The Washington Redskins enter their Week 5 bye week with a 3-1 record on the season and sit atop the NFC East. Head coach Mike Shanahan has the Redskins playing good football thus far and has surprised the NFL with an unexpected start to the season. Through four weeks of the 2011 season, I’ll take a look at how the performance of the burgundy and gold.

One of the key reasons why the Redskins are sitting at 3-1 is because of their defense. Washington ranks fifth in the NFL in total defense. Jim Haslett’s 3-4 defense is paying dividends as the Redskins have great talent at key positions in order to be effective. The only thing they need to work on is stopping the run.

Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan rushing off the edges has been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks so far this season. With Laron Landry lurking in the secondary and London Fletcher still playing at a high level, the Redskins defense has looked impressive.

The running game now consists of the Tim Hightower, Roy Helu and the returning Ryan Torain, who had 135 yards on 19 carries this past Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. Even though the NFL is becoming more and more of a passing league, it is still vital to have an effective running game. Having three different backs to carry the ball is a rare occurrence in today’s game.

Hightower, Torain and Helu are all different styles of runners. We see Hightower run the stretch play that carries him a little outside the tackles, while Helu is a very quick cutback runner. Then you have Torain, who is your power back. Having these different styles of runners is a great way the Skins can use the clock and hit opposing teams right in the mouth. I expect the Redskins to continue to go with a three-back system throughout the season.

The Redskins offense has looked pretty good so far. There is definitely room for improvement, but overall they have been able to put up points, which they struggled to do most times last season. However, they need to improve in the red zone and play with consistency.

They took the foot of the gas against the Rams in the fourth quarter on Sunday and almost allowed them to come back in the game. Capitalizing in the red zone will allow you to put away teams and not have to worry about letting a team crawl back into a game.

Rex Grossman has played pretty well so far, but has had his ups and downs. The Redskins have a minus-one turnover ratio this season. Teams such as the Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, and New England Patriots all have at least a plus-four ratio. The Redskins are fortunate enough to be 3-1 right now. Grossman has to take better care of the ball and play consistent football following the bye.

With that being said, the Redskins have a minus-one turnover ratio and sit at 3-1, which means there is only room for improvement. This team will get better as the season goes along. The defense will continue to improve, which is scary to think about considering where it is right now. Shanahan will get this offense to play consistently and finish drives in the red zone.

At 3-1 and exceeding expectations so far this season, the outlook for the Redskins looks bright. The upside of this team is vast and it will be exciting to see them once they return from their off week.

NFL Power Rankings are notoriously flexible at the start of each season, but for fans of the Washington Redskins the last few years have been depressingly consistent. No matter what part of the season the perennial cellar dwellers of the NFC East have appeared on the list, they have found themselves in an all too familiar place. The Bottom.

However, this year might just be different. The Washington Redskins went 3-1 in the preseason against quality teams. They beat Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and Tampa Bay. In the all important game three of preseason, the first string Redskins outscored the first string Baltimore Ravens, only to fall in the last minute as the second string and rookies played for roster spots. Graham Gano is the leading scorer in the NFL through the four games of preseason for goodness sakes! This is not the Redskins team everyone thought they were.

Surely the NFL Power Rankings will reflect that, right? Well, no sorry to say, but as of Sunday, September 4th, the Redskins are still in last place in the NFC East. But don’t hang your head just yet Redskins fans. Very few sports outlets will bother to change rankings based off of the preseason performances of the teams, but there is reason for optimism. One of the only post preseason Power rankings over at NFL Soup has the Redskins a modest 25th. Modest that is, until you remember almost everyone had them worse before preseason.

The bad news? In that same ranking the next closest NFC East team is Dallas, at position 14. The good news? The teams Washington beat in the preseason? Third, 10th and 16th respectively.

ESPN had Washington at 29th before the preseason. Fox Sports had them 26th. National publications have had no problem picking the Redskins to end the season with as few as 2 wins. In the quarterback oriented NFL, a team that can’t decide between Rex Grossman and some stranger named John Beck will not get any respect until they earn it with marks in the “W” column. Be prepared to stay near the bottom of the NFL Power Rankings until the halfway point of the season. By then, either the Redskins will have shown they belong in the mix, or not. Week one against the Giants will be a telling game.

There should be a whole slew of new rankings coming out this week, but don’t count on any surprising moves against the other teams of the NFC East. If the Washington Redskins want to overtake their rivals in the NFL Power Rankings, they’re just going to have to beat them on the field.

A few personnel thoughts from the Baltimore Ravens’ Thursday night 34-31 win over the Washington Redskins.

