Who needs to step up tonight?

[MTK]

I'm thinking that tonight's game could decide alot as far as roster spots and starting jobs.

Ramsey: He really needs to have a sharp game if he wants to be seriously considered for the starting QB job. Even if he is impressive tonight it might be a case of too little too late.

Betts: Enough with the injuries, he needs to show something tonight. Just stepping on the field would be a step in the right direction.

Cartwright: The backup RB battle is far from over, Rock must make the most of every touch he gets tonight.

Who are you guys going to be watching tonight?

[Redskins_P]

I'll be watching mainly Betts. If he comes and has a strong outing, then the backup job is his. I agree that Rock needs to take advantage of however many touches he gets. If Simon or Mccullough play well, Rock maybe the odd man out.

As far as Ramsey goes.....he should be fine. Mark my words, this will be Ramsey's best game this preseason. I'll also keep my eyes on the backup WR's. Especially Gari Scott, Jafar Williams, and Scott Cloman. I think Jacobs will get some looks too.

This is a great test for our D. We should be able to get some pressure on Bulger and that WEAK offensive line they have. Our secondary will be busy too. This is a good test for Taylor also......let's see how fast he really is.

[Redskins8588]

I agree, I also would like to see more receptions from our WR's tonight.

[BrudLee]

I'd like to see something early from Sultan. He has a lot of yards, but they are coming in the 4th quarter. I'd like to see him against people who will have jobs in two weeks.

[Paintrain]

The players I'll be watching are:

1. Ramsey.. He needs to look like he knows what's going on out there. The past couple of games he's looked lost and tentative. He needs to just play, if he does that I think he'll be fine, but I think he's scared of making mistakes. He also needs to get rid of the ball faster.

2. Betts.. Let's see something from him, he's been hurt for 2 years. It would be nice if he can win the backup RB job since we invested a high draft pick on him. I think he has the most realistic potential out of all of the RB on the roster outside of Portis. Let's be honest, there is a reason that McCollugh was an undrafted FA, Rock was a 7th round pick and Morton is a 3rd down back/KR. We need a legitimate backup to CP.

3. WR.. Can McCants steal Gardner's job at the #2 WR? Gardner has dropped a bunch of passes this preseason, again continuing his 50-50 pattern. I want to see Jacobs targeted 5-7 times, he was a high draft pick, show me something. I like Gari Scott, I'd like to see a little more of him too.

4. DB.. I just like watching Sean Taylor wreck shop like the beast he is!

[Big C]

Players that gave to play well:
Matt Bowen- Damn hes sucked in the preseason.
Betts- Just show them what you can do, you are the best backup on the team here
Jacobs- Most potential of our WR's, but hes gotta get out and play

[Beemnseven]

Kevin Mitchell and Antonio Pierce see a lot of action tonight. I'm interested to see how Pierce has matured. Was his outing against the Dolphins just a mirage? Is Pierce a legitimate backup middle linebacker? Does Mitchell have anything left? Faulk and the Rams' receivers will pose a great test for them.

You guys know how I feel about exposing Coles in a meaningless game, especially with how he's a bit banged up. There's no better reason to sit him tonight, and let Taylor Jacobs, Cliff Russell, and Darnerian McCants see some extensive action against the starters. Will we see the QBs and WRs get on the same page and get some completions downfield? Will Rod Gardner step up and get involved this time? One catch for 8 yards this preseason !? Come on, Rod! Show us something!

I'm also wondering if our defensive line will generate the same pressure that a much weaker Kansas City defense was able to get on Marc Bulger. After that performance, the Ram offensive line will be hungry, and eager to atone for that embarrassment last week.

[Dave Butz Baby!]

Betts needs to step up, step on the field, or step out. Potential isn't worth shit, quite frankly, nor have I ever been that impressed with him the last two years. Let's face it... every time the Skins have suited up to play the last two years, Betts has averaged 4.4 carries for 17.6 yards. Per game. That's not exactly tearing it up. Since he has missed almost 40% of the games since he's been here, those low numbers aren't surprising. The games he actually played in, he has averaged 7.1 carries for 28.1 yards. Per game. Again, that's not exactly tearing it up.

