Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

What stood out to me is the tackling seemed much more crisp. I know that's been a focus in camp so that's definitely good.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=Mattyk;1077144]Like the Patriots? I'm sure they're worried.

I'm glad we looked good but I can't help but recall 4-0 last summer and what that lead to.[/quote]

Well compared to most of last season, its a change for us. I certainly think it was a step in the right direction. At the minimal, its a confidence booster for most the guys on the team...except Kai lol.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

Defense

- I really liked the hustle on defense.
- I think Keenan Robinson will surprise.
- This should be a big year for Rak. He looked unstoppable.
- Secondary looked shaky, as expected.

Offense

- This team can definitely run the ball.
- Alfmo was amazing.
- Aldrick Robinson is ballin'.
- RGIII making progress as a pocket passer. Great to see him healthy!

Special Teams

- A tie on FG's wins the job for Hocker. Kickoffs are important.
- Looked a little better on coverage. A work in progress.

Rookies

- Lots of potential in this rookie class.
- No starters but 5-6 good players who can be developed.
- Most of the draftees should make the team.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

i watched the first half.

the approach to RG3 seems to be if the first read is not there, dump it down. I assume since this was the first pre-season game in a new system they made it simple. i hope as RG3 gets more time with the system he learns and becomes comfortable progressing through his reads. i dont think this simple approach is going to work in the regular season when D coordinators have a week to prepare.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=TenandSix:Unacceptable;1077067]Let's eliminate Mallett from the trade bait conversation.[/quote]

Done.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=over the mountain;1077149]i watched the first half.

the approach to RG3 seems to be if the first read is not there, dump it down. I assume since this was the first pre-season game in a new system they made it simple. i hope as RG3 gets more time with the system he learns and becomes comfortable progressing through his reads. i dont think this simple approach is going to work in the regular season when D coordinators have a week to prepare.[/quote]

Some of it could be typical preseason vanilla offense.
But.....I read more than a couple time in the press since Gruden was hired this offseason that they want RGIII to get rid of the ball quicker and avoid the sack and worse. I have to agree with this. The risk/reward of holding the ball long enough to go through all of your reads is not always worth it on a constant basis. They might be trying to break him of bad habits by exagerating an early release at this point (preseason). Depending on defense and situation they face, it will vary.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=Mattyk;1077145]What stood out to me is the tackling seemed much more crisp. I know that's been a focus in camp so that's definitely good.[/quote]

The Pats have to be worried about the poor tackling last night, that was the one thing that stood out on their side.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

Yeah I think what we saw was part vanilla, but I also think we'll see dumping it off to the backs a much bigger point of emphasis.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

not happy with forbath.

kick off out of bounds, after coming off a historically bad year for special teams and field position, is just inexcusable.

i was expecting more competition at that position.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

You could tell by Kai's disgusted face that he was expecting more competition at that position, too.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

Bad night for Kai but can't write him off yet. He needs to turn it around though that's for sure.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

i dont remember seeing a lot of PA which i think RG3 does very well.

I hope we keep PA under wraps until the season begins.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=Mattyk;1077156]Bad night for Kai but can't write him off yet. He needs to turn it around though that's for sure.[/quote]

Kick-offs are a major problem for Kai. I think he gets beat out because of that.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=Lotus;1077143]Adrian Robinson made some nice ballhawk plays. I know he has a climb to make the roster but the way he plays is cool.

Lache Seastrunk and Ryan Grant are a joy to watch play. Good pickups.

I like Kai but Hocker, at least for one night, was clearly the better kicker.[/quote]

Ryan Grant will be a stud. That diving catch was beautiful.

I think we can all be safe in the assumption that we will have a good running game(again). Hoping Redd and Seastrunk keep playing like that. If they do, Jay will have a heckuva time deciding who to keep.

I think Kai rebounds, but unless Hocker suddenly stinks up the john on FGs, he'll still be the better option in the end, IMO. Forbath will never have that kind of consistent distance on his kickoffs.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

While I like Grant and am hopeful that he will develop. I think it is a little early to be nominating him into the Hall of Studliness.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=Mattyk;1077156]Bad night for Kai but can't write him off yet. He needs to turn it around though that's for sure.[/quote]

the fall from really good to average kickers is not much. especially in terms of points per season.

where it comes into play is in big moments which find plenty of examples of otherwise high-accuracy kickers failing, and lower-accuracy kickers succeeding (and of course, vice versa)

but you have to be able to get touchbacks. more importantly you have to not kick it out of bounds...

he has problems in both areas. i know he he set the record for consecutive kicks, but the risk at kickoff is just too great. the guy's job is on the line and he screwed up big time in his first shot. i don't know how you give him another...