Baltimore Ravens

Tyrod Taylor(notes), beautiful mess
One thing that puts rookie quarterback Tyrod Taylor ahead of many college shotgun option quarterbacks (from Alex Smith to Cam Newton) is that his mechanics when dropping back from center are pretty solid — he doesn’t get in his own way. That sounds like a small point, but watch Newton Riverdance his way through a dropback, and you’ll start to understand why he struggles so much with timing and rhythm throws. Taylor keeps the ball high, can stop to make the playfake, and sets himself up well to drive through the throw. He’s also exceptional at boot action plays in which he’ll roll out to either side.

As a pure passer … well, there’s work to be done. Taylor can zip the ball into any area, but his confidence in his ability to do just that also shows up as a negative when he tries to process a throw into a window that isn’t there anymore. He also occasionally gets crossed up on shorter timing throws — little digs, slants and dagger routes — but you can see the development. I was intrigued by Taylor’s skill set at Virginia Tech — I saw him as more than a pure option guy, and in the right situation, I think he’ll eventually prove that out at the NFL level.

Lee Evans(notes): Not just a speed guy
On Friday, we detailed the 35-yard touchdown catch that allowed receiver Lee Evans to announce his presence with authority. But there’s more to what Evans brings to the Baltimore offense than the track speed he showed over Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall(notes). Like most of your better deep threats, Evans helps the offense whether he’s the target or not. Watch how cornerbacks have to back off now when aligning against Baltimore’s 3-wide sets. Before, there was far less concern that one misstep could mean a play taken to the house. But with Evans’ straight-line speed, ability to get inside or outside position off the snap, and underrated sense of fundamentals, pass defenders have to be more careful.

Ideal slot receivers like Anquan Boldin(notes) will see the benefits when Evans takes the roof off a side of pass coverage. You saw a more typical side of Baltimore’s old passing game at the end of their first drive, when Flacco tried to fire in a slower seam route to Boldin, and Hall easily jumped the route for a touchdown the other way.

The other nice thing about Evans is that, just like the magically rejuvenated Brandon Lloyd(notes) in Denver, he’s not just a speed receiver. Evans can also help Flacco on little slants, square-ins, and other blitz-beater routes — the kinds of things Derrick Mason(notes) used to do. Flacco’s not exactly adept at evading pressure (to put it kindly), so the more timing-based route concepts, the better.

Washington Redskins

Roy Helu(notes) may be the next secret Shanahan back
We’ll mercifully refrain from delving into the epic battle between John Beck(notes) and Rex Grossman(notes) in this particular scouting report. Instead, I’d like to review the performance of rookie backup running back Roy Helu, who I really liked coming out of Nebraska, and talked to for a pre-draft podcast on Shutdown Corner. In this game, Helu started making tracks halfway through the third quarter, and though he was going against the twos on Baltimore’s defense, I liked what I saw.  He ran 13 times for 44 yards against the Ravens.

Helu has an upright running style, but also a lot of inside power. He’s a good one-cut runner who builds up speed and takes extra yards after first contact. Once he gets outside, he has the bounce and quickness to make the big play. Helu isn’t the quicker, jump-cut runner at the line; he’s more patient as he sifts through blockers and gaps at the line and waits for his opportunity. I’d like to see him get low and physical a bit quicker in short-yardage situations, though — that upright running style could prevent him from surprising and becoming a starting NFL back. If he can up the speed at the line, he could be truly dangerous — right now, he’s just a very intriguing player who should find a role in Washington’s running back rotation.

Ryan Kerrigan(notes) is for real
For once, the Redskins paid attention to the draft, and as a result, two of their standout players in this game are rookies. First-round pick Ryan Kerrigan from Purdue is known as a fairly demonic pass rusher, and that’s what stood out against the Ravens. He had a sack in the first quarter, but he’s still learning two key aspects of run defense — how to avoid getting washed out slide protection going his way, and how to prevent missing the back entirely when we overpursues the quarterback off the edge. The best “endbackers” develop an innate sense of when to charge and when to read the action. Kerrigan, who was a 4-3 end in college, has the potential to develop these attributes at his new position.

Listed as the left outside linebacker in Washington’s 3-4 lineup, Kerrigan would play left defensive end placement in the Redskins’ frequent nickel packages. In that regard, as much as the team has said that it will run more traditional 3-4 looks this season, defensive coordinator Jim Haslett seems to understand that he has personnel best suited to hybrid fronts. When Kerrigan can edge past that first blocker in a two-point stance situation, he’s tough to stop. His sack came from a position outside the right tackle, which allowed him to spin inside and use his momentum to take Joe Flacco(notes) down. I like Kerrigan best in a wide nine-tackle position in a four-man front (Kyle Vanden Bosch(notes) is the paradigm), but he can play wide OLB at the line as well.

Related: Joe Flacco, , DeAngelo Hall, Lee Evans, John Beck, Rex Grossman, Anquan Boldin, Brandon Lloyd, Tyrod Taylor, Derrick Mason, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Redskins

Last night’s preseason game between the Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens was a thriller. The Redskins jumped out to a 14-0 lead late in the first quarter, but the Ravens fought back and QB Tyrod Taylor led them to victory in the final seconds, hitting WR Brandon Jones for a 9-yard touchdown. 

