Positives
 

Smoot's thread gave me an idea. I will try to pick out a few positives each week. This week will be tougher than after a win (yes we will see those this year too).

[B]1 No turnovers - [/B]we were actually +1 TO ratio. Over the course of the season this is usually a key stat and it is something every coach preaches.

[B]2 Rock Cartwright [/B]his straight line return style isn't flashy and nobody will confuse him with Devin Hester, but that return at the end of the first half gave us a little spark and great field position that the offense used to score the lone TD.

[B]3 London Fletcher [/B]17 tackles, 12 solo. This guy is a tackling machine in general, but he was everywhere on the field Thursday. Could he get over 250 for the season?

[B]4 Blache [/B]It took a questionable (at best) pass interference call to get the Giants in the end zone. And, zero points in the second half. He had people in position all night and there is no doubt that he is the boss of the defense.

Re: Positives
 

[quote=rypper11;472852]Smoot's thread gave me an idea. I will try to pick out a few positives each week. This week will be tougher than after a win (yes we will see those this year too).

[B]1 No turnovers - [/B]we were actually +1 TO ratio. Over the course of the season this is usually a key stat and it is something every coach preaches.

[B]2 Rock Cartwright [/B]his straight line return style isn't flashy and nobody will confuse him with Devin Hester, but that return at the end of the first half gave us a little spark and great field position that the offense used to score the lone TD.

[B]3 London Fletcher [/B]17 tackles, 12 solo. This guy is a tackling machine in general, but he was everywhere on the field Thursday. Could he get over 250 for the season?

[B]4 Blache [/B]It took a questionable (at best) pass interference call to get the Giants in the end zone. And, zero points in the second half. He had people in position all night and there is no doubt that he is the boss of the defense.[/quote]

No kidding, that PA was absurd. Toomer pushed off, just like Smoot told the ref. I can admit when a Redskins corner has a legit PA, but that one was a bad call. Then Madden came on with is "yeah, that's definitely pass interference" analysis. That really pissed me off. Aikman would have called the refs out, which is why he's the best color guy working these days.

Re: Positives
 

not only was rock good on returns, he did an excellent job on punt coverage, had a really nice tackle. definitely showed his value last night. i also thought portis had a pretty good game after he started hitting the holes hard

Re: Positives
 

5. Clinton Portis- his running, and blocking skills keep him in the upper tier of the elite
6. special teams play as a whole
7. Laron Landry- other then getting trucked by Jacobs, i thought he played very well. even with out the pre season

Re: Positives
 

The Defense actually played well in the 2nd half. I thought Andre Carter and LaRon Landry looked especially active. Our DBs have to improve holding onto INT opportunities, which really could have made the game close.

Re: Positives
 

anybody notice tryon played well on a few plays out there? i have no real complaints about the defense other than my dissapointment with the defensive takles not being as dominant against the run as i had hoped.
Portis as always is the man..
rock...had a good return and hes a special teams stalwart. (still wish we had hester)
kendell had a great game.
fletch is a beast..nuff said.
and devin thomas actually caught a ball

Re: Positives
 

The D adjusted well especially in the 2nd half.

Re: Positives
 

Considering the length they were on the field, the D held up well. That could easliy (and looked like it would) have been a ROUT.
Portis....that block was incredible!
Smoot caught an int!

Re: Positives
 

Agree with the posts above. If we win the TO differential--most games that will bode well. At least it will keep us in games.

As for Fletcher; it was a positive and negative. He is a tackling machine and that is great. But part of his stats can be attributed to the Dline getting manhandled in the running game. Now maybe the scheme is built to funnel the running back to the MLB--I am not sure. But I thought that Jacobs and Ward were in our defensive secondary far too often yesterday--forcing our LBs and safeties to shoulder too much of the tackling burden.

And as a Carlos Rogers hater--I have to say I was impressed with how well he played given the circumstances (his first game after a serious injury). I think Plax just played awesome and on some of his catches Rogers was right there with him.

Re: Positives
 

Rogers did have some really tight coverage at times and there wasn't much more he could have done. Well, except for catch the damn ball when it hits him in the hands but that's business as usual for him.

Re: Positives
 

The defense played well in the 2nd half..

Portis looked like he was a step away from breaking a few long runs..

The game looked spectacular in HD.

Re: Positives
 

[quote=Mattyk72;472890]Rogers did have some really tight coverage at times and there wasn't much more he could have done. Well, except for catch the damn ball when it hits him in the hands but that's business as usual for him.[/quote]Agreed - Rogers should be commended for coming back in 10 months from a torn ACL AND MCL. Some CBs would never be the same after that serious a knee injury. I wrote Rogers off as a nickel early on, but his coverage was actually pretty good considering that he had great chances at 2 INTs.

Re: Positives
 

I don't know that you can take many positives from the D last night. Almost 400 yards given up, couldn't stop the run, couldn't stop the pass. They did pick it up a little in the 2nd half.

