Reality - Redskins are a 2 - 3 Team

[OCSKINSFAN]

The Redskins are a mediocre team at this point. That is a great disappointment to me and I'm sure most of the fans, but that is reality. They have shown they can beat a bad team away (Texans), and they can play a good team even at home, i.e., a close win or loss (Jags and Vikings), and can't beat a good team on the road (Cowboys & Giants). If they don't improve, they certainly don't make the playoffs and finish 8-8 on this basis (I'm actually being a bit generous for home wins):
Titans (H) - W
Colts (A) - L
Cowboys (H) - W
Eagles (A) - L
Bucs (A) - W
Panthers (H) - W
Falcons (A) - L
Eagles (H) - L
Saints (A) - L
Rams (A) - W
Giants (H) - W

Hopes - improved coaching (way too conservative, both O & D, particularly playing not to lose), QB play, O-Line play, tackling, D-Line rush, DB coverage, emotion (were the Redskins sleepwalking in NY?), and avoiding penalties. Improvement/better consistency in any one (hopefully more) of these areas should improve the chances of a better record. I have my fingers crossed.

[Dept_of_Defense]

Whoa, whoa, whoa. It's definently too early for this. I know that we played pretty horrible today, but that's the beauty of the NFL. Each week is exactly that, a different week. When we were 5-6 last year, nobody outside of this website would've believed that we were going to win 5 straight, make the playoffs, win the first round, and compete with the NFC Champions. We have shown what we can do @ our best (@ least offensively), and I don't think too many teams can compete with us @ our best. WE JUST HAVE TO BE CONSISTENT WEEK IN AND WEEK OUT!!!! For all I know, we can still finish 13-3. All I can say is that the white on white is definently not our lucky uniforms anymore. We need to try burgandy on burgandy.

[hailgibbsy]

Much as anybody might want to project the schedule ahead, that's a fool's errand. What we've proven if anything is that we're capable of beating anybody at our best (Jacksonville) and capable of losing to anybody at our worst.

What will our team's identity be? That's still up for grabs. Beating Tennessee and Indy would put us back on the winning track, with divisional games following. Anything is possible!

But the next couple weeks will be telling.

[ryflan47]

Much as anybody might want to project the schedule ahead, that's a fool's errand. What we've proven if anything is that we're capable of beating anybody at our best (Jacksonville) and capable of losing to anybody at our worst.

What will our team's identity be? That's still up for grabs. Beating Tennessee and Indy would put us back on the winning track, with divisional games following. Anything is possible!

But the next couple weeks will be telling.

Great post.

[wewantdallas]

Whoa, whoa, whoa. It's definently too early for this. I know that we played pretty horrible today, but that's the beauty of the NFL. Each week is exactly that, a different week.

And that's the main problem with this team. Each week should NOT be a different week at this point, with this team.

Obviously you can't win 'em all, but I'm just beyond confused as to the jekyl and hyde nature of this team.

This game today just gutted me. I wasn't expecting an easy win, but I WAS expecting a fight. We didn't even show up. To me, that's what's truly troubling about the Skins right now. Sometimes they show up, sometimes they don't. That's hardly a hallmark of a Gibbs team. Add to that a porous defense that is truly bad and that spells tremendous trouble for the season ahead.

If we can manage to beat the Titans AND Indy, that would show me something, but at this point ... it's hard to have much confidence in any aspect of this team.

Watching this Eagle/Dallas game is especially hard, as the superiority of both of those teams, at least at this point in the season, is evident. We are in the basement of the East, and as of week 5, we deserve to be there. That is incredibly depressing.

In fact, with all the money that's been sunk into this team, from players to coaches, it's borderline humiliating.

[chicago_skinz_fan]

I am saving this thread, and I am going to resurface it about 3/4 of the way through the season. I love how up and down some people are on this board.

[OCSKINSFAN]

And that's the main problem with this team. Each week should NOT be a different week at this point, with this team.

Obviously you can't win 'em all, but I'm just beyond confused as to the jekyl and hyde nature of this team.

This game today just gutted me. I wasn't expecting an easy win, but I WAS expecting a fight. We didn't even show up. To me, that's what's truly troubling about the Skins right now. Sometimes they show up, sometimes they don't. That's hardly a hallmark of a Gibbs team. Add to that a porous defense that is truly bad and that spells tremendous trouble for the season ahead.

If we can manage to beat the Titans AND Indy, that would show me something, but at this point ... it's hard to have much confidence in any aspect of this team.

Watching this Eagle/Dallas game is especially hard, as the superiority of both of those teams, at least at this point in the season, is evident. We are in the basement of the East, and as of week 5, we deserve to be there. That is incredibly depressing.

In fact, with all the money that's been sunk into this team, from players to coaches, it's borderline humiliating.

I'm afraid that is a fair assessment at this time - so far, have the Skins looked better than the Eagles? Cowboys? Giants? Really, the only significant good game was against the Jags, & that was an OT win at home, and still showed our D's weakness. The Skins need to improve significantly to be in the thick of it. I had hoped before the Giants game that this was happening, but the Team took a step (or more) backwards.

