Why Is This Year Differant? (A Recurring Theme)

[BigCountry]

Ok let's review here:
03 Openning day, ugly win against a team with no offense and we go 5-11
04 Openning day, ugly win against a team with no offense and we go 6-10
05 Openning day, ugly win against a team with even less offense and we go...?

I know it's somewhat meaningless but it's a little disturbing to me. Also in the previous 2 years we lost in week 2 so who knows, maybe this is one of those early season must wins.

The only answer I have to why this year will be differant is the running game. The defense is the defense but I have a feeling our running game will be something special this year.

[danny's stogie]

Quick memo to Joe Gibbs:

August 31, 2006

Dear Joe,

Make sure you lose the first game this year. Every year we win the opener then go on a downward spiral. Let's try our best to lose the first game this year so that in the end we'll end up winnning the super bowl.

Sincerely,
HR

[smoak]

You can add '02 to the list as well when we beat up on the offensively challenged Cardinals.

[JoeJacksonTaylor28]

Quick memo to Joe Gibbs:
:lol1:

[The Skinsinator]

I don't know if this year is different, but it sure needs to be.

Reasons to be optimistic:
1)In his 1st tenure, Gibbs' team was awesome and he is more up to date on the nfl after 1st year.
2)Better oline & receivers that can get separation and can catch.
3)Lavar is back & healthy.
4)Better playcalling and overall offensive schemes.
5)Defense may be even better than this year. Williams is really harping about creating more turnovers. The d will get real nasty if that happens.

We will all be able to tell, probably, within a month if this year is to be different or not.

[Kope65]

Special teams coverage looked much, much better this year. It would be nice not give up a TD on teams this year (though you could argue Brown did....but he is gone :) )

[dj_stouty]

I'm not worried. I'd rather win the season opener then to go into Dallas with an 0-1 record.

[Skinz4lyfe]

Continuity in the coaching staff? New schemes to fit our personnel on offense? Heck I don't know why this year will be different.

[Lonestar]

Here's why this year is different:

It isn't.

[flave1969]

Here's why this year is different:

It isn't.

Well you are a man of many words.

Why don't you enlighten us with some detail? These are message boards for discussion after all.

[Lonestar]

Well you are a man of many words.

Why don't you enlighten us with some detail? These are message boards for discussion after all.

I've been scanning this board to see a good, reasonable basis you people have on why this year is going to be any different-but i haven't found any. Statistically or otherwise. Like i said, the blind leading the blind.

[akhhorus]

I've been scanning this board to see a good, reasonable basis you people have on why this year is going to be any different-but i haven't found any. Statistically or otherwise. Like i said, the blind leading the blind.

So, you decided to take time out from registering in your neighborhood to post here why?

[sdredskinsfan]

Ok let's review here:
03 Openning day, ugly win against a team with no offense and we go 5-11
04 Openning day, ugly win against a team with no offense and we go 6-10
05 Openning day, ugly win against a team with even less offense and we go...?

I know it's somewhat meaningless but it's a little disturbing to me. Also in the previous 2 years we lost in week 2 so who knows, maybe this is one of those early season must wins.

The only answer I have to why this year will be differant is the running game. The defense is the defense but I have a feeling our running game will be something special this year.

Of course, Portis ran extremely well against the bears last year too. I'm not confident either. I agree, this game against dallas seems to have more importance than a typical second game should warrant.

[BigCountry]

I'm getting kindda tired of these early MNF Dallas games too. For some reason I'd much rather play them in the middle of the season then so early in prime time

[flave1969]

I've been scanning this board to see a good, reasonable basis you people have on why this year is going to be any different-but i haven't found any. Statistically or otherwise. Like i said, the blind leading the blind.


If you really have been scanning the board you will see that we are completely open to the doubts surrounding this team of ours. Take a look at the polls for instance and you will see a fairly even split on most subjects.

I cannot imagine why I would wan't to even visit a Cowboy MB, but I am sure it is full of homerism like ours. Guess what this is a Redskins MB so what do you expect.

