Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

The worst for me at least the maddening inconsistency on offense and the odd play calling
The Best was how hard our D continues to hit everyone they see! (however I was nervous as hell for J Addai, dont like him as a player but it looked like he was going have a serious head or neck injury, was very happy to see him able to get up and walk off the field)

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

[quote=Lotus;749573]I would add a smackdown on Al. TWICE he mentioned the Larry Johnson/Willie Parker backfield. But that never was the story. The story of our backfield going back to the spring has been the emergence of Torain and Williams.

It bugged me that national sports people missed this story line all summer. But to bring up the wrong story line in October, TWICE? Lame Al, lame.[/quote]

But that is part of the story. It's not just that Torain and Williams have emerged, it's that they surpassed two proven veterans to get there. Which is what Michaels basically said.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

Best:
The fake toss to Banks and the TD throw
Run blocking for Torain
Torain breaking tackles, running hard
Being competitive w/ the team we fielded against Manning
Philip Buchanon played well

Worst:
Winning the turnover battle and not winning
Torain not running the correct play a few times

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

[quote=SmootSmack;749594]But that is part of the story. It's not just that Torain and Williams have emerged, it's that they surpassed two proven veterans to get there. Which is what Michaels basically said.[/quote]

Yeah I didn't have a problem with that. They outlasted a couple of well known guys, that's worth pointing out.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

Torain played with guts and showed he's capable of taking it to another level.
Our special teams stepped up and kept us in the game when it could have swung towards a blow out.

My criticism of McNabb was flamed upon in the game thread. But I stand behind my opinion that he just made some poor decisions that cost us. Sorry but I don't blame it all on play calling. After reading this thread I see some share in my sentiment.
I like McNabb and i believe we are where we are due to his leadership but sometimes he makes some throws that make you go hmmm

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

Without looking at all the other posts I sometimes like to write firs then see if my feelings were similarly posted.

I really don't want to get into all the negative stuff as in "worst" or "negatives" or anything like that. But I do want to point out some positive things...

[B]1- [/B] For the last 12 yrs the Skins have been troubled to get over 20 points, and now they seem to be doing well at scoring over 20 pnts, or so it seems to me.

[B]2-[/B] A friend of mine said the Skins actually look like an NFL team now, which follows Matty's ...the Skins are respectable now.

[B]3-[/B] The last 2 yrs with 5 min. left in the game being down by 3 pts or 10 pts I would turn the channel knowing this team didn't have a chance, yet I find myself watching the whole game.

[B]4-[/B] Believe it or not we are running with the big dogs. We kept the score close with Houston, beat the Eagles, pulled out a win against GB, and kept the game close against Indy. Oh did I mention we beat the SB bound Dallas Cowboys. lol.

[B]5-[/B] The defense is not 100% perfect, but I find them more exciting now then they ever have been, well except for their SB yrs. I could care less about the stat yrds, the players look like they are having fun and they are really hitting people. Hopefully teams will be afraid to play us. The Skins are knocking out atleast 3-4 people per game. I'd rather teams be afraid to play against us vs. having the #4 ranked defense.

[B]6-[/B] Hopefully the run game continues to get better.

I'm excited about this team. It's not that I'm expecting them to go to the SB cause I'm not, its just the fact that they are actually fun to watch.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

[B]The good:[/B]

They are resilient underdogs(like the Habs :D)
We played them close
Special teams playing big
Landry, Rak, Lorenzo. Heck, even Sellers got in some nice hits and also a good block on Freeney.
Peyton threw at least two near picks.

[B]The bad:[/B] You may think it crazy, but we SHOULD HAVE won the game. Forget that it's Peyton Manning. Manning had an off day, we just didn't stick it to him for his near picks. He could have had 2-4 INTs on his stat line, but he didn't get a single one

Kyle still needs to learn the nuances of playcalling. You just don't deviate from what is working(runs up the gut) to something that will likely fail. A toss sweep against a bunch of speedsters? Yeah, that not the time for that.

McNabb. Come on, overthrowing every by a mile on 4th and 10? At least make it catchable for someone. Hell, even an INT would likely have given them worse field position.

Pass pro - Now, only Rabach is a holdover from the Vinnius era, but we've been reduced to using Rabach, Hicks, Lich because he refused to address the line except with UDFA.

