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This Ole Fart Thinks “Skins vs Raiders”
My apologies for this being posted so late. It is my fault and not the author’s. This was written before the Allen signing so take that into account when reading what he wrote.
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So how does it feel on Monday after a win? Well, it certainly does feel a lot better than a loss, but before we get too happy with the team’s result, let’s not forget how it came about. The last two wins (Denver and Oakland) occurred primarily because the defense managed to knock out the starting quarterback, who was then replaced by one of the worst position players in the NFL. Make no mistake about it, few teams could even stay in games and be competitive with either Simms or Russell at the position. Both are absolutely dreadful and do not belong in the NFL as reserves, much less as starters. But there they were, and the results were predictable. The defense deserves credit for knocking them out, so there was no fluke about the game. But, as with Denver, the outcome would have likely been different with the starter still playing. This doesn’t mean that we would have lost yesterday had Gradkowski played the whole game, only that Russell was clearly incapable of exploiting weaknesses or uneven match-ups for the Raiders. He is one of the worst busts of a first overall pick in memory.Can we extend the good play the remainder of the season? Well, I would guess that the team will continue to play hard through the last 3 games, but we have had great difficulty beating the Giants when they are in dire straits. This one is no different. They need to win out or they are simply not going to the playoffs. Even then, they have no chance of catching Green Bay for the top wild card spot, so they are very vulnerable. This has been just the spot that Coughlin has rallied them from in years past. Dallas will be desperate as well. San Diego will likely be resting players by then, but they are a deep team and I don’t think Norv will want them losing too much momentum going into the playoffs. I think we will be lucky to win any of the games, even if we play hard.
For those who think that this latest up-tick in the team’s fortunes provides Zorn with ammunition to remain as Head Coach, about all I can say is, “What on earth are you thinking?”. Hopefully the last three games are the last three games we see with this entire coaching staff. I appreciate the work that Sherm Lewis has (apparently) done in smoothing out the offense. But, do you really think that the front office, in whatever permutation it takes, is going to repeat the mistake of having an offensive coordinator in place before the head coach is selected? Right…Even the Redskins under Cerrato could not dream of doing that twice in a row. Blache? Thanks for the memories, and don’t let the door hit you in the rear on your way out. As good as Orakpo has been, it is hard to imagine how much better he might have been spending an entire year at defensive end. As bad as Landry has played at free safety, it is hard to fathom it has taken this long for the coaches to figure out he REALLY is a strong safety who belongs in the “Box.” These are the kinds of things you need to figure out in OTA’s and not in the final quarter of the regular season. They ALL need to go. Cerrato does as well, BUT, more and more, I think he will survive based upon the play of the draft picks and some of the free agent acquisitions. Actually, he will likely survive because Shanahan will likely tolerate him, Holmgren ain’t coming, and most anyone else will not be in a powerful enough position to demand his head as the price for coming here. Plus, and this is really the crux of the matter, NO OTHER GM WILL TOLERATE SNYDER’S HANDS ON ACTIONS. Snyder simply won’t retire to the back of the room this time around, so I believe Cerrato survives for now.
Some individual player comments:
Gano: I really like this guy, and not just for making two field goals of over 40 yards in his first two attempts, on the road. What I like is the depth and placement he got on his kickoffs as well. One game does not make a career, but he looks to have the whole package physically. Let’s see what he does when a game is actually on the line.
Ganther: He runs with power, he makes people miss, he catches the ball well in space, he breaks tackles, and he has a nose for short yardage by working through cracks rather than simply using power. He might not be a primary back or starter, but he clearly has shown enough to justify being kept as a reserve and specialty back. He has made Betts totally expendable. He has made Rock a special teams player once again. He did miss one blitz pickup, but in his defense, he picked up the man who was in his field of view, even if it was the wrong player, and the less immediate threat. I can fault a guy for going after the wrong guy, but it is not the same as simply standing around and watching his quarterback get blasted. He will do better over time because the guy actually likes to block and does it with violence.
Rocky: He had a decent game and deserves to be re-signed to a modest extension. If he is looking for a huge deal, let him move on.
