Redskins Hall of Fame Game Blog

'Skins start out looking good recovering an onside kick to kick of the Jim Zorn era.  

The first drive of the new era ends with me needing a new pair of panties as Campbell starts out 2-2 with a beautiful TD to Randle-El on what looked to be blown coverage.  I know I'm not supposed to get excited about a preseason game especially still in the first two minutes but f*ck that I am now more optimistic going into the season than ever before!!

Now for the first look at the 'skins D.  No Peyton Manning but a dominating performance will still say a lot.  Not a great first defensive series for the 'skins as they showed  classic bend but don't break defense as they let the Colts march down the field without too much difficulty but managed to hold the Colts to a FG after just missing an interception opportunity.

The 'skins start their second drive from the 20 and gives us the first opportunity to really see what the offense is made of.  I am curious to see what if anything our two new WRs can do if they get in the game with the first team.  Again Campbell looks good making good throws but a breakdown in the protection puts Campbell on his back and the 'skins wind up punting.

The Defense comes back on the field facing Quinn Gray instead of Jim Sorgi.  The 'skins continue to appear to have a soft coverage as the Colts continue to complete passes but with minimal RAC.   It turns out to work again though the Colts bailed the 'skins out when Grey threw a 4th down pass far behind his receiver.

The 'skins come back out with Todd Collins at the helm and there really isn't much to see from Collins.   Having been in the league as long as he has we know what he can do, whereas with Campbell.  Though we did get a nice surprise with Todd Yoder making a couple nice grabs-though the 'skins didn't get very far.  We are now truly into pre-season mode as more and more backups make their way into the game.

The 'skins D came back out for our last look at any semblance of a starting D.  The 'skins managed to intimidate the Colts enough to the point that they snapped it out of the end zone for a safety.

From here I will only comment on highlights rather than drive by drive.

The Colts finally put one in the end zone on a nice pass from Grey to a player I have never heard of and have already forgotten.  This play also may help solidify Reed Doughty's hold on the starting safety spot as Schweigart was late in his coverage.

Towards the end of the first half John Madden had a moment of brilliant commentary.  When talking about the stadium and its retractable roof which allowed Tony Dungy to decide if he wanted to play in or outdoors Madden commented that it was a big competitive advantage.  He was sure "how it was a competitive advantage but he would get back to us later with how"  

The Colts kicked a FG at the end of the half after a pass interference call to end the first half to take a 4 point lead.

The big news to start the 2nd half is the impending premier of Colt Brennen.  Before we get to see the Colt we got to witness a rather boring drive that concluded with another FG for the Colts.

Colt Brennan completed his first pass on a nice screen pass in his first play.  Colt's second pass was a beautiful strike to Billy McMullen.  With all the talk about his throwing mechanics he seems like he is trying to silence the critics.  Brennan finished off the drive with another beautiful strike to Maurice Mason for the TD to tie the game.

We have a sighting of the Round Mound of Touchdown as Jared Lorenzen relieves Quinn Gray.  Lorenzen didn't give us much to talk about other than a ground jarring scramble for a first.

Meanwhile Brennan continued to look excellent against subpar competition-validating spending a 6th round pick on him.  He looks like he will be a good backup in a season or two and if we are lucky we can trade him.  Brennan managed to hit Mason for his second TD of the game and the lead.

Late in the 4th Materrell Richardson returns an interception 40 yards to seal the win.

Redskins Highlights

• Jason Campbell looks like he has continued his progress from where he left off where he left off when he got hurt last year.  He was only out there for 2 drives but he looked spectacular.  And perhaps just as important he took he first good hit since he got hurt which is always important to get that out of the way.
  
• The starting offense overall looked good, sustaining good drives throughout the game.
• The defense didn't look spectacular but considering they were without London Fletcher-Baker and Andre Carter and Jason Taylor I am encouraged by what they showed.
• Colt Brennan showed he just might have what it takes to be an NFL player with a stellar performance against the 2nd and 3rd teams of the Colts
• Reed Doughty missed one tackle that gave up a 1st down but made several good tackles while his competitor Stuart Schweigart was late on his coverage giving up a TD.  Looks like one of the Hungry Actor's favorite deaf Redskins is still in the drivers seat to be starting.
• Finally Marcus Mason got a lot of carries with neither Ladell Betts and Clinton Portis getting any carries tonight and like Brennan it looks like he just might be a player.
• All in all I am feeling pretty good about the Jim Zorn Era.