Despite the fact that four of its key starters did not play against the New York Jets in the Washington Redskins second preseason game, the Burgundy and gold’s defense played exceptionally well throughout most of the game. The starters that did play during the first half held New York to two points from a safety. In fact, it wasn’t until the fourth quarter that the Jets managed a field goal and a touchdown.
Ryan Kerrigan (LB), Josh Norman (CB), Bashaud Breeland (CB) and Will Compton (LB) were all healthy scratches.
That meant quality playing time for second-year players like Martrell Spaight (LB), Quinton Dunbar (CB), Deshazor Everett (CB), Dashaun Phillips (DB), Willie Jefferson (LB), Carlos Fields (LB) and more. Veterans Duke Ihenacho (S), David Bruton, Jr. (S), Greg Toller (CB) and Terence Garvin (LB) played well. Rookies Kendall Fuller (CB), Su’a Cravens (LB/S), Matt Ioannidis (DT) and Lloyd Carrington (CB) were some of the youngsters that got valuable time against another football team.
Spaight said during training camp that he had used the 2015 season, during which he was on IR, to watch film and keep his head in the game. This showed against the Jets first-team offense. It was as if he had been on the field all of last year, being consistently disruptive, aggressive and giving his unit the right calls. This young man is a natural leader and as strong as a defensive tackle. He recorded four tackles and forced a fumble in the time he was quarterbacking his squad.
Fuller had a mixed night but it was good to see him persevere through a few mistakes and continue to compete.
Phillips only recorded one tackle but it was a pretty big one when he and veteran DL Chris Baker stopped Jets RB Bilal Powell for just 2 yards in the first quarter.
Jefferson was in on a big stop for no gain at the end of the third quarter.
Garvin was instrumental in keeping the Jets at bay during the fourth quarter while Redskins rookie QB Nate Sudfeld was having trouble getting things going (until the end of the game).
Defensive coordinator Joe Barry likes to say that in the NFL there are no backup players, there are only “starters-in-waiting.” A key result of this Jets game is the realization that the 2016 Redskins have excellent depth at a lot of defensive positions and — as folks know from the incredible amount of injuries last year — this is extremely important.
NFL roster cut-down days are always tough and this season will likely be particularly hard for the Redskins because there are a bunch of quality football players currently on the 2016 Redskins roster. Fortunately for these guys, they’re putting some good film out there and probably won’t be unemployed long.
“I thought they did excellent, you know, really,” Gruden said of his defense after the game. “We had them, what was it, 14-2 at the half? I thought we did pretty good. We had a runner out flying around with the ball, we had a forced fumble… so I was happy with them. We had a decent push in the pocket, good coverage. Fuller and Will Blackmon got a pick, that was good to see. The guys played some quality time against a quality team and played well.”