Haskins has chance to impress in Skins preseason opener

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Entering Week 1 of the preseason, there is one question on the lips of Redskins fans: Who is leading the quarterback competition?

Previewing the Washington Redskins matchup vs. the Cleveland Browns on The Sports Junkies Thursday, 106.7 The Fan's Craig Hoffman said in his eyes veteran Colt McCoy currently holds the slight edge over Case Keenum, "not by much, but barely."
And, at this point, both veterans are significantly better than the Redskins' first-round draft pick Dwayne Haskins, but Haskins has his first chance to impress and close that gap in Cleveland. And with McCoy due to sit-out, the rookie should have plenty of time to make a first in-game impression on fans and head coach Jay Gruden. 
"I'm curious to see if that gap starts to close a little bit," Hoffman told The Junks. "I don't think it'll close enough that he'll start the season, or that he'll be anywhere close to making it even a thought that he starts the season."

However, there is a situation in which Haskins' playing time in his NFL preseason debut is cut short.

"He should play the most out of all three guys that are going to play (quarterback), but if he starts getting hit a ton, I think they yank him. Because at that point there's no point," Hoffman said on 106.7 The Fan.

MORE: Morgan Moses says Haskins has the 'golden arm'

While Haskins may make some mistakes, NFL analyst Charley Casserly said the young QB has shown plenty of flashes to justify tuning in.

"He had the big plays this morning," Casserly told Chad Dukes this week. "Downfield throws, tight-window throws. I mean these were 'Wow' plays. These are Sunday highlight plays, which is what he can do. That's what you're looking for in the future: greatness. And he has the ability to make great throws."

At the top of the QB battle, Hoffman said the difference between the two leading contenders comes down to familiarity with the offense.

"The difference between Colt and Case is operating speed. Colt knows what he's doing. Case is still trying to figure it out a little too often. And that's where the separation is," Hoffman said. "But as Case gets game reps and Case gets plays and practices more in this offense, he can certainly close that gap."

That is in contrast, in Hoffman's mind, to Haskins.

"Dwayne is on a different step down that same ladder (as Keenum)," Hoffman said. "Where he just doesn't really understand where he's supposed to go with the football often enough, takes too many sacks." 

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