Redskins vs Packers Evaluation: The Baughs vs The Becks

For the first time since 2010, the Redskins will finish .500 or under in the preseason portion of their schedule. While finishing with a bad record in preseason isn’t usually a big deal, Washington’s overall performance does worry me, at least a little. The offense struggled yet again, but the first team did record their first touchdown of the year. While the team had their ups and downs, a few players stood out in both a negative and positive way. In the first edition of The Baughs vs The Becks, I will focus on a few good performances (The Baughs, named after legend Sammy Baugh) and a few bad performances (The Becks, in honor of John Beck, a former Redskins back up QB).

Baughs:

Samaje Perine: After a brutal debut, Perine found his footing in week two. Though the offensive line rarely cleared out a large hole for him, the rookie RB’s hard running style caused him to averaged 5.6 yards per carries. In some ways, Perine is similar to Alfred Morris his rookie year. While both of them may get hit two yards past the line of scrimmage, neither of them is going down for another few yards. Defensive backers and line backers should know that they won’t be able to tackle the Oklahoma alum with a half hearted arm tackle. For me, his most impressive play came on an outside run in the 3rd quarter. There was little running room for Perine, yet he absorbed a tackle a yard behind the line of scrimmage and kept his balance. He was able to get an additional six yards on the run.

Fabian Moreau: In his first NFL action, Fabian Moreau stood out. He made two great plays on special teams, one of which was forcing a fumble that gave the offense perfect field position. In coverage, Moreau did let up a long gain to Jeff Janis, but he was positioned well to make a play on the ball, he just did not have his head turned.

Pass Protection: While the run blocking was terrible, the offensive line blocked well for Cousins. Throughout the first half, Trent Williams and co. kept the pocket clean. This line has enormous potential, with maybe the best pairing of tackles in the NFL, and if they can build on their run blocking they could be considered one of the best groups in the NFL.

Becks:

Run Blocking: The running game was hard to watch in the first half. While Kelley on his own did not have a good showing, the line simply did not give him any running room. Last year the line blocked well, but the running backs struggled. If both struggled this season there is no way this offense can bring us to a playoff berth.

Rob Kelley: If Rob Kelley continues his cold streak into the third week of preseason, he could find himself on the bench. While obviously, the offensive line could have given him more running room, Kelley should take some of the blame too. He had just nine yards on nine carries which are pedestrian numbers at best. While Samaje Perine pushed for a few extra yards on each carry, Kelley did the opposite, going down without a fight at first contact.

Kirk Cousins: While Cousins started to make some plays in the second quarter, the majority of his game was marred by inconsistencies. His first two drives were three and outs (which the team rarely had last year), and only put up 7 points in a full half of work. On the second drive of the game, Cousins didn’t put enough mustard on a throw to Vernon the end zone and forced a throw into coverage with Terrelle Pryor.

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