This isn't a brightside thread, but....

[skinfanjon]

lets give some credit where it's due. The defense was fantastic today. We held the Pack to 225 total yards and under 60 rushing. There wasn't a ton of pressure, but the coverage was tight and (aside from Carlos not wrapping up on the long play to Lee) we tackled beautifully. Most importantly, we forced two big turnovers and held the Packers to 3-13 in third down conversions.

The offense clearly has some issues, so as it turns out we might have to rely on the defense to keep us in ball games. Lets use this thread to highlight the one side of the ball that was ready to play. My gameball goes to Taylor of course, but the entire unit played inspired ball and GW crafted a terrific scheme for the opponent.

If you had showed me the Packers offensive totals before the game, there is no way I could have imagined we would lose. Favre's final line: 19-37, 188,
0 TD, 2 INT. This defense is one edge rusher from being flat out dominant, that is certainly an encouraging thought. Now, back to your regularly scheduled doom and gloom;)

[CarMike]

Yeah, our defense was good today. But it's hard to take anything positive out of the game today. Not sure which loss hurts more. The Giants or the Packers...:banghead:

[shally]

lets give some credit where it's due. The defense was fantastic today. We held the Pack to 225 total yards and under 60 rushing. There wasn't a ton of pressure, but the coverage was tight and (aside from Carlos not wrapping up on the long play to Lee) we tackled beautifully. Most importantly, we forced two big turnovers and held the Packers to 3-13 in third down conversions.

The offense clearly has some issues, so as it turns out we might have to rely on the defense to keep us in ball games. Lets use this thread to highlight the one side of the ball that was ready to play. My gameball goes to Taylor of course, but the entire unit played inspired ball and GW crafted a terrific scheme for the opponent.

If you had showed me the Packers offensive totals before the game, there is no way I could have imagined we would lose. Favre's final line: 19-37, 188,
0 TD, 2 INT. This defense is one edge rusher from being flat out dominant, that is certainly an encouraging thought. Now, back to your regularly scheduled doom and gloom;)

we might actually have risen in overall defense..

[CNYSkinFan]

I am one of GW's biggest critics, but this was AGAIN another solid gameplan. I am not sure I can find any fault with the defense this week and last week against good offenses. If he keeps the defense playing at this level he can win us some games...

[shally]

Yeah, our defense was good today. But it's hard to take anything positive out of the game today. Not sure which loss hurts more. The Giants or the Packers...:banghead:


giants.. it was at home and we could have driven a stake through the giants season..

[MikeBass]

we might actually have risen in overall defense..

The defense looks pretty good doesn't it?

[CarMike]

I am one of GW's biggest critics, but this was AGAIN another solid gameplan. I am not sure I can find any fault with the defense this week and last week against good offenses. If he keeps the defense playing at this level he can win us some games...
Agreed, but not if our friggen players continue to turnover the ball on the other teams side of the field.

[CNYSkinFan]

Yeah, our defense was good today. But it's hard to take anything positive out of the game today. Not sure which loss hurts more. The Giants or the Packers...:banghead:
i don't know. I was arguing that with some of my buddies at the bar.

On one hand you have the Giants, an NFC east team giving up a loss at our home and seemingly breathing life back into the franchiose

On the other hand this Packer team is extremely flawed and we had them on the ropes all day but the players made horrible mistakes. Right now we havd a chance to gain on Dallas and didn't. That will hurt us.

[skinfanjon]

I am one of GW's biggest critics, but this was AGAIN another solid gameplan. I am not sure I can find any fault with the defense this week and last week against good offenses. If he keeps the defense playing at this level he can win us some games...

I really thought we would have to blitz more than we did to shutdown their passing game, but playing coverage definitely worked. Akh keeps saying he wants to see Landry in the box more, and I completely agree, but for now it seems like GW has found a groove in his gameplanning. Hopefully Landry ill be a bigger weapon down the road.

