This Ole Fart Thinks - Redskins vs Cowboys

[hail2skins]

Well here it is.

This Ole Fart Thinks (http://www.hailredskins.com/?p=590)

[dj_stouty]

Great job as usual.

I too wish there was a bit more of a pass rush; and it was evident that Jason Taylor was not on the field. Without a viable pass rush, our d-backs certainly earned their paychecks by hanging on those receivers for several seconds after each snap. We may not have that luxury against Philly. Their receivers manage to get open for McNabb.

Portis is such a stud, and we are so lucky to have him. He blocks, he hits, he grinds out yards like a RB twenty pounds heavier than him, and he is a gamechanger. I'm amazed at how well he runs parallel to the ground; lol. I am still solidly in the camp that says; I don't care if he takes himself off the field from time to time, as long as he has top energy for the 20-25 touches he does have. (Not to mention the energy he expells in pass protection)

I know it appears that we shut down Barber last week, but the Cowboys gave up on the run way too early and he only got 8 carries. He got 26 yards on 8 carries. In comparison - in last week's game versus OAK, LT had 16 yards on his first 8 carries. SD didn't abandon the run and LT averaged 7.5ypc on his next 12 carries. Dumb move on Dallas' part; especially since Barber managed 5ypc on 28 carries the previous week against a solid GB defense. Regarding next week; Westbrook still scares me even if he is only 75%. But Philly still insists on throwing the ball a lot more than running, so again, this may come down to how healthy our d-backs are in coverage; or how well our LBs can contain Westbrook on those short passes in space.

Props to Brooks, who looked sharp out there. I'm glad his time "on the hotseat" is over. Sometimes you just need some gametime experience to get back to your old self. And anyone watching GB this year knows Frosts' best work of his career was CLEARLY in the Redskins '08 preseason games.

[Keino]

I thought we got decent pressure on Romo. He is good at getting rid of the ball. He definitely threw before he was ready to throw a lot. Still Taylor's absence was noticeable......

[VegasSkinsFan]

Thanks Shally for a fun write-up....but heres a question for you and actually anyone else..... which college lb should be a target in next years draft, or do we go fa? You choose the round/pick. GO SKINS !!!!!!

[shally]

Great job as usual.

I too wish there was a bit more of a pass rush; and it was evident that Jason Taylor was not on the field. Without a viable pass rush, our d-backs certainly earned their paychecks by hanging on those receivers for several seconds after each snap. We may not have that luxury against Philly. Their receivers manage to get open for McNabb.

Portis is such a stud, and we are so lucky to have him. He blocks, he hits, he grinds out yards like a RB twenty pounds heavier than him, and he is a gamechanger. I'm amazed at how well he runs parallel to the ground; lol. I am still solidly in the camp that says; I don't care if he takes himself off the field from time to time, as long as he has top energy for the 20-25 touches he does have. (Not to mention the energy he expells in pass protection)

I know it appears that we shut down Barber last week, but the Cowboys gave up on the run way too early and he only got 8 carries. He got 26 yards on 8 carries. In comparison - in last week's game versus OAK, LT had 16 yards on his first 8 carries. SD didn't abandon the run and LT averaged 7.5ypc on his next 12 carries. Dumb move on Dallas' part; especially since Barber managed 5ypc on 28 carries the previous week against a solid GB defense. Regarding next week; Westbrook still scares me even if he is only 75%. But Philly still insists on throwing the ball a lot more than running, so again, this may come down to how healthy our d-backs are in coverage; or how well our LBs can contain Westbrook on those short passes in space.

Props to Brooks, who looked sharp out there. I'm glad his time "on the hotseat" is over. Sometimes you just need some gametime experience to get back to your old self. And anyone watching GB this year knows Frosts' best work of his career was CLEARLY in the Redskins '08 preseason games.


frost is very much on the hot seat this week in GB.. one more bad outing and he is likely on the street again.

part of the reason dallas went away from barber is the TO effect, but another part of it is that the skins gang tackled him mercilessly and garrett saw little chance he was going to be productive. a very bad decision by a usually smart coach

philly has a lot of weapons for certain,but NOBODY scares me like westbrook.
he is a game changer every time he is out there. also i think that mcnabb is still hurting from a "steve mcnair" injury.. he got cracked solidly in the sternum and he is still not fully back. the biggest issue that philly faces other than westbrook is the interior of their o line. andrews is still out and if we can get push up the middle, mcnabb will have a long day

incidentally, ex redskin chris clemons has 3 tackles and 0 sacks thus far. he hasnt been that productive for them thus far.. i worry about the pressure from the d line however. philly can still bring it..

