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The 5 o’clock club is published Wednesday to Saturday during the season, and aims to provide a forum for reader-driven discussion at a time of day when there isn’t much NFL news being published. Feel free to introduce topics that interest you in the comments below.
Running backs
Jay Gruden said this week that Derrius Guice would be the main running back, with AD playing backup. Guice looked ready to go during his pre-season snaps, and, even if the coaches limit his snaps by putting Peterson on the field for a series or two per game, a single big play could push either player to the top of the list in the box score. Also, Jay Gruden has been known to use a player for more or fewer snaps than originally expected, not always sticking to his own plan.
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Adrian Peterson showed with his first preseason carry that he can break a big play at any time, especially when he’s got an established quarterback in the mold of Mark Sanchez handing him the ball. Even at his age, Peterson has speed and explosiveness. It only takes one play.
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Chris Thompson won’t likely see a lot of handoffs, but he is an integral part of the passing game, and if he can get into a rhythm with the quarterback and the offensive line, he could be in for a big day — especially if the Eagles jump out to a lead, or if their defense forces a lot of third down situations.
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Of course, Wendall Smallwood, who replaced Byron Marshall on the roster, coming from the Eagles, likely won’t see many offensive snaps against his old team, if any at all, but if he gets in the game and breaks one loose, he will have the opportunity to put up chunk yardage. He may very well line up to return kickoffs, and if the Eagles decide to kick it short of the end-zone to force some returns, the former Eagle could rack up 60 or 70 yards without even lining up on offense.
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Poll
Which running back will have the most all-purpose yards against the Eagles?
This poll is closed
-
70%
Derrius Guice
(362 votes) -
15%
Adrian Peterson
(79 votes) -
12%
Chris Thompson
(64 votes) -
1%
Wendell Smallwood
(7 votes)
Wide receivers
It’s hard to know who will get the most targets in the Redskins offense, but Trey Quinn, playing from the slot seems a good possibility to compile the most catches. He will likely be making relatively short-yardage receptions, however.
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Meanwhile, the outside receivers — McLaurin, Richardson, Harmon and Davis — all appear to have the coaches’ confidence that they are capable of piling up huge chunks of yardage if they can get behind a defense that is stacking the box to stop the run.
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Steven Sims put on a kick and punt return clinic in the 4th preseason game, and, with Trey Quinn listed among the starters and Shaun Wilson still recovering from injury, Sims is likely to be the Redskins primary punt returner (and possibly the primary kick returner as well — though that role looks like it may fall to Wendell Smallwood if he is active). Sims could become the all-purpose yards leader, not only among the receivers, but on the entire team a la Brian Mitchell, if he has one or two long returns.
Poll
Which wide receiver will compile the most all-purpose yards against the Eagles?
This poll is closed
-
9%
Paul Richardson
(46 votes) -
27%
Trey Quinn
(132 votes) -
41%
Terry McLaurin
(200 votes) -
8%
Robert Davis
(42 votes) -
2%
Kelvin Harmon
(13 votes) -
10%
Steven Sims
(50 votes)
Pass Rushers
Last season, the Redskins interior defensive linemen were nearly as successful as the team’s edge rushers at sacking opposing quarterbacks. Ryan Anderson is expected to be a stronger, faster, improved player this year. Despite looking like he hadn’t yet acclimated himself to pass rushing in the NFL during his preseason appearances, the addition of Montez Sweat to replace the departed Preston Smith will also change the dynamic of the Skins pass rush, as will the potential changes in defensive philosophy that will come with the addition of Rob Ryan and Ray Horton to the coaching staff.
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Even a player like Cassanova McKinzy, who may still be slowed by an injury he picked up in preseason, could end up as the sack leader if he can get on the field, and then be lucky or good on a couple of plays.
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Poll
Who will lead the Redskins in sacks against the Eagles?
This poll is closed
-
49%
Ryan Kerrigan
(236 votes) -
0%
Ryan Anderson
(2 votes) -
10%
Montez Sweat
(50 votes) -
3%
Cassanova McKinzy
(18 votes) -
12%
Matt Ioannidis
(62 votes) -
8%
Daron Payne
(39 votes) -
13%
Jonathan Allen
(66 votes) -
0%
an inside linebacker
(2 votes) -
0%
a cornerback or safety
(3 votes)
The people’s corner, Jimmy Effin’ Moreland
Having replaced last year’s Mr. Irrelevant, Trey Quinn, as the most hyped(!!) player of the off-season, there can be no doubt that the two-time Mason-Brennan award winner, Jimmy F’n Moreland, will force turnovers — either interceptions, like he did in college and off season practices, or fumbles, like he did against the Browns in the first preseason game. The only real question is: how many?
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Poll
How many turnovers will the people’s corner, Jimmy F’n Moreland, force against the Eagles?
This poll is closed
-
76%
2
(301 votes) -
2%
3
(11 votes) -
1%
4
(4 votes) -
19%
5 or more
(75 votes)