Defense's ability to control the line of scrimmage - We made the Colts O-line look like the Hogs in pass pro and in run blocking. The Colts O-line are hardly THAT good. Once again, Thanks Vinny.
[B]
ALSO, Jim Haslett. Manning just OWNED YOU. OWNED YOU.[/B]

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

^ On a side note to your post [B]SirClinton[/B],

I felt we should have won the game also, not because Manning was having a bad day, because to say that would be saying the Skins are not that good and had it not been for Manning having a bad day we would not be close. I felt our defense kept us in this game again even though the Colts were putting up yrds on us. I like to think it was our defense that made Manning screw up.

How many holding calls did I see the Colts offense commit? Too many. When Orakpo gets completely around the OT and the OT has his jersey from behind..... I think thats a hold. No the OT was not pulling on the jersey but he was holding it and it was outside the shoulder pads. On the play when Orakpo stripped Payton of the ball the OT not only was holding but had Orakpo's facemask pulling and turning his head. No flag.

I'll agree with if a play is working keep using it, but the first 40 plays are scripted. They have planned and practiced them all week, and the first 40 plays will usually take you into the half. Which is why I think we look better after the half... because the Skins are making adjustments and using plays that they think will work at that point. I think Kyle is trying to keep Defenses guessing instead of saying "I'm going to keep running this play until you stop it."

McNabb should not be drastically over throwing players, and supprised he underthrew on the last play the Skins had.

The Skins definitly need to do something about the OL.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

[quote=over the mountain;749582]Worst:
linebackers in coverage - it seemed to me that manning was picking us apart with the underneath stuff, passing for 8-13 yards at ease to wide open guys. i dont know if this was a result of our linebackers doing a poor job of reading routes and dropping back or if blame should be placed elsewhere (haslett's scheme, ?)

Best:
special teams keep us in the game more than we deserved.[/quote]


That goes back to what I was talking about in another thread. Good OC's scheme to take advantage of players playing out of position, or players playing in positions of unfamiliarity. Last night's game was a typical example, it even forced AC back into a position he's demonstrated time and time again he can't master.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

Manning kind of owns everyone, sooooooooo...

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

If some guys could hold on to INTs Manning would have owned a big fat loss. Haslett didn't get owned, just stop.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

“They gave us all we could handle,” Caldwell said.

“They're a great team – they're a tough defense,” Clark said. “We knew it was going to be a challenge. They've been shutting offenses out all year, and they gave us fits.

“Every yard was earned. They make you earn it.”

[URL="http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=4a3f95a7-f271-4705-881d-2145b4e07bbd"]The Official Website of the Indianapolis Colts[/URL]

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

According to Rich Campbell (Skins beat writer for the Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star), Torain had 85 yards rushing after initial contact (out of 100 total). That's awesome

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

yeah Torain found ways to get back to the LOS or even gain a yard or two when he was popped 2 yards behind the LOS.

He looked impressive. Any truth to the broadcasters statement that Torain runs around a 4.7 40?

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

He ran a 4.7 at the combine but he wasn't 100% healthy. I think he's probably closer to 4.55 - 4.6 range.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

[B]Best[/B] - TORAIN!!!! Solid Starter! I'd like to see him use designed routes a little more but he still showed he's got the skills. My moneys on Torain gets the start when CP returns
Not that the Skins didn't already know that. Right Matty? ;)

[B]Worst[/B] - AH upstairs. (uncertainty)

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

[quote=Mattyk;749691]If some guys could hold on to INTs Manning would have owned a big fat loss. Haslett didn't get owned, just stop.[/quote]

Yes he did. Manning was smart enough to figure out that he relied heavily on sub packages and denied him that ability by going no huddle. Haslett was then helpless as Manning proceeded to roast us. Hell, if it weren't for SPECIAL TEAMS play (Vinateri for them and forced fumbles for US), they would have had over 30 points, maybe even 40. That is unacceptable.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

[quote=SBXVII;749665]
I'll agree with if a play is working keep using it, but the first 40 plays are scripted. They have planned and practiced them all week, and the first 40 plays will usually take you into the half. Which is why I think we look better after the half... because the Skins are making adjustments and using plays that they think will work at that point. [B]I think Kyle is trying to keep Defenses guessing instead of saying "I'm going to keep running this play until you stop it." [/B]
[/quote]