Here are 10 Redskins that stood out in the game:

WR Terrence Austin:

Austin was fighting for a roster spot coming into this game. If there was any doubt as to whether or not he deserved a spot on the team, there shouldn’t be now. Austin hauled in five catches for 71 yards (one touchdown) and did a good job getting separation from opposing cornerbacks.

RB Tim Hightower:

For whatever reason, it didn’t work out for Hightower in Arizona. Running behind an abysmal offensive line may have been why. Regardless, the Cardinals’ loss is the Redskins’ gain, as the running back showed explosiveness running between the tackles, scampering 9 times for 56 yards (one touchdown).

WR Anthony Armstrong:

Continuing to cement himself as Redskins’ deep threat, Armstrong caught two catches for 51 yards. He will be important for his ability to stretch opposing defenses, keeping them honest, and creating opportunities for the run game.

QB Rex Grossman:

Grossman showed off his strong arm but accuracy continued to be an issue, completing 8 of 15 passes. Last night would have been a great time to challenge QB John Beck for the job as starting quarterback, but it was clear was the better player.

LB Ryan Kerrigan:

The Redskins draft pick shined on prime-time television, executing a perfect spin move en route to sacking QB Joe Flacco in the first half. It appears Kerrigan will be a great fit in Washington, even while making the transition to a 3-4 base defense.

RB Roy Helu:

It’s been a long time since the Redskins had a speedy, change-of-pace back, and Helu may be that guy. He, once again, showed flashes of brilliance, using his quickness in rushing 13 times for 44 yards. Helu is also great catching passes out of the backfield, and he had a reception last night which went for 14 yards.

WR Leonard Hankerson:

While he only caught one pass for 11 yards, Hankerson continued to get separation from defensive backs and presented himself as a big target in the passing game. The Redskins have been lacking a big, physical receiver with a large frame, and finally they have one. Hankerson has a bright future in Washington.

CB DeAngelo Hall:

 It was a typical night for the high-risk, high-reward cornerback. In the first quarter, he intercepted QB Joe Flacco and went 52 yards to the house for the touchdown. He showed his elusiveness eluding tackles and finding his way to the end zone.

However, Hall did get burned in coverage a couple of times by WR Anquan Boldin in the second quarter.

QB John Beck:

As soon as Beck entered the game, it was as if the Redskins offense received a shot of adrenaline. Beck found WR Anthony Armstrong – who torched CB Domonique Foxworth – and lofted a pretty pass to the sideline for a 33-yard gain. But he did struggle with consistency, completing only 6 of 10 passes, tossing an interception and missing a wide-open WR Santana Moss on what would have been a key third-down conversion.

QB Kellen Clemens:

Clemens makes this list because of his standout poor performance. If there has been one big disappointment in Redskins training camp, it’s Clemens. His horrible accuracy and inability to read defenses makes it easy on opposing defensive backs. Last night, he completed just four of eight passes for 33 yards, throwing a late interception which would set the Ravens up for victory.

As a member of the New York Jets, Clemens was ousted by journeyman QB Mark Brunell for the role of backup quarterback. Maybe there’s a reason for that. Clemens adds little to NFL teams besides depth.

The Washington Redskins have had positive showings in preseason games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts, and after two weeks, they lead the NFL in total yards.

Redskins players have emerged from both games with no more than a sense of guarded optimism because it is, after all, just the preseason.

Tonight’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, however, is the measuring stick game, the Redskins say. In Baltimore, Washington’s offense will face an opponent that consistently ranks among the league leaders in defense. And for the first time this preseason, coaches have game-planned specifically for the Ravens.

Thursday also is the night in which both teams’ starters will see their most extensive action, likely playing into the third quarter. This, the Redskins say, is the game by which they will judge their progress in Coach Mike Shanahan’s second season.

“It’ll be a good test for us,” says receiver Jabar Gaffney, who in two games has recorded six catches for 57 yards. “They’ll play a lot, and we’ll probably play a lot. They’re one of the best defenses in the league year in and year out and one of the best teams in the league, period. So there’s a lot of good work we could get done against them.”

Said fellow receiver Santana Moss: “This defense has been one of the best, year in and year out. Since I’ve been in college [from 1997 to 2000], I’ve been hearing about the Ravens defense. But we just have to go do what we do. You can’t go into a game worrying about what the other team does. You just have to worry about doing your job, and everything else should take care of itself.”

The Redskins’ offense has found a way to march up and down the field, averaging 24.5 first downs a game, and they have turned over the ball only once. Scoring in the red zone has been the main problem. Washington has scored just 32 points in two games combined. Mike Shanahan has said some of the red-zone struggles are partially related to the team not game planning for opponents. But that won’t be the case this week. Now the Redskins get to see how much of a difference that will make.