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

Its just one kickoff. His streak is much more telling of his talent than one botched kickoff. He could lose the job if Hocker is awesome, he might not. In the end, I think we will be fine with either, they are both young, and I think any team would be happy to have either of them to develop. I say we are fine at the K position. Now, we just have to worry about our ST coverage. That was the key to at least 2 lost games last year, maybe even more. That HAS to improve for us to be in the convo for NFC East crown, which I think all the other aspects of our team are good enough to challenge for.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;1077160]While I like Grant and am hopeful that he will develop. I think it is a little early to be nominating him into the Hall of Studliness.[/quote]

C'mon, man! If 3 catches for 37 yards in a preseason game isn't enough, what will be? :D

No, but seriously, Grant looked good. Speed isn't that big of a problem because he's so smooth, but he needs a few years to add strength and get better off the line and I think he can be a solid receiver. Not a Josh Gordon-level stud, but a Wes Welker-without-a-Brady-or-Manning-throwing-the-ball-level stud.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

Are folks calling dc sports talk radio talking about cousins starting
Qb again? Wow

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=Chico23231;1077164]Are folks calling dc sports talk radio talking about cousins starting
Qb again? Wow[/quote]

I say someone gives us a second round pick!

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;1077160]While I like Grant and am hopeful that he will develop. I think it is a little early to be nominating him into the Hall of Studliness.[/quote]

No, Grant is not ready for the Hall of Studliness. He needs to work on getting off jams on the line. As it is, in the regular season he'll just disappear because defenders will take him out of the pattern from the beginning.

He also will never be a speedy deep threat.

But he has the Welker-like route-running, quickness, and hands to be very good in short and intermediate routes. Reminds me of Fred Biletnikoff.

Hopefully he will develop into an essential part of our passing attack.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=Chico23231;1077164]Are folks calling dc sports talk radio talking about cousins starting
Qb again? Wow[/quote]

i haven't heard that

what i have heard are the sports talk radio people making fun of redskins fans by saying they're doing that, despite not actually having heard anyone do it.

there are very, very few quality sports talk people in this town.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=Chico23231;1077164]Are folks calling dc sports talk radio talking about cousins starting
Qb again? Wow[/quote]

I listened to a few mins of sports talk radio coming in to work and yes, one caller out of the 2 beat that drum - "RG3 is never going to be a pocket passer, his fundamentals are a lot farther behind than people think and cousins is a lot further along as a pocket passer".

the radio host, to his credit, rhetorically asked if RG3 needs to be a pure pocket passer and that we drafted him in part bc of his speed and athleticism and the things he can do outside of just being a pocket passer.

I do believe RG3 has trouble reading Ds pre-snap and going through his progressions but ..... HE IS NOT A PURE POCKET PASSER! he is a once in a lifetime athlete that throws a pretty ball. he is young and has room and time to grow.

like sports radio was saying yesterday .. why cant he be a steve young? why cant he use his arm and, if it is not there, strategically use his feet?

rg3 is the best hope we have had in almost 2 decades.

we will ride or die with rg3. there are things i dont like about RG3 but i am all in with him.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=Chico23231;1077164]Are folks calling dc sports talk radio talking about cousins starting
Qb again? Wow[/quote]

SMH...way too early for the back-up QB talk. But I would keep an eye on it if Griffin struggles out of the gate.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

RG is Mr. Redskin. Unless he's absolutely horrible, which he won't even come close to being, he is the unquestioned starter. Any talk of Cousins starting over Griffin at any point in the season is asinine. Absolutely will not happen.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

Gruden is tied to Griffin's hip. Cousins won't play unless Griffin is hurt or is an utter disaster, which simply won't happen.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=over the mountain;1077168]I listened to a few mins of sports talk radio coming in to work and yes, one caller out of the 2 beat that drum - "RG3 is never going to be a pocket passer, his fundamentals are a lot farther behind than people think and cousins is a lot further along as a pocket passer".

the radio host, to his credit, rhetorically asked if RG3 needs to be a pure pocket passer and that we drafted him in part bc of his speed and athleticism and the things he can do outside of just being a pocket passer.

I do believe RG3 has trouble reading Ds pre-snap and going through his progressions but ..... HE IS NOT A PURE POCKET PASSER! he is a once in a lifetime athlete that throws a pretty ball. he is young and has room and time to grow.

like sports radio was saying yesterday .. why cant he be a steve young? why cant he use his arm and, if it is not there, strategically use his feet?

rg3 is the best hope we have had in almost 2 decades.

we will ride or die with rg3. there are things i dont like about RG3 but i am all in with him.[/quote]

I don't agree with we "ride or die" with RG3 just because of the investment. This team expects to win now, this year. He has to perform now. But fans calling in after 4 attempts in a pre season game is just so ridiculous on so many levels.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

Early prediction, Rak has a career year and gets 16-18 sacks. Solider was on skates... not only last night, but in the practices as well.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=over the mountain;1077168]Like sports radio was saying yesterday .. why cant he be a steve young? why cant he use his arm and, if it is not there, strategically use his feet?[/quote]

Steve Young is the player I think RGIII most resembled when he was in college. I also think that what you wrote about how he should be used may be just what Jay Gruden has in mind for him. I hope so. We need RGIII for the long term. He should not be used like a RB.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=skinsfan69;1077173]Early prediction, Rak has a career year and gets 16-18 sacks. Solider was on skates... not only last night, but in the practices as well.[/quote]

Solder is a capable LT, too. I also think that Rak may be ready to join the ranks of elite pass rushers this season.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

All this talk of Cousins starting is crazy. Our best QB last night was Colt McCoy. He completed 89% of his passes with a YPA above 11!