Someone should tell him the story of Grimm vs. Randy White, where he called 50 gut and 40 gut and it didn't freaking matter.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

[quote=SirClintonPortis;749750]Yes he did. Manning was smart enough to figure out that he relied heavily on sub packages and denied him that ability by going no huddle. Haslett was then helpless as Manning proceeded to roast us. Hell, if it weren't for SPECIAL TEAMS play (Vinateri for them and forced fumbles for US), they would have had over 30 points, maybe even 40. That is unacceptable.[/quote]

That wasn't anything new, the Colts do that to everybody. The Skins knew it was coming and practiced doing quick subs all week.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

Special teams unit is flying under the radar this year. Coverage has been outstanding, with excellent hits on the returner.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

[quote=itvnetop;749828]Special teams unit is flying under the radar this year. Coverage has been outstanding, with excellent hits on the returner.[/quote]

With the exception of too many penalties, nullifying good returns.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

The best part of the game was that we kept it close and the defense actually gave the offense the ability to win in the last 2 minutes down by 3....and then again during hail mary time. Thats pretty good considering they were schooled for the most part. Unfortunately, the Skins were not able to pull off a game winning drive.

The bad...well, there is a lot...but I will focus on the defense...but in defense of Haslett...I was thinking...what would I do with the skins squad against a guy that could basically do whatever he wanted? The Skins defensive coach essentially got outcoached by Manning himself. I really don't know how to stop a coach player like that when all his gears are going...sure, he threw a few off passes...but his mind was making every correct adjustment on the line....it was amazing to see....just hard to watch.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

[quote=itvnetop;749828]Special teams unit is flying under the radar this year. Coverage has been outstanding, with excellent hits on the returner.[/quote]

The special teams unit has made some unfortunate errors. But you are correct about the big hits. Take Chris Wilson on the opening kickoff. His smack set the tone. It told the Colts that they were in for a fight and told me, at least, that the Skins had shown up to play and were not going to be taking prisoners. Awesome hit.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

Anybody who wants to see what a bad team looks like, take a look at the Jag's performance tonight. Ugh.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

Trent Williams should be considered for ROY, if he stays healthy and McNabb stays upright. He'll have faced Ware, Mario Williams, Freeney and Peppers on the left side as a rookie. I know o-linemen never get such awards, but Trent's all I had hoped for.

Bradford, Best, Suh, Mike Williams and Earl Thomas are looking good thus far.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

Best:

- Special Teams!!!!

- Torain

- Trent Williams

Worst:

- Rogers. It's effing unbelievable 1) how truly awful his hands are 2) that "we" as fans have become so accustomed to this nonsense (i'm pointing out how few of "us" list Rogers effing hoof hands as a worst). I mean [I]really[/I]? You're paid millions and you can't figure out how to catch all those passes thrown right into your hands?

- Pass rush. W/o AH this defense is pretty vanilla. There's a lot of fluff there: dudes wandering around just behind the LOS, but when the ball is hiked it's just smoke save for the 1 or 2 plays Orakpo makes each game. We would be soooooooo much better this year w/ just a piece or 2 added to last year's 4-3 defense. In fact, we could be like the Giants are looking now. Instead: blah.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

If I'm an opposing QB, I know that I can take more shots at whomever Rogers is covering with little to no chance of a turnover. I wonder if teams actually gameplan for that...

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

[quote=BleedBurgundy;749867]If I'm an opposing QB, I know that I can [B]take more shots at whomever Rogers is covering with little to no chance of a turnover. I wonder if teams actually gameplan for that[/B]...[/quote]

LOL...i think this is a safe assumption!!!

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

[quote=The Goat;749863]Best:

- Special Teams!!!!

[B]- Torain[/B]

- Trent Williams

Worst:

- Rogers. It's effing unbelievable 1) how truly awful his hands are 2) that "we" as fans have become so accustomed to this nonsense (i'm pointing out how few of "us" list Rogers effing hoof hands as a worst). I mean [I]really[/I]? You're paid millions and you can't figure out how to catch all those passes thrown right into your hands?