[shally]

I am one of GW's biggest critics, but this was AGAIN another solid gameplan. I am not sure I can find any fault with the defense this week and last week against good offenses. If he keeps the defense playing at this level he can win us some games...

honestly, it was a great effort.

let's see what happens next week. GW seems to be able to defense teams that can only do one thing. neither the pack nor the lions could run the ball and GW devised the perfect game plan for them.

zona is more balanced and williams will have to decide what to try and take away. if we really had a dominant pass rusher i think we would be in great shape. but against teams that can run or who have above average o lines, the defense is going to be vulnerable

that said, after all the criticism i have levelled at GW,, i have to say, the last 2 games were about as good as it gets..

[skinfanjon]

i don't know. I was arguing that with some of my buddies at the bar.

On one hand you have the Giants, an NFC east team giving up a loss at our home and seemingly breathing life back into the franchiose

On the other hand this Packer team is extremely flawed and we had them on the ropes all day but the players made horrible mistakes. Right now we havd a chance to gain on Dallas and didn't. That will hurt us.

The answer is both, because we could and should be 5-0 and sitting atop the division. They both sucked royally. I suppose if pressed I would say the Giants game because I had to drive 4 hours home after leaving the stadium.

[shally]

The defense looks pretty good doesn't it?

the last 2 weeks, absolutely

but remember that neither of these 2 teams could run the ball at all. give GW credit for a correct game plan. but let's see what happens next week when we face a team that can both run and pass the ball

[shally]

The answer is both, because we could and should be 5-0 and sitting atop the division. They both sucked royally. I suppose if pressed I would say the Giants game because I had to drive 4 hours home after leaving the stadium.

we have no right to expect to be 5-0... we lost games because we deserved to lose them. this was not like the dallas/buffalo game where a team won a game it had no right to expect to win.. we fully deserved both of our losses

we COULD have won all 5 games. that is true, but it is asking for too much luck to expect that.

[skinfanjon]

we have no right to expect to be 5-0... we lost games because we deserved to lose them. this was not like the dallas/buffalo game where a team won a game it had no right to expect to win.. we fully deserved both of our losses

we COULD have won all 5 games. that is true, but it is asking for too much luck to expect that.

Meh. I think we should have won both games, but I get where your coming from. Doesn't really matter though.

Your point about playing a balanced offense is well taken. Next week (provided Warner plays) should be a good indicator of what to expect from this defense moving forward. GW will need to cook up a nice blend of blitzes and coverage in order to contain the Cards. The good thing is the defensive line is doing a nice job of eating up the lanes and stuffing the run. Its not to the 04/05 level yet, but its in the same zip code.

[wewantdallas]

Yeah, I go with both sucking equally. I can't even sleep, I'm still so pissed about this game.

We totally neutered their offense, but even that wasn't enough.

And now our top two offensive weapons of the past have played HUGE roles in both of our losses this year.

Portis begins his fumble trifecta by giving the Giants a gift that leads to the go-ahead score, and Moss drops balls all day including the one that puts the Pack ahead in a game where they could barely sniff the end zone. It just defies belief. I'd rather be blown out any day than lose like this.

Plus, this team must have the weakest collection of hamstrings in the league. More like "spamstrings" on these guys.

[shally]

Meh. I think we should have won both games, but I get where your coming from. Doesn't really matter though.

Your point about playing a balanced offense is well taken. Next week (provided Warner plays) should be a good indicator of what to expect from this defense moving forward. GW will need to cook up a nice blend of blitzes and coverage in order to contain the Cards. The good thing is the defensive line is doing a nice job of eating up the lanes and stuffing the run. Its not to the 04/05 level yet, but its in the same zip code.

warner might be out (see my post in navahoe)

if so, facing rattay would be a huge advantage for GW

[shally]

Yeah, I go with both sucking equally. I can't even sleep, I'm still so pissed about this game.

We totally neutered their offense, but even that wasn't enough.

