My Thoughts On Our Team

[hail2skins]

Here we are sitting a 5-5 (.500) in once again tough division in the NFL. We've squandered many opportunities this season and we can't afford to do it anymore. We are 5-5 because of our own play folks. Other than the Giants, we beat ourselves in every other game we've played.

Turnovers
Turnovers have been killing us from day #1 and I find it difficult to believe that it can't be corrected. There are times when a good hit is layed on a player but on most ocassions I believe it was our fault because we were fighting for extra yardage, etc.. Maybe we should take the Rams approach and just go straight to the ground. It helps minimize the hits and a chance of turning the ball over.

Pass Rush (Lack of)
We shouldn't act like this is a new problem. We've had this problem for several years now and it's catching up with us. Last year we were blitz happy and caught teams off guard. Now teams are using max protection schemes on us and we're blitzing alot less than we used to. No pass rush means our CB's are vulnerable and it has shown over the last couple of games. We need to find a way to create pressure.

Cornerbacks
Now I guess why we know we have so many on this team.

Offensive Weapons (No #2 Receiver)
We are the reason we have no #2 receiver. I blame it on the coaches and Brunell. The coaches called a lot of plays for Moss and Brunell looked his way alot (too much if you ask me). We should have worked hard on creating a #2 receiver so that teams couldn't concentrate on Moss. I'm sorry, but Cooley doesn't fit that role. It has to be a receiver, not an h-back or TE. We didn't even try to do it before Patten went down and then last Sunday we try to throw bombs at Jacobs all day where we should have been hitting the intermediate routes. I guess we found out that there are CB's just as fast a Taylor because every time they threw his way, he was covered. We need a #2 RECEIVER to take pressure off of Moss and open up the middle of the field for Cooley and our TE's.

The Running Game
Well, I hate to say this but I figured awhile back that we would be more of a passing team than a running team. I just kept getting those indications when Gibbs took over. We need to get Portis his touches, our running game has been good this season and we abandon it with a 10 point lead in the 2nd half of Sunday's game. There is no excuse the coaches can give me for that. Eight (8) count them only 8 runs in the 2nd half and we had two drives where we went 3 and out with all passes. Those two drives totaled 48 secs combined.

Clock Management
I think we've been pretty good with clock management this season although the last 3 minutes of the first half really bothered me. Yeah, I heard Gibbs say he would do it everytime to avoid the momentum swing but maybe you can catch teams offguard by attacking them (going for the kill so to speak).

Those are my main thoughts about this team so far.

[hail2skins]

Oh, I forgot to mention that my expectation for this team was 9-7.

[redskin_rich]

I can't argue with any of those points, H2S, so I will just add another:
Inconsistent Offensive Line
One week, the line looks great, the next it plays like a sieve. Whether it is pass protection or run-blocking, I just can't figure it out. We pretty much have our way with the #1 Defense(at the time) last week and then we can't do much of anything with a weak Defense this week. I wish I knew what the problem is here but it is impossible to put my finger on.

[akhhorus]

Oh, I forgot to mention that my expectation for this team was 9-7.

I had predicted 8-8/9-7 before the season began, and thats still realistic for this team. But it totally depends on how many mistakes this team makes. They won't be outmatched in any game they play for the rest of the season.

[PennSkinsFan]

Here we are sitting a 5-5 (.500) in once again tough division in the NFL. We've squandered many opportunities this season and we can't afford to do it anymore. We are 5-5 because of our own play folks. Other than the Giants, we beat ourselves in every other game we've played.

Turnovers
Turnovers have been killing us from day #1 and I find it difficult to believe that it can't be corrected. There are times when a good hit is layed on a player but on most ocassions I believe it was our fault because we were fighting for extra yardage, etc.. Maybe we should take the Rams approach and just go straight to the ground. It helps minimize the hits and a chance of turning the ball over.

Agreed. Turonvers are the single largest factor. How can you expect to compete for a division title or playoffs when your turnover ratio is -12. Just doesn't happen. Totally un-Gibbs like.

Pass Rush (Lack of)
We shouldn't act like this is a new problem. We've had this problem for several years now and it's catching up with us. Last year we were blitz happy and caught teams off guard. Now teams are using max protection schemes on us and we're blitzing alot less than we used to. No pass rush means our CB's are vulnerable and it has shown over the last couple of games. We need to find a way to create pressure.