Start McCoy now!

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=skinsfan69;1077172]I don't agree with we "ride or die" with RG3 just because of the investment. This team expects to win now, this year. He has to perform now. But fans calling in after 4 attempts in a pre season game is just so ridiculous on so many levels.[/quote]

How does this team expect to win now, this year? It's a first year headcoach, predicted by most rags to come in 4th in a weak NFC East. If Gruden and RG3 grow together, show improvement and cohesion then that should be what the team/FO/Owner expect.

As for me as a fan, anything less than Matty's 16-0, and they FAILED!

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;1077180]How does this team expect to win now, this year? It's a first year headcoach, predicted by most rags to come in 4th in a weak NFC East. If Gruden and RG3 grow together, show improvement and cohesion then that should be what the team/FO/Owner expect.

As for me as a fan, anything less than Matty's 16-0, and they FAILED![/quote]

19-0 for me

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=Chico23231;1077164]Are folks calling dc sports talk radio talking about cousins starting
Qb again? Wow[/quote]


Like you said before, it's never too early. :laughing-


[quote=Mattyk;1077171]Gruden is tied to Griffin's hip. Cousins won't play unless Griffin is hurt or is an utter disaster, which simply won't happen.[/quote]


Not sure I agree 100% with this. I think if Robert has a bad year this year, you could see QB competition in the 2015 training camp. That said, I do agree with Robert not being benched this year unless it's under those two circumstances you mentioned.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=skinsfan69;1077172]I don't agree with we "ride or die" with RG3 just because of the investment. This team expects to win now, this year. He has to perform now. But fans calling in after 4 attempts in a pre season game is just so ridiculous on so many levels.[/quote]I think there will be a huge improvement in RG3 this year, by mid-season he'll be just fine. Expect some early struggles though as he grasps the new Gruden O.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=Mechanix544;1077162][B]Its just one kickoff. His streak is much more telling of his talent than one botched kickoff. [/B]He could lose the job if Hocker is awesome, he might not. In the end, I think we will be fine with either, they are both young, and I think any team would be happy to have either of them to develop. I say we are fine at the K position. Now, we just have to worry about our ST coverage. That was the key to at least 2 lost games last year, maybe even more. That HAS to improve for us to be in the convo for NFC East crown, which I think all the other aspects of our team are good enough to challenge for.[/quote]

It wasn't just one. He kicked one short and one out of bounds. That's two bad kick-offs. He also missed a FG and one hit the upright.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;1077180]How does this team expect to win now, this year? It's a first year headcoach, predicted by most rags to come in 4th in a weak NFC East. If Gruden and RG3 grow together, show improvement and cohesion then that should be what the team/FO/Owner expect.

As for me as a fan, anything less than Matty's 16-0, and they FAILED![/quote]

I don't think you go out and sign Jackson, Roberts, Clark, Hatcher, keep several coaches from Shanahan's staff to have a 6 win season. I think the expectations are playoffs/ 10 wins and I don't see why they can't do it. The division looks somewhat weak. But so much of it depends on Griffin.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

good:
WRs (robinson, grant, ross)
RBs (seastrunk/redd)
backup QBs not looking terrible (minus kirk's boneheaded first throw)
playcalling (we weren't stupifyingly pass happy)
OL in general seemed to do it's job.

not good:
murphy didn't really show a lot of crazy goodness
kai wasn't good
kick coverage allowed some big returns
RBs (thompson/royster didn't make much of a case for themselves)


only the preseason, vanilla, no game planning (and no tom brady) etc, so not going to get super hyped, but we looked pretty solid. if we have a top 10 offense and top 20 defense, we should be alright. right now it seems possible.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

Watched some of the game again and focused in on Moses. Definitely a lot of potential there, needs to focus on staying low and keeping those knees bent. Stays too upright at times and let's guys get under his pads. He obviously got away with it in college because he's just so damn big. Polumbus is safe for another season.

Re: Game Thread: Patriots vs. Redskins
 

[quote=Mattyk;1077211]Watched some of the game again and focused in on Moses. Definitely a lot of potential there, needs to focus on staying low and keeping those knees bent. Stays too upright at times and let's guys get under his pads. He obviously got away with it in college because he's just so damn big. Polumbus is safe for another season.[/quote]

Agree. They should send Moses to yoga class.