- Pass rush. W/o AH this defense is pretty vanilla. There's a lot of fluff there: dudes wandering around just behind the LOS, but when the ball is hiked it's just smoke save for the 1 or 2 plays Orakpo makes each game. We would be soooooooo much better this year w/ just a piece or 2 added to last year's 4-3 defense. In fact, we could be like the Giants are looking now. Instead: blah.[/quote]

I actually get excited to watch the run game now with Torain running the ball. Watching him truck over dudes and make 5-8 yard carries look almost easy. I love seeing a RB fight for the extra yards, something I haven't seen in awhile. The dude doesn't give up and has a really good power running back structure about him... His blocking on the other hand...... Let's just say I miss Portis in that regard...

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

[quote=DynamiteRave;749870]I actually get excited to watch the run game now with Torain running the ball. Watching him truck over dudes and make 5-8 yard carries look almost easy. I love seeing a RB fight for the extra yards, something I haven't seen in awhile. The dude doesn't give up and has a really good power running back structure about him... His blocking on the other hand...... Let's just say I miss Portis in that regard...[/quote]

Word to this. Torain is fascinating IMO...his build reminds of S. Davis a bit. Could be our guy for years to come in Shanny's scheme but he needs to learn to cut once and go...not quite fast enough to bounce way outside the way he tried last nite a couple times.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

[url=http://blogs.fredericksburg.com/redskinsjournal/2010/10/19/game-balls-gassers-observations-colts-27-redskins-24/]Game Balls, Gassers & Observations: Colts 27, Redskins 24 - Redskins Journal[/url]

Good read

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

[quote=Mattyk;749887][url=http://blogs.fredericksburg.com/redskinsjournal/2010/10/19/game-balls-gassers-observations-colts-27-redskins-24/]Game Balls, Gassers & Observations: Colts 27, Redskins 24 - Redskins Journal[/url]

Good read[/quote]

Always a good read.

Not sure about his assessment of Torain having 'quickness' to get to the edge though. He looks really slow to me.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

After watching Portis these past few years, Torain definitely seems quick to me, but maybe that's not saying much.

I do like his patience, he generally does a good job at setting up his blocks.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

[quote=davy;749908]Always a good read.

Not sure about his assessment of Torain having 'quickness' to get to the edge though. He looks really slow to me.[/quote]

I think he has the quickness but the plays were designed to be run inside. Torain had some really nice holes to run thru inside many times against Indy.

With that said, I like that he is not committing himself to the inside and keeping the D line spread ever so slightly. The best RBs in the league run/bounce laterally.

Some of the lack of speed may have to do with indecision and a commitment to hit the designed gaps at this point. Once he adapts to the Offense and vice versa I think we will see him exploding out of the middle from behind a blocker.

He seems to be running purely on instinct. But, it's working!

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

Torain!!!!!!!!!!!

I watched most of the game again yesterday, and I've been thinking this for a little while now...I agree with Rich Campbell, Armstrong's route running is so crisp. I'm increasingly impressed with him. I'll you who he reminds me of, that's Henry Ellard.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

Yeah Armstrong has been impressive. He's turning out to be a real find.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

[quote=Mattyk;749920]Yeah Armstrong has been impressive. He's turning out to be a [SIZE=4]real find[/SIZE].[/quote]
It seems like it has been a.....while since we had one.......

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

[quote=Mattyk;749910]After watching Portis these past few years, Torain definitely seems quick to me, but maybe that's not saying much.

I do like his patience, he generally does a good job at setting up his blocks.[/quote]

I'm not too worried about what I see as lack of quickness to be honest. He does seem able to make defenders miss and he certainly breaks more tackles than Portis ever did.


Love Armstrong's commitment, he made some really effective sealing blocks on the edge as well as making some nice grabs.

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

Torain breaking that tackle pretty sealed the coffin of any optimism I had for CP. CP would have probably stumbled at the hell.

Hell, Joseph Addai had better quickness than CP....

Re: Redskins-Colts, Best and Worst
 

[quote=Hog1;749923]It seems like it has been a.....while since we had one.......[/quote]

Kinda funny how these things happen when you look for players that can flat out play, rather than looking for the big names or guys with a high draft status.