[OCSKINSFAN]

I am saving this thread, and I am going to resurface it about 3/4 of the way through the season. I love how up and down some people are on this board.

Hey, we all hope the Skins get better and win the rest of their games. However, we a discussing what is reality now and the obvious need for improvement. Don't forget to show the thread if the season goes as it has to date (for the record, I hope you can show it and gloat).

[bball7980]

I agree it is a little to early to tell yet but......... we are in a big hole in the NFC east. I am only speculating but I fell the skins will go 7-9. The problems are this:

1) Somebody took our defense and put the Texans D out there. We could not stop my drunk grandmother from getting another drink out of the fridge.

2) We are not consistient enough on offense. That will change I suspect but not till it is to late to make the playoffs this year.

3) Greg Williams is playing defense not to lose. I don't understand this and maybe somebody can help me but Greg Williams defense's are known for pressure and attacking the offense not sitting back and playing soft.

4) and lets not forget the NFC East is just a brutal division. We could be the 5th or 6th best team in the conference and still be the worst team in the division.

[BandWagon]

Yep, we're very average and maybe "average" is being kind. I am just mystified how this defense, in it's third year, has slipped to one of the worst in the league. Because Shawn Springs isn't playing? We, supposedly, got stronger there this off season. That's a major liability.

[chicago_skinz_fan]

Hey, we all hope the Skins get better and win the rest of their games. However, we a discussing what is reality now and the obvious need for improvement. Don't forget to show the thread if the season goes as it has to date (for the record, I hope you can show it and gloat).

Me too! :Peace:

[wewantdallas]

3) Greg Williams is playing defense not to lose. I don't understand this and maybe somebody can help me but Greg Williams defense's are known for pressure and attacking the offense not sitting back and playing soft.

Look what happened last week on third downs when we blitzed the Jags. They burned us, twice for two huge touchdowns.

I think that Williams is still trying to figure out how to play this defense. They go into cover 2, it doesn't help because the front four can't get a pass rush so the QB has all day. They blitz and they get burned because the safeties can't cover worth anything.

[Dept_of_Defense]

All i can say is that if we play our best consistently every week, no team in this league can beat us. But, our whole team (offense, defense, special teams) has to play well each week. I hate when it's offense one week, then defense the next, then nobody shows up like today. We just looked lifeless out there today. I wanted someone to start runnning up and down our sideline trying to fire someone up.

[BurgundyNGold]

Yep, we're very average and maybe "average" is being kind. I am just mystified how this defense, in it's third year, has slipped to one of the worst in the league. Because Shawn Springs isn't playing? We, supposedly, got stronger there this off season. That's a major liability.
I don't know the numbers after this week, but we're playing like a 25th ranked defense right now. We're missing tackles all over the place, not looking back for the ball in coverage -- when we've actually got coverage. I can't put this on the fact that Shawn Springs isn't there. You don't go from a top 5 defense to a bottom 5 or 10 defense just because one player is out, I don't care if it's Deion Sanders in his prime. Supposedly, GW has 24 or so defensive packages. I'd like to see more than the same few we seem to be seeing week in and week out because he hasn't looked like much of a defensive genius this season at all.

About the offense, 20 rushes aren't going to get it done. We should've used the gameplan from the 2nd Gint game last year and crammed it down their throats -- like we have for the last two weeks. When we ran Portis early, they couldn't stop it. I understand the need for balance, but I don't think throwing it to James Thrash twice consistutes balance more than sheer stupidity. Thrash is done, son.

One bright spot, at least LLH didn't do much.

[BurgundyNGold]

Look what happened last week on third downs when we blitzed the Jags. They burned us, twice for two huge touchdowns.

I think that Williams is still trying to figure out how to play this defense. They go into cover 2, it doesn't help because the front four can't get a pass rush so the QB has all day. They blitz and they get burned because the safeties can't cover worth anything.
We didn't see the Gints punter until the 4th quarter, WWD. That is unacceptable. Especially considering that Elisha is a totally different (and less effective QB) when he gets happy feet.

[LATrueRedskin]

All i can say is that if we play our best consistently every week, no team in this league can beat us. But, our whole team (offense, defense, special teams) has to play well each week. I hate when it's offense one week, then defense the next, then nobody shows up like today. We just looked lifeless out there today. I wanted someone to start runnning up and down our sideline trying to fire someone up.

Yeah, this game was forgettable in almost every way. We really didn't do anything on any side of the ball all day. We were there, but we weren't there.