[Cutter]

As always, nice read.

[shally]

Thanks Shally for a fun write-up....but heres a question for you and actually anyone else..... which college lb should be a target in next years draft, or do we go fa? You choose the round/pick. GO SKINS !!!!!!

hard to get an impact player choosing 32nd....;)

[Sweepea436]

.. i worry about the pressure from the d line however. philly can still bring it..

No worries mate! They threw blocking pads at JC during training camp remember? What better way is there to prepare for a good D rush than that? lol

Yeah. I'm worried about it too. Especially since Philthy is in the cellar right now. McNugget was predicting winning the division in the preseason - so they are going to come out hungry and.... embarrased? Going to be a tough game - no question about that. NO INJURIES!!!!

[WinnpegSkinsFan]

A good read, Shally. About the only aspect of the skins performance I wasn't totally enamoured with on Sunday was the pass rush - a little too much time for Romo. Thank goodness our corners were covering well most of the day. Rogers has come back as good or better than where he left off last year. Unless Marcus gets healthy and turns his play around I can't see him on the team in 2009 - too much salary for poor production.

[shally]

A good read, Shally. About the only aspect of the skins performance I wasn't totally enamoured with on Sunday was the pass rush - a little too much time for Romo. Thank goodness our corners were covering well most of the day. Rogers has come back as good or better than where he left off last year. Unless Marcus gets healthy and turns his play around I can't see him on the team in 2009 - too much salary for poor production.

we got pressure up the middle on pass plays, but nothing from the edges. the cowboys doubled carter and wilson simply got swallowed. until we get a healthy taylor back the only way for us to consistently get pressure is going to be to commit blitzers and i understand blache's hesitancy to do that for fear of the big play
look what the jets did to warner with pressure.. 6 turnovers by himself !!
we didnt get that kind of pressure and the game was much closer than it should have been..

[guess88]

Compared to Dallas I think we'll have much better pressure against the Iggies. McNabb's been seeing pressure all season, and while still tough to tackle, he's been getting smacked around a lot. Dallas has a much better O line... I'm not surprised we didn't have much pressure on Romo, but I also think if JT was there instead of Evans, Romo would've eaten dirt at least twice.

We're facing a battered and desperate Phili team if you think about it. They're on the bottom of the conference in terms of record, 2 of their top receivers (Brown and Curtis) are recovering from injuries, LJ Smith is coming back from one, McNabb's coming back from one, but is getting smacked around, and Westbrook is recovering from a high ankle sprain.

Their D is scary though.. they'll pressure, and send blitzes from everywhere all day. Could very well be a low scorer. According to last night's Madden prediction... Skins win 10-7. In reality... 17-10.

[shally]

Compared to Dallas I think we'll have much better pressure against the Iggies. McNabb's been seeing pressure all season, and while still tough to tackle, he's been getting smacked around a lot. Dallas has a much better O line... I'm not surprised we didn't have much pressure on Romo, but I also think if JT was there instead of Evans, Romo would've eaten dirt at least twice.

We're facing a battered and desperate Phili team if you think about it. They're on the bottom of the conference in terms of record, 2 of their top receivers (Brown and Curtis) are recovering from injuries, LJ Smith is coming back from one, McNabb's coming back from one, but is getting smacked around, and Westbrook is recovering from a high ankle sprain.

