Redskins.com looks at some of the key players to keep an eye on during Friday's Redskins-Patriots preseason game at FedExField.
"Redskins-Steelers: 4 Players to Watch" is presented by Papa John's.
Every Monday, fans can order a large cheese pizza for only $9.99, plus for each touchdown that the Redskins score, fans get one free topping. And with a Redskins victory, fans get double the toppings.
-- Jason Campbell
Campbell finds himself under scrutiny after last Sunday's preseason game vs. Pittsburgh.
He completed just 1-of-7 passes for 10 yards in three series against the Steelers. And the first-team offense has yet to get the ball in the end zone.
Has there been an over-reaction.to Campbell's statistics in a meaningless preseason game? Perhaps.
Nevertheless, Campbell says he's "motivated" to lead the first-team offense to a touchdown against the New England Patriots on Friday night. And Jim Zorn called it an "imperative" for the offense to get in the end zone.
"I don't feel pressure, it's everyone else trying to put pressure on me," Campbell said. "Right now it's more negative than it is positive. Everybody is talking about 1-for-7--come on, there have been games where I have been 20-fo-23. One-for-7 is definitely something I'm not concerned about."
-- Stephon Heyer
Heyer won the right tackle job outright this preseason, beating out challengers Mike Williams and Jeremy Bridges. And the competition really has not been close.
Coaches have long praised Heyer for his ability as a pass rusher. His long arms make him adept at fending off speed rushers.
It is run blocking that Heyer has needed to work on in the pros. Paired with Randy Thomas, one of the better run-blocking guards in the league, should help him.
"Stephon has really improved at run blocking," Jim Zorn said. "We do not have to be left-handed with Chris Samuels when we run the ball. We can go both ways and feel comfortable running on both sides of the field.
-- Andre Carter
In both of the Redskins' first two preseason games, Carter has made his presence known on the very first play.
Against Baltimore on Aug. 13, he pushed the left tackle back and swatted away a pass. Against Pittsburgh on Aug. 22, he burst past the left tackle and--again--swatted away a pass.
Carter has always had impressive speed coming off the edge, but he appears to be a step faster this year. With Albert Haynesworth attracting attention in the middle of the defensive line, Carter is usually one-on-one against the left tackle.
"To me it seems like he's a step quicker than he was," defensive line coach John Palermo said. "You can tell the hard work he did this offseason has paid off for him, especially when he is up the field and makes inside moves. He just seems quicker."
-- DeAngelo Hall
Matchups are not usually a focus in preseason games, but this Friday night it is certainly intriguing to see how Hall fares against Randy Moss.
Hard to believe, but Hall and Moss have never faced each other in a regular season game.
Hall is in his first preseason with the Redskins, but he has already emerged as a leader in the secondary. The 6-year veteran says he is motivated to return to form that earned him consecutive Pro Bowl berths in 2006-07.
"This scheme fits my style of play," Hall said. "I'm a corner that likes to see the play, likes to make plays on the ball and get my hands on the ball."