[skinsfan36]

The Redskins are a mediocre team at this point. That is a great disappointment to me and I'm sure most of the fans, but that is reality. They have shown they can beat a bad team away (Texans), and they can play a good team even at home, i.e., a close win or loss (Jags and Vikings), and can't beat a good team on the road (Cowboys & Giants). If they don't improve, they certainly don't make the playoffs and finish 8-8 on this basis (I'm actually being a bit generous for home wins):
Titans (H) - W
Colts (A) - L
Cowboys (H) - W
Eagles (A) - L
Bucs (A) - W
Panthers (H) - W
Falcons (A) - L
Eagles (H) - L
Saints (A) - L
Rams (A) - W
Giants (H) - W

Hopes - improved coaching (way too conservative, both O & D, particularly playing not to lose), QB play, O-Line play, tackling, D-Line rush, DB coverage, emotion (were the Redskins sleepwalking in NY?), and avoiding penalties. Improvement/better consistency in any one (hopefully more) of these areas should improve the chances of a better record. I have my fingers crossed.

we play the falcons at home by the way

[santanadasavior]

We are a 2-3 team, and frankly we deserve to be at least a two loss team. We were outplayed and flat out had no chance in two games this year. That only happened once to us last year. This is not a good sign but it is not all over yet. There is a lot of football left to play and playing any team coming off of a bye week is very difficult.

[X-Factor13]

Much as anybody might want to project the schedule ahead, that's a fool's errand. What we've proven if anything is that we're capable of beating anybody at our best (Jacksonville) and capable of losing to anybody at our worst.

What will our team's identity be? That's still up for grabs. Beating Tennessee and Indy would put us back on the winning track, with divisional games following. Anything is possible!

But the next couple weeks will be telling.


I agree completely. Welcome to HR!

[santanadasavior]

Much as anybody might want to project the schedule ahead, that's a fool's errand. What we've proven if anything is that we're capable of beating anybody at our best (Jacksonville) and capable of losing to anybody at our worst.

What will our team's identity be? That's still up for grabs. Beating Tennessee and Indy would put us back on the winning track, with divisional games following. Anything is possible!

But the next couple weeks will be telling.

I couldn't agree more, we our incredibly inconsistent right now. We need to get our defense together (cough Springs cough) and we will be fine. Once our defense returns to its bruising form, which was close to accurate today, we will be able to hit some streaks again.

[redskin_rich]

The offense is inconsistent but the defense is very consistent, consistently bad.
There is no way we can be as conservative on both offense and defense and expect to be better than a .500 team.
It is time for change and it is time for the coaching staff to be aggressive.

[Skins57]

the only reality is this we have 11 games left to make the playoffs and then it is anyones championship to win

[LATrueRedskin]

I couldn't agree more, we our incredibly inconsistent right now. We need to get our defense together (cough Springs cough) and we will be fine. Once our defense returns to its bruising form, which was close to accurate today, we will be able to hit some streaks again.

I don't think everything will be solved once (if) Springs comes back. It'll take a while before he really gets comfortable and in playing shape again. I'm sure his presence will only improve our defense, but Springs can't make guys tackle and he can't make Rogers catch INTs. Our guys need to play with more heart.

[santanadasavior]

I don't think everything will be solved once (if) Springs comes back. It'll take a while before he really gets comfortable and in playing shape again. I'm sure his presence will only improve our defense, but Springs can't make guys tackle and he can't make Rogers catch INTs. Our guys need to play with more heart.

He can, just by being on the field, put pressure on the quarterback. I don't care how good we are in coverage if we leave any NFL QB in the pocket for 5 seconds they will complete a pass. Simple as that.

[Skinzsnut]

at this point in time we are a mediocre team, but I wouldn't count out the season yet and here's why.
One philosophy I learned is when a team has a great coach never count them out.
2. It is possible for a team to improve throughout the season.
If they keep playing the way they do yes we will be mediocre but they can improve here's why.
1. they will be more comfortable with Al Saunder's playbook.
2. Shawn Springs will be back sometime this season. When is he getting back by the way?
3. Joe Gibbs teams have a history of getting better throughout the season, just look at his monthly records throughout his carrer.

[LATrueRedskin]

He can, just by being on the field, put pressure on the quarterback. I don't care how good we are in coverage if we leave any NFL QB in the pocket for 5 seconds they will complete a pass. Simple as that.

That's true, but Springs isn't going to blitz as much as a linebacker will. Having Springs back will help in pass coverage (i.e. Rogers getting relief from trying to cover opposing teams' best receivers, Archuleta playing TEs and closer to the LOS, Taylor being able to roam more freely, and Kenny Wright being off the field), but we need a pass rush in order to really get better.

[smoak]

We are the fourth best team in the NFC East right now and we'll be lucky to finish .500

[Dept_of_Defense]

We are the fourth best team in the NFC East right now and we'll be lucky to finish .500
Ouch, but possibly true.....unless everybody else in the east starts sucking real bad.....

[SpicyMcHaggis]

It's not the 2-3 record that worries me. Remember, we were 5-6 last year. It's how we got to this point. We lost to a pretty average team at home in week one, and got embarassed in both our divisional games so far. We scored 3 points against the Cowboys and 3 against the Giants, and let them score much more than that. 2 horrible games. We have played only one really good game this year, and even then it was only on one side of the ball. And after 5 games (which by the way is one third of the whole season), that is just not very good.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Look what happened last week on third downs when we blitzed the Jags. They burned us, twice for two huge touchdowns.

