I know it's only 2 games...
 

But how good are you feeling about the team this year?

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

I get to rub it in all of your faces at the end of the season when my prediction in the predictions thread about us being division winners comes true.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

I think the team overall has met my expectations. I don't think they have been an elite team, nor a trash team, but instead simply a middle tier NFL team, that has made some good strides in the second year of Shanahan's coaching structure.

Places they have exceeded my expectations:
Ryan Kerrigan - I expected more rookie mistakes from Kerrigan, and while I have high hopes long term, he has been much more of an impact player than I expected. Pretty soon defensive coordinators will have to be game planning for him and Orakpo, and that ought to free Orakpo up.

Pass defense - the way players stepped up with the injuries in the Arizona game, I think it says alot that with our 4th and 5th CB's in there, Arizona still ran - even if effective, rather than being able to torch the secondary for multiple big plays.

Places where my expectations were higher what they have shown:
Oline - This may change after the Dallas game, but right now, I am pretty fearful of what a healthy effective DLine can bring against our team. I think they did ok against the Giants, but I really felt that they should have had much better protection against a mediocre Arizona DLine

Scoring - obviously, 2 out of 7 in the redzone against Arizona just isn't where I thought they'd be (see my 35 point prediction...)

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

I feel good about this team overall, I said 8-8 but I'm starting to think we can win 10 games this year. Our run game is legit and Rex looks solid, he impressed me after those early INT's he didn't cave like he used 2. Our defense is improved and the Haslett haters from last year have seen our D become better, we shut down the giants and outside of a long bomb to Fitz we handled them also. Fred Davis is legit and becoming our Number 1 TE, Gaffney was a great pick up and how about the Rookie Kerrigan??? STUD

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

Definitely met expectations. I hoped to see some scrappy competition. Check.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

I said they met my expectations but in all actuality they have probably exceeded it. In my total wins I had the Giants and Cards a games won so they have met my expectation but again beating the Giants by 2 scores and although a close game with the Cards they basically dominated the game. Had they been able to put together scores on everytime they were in the red zone it might have been a blow out.

I think I had the Dallas game as a loss only because we would be in Dallas. Then I had the Rams as a win but they look good also. So we shall see. I think by the break I had us 3-1, but if we can enter the bye at 4-0 would be awsome and definitly be beyond my expectations.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

Well we are 2/0 so how could I even vote for failed to meet but I'm sure someone will?

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

Not too different from what I thought going into the season. Lots of challenges up ahead but we're off to a good start.

What I'm happiest about is that there don't seem to be any distractions and no true individual disappointments

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

[quote=firstdown;838411]Well we are 2/0 so how could I even vote for failed to meet but I'm sure someone will?[/quote]

Agreed. If someone had told me that there would be seven teams at 2-0 after two weeks, I would not have guessed that we would be one of them. We've all seen in the first two weeks weaknesses that will cost us games moving ahead, but the fact is that most impartial observers (granted, there are lots of haters) did not believe this team could win 8 games. Notwithstanding that the first two games were at home, with one being against a injury-plagued defense, the team looks solidly competent on both sides of the ball. My vote is for exceeding expectations.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

Hugh Douglas has us @4 on his P.R lol Nice

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

We've played hard and looked disciplined. There is more energy and more team spirit. That makes me happy.

But we haven't played a road game yet so that is all that I am willing to say at this point.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

The offense has exceeded my expectations. I expected our defense to play this well. But the entire character of the team has changed so quickly. Poised and focus, which leads me to believe those close games we lose so often will start to come out in our favor. First thing a skins fan said at work this week was, we lose that game last year. So true.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

I'm happier than a two peckered billy goat in a Kentucky whorehouse.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

They met my expectations. I don't see anything that precludes the Skins from starting 4-0. The thing that's a bit of a surprise to me is how good they run the spread offense. Any team that wants to stop the Redskins passing attack better have 3 good CB and 2 quality safeties because Davis, Cooley, Armstrong are coming.