Yes. his year, teams have tape from last season and are exposing our weakness on the Line but using different schemes formations and max protect. We are suffering big time for it. The Line is no weaker and no stronger than last season, excpet, offense have adjusted, and Gregg Willaims has failed to react to those adjustements.

Cornerbacks
Now I guess why we know we have so many on this team.

CBs and Safeties are not the problem. You can not expect these guys to cover for long lengths of time, you can not expect ANY Cb too. Adequate pass rush solves the deep problem. QBs simply have way too much time.

Offensive Weapons (No #2 Receiver)
We are the reason we have no #2 receiver. I blame it on the coaches and Brunell. The coaches called a lot of plays for Moss and Brunell looked his way alot (too much if you ask me). We should have worked hard on creating a #2 receiver so that teams couldn't concentrate on Moss. I'm sorry, but Cooley doesn't fit that role. It has to be a receiver, not an h-back or TE. We didn't even try to do it before Patten went down and then last Sunday we try to throw bombs at Jacobs all day where we should have been hitting the intermediate routes. I guess we found out that there are CB's just as fast a Taylor because every time they threw his way, he was covered. We need a #2 RECEIVER to take pressure off of Moss and open up the middle of the field for Cooley and our TE's.

Absolutely. The lack of a legit #2 and Brunell's locking on Moss is creating offensive problems NOW. In defense of Brunell and the OLine, though, doubling up Moss, the main problem some from the lack of other to get open. Brunell often has to run or throw it away because our receivers are simply not open.

The Running Game
Well, I hate to say this but I figured awhile back that we would be more of a passing team than a running team. I just kept getting those indications when Gibbs took over. We need to get Portis his touches, our running game has been good this season and we abandon it with a 10 point lead in the 2nd half of Sunday's game. There is no excuse the coaches can give me for that. Eight (8) count them only 8 runs in the 2nd half and we had two drives where we went 3 and out with all passes. Those two drives totaled 48 secs combined.

7 minutes left in the game, we just get the ball back, we lead by 3. We know pass rush is a problem. So what do we do? Run the clock down. What did Gibbs do? Passed on both first and second downs. Bad play calling, this is on Gibbs! No to mention, both samuels and Jansen commented that they were dominating Oakland's line on rush offense and felt confident. yet, we pass. Go figure. The players are even confused with the play calling.

Clock Management
I think we've been pretty good with clock management this season although the last 3 minutes of the first half really bothered me. Yeah, I heard Gibbs say he would do it everytime to avoid the momentum swing but maybe you can catch teams offguard by attacking them (going for the kill so to speak).

Horrendous!

Those are my main thoughts about this team so far.

You forgot one thing Mike. Frost is starting to hurt us as well.

[wewantdallas]

They're all good, cogent points, but I'm just beyond trying to figure this team out or analyze them any further. I'm just exhausted with it all.

It's just flat-out depressing to have blown so many chances in what's turning into yet another heartbreaking season of "what-ifs." It just wears you down after awhile hearing the same old comments from the players, seeing the same results, and then seeing hated rivals like New York and Dallass turn into monsters while we still struggle to find our identity as a team.

To me, it all comes down to mental toughness. This team is weak in that department. I don't think they believe in themselves anymore. Even with all the weaknesses you mention, if they develop mental toughness and focus, they can win games. After all, they've only been out of one game this year.

A lot of good things have happened this year, but it just pains me like I can't even express to have witnessed a Gibbs team self destruct like they have over these past few weeks, to lose the kinds of games that Gibbs would've NEVER lost his first time around.

But, one game at a time at this point. They just have to treat the Chargers game like it's the last game any of them will ever play. If they do that and somehow manage to overcome the odds and win, MAYBE the tiny spark that's left of our season will become a fire again.

[akhhorus]

Turnovers
Turnovers have been killing us from day #1 and I find it difficult to believe that it can't be corrected. There are times when a good hit is layed on a player but on most ocassions I believe it was our fault because we were fighting for extra yardage, etc.. Maybe we should take the Rams approach and just go straight to the ground. It helps minimize the hits and a chance of turning the ball over.

