Live blog: Redskins vs. Bucs

Hello and welcome to the Real Redskins live blog for tonight's game between the Redskins and Buccaneers.

I'll be commenting on what is going on during the game. Hit refresh frequently to get the latest updates.

This also is about what you think. Either hit the comments section below or hit Twitter and ask or comment to @Rich_Tandler. We'll bring the best comments and tweets into the blog here and discuss them.

Fourth quarter

1:07--Clemens with a 41-yard touchdown pass to Donte Stallworth who made a nice, juggling catch for the score. The Redskins went for two but Clemens threw an interception and committed a personal foul. The Redskins kicked off from their 20 holding a 29-24 lead. The Bucs will go from their own 45 after the kickoff.

Brandyn Thompson made some good plays and he played like a rookie at other times. Byron Westbrook has been solid but he probably has reached the peak of his potential. If I am picking, I take the kid but again 

2:07--After the Bucs score a touchdown against some sloppy Redskins defense, Bucs coach Raheem Morris becomes a very popular guy in the press box and other spectators by going for two. They make it and now hold a 24-23 lead.

Markus White recorded a sack and he has the scoop and nice return after the QB fumble. It is going to be hard for him to make it given the play of Jackson noted below but he gave it a good shot. He will probably land on the practice squad and the two could battle it out again next year.

9:11--Matt Gutierrez can't muster anything after the turnover and Gano boots another field goal--I have him 10 for 10 during the preseason--to make it 23-13.

11:05--Scratch that "has not played" for Keiland Williams. He just recovered a muffed punt to give the Redskins the ball in Bucs territory at the 24. He has yet to play on offense. 

Niles Paul started the game and played throughout the game. In the first half he had two receptions for 27 yards, including a 19-yard catch. He had some separation a few other times and did not have any drops or glaring errors. Donte Stallworth is a pro. He runs good routes and he knows how to catch the ball. The decision between him and Paul will come down to the potential of Paul against the experience of Stallworth. The movement is towards youth but that does not mean that it applies in every case. If I’m picking I take Paul but it would be hard to argue against Stalloworth. 

Third quarter

A couple of missed tackles turn a short pass into a 96-yard touchdown. Thaddeus Gibson had one of the misses. Ed Gant made the catch at around the 20 and outran everyone after they were unable to bring him down. It is now 20-13 Redskins at the end of the third quarter.

Keiland Williams has not played as far as I have noticed. That probably is a very good sign for him. Mike Sellers started at fullback and he had a nice block on Royster’s touchdown run. It is still hard to see where he fits in but he certainly did not play his way off of the roster tonight.

The Bucs score on a 49-yard field goal to make it 17-6. While keeping you updated on what’s going on, let’s take a look at how some of the players on the bubble I discussed in today’s CSN article have been faring and whether they have helped or hurt their chances.

Second quarter

Summary—As has been noted, Beck has had an uneven night at best. He went 10 of 21 for 108 yards and an interception. A few nice throws, a few bad throws, and a few bad decisions. He may still get the starting job but if he does it will be based on what he did before tonight.

Brandon Banks is in. All he had to do is show that his knee is well enough to allow him to be effective returning kicks. A 95-yarder clinches it for him. The close-to-the-edge loss of the ball at the end will give the coaches something talk about. If Banks is smart, eh won’t ever come close to doing something like that again.

Defensively, Rob Jackson has appeared after being virtually invisible all preseason. A sack and strip, a couple of pressures, and some nice tackles may have pushed him off of the bubble. Markus White has played well but Jackson’s experience is showing.

DeJon Gomes has had a strong first half as well.

1:02—Beck remains inconsistent, throwing a nice pass to Logan Paulsen to convert a third down and then throwing an interception in the end zone while under pressure. I still think he will be the starter for the opener but he’s not making his case very well against the Bucs’ backup defenders.

3:57—The Bucs are now 0 for 6 on third down after a Golston sack. Beck gets at least one more chance to try to put a scoring drive together. 

A very kind comment from Susan:

I've been a Redskins fan for more than 40 years, and I want to thank CSN for the great coverage of our team. I send a shout out to Brian Mitchell and Joe Theismann, two of my all time favorite Redskins! Best of luck tonight to Mike Sellers, Brandon Banks, and Anthony Armstrong. I hope they all have a great game and make the team this year!!

11:00—The Redskins were knocking on the door after another takeaway. Jackson got into the QB Jonathan Crompton’s face, forcing a high throw and Josh Wilson made a nice leaping pick. The immediate reaction on Twitter was the Carlos Rogers would never have made that catch. After moving to a first and goal at the nine, the short drive stalled and Gano booted a 29-yard field goal to take a 17-0 lead.

12:15—I’m not sure if Brandon Banks ever was on the bubble for making the roster but he may just came off of it with a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown. He came very close to losing the score when he let go of the ball just after—or maybe just before—it crossed the goal line. Replay was inconclusive and Gano’s conversion made the score 14-0. 