I think that Williams is still trying to figure out how to play this defense. They go into cover 2, it doesn't help because the front four can't get a pass rush so the QB has all day. They blitz and they get burned because the safeties can't cover worth anything.
Then what does that tell you about their talent level (or at least about their current level of play)? And what does that tell you about the validity of the choices made by the coaching staffs?

[BurnEm 26]

Then what does that tell you about their talent level (or at least about their current level of play)? And what does that tell you about the validity of the choices made by the coaching staffs?
Basing what I've been able to watch vikings, cowboys, giants... Walt Harris> Kenny Wright, Mike Rumph. Ryan Clark> Archuleta (at least in this D) Pierson's injury really hurting us. I'm hoping....Rocky>Holdman soon!

[dukeuch]

I don't know the numbers after this week, but we're playing like a 25th ranked defense right now. We're missing tackles all over the place, not looking back for the ball in coverage -- when we've actually got coverage. I can't put this on the fact that Shawn Springs isn't there. You don't go from a top 5 defense to a bottom 5 or 10 defense just because one player is out, I don't care if it's Deion Sanders in his prime. Supposedly, GW has 24 or so defensive packages. I'd like to see more than the same few we seem to be seeing week in and week out because he hasn't looked like much of a defensive genius this season at all.



Kinda makes you wonder what kind of shape we'd be in if we hadn't have let a few guys who would of loved to stay here get away. Antonio Pierce is primary in my mind. He looked great yesterday, and that guy played his way into a starting position for the 'Skins without anyone giving him the benefit of the doubt.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Kinda makes you wonder what kind of shape we'd be in if we hadn't have let a few guys who would of loved to stay here get away. Antonio Pierce is primary in my mind. He looked great yesterday, and that guy played his way into a starting position for the 'Skins without anyone giving him the benefit of the doubt.
Aside from any economical consideration, we would be much better off if we had kept Pierce. But cosidering the economic part, I'm not sure that was possible.

[tbfoster1]

Aside from any economical consideration, we would be much better off if we had kept Pierce. But cosidering the economic part, I'm not sure that was possible.

I think we had the money and could have retained him and keeping him may have led to saving money elsewhere. But this whole hindsight and what ifs isn't doing anyone any good. We have to dance with the lady we came with. Hopefully they'll pick it up and start cutting a rug.

[BSMKF]

Bottom line is that we are a bad team right now. I don't know if we can get out of it either. We were 5-6 last year and won out, but we are not the same team as last year. We are depending on our offense to win games right now and we dont have a QB to do that. We have a QB to manage the game, thats it. The reason we stink is because of our D. I just don't understand how our D goes from STUDS to DUDS in 1 year with pretty much all the same players. I'm pretty bummed out. I really thought i'd be watching Super Bowl contenders this year.

[Skins-R-Us]

I don't think our problems are about talent at all. I think it is all about heart and determination. Our team does not look like it has the killer instinct that is necessary to take it to the next level in this league. They had it at the end of last year to win 5 in a row, but I don't see it it now.

Based on our talent we should be dominating, but we are not, and that I am sure is frustrating to all. I don't understand how you can get to the NFL and then not play as hard as you can. I see some of the fans in my local Orlando Redskins bar that have more heart and fire then our team does!

The coaching staff played way to conservatively for my tast in the third and fourth but that is a different thought.

We need heart, hustle!

[Patrick]

At this point in the season - we are just like we were last season. One difference I see was the Giants did a better number on us last year in our first meeting (so things aren't THAT bad).
EVERYONE just take it easy and ONE WEEK AT A TIME!!!!!
If we can get to the break with a 3-4 record OR BETTER - AND minimum amount of injuries - we'll be just fine.
I think too many of you were thinking that the Giants were a BAD team and this should have been an easy win for us. PEOPLE this was a typical NFC East game. Going 3-3 in our division this year would be tough at best - anything better would be flat out amazing.

Let's move on to this week ........................

[NamVet4]

Yesterday was a hard loss to take! :( Before yesterday, I had serious concerns about Al Saunders and his playbook and its complexity. I no longer have those doubts. The players were not executing yesterday; IMHO they could not have executed a freshman HS playbook! Some one mentioned conservative... our Beloved Team was way too conservative…. Hell of a way to call the offensive and defensive portion of the game yesterday. And the stark contrast from the week before makes it even harder to understand. While trying to enjoy that debacle yesterday with friends someone remarked that all the money and all the hype had not transferred to the players. It appears that was the case yesterday. The "Gints" are not a top 10 team.... However, yesterday our Beloved Team made them look that way. There is so much potential on this team; so many opportunities to showcase how football should be played and yet, our Beloved Team has no fire in the belly judging by the players have not raised the effort and commitment to the next level. I have no easy answers, just a lot of questions about all aspects of the Washington Redskins…. There had better be a lot of strong words being said in the next few days to EVERYBODY in the organization. Here’s looking forward to a rebound and revision and at least a competitive team.

