Antonio Brown: Absolutely Necessary

[JoeDaSchmoe]

Alright, we all remember what happened the last time we played Dallas. Santana Moss taught Roy Williams a lesson in speed, and Bill Parcells rarely has to learn a lesson twice. Odds are deep coverage will be rolled to Moss' side on every single play. Therefore, we really need to hit a home run on the other side of the field. We have a prime victim in Mr. Williams, we just need someone to step up. Given our complete lack of depth at receiver, I think we might want to take a shot or two with Antonio Brown, who clearly has the wheels to get behind good ol' Roy. If we simply put Moss on the other side of the field, there's a good chance Antonio would have one-on-one coverage with Roy on at least two or three deep routes in the game. Brunell needs to pull the trigger on this if he sees it. We know that Dallas is gonna pull out every trick in the book for this game, and we need a couple big plays in response.

I know he had some drops in preseason, but the fact is that Brown is the only guy other than Moss who has proven on the field that he has the pure speed to simply run by people. If we don't utilize that, I'm afraid we're gonna see a very stifled passing game. Dallas' defense is much better than Arizona's.

[BandWagon]

Couldn't agree more. I love players with a chip on their shoulder. Hopefully AB still has one about playing receiver.

[redwolf1218]

good point, and considering the only other options are Jacobs, Farris, and maybe Thrash, Brown should see some playing time now because he's been back in the NFL now for a couple of weeks and has proven he still is in shape enough at least as far as his speed is concerned. his speed will have to be respected. all that, plus we have no one else.

[828791Redskins]

good point, and considering the only other options are Jacobs, Farris, and maybe Thrash, Brown should see some playing time now because he's been back in the NFL now for a couple of weeks and has proven he still is in shape enough at least as far as his speed is concerned. his speed will have to be respected. all that, plus we have no one else.

He did really good in one game pre-season and one he didn't,plus the guy is a lazer beam.Two of his kicks could have been returned today.

[Spence]

Does he practice much -- or at all -- with the offense? If he hasn't been practicing with the offense for several weeks now, I can't imagine he'd see much action from scrimmage.

[SkinsKY]

Does he practice much -- or at all -- with the offense? If he hasn't been practicing with the offense for several weeks now, I can't imagine he'd see much action from scrimmage.

But we do need something opposite of Moss, so it can't hurt to give it a look-see.

[Biggie]

The thing is that Brunell never makes much of an effort to get a rhythm going with the other wideouts. If Moss isn't open, he usually checks down to Cooley or Royal. Our entire passing game is starting to revolve around RAC, and we haven't thrown a ball deep (at least that I can remember) since the San Diego game.

[Spence]

But we do need something opposite of Moss, so it can't hurt to give it a look-see.Works for me. I don't see how he could possibly give us less than Taylor Jacobs. But I don't think Gibbs will allow Brown to play from scrimmage unless he's familiar with the playbook.

[Spence]

The thing is that Brunell never makes much of an effort to get a rhythm going with the other wideouts. If Moss isn't open, he usually checks down to Cooley or Royal. Our entire passing game is starting to revolve around RAC, and we haven't thrown a ball deep (at least that I can remember) since the San Diego game.Don't you think there is a good chance Brunell doesn't pass to the other wideouts because those guys are rarely open? When you see games in person, for example, you can really tell how Taylor Jacobs is almost never open. Seriously.

[CowboyKilla]

Everybody on this team needs to man up in this one...Jacobs,Thrash,Farris and AB. It's there for the taking.

[redwolf1218]

The thing is that Brunell never makes much of an effort to get a rhythm going with the other wideouts. If Moss isn't open, he usually checks down to Cooley or Royal. Our entire passing game is starting to revolve around RAC, and we haven't thrown a ball deep (at least that I can remember) since the San Diego game.
that's true, some of the biggest yardage plays have been on wide receiver screens.

[whistleandthumb]

I don't know if Brown can be the deep threat for us the way Moss was in Week 2, but the guy has playmaking abilities. I'd like to see us get the ball in his hands and just let him create plays, a la Dante Hall. Throw him some WR screens, check downs, get him in some end-arounds... just put the ball in the kid's hand and let him do something with it.

