Redskins: 3 standout players from preseason Week 3 vs. Broncos
1. RB Adrian Peterson
There was never any doubt about who was the top standout in this game. It was Peterson. Needing to prove himself as a viable option in order to make the Redskins roster, Peterson was able to do just that.
On the day, Peterson rumbled for 56 yards on 11 carries and showed flashes on the AP of old on some plays. He had two particularly nice runs, the first of which came on the opening play of the game where he ran for seven yards and managed to hit the hole, bounce off contact, and show excellent balance. The second when came after he bounced a fourth-and-inches outside and beat the Denver defensive line, then proceeded to make a cutback to turn it into a 15-yard game.
Peterson definitely showed enough to be a legitimate part of the running back rotation, but the Redskins will have to keep him fresh early in the season, so don’t expect him to tote the rock 20-plus times a game often. The Redskins backfield is shaping up to be a true committee approach, and it seems that Peterson, Chris Thompson, and Samaje Perine/Rob Kelley will all have chances to carry the ball on game days.
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While Peterson was excellent in this game, he still has to continue to prove himself to start the regular season. He has the talent needed to be a solid performer, and now he just needs to continue to be consistent and hold onto the ball. If he can do that, there’s a chance he could be an upgrade. If he’s not an upgrade as a starter, he and Perine may end up being similar players and a solid backfield sharing tandem this season.