Their D is scary though.. they'll pressure, and send blitzes from everywhere all day. Could very well be a low scorer. According to last night's Madden prediction... Skins win 10-7. In reality... 17-10.

i dont like playing teams from the nfc east with their backs against the wall. we have caught the giants far too many times in that position and it usually doesnt end well for us..

that said, this seems to be a redskin team with a different attitude and make-up compared to past versions. i expect it will be a very tough game one way or the other, but if westbrook is either absent or well below par, i think the redskins prevail

[guess88]

i dont like playing teams from the nfc east with their backs against the wall. we have caught the giants far too many times in that position and it usually doesnt end well for us..

that said, this seems to be a redskin team with a different attitude and make-up compared to past versions. i expect it will be a very tough game one way or the other, but if westbrook is either absent or well below par, i think the redskins prevail

Same. More so the Eagles and Giants than the Cowgirls for some reason. Eagles need this win, their at home, and I feel their offense will be angry after their failed goal line stand against the Bears. I'd put money on Westbrook playing, but I doubt he'll be 100%. This game needs to be physical, and Campbell and Rabach will need to adjust for the blitz.

[Meatsnack]

In reflection, almost nothing makes me feel better than a win over the Cowboys. Almost nothing, except beating their sorry butts and watching them implode afterward.

http://www.dailynugget.com/images/cartman_scott.jpg

An orphan's tears. They are so warm and sweet!

[silverspring]

good read shally. The only point i would disagree with is sellers, he has proven to have solid hands in the past and i just don't see us putting the effort/resources into finding a better run blocker than him in the near future when we have many other needs.

[shally]

good read shally. The only point i would disagree with is sellers, he has proven to have solid hands in the past and i just don't see us putting the effort/resources into finding a better run blocker than him in the near future when we have many other needs.

i think it has been 2 years since sellers showed he can be a reliable option as either a runner or a receiver.. as a blocker ? you bet !!

is that enough to keep him as starter ? maybe. seattle did pretty well with a guy who was pretty one dimensional as a blocker.. how nice would it be to have someone like roger craig or tim rathman ?? or even larry centers ??

i think if the line becomes dominant, we can give up a little in brute blocking strength to have a multidimensional player.. or perhaps lo alexander can become that hammer for short yardage situations.. as massive as he is, sellers has been relatively ineffective in converting short yardage as a runner himself. he is slow to get to the hole and runs high. that usually translates into him ending up short of the first down when people get into his legs

[silverspring]

i think it has been 2 years since sellers showed he can be a reliable option as either a runner or a receiver.. as a blocker ? you bet !!

is that enough to keep him as starter ? maybe. seattle did pretty well with a guy who was pretty one dimensional as a blocker.. how nice would it be to have someone like roger craig or tim rathman ?? or even larry centers ??

i think if the line becomes dominant, we can give up a little in brute blocking strength to have a multidimensional player.. or perhaps lo alexander can become that hammer for short yardage situations.. as massive as he is, sellers has been relatively ineffective in converting short yardage as a runner himself. he is slow to get to the hole and runs high. that usually translates into him ending up short of the first down when people get into his legs

Yeah when sellers was on his td rampage a couple years back he seemed pretty solid. He hasn't been used so much lately so it is hard for me to think he lost that skill rather than just not getting his number called. I don't think he is a great runner or pass catcher but i do think he is good.

The way I see it is that we have enough pass catching guys like cooley, fred davis, and yoder that we are in good shape there. Without a doubt, there are better players out there, but in this situation i have a hard time not prescribing to the grass is always greener.

[skinsfan36]

wilson to slb? maybe we can try it when we play the bengals lol and in practice. would love to see kelly involved this week and thomas to continue making strides. he is a pretty good blocker. also i dont think heyer wins his job back until next week i think jansen will play vs the iggles(although he has not played vs them for a solid year plus)

[TrueOracle]

good write-up Shally. I like the comment about the draft position at 32nd. I want everyone to remember what JC told me at that Celtics vs Wizards game last spring: "Don't be surprised if we go all the way." Now I don't look like I'm crazy.

We have a very good team that will be dominant by week 11. Truth is, we should've been like this the last 2 years. But our neanderthal coaching set us back plenty. My point - we've had the talent. Now we also have the coaching.

This is turning into a ____dream of a season!!!