And now our top two offensive weapons of the past have played HUGE roles in both of our losses this year.

Portis begins his fumble trifecta by giving the Giants a gift that leads to the go-ahead score, and Moss drops balls all day including the one that puts the Pack ahead in a game where they could barely sniff the end zone. It just defies belief. I'd rather be blown out any day than lose like this.

Plus, this team must have the weakest collection of hamstrings in the league. More like "spamstrings" on these guys.

maybe it is the type of lineman we use ? denver's were always lighter and more mobile ..
or perhaps they could get ray brown to talk to the team about stretching and conditioning ?

[LadyNRedskinsfan]

amen. you cant take it away, but aside from that 60 yard pitch and catch, we shut GB's offense down. favre has been one of the hottest QBs so far this season and he numbers were below average. this season is surely looking like the 2005 season. 3-2, strong defense, pedestrian offense(at times). hopefully as the season goes on, we'll improve and make the playoffs (barring injury).

[redskin_rich]

Defense was good today but again we played a team with no running game. What we are doing will not work when we face a balanced offense.

There is no bright side to this loss. We gave away the game to an inferior opponent. It will not get any easier. We are not of the quality that can withstand multiple mistakes and missed opportunities. This team needs a serious players only meeting with no holds barred. It's time for some players to take a leadership position, both vocally and physically on the field. No coaches, no trainers, no one but the players and if it takes a blanket party on some guys, so be it.

[skinsfan45]

Defense was good today but again we played a team with no running game. What we are doing will not work when we face a balanced offense.

There is no bright side to this loss. We gave away the game to an inferior opponent. It will not get any easier. We are not of the quality that can withstand multiple mistakes and missed opportunities. This team needs a serious players only meeting with no holds barred. It's time for some players to take a leadership position, both vocally and physically on the field. No coaches, no trainers, no one but the players and if it takes a blanket party on some guys, so be it.
i agree that the players need to hold each other accountable -- no way can the defense be anything but DISGUSTIPATED(didn't know how to describe how i felt til i saw this word, thank u RR) with the lack of offensive production -- a call out is in order and probably overdue - i remember long ago and far away when a quiet leader on our team emerged and called a players only meeting with great results

[skinsfan36]

yep our defense is awesome this year. i just wish portis,moss didnt drop the ball all the time.heres a brightside mccardell is open alot and hasnt dropped one yet throw him the frickin ball

[JoeDaSchmoe]

Honestly, I'm not sure I've ever felt this good after a loss before. I turned off the TV today feeling frustrated about losing a game we really, really should have won, but... it was absolutely the definition of "just one of those games." Things happened to us today that happen once a season, maybe even less. If we play the way we did today for the rest of the year, we're gonna win a lot more games than we lose.

I'd honestly bank on winning by double digits next week. The uber-dropsies won't hit us like they did today for the rest of 2007 (and maybe even early 2008).

[skinfanjon]

Honestly, I'm not sure I've ever felt this good after a loss before. I turned off the TV today feeling frustrated about losing a game we really, really should have won, but... it was absolutely the definition of "just one of those games." Things happened to us today that happen once a season, maybe even less. If we play the way we did today for the rest of the year, we're gonna win a lot more games than we lose.

I'd honestly bank on winning by double digits next week. The uber-dropsies won't hit us like they did today for the rest of 2007 (and maybe even early 2008).

It still stings to lose games like that. We need to develope a killer instinct in these types of situations. We have to stop letting teams get off the mat. Your probably right about the drops, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't truely concerned about the offense. Seems the only thing we can bank on right now is the QB....crazy how things have changed.

Thankfully, if we get this kind of effort from the defense each week, we will be in every game. It will be interesting to see how we stack up against New England.

[Meatsnack]

...

Plus, this team must have the weakest collection of hamstrings in the league. More like "spamstrings" on these guys.Bwa-ha-ha-ha! From henceforth this season, they shall be known only as Spamstrings* in my posts. *lol*

*Spamstrings copyright by WWD and Armour Foods, all rights reserved.