Wilson: He should benefit from being given much more time at SAM linebacker, as Orakpo moves into a defensive end slot most of the time. Still, not sure about Chris, but he is worth keeping.
Fletcher : Sure hopes he finally gets recognition, but honestly, his timing is bad because Willis is simply unmatched at the position. Maybe sentimentality helps London get something he clearly deserved in years past? It wouldn’t be outrageous if he did.
Moore: Needs to be given every chance to lock down the free safety position because he has enough speed for it, whereas Doughty simply doesn’t. I still want to see Lendy Holmes get reps as well, but that isn’t going to come until next year, barring injury.
Alexander: Great motor, and solid play in the middle. Griffin simply cannot stay healthy. Montgomery is perpetually in the dog house, although he played decently yesterday. So, Alexander should get reps along with Daniels in the middle. The way Daniels has played, I would have no issues signing him for one more year primarily as a tackle.
Landry: Okay, the guy is NOT a free safety and yes, he is a bonehead much of the time. But, he can be a force of nature and is there ANYONE here who thinks that if he went to Baltimore or New England or Pittsburgh and was put in a scheme that worked to his strengths, he wouldn’t be a dominant player? He is simply being mis-used and poorly coached and this compounds his immaturity. Hopefully the next defensive coordinator will scheme to his strengths, but under no circumstances would I trade him or cut him.
Orakpo: Defensive Rookie of the Year– no matter what the votes are. Might end up being Vinny’s finest pick ever. Yes, it would have been nice to have Oher, but, man, in the future, as soon as next year perhaps, offenses are going to have to account for him on every play. How incredible is it to have two players with eleven sacks each with three games yet to play? While we are at it, Carter neeeds to return as well because of his work ethic and skill set. At this point, he is likely good for AT LEAST another two to three years before his skills erode due to age.
Offensive line: Heyer needs to go. Dockery is ordinary. Rabach is a liability against most opponents BUT Mike Williams can run block, and if he can stay healthy and learn to pass block a little better he is worth keeping. Levi Jones did not have a very good game, but he is still worth re-signing simply out of need.
Davis: As he says, the more he plays, the better he gets. Kind of applies to all the young players, especially the receivers.
Randle El: Needs to be on the bench. It is a crime to keep Mitchell from playing to give him reps. Same with Marko– he won’t improve until he plays.
Campbell: Save the controversy for last..lol…Yes, he played a very solid game. Yes, he got hammered without turning the ball over. Yes, he made plays with his eyes and with his feet and with his arm. I am still not sold on him, BUT at this point he is an asset. If there is no CBA, without question they need to tender him, most likely at the mid level. Even at that price of between 3-4 million per year, he is worth having on the roster. Will he sign his tender? Good question. I think it will depend upon how much interest there is in him as a starter by other teams. But, even if he won’t sign and wants to go elsewhere, at least the Redskins will re-coup draft picks. The mid level gets them a first rounder and a third, I believe. That would certainly take a lot of the sting out of losing him. Or they can work out a trade for him but at least we get something in return. Would he stay to learn another system? My guess is that if he goes elsewhere it won’t be with Zorn so he will have to learn a new one either way. What happens if there IS a CBA? Then it gets stickier because I believe he is an UFA unless they tag him. I don’t see them paying him top 5 QB money or perhaps even top 10 QB money (if there is a Transition level tag anymore?) so will they give him up for nothing, or will they sign him long term, or will he even be willing to sign here? I don’t have a feel for that circumstance at all. My guess is that if Snyder is making the decision, Campbell walks. If a new head coach is here, he might have the last word on it. Who knows ? But, if nothing else, Campbell is making himself a lot of money by his play. If he can beat the Giants or Dallas, I think he makes himself a whole lot more with each win and that is nice to see for all the hits he has taken. Whether or not I believe he is the best QB for the Redskins, there is no doubt in my mind that he is a quality person and a class act. I wish him all the best, no matter how it turns out.
Now let’s go out there and put the Giants out of their misery for once….
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