Pre-Season Game #1

Posted on August 8, 2025 by Ray Wyvill
On August 17, 1970 Sonny Jurgensen threw 4-Touchdowns in a PRE-SEASON game against the New England Patriots. It was a different age for the exhibition games then as starters would play most of the affairs. This game was also marked by a fire that broke out under the wooden bleachers which halted play for over 20-minutes.

It has come to be time for some almost-real football. You know, people actually get tackled to the ground. The key word here is “People” not Stars. The stars are going to be on the sidelines in sweats and ball caps. The purpose of pre-season games, aside from selling tickets, used to be to hone the team against real competition. Then late in the games put the players on the field that are “on the bubble” for making the roster. Confirm suspicions, if you will. That’s all gone by the wayside. The honing and real evaluation comes in the joint scrimmages. What’s left is to determine the low end of the depth charts. Tonight’s game will certainly follow that script.

The Scrimmage

On Wednesday the WFT engaged the rebuilding New England Patriots at their massive complex in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The loose consensus of observations by media present went like this:

–Jayden Daniels looks really sharp. New England Beat Reporters had not seen Daniels in person. They were plenty impressed.

-Daniels completed passes to either Running Backs or Tight Ends. The Wide Receiver corps had trouble gaining separation from New England’s Secondary. Of course, Terry McLaurin wasn’t there. But, his absence may have been louder than being there. Noah Brown is still being slowly ramped up. Other than those two no one in the Wide Receiver room is standing out. This had been a theme in Ashburn during team-only practices. But, it became noted nationally when up against another squad. The hold-in, withholding of services continues.

–Drake Maye had some success against the Secondary. Washington’s Cornerback Room is now considered a strength by many. That hinges on Marshon Lattimore. IF healthy and IF effective then things are pointing up. Rookie Trey Amos shined as he has for most of Camp.

-Without tackling it is hard to get a gauge on the Running or Run-Stopping games. Brian Robinson looked good. So did Rookie Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt. This evening look for “Bill” to get lots of carries. If he makes the 53-man someone is getting squeezed out of that Running Back room.

–Laremy Tunsil was simply dominant. Adam Kilgore said that what was so impressive about him was how effortless he appeared when simply swallowing Defenders. Rookie Josh Conerly also had a solid day. The scrimmage had a session of one-on-ones. Conerly got beaten early on once. But, then was rock solid.

Sam and Friends

The scrimmage is where the first-line players got in their work. Tonight is for the second, third, and beyond guys will play. Sam Hartman gets the start. He and Josh Johnson, the grizzled Journeyman veteran prototype will get all the snaps. Daniels will be observing. Marcus Mariota didn’t make the trip as he has a lower leg strain. Hartman and Johnson are fighting for QB3 status. Odd man out goes to the Practice Squad. Or, both will do so. Johnson will not go unclaimed. Hartman may possibly get claimed, but probably not according to any number of analysts. QBs go down in this League. Last year over 60-different QBs STARTED games. And, last year the WFT carried only two on the original 53-man roster. This little Camp Battle may be the most intriguing part of the festivities tonight.

Pre-Season Game #1

Washington at New England

7:30 pm

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