Of course, national eyes will be on the debut of Bret Farve as a New York Jet.  That’s a given.  But we here at DCPSR have much bigger things to tend to.

So the Redskins are 2-0 and in both games, the pattern was the same, a pattern that has Redskins Nation excited.  The started glided down field effortlessly, executed the Zorn offense very well, and scored.  So, we will look for the same.  We would look for further development, new nuances, and continued progression by QB Jason Campbell.  But, what other things should we keep our eye on Saturday night?    Take your pick, but we at DCPSR will give you at least 5 things, like we do each week, to watch for Saturday evening.

1.  The return of CB Carlos Rogers and LB Rocky McIntosh:  We will be anxiously watching how these two guys perform.  Coming back from devastating knee injuries that ended their 2007 seasons, we will be watching to see their speed an how hard they go in their first games back.  It is pretty damn exciting.  Some of us out there in the media and blogosphere were unsure we would see either guy by week 4 of the regular season.  Heck, I can remember once the 2007 season ended, their were initial reports that McIntosh would miss the entire 2008 season, sparking the Lance Briggs debate once again.  Both Rogers and Mcintosh will see action tomorrow night.  How long?  Doubtful it will be past a series or two, but Redskins can breathe a sigh of relief, these guys are ready to play and will be ready for September 4th!  Personally, I want to see Farve test Rogers on a deep pass.  That’s what I wanna see.  I wanna see McIntosh blaze across the field to make an open field tackle.  That’s what I wanna see.   

2.  WR Devin Thomas.  Yes, it is about time.  The Redskins spent two of their three picks in the first two rounds to revamp the receiving corp by growing bigger; selecting 6′2″ Devin Thomas and 6′4″ Malcolm Kelly.  Neither has practiced much, slowed by sore hamstrings.  Kelly was forced to have minor knee surgery, sidelining him for 2 to 4 weeks, we’ll be lucky to see him in the pre-season.  Thomas has been slowed by a hamstring soreness.  But, Thomas is ready to debut as a Washington Redskin this week.  I am anxious to see Thomas’ speed and how he handles passes from Campbell/Collins.  I am excited to see how he runs the routes and his ability to get one.  Dammit, I am just excited to see Devin Thomas on the field and to make a catch.  That sums it up.

3.  Punter, take 3.  Durant Brooks averaged 46 yards in 4 points, an impressive debut in game one.  Derrick Frost followed in game two with nice ball placement.  Now, Durant Brooks is up again in game three.  The battle for the punting slot etches up a serious notch as these two battle for the punting spot.  Using a 6th round draft choice to take the 2007 Ray Guy Award winner, given to the best punter in college football, is a sign of displeasure with the punting situation.  That should give Brooks the edge.  But, the rookie also has to keep kicking with intensity to not put doubt of his youth and inexperience in the NFL into the mid of special teams coach Danny Smith.  As much as we hate to see the offense stall, we need that to happen a few times for further evaluation of the 6th round pick.

4.   Special Teams.  Let’s face it, we are getting down there.  This is where fringe guys either put up, or shut up.  Look for big tackles, look for good blocking.  Nearly all of the final roster spots are determined right here.  So keep an eye on it.  It is pre-season, and nothing is more important to several players right now that what they do on this unit.

5.  The Secondary.  I am including here both safety and corners, because there are some battles going on at each position.  At safety, I’ll be watching closely Kareem Moore and Chris Horton.  These guys are both draft picks, Horton has show that ability to get to the QB on secondary blitzes, but didn’t play last week due to sickness.  Can he bring that same effectiveness and intensity.  Moore comes with the bigger reputation.  But, he has been plagued with some annoying injuries.  Time to make some plays and get noticed.  Watch both these guys on special teams, there play there will also be pretty important.    At corner back, 4th round pick Justin Tryon has struggled at times, looking lost in deep routes and off the ball on short ones.  Meanwhile, against third string offenses, Matteral Richardson has looked pretty effective.  I would love to get a look at Richardson in the first half.  Also, keep an eye on both these guys on special teams, because that is likely where they will need to make an impact to make the roster.  Tryon is a bit safer than Richardson, just because of his draft status.  But, in reality, Richardson thus far has been more impressive.

Honorable Mention:  Colt Brennan and his performance in wrapping up the game.  Backup offensive line roster spots between Devin Clark, Andrew Crummey, Justin Geisinger, Fred Matua, Todd Wade, and Tavares Washington (yes, I am putting in the bank that Chad Rinehart and Jason Fabini are roster locks).  Can Marcus Mason wrap up a roster spot by being just as impressive in the backfield?

Discuss it is on Redskins Park Forum