I saw your game last week, and there is plenty too be optimistic about and also plenty to worry about. No one in here is in any doubt that it will be a tough game and you have a hoodoo over us, but these things always end.

San Diego made critical mistakes in the game against you that gave you life.

For instance the Roughing the Passer penalty that continued one of your scoring drives.

The lack of pressure that San Diego brought was also a feature of the game. Bledsoe will not get the same time to pass this week.

I saw on offence that committed 7 penalties on Offense, including 3 in a row.

These are all things that can be exploited. We do not hold ourselves to be the perfect team, it is called optimism.

If you consider any NFL game a gimmee, as you said in another thread, then i wonder who really is the naive one.

[LATrueRedskin]

It's our job to win games. It's just a coincidence to me. "You play to win the game."

[IowaSkinsFan]

I've been scanning this board to see a good, reasonable basis you people have on why this year is going to be any different-but i haven't found any. Statistically or otherwise. Like i said, the blind leading the blind.

I want to commend you for being so open in your public profile. It takes courage to reveal the honesty that you show there.

[BigPlayJay]

This year will be different because:

We have a far superior running game. This involves better schemes more fitted to the talent, fresher backs (because of a lighter workload both in practice and through splitting carries), improved Portis, and nice change up between Portis and Betts.
The coaching is far better. The offensive scheme is better and the sideline coaching is far better. Notice no delay of games, false starts, or bad replay calls.
The legendary head coach has stopped being the nice guy and has taken charge. The QB switch and the cutting of Brown were bold statements that big team-killing mistakes will not be tolerated. Gibbs is also working the media much better than last year.
The Wide receivers are much bigger threats to the defense and will make more big plays.
Lavar is back. Jon Jansen is back.
Second year improvements of two coming stars: Chris Cooley and Sean Taylor!

[GWBlitzST]

This year will be different because:

Lavar is back. Jon Jansen is back.

I think these guys are invaluable to team morale, as well as bringing the energy out in both the players and the fans. At home, we play with 12 defenders.

[openallnight]

The entire nation will see Monday night why this year is different.

[whistleandthumb]

There are a lot of reasons this year will be different. Better receivers, better OL, LaVar on D, zone blocking, shotgun, etc. And Monday night, you'll get to see the best reason of all:


The beginning of a season sweep of Dallas.

[CowboyKilla]

I hope the D and running game is enough.
This year is going to be interesting.
Its been a recurring Nightmare this theme of yours. Maybe it ends.HTTR

[redskin_rich]

Ok let's review here:
03 Openning day, ugly win against a team with no offense and we go 5-11
04 Openning day, ugly win against a team with no offense and we go 6-10
05 Openning day, ugly win against a team with even less offense and we go...?

I know it's somewhat meaningless but it's a little disturbing to me. Also in the previous 2 years we lost in week 2 so who knows, maybe this is one of those early season must wins.

The only answer I have to why this year will be differant is the running game. The defense is the defense but I have a feeling our running game will be something special this year.
Every year is different, in '03 we started not just 1-0 but 3-1 including a win over the Pats(who wouldn't lose again for a year and a half). Then the wheels fell off.
Last year, we won the opener because of a fluke play, when Portis saw an opening and broke off of the play called and took it to the house untouched. It was obvious to me, during that game, that our offense couldn't stretch the field with Tampa bringing 8, 9 and even 10 guys to the LOS and we couldn't do anything about it.
This year the offense looks improved in all facets but the one unknown. Can Brunell make the defense respect the deep pass? I sure hope so, it looked like he could sling the ball well in the preseason but that is not at the same speed that the real games are.
Portis is and will for a good while, be our playmaker but in order for him to truly flourish, we have to back off the Safeties.

