple contests, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
The fourth preseason contest was a good one for the Redskins. They were able to lock down the offensive units that the Buccaneers marched onto the field and also played well on the offensive side of the ball. The final score may not indicate it, but this was the most consistent that the Redskins offense has been throughout the entirety of the preseason.
Jay Gruden and the Redskins coaching staff have to feel good going into the season. It’s never a bad thing when you close the preseason with your best effort They have already overcome some obstacles and they have avoided too many major injuries, though the losses of Trent Murphy and Phil Taylor will hurt. But some players will be able to step up and fill the voids left behind by them.
With all that said, here’s a look at the final Redskins Breakdown of the 2017 NFL preseason.
Passing Game: Nate Sudfeld proves he deserves roster spot
Before the start of last night’s game, there was some talk that if Nate Sudfeld didn’t perform well, he would lose his roster spot. This was a sensible thought. It would be Sudfeld’s second preseason start in as many years, but he needed to show growth in order get the Redskins to believe in him. It seems like Sudfeld did enough to convince the Redskins to keep him on the roster.
While Sudfeld was unable to lead a successful touchdown drive throughout the game, he did a lot to consistently move the ball and avoid the three and outs that had plagued the Redskins throughout the early preseason. Sudfeld led the Redskins to 20 first downs and was able to keep the offense in rhythm. It was a good sign for the unit and for Sudfeld’s roster chances.
In addition to his ability to move the ball, Sudfeld flashed a solid skill set that reminded many of why he was compared to Joe Flacco coming out of college. Sudfeld’s arm strength was on display, but he accuracy and ball placement looked significantly improved since his last start. He made numerous throws where he hit the receiver in stride on a downfield route. He also made some nice throws near the sideline where he was able to hit his receivers with just enough space to get their feet down.
What Sudfeld showed in this contest is two things. Potential and growth. It was already known that he had the potential to be a solid starter, but the growth is what the Redskins really needed to see. Sudfeld looked confident and strong out on the field, so the team knows that they have a potential young quarterback to start if Kirk Cousins leaves via free agency.
Sudfeld has to be happy with his performance. Right now, it seems that he is going to be a roster lock going into final cuts.
Passing Game: Maurice Harris, Matt Hazel impress in extensive playing time
Before the final preseason contest, I listed Maurice Harris as one of the players who would be fighting for a spot on the team. With a heated battle for the final two spots on the team between Brian Quick, Robert Davis, and Harris, the California product was at a disadvantage.
Harris had barely seen the field over the course of the preseason due to a nagging injury. In his absence, Davis did enough to prove that he is ready for the big time and the Redskins may have trouble getting him onto the practice squad. Because of this, Harris had to perform well to keep pace in the competition.
Harris did just that. He played most of the game on offense and was also the primary returner on special teams. On the offensive side of the ball, Harris showed the ability to work as a possession receiver and ran good routes for most of the game. He had a nice downfield catch on a throw from Sudfeld and the Redskins will now have a tough decision to make on Harris. Especially since his skills catching the ball as a return man were excellent.
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Meanwhile, another less familiar name impressed as well. Matt Hazel, a journeyman veteran who was on the Redskins practice squad for part of last year, made some nice catches. I said this about him in my immediate postgame wrap up.
Hazel was extremely impressive and had four catches for 60 yards in the first half. One of his best plays came on a route to the sideline that saw him jump and high point a ball while tapping his toes in bounds to make the catch. Hazel didn’t have much buzz surrounding him, but the Redskins may need to try to find a spot for him on the roster. However, it seems more likely that he will be a practice squad player.
Despite the fact that he seems destined for the practice squad, the Redskins have to be happy that they found another player to enhance their organizational depth. Hazel could end up on the active roster at some point if the Redskins top receivers continue to struggle with injury issues.
Running Game: Samaje Perine struggles, Mack Brown commits costly fumble
The final preseason game was all about showcasing the young talent that the Redskins have in their backfield. With their top two backs sitting out, Samaje Perine, Matt Jones, and Mack Brown were expected to handle a bulk of the load. However, with Jones likely on his way out of Washington, Perine and Brown were the men to focus on.