Blache: He's not exactly media friendly if anyone saw Comcast Postgame. I wouldn't want to ask him questions. He looks like he'd strangle you. It's early, but I think we might miss GW's this year.

Rock: Played really well.

Re: Positives
 

another thing...and perhaps this is all really second to the posts above...i didnt really see and devastating hits or blows that would cause the recievers or runners to shy away from the next hit, i was hoping landry or someone would lay the wood. Also...was sad marcus got taken out of the game so much...

Re: Positives
 

I'm really anxious to see Springs come back where we can really start bringing some pressure.

Re: Positives
 

The offense calmed down and got better as the night went on. The defense calmed down and got better as the night went on. We held the world champs to 6 points after the 1st quarter, and scoreless in the 2nd half.

Good news is we have a week and half off leading up to two straight home games. Time to digest the ugly game film, time to get Jason Taylor back to 100%, time get Smoot and Springs healthy, time to man the F up and show something to the home crowd.

And Zorn needs to buy Clock Management for Dummies.

Re: Positives
 

^^^ amen to springs coming back, by far our best cb.

You all really think that wasnt PI on smoot in the endzone? really?

looked like smoot got his hands in toomers chest well before the ball got there. Maybe if smoots head was turned towards the ball they could call it incidential contact, D player was just trying to make a play on the ball but smoot was staring directly in toomers chest. I am more upset about jacobs not getting a flag for slapping marcus in the head when the play before they were jawwin at each other. then the refs are trying to simmer things down. if you dont want a game to get out of hand, throw the flag when a guy slaps another on the head.

yikes how many effin times did they have to show that jacobs running over landry play.

Re: Positives
 

defense held giants to 16pts is a positive. just need offense to get going.

Re: Positives
 

[quote=redsk1;472896]I don't know that you can take many positives from the D last night. Almost 400 yards given up, couldn't stop the run, couldn't stop the pass. They did pick it up a little in the 2nd half.[/quote]


They were able to stop the pass though, eventually. It seemed like there was a lot of confusion in the zone defense between Smoot, Rogers and Landry, and lot of that could be contributed to Landry's having missed the entire preseason and not having been on the field with those guys since January. By the 2nd quarter, those lapses in coverage were not nearly as bad.

As for stopping the run, it did get ugly, but the offense certainly wasn't helping out.

So, optimistically, if Landy and the corner's just needed a bit of work together, and the offense had actually had maintained a few extended drives that gave the defense a chance to rest, than the almost 400 yards (354 to be exact) could have easily been under 300.

Re: Positives
 

As strange as it may sound -- I thought Moss and Randle El looked more involved and potentially explosive than anytime in the past couple years. They seem to be more comfortable in this offense. I can see a lot of production coming from these guys this season when the passing game gets more in sync. We just need fewer 7 yard routes on 3rd & 8.

Re: Positives
 

Devin Thomas had a catch and almost broke a long one. Some criticized him for not getting past the marker, but it was very close. He was hit immediately, but almost stayed on his feet. Had he stayed on his feet he would've been gone. Dude has speed. I can't wait to see Davis, Kelly, and Thomas out there with combinations of Moss/Randle El/Cooley.

Re: Positives
 

Considering we did'nt play that well offensively and only lost by 9 points to the super bowl champs, I'd say we have some good things to look forward to. I honestly believe Zorn will fix what is wrong with the offense and the D will get better and better as we go on. Marcus looked great last night and then seemed to be taken out of the game. Don't know what happened there but I love to watch him play. Not sure why Campbell looks so tentative but he will probably settle in as he gets more comfortable with the offense.

Re: Positives
 

[quote=redsk1;472896]I don't know that you can take many positives from the D last night. Almost 400 yards given up, couldn't stop the run, couldn't stop the pass. They did pick it up a little in the 2nd half.

Blache: He's not exactly media friendly if anyone saw Comcast Postgame. I wouldn't want to ask him questions. [b]He looks like he'd strange you.[/b] It's early, but I think we might miss GW's this year.

Rock: Played really well.[/quote]
Man, I hate getting [b]stranged[/b].

Re: Positives
 

^^ its not that bad if you cut your underwear before hand.

Re: Positives
 

[quote=Warren85Ellard;472979]Devin Thomas had a catch and almost broke a long one. Some criticized him for not getting past the marker, but it was very close. He was hit immediately, but almost stayed on his feet. Had he stayed on his feet he would've been gone. Dude has speed. I can't wait to see Davis, Kelly, and Thomas out there with combinations of Moss/Randle El/Cooley.[/quote]

Yeah, I was gonna add Devin Thomas' catch to the list. Though it was just 5 yards & he was short of the first down, the fact that they went to him on 3rd down & he at least made the catch, is a start. I think he's gonna have to play more than maybe Zorn would like.

