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Out of the box: For the second year in a row the Redskins close out the preseason with the Jacksonville Jaguars, this time hitting the road to America's City, buckle up kids this is it, bubble players get your gear on and get ready to be Redskins.
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The story so far: The picture is clearing for the Redskins roster, round of 75 cuts came on Sunday night (ibid.), thanks for the memories to Alfred Fincher and Marques Hagans (Wahoowa!).
Tonight's game is the last chance for those on the wrong side of the bubble to make a case, another 22 players will be cut within 24 hours. Problem is, by this point the coaches and managers have a good idea of who they want so a bubble player not only needs to dazzle, it has to come at the expense of a player the team thinks it wants to keep.
Malcolm Kelly is ahead of Devin Thomas for the second receiver spot (op. cit.), going into training camp Devin was the presumed leader and it is all that more surprising to Redskins fans that remember Malcolm as an injured player in poor condition that never made an impact his rookie year. Devin had his moments last week against New England, especially on kick returns (ibid.). Rock Cartwright is the incumbent at this position, he has been around a while and who knows if the team is looking to make a change.
You might think all this talk about number two receivers would be a bummer to incumbent number two receiver Antwaan Randle El. You would be wrong. Antwaan will do well this season as a dedicated slot receiver, he is supremely confident of his ability (as a receiver anyway) and his work this summer with the young receivers will end up benefiting the team as a whole.
Marko Mitchell seems to be in the lead for the final receiver spot, he has had a solid preseason, has caught two touchdown passes and showed some downfield blocking.
Meanwhile back on the planet of the reserved spots, Jason Campbell showed this is his team and the offensive line appears to be playing at least decently. As ever I have concerns about the length of the season and their ability to hold it together, but so far so good.
The team has made it this far without major injury, and controversy seems to be heading in the productive direction, which is to say down.
In other news from this week, Washington Post columnist Michael Wilbon is predicting the NFC Beast as follows: Redskins 10-6, Eagles 10-6, Giants 8-8 and Cowboys 7-9. Wilbon is no Redskins homer neither, I have made a note in my Google Calendar to come back after the season and see how accurate he was.
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Curly R aside: Somehow I missed Rock Cartwright dropping the flag on the ground at midfield in the pregame ceremonies against the Patriots, I was in the stands but did not notice and if it were not for Rock apologizing profusely while citing his credentials as an Army brat (op. cit.) I would never have known, did anyone for a second really think that even if Rock were an American hating librul that he would flaunt it on a stage as large as an NFL game? He made a silly mistake and one that is not that big a deal to begin with. The flag is not the nation.
Curly R aside continues: WTF is up with defensive coordinator Greg Blache blowing up at TV analyst and former Redskins long snapper Trevor Matich in the postgame interview session after the Patriots game? Coach, Trevor's a journalist and you looked like an idiot.
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Oppo research: Jacksonville. What do you want, they are 0-3 in the preseason, we have not played them in the regular season since 2006, they were disappointing last season and head coach Jack Del Rio is now quote embattled. If you want more information about the Jaguars, head over to Curly R fave Big Cat Country.
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Trainer's table: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth missed practice Sunday with an unidentified stomach ailment and was still ailing Monday, Tuesday it was announced he would not travel with the team.
Another serious concern at this point is cornerback Carlos Rogers, he has battled a strain of his left calf all training camp and by Monday was not looking ready to go for a game Thursday (op. cit.), Tuesday he was still uncertain (ibid.).
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Gameplan: Jason Campbell and the starting offense will play one series (op. cit.), then the bulk of the game will be dedicated to evaluating quarterbacks Colt Brennan and Chase Daniel (op. cit.), despite the humbled Colt's spotty play the last two games and Tracee Hamilton's WaPo column yesterday, I still have a hard time believing an NFL team would seriously consider going with a five foot ten inch quarterback, Chase may have great heart and be a terrific student of coach Zorn's system, at some point a team needs to stop looking at how well a guy does in preseason and in practice and look at what his real limitations might be in a live game. That said at some point Colt needs to stop throwing interceptions down near the goal line and then looking for hugs. Maybe it's the visor.
Tailback Clinton Portis will not play (ibid.), it is just as well, the ground game has not been a huge part of the preseason, let us keep what we have under wraps. More time for Marcus Mason, assuming his ribs are better from last week, also be sure to check out Marcus' plan for ensuring he does not get the call on cut day.
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My take in 60 words or less: Fourth and final game, let us see who makes the team. As far as I am concerned the whole starting offense should stay home. Defense? Let em go nuts.
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This is it kids, after this they count.
And hey, what the fuck is this story about the team selling tickets directly to brokers and suing fans? I think Curly R will have to tackle this story all on its own...
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