He should lose his spot to someone who will actually practice and play in games. If we can use him for trade bait, then by all means send him on down the road.

Jacobs is much the same, but it's only been one year of not playing instead of two. He's gotta show something or be gone.

Beemnseven... I disagree with you about the KC defense. They upgraded the most important position this off season with one of the best in the business - Gunther Cunningham is back as D Coordinator. They'll be back to their mid-late 90's bad assed selves in no time. Also, the Rams O-line sucks right now.. they have had several injuries to starters (their starting center, Turley's on IR) as well as the annual Poston/Orlando Pace holdout to deal with. This is not the same line they've had.

[SmootSmack]

There are a couple of guys I'll be watching.

First off I'll just list the entire defensive line as one guy. I'm still curious as to who will start come Sept. 12

Up until a couple of weeks ago I honestly dismissed Andre Lott as just another guy. But thanks to some Warpathers here I'm realizing that maybe I should give him a closer look

And of course I want to see how Ramsey, Jacobs and Rock/Betts/Simon Sultan do.

[kingerock]

Matt Bowen - he hits so well, it just seems he's lost and doesn't know what play is being called. I need to see him focus and be in the right place to make a play rather than make a stop after he's missed his assignment.

Taylor Jacobs - He has too much potential to be burried at 5th in the depth chart. Get the fire going and make some plays!

Sean Taylor - Don't shoot me just yet... He's played well, and I was a doubter at first (I wanted to trade down to get help on the defensive line) but he's proven me wrong so far. Only thing is he's done well once on 3rd team, once on 2nd team and once on 1st team. Do something tonight, even just play well and not make any huge mistakes against Marshall Faulk and the Rams WRs to make me a solid believer.

Joe Salave'a - He's looked good so far and I hope to see more solid play out of him. I think we have the potential to have a decent, servicable defensive line rotation with him, Ron Warner and Renaldo Wynn all able to work in and out of a game.

[SKINSnCANES]

I will be watching three spots. First, Taylor. How can you not want to watch this guy? Ive got faith but tonight is going to be a huge test for him against holt and bruce. I want to see what rookie mistakes he makes. Its harder to ball hawk guys that are that fast, so we'll see hwo he does

Second, whoever is playing RT. Jones I assume, I want to see him continue to progress.

And third, Jacobs. I want him to become a star, Hes got a lot of intangibles and I want to see him step it up and give us another threat.

[SkinsRock]

I know this is very broad, but basically all of the 2nd string guys. If and when any of the starters get injured during the season, I want to be confident that their replacement will be able to step up. While I'd like the 3rd and 4th team guys to perform well too, most of them will be gone by week 1 anyway.

Also, I want to see Ramsey play well. Even though I've been pulling for him, I think Brunell will take the starting job, but I'd at least like to see that Patrick is really making progress and will be able to step right in if needed during the season.

Ladell Betts, please prove to everyone that you should be here! Remember, before Portis came along, a lot of people were pulling for him to be the #1 RB.

[BossHog]

The usual suspects. Ramsey, Jimoh and the injury riddled.

[SKINSnCANES]

Jimoh needs to do more than impress if he has any intention of making the team as waterboy

[bedlamVR]

We are all to quick to give up on potential here in D.C.

Betts is worth keeping around potential only counts when a player doesn't have any. Sultan has speed which looks great in offseason but without smarts and power to go with it he is TCfodder. Remembr Stephen Davis spent 4 years backing up terry allen sucking air on the bench and was almost overshadowed by Skip Hicks. Keep Rock or Simon depending who can be counted on to step in and contribute on special teams. Personally i am leaning towards Simon, Rock has had his chances and looked O.K but nothing special and unlikey to flourish into anything great. He woul be better looking for a team in need of a FB.

Same with Taylor sure we are loaded with talent at WR but you have to keep a project guy. He was unfortunate with his injuries last year but he is an excelent route runner with good hands.

The thing is teams seem to be determined to find the diamond in the rough but giving up on draft day onetalent becasue they don't sparkle from day one is stupid .. managing a football team is like a poker hand do you get rid of the king in you hnad hopeing the 6 you pick up is going to get you a straight...its all swings and roundabouts.