For the first time since 2007, the Redskins' defense matches up against a rookie quarterback this Sunday.
Two years ago, it was Trent Edwards of the Buffalo Bills. Now it's the Detroit Lions' Matthew Stafford, the top overall pick in last April's NFL Draft.
An opportunity to pressure an untested quarterback with a series of blitzes?
An opportunity to confuse Stafford with an assortment of looks?
Hold everything.
Even though he's 0-2 as a rookie starter, Stafford has impressed defensive coordinator Greg Blache.
"There's a reason they took him first in the draft," Blache said. "He's a talented young quarterback. He can make all of the throws, he's got mobility and he's got some moxie and savvy about him for a young quarterback.
"He shows a lot of the same type of presence and a lot of the same types of ability that Peyton Manning did [as a rookie]. He'll have a few growing pains, but I'll tell you what, they're going to have a heck of a quarterback when it's all said and done."
High praise, to be sure, but the truth is that Stafford has struggled in his first two NFL games.
He has completed 34-of-67 passes (50.7 percent) for 357 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions. His QB rating: 40.5.
Blache said he would not alter his scheme to be more aggressive against Stafford.
"We'll do what we do," Blache said.
London Fletcher also praised Stafford, but he was coy when asked if the Redskins would try to confuse the young quarterback.
"Whoever we play, we don't want to get him into a rhythm regardless," Fletcher said. "We just go out and play our style of defense, give him as many looks as possible, get pressure on him and get as many hits on him as possible.
"We don't want him to get good in a hurry."
-- JANSEN ON THE LIONS
When the Redskins released Jon Jansen last May, it did not take him long to find a new team. Within 24 hours, he had signed with the Detroit Lions.
Jansen, who grew up in the Detroit suburbs and attended the University of Michigan, is a backup offensive tackle with the Lions.
Jansen, a 1999 second-round draft choice by Washington, was a regular starter for the Redskins from through 2008. He started 123-of-126 in that span.
"I have a high regard for Jon," Joe Bugel said. "He was a good Redskin while he was here. He was a great guy to coach. I'm glad he's happy, and I'm glad he's playing in Detroit because that's his hometown."
Could Jansen pass on a few tips about the Redskins' offensive system or snap count?
"I don't know about that, I think we've changed over the year," Bugel replied. "You start with A-B-C's every year. You change things, and guys get a little better."
-- ON THE PRACTICE SQUAD
The Redskins signed linebacker Alvin Bowen and released linebacker Darrel Young from the team's practice squad.
The 6-foot-1, 223-pound Bowen was selected by Buffalo in the fourth round (247 overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft, but spent the season on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in training camp.
Bowen spent the first two weeks of the 2009 season on the Bills' practice squad before being waived last Tuesday.
Bowen was a three-year starter and two-time first-team All-Big XII Conference selection at Iowa State. The 25-year old Bowen is a native of East Orange, N.J.
Young, an undrafted rookie out of Villanova, spent the first two weeks of this season on the Redskins' practice squad.
-- THOMAS HAS SURGERY
Randy Thomas underwent surgery to repair his torn triceps on Thursday, Jim Zorn said.
Joe Bugel called the loss of Thomas to "a tough blow," for Thomas and the team.
Thomas suffered the season-ending injury in last week's game against the St. Louis Rams.
