Who are these guys?

John Beck ... getting hurt.

So how good are the Redskins?

The Bills didn't seem to provide much of a challenge last week, and the Skins' starting offense played very little. One thing is for sure, the Ravens will provide a bigger challenge, especially for the Redskins' offense.

A few things I'll be watching closely:


How the Redskins' starting offensive line performs against Baltimore's strong defensive front seven. Larry Johnson is expected to start for the Skins, and it'll be a good chance to see how he can perform against a top defense. Rookie lineman Trent Williams especially will bear watching.

How outside linebackers Brian Orakpo and Andre Carter perform. Against the Bills, Carter in particular seemed to struggle with the move to OLB in the 3-4. Both he and Orakpo will be responsible for a lot of the coverage on running backs. And at this point, that's a very scary sentence.

Speaking of defense, can the Redskins stop the run? As I pointed out after the Bills game, the Skins' defense gave up an average of 8.1 yards a carry last week against the Bills. That's unacceptable. The defenses' run-stopping ability must improve, or it could be a very long season.

Who is the third QB? Is there one? John Beck looked shaky at best against the Bills (The Skins' third-team offensive line didn't help), and Richard Bartel sat out last week with a hamstring injury. Coach Mike Shanahan has intimated that neither is a lock to make the team. Neither figures to get much time (a half at most), so every snap is important.

As always, hope for no significant injuries Saturday night. Oh, and don't forget to make fun of Jim Zorn. (I know, too easy).

For Redskins, no draft surprises -- so far

Despite a late smoke screen with rumors that they might select Tennessee safety Eric Berry, Mike Shanahan and the Redskins did the wise thing and picked Oklahoma tackle Trent Williams with the No. 4 pick in the NFL draft.

The Skins were in dire need of an offensive line upgrade after last season, and with the free-agent moves they've made so far this offseason, combined with the selection of Williams, the line is definitely improved.

Williams played right tackle for the Sooners until his senior year, when he switched to left tackle. And while Oklahoma State's Russell Okung was listed above Williams on most draft boards, Williams is considered to have higher pro potential than the solid-if-not-spectacular Okung. So the Redskins are banking on Williams playing up to his potential.

As for the rest of the draft, unless the team can find buyers for Jason Campbell or Albert Haynesworth, the Skins won't have too many more selections in this draft, so it'll have to come down to quality over quantity.

It's draft time! 2010 version

Amongst all of this schedule hoopla, I almost forgot that the NFL draft starts Thursday night!

I still have to believe that the Redskins will be picking an offensive tackle. Despite all of the talk and speculation, clearly the Redskins' biggest need is still a left tackle.

Now, whether it'll be Oklahoma State's Russell Okung or Oklahoma's Trent Williams, I don't know.

New coach Mike Shanahan has been playing coy with media, and his son has been suggesting that the Skins' offensive line is just fine the way it is. But if Washington selects anyone other than one of those above, it'll be a surprise to me.

So who do you have tonight?

Might the Redskins be better off without Okung?

The general consensus among NFL scout-types and Redskins fans alike is that the team from Washington will draft Oklahoma State tackle Russell Okung with the fourth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

But I'm here to ask a question:

Might the Redskins, who lack draft picks, be better off trading down, thereby picking more draft picks, and selecting either Oklahoma tackle Trent Williams or Iowa's Bryan Bulaga?

There's a growing thought that Williams and/or Bulaga might actually be better than Okung for various reasons -- athletic ability, NFL potential, etc. But there's also the question of whether Williams especially, but also Bulaga, might fit the Redskins' new blocking schemes better than Okung, who has struggled against speed rushers.

It's something to think about at the very least. The team could obviously use more draft picks, but the likely trades of Jason Campbell and/or a running back might solve that issue. Don't be surprised if the Redskins bypass Okung.

Of course, the Lions might make the decision much easier if they select a left tackle with the No 2 overall draft pick.

CSN's Rich Tandler had a far more detailed write-up, and you should all go read it. 

Okung highlights/lowlights



Williams highlights/lowlights



Bulaga highlights/lowlights