This is like the 1990 team, that had plenty of talent, but got completely hamstrung by turnovers. Anyone else remember Rypien's 5-6 fumble game against the Bears?

[Redskinfan28]

In the NFL, bad teams usually lose by beating themselves i.e turnovers, clock management. Thus, the fact that we have "beaten ourselves" when we have lost is not comforting. We are just not a very good team, plain and simple.

I predicted 8-8/7-9 this year, and it looks pretty accurate.

[helimech24]

I knew at the beginning of the season that on offense the Skins #2 reciever was going to be a problem. Patten doesn't have the speed to get down field and the body to go over the middle. Jacobs looked like a waste of a pick last week, it didn't matter what kind of routes he was running, he was covered. Moss can't do it all, all the time.

And I think everyone agrees that they need to run Portis more, and don't give the ball to Cartwright.

[BurgundyNGold]

Great synopsis, H2S. However, I wouldn't be so leniant with the OL. They are underperforming big time.

Oh, and Gibbs has absolutely ZERO killer instinct anymore.

[wewantdallas]

Oh, and Gibbs has absolutely ZERO killer instinct anymore.

My biggest problem with this Sunday was early in the first quarter, we have the ball inside the Raiders' 40 and it's 4th and less than a yard. I could not believe he didn't go for it there. I really thought that was a huge mistake. We needed to start taking advantage of our field position, and we didn't throughout the first half.

[tbfoster1]

Great synopsis, H2S. However, I wouldn't be so leniant with the OL. They are underperforming big time.

Oh, and Gibbs has absolutely ZERO killer instinct anymore.

I've noticed this too. I seem to remember plays such as direct snaps to B-Mitch on Field Goals or Punts and other trickery type plays that take guts. I don't see anything like that anymore.

[BurgundyNGold]

My biggest problem with this Sunday was early in the first quarter, we have the ball inside the Raiders' 40 and it's 4th and less than a yard. I could not believe he didn't go for it there. I really thought that was a huge mistake. We needed to start taking advantage of our field position, and we didn't throughout the first half.
IMO, aggressiveness on both sides of the ball is the biggest difference between the NFL of 2005 and the NFL circa 1985. Gibbs has yet to adjust to that. 4th and less than 1 inside the opponents 40? You've got to go for that.

[redskin_rich]

My biggest problem with this Sunday was early in the first quarter, we have the ball inside the Raiders' 40 and it's 4th and less than a yard. I could not believe he didn't go for it there. I really thought that was a huge mistake. We needed to start taking advantage of our field position, and we didn't throughout the first half.
There was confusion on that, the moronic stadium announcer said "1st down !!!", but the officials didn't. In the confusion, the play clock ran out and we got a 5 yd delay of game penalty. Gibbs should have called for a measurement immediately, to give himself time to think it over.

[BurgundyNGold]

I've noticed this too. I seem to remember plays such as direct snaps to B-Mitch on Field Goals or Punts and other trickery type plays that take guts. I don't see anything like that anymore.
How about this one:

Redskins have the ball on 1st or 2nd down between the 40s. It's the first play back after a TV timeout or it is the first play of the 2nd or 4th quarters. Play action fake, deep pass... complete! Huge momentum boost.

Anybody know where that one has gone?

[hail2skins]

There was confusion on that, the moronic stadium announcer said "1st down !!!", but the officials didn't. In the confusion, the play clock ran out and we got a 5 yd delay of game penalty. Gibbs should have called for a measurement immediately, to give himself time to think it over.Yeah, alot of people didn't pick up on that. I saw the ref give the 4th down sign and was surprised to hear the announcer go First Down Washington.

[hail2skins]

Maybe there's more to do than we know. There's an article in the Washington Express today that talks about Santana and Cooley believing the Raiders knew what they were doing. Then a co-worker says he heard on the radio that one of the Raiders defenders said they saw a tendency with Moss that gave them clues on routes. I'm trying to confirm this info.

[helimech24]

As much as this has been an up and down season, I still don't think Gibbs is doing a bad job for what they have. He is handcuffed with salary cap issues because of the Front office and the Head coach merry-go-round. He is doing better then most people thought this year. It was silly to go after a QB in the first round of the draft, but I think that is the only mistake he has made with personnell this year. The o-line is underachieving a bit, but it isn't a disaster yet, and GW is getting a lot out of no-name players.