Re: Positives
 

[quote=brent;472960]As strange as it may sound -- I thought Moss and Randle El looked more involved and potentially explosive than anytime in the past couple years. They seem to be more comfortable in this offense. I can see a lot of production coming from these guys this season when the passing game gets more in sync. We just need fewer 7 yard routes on 3rd & 8.[/quote]

ARE yes, MOss not so much. Not just cause he dropped that one slant. I don't know if some of those crossing routes are his forte.

I do think this O benefits ARE as he seems to run the inside routes well.

Re: Positives
 

Chris Wilson's sack was pretty sweet. Thought the D played better, but we cannot give up the run like that. But the gints have a very good and very big oline and a bruising back. (And they played EVERY game with the same group last year--we could only dream of that!).

I liked seeing Portis fired up. All this BS about Portis not liking preseason blah blah blah--who the fuck cares. Guy brings it when it counts. That chip block was badass.

Re: Positives
 

[quote=pdid5000;472925]defense held giants to 16pts is a positive. just need offense to get going.[/quote]

Anytime you go on the road and you hold your opponent to 16 points that's a job well done. The offense kept putting them in bad situations and they didn't break.No question our defense has some serious issues. But we didn't have Springs, the loss of Daniels showed and of course we're playing w/out #21. Plus Smoot got hurt. My hat is off to Blache and his assistants. This one is 100% on that high school offense that I saw last night.

Re: Positives
 

Landry is still trucking after getting hit by a truck.
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O820ahrjDy0&feature=related]YouTube - Brandon Jacobs unloads on LaRon Landri[/url]

Re: Positives
 

everyone-- defense, offense, coaching-- got better as the game went on. at halftime i was ready to be stranged. by the end of the game i was thinking, "hey, maybe this upward trend will go into next week."

Re: Positives
 

[quote=DCborn;473026]Landry is still trucking after getting hit by a truck.
[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O820ahrjDy0&feature=related"]YouTube - Brandon Jacobs unloads on LaRon Landri[/URL][/quote]Jacobs is a beast - that reminded me of Mike Sellers taking on little DBs:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXrra91QSvU]YouTube - Mike Sellers LEVELING Kennoi Kennedy and Brian Dawkins[/ame]

Re: Positives
 

[quote=T.A.P.O.A.F.O.R.;473028]everyone-- defense, offense, coaching-- got better as the game went on. at halftime i was ready to be stranged. by the end of the game i was thinking, "hey, maybe this upward trend will go into next week."[/quote]

Hey what does
T.A.P.O.A.F.O.R stand for away?...is It THE AWESOME POWERS. OF A FULLY OPERATIONAL REDSKIN ?....kinda after the George Clinton album?

Re: Positives
 

Thank you for posting this thread. I don't know why people are calling this a blowout....I mean it could have been. But the team adjusted, and the defense played well. Now I know moral victories don't count, but I do hope the team learns from their mistakes and keep in mind what worked during this game and carry that to next week's game.

Re: Positives
 

[quote=Paintrain;472986]Man, I hate getting [B]stranged[/B].[/quote]

Getting strangled is worse...my bad.

Re: Positives
 

[quote=redsk1;473063]Getting strangled is worse...my bad.[/quote]
Just trying to have a little fun today. :cool-smil

Re: Positives
 

The positives were that the defense adjusted and stopped the Giants from scoring and the offense improved as the game went on.

I'll refrain from listing negatives (as this is not the point of this thread)!

Re: Positives
 

[quote=T.A.P.O.A.F.O.R.;473028]everyone-- defense, offense, coaching-- got better as the game went on. at halftime i was ready to be stranged. by the end of the game i was thinking, "hey, maybe this upward trend will go into next week."[/quote]

Thats two guys talking about "stranged" in the same thread...

I guess I need to try it....

Re: Positives
 

One of the most positive things about the game last night was the [I]DESTRUCTION[/I] that CP laid down on the DE.

I need a clip.....

Re: Positives
 

The defense the Skins run is very similar to the Tampa Two with Safeties DEEEEEP only we usually only have one deep. The Defensive scheme is based on the premise of keeping things in front of you, a "bend but don't break" type of defense. Do not give up the big play down field and for the most part we didn't.... you can rack up as much yardage as you want but if you get only one touchdown I would have to say the defense did pretty well, they did what that defense is built for. We need our Offense to pick it up and SCORE. My criticism of the defense would be based on the fact we did not have our number 1 corner, and 2 players returning in less then a years time from SERIOUS knee injuries and a defense end not at 100%. They will get faster, Springs will play and i think our defense will get better (barring any injuries). Carter and Taylor need to put more pressure on the QB, Manning looked baffled at times when they got in his face. Yes he did make some nice throws while being hit, however the INT came when pressure was put on. We need more pressure from our front 4 and players to play (i.e. Springs)

Re: Positives
 

Give it up to Kendall for having the eye of the tiger. Don't let middle linebackers punk you.