[lakewinola]

3) Greg Williams is playing defense not to lose. I don't understand this and maybe somebody can help me but Greg Williams defense's are known for pressure and attacking the offense not sitting back and playing soft.



That has been bugging me all year. Perhaps it is due to the absence of Springs?

[vabeach_skinsfan]

Yep, we're very average and maybe "average" is being kind. I am just mystified how this defense, in it's third year, has slipped to one of the worst in the league. Because Shawn Springs isn't playing? We, supposedly, got stronger there this off season. That's a major liability.


As well as the poor tackling. I thought we did pretty good agasint the run first couple of games into the season, but to see Tiki get a buck on us was killing me.

And how in the world to let someone convert on 3rd and 20. Geez!!!

[Hr fan]

Yep, we're very average and maybe "average" is being kind. I am just mystified how this defense, in it's third year, has slipped to one of the worst in the league. Because Shawn Springs isn't playing? We, supposedly, got stronger there this off season. That's a major liability.

I agree with you. If Springs does that much for the D he is a HOFer. We are worse this year because Joe isn't collapsing the pocket, Carter has been MIA for both run and PR, and Archuletta can't cover so oppopsing Ds can account for him as a rusher on virtually every play. This makes our D a 4-4-3, with LBs covering the TE ordinarily. Talk about matchup problems! And in each loss we couldn't stop the run. Against superior opponents we won't be able to - too big a hole at RDE. Has any thought been given to playing Wynn and Daniels, using Carter for relief on some passing plays with fewer downs than Evans. As to Rogers, yes, he is disappointing, particularly his hands. But cut some slack. Our weakest Dlineman (Carter) and weakest LB (Holdman) are on his side and he is on an island. He can't bump and run, because if he does teams will run him off and take advantage via the run to their left. And the D doesn't have enuf team speed to flow to run support.

[Redskinmayhem]

We are a 2-3 team, and frankly we deserve to be at least a two loss team. We were outplayed and flat out had no chance in two games this year. That only happened once to us last year. This is not a good sign but it is not all over yet. There is a lot of football left to play and playing any team coming off of a bye week is very difficult.


this is as accurate as it gets.

[skinfanatic]

i just wonder when it would be time for talk like this. everytime someone has a freak out, other people jump on him saying it is too early. i feel like it could be the first week of the playoffs and we're trying to figure out how we went 7-9; yet, people are still saying its too early for that kind of talk. we've looked pretty horrible a whole lot more than we've looked good. (this is also including preseason.) i wonder when jc wil start.

[Redskinmayhem]

That has been bugging me all year. Perhaps it is due to the absence of Springs?


Guys, Steve Czaban said it best on "post game live"- Don't expect our D to get back to top 5 status the moment springs returns. #1 - it's going to tkae him at least 4 games or so to get back in the groove. #2 - While I love springs and think he's an outstanding CB, you can't tell me that his return is going to fix all of our problems. Is he suddenly going to provide a pass rush? Is he going to colapse the pocket? is he going to stop the run?

[Redskinmayhem]

i just wonder when it would be time for talk like this. everytime someone has a freak out, other people jump on him saying it is too early. i feel like it could be the first week of the playoffs and we're trying to figure out how we went 7-9; yet, people are still saying its too early for that kind of talk. we've looked pretty horrible a whole lot more than we've looked good. (this is also including preseason.) i wonder when jc wil start.

Every game in an NFL season is essentially a playoff game. Momentum is so huge during the season. Look at the Bears- are they realy as good as they're hyped up to be? Not in my opinion but they're confident as heck and short of a complete debacle a la Norval in 97 (started 7-1 and missed the playoffs), they're in the playoffs. Unfortunately, we don't have the luxury of playing in the NFC Central.

We're fighting for our lives right now, or based on Sunday's performance,
we're actually, not fighting. we're lying down to get walked over. If that continues, the JCamp bandwagoners will see him very soon.

[Apache]

After watching the Cowboys and Eagles yesterday I don't know if we can beat them until someone can actually light a firecracker under their bumms. Those teams each played with some heart and soul. Unfortunately for Dallass is that Lito Sheppard of the Eagles was in a better position to be a defensive receiver than TO which is what it came down to. I feel we have the playmakers and can make things happen but, we never have that fighting spirit. They don't come out and play mad and mean. They appear to mosey out on the field and do what they can. The players who can make things happen are underutilized when it's needed. Cowboys always seemed to pick us apart on their worst years because they come into the rivalry with attitude. Until last year, I was starting to think "what rivalry". Dallass's worst team would still beat our best team because they wanted more than we did.

