What are you looking for against the Bears?

[smave]

I would have to think we will see more of last weeks style of defense more often than this past week. Not so much the play, but the style.

[Dolla Bill]

IMO I think the skins didn't actually plan for Chicago and Chicago did. It was evident almost from start.

With that being said, the OL looked like garbage. I really believe we are holding the OL together with duct tape.

[silverspring]

Originally Posted by markrc99

hail2skins wrote:


Oh yeah, I guess I honestly forgot about that part. e; You believe me, right? e; Fact is, the latter part of that quote doesn't contradict the former and he is accurate! You yourself have acknowledged, cited Cooley saying as such & stated that others here have noted that the argument does have merit, as of late. So there we agree. Now, the part about him having to find his place is BS. Perhaps I'm wrong but the issue the team faces is: him and over $6m against the cap or over $6m of dead cap money. I'm not seeing any sense of urgency on his part. Then you've got to consider that the only real threat in front of him has probably fallen out with the team. No offense & all drama aside, I'm just as confident of his spot on the roster as I am of Robert Griffin's.

I don't understand what you mean by Cooley not having "urgency". Cooley showed up to camp this season very fit and actually worked to come in lighter than usual to increase his speed. The guy's consistent work ethic is no different today than it was 5 years ago. In addition, he is happily taking the role that the team is giving him. What more can you expect from? If he isn't given opportunities to catch the ball that isn't his fault.

In terms of the dead cap money, that is the redskins front office's fault, not cooley's. THis is what happens when the team continually asks cooley to restructure his contract and he continually cooperates. Now if there is anyone on this team who I am happy to dedicate dead cap space it is too a guy like cooley who has been a consummate professional and also a big contributor to this team.

Anyways, this is all moot. How can anyone make real judgments about cooley in limited time during pre-season games? This is chris cooley, he has shown what he can do. If he can run and is past his injury, then you should know exactly how he can play. You seem to be writing him off before he has even played a regular season game. By that standard, we should also write off RG3 because he looked like a lost child in the last pre-season game.

[silverspring]

Originally Posted by Dolla Bill

IMO I think the skins didn't actually plan for Chicago and Chicago did. It was evident almost from start.

With that being said, the OL looked like garbage. I really believe we are holding the OL together with duct tape.

Not much of a surprise. Although, I am still trying to understand what the deal is with our 3rd round draft pick. I don't get why are other rookies, who don't even look good, starting ahead of him?

[Moe]

Originally Posted by Keino

Hard for me to come to that conclusion. I only recall Cutler being pressured once or twice. I can't really grade the secondary fairly when the opposing QB has 10 seconds to throw the ball. I'd love to know what the coverage was on the 1st play that had Marshall so wide open.

The entire defense looked bad to me. Front 3, LBs and back 4....

I believe that was Griffen's version of 'let me open the door for you' coverage. He simply stopped and then couldn't make up the difference. There were questions about him being effective at CB at this point in his career and it seems they are spot on.

Overall, it seemed like in this game they were putting guys out there to get some film in certain sets; Hall at safety, Griffen starting the game in a lot of man, etc. From what I've seen Wilson has looked solid, Crawford has flashed and the rest have been meh. I'd like to see more of Barnes and Thompson to see what they have(n't) learned. I'd also like to see more ackson at FS.

[cal_junior]

Originally Posted by Dolla Bill

the OL looked like garbage. I really believe we are holding the OL together with duct tape.

Not surprising with both starting guards - one of whom is probably the second-best offensive lineman on the team - on the bench. This won't be a great O-Line at any point in the season, but it should be a half-decent group with Chester and Lichtensteiger in there.

With that said, RT is a huge problem at this point.

[smave]

Polombus is terrible. He is not going to last.

[NCskinsfanatic]

I was hoping that Willie Smith would step up and take the job but it doesnt look like thats happening...

I wouldnt mind taking a look at any of these guys below, why we've signed guys like Black and Moll I have no idea...

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...ring-preseason

[markrc99]

I felt that Griffin did fairly well, with the exception of a few throws that were behind the rec'r & the blitz he failed to pick up. On several occasions, that resulted in losses, they appeared to be setting up a screen on the back side which didn't materialize. So he looked like he was w/o a plan, when in fact the designed play wasn't executed very well. I agree with the many comments in the game thread that the OL was horrible. Both Gettis & Polumbus were beat with inside moves & were flagged but it appeared they were slow to engage more so than overwhelmed.

That said & as others had noted, there were a number of times that Montgomery & Gettis were completely manhandled & forced back on that stretch play. However, just like last week, the 'skins didn't run the speed they have at RB & everything was onside. A lot of those blocks set up much easier with misdirection and I don't recall seeing any.

