Related
The Washington Redskins teased fans with a game of glimpses.
Free agent wide receiver Cam Sims stealing the end zone acrobatics that former first-rounder Josh Doctson is supposed to perform. First-round nose tackle Daron Payne slipping past a guard for a sack. Quarterback Alex Smith making his debut with a too-simple drive for a field goal.
But the starting defense dug in, and the reserves showed up at times to keep Jets first-round quarterback Sam Darnold in check, while Teddy Bridgewater later showed enough against backups to maybe challenge for the job.
Overall, it was a decent night for the Redskins. Enough promise of potential.
"I'll say this – it's a good time to be a Redskin," cornerback Josh Norman said. "You see that progression of three years, and sitting back and watching those young bulls go at it and go hunt, and it's a great feeling."
Of course, most of the game was played by reserves, many of whom will be gone by September. But preseason under Gruden has always been looking at second- and third-teamers, and many did enough to say training camp wasn't a waste. But the breakout player was Sims, who redeemed himself after causing an interception by grabbing a touchdown on a play negated by a penalty that was still worth watching. The Redskins are already solid at receiver, but Sims might get a chance at some point come fall.
"He's not developed yet. He's still as raw as can be,” Gruden said. “He's a big, talented guy. He's got big strong hands, he's a size mismatch for some of these corners. ...But overall, you just look for a young guy like that to make steady progress and he's done that. And when the ball's in the air, he's made more plays than he hasn't. We'll keep looking at him."
That means two more chances for many players, two more moments to make a difference.
We'll see.