They just need to get consistant and get back to the hard hitting defense we were known for the last couple of years and Brunnell needs to take his shots down field. Look at Eli, he's thrown his share of picks but, I think it makes him better each each week. If you have the defense who will stop an offense, you can take more chances on offense.

[Redskinmayhem]

After watching the Cowboys and Eagles yesterday I don't know if we can beat them until someone can actually light a firecracker under their bumms. Those teams each played with some heart and soul. Unfortunately for Dallass is that Lito Sheppard of the Eagles was in a better position to be a defensive receiver than TO which is what it came down to. I feel we have the playmakers and can make things happen but, we never have that fighting spirit. They don't come out and play mad and mean. They appear to mosey out on the field and do what they can. The players who can make things happen are underutilized when it's needed. Cowboys always seemed to pick us apart on their worst years because they come into the rivalry with attitude. Until last year, I was starting to think "what rivalry". Dallass's worst team would still beat our best team because they wanted more than we did.

They just need to get consistant and get back to the hard hitting defense we were known for the last couple of years and Brunnell needs to take his shots down field. Look at Eli, he's thrown his share of picks but, I think it makes him better each each week. If you have the defense who will stop an offense, you can take more chances on offense.


I watched the Philly/Dallas game yesterday thinking the same thing. Those two teams as of right now are FAR superior to us. we wouldn't stand a chance if we lined up against them today. They play their hearts out (at least they did yesterday). Granted it was a hyped up emotional game but whenever we have those games, i.e. yesterday, we come out flat.

[ConradCountry]

The Skins at the beginning of the season were called a good team whos QB would let them down.

Wow how right was that!

[SpicyMcHaggis]

The Skins at the beginning of the season were called a good team whos QB would let them down.

Wow how right was that!
I disagree. Right now we are pretty mediocre (or worse) all across the board, except for 2 players (Moss and Portis).

[Redskinmayhem]

I disagree. Right now we are pretty mediocre (or worse) all across the board, except for 2 players (Moss and Portis).

and Washinton and Taylor. w/o those two- we've got the texans Defense.

[redskinz#1fan]

The Skins at the beginning of the season were called a good team whos QB would let them down.

Wow how right was that!


Completely wrong! No way in hell did Brunell lose that game for us yesterday. You could have picked any QB from past, future, present yesterday...and we still would have lost that game. The other players didn't show up either! No way can you blame this lost on Brunell. Were you saying the same thing when he torched the Texans and the Jags?

[Redskinmayhem]

Completely wrong! No way in hell did Brunell lose that game for us yesterday. You could have picked any QB from past, future, present yesterday...and we still would have lost that game. The other players didn't show up either! No way can you blame this lost on Brunell. Were you saying the same thing when he torched the Texans and the Jags?
I'm gonna agree w/ you on this point. that game was lost in the trenches. The O and D lines.

[lightskin]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't we always struggled to beat the Giants at the Meadowland...........but turn around and beat them at home???

[SkinsfaninNJ]

If you want to honestly assess our season, you cannot put as much weight in the first two games as people are putting. I understand we lost, but I don't think anyone can say that the team in weeks one and two (w/out CP) is the same as the last three weeks.

Yes we are 2 and 3, but I thought going in it was a huge task to win in Jersey yesterday. The Giants although having problems were playing for their lives and in the NFL, the more desperate team usually wins. Coming off two wins, we just didn't play desperate.

Obviously there is fault to go around for that, but please stop saying we are this terrible team based on this one game, and maybe I'm too optimistic, but I just don't put much weight into the first two games.

[Redskinmayhem]

If you want to honestly assess our season, you cannot put as much weight in the first two games as people are putting. I understand we lost, but I don't think anyone can say that the team in weeks one and two (w/out CP) is the same as the last three weeks.

Yes we are 2 and 3, but I thought going in it was a huge task to win in Jersey yesterday. The Giants although having problems were playing for their lives and in the NFL, the more desperate team usually wins. Coming off two wins, we just didn't play desperate.

Obviously there is fault to go around for that, but please stop saying we are this terrible team based on this one game, and maybe I'm too optimistic, but I just don't put much weight into the first two games.

I hate to say it bud but we are desperate. or at least we should be. We only get 16 games a season. basically at 12 or 13, the psot season is usually already decided. So please forgive all of us who are putting alot of worth on the first 2 games we lost, not to mention this latest Deadowlands disaster. That's 3 games we've tinkled away in the wind, all 3 very winable games. Thank the Lord almighty we beat Jax, a game that I might have otherwise felt that it was ok to lose, so long as we played well. Losing to Minny must be counterbalanced by beating a team we should lose to, like Indy. I hate to equate things like that but it's a reality. Had we taken care of business, like beating the teams we should beat, we could concievably lose to the likes of Carolina, Atlanta, Philly, and Indy, and still Ride into the Playoffs sitting pretty at 11-5. But alas....we lost to Minny, so we must beat Indy to even that one out, then we lost to Dallass, which means we must beat Carolina. I'll even take the Gnats loss since we never play well up there but based on our schedule, we'd better win all the games we're supposed to win. Otherwise, we're done...son.