First quarter

My apoligies, Rudy Carpenter has been the Bucs' QB, not Josh Johnson. Need better binoculars.

1:27—The competitors Jackson and White get it done again. Jackson gets a nbig hit on a blindside sack of Josh Johnson and White scoops the ball up and rolls down to the two. Three plays later Evan Royster squeezes into the end zone for the TD and the Redskins have a touchdown. Gano’s conversion makes it 7-0 with 24 seconds left in the first quarter.

4:00—We’re seeing why Evan Royster is headed for the practice squad. He just doesn’t quite have the pop through the line that the better backs have. All he is doing is stretching the play out and then cutting up when there is no hole there. No patience or waiting for blocks. Royster is playing behind the starting line and they are blocking the Bucs’ backup defense. 

8:21—Beck hit on a couple of nice passes on that drive starting at the two including a nice one over the middle to Armstrong where he had a pass rusher at his feet. The drive dies near midfield and Sav Rocca punts to inside the Tampa Bay 10.

Question from Luqman Sh-Hersi:

How come Grossman is not playing in this game? We want to see a real qb battle?

Rex played in the opener while Beck sat with an injury, this gives them equal time. Plus is against a Tampa Bay defense that has zero starters playing so it’s not exactly a stern test. 

13:10—Two of the players who are battling for an outside linebacker spot made nice plays on the Bucs’ possession after the fumble. First Rob Jackson reacted well and made a nice play on quick pass to the outside. Then Markus White pressured Josh Johnson on a rollout to force an incompletion. The Redskins stop the Bucs for a loss of one on fourth and goal with safety Anderson Russell finishing off the play. Redskins will take over at their own two. 

14:35—Not a good start for Evan Royster as he fumbles on his first carry and the Bucs recover. The Bucs are in business at the Redskins 29. 

Pregame

7:20—Just went down to the field for a few minutes. Noted that Darrel Young, the presumed starting fullback, was not wearing pads along with the others reported earlier. It’s a beautiful night for a ballgame, temps in the high 70’s and a nice breeze blowing. Too bad not too many folks are here to watch it. Stands maybe 10 percent full 10 minutes before kickoff. They usually fill up right before the start of the game but it’s hard to see how it could end up being half full.

6:50--According to Bucs reporter Rick Stroud's Twitter feed, John Beck will start at quarterback for the Redskins and Rex Grossman will sit this one out. Grossman is currently in uniform and warming up so we will see. 

6:45—There was some heavy construction equipment moving into Redskins Park this week. We suspected that it was to start constuciton on an indoor practice facility. The Redskins confirmed this today in a press release. They said that the facility will be open later in the fall. Per Bruce Allen in the press release:

“Our new state-of-the-art facility will help our team prepare for games and will allow the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation to hold special events. Although we embrace playing all of our games outdoors, our new facility will ensure that our game preparation will not be disrupted due to inclement weather.”

6:35—Comment by Jerry:

Just saw Hightower nailing a 40 yard field goal?

Yeah, that is probably all of the football-related action he will see tonight. It looks like he will have the night off along with most of the starting defense, Santana Moss, Fred Davis, even rookie Roy Helu. It looks like the starting offensive line will be in as long as Beck and Grossman are. 

6:20—Word is that the last of the busses carrying the Bucs just pulled in to FedEx Field. Traffic in DC—go figure. It is going to disrupt their pregame routine but I’m sure that they will get over it given the nature of the game. 

6:00—It’s an hour and a half before kickoff and we have just a few Redskins in shorts and T-shirts warming up. Too early to tell if Beck or Grossman is looking sharper in pre- pregame warmups but we’re here to cover every minute of it.

 

Comments

[Jerry]

Just saw Hightower nailing a 40 yard field goal?

[Luqman Sh-Hersi]

How come Grossman is not playing in this game? We want to see a real qb battle?

[ECU_ALUM]

Bottom line: No Injuries! If I had my way about it...I would treat it like the Hall Of Fame Game. One series for the starter and that's it!

[Susan]

I've been a Redskins fan for more than 40 years, and I want to thank CSN for the great coverage of our team. I send a shout out to Brian Mitchell and Joe Theismann, two of my all time favorite Redskins! Best of luck tonight to Mike Sellers, Brandon Banks, and Anthony Armstrong. I hope they all have a great game and make the team this year!!!

[Eamon O'Buadhachain]

Great to be watching the Skins here in Dublin Ireland. I love the Skins and looking good tonight on D. Beck to start v Giants

[Eamon O'Buadhachain]

Can I go to the betting shop and put my money on the Skins to make the play offs?

[lvm]

Ryan Torain is looking good. Just hope he can stay healthy this season.

[eddie]

Am i the only one who watches this team and always has a gut feeling they will lose to anyone in any situation with any players if givin the opportunity. I know its preseason, but the last two weeks are very familiar, and i am freaking sick of it.

[Luqman Sh-Hersi]

I am impressed on how I saw the team tonight, I wish Beck played better. I feel comfortable with either quarterback. I think we can win with both.