[smoak]

we have no right to expect to be 5-0... we lost games because we deserved to lose them. this was not like the dallas/buffalo game where a team won a game it had no right to expect to win.. we fully deserved both of our losses

we COULD have won all 5 games. that is true, but it is asking for too much luck to expect that.


But I think the point is that we beat ourselves in both games.

It is funny how success colors our opinions of GW b/c he didn't play all that differently the past couple games than the second half of the Giants game. Its just that players made some plays and couldn't against the Giants for whatever reason.

I personally think we need to see a little more aggression out of the D, but I can't fault them for the L.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

But I think the point is that we beat ourselves in both games.

It is funny how success colors our opinions of GW b/c he didn't play all that differently the past couple games than the second half of the Giants game. Its just that players made some plays and couldn't against the Giants for whatever reason.

I personally think we need to see a little more aggression out of the D, but I can't fault them for the L.
Well, it is true that we played two team that have very particular offensive gameplan (meaning they just do not run the ball at all), so the same scheme that worked against them could be less successful against other teams.
By the way, look what that second half collapse against the Giants has done. Instead of us being at least 4-1 and them being 0-3 at the time (and in shambles), we are now 3-2, and they have a chance tonight to move to 4-2. That loss is gonna haunt us for a long time unfortunately.

[smoak]

Well, it is true that we played two team that have very particular offensive gameplan (meaning they just do not run the ball at all), so the same scheme that worked against them could be less successful against other teams.
By the way, look what that second half collapse against the Giants has done. Instead of us being at least 4-1 and them being 0-3 at the time (and in shambles), we are now 3-2, and they have a chance tonight to move to 4-2. That loss is gonna haunt us for a long time unfortunately.

Agreed. I chuckle that anyone entertains the notion that the loss yesterday was worse (see keino's argument on division loss vs. conference loss).

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Agreed. I chuckle that anyone entertains the notion that the loss yesterday was worse (see keino's argument on division loss vs. conference loss).
No matter how you look at it, a home division loss is much worse than an away conference loss. They both suck, but the Giants game is FAR worse.

[wewantdallas]

Bwa-ha-ha-ha! From henceforth this season, they shall be known only as Spamstrings* in my posts. *lol*

*Spamstrings copyright by WWD and Armour Foods, all rights reserved.

Ha, I'm glad someone appreciated that. :-)

"El had a high spammy."

[hogskins]

warner might be out (see my post in navahoe)

if so, facing rattay would be a huge advantage for GW

Preparation with the Cards offense aside, we could be luckier than to play a team that has Tim Rattay as their 3rd-string QB! The guy has had some good games in this league...

[WackyJacky]

Listen, I have a confession to make: We are 3-0 when I wear my hR t-shirt to work on Saturday, and 0-2 when I don't. These losses are on me. :smash:

I swear that from now on I will do my laundry in a timely manner and have a clean hR t-shirt to wear at work on Saturdays. The season will be salvaged.

[CNYSkinFan]

Listen, I have a confession to make: We are 3-0 when I wear my hR t-shirt to work on Saturday, and 0-2 when I don't. These losses are on me. :smash:

I swear that from now on I will do my laundry in a timely manner and have a clean hR t-shirt to wear at work on Saturdays. The season will be salvaged.
ironically this is superior to any plan in Redskins Park right about now

[redskin_rich]

ironically this is superior to any plan in Redskins Park right about now

I know you're just being sarcastic but there was nothing wrong with the gameplanning yesterday and I don't think any blame should go on the coaches for yesterday. Even the botched timeout calling at the end, who cares? If the players don't mess up every other play, none of that matters. This loss falls squarely on the shoulders of our two "stars" on offense, Moss and Portis.

