Tough loss. That's the two words I would use to describe last Sunday. There is a lot of debate about whether this was a good loss or a bad one, and I'll just say....both. Giving up a second half 17 point lead is never good, but losing to an AFC team makes it better than if it was to an NFC team, or even worse, an NFC East team.
Game breakdown:
That was fun! Seeing an air game that we haven't seen since Brad Johnson made it fun for a few hours. The issue with that was that it stopped after the first drive of the first quarter. Losing Trent Williams was very scary! The good news is that there is no structural damage, and hopefully he won't be out long. The running game is still struggling, and the release of Larry Johnson only proved that even more.
The defense still has issues closing, and that was terribly evident. This has been an issue for years, and it seems like it doesn't matter who the defensive coordinator is, they can't seem to get a scheme to close the game. Getting 5 sacks was a huge plus, and the fact is, Houston is really good! They have the best receiver in the game, and you wouldn't expect the defense to shut them down the entire game.
Play of the game:
The play of the game goes to Houston, and it's on special teams, and there's two. The first is obviously the blocked field goal that would have in all likelihood sealed the game for the Redskins. There was a three play stretch that led to this. First, Clinton Portis runs left, breaks a tackle, and seems to be going into the end zone when he slips going up field. He is one yard short of the first down, and the next play is pushed back 5 yards because of a false start. The next play is an incomplete pass, and the fourth down play is the blocked field goal. This is what Redskins fans have come to expect...failure to close.
The second play of the game was in overtime, and was the timeout called just before Gano attempts the 52 yard field goal, only for him to miss the next attempt. How many times does that actually work?? Well, again, if you're a Redskins fan, you would probably say "every time".
(Honorable mention) - the touchdown pass from to Johnson on 4th and 10. Don't even want to talk about it...
Game balls:
Offense - D. McNabb for that ridiculous showing! He spread the ball all around, and was extremely accurate! Also, a special game ball to C. Portis for one hell of a block down field that sprung Fred Davis on his 62 yard reception down to the 1 yard line.
Defense - L. Landry once again for just flying all over the field! The man is truly playing at his highest level of his career to date.
Special Teams - nobody. You have to make that field goal, and make sure it doesn't get blocked.
Looking ahead:
Don't get caught looking ahead! The Iggles are next week, and everyone is already talking about McNabb's return to the Link. The Rams, in all their dismay, are still NFL players. Don't sleep on them! I still think that our boys will smash the Rams, and make a statement that we can put away the bad teams.
Prediction:
Redskins - 27 Rams - 10
As always, please remember to check out http://www.inpapasbasement.com/ for more Redskin blogging.
Hail to the Redskins!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Week 1 - Dallas Cowboys
You want to see a difference in your organization? Go look at the Redskins of '09 vs. this year. Last year the Redskins were 0-6 against the NFC East. This year, they're 1-0, and that victory Sunday night came against 'our' most hated rival.
Game breakdown:
Yes, the Skins only scored 13 points, but that was 6 better than the Cowboys. There should have been a minimum of two touchdowns, but hey, it's football. You get it where you can. I think that the biggest thing to take away from this game is that the Skins D was flying all over the field! There were multiple hats on every tackle, and pressure on the QB. That's something that we haven't seen in a few years in this town. A defensive touchdown was the first since '07, and it's clear that Haslett's motto of 'get to the ball' is well at work. Practice personality translates to game personality, and the D showed that.
The offense didn't look as if it was clicking on all cylinders, but the O always takes longer than the D to come around, especially when you're dealing with a new QB in a new system under a new head football coach. It will be fine, trust me, my Redskin fans! Clinton Portis is still the hardest blocking tailback in the league, and middle linebackers need to think twice about taking him man up when blitzing on passing plays. Donovan McNabb just makes plays. Bottom line. I loved Jason Campbell, but there would have been picks or fumbles where Mcnabb was completing passes under pressure. The rookie Trent Williams is a beast!
The special teams had the field goal blunder, but deciding to go for the 49 yard field goal instead of punting showed the trust that the staff has in the young kicker, Gano. Well done, and it proved to be a game changer!
Play of the game:
Obviously, this is the last play of the half when DeAngelo Hall just makes a beautiful play by stripping the ball and taking it in for 6. Nice call by the Cowboys, and a better decision by Tony Romo. Thanks for being idiots!
Game balls:
Offense - D. McNabb for great leadership and no turnovers. He moved the ball when needed, and it wasn't his fault for three dropped balls. C. Portis for running hard all game! Late in the game, his re-dedication paid off. He was still running hard when the Dallas D was tired. He also was killing blitzing linebackers all game! T. Williams for an outstanding first game as a pro! He had to go toe to toe with one of the games best in DeMarcus Ware, and he did so as well as we could have hoped for!
Defense - L. Landry for 17 tackles. Really? 17 tackles? Wow! It seemed like he was in on every tackle, and 17 tackles is just amazing! B. Orakpo for being held all game! He never complained, never quit, and kept going after it. Well done! D. Hall for the play of the game, but more importantly, for being a tackling machine! I counted only one missed tackle, and he was on an island all game to make those tackles at the first point of contact. J. Haslett and the rest of the D for just showing up! The entire D was all over the place, and it was a complete team effort to shut down a high powered offense!