[SkinsfaninNJ]

I agree these are all difficult games, but in today's NFL they are almost always difficult. I'm not saying we are well off, but we not really in a worse position than last year at 5 and 6.

I still believe we can beat any team out there including Carolina, Phila, Colts, etc. I don't think we are the best team in the league, but we are better than what our "faithful" on this board are saying.

I also understand that the first two loses still exist and cannot be taken back, but the point I am making is if you are trying to gauge who this team is, base it more on the last three weeks (2 and 1 with a loss that I'm sorry but should have been expected) than the first two.

[redskin_rich]

I also understand that the first two loses still exist and cannot be taken back, but the point I am making is if you are trying to gauge who this team is, base it more on the last three weeks (2 and 1 with a loss that I'm sorry but should have been expected) than the first two.
Even if you just look at the last 3 games, what you see is a defense that is not close to being a playoff caliber unit. I expect our offense to be inconsistent but I am just amazed at how pathetic our defense is playing.

[SkinsfaninNJ]

Even if you just look at the last 3 games, what you see is a defense that is not close to being a playoff caliber unit. I expect our offense to be inconsistent but I am just amazed at how pathetic our defense is playing.

Sad but true. Hopefully, GW can think up something fast.

The defense is not good enough, but other than the Bears, no defense in the NFL has been consistently good. Not the Jags, Eagles, Cowgirls, Giants, Colts, Chargers, Seahawks, etc. I could go on, but you get the point. Other than the Bears the only consistenty so far in the NFL is inconsistency.

I think we have to have a little patience and good our coaches the chance they have earned.

[MONK_in_HOF]

I don't think our problems are about talent at all. I think it is all about heart and determination. Our team does not look like it has the killer instinct that is necessary to take it to the next level in this league. They had it at the end of last year to win 5 in a row, but I don't see it it now.

Based on our talent we should be dominating, but we are not, and that I am sure is frustrating to all. I don't understand how you can get to the NFL and then not play as hard as you can. I see some of the fans in my local Orlando Redskins bar that have more heart and fire then our team does!

The coaching staff played way to conservatively for my tast in the third and fourth but that is a different thought.

We need heart, hustle!

I agree with this. I think we do have adequate talent to be very competitive (not sure about dominant) in this league, although competitive enough not to be completely owned in any 1 game. That is why it is so frustrating to see the peaks and valleys this team fluctuates between. It sure seems like a lack of effort when we get manhandled like we did yesterday. Both the players and coaches have to be at fault for such a flat, uninspired effort in a key game. This team is like a roller coaster.

[OCSKINSFAN]

I agree these are all difficult games, but in today's NFL they are almost always difficult. I'm not saying we are well off, but we not really in a worse position than last year at 5 and 6.

I still believe we can beat any team out there including Carolina, Phila, Colts, etc. I don't think we are the best team in the league, but we are better than what our "faithful" on this board are saying.

I also understand that the first two loses still exist and cannot be taken back, but the point I am making is if you are trying to gauge who this team is, base it more on the last three weeks (2 and 1 with a loss that I'm sorry but should have been expected) than the first two.

Unfortunately, you present no backup to your position but blind optimism. What have the Skins done in the 5 games of the season (I'm not even counting the preseason)? Slaughtered by Dallas & the Giants. Beat a very weak Houston team. Lost at home to a mediocre Vikings team. The only ray of hope an overtime win against the Jags, though the D still looked bad (if the Skins had lost the coin flip, that might also have been a loss). I hope it turns around, & the Skins certainly have talent, but they haven't shown anything yet to justify that hope.

[shally]

I agree with this. I think we do have adequate talent to be very competitive (not sure about dominant) in this league, although competitive enough not to be completely owned in any 1 game. That is why it is so frustrating to see the peaks and valleys this team fluctuates between. It sure seems like a lack of effort when we get manhandled like we did yesterday. Both the players and coaches have to be at fault for such a flat, uninspired effort in a key game. This team is like a roller coaster.

and that usually works out to 8-8... simply not good enough..

[bgforever]

I see the problem of redundancy. Ok so Betts is second to Portis, but does it have to be a run by Betts when Portis isn't in? I mean for once, can't you put Duckett in for the play instead? Is somebody's ego or pride hurt if we do this? SO WHAT! We're trying to win a game, not popularity contest!

Also ARE's a great choice to STRETCH the freakin' D! what's up with the predictable I'd rather lose this way (trying not to lose, instead of flat out playing to win!).

The plays called for playing into the Giants' hands. I don't buy the playbook crap at all, when you last BEAT this team and they STILL struggled to beat you in their back yard, through all your woes.

Just say it and let them take it like a man.

YOU GAVE THE GAME to Giants! I have no idea what these guys think and they could care less what we think. I wish I had control over those few words, "cared what I thought" and it meant giving them more than an earful. However, they get to make us forget it this coming Sunday or have us seriously looking back the beginning of this paragraph. Are you giving away the season too? Please let the fans know what the intentions are, as we do, showiing up, following you, believing still that you guys gave the all and all.