I predicted the Skins will win 10 games and they are well on their way.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

Nobody hatting yet? dont see a couple posters yet to vote...that could change

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

[quote=saden1;838438]They met my expectations. I don't see anything that precludes the Skins from starting 4-0. The thing that's a bit of a surprise to me is how good they run the spread offense. Any team that wants to stop the Redskins passing attack better have 3 good CB and 2 quality safeties because Davis, Cooley, Armstrong are coming.

I predicted the Skins will win 10 games and they are well on their way.[/quote]

Yeah I said at the beginning 9-7 or 10-6. The injury pleagued teams have helped that out a lot but others look better then I expected also. Panthers, Bills, Miami, and 49ers really don't look that bad and they were my easy wins this year. I had us split in the NFCE (3 games), the Cards (4 games), Rams (5 games), Panthers, Bills, 49ers (8 games), Miami and Seatle (10 games), I'm thinking possibly the Vikes and Bucs also. I'm not saying we will win 12 games but that gives us a cushion for is we lose one I'm expecting us to win. The losses I figured would be Giants (which maybe we take both), Dallas (we might take both), Eagles, Jets, Patriots, Pitt, Baltimore, and I had the Colts but they look horrid.

Can anyone not possibly see 11-5 and our losses being Eagles (1), Jets, Patriots, Steelers, Ravens? I keep hoping no major injuries.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

The win over the Gnats and pulling one out late against the Cards has alone exceeded my expectations. They are still relatively tempered but things are looking up.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

Wow! Nobody is more of a kool-aid drinker than me, but I'm just cautiously optimistic. I still think at best 8-8 to 9-7. That will depend largely on how healthy this team stays.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

[quote=SBXVII;838445]Yeah I said at the beginning 9-7 or 10-6. The injury pleagued teams have helped that out a lot but others look better then I expected also. Panthers, Bills, Miami, and 49ers really don't look that bad and they were my easy wins this year. I had us split in the NFCE (3 games), the Cards (4 games), Rams (5 games), Panthers, Bills, 49ers (8 games), Miami and Seatle (10 games), I'm thinking possibly the Vikes and Bucs also. I'm not saying we will win 12 games but that gives us a cushion for is we lose one I'm expecting us to win. The losses I figured would be Giants (which maybe we take both), Dallas (we might take both), Eagles, Jets, Patriots, Pitt, Baltimore, and I had the Colts but they look horrid.

Can anyone not possibly see 11-5 and our losses being Eagles (1), Jets, Patriots, Steelers, Ravens? I keep hoping no major injuries.[/quote]

as you alluded to some of those are no longer easy wins.. we also need to see how we come off of a loss.. or larger deficit than we've faced.. I have more confidence in us this year to battle past either situation.. this team seems to take football and winning personally

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

It's so funny seeing the oppressive Establishment being excessive cautious this year while the rational rebels like myself are fully in the Kool-Aid. The Establishment needs to get some new researchers to process the critical data, since they have missed two years in a row.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

[quote=SirClintonPortis;838454]It's so funny seeing the oppressive Establishment being excessive cautious this year while the rational rebels like myself are fully in the Kool-Aid. The Establishment needs to get some new researchers to process the critical data, since they have missed two years in a row.[/quote]

Um....anyone else want to respond to this?

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

[quote=SmootSmack;838456]Um....anyone else want to respond to this?[/quote]

um...no, not even sure what it supposed to mean actually.



so far the skins have done what i thought they would do this year which is a first. we have a young team with a lot of guys fighting for spots on a roster, we got rid of all the malcontents and now are truly ready to move forward. the team finally shows some life and it appears as though everyone on both sides of the ball have bought into the systems they are playing and i think that says alot being only two years detached from whatever the hell we had going on the last year zorn was here. from where we are now we can only improve and who knows maybe we will be better than 8-8 this year which would make me happier than hell.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

[quote=SirClintonPortis;838454]It's so funny seeing the oppressive Establishment being excessive cautious this year while the rational rebels like myself are fully in the Kool-Aid. The Establishment needs to get some new researchers to process the critical data, since they have missed two years in a row.[/quote]

Good goobly goobs, are u sure your not Dr. W. Edwards Demming????? Im drinking the Kool-aid heck im buck naked doing a cannon ball into it!!!

