Need to Know: Kerrigan has stepped up

Here is what you need to know on this Friday, September 28, two days before the Redskins take on the Bucs in Tampa.

Chat at 4:00 on Sunday

We are going to get our game chat rolling at 4:00 on Sunday with the kickoff for Redskins-Bucs coming at 4:25. Our usual road game lineup will be in place with Tarik El-Bashir at Raymond James Stadium, Jen X at our Bethesda studios and yours truly in front of the 55” Vizio in Ashburn.

We usually get things going a little early, keep an eye on Twitter (@Rich_Tandler) and we’ll let you know.

See you then.

Riveron to ref Skins-Bucs

Since the identity of game officials is something of a topic, you need to know that Alberto Riveron will be the referee for the Redskins game on Sunday. He has been an NFL game official since 2004 and he is starting his fifth season wearing the white hat as the head referee.

Here’s to a smooth, well-paced game with a minimum of controversial calls.

Kerrigan has stepped up

With Brian Orakpo out for the season, Ryan Kerrigan has had the burden of being the Redskins’ top pass rusher. Since Orakpo got hurt early in the second game, Kerrigan has now played more snaps without Orakpo on the other side than with him and Kerrigan is doing just fine, thank you.

Per Pro Football Focus, Kerrigan has a total of 19 quarterback pressures with three sacks, five hits, and 11 hurries. That is the more than any other 3-4 outside linebacker has this year. Yes, more than Clay Matthews (17) and more than DeMarcus Ware (12). He is tied for second most among all edge rushers (Cameron Wake, MIA, 21).

Against the Bengals, in his first full game without Orakpo on the other side, Kerrigan had five quarterback pressures (1 sack, 2 hits, 2 hurries). 

Right down the middle

Sometime statistics impart new knowledge and sometimes they confirm what you already know. Most who have watched Robert Griffin III have noted that one of his strengths is dropping back and firing the ball over the middle for about 15 yards. The ball comes into the receiver so fast that he almost has no choice but to catch it.

Again looking at the good work of the folks at Pro Football Focus we see our impressions verified and quantified. Griffin has thrown 13 passes between the numbers from 10 to 19 yards downfield. He has completed 11 of them for 261 yards and a touchdown and no interceptions. That comes to a quarterback rating of 144.4.

Overall, Griffin appears to be more comfortable throwing down the middle. He has aimed 80 passes (subtracting spikes and throwaways) and he has thrown 49 of them between the numbers and 31 outside the numbers.

Today’s schedule

11:50—Practice (media can observe first 30 minutes)
After practice (approx. 1:30)—Open locker room and Mike Shanahan news conference

In case you missed it

A lesson in self-scouting

It’s the same old story when it comes to big plays against the Redskins’ D.

Most of the Redskins are happy to have the “real refs” back.

Days until: Redskins @ Bucs 2; next home game vs. Falcons 9; RG3 vs. Vick @ FedEx Field 51; Thanksgiving @ Dallas 55