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Week Three Grades
Welcome to week three questions and grades as the Redskins experienced a heartbreaker of a performance against the Eagles. The 37-34 loss brought about many injuries, scuffles, emotions, and a brawl. Feel free to offer your own grades, opinions, suggestions, and ideas. Too, we have some questions to close out this third week of action.
Let’s take a look at the grades.
Quarterback:
Kirk Cousins, like last week, had time to throw the ball and put on an offensive masterpiece. Only a couple of miscues and a poor final drive makes the grade less than perfect.
Grade: A-
Running Backs:
The running game was solid once again as Alfred Morris churned out the tough yardage. Roy Helu provided a much needed spark in the second half. However, the scheme did not utilize the backup enough.
Grade: B+
Wide Receivers:
Do the Redskins have the best set of receivers in the NFL today? They are certainly making a strong case for such a distinction. Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson had a superb day. The only negative was the limited play of Ryan Grant who struggled a bit on Sunday.
Grade: A-
Tight Ends:
Niles Paul continues to impress and only had one drop even if it was at a critical juncture in the game. When Logan Paulsen was in the game, he provided significant blocking. However, he was not a factor in the passing game.
Grade: B+
Offensive Line:
The big uglies up front did a fantastic job this week and have steadily improved with each game. No sacks were allowed and Cousins had very few hurries. Penalties were few and far between and the occasional substitutes did a fine job too.
Grade: A
Defensive Line:
When a defense gives up thirty-four points, there can be a lot of blame to go around. The defensive line rarely pressured the quarterback, but they did shut down a potent running game.
Grade: C
Linebackers:
Last week, this unit could do no wrong. On Sunday, they couldn’t do much right. The linebackers could not get pressure on the quarterback and were poor in coverage.
Grade: F
Cornerbacks:
This group was burned too many times and lost DeAngelo Hall for the season. Bashaud Breeland was the lone bright spot with a forced fumble deep in Redskins territory.
Grade: D-
Safeties:
There is good news and bad news. First, the good news. No long plays for touchdowns. Second, the bad news. The safeties were often out of position and acted helpless against a rarely used rookie who burned them for two touchdowns.
Grade: F
Special Teams:
The special teams were horrible once again. It is time to put a hurting Kai Forbath on injured reserve and bring back Zach Hocker. Tress Way was solid on punts, but struggled on kickoffs.
Grade: D
Coaching:
The grade will be low, but Jay Gruden deserves an “A” for directing the offense. Special teams were dismal and the defensive scheme was poorly planned and executed.
Grade: C
Week three passes into the history books. How would you grade each position and the coaching staff? What are you looking for in the coming week against the Giants? Does the play of Kirk Cousins make Robert Griffin, III the new backup? Is it time for Zach Hocker to return?
See you again next week.
Hail to the Redskins!