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Redskins-Colts: 4 Players to Watch

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Redskins.com looks at four key players to keep an eye on during Friday night's Redskins-Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium.

"Redskins-Colts: 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.

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JOHN BECK

The Redskins' quarterback competition enters stage two with Beck starting against the Colts. It is his first game action in nearly a year when he started against the Arizona Cardinals in the Redskins' 2010 preseason finale.

Since then, Beck has waited his turn. He even had to wait last week as he rested a groin injury, allowing Rex Grossman to start the preseason opener vs. Pittsburgh.

Grossman set the bar for Beck. He completed 19-of-26 passes for 207 yards and one touchdown.

Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan admitted that even he isn't entirely sure what to expect from Beck. Certainly, he must show good decision-making, accuracy and poise in the pocket, three areas in which Grossman excelled against the Steelers.

TRENT WILLIAMS

By all accounts, Williams had a solid training camp. He showed improved footwork and mobility at left tackle and just seemed more confident and professional.

Williams faces an early test on Friday night going up against Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney.

Last October, Williams matched up against Freeney in Week 6 of the regular season. Williams held Freeney without a sack, but Freeney was able to pressure then-Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb several times in the Colts' 27-24 win at FedExField.

Afterwards, Williams called Freeney his toughest matchup all season.

STEPHEN BOWEN

In Jim Haslett's 3-4 defense, it's the job of linemen to occupy blockers and allow linebackers to make plays on the ball-carrier. Bowen and fellow line-mate Barry Cofield could be versatile enough to make plays on their own.

Bowen, a 6-year veteran, was one of the Redskins' marquee signings in free agency. He previously played in the Dallas Cowboys 3-4 defense, recording 5.5 sacks in five seasons.

Bowen made an immediate impact in the first preseason game against Pittsburgh, getting a strong push up the middle and sacking quarterback Byron Leftwich for a 10-yard loss.

Watch Bowen and he puts an emphasis on getting off the ball at the line of scrimmage. He says he has a variety of pass rush moves to set up offensive linemen.

KEVIN BARNES

With Josh Wilson sidelined due to a groin injury, Barnes could see significant playing time against the Colts.

Barnes played most of last week's preseason opener against the Steelers. He playing with the first-team defense in the first half and logged a sack on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and a team-high five tackles.

In Indianapolis, Barnes could match up against the likes of wide receivers Reggie Wayne (111 catches, six TDs last year) and Pierre Garcon (67 catches, six TDs) working with the first-team defense.

Should be a good test for the third-year cornerback. He has quietly improved his game since the last three years and the Maryland product could be ready for a bigger role in the Redskins' secondary.

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