TV:
TV Announcers: Jim Nantz & Phil SimmsRadio: 980 AM, 730 AM (Spanish), 94.3 FM and 92.7 FMNew England Patriots @ Washington Redskins
Friday, August 28nd, 8PM, Fedex Field
Weather:Tailgate: 2PM-8PM (70% chance rain - 81 degrees)Game time: 8PM-11PM (64% chance rain - 74 degrees)Not expected to play: Rock Cartwright, Carlos Rogers, Shawn SpringsQuestionable: Mike Williams, Richard Seymour, Wes Welker, Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris
What I am watching for:
1.) ANYONE on offense to make a play (1st unit). Three weeks in a row with no TDs is inexcuasble. I don't care if we're playing the '85 Bears tonight. Campbell is expected to play the entire first half. He should be able to find SOME sort of rhythm. As for Colt and Chase. To echo Rick Snider, there is no QB controversy. Just like Colt last year, Daniel was running the limited plays he knows against 15th stringers. Against the Steelers, Colt was running more complex schemes against better players. He's still a work in progress, so let that develop. I'd be shocked if Colt did not win the 3rd spot. I mean, Zorn has to say Daniel "is in the mix" to keep the players motivated.2.) Justin Tryon vs Super Bowl QB (Part II). With Carlos Rogers out, Tryon will see some action against Brady and the first unit. I think the words of Harry Dunne (Dumb & Dumber) apply here after Tryon's abysmal game against the Steelers: "Just when I thought you couldn't possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this... and totally redeem yourself!"3.) 3 and outs. I want to see the Redskins start to out-number teams in this statistic, which they have failed to do so far.
4.) Special Teams. They were atrocious last week, but at the same time, Danny Smith is throwing rookie and journeymen out there to test them out. This coming Tuesday, Sept. 1, the Redskins have to cut 5 players to get down to 75. I will be playing close attention to the young guys like Robert Henson, Cody Glenn, Eddie Williams, and Anthony Alridge. The second half of tonight's game means everything for 5 players. Another interesting tidbit is that for Marko Mitchell to lock up the 5th WR spot, he HAS to contribute on special teams. This means he'll have to play a gunner on punts. Marko has never done this before and said that he is trying to get used to it. Keep an eye on the gunners tonight. I expect Dorsey, Eloi, Tryon, and Alridge will see some action at this position too. It could be the make or break for a couple players.
What will you be watching for?