Redskins vs. Panthers
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
8:00 PM EDT, Saturday, August 13, 2005
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What the Redskins will be trying to accomplish:
One thing that the Redskins failed to do in 2004 was to
establish any degree of offensive consistency. When a play would click one
time, it would blow up the next time it was tried. The occasional impressive
scoring drive was usually followed up by a string of three-and-outs or a
turnover. While they will be running a very limited selection of plays, the
goal will be to have good execution. “You’d like to have decent pass
protection,” said Joe Gibbs. “You’d like to establish some sort of rhythm. You
can tell with your offense, you’re either smooth or not.”
Gibbs talks about what the Skins want to
accomplish against the Panthers: Audio
“We want to be smart with the ball,” said quarterback
Patrick Ramsey. “We want to score some points, obviously, that’s what all
offenses want to do.”
Ramsey talks about the goals of the offense
on Saturday: Audio
Players to watch:
Ade Jimoh may start at corner due to Shawn Springs’
injury and even if he doesn’t start he’ll see a lot of playing time both at
corner and on special team. He excels in the latter role; in the former, well,
not so much. Jimoh couldn’t cover his own shadow during much of the first week
of camp, but he has improved over the past few practices.
Lemar Marshall will get his first game action at
middle linebacker. The man he will rely on to keep blockers off of him once the
season starts, defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, is unlikely to play more
than a series or two, so Marshall, who goes 232 soaking wet, may be on his own
to fend off players who outweigh him by 50 pounds or more.
Lemar Marshall on 08.03.05 Audio
Sean Taylor had a monster game to open up the
preseason last year, getting a memorable interception and score against the
Broncos in the Hall of Fame game. He’ll be very anxious to show that he’s been
able to set his legal problems aside and focus on football and that his
decision to skip the organized workouts at Redskins Park and condition on his
own has not affected his play in the least.
Ladell Betts will get a lot of action, much of it
before the benches are completely emptied late in the game. He will make the
team but his goal is to convince the coaches that he deserves some carries regardless
of the health or effectiveness of Clinton Portis. For the past couple of years
he hasn’t been healthy during the preseason so he hasn’t had a chance to show
his stuff except when the starter has been injured during the season.
Ladell Betts on 08.09.05 Audio
Kevin Dyson played for the Panthers in the Super Bowl
although he did spend much of that 2003 season sidelined with an injury. He’s
looking to hold on with the Redskins, battling with Darnerien McCants for the fifth
wide receiver roster spot. After a slow start he’s starting to pick up some
steam and can begin to firm up the grip he seems to have over McCants on that
last job.
Kevin Dyson on 08.09.05 Audio