[The Skinsinator]

1) I would not trade away Clinton Portis for ANY other back in the nfl right now. Thomlinson, Peterson, LJ none of them are the complete package like CP. He looks awesome this year and is running mad. Keep running your mouth Brian Mitchell. CP is a leader and beast.

2) Jason Campbell is coming around very nicely. He is getting rid of the ball much quicker and looks dramatically more accurate. He is even looking better under pressure and making good decisions.

3) Moss is a stud and when healthy is irreplaceable. Those trades for Moss and Portis sure are looking pretty now.

4) Secondary is very stout and wtf was Reed Doughty doing on the field in the pukes last drive? He was abused. Seriously as good as Blache has been this season this was assinine. I know Moore has to be better at least in coverage.

We gotta a helluva team this season and Synderrato hired the right dude.

[shally]

wilson to slb? maybe we can try it when we play the bengals lol and in practice. would love to see kelly involved this week and thomas to continue making strides. he is a pretty good blocker. also i dont think heyer wins his job back until next week i think jansen will play vs the iggles(although he has not played vs them for a solid year plus)

the question is whether wilson can drop into coverage.. we have seen that d evans actually can, but he is too solid as a reserve DE.. that is one of the major needs for the coming off season

[shally]

1) I would not trade away Clinton Portis for ANY other back in the nfl right now. Thomlinson, Peterson, LJ none of them are the complete package like CP. He looks awesome this year and is running mad. Keep running your mouth Brian Mitchell. CP is a leader and beast.

2) Jason Campbell is coming around very nicely. He is getting rid of the ball much quicker and looks dramatically more accurate. He is even looking better under pressure and making good decisions.

3) Moss is a stud and when healthy is irreplaceable. Those trades for Moss and Portis sure are looking pretty now.

4) Secondary is very stout and wtf was Reed Doughty doing on the field in the pukes last drive? He was abused. Seriously as good as Blache has been this season this was assinine. I know Moore has to be better at least in coverage.

We gotta a helluva team this season and Synderrato hired the right dude.

the difference between success and failure is paper thin.. right now i would say that other teams may have more talent, but we are certainly playing closer to our potential than most anyone.

we have a long way to go still and i expect some rough patches along the way.. as zorn just said we have just competed 1/4 of the schedule.. interesting that both he and gibbs see the schedule in terms of quarters...

[guess88]

the difference between success and failure is paper thin.. right now i would say that other teams may have more talent, but we are certainly playing closer to our potential than most anyone.

we have a long way to go still and i expect some rough patches along the way.. as zorn just said we have just competed 1/4 of the schedule.. interesting that both he and gibbs see the schedule in terms of quarters...

I actually heard this past week that most coaches look at seasons in quarters. I think it just makes it easier for them to game plan and evaluate. Less daunting, like chapters in a book.

[shally]

I actually heard this past week that most coaches look at seasons in quarters. I think it just makes it easier for them to game plan and evaluate. Less daunting, like chapters in a book.

john keim just wrote that we are now going to see how the team handles success...
if if if.. if we can beat philly, the next 3 games shape up as far less daunting..

still, dallas has a 3 game stretch against the little sisters of the poor, so one way or the other, we wont be putting any distance between ourselves and them.. we just have to keep on winning...

[MadDog97]

the question is whether wilson can drop into coverage.. we have seen that d evans actually can, but he is too solid as a reserve DE.. that is one of the major needs for the coming off season

I agree that linebacker will be a need. Next year I figure the Skins should be looking at linebacker, pass rushing DE, guard, and corner. The DE is because Jason is good for one more year before he hangs it up. We are also getting older on the line. Of course, I have been screaming for line help for how many years?

This team does have a different personality and barring a major injury should have a much better year than I anticipated. I glanced at the schedule and I see 5 weak teams that we should beat. If we beat Philly this team could easily be 7-1 at the midway point.

I hear Marvin Lewis will be looking for a job soon. He took Cincy to respectability but he could not maintain progress.


