Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden isn't waiting for the NFL to reduce the preseason to two games. He's already doing it -- and he's cheating fans.
Eight top players, including quarterback Kirk Cousins, were withheld against the New York Jets Aug. 19. And most starters won't play during the team's final preseason game at Tampa Bay Sept. 1. That leaves Buffalo at FedEx Field Aug. 26 as the only substantial outing for regulars after playing one or two series during the preseason opener against Atlanta Aug. 11.
Maybe New England's Tom Brady doesn't need any preseason work, but Cousins is a long way from Brady, and the Redskins are far from the Patriots. Yet, Gruden opted not to tell even his starters, much less the 20,000 or so in the stands, they weren't playing until leaving the locker room Aug. 19.