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

[quote=SBXVII;838445]Can anyone not possibly see 11-5 and our losses being Eagles (1), Jets, Patriots, Steelers, Ravens? I keep hoping no major injuries.[/quote]

Since we don't play Pittsburg or the Ravens - I can see us not losing to them.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

Ross Tucker has us at #12 in his rankings :)

I do like the fact that we are still a bit under the radar. However, a win against the Cowboys on MNF would definitely put us on the spotlight.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

[quote=CrustyRedskin;838463]Good goobly goobs, are u sure your not Dr. W. Edwards Demming????? Im drinking the Kool-aid heck im buck naked doing a cannon ball into it!!![/quote]

..........WOW.........

I don't even know you and I got an ugly image.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

[quote=SmootSmack;838456]Um....anyone else want to respond to this?[/quote]

I need to know who the players are first. Are the opressive Establishment kin to the Axis of Evil or just Diet North Korea?

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

[quote=SirClintonPortis;838454]It's so funny seeing the oppressive Establishment being excessive cautious this year while the rational rebels like myself are fully in the Kool-Aid. The Establishment needs to get some new researchers to process the critical data, since they have missed two years in a row.[/quote]Change your profile pic.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

[quote=SirClintonPortis;838454]It's so funny seeing the oppressive Establishment being excessive cautious this year while the rational rebels like myself are fully in the Kool-Aid. The Establishment needs to get some new researchers to process the critical data, since they have missed two years in a row.[/quote]

[quote=SmootSmack;838456]Um....anyone else want to respond to this?[/quote]

Tempting but pointless.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

I voted exceeded my expectations only because we won the Giants game and vibe from the team is completely different for the first time in few years, which is amazing. I never have had felt this good about Redskins for a while.. As for how many wins we will get this year, it does not matter to me because Shanny and his team proved to me that the team is different this time and we can expect them to rally in some games AND win.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

[quote=SBXVII;838466]..........WOW.........

I don't even know you and I got an ugly image.[/quote]


I think ive heard that before! Ok i'd probably wear a speedo!

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;838464]Since we don't play Pittsburg or the Ravens - I can see us not losing to them.[/quote]

LOL, sorry, I thought something was odd. I went to Redskins.com and was looking at the Schedule. They have our preseason games at the end of the schedule. sorry. Why they don't have them at the beginning I don't know but you my friend are right.... right there is two wins. ;) but you forgot the Colts. so now it's three. lol.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

This is a different team with a different mentality. this is a hard working bunch. as long as they kept working they will have a good season. it's nice if we stay out of the radar.

the rookies plus Fred davis exceed my expectations.
plus we all get rid of the selfish players and replaced them with a hardworking no nonsense type of players.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

These two wins are different from the two wins we had a few seasons ago. First of all, we've seen nearly 90% roster turnover in 2 short seasons under Shanahan. For the team to be playing so well this early is to be commended.

Secondly, and this is huge in my opinion, the Redskins have a committed a total of 6 penalties through the first two games. Six! Hell, we'd have six penalties in one drive two years ago. That's the the hallmark of a Joe Gibbs coached team, if you ask me.

The personnel moves this year have been solid. Every last one of them. Sure it would be nice to have depth here and there, but what team has all the parts? Look at the Colts and the Jags, you think they'd like to have John Beck right now? Considering we've been playing without 3 key players in our secondary for two games is an accomplishment to be proud of.

It's only two games, I know. But if we head into the bye week looking at 3-1, I think this team is headed to the playoffs.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

[quote=12thMan;838494]These two wins are different from the two wins we had a few seasons ago. First of all, we've seen nearly 90% roster turnover in 2 short seasons under Shanahan. For the team to be playing so well this early is to be commended.

