Storylines: Colts vs. Redskins

Dress rehearsal time. Week 3 of the preseason is here, which means we'll get our best look yet at the starting 22 for each team. But if T-shirts can teach me anything, it's that only two of those players will matter on Saturday. Oh,you know what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the ultimate showdown. I'm talking about an epic aerial artillery assault! I'm talking about Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck! Let's dive right into the storyline(s)!!! MARCH WITH ME.

Storyline 1: RIVALRY!!!1!1!

That’s right! This game has all the makings of what a true rivalry entails! Starters playing for nearly 75% of the game! A potential win that counts for precisely zero tallies in the regular season standings! Thirty-five dollar T-Shirts!

And best of all, who can dismiss the intrigue of the first two quarterbacks of the draft squaring off? Everyone knows that rivalries ALWAYS develop between the top quarterbacks selected in their drafts, and soon RG3 vs. Luck will reign synonymous with unforgettable marquee matchups like Stafford vs. Sanchez, Bradford vs. Tebow and Newton vs. Gabbert! DAVID CARR VS. JOEY HARRINGTON.

JOEY HARRINGTON!

Storyline 2: Pierre Garcon vs. His Former Team

With another make-the-hair-on-the-back-of-your-neck-stand-up subplot, Pierre Garcon will seek revenge versus his…ah screw it, I can’t do this anymore. Garcon said it best himself that playing against his old team is no big deal. I’m inclined to agree. #preseason.

Storyline 3: Alfred Morris

His roster spot is far from a lock, although he has shown potential to be a very solid contributor in the run game. Now, he needs to put it all together and have a big game versus a transitioning Colts defense instead of having just a few nice moments. If he succeeds in doing so, it could cement him a roster spot with Tim Hightower and Roy Helu, Jr. ailing.

Storyline 4: Joey Harrington

Kidding.

Storyline 5: Covering Two Tight Ends

In the draft, the Colts added Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener to give Andrew Luck some big targets to ease his transition into the NFL. Since they too are rookies, I expect several snaps for both of them as Chuck Pagano’s staff continues the evaluation process. This is a potential mismatch nightmare for the Redskins, who may have to rely on their shaky safeties (or dare I say the six-feet-tall Cedric Griffin) to do this undesirable task.

Linebackers are another possibility, but pass coverage has never been Perry Riley’s strong suit and London Fletcher’s role remains to be seen after missing the second preseason game. The wild card in this equation is Lorenzo Alexander, who remains an intriguing option in coverage after dropping what appears to be 600 pounds. He’s already proven himself a natural blitzer. Let’s see if he plays as naturally in coverage.

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