NFL Preseason Preview - Denver (0-0) vs. Washington (0-0)
By Tony Moss, NFL Editor
(Sports Network) - Joe Gibbs returns to the sideline for the first time since the 1992 season Monday night, as the Washington Redskins face the Denver Broncos in the Hall of Fame Game from Canton, OH. Gibbs was inducted into the Hall in 1996, four years after retiring to devote himself full-time to ownership of his NASCAR racing team. Washington has posted just three winning seasons since Gibbs' departure, and has made just one playoff appearance over that stretch.
Neither team is expected to play its projected starters for more than a quarter, but several interesting storylines will be present in an otherwise meaningless preseason contest.
Redskins running back Clinton Portis and Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey, traded for one another in the offseason, will each get a chance to compete against their former club for the first time. Seeking to replace Portis in the starting lineup, Denver head coach Mike Shanahan will give opportunties to former backups Quentin Griffin and Mike Anderson, though second-round draft pick Tatum Bell, another expected player in the running back race, may not see time due to a broken finger.
Washington quarterback Mark Brunell, an offseason free agent acquisition from Jacksonville, will get his first opportunity to seize the starting job from incumbent signal-caller Patrick Ramsey. Jake Plummer will be the unquestioned No. 1 quarterback for Denver, though it will be the veteran's first outing since a disappointing showing in a playoff loss to Indianapolis last January.
The annual Hall of Fame game is played at Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium, a Canton city high school stadium which seats 22,375 and can accommodate up to 1,500 in standing room. It is located directly across the street from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The first game of the series was played in 1962, a year before the Hall was opened. Except for 1966, there has been a Hall of Fame game in Canton every year since.
This year's contest is a rematch of Super Bowl XXII, won by Washington, 42-10.
My Pick: Washington -2
By Tony Moss, NFL Editor
(Sports Network) - Joe Gibbs returns to the sideline for the first time since the 1992 season Monday night, as the Washington Redskins face the Denver Broncos in the Hall of Fame Game from Canton, OH. Gibbs was inducted into the Hall in 1996, four years after retiring to devote himself full-time to ownership of his NASCAR racing team. Washington has posted just three winning seasons since Gibbs' departure, and has made just one playoff appearance over that stretch.
Neither team is expected to play its projected starters for more than a quarter, but several interesting storylines will be present in an otherwise meaningless preseason contest.
Redskins running back Clinton Portis and Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey, traded for one another in the offseason, will each get a chance to compete against their former club for the first time. Seeking to replace Portis in the starting lineup, Denver head coach Mike Shanahan will give opportunties to former backups Quentin Griffin and Mike Anderson, though second-round draft pick Tatum Bell, another expected player in the running back race, may not see time due to a broken finger.
Washington quarterback Mark Brunell, an offseason free agent acquisition from Jacksonville, will get his first opportunity to seize the starting job from incumbent signal-caller Patrick Ramsey. Jake Plummer will be the unquestioned No. 1 quarterback for Denver, though it will be the veteran's first outing since a disappointing showing in a playoff loss to Indianapolis last January.
The annual Hall of Fame game is played at Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium, a Canton city high school stadium which seats 22,375 and can accommodate up to 1,500 in standing room. It is located directly across the street from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The first game of the series was played in 1962, a year before the Hall was opened. Except for 1966, there has been a Hall of Fame game in Canton every year since.
This year's contest is a rematch of Super Bowl XXII, won by Washington, 42-10.
My Pick: Washington -2