I've only reviewed the 1st half but I wasn't particularly impressed with Alfred Morris. Runners that can exploit holes are a dime-a-dozen. I didn't see him make anything happen on his own. A comparison would be Michael Bush's TD run where Perry Riley was unblocked & right there in the hole waiting for him, but Bush made him whiff clean! I knew Morris possessed only pedestrian speed but he displayed zero ability to redirect. Any unexpected adjustment seemed impossible. I wasn't even impressed with his power. Tristan Davis hasn't impressed either. Have they done so well that someone like Antwon Bailey won't even get one carry?

Defensively what really bothers me is stuff like De' hall coming on a blitz and Orakpo dropping into coverage. He can't cover Marshall or Jeffery and even failed to make the tackle. The Bears had both WRs lined to his side which has me wondering whether opposing offenses can neutralize him, forcing him into coverage simply with formation. Although I believe Hall was held on the play, he should cover, Orakpo rush the passer. Lorenzo Alexander's recognition and range looked more liability than asset to me. I can't imagine him in front of Robinson.

OLB Rob Jackson didn't impress either. Perhaps a better blitzer inside than edge rusher, I can't say. He was a definite dropoff from Markus White last week. The guy I saw factoring in the secondary was Safety Madieu Williams. On several occasions I saw him arriving with authority. Conversely both Hall & Tanard Jackson failed to make what should've been sure tackles. I'm definitely looking forward to checking out the 2nd half.

[MadDog97]

Originally Posted by NCskinsfanatic

I was hoping that Willie Smith would step up and take the job but it doesnt look like thats happening...

I wouldnt mind taking a look at any of these guys below, why we've signed guys like Black and Moll I have no idea...

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...ring-preseason

I think part of the problem is the type of lineman Shanny wants. We need more big, mean spirited guys with durability. The next draft should focus on the offensive line and a safety.

[markrc99]

JsMaVISd wrote:

"Polombus is terrible. He is not going to last."

His man got underneath him & inside with a spin move but I didn't see the hold. Haven't studied him at all but I want to say I thought I liked his feet and then on another play he seemed vulnerable to a good edge rusher. He seems to play high to me, given his superior size. Guys like that have to have great knee bend. Tom Compton saw a lot of time at LT last week and I'm assuming he saw more time vs Chicago. If Brown is done don't count him out, he may crack the lineup at RT. Perhaps Polumbus could work inside?

It isn't as bad as it seems but the interior looks real weak at run blocking so far. On one run Josh LeRibeus stuck a hand into the chest of his man and that was it. The defender easily came off that and factored in on the tackle. LeRibeus looked like he was in pass protection mode on a run. To me, he doesn't look the part at all. Wide body, low, but of all their draft picks, he's the one I understand the least. Although, I could've seen them taking him in the 5th or 6th RD.

[markrc99]

Keino wrote:

"I'd love to know what the coverage was on the 1st play that had Marshall so wide open."

I believe Haslett runs some variation of a cover-2, but no defense is ever in the same scheme all or even most of the time. That's not what they were in on this play and we needn't be concerned with the correct terminology, the labeling, anyway. They brought Meriweather on a blitz and he was picked up by the outside TE & RB. Orakpo and the two ILBs all seemed to have been forming a three-across at about 5yds deep. But neither TE nor the RB released into the pattern. So the Bears were in a max-protect, 2 rec'r pattern, but they still got a guy wide open. lol

So Orakpo, the team's best pass rusher was DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, as were the other two LBs. With the SS blitz, this left FS De' Hall playing centerfield. Cutler initially looked left to the x-slot and Hall probably drifted that way and then Cutler came back to the right for Marshall. That would account for Hall's late arrival. Josh Wilson is up in press and bumps Marshall a bit, but really it looks like he just cuts him loose, turns to see what the QB is doing or if the play is away and when he realizes he's the one targeted, only then does he mount his horse. The play would've gone for more if Marshall didn't have to break for the ball which was a bit underthrown.

So this is all easily addressable. Hall is in centerfield, Wilson knows he doesn't have any help over the top. He's caught looking back? No way does he have any short zone responsibility there. Wilson in press indicates he can run with Marshall & remember, the ball was short. So if Wilson gets on his horse when he should've, he'd of been in a position to compete for the football. Again, the Bears were in power run to the strongside, both TEs to the right, the RB in the I. Who exactly did they envision Orakpo covering over on the back side? That's a zone read, he's got nothing so he's coming after the QB on that!

