Vision Quest: Help & Hurt post Jacksonville 2007

Well the pre-season is over. Thank God. Now all that is left is the final roster cuts and the preparation for Miami. But before the coaches make their decisions, let’s take a look at who helped themselves tonight and who hurt themselves.

Players Who Helped Themselves

Anthony Trucks This guy was all over the place tonight. With Dallas Sartz not playing at all you have to think that he is making a serious play at the #7 LB spot. IN fact he might be playing as high as #6 and be the primary backup for Rocky.

Marcus Mason I still am not sure if he makes the roster but if anyone deserves a shot at it, he does. He is a nice shifty back and a real gem of a find. Blaylock’s injury may earn him a shot a roster spot, but at the very least he should be on the Practice Squad.

David Macklin He had several nice blitzes and several good plays on the ball. I doubt he was in danger of not making the final 53, but he solidified himself in the #4 CB role tonight. A good solid game and I am not so worried about depth at corner.

Reed Doughty He started the game and seemed to be around the ball. He had a couple of good blitzes and a couple of good hits. Didn’t see him do much in the way of pass coverage, but he definitely put himself in the #5 safety spot. The question is do we keep 5 safeties?

Mark Brunell I think he won the #2 job tonight. His passes were tight and accurate and he took shots downfield. Collins may have better stats over the pre-season but Brunell is my choice to backup JC. And I hope I never have to see either of them throw another pass ever ever again.

Players Who Hurt Themselves

Jordan Palmer Oh I feel a rant about 2nd day picks coming on. THIS is the guy who we hoped could take a roster spot from Brunell or Collins? Heck I don’t even want him on the practice squad. I really hope he is a slow learner otherwise we will be looking at QBs again next off season.

Brian Bell You don’t drop balls in the pre-season finale. You just don’t. Plus the dread dude…cut the dreads before someone pulls them out of your head.

Byron Westbrook Ok it is fourth down right before half, all you need to do is tackle your guy but you go for the interception instead and give up a long TD. Looks like it does take more then pedigree to play in the NFL.

Ryan Boschetti You had your chances Ryan. Too bad it does not look like you will be back for a third term of duty. Don’t worry we always have the memories of you fetching Gatorade for the guys who actually played in the games.

Corey Bradford He needed a big night for the Redskins to keep him as their 5th WR. He did not get it. 1 catch for 4 yards. I can’t see that doing him any good come Saturday.

Tomorrow I will try and post a final roster prediction once some of the injuries are known. It should be interesting and the Redskins have lot of tough decisions to make.