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          Zach Brown rejects Lane Johnson guarantee: Redskins 'don't need PEDs to win'

          • John Keim, ESPN Staff WriterAug 24, 2017, 02:55 PM
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              John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on 'The John Keim Report', which airs on ESPN Richmond radio, and follow him on Twitter @john_keim
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          ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins linebacker Zach Brown responded to a guarantee about the season opener -- and probably won over fans of his new team in the process.

          Philadelphia Eagles tackle Lane Johnson wrote in The Players' Tribune: "Let me tell you what's going to happen in a couple of weeks: This team is going to go down to D.C. and whup some ass against the Redskins."

          Not everyone gets bothered by another player making a guarantee. In truth, every player should believe he'll win every game. But it's rare for someone to boast about whupping "some ass."

          Enter Brown, who took his own jabs by going directly to Johnson's 10-game suspension last season for taking performance-enhancing drugs. Johnson addressed that in the article.

          Brown dove right in:

          Brown and the Redskins host the Eagles in the Sept. 10 season opener. Johnson missed both games between the teams last year. Washington won both contests and has defeated Philadelphia five consecutive times.

          Brown is expected to open the season as one of the Redskins' starting inside linebackers. Mason Foster started next to Brown in the second preseason game, and the expectation is that they will be the starting tandem -- unless there's an injury or a sudden drop-off.

          "They did good," Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. "I feel really good about our linebacking corps. ... Honestly, any pairing I feel pretty good about right now."

          The Redskins also have Will Compton, whom Gruden said is "a great leader, a great communicator," and Martrell Spaight. They also have Zach Vigil and rookies Josh Harvey-Clemons and Nico Marley. There's a chance the Redskins will keep only four inside linebackers.

          But Brown, signed via free agency, will be one of them. His speed and athleticism made him desirable; he'll have to show consistency in other areas, but those traits have stood out in the first two preseason games. Brown also has shown he's not afraid to respond to a guarantee.

          On Sept. 10, both Johnson and Brown can save their chatter for the field.