:sun:

[Nomad]

good stuff as always

my two main observations were actually about the cowboys

i was stunned by how bad the coaching was, and this bodes well for the future. this team always comes up short in the clutch, clutch games, clutch situations in games, and it is tough to think they will win the big one as long as wade phillips is hc

it feels so good to have the coach who is aggressive rather than the one that gives you no chance to win, i felt like it was gibbs 2.0 who was coaching the cowboys, and for once the shoe was on the other foot, how you don't use barber and jones just amazes me

i think i must have had blinders on, because seeing romo whine like a woman when things went bad, i realized this is the romo i have usually seen when the cowboys don't steamroll people, and found myself wondering if he is just going to be a jim kelly type of qb who never wins the big dance, i hope so

campbell had it way harder than romo last several years and complained way less, like never, it just really made me despise the cowboys more, romo and owens are such holes

and coverage was great, but owens also had some easy drops

dallas is just dying for a solid #2 receiver, and i wouldn't be surprised by a trade

the rest of it has been said by others, won't regurgitate

great victory, if Taylor can't get back this week, might as well give him a month or however long it takes and think playoffs, i still hate that trade

the goods were too many too list, but in terms of concerns i still see a pass rush that blows and which a good QB and coach can still abuse, and a need for true #2 WR with size to move our offense to that next level, one would obviously hope Taylor and Thomas/Kelly are the answers, but except for Thomas I have my doubts

AWESOME VICTORY, I was sitting next to 4 Cowfag fans in this Seattle sports bar just giving them the bizzo, they actually put sweatshirts on over their Cowfag Jerseys later in the game, it was great

[guess88]

dallas is just dying for a solid #2 receiver, and i wouldn't be surprised by a trade

Really? Crayton, Austin, TO, Witten, Barber, and Jones... that's a lot to throw to. They've been dangerous when they spread it around, just for some reason focused on TO this past game. I think it was more of a playcalling flub, and just flat out being out played than anything. Our TOP was outstanding.. and we did a lot by just imposing our will to run on them. They couldn't stop it, even when they saw it.

[Nomad]

Really? Crayton, Austin, TO, Witten, Barber, and Jones... that's a lot to throw to. They've been dangerous when they spread it around, just for some reason focused on TO this past game. I think it was more of a playcalling flub, and just flat out being out played than anything. Our TOP was outstanding.. and we did a lot by just imposing our will to run on them. They couldn't stop it, even when they saw it.

Agree on playcalling and terrible coaching. But I said receiver, not TE, not RB, but WR. It just struck me that with a really solid option opposite TO, they would be lethal because you couldn't focus so much on Witten or TO. Crayton is decent, nothing more. One could draw analogues, perhaps not totally accurate, but in the ballpark, to us having only Moss and Cooley previous few years.

Though none of that matters as long as Romo chokes, he, he, he. . .

[bergiemoore]

Agree on playcalling and terrible coaching. But I said receiver, not TE, not RB, but WR. It just struck me that with a really solid option opposite TO, they would be lethal because you couldn't focus so much on Witten or TO. Crayton is decent, nothing more. One could draw analogues, perhaps not totally accurate, but in the ballpark, to us having only Moss and Cooley previous few years.

Though none of that matters as long as Romo chokes, he, he, he. . .

Miles Austin is a guy that has made some serious contributions, and one that they think very highly of in Dallas. Crayton has had tremendous games against the Skins, usually playing as the #3. I would argue that they are still loaded at all skill positions.

[HanburgerBum]

Great write-up, Shally.

I am claiming credit for the early-season Skins success, because I did not think they were going to be a true contender this season and posted so. I have the power to be wrong about 99% of the time! Look what I did for Carlos Rogers' career. I wanted to move him to safety. Now, he is playing near pro-bowl caliber at corner despite returning early from serious knee injury.

But, I do think some of the posters here are getting a little ahead of themselves. The win over Dallas in Dallas was HUGE, but the regular season is only 25% over. The Skins still play in the toughest division--perhaps the toughest ever in the NFL. If we lose this Sunday, we would be tied for last place in the East. We still have to prove that we can handle a team with an outstanding pass rush (we failed badly in NY). Neutralizing the Philly pass rush this week would go a long towards proving that.