The Washington Redskins played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the final preseason game of 2014 on Aug. 28, 2014.
Clifton Geathers came to play Thursday night.
Geathers – the Redskins' largest player at 6-foot-8, 325 pounds – threw around his weight Thursday evening in the team's preseason finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, earning two sacks in the process.
"I watched tape all week, man," Geathers said after the game. "I just continued what I did all preseason. I continue to grow, taking coaching from [defensive line coach Jacob] Burney and Jason Hatcher, [Barry] Cofield and some of those other guys. They coach me up pretty well and are starting to teach me a little about the pass rush."
Geathers came into the game hoping to impress the coaching staff and earn a spot on the regular-season roster. The team has until 4 p.m. Saturday to trim its roster from 75 to 53 players.
The Redskins' defense – led by Geathers – dominated the Buccaneers throughout the entire game. Tampa Bay had just 14 total yards at halftime.
Geathers notched one sack in each half, showing the ability to play deep in a game and remain a playmaker.
He also had a sack Aug. 23 against the Baltimore Ravens, tying outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan for preseason team-high honors with three.
"I think God presented the opportunity," he said. "Honestly, he put me in those situations and I just had to capitalize on it. That's all I feel about it. Other than preparing me and doing the same thing I was doing for the last three games, it was no difference."
Geathers said the help he's received from his teammates and coaches this offseason into the preseason has been invaluable.
"I'm starting to use, basically, what I always had and I did all preseason this season, because those guys coach me up," he said. "We got a good group of guys here – first string, second string – everybody. Everybody is for everybody and I like the way their coaching me right now."
Geathers, like many of his teammates on Thursday, were happy to put several quality plays on film for their coaches to review the next 48 hours.
The fourth-year pro out of South Carolina is hoping to hear some good news by late Saturday afternoon.
"The next 48 hours , oh it's nerve wrecking," he admitted. "But if something happens, I just have to leave with my head held high."
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