If Washington is able to produce in that area, as well as off of the others, then they will be confident that significant progress can be made this season.

Baltimore “is one of the best teams in the league,” Gaffney said. “If we can go out and do that against them, move the ball, score points, then we’ll be feeling pretty good.”

By Jordan Ruby

– Associate Editor

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Aug 24, 2011 – The Redskins have looked pretty good on the offensive side of the ball through their first two preseason games (despite not putting up a lot of points) but they will face a considerably harder test against the Ravens on Thursday.

Not only is the Ravens defense more polished than the colts, but this is the third preseason game, which is basically a dress rehearsal. That means that instead of playing against the backups as soon as the second quarter starts, the Redskins will have to face the starting defense for much of the game.

This will be another good opportunity to the Redskins to get a closer look at their quarterbacks. After his excellent performance against the Colts, the Ravens will provide a pretty good litmus test. With the fourth preseason game serving more as an exhibition for the backups to make a case to be on the team, this should be the last opportunity for the Redskins to get a good gauge on their starting quarterback situation.

The game will be played at 8:00 on Thursday, and can be seen on ESPN. For more on the Redskins, head over to Hogs Haven.

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That means two more weeks of suspense as Rex Grossman and John Beck compete the No. 1 job. Even after he makes the decision, Shanahan isn’t going to let the world know because he wants to keep the Giants guessing.

“Probably have the team get ready for both quarterbacks,” he said.

Grossman started the first preseason game, Beck the second. Both played well against good defenses.

“We’ve got two guys that we believe in, two guys that are very close right now,” Shanahan said. “I’d feel very comfortable going into our first game with either quarterback. We’ll have to make one of those tough decisions, and we won’t make it ‘til the end.”

The third game was the subject of an entertaining father-son disconnect after Monday’s practice. First, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan was asked if he knows who will start Thursday against the Baltimore Ravens.

“Yeah, I do,” Kyle Shanahan said. “But I’m not going to let you know.”

Moments later, Mike Shanahan was asked to spill the beans and name Thursday’s starter.

“I’m not even sure right now. We haven’t even talked about it,” the head coach said. “I couldn’t tell you. We haven’t made a decision.”

Told that his son said the decision had been made, Mike Shanahan replied: “Well, he hasn’t told me about it then.”

Regardless of which one starts, Kyle Shanahan said both quarterbacks will play with the starters in the game considered the dress rehearsal for the regular season.

Notes: S LaRon Landry (hamstring), TE Chris Cooley (knee), LB Edgar Jones (concussion), WR Brandon Banks (knee), WR Malcolm Kelly (foot) and RB Ryan Torain (hand) are among those who won’t play Thursday. … RT Jammal Brown was scheduled for X-rays on the ring finger of his right hand, but he’s expected to play. … RB James Davis, who abruptly left training camp a week ago, was released from the reserve/left squad list. … Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau was a special guest at practice Monday, at the invitation of special teams coach Danny Smith. “I thought maybe I could pick up something and see if it could work with us,” Boudreau said.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens meet Thursday for their annual ‘Beltway Battle,’ an affair that the players don’t really see as a legitimate rivalry.

Redskins players see this week’s meeting as significant because it is the third preseason matchup – the game in which the starters play the most – and because they want to measure themselves against a playoff team like the Ravens.

The Ravens certainly have been the more successful team of the two, reaching the playoffs seven times in the last decade. Washington has reached the playoffs only twice since 2000.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh may see the game somewhat differently. Afterall, he said this summer that when it comes to fanbases, he wants the Ravens to “take control of this whole area. We’ll take over Washington D.C. while we’re at it.”

New Redskins’ cornerback Josh Wilson doesn’t know if that will ever happen, but he said as things currently stand, Washington wins when it comes to fan support.

Wilson grew up just outside of D.C., rooting for the Redskins. He played for Baltimore last season and said there is no comparison between the two fan bases.

“One thing about it, they have nowhere near the tradition of Redskins fans,” Wilson said with a grin. “…My uncle is 50-so years old and all they know are Redskins and you’d almost think somebody’s died when the Redskins have lost. And now I’m getting all these phone calls asking, ‘What do you think about this?’ and they think I’m going to give them all the insight, and I’m like, ‘Get out of here!’ But the Ravens have a strong fanbase up there. They’re growing and getting kind of that establishment that the Redskins already have.”

Wilson said he looks forward to facing the Ravens, however.

“It’s always a little something extra and a little more fun when you’re preparing to go against your friends,” Wilson said. “It should be fun going up there and seeing all those guys. Last week I heard they booed [former Ravens fullback] Le’Ron McClain, so I expect a lot more cheers this week than what you normally would get on an away game.”