Redskins Roundup: Big Test Ahead

Written by Thomas Threlkeld on Friday, 05 October 2012 10:56. Posted in Washington Redskins

INJURY UPDATE: The latest news is right here.

And WR Aldrick Robinson [concussion] has been cleared to play.

Want to know something about how the Redskins are doing compared to the rest of the NFL after the first quarter of the NFL season. You will find it here.

How is Robert Griffin III comparing to the four other rookie quarterbacks starting in the NFL this season? Find out here.

One of the most disappointing about last year, which was a huge bust for the Redskins, was the suspensions of TE Fred Davis and LT Trent Williams -- the two best players on offense -- for failing multiple drug tests. Both players are trying to put it all behind them now and prove their worth by having excellent seasons. Williams is easily the team's best offensive lineman and one of the best left tackles in the NFL. His performance last week in the win in Tampa Bay, hobbling around on a bum knee, was inspirational. Davis, meanwhile, leads the team in receptions [15] and receiving yards [212], though he has yet to find the end zone.

The Redskins are playing the undefeated Atlanta Falcons at FedEx Field this Sunday and their QB, Matt Ryan, is the MVP of the league so far this year. In other words, a pass rush would be a good thing to have. The Redskins seem to understand this, but whether or not they can do anything about it is another matter. Nobody but Ryan Kerrigan has bothered opposing quarterbacks this season.

Defensive Coordinator Jim Haslett is having to get creative to get any kind of pass rush at all:

They tinkered with players’ roles in the nickel defense against Tampa Bay. Outside linebackers Chris Wilson and Rob Jackson lined up inside at defensive tackle on multiple plays, and Stephen Bowen, who usually lines up inside at tackle, lined up wide at end.

The Redskins don't have a single sack from a down lineman this year. Ugh. That needs to change this Sunday.

Haslett seems reasonably pleased with the run defense, at least. I agree the run defense has been pretty good, though I wonder why anyone would bother running the ball against the Redskins defense. Just throw it all the time. Throw it deep all the time.

John Keim has been watching some Falcons tape and notices their defense shifts all ove rthe place on third downs, Matt Ryan likes throwing between the hash marks and RT Tyson Clabo is a weak point in pass protection.

New TB Ryan Grant says he's ready to play this Sunday.