Please make me forget this game in a hurry and not relive it again, every other game, because how'd you like it if the fan did the same at FEDEX and in your wallet and in your programs inviting all. I can see it now - 90% of fans didn't show up, because 5,000 fans moved to NY.

[smoak]

Ouch, but possibly true.....unless everybody else in the east starts sucking real bad.....

We can't wait for other teams to trip up. We had a chance to stick our leg out and send the Giants to a crippling loss that would bury them for the season. Losing I can handle, but coming out flat time and time again is maddening. They don't look ready to play. the defense looks confused. The body language of the players makes them seem beaten before they even step on the field.

And here is the scariest part for me:

The clock is ticking. If we miss the playoffs this year, we need to mortgage the future and make a serious run next season. Brunell probably doesn't have anything left in the tank after '06. Campbell is an unkown. We have a couple key contributors who will be free agents. We barely have ANY draft picks. I trust Gibbs 110%, but I think he is facing the toughest task in his career. This bus needs to get back on the highway b/c the wheels could come off in a disasterous way if we aren't careful.

[BigPlayJay]

This has earned it's 2-3 record to be sure. I wouldn't sell them down the river yet though. The two division road losses while unfortunate, are often expected, if you play in the NFC East. The Minnesota loss should have never happened, they gave that one away. That is the only place I think there is room to rip them.

Anyways they will be 3-3 again next week and we go from there. The Colts haven't looked so hot lately, of course they haven't gotten to play the Redskins secondary!

[SpicyMcHaggis]

This has earned it's 2-3 record to be sure. I wouldn't sell them down the river yet though. The two division road losses while unfortunate, are often expected, if you play in the NFC East. The Minnesota loss should have never happened, they gave that one away. That is the only place I think there is room to rip them.

Anyways they will be 3-3 again next week and we go from there. The Colts haven't looked so hot lately, of course they haven't gotten to play the Redskins secondary!
See, I have read this more than once in the last couple of days here, and it's just maddening to me. You just can't look at the game and say "we played on the road, twice, and we lost. that happens". It's not that we lost, it's HOW we lost. We just were humiliated. We scored 2 FGs in 2 games on offense. Gave up 30 points in one game, 480 yards in the other, didn't force the Giants to put until the 4th quarter, and recorded 0 sacks in 2 games. None of the other games played between NFC East teams so far were remotely this lopsided. The Giants and Eagles played it down to the wire. The Cowboys and Eagles played a good, competitive game. Why are we the only ones to go on the road, time and time again against other NFC teams, and just get embarassed? This is just unacceptable.

[shally]

See, I have read this more than once in the last couple of days here, and it's just maddening to me. You just can't look at the game and say "we played on the road, twice, and we lost. that happens". It's not that we lost, it's HOW we lost. We just were humiliated. We scored 2 FGs in 2 games on offense. Gave up 30 points in one game, 480 yards in the other, didn't force the Giants to put until the 4th quarter, and recorded 0 sacks in 2 games. None of the other games played between NFC East teams so far were remotely this lopsided. The Giants and Eagles played it down to the wire. The Cowboys and Eagles played a good, competitive game. Why are we the only ones to go on the road, time and time again against other NFC teams, and just get embarassed? This is just unacceptable.

to me, the minny loss was far more wretched to watch.. we should have just killed that team.. at home, to open up, rookie head coach..
they haven't played that well since then. too bad we look to have provided them with their highlight game of the year..

[SpicyMcHaggis]

to me, the minny loss was far more wretched to watch.. we should have just killed that team.. at home, to open up, rookie head coach..
they haven't played that well since then. too bad we look to have provided them with their highlight game of the year..
Yeah, that wasn't particularly fun either...

[smoak]

to me, the minny loss was far more wretched to watch.. we should have just killed that team.. at home, to open up, rookie head coach..
they haven't played that well since then. too bad we look to have provided them with their highlight game of the year..

That is a complete fallacy (IMO). Minnesota is strong on both lines and they were able to win those battles at the LOS that turn the tide of games. I agree we should have beaten them, but they earned the victory by outplaying us. We are not a good enough team to assume we'll blow out any one.

[Inuyasha]

it sickens me to see us struggle as toliet teams of a past few years get better,saints,ravens......I had high hopes this year but i'm starting to get worried,esp. since we can't even seem to beat our rivals this year.....

[Redskinfan28]

We won 5 in a row last year, we need another run like that this year. We likely need to go 8-3 over the remainder of the season to mae the playoffs. Its possible, but we need to find our identity.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

We won 5 in a row last year, we need another run like that this year. We likely need to go 8-3 over the remainder of the season to mae the playoffs. Its possible, but we need to find our identity.
If we don't fix our record in the NFC, that is not gonne be enough. It wouldn't have been last year either.