[colkurtz]

Jansen is back
Rabach is here
Daniels is back
Arrington is back
We have the shotgun
Brunell is not hurt, seems in better shape and wants to make up for his horrible season last year
Portis & Betts are being used more effectively together
Defense has continuity and seems just as effective as last season
Gibbs not calling the plays
Two of our worst turnover players are riding pine or gone

I do see us being a running team, but Brunell will have a good game at QB. We can win this as long as there is effective pressure on Bledsoe. that guy will eat us alive if he gets too much time.

[X-Factor58]

The entire nation will see Monday night why this year is different.



My sentiments exactly.

[RedskinsVision]

a strong defense and a good running game is a formula for a playoff team. our passing game will be efficient and less mistake-prone. and this is Gibbs' second year.. he's had a serious demeanor since before the season started that he didn't show last year.. and with the benching of Ram and showing A. Brown the door after one game proves he means business this year.

[BigCountry]

a strong defense and a good running game is a formula for a playoff team. our passing game will be efficient and less mistake-prone. and this is Gibbs' second year.. he's had a serious demeanor since before the season started that he didn't show last year.. and with the benching of Ram and showing A. Brown the door after one game proves he means business this year.

Our passing game will HAVE to be efficiant. That's a pretty bold statement to make right now but I hope you're right.

[Gclark84]

The lack of pressure that San Diego brought was also a feature of the game. Bledsoe will not get the same time to pass this week.

I saw on offence that committed 7 penalties on Offense, including 3 in a row.

These are all things that can be exploited. We do not hold ourselves to be the perfect team, it is called optimism.

If you consider any NFL game a gimmee, as you said in another thread, then i wonder who really is the naive one.


I could not have put it better myself! I am also realistic enough to know that especially since the game is in Dallas that it will not be a walk in the park.

We will not get any breaks(much like last year!) when Dallas gets a gift wrapped pass interferance call and yet when Rod Gardner is almost stripped of his Jersey(No Call)! I guess the refs figured that Gardner was hot and that the Cowboy defender was helping him to keep cool!!!

[GibbsFan]

At this point right now I see lots of reasons for optimism.

The OL is coming together. We had much better blocking against Chicago than I thought we would. The running game produced 164 net yards rushing and 34:15 of ball control with 18 1st downs. How much better would those stats have looked if we don't give the ball away 3 times? Would we have scored more? The evidence suggest we would have.

The RB's ran well as the yards above suggest. The WR's were able to get some separation and get open. Cooley/Royal did a decent job blocking and getting open. In short, the offense performed well except for the QB's. The redzone was a problem, but at least we got there. The offense will get better with redzone efficiency if we continue to run the ball this well.

Most impressive was the fact the team drove 63 yards in 8:15 on 15 plays to answer the TD. Last years team might well have wilted in the sun at Fedex. But answering a score with a score to retake the lead was huge, and the mark of a good football team doing what needed to be done to win.

Overall, we played hard on both sides of the ball. We were'nt always smart or effective offensively, but when it counted they got it done. This is an offensive juggernaut waiting to explode. All the components to be successful are in place.

The QB is the wick, now we need to just light it up. When it happens, I'll be willing to send free ketchup to anyone who needs a little with their crow. :)

[syphy]

I'm not worried. I'd rather win the season opener then to go into Dallas with an 0-1 record.


I'd rather just beat Dallas.


I honestly don't care if we go 2-14 as long as the games are competitive and the 2 wins are against Dallas. Anything beyond that is pure gravy.

[redwolf1218]

There are a lot of reasons this year will be different. Better receivers, better OL, LaVar on D, zone blocking, shotgun, etc. And Monday night, you'll get to see the best reason of all:


The beginning of a season sweep of Dallas.
I like the changes you've mentioned. when other teams watch film on us from last year, they wont be seeing the receivers (speed), blocking schemes (Portis, O-line), formations (shot gun) and personnel (Lavar, Daniels, etc) that you've mentioned. We might have an extra edge because of these improvements.

[skins74]

We should be better because Gibbs has had a year to get more comfortable and because we have some of our best injured players back.

[ChiefPowhatan17]

It is a new year and we're gonna beat little "d" on Monday. That's it.