[smave]

Originally Posted by markrc99

Keino wrote:

I believe Haslett runs some variation of a cover-2, but no defense is ever in the same scheme all or even most of the time. That's not what they were in on this play and we needn't be concerned with the correct terminology, the labeling, anyway. They brought Meriweather on a blitz and he was picked up by the outside TE & RB. Orakpo and the two ILBs all seemed to have been forming a three-across at about 5yds deep. But neither TE nor the RB released into the pattern. So the Bears were in a max-protect, 2 rec'r pattern, but they still got a guy wide open. lol

So Orakpo, the team's best pass rusher was DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, as were the other two LBs. With the SS blitz, this left FS De' Hall playing centerfield. Cutler initially looked left to the x-slot and Hall probably drifted that way and then Cutler came back to the right for Marshall. That would account for Hall's late arrival. Josh Wilson is up in press and bumps Marshall a bit, but really it looks like he just cuts him loose, turns to see what the QB is doing or if the play is away and when he realizes he's the one targeted, only then does he mount his horse. The play would've gone for more if Marshall didn't have to break for the ball which was a bit underthrown.

So this is all easily addressable. Hall is in centerfield, Wilson knows he doesn't have any help over the top. He's caught looking back? No way does he have any short zone responsibility there. Wilson in press indicates he can run with Marshall & remember, the ball was short. So if Wilson gets on his horse when he should've, he'd of been in a position to compete for the football. Again, the Bears were in power run to the strongside, both TEs to the right, the RB in the I. Who exactly did they envision Orakpo covering over on the back side? That's a zone read, he's got nothing so he's coming after the QB on that!

Great write-up. Appreciate it.

I seriously doubt the scheme you are seeing on the field in pre-season is going to mount for much of what they will do in the regular season.

[Moe]

Originally Posted by NCskinsfanatic

I was hoping that Willie Smith would step up and take the job but it doesnt look like thats happening...

I wouldnt mind taking a look at any of these guys below, why we've signed guys like Black and Moll I have no idea...

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...ring-preseason

Smith not emerging is disappointing and honestly hurts the team.

As far as this list if concerned, the only one worth even a glance is McKenzie and even he's unlikely to help. McNeil can't physically play and is effectively retired at this point, Scott is an undersized OG with no ZBS experience (or ability) and McKenzie was awful last year and has a potentially wonky knee condition. If his knee was solid then having him in the rotation wouldn't be terrible but he's not reliable.

[Moe]

Originally Posted by markrc99

Keino wrote:

I believe Haslett runs some variation of a cover-2, but no defense is ever in the same scheme all or even most of the time. That's not what they were in on this play and we needn't be concerned with the correct terminology, the labeling, anyway. They brought Meriweather on a blitz and he was picked up by the outside TE & RB. Orakpo and the two ILBs all seemed to have been forming a three-across at about 5yds deep. But neither TE nor the RB released into the pattern. So the Bears were in a max-protect, 2 rec'r pattern, but they still got a guy wide open. lol

So Orakpo, the team's best pass rusher was DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, as were the other two LBs. With the SS blitz, this left FS De' Hall playing centerfield. Cutler initially looked left to the x-slot and Hall probably drifted that way and then Cutler came back to the right for Marshall. That would account for Hall's late arrival. Josh Wilson is up in press and bumps Marshall a bit, but really it looks like he just cuts him loose, turns to see what the QB is doing or if the play is away and when he realizes he's the one targeted, only then does he mount his horse. The play would've gone for more if Marshall didn't have to break for the ball which was a bit underthrown.

So this is all easily addressable. Hall is in centerfield, Wilson knows he doesn't have any help over the top. He's caught looking back? No way does he have any short zone responsibility there. Wilson in press indicates he can run with Marshall & remember, the ball was short. So if Wilson gets on his horse when he should've, he'd of been in a position to compete for the football. Again, the Bears were in power run to the strongside, both TEs to the right, the RB in the I. Who exactly did they envision Orakpo covering over on the back side? That's a zone read, he's got nothing so he's coming after the QB on that!

Cedric Griffen (20) had Marshall on this play, not Wilson (26). Wilson plays almost exclusively at right CB.

Your breakdown of the play otherwise, was correct. That D was a pressure set and I can only imagine Griffen sat down expecting Cutler to make the quick inside read, but the protection held and we saw the result. Griffen needs to play more conservativley if he can't stay with his man, but having inexperiened Hall, himself a gambler, over the top didn't help. IMO, they need to slide Hall inside on slot and find someone (Barnes, Crawford, Thompson) to take his LCB spot opposite Wilson.