Perine saw action early in the contest and he didn’t do much to prove himself. He saw some early down carries but was unable to do much with them. He had trouble getting back to the line of scrimmage and really didn’t do enough to earn a bigger role with the team. After finishing with 5 carries and 3 yards, it seems safe to say that he is clearly behind Rob Kelley on the depth chart.
Meanwhile, the fan favorite Brown got a chance to carry the load for the better part of three quarters against the Buccaneers. As expected, Brown was up to the challenge and performed relatively well.
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Brown showed a nice combination of speed and strength as he looks to lock up a roster spot for himself. On his first carry, Brown was able to push forward on a third and one to get a key first down for the team. Later in the game, Brown ripped off a couple of nice gains of 8-10 yards on consecutive plays. He used his elusiveness and speed to find the open space and he helped to move the Redskins offense.
However, Brown did make one critical mistake that could cost him as he tries to win a roster spot. Late in the contest, Brown fumbled the ball near midfield and the Buccaneers recovered. At the time, the Redskins were sporting a small lead, and it gave the Bucs a chance to get back in the game. Jay Gruden is very in to ball security, and that fumble could prove costly for Brown as the final roster cuts occur.
Still, Brown had a solid showing recording 18 carries for 69 yards during the contest. It would make sense for the Redskins to keep him as the fourth running back, but they may decide to keep only three. That would put Brown’s job in jeopardy.
Defense: Josh Harvey-Clemons and Nico Marley flash at middle linebacker
One of the best performers of the entire Redskins-Bucs game was Josh Harvey-Clemons. The seventh round rookie out of Louisville showcased his excellent skill set that led many to believe that he should have been a higher pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Harvey-Clemons was all over the field for the Redskins. Throughout the contest, he was able to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. On back to back plays in the second half, he came close to sacking Sefo Liufau but couldn’t quite make the play either time. Still, Harvey-Clemons was able to succeed in run support, and he also made the biggest play of the night for either side.
Late in the fourth quarter, Harvey-Clemons dropped into coverage and made an interception. He was able to jump the route and return the pick for a touchdown. On the return, he demonstrated smooth athleticism, weaving in and out as he avoided defenders before getting to the end zone. It was the only Redskins touchdown of the night, and it was a key play by the middle linebacker.
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Alongside Harvey-Clemons, fellow rookie Nico Marley had a solid performance. The undrafted rookie out of Tulane came up with another sack and did well to work his way into the backfield on multiple occasions. What Marley lacks in size he makes up for in motor and raw ability. He is a football player, and he did enough to warrant consideration for a roster spot.
With the cut to 53 players looming, the Redskins are going to have some tough decisions to make about the state of their linebacker corps. They have some solid young talent in Harvey-Clemons and Marley, but it seems unlikely that they will keep both. If they end up keeping one, it seems likely that the man who doesn’t make it will land on the practice squad. But on Thursday night, both players showed that they deserve a chance to make the final roster.
Defense: Deshazor Everett performs well as starter
With Su’a Cravens missing a big chunk of the preseason and with questions about his availability for the season opener, the Redskins were hoping to get a solid showing out of Deshazor Everett. The third year man had been on the team as a special teams ace in each of the past two seasons, but he had only sparingly played at the safety position. That may change after this performance.
In the early going of the matchup with the Bucs, Everett was extremely active. On the first possession, he recorded two tackles and a pass breakup on his way to pretty much singlehandedly forcing a three and out. He looked like the instinctive, hard hitter that the Redskins need to be their primary backup.
Everett’s performance should lock him in to the No. 3 safety spot for the 2017 season. Some may wonder if Will Blackmon would reprise that role, but Blackmon has been in the league a long team, and he may be better suited to take on a smaller role. No matter what, the duo will be a solid one as they back up the Redskins starters.
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If there’s anything that this game proved, it’s that the Redskins have solid depth all around. They will need to make some tough decisions about the final roster, but they will be able to field a solid 53-man unit no matter what.