[GibbsRules!]

I'd give AB a look as a deep threat. If you watched the end of the Cowboy game yesterday you would have seen Dante Hall streaking down the middle catching the pass that put the Chiefs in FG position to win it. Trent Green looked off Gonzo and floated the ball into Halls hands...if he had caught it in stride he coulld have juked a defender and been gone. Poor ol Roy looked lost as usual.

AB could definately do it...

[vabeach_skinsfan]

Yeah I'm not sure how familiar Brown is w/ the playbook, and if Gibbs will give him some PT during practice. I agree that he would be an ideal option across from Santana w/ his excellent speed, but lets not forget why we cut him in the first place. He had a major case of the butter fingers during pre-season.

I still think he should continue returning kicks.

[redskin_rich]

I don't know if Brown can be the deep threat for us the way Moss was in Week 2, but the guy has playmaking abilities. I'd like to see us get the ball in his hands and just let him create plays, a la Dante Hall. Throw him some WR screens, check downs, get him in some end-arounds... just put the ball in the kid's hand and let him do something with it.
Antonio was in on the aborted reverse play that Portis got stuffed on. I thought the DB for Arizona was offsides on that play but no call...

[whistleandthumb]

Antonio was in on the aborted reverse play that Portis got stuffed on. I thought the DB for Arizona was offsides on that play but no call...
Yeah, something went horribly wrong on that play because it looked like Portis stopped moving for a second - like he was waiting for Brown, or something - and that gave the defense time to make a play. It looked doomed from the get-go.

[skinsfan811]

Without Brown yesterday, we lose that game and are at 6-7 and out of the playoff picture.Our offense couldn't get much going, and the defense gave up a FG that would've been the game winner.Antonio Brown was my MVP of the game.He was absolutely essential.

[NCskinsfanatic]

I 'm glad Brown got that TD yesterday, i think it will boost his confidence and that will show on the field. As for putting him at Wr, maybe on a couple of plays put he's not ready to lineup opposite of Moss for 50% of the snaps. i dont think he has that much knowledge of the passing game at this point but I could see him breaking a couple of quick hitters or beating his man deep on a key drive for us against the boys. I actually wouldnt be suprised to see Sean Taylor lineup with the redzone offense in this game....it's huge!!!

[dj_stouty]

Don't you think there is a good chance Brunell doesn't pass to the other wideouts because those guys are rarely open? When you see games in person, for example, you can really tell how Taylor Jacobs is almost never open. Seriously.

That is a wonderful question...and unfortunately one that will not be fully answered by anyone without NFL game film. (BTW - I would kill for a one time opportunity to watch/study the game film that Gibbs receives from his staff after the game)

Having watched Brunell spread the ball around nicely the first 1/2 of the season, I'm left to believe that the Thrash/Patten replacements are simply not running the correct routes or getting the necessary separation from their defenders.

[Spence]

Having watched Brunell spread the ball around nicely the first 1/2 of the season, I'm left to believe that the Thrash/Patten replacements are simply not running the correct routes or getting the necessary separation from their defenders.You can see the effects of the loss of Patten and Thrash in Moss's production. It's gone way down. Patten might not have run up good numbers, but he obviously attracted enough attention from defenses to keep Moss from facing constant double-teams. Opposing defenses are leaving a single defender to guard against Taylor Jacobs and throwing an extra defender at Moss. They're getting away with this because Jacobs isn't making them pay for it.

[JoeDaSchmoe]

Speaking of Thrash, is he supposed to be back for Dallas? That would be huge.

[dj_stouty]

You can see the effects of the loss of Patten and Thrash in Moss's production.

Understatement of the Season!

Patten and Thrash have had a real impact on this offense. Unfortunately, no one knew it until they were gone.

I've always held Thrash in high regard, and I now have a greater appreciation for Patten. I hope he comes back 100% next year...

[LATrueRedskin]

Speaking of Thrash, is he supposed to be back for Dallas? That would be huge.

That would be really huge. Thrash would add so much to our offense. He's not the fastest, but he's a bigger guy who can catch the ball and loves to block. If he can play, he can be a "secret weapon" of sorts.