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Washington Redskins: Alex Smith to Jordan Reed – A Single Play

By Chad Jacobus

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 9: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins runs past defensive end Benson Mayowa #91 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 9: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins runs past defensive end Benson Mayowa #91 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 9: Tight end Jordan Reed #86 of the Washington Redskins is tackled by defensive back Budda Baker #36 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 9: Tight end Jordan Reed #86 of the Washington Redskins is tackled by defensive back Budda Baker #36 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Sunday, September 9th, 2018.  Glendale, Arizona.

Alex Smith barks out orders from the shotgun formation, veteran Adrian Peterson to his right.  Twenty-five combined years of NFL experience between the two.

The Washington Redskins offense is in the K-Gun formation, a classic look out of shotgun named after Jim Kelly.

To the right of Smith, Josh Doctson is split out wide and the dynamic yet hurt-way-too-often Jordan Reed is in the slot. Cardinals safety Budda Baker is lined up across from Reed, showing man coverage.  His counterpart, Tre Boston, shades to Reed’s side of the field, 15 yards deep.

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On Smith’s left is speedy free agent signee Paul Richardson out wide, and the second-year tight end from Arkansas, Jeremy Sprinkle, has his hand in the ground next to Trent Williams.

Smith signals for the ball. Brandon Scherff, who’s been watching Smith, awaiting the call, turns around and gives center Chase Roullier a slap on the leg signifying it’s go-time.

No. 11 in white, burgundy and gold receives the snap, and fakes a sweep to Peterson to the left.  Both Cardinals linebackers have such respect for Peterson, the fake sucks them both five yards out of position. The linebackers’ lack of discipline leaves Baker on an island with Reed; A matchup a healthy Jordan Reed will never lose.

Smith ever so slightly shuffles his feet toward Reed then fires his first pass as the quarterback of the Washington Redskins, a ball that has a kind of zip on it that fans haven’t seen since RGIII’s rookie season, hitting Jordan Reed in stride for a gain of 16 yards and a first down.

Alex Smith to Jordan Reed: A single play on Sunday that encapsulates what is necessary for this offense to thrive. This offense is going to go through No. 86 in 2018, and it appears as if he hasn’t lost a step. If he can handle the grind, this team can be special.

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