Special Teams - G. Gano for drilling a 49 yard field goal with ease! It's great to have a kicker who the Redskins can rely on, and a strong camp is translating, at least for 1 week, into a strong season! D. Thomas for two just GREAT kick returns! He comes full steam ahead with the ball, and he gave the Skins offense great field position on both returns.
*Fans - had to put out a special game ball to the fans. Watching on TV, there were times that I could not even hear the refs because the stadium was so loud! That is by far the loudest I have EVER heard Fed Ex during a Redskins game. Great home support for our guys in burgundy and gold! And how about those gold pants?? Nice!
Looking Ahead:
Tough game this week against a team that just came off their biggest win in team history by running the ball hard! This will really challenge the 3-4, and a strong QB and WR to go along with that running game could spell trouble. This is why that win against Dallas was so important. The Redskins will take a 1-0 division record into a game against a very strong AFC team. A loss here after a loss to the Cowboys could have been very costly to the mindset of the organization and the fans. However, a 1-0 record in the division and a loss to an AFC team will not hurt them as badly. All of that being said, I like the Redskins chances in this game, IF the O can score some points. 13 points won't cut it.
Prediction:
Redskins - 17 Texans - 21
(I hope I'm wrong!)
For more Redskin blogging, be sure to check out http://www.inpapasbasement.com/! One of my favorites!
As always, Hail to the Redskins.....and F*** Dallas!
Game breakdown:
Yes, the Skins only scored 13 points, but that was 6 better than the Cowboys. There should have been a minimum of two touchdowns, but hey, it's football. You get it where you can. I think that the biggest thing to take away from this game is that the Skins D was flying all over the field! There were multiple hats on every tackle, and pressure on the QB. That's something that we haven't seen in a few years in this town. A defensive touchdown was the first since '07, and it's clear that Haslett's motto of 'get to the ball' is well at work. Practice personality translates to game personality, and the D showed that.
The offense didn't look as if it was clicking on all cylinders, but the O always takes longer than the D to come around, especially when you're dealing with a new QB in a new system under a new head football coach. It will be fine, trust me, my Redskin fans! Clinton Portis is still the hardest blocking tailback in the league, and middle linebackers need to think twice about taking him man up when blitzing on passing plays. Donovan McNabb just makes plays. Bottom line. I loved Jason Campbell, but there would have been picks or fumbles where Mcnabb was completing passes under pressure. The rookie Trent Williams is a beast!
The special teams had the field goal blunder, but deciding to go for the 49 yard field goal instead of punting showed the trust that the staff has in the young kicker, Gano. Well done, and it proved to be a game changer!
Play of the game:
Obviously, this is the last play of the half when DeAngelo Hall just makes a beautiful play by stripping the ball and taking it in for 6. Nice call by the Cowboys, and a better decision by Tony Romo. Thanks for being idiots!
Game balls:
Offense - D. McNabb for great leadership and no turnovers. He moved the ball when needed, and it wasn't his fault for three dropped balls. C. Portis for running hard all game! Late in the game, his re-dedication paid off. He was still running hard when the Dallas D was tired. He also was killing blitzing linebackers all game! T. Williams for an outstanding first game as a pro! He had to go toe to toe with one of the games best in DeMarcus Ware, and he did so as well as we could have hoped for!
Defense - L. Landry for 17 tackles. Really? 17 tackles? Wow! It seemed like he was in on every tackle, and 17 tackles is just amazing! B. Orakpo for being held all game! He never complained, never quit, and kept going after it. Well done! D. Hall for the play of the game, but more importantly, for being a tackling machine! I counted only one missed tackle, and he was on an island all game to make those tackles at the first point of contact. J. Haslett and the rest of the D for just showing up! The entire D was all over the place, and it was a complete team effort to shut down a high powered offense!
Special Teams - G. Gano for drilling a 49 yard field goal with ease! It's great to have a kicker who the Redskins can rely on, and a strong camp is translating, at least for 1 week, into a strong season! D. Thomas for two just GREAT kick returns! He comes full steam ahead with the ball, and he gave the Skins offense great field position on both returns.
*Fans - had to put out a special game ball to the fans. Watching on TV, there were times that I could not even hear the refs because the stadium was so loud! That is by far the loudest I have EVER heard Fed Ex during a Redskins game. Great home support for our guys in burgundy and gold! And how about those gold pants?? Nice!
Looking Ahead:
Tough game this week against a team that just came off their biggest win in team history by running the ball hard! This will really challenge the 3-4, and a strong QB and WR to go along with that running game could spell trouble. This is why that win against Dallas was so important. The Redskins will take a 1-0 division record into a game against a very strong AFC team. A loss here after a loss to the Cowboys could have been very costly to the mindset of the organization and the fans. However, a 1-0 record in the division and a loss to an AFC team will not hurt them as badly. All of that being said, I like the Redskins chances in this game, IF the O can score some points. 13 points won't cut it.
Prediction:
Redskins - 17 Texans - 21
(I hope I'm wrong!)
For more Redskin blogging, be sure to check out http://www.inpapasbasement.com/! One of my favorites!
As always, Hail to the Redskins.....and F*** Dallas!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)