[CNYSkinFan]

I know you're just being sarcastic but there was nothing wrong with the gameplanning yesterday and I don't think any blame should go on the coaches for yesterday. Even the botched timeout calling at the end, who cares? If the players don't mess up every other play, none of that matters. This loss falls squarely on the shoulders of our two "stars" on offense, Moss and Portis.
no even if the coaches called a perfect game, the players killed us. And I was being sarcastic...a little bit.

There are some coaching issues that do need to be resolved. Time management is one. But I am starting to think the way we wuse personnell (Ie portis betts) is just as important a flaw. If Gibbs wants to he can say to Portis "we need you to win, and we need you in there every play to win" and Portis will respond to the increased workload. Gibbs needs to slap his star playier in the face and get him going.

I am hoping that Moss as a fluke, because oif he starts to go bad this whole season is a waste.

[redskin_rich]

no even if the coaches called a perfect game, the players killed us. And I was being sarcastic...a little bit.

There are some coaching issues that do need to be resolved. Time management is one. But I am starting to think the way we wuse personnell (Ie portis betts) is just as important a flaw. If Gibbs wants to he can say to Portis "we need you to win, and we need you in there every play to win" and Portis will respond to the increased workload. Gibbs needs to slap his star playier in the face and get him going.

I am hoping that Moss as a fluke, because oif he starts to go bad this whole season is a waste.
Moss hasn't been right all season, yesterday was just a culmination of sucktitude for him. I don't know what is going on but I definitely think there is something off the field going on with Santana. He must have some sort of personal issues.

[Moe]

Honestly, I'm not sure I've ever felt this good after a loss before. I turned off the TV today feeling frustrated about losing a game we really, really should have won, but... it was absolutely the definition of "just one of those games." Things happened to us today that happen once a season, maybe even less. If we play the way we did today for the rest of the year, we're gonna win a lot more games than we lose.

I'd honestly bank on winning by double digits next week. The uber-dropsies won't hit us like they did today for the rest of 2007 (and maybe even early 2008).

This was my reaction as well. The bouncing balls, dropsies, slips, injuries, etc. it all just snowballed and yet the game was still within reach until the end. It certainly would've been better to have won, but based on what I saw I honestly think that the Skins are a markedly better team than the Pack. If they can put it all together, maybe they can exact a little revenge when it really counts.

[openallnight]

Yeah, our defense was good today. But it's hard to take anything positive out of the game today. Not sure which loss hurts more. The Giants or the Packers...:banghead:

Any loss sux I agree but, this loss in no way rivals the demoralizing defeat at HOME against our divisional foe. We had an opportunity to put a nail in the giants cofflin and let a sure fire victory slip away. I'm still bitter over that one.

This loss is more palatable in the sense I'm very happy w/ our defensive effort. If our D can hold opponents to 10 pts. we're gonna win a lot more than we lose. And we lost in a hostile environment at Lambeau Field. Had that game been played here we win easily by a TD.

[jaylen]

Any loss sux I agree but, this loss in no way rivals the demoralizing defeat at HOME against our divisional foe. We had an opportunity to put a nail in the giants cofflin and let a sure fire victory slip away. I'm still bitter over that one.

This loss is more palatable in the sense I'm very happy w/ our defensive effort. If our D can hold opponents to 10 pts. we're gonna win a lot more than we lose. And we lost in a hostile environment at Lambeau Field. Had that game been played here we win easily by a TD.

Thats how I felt about the game we lost basically because we were on the road. Too many leaks popped up in a hostile place against a hungry opponent.

Only thing gets me alittle I think we're more talented than the Packers and aren't getting timely breaks to seal those kinda wins.

[Battle Cat]

maybe it is the type of lineman we use ? denver's were always lighter and more mobile ..
or perhaps they could get ray brown to talk to the team about stretching and conditioning ?
Our starting line is and has always been one of the smallest in the NFL. Jansen, Samuels, Rabach, Thomas, Kendall are all in the 295-305 range.