To be truthful, I am just happy that we are competitive this year and we are actually beating teams in our division. The skins have always struggled against the AFC, but SD is the last one in that catagory. If the Skins can stay positive, they have a chance of being one year older next year, and being a real force in the NFL.

I am not giving up on them this year, I am just stating a fact that this has been a good rebuilding year for the skins

[Skinz4lyfe]

I agree w/you H2S! Also the inconsistent line play and sorry punter has hurt us as well. But I've been saying since last year that Gibbs needs to try some trick plays every now and then. He plays so close to the vest that we almost have to play a perfect game to win. Sure he's played like this before but that was when we had the Hogs! We could run the ball and keep the game close for 3 quarters and then by the 4th quarter their defense was tired and we'd be dominating the opponents D for a win. Now in Sunday's game we were successful running the ball and we go to the pass? What is that? IMO, we're being outplayed and outcoached on both sides of the ball. We've been too slow to make adjustments. I think all of that indirectly leads to mistakes because guys find themselves in positions where they try to make a play which causes turnovers (on the offensive side) and gives up big plays (on the defensive side).

I said this at the beginning of the season and many thought that I was a little off but I still don't see much of a difference between last year's team and this years team. We're still beating ourselves and still not executing like we should. Sunday's game will determine our fate for the season.

[GibbsRules!]

Maybe there's more to do than we know. There's an article in the Washington Express today that talks about Santana and Cooley believing the Raiders knew what they were doing. Then a co-worker says he heard on the radio that one of the Raiders defenders said they saw a tendency with Moss that gave them clues on routes. I'm trying to confirm this info.
I heard that as well. I think it was on the NFL Channel. Turner had picked something up in relation where Moss was lined up. I can't remember exactly what it was.

Something was up because there is no reason we should allow that D to shut us down like that.

[BurgundyNGold]

Maybe there's more to do than we know. There's an article in the Washington Express today that talks about Santana and Cooley believing the Raiders knew what they were doing. Then a co-worker says he heard on the radio that one of the Raiders defenders said they saw a tendency with Moss that gave them clues on routes. I'm trying to confirm this info.
The Raiders knowing what we're going to do before we do it? It sounds like 1984 all over again...

[dukeuch]

Can't agree that we are in a "tough division". Yes, by my count, the Division is 16-10 against others, but ten of the sixteen wins came against Arizona, New Orleans, San Francisco, Minnesota, Oakland and Detroit. None have winning records, and they have a combined record of 20-40.

[hail2skins]

Can't agree that we are in a "tough division". Yes, by my count, the Division is 16-10 against others, but ten of the sixteen wins came against Arizona, New Orleans, San Francisco, Minnesota, Oakland and Detroit. None have winning records, and they have a combined record of 20-40.Tough in that we're beating up on each other.

[chad101]

Can't agree that we are in a "tough division". Yes, by my count, the Division is 16-10 against others, but ten of the sixteen wins came against Arizona, New Orleans, San Francisco, Minnesota, Oakland and Detroit. None have winning records, and they have a combined record of 20-40.

Gotta agree. Where would the NFC East teams be in the AFC West?
It is great though to have everyone in the NFC East competitive again.

[akhhorus]

Gotta agree. Where would the NFC East teams be in the AFC West?
It is great though to have everyone in the NFC East competitive again.

Where would the whole NFC be in the AFC?

[dukeuch]

Tough in that we're beating up on each other.


That's like saying that the Chi Omegas are a tough sorority because they all hit each other with pillows.

[LATrueRedskin]

Good breakdown, h2s. The really frustrating thing about it is that we are beating ourselves practically every game. IMO, only the Giants have really handed ourselves to us. We need to step our game up, and step it up now. We're way better than this, let's start showing it.

[hail2skins]

That's like saying that the Chi Omegas are a tough sorority because they all hit each other with pillows.okay :rolleyes:

[BurgundyNGold]

okay :rolleyes:
What it lacks in being a terrible analogy, it makes up for in awesome mental picture. :)