Secondly, and this is huge in my opinion, the Redskins have a committed a total of 6 penalties through the first two games. Six! Hell, we'd have six penalties in one drive two years ago. That's the the hallmark of a Joe Gibbs coached team, if you ask me.

The personnel moves this year have been solid. Every last one of them. Sure it would be nice to have depth here and there, but what team has all the parts? Look at the Colts and the Jags, you think they'd like to have John Beck right now? Considering we've been playing without 3 key players in our secondary for two games is an accomplishment to be proud of.

It's only two games, I know. But if we head into the bye week looking at 3-1, I think this team is headed to the playoffs.[/quote]

Two of those penalties were due purposeful delay of game penalties.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

And let me go on the record saying I'm eating crow regarding coach Shanahan. I hated that guy with all the Burgundy and Gold in me last year. Couldn't watch his pressers, didn't feel like posting anything negative about it. I just hated that dude. I felt he wasn't passionate about the great Redskins tradition and treated the players like children. I thought he was all around incompetent and the game had passed him by.

Well I'm on the record saying I was flat out wrong. This guy just needed his players to buy into his system and it takes time for that to happen. I suppose he'll add more of his guys next year and get rid of a few more of the old faces. With all the hoopla about Haynesworth, Portis, and McNabb what's been somewhat lost in this 2 year transition is that Shanahan has a chip on his shoulder too considering how he left Denver. If you think about it, to the city of Denver he was their Joe Gibbs. Fond memories of a championship year; the Elway years. Lots of fond memories he left behind in Denver.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

met expectations. we beat the giants pretty good, but their starting D is on IR. We could have put 40 on the cards, but instead barely squeaked out with a win. The OL and secondary have some issues, and for those 3 reasons its met vs exceeded.

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

[quote=12thMan;838499]And let me go on the record saying I'm eating crow regarding coach Shanahan. I hated that guy with all the Burgundy and Gold in me last year. Couldn't watch his pressers, didn't feel like posting anything negative about it. I just hated that dude. I felt he wasn't passionate about the great Redskins tradition and treated the players like children. I thought he was all around incompetent and the game had passed him by.

Well I'm on the record saying I was flat out wrong. This guy just needed his players to buy into his system and it takes time for that to happen. I suppose he'll add more of his guys next year and get rid of a few more of the old faces. With all the hoopla about Haynesworth, Portis, and McNabb what's been somewhat lost in this 2 year transition is that Shanahan has a chip on his shoulder too considering how he left Denver. If you think about it, to the city of Denver he was their Joe Gibbs. Fond memories of a championship year; the Elway years. Lots of fond memories he left behind in Denver.[/quote]


I'm not the one to say "I Told u so" But 12th I told u so! Lol hey the guy is a damn good football coach and last year I was just as mad as u were, the whole Mcnabb and A.H thing was retarded BUT..... Now he's got HIS team and this is what I've been waiting for as a SKINS fan for a LONG time.. We have a coach that has won 2 Super Bowls and a GM that knows how to build a winner! HTTR

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

[quote=12thMan;838494]These two wins are different from the two wins we had a few seasons ago. First of all, we've seen nearly 90% roster turnover in 2 short seasons under Shanahan. For the team to be playing so well this early is to be commended.

Secondly, and this is huge in my opinion, the Redskins have a committed a total of 6 penalties through the first two games. Six! Hell, we'd have six penalties in one drive two years ago. That's the the hallmark of a Joe Gibbs coached team, if you ask me.

The personnel moves this year have been solid. Every last one of them. Sure it would be nice to have depth here and there, but what team has all the parts? Look at the Colts and the Jags, you think they'd like to have John Beck right now? Considering we've been playing without 3 key players in our secondary for two games is an accomplishment to be proud of.

[B]It's only two games, I know. But if we head into the bye week looking at 3-1, I think this team is headed to the playoffs.[/B][/quote]


If we beat Dallas we will be 4-0 in the bye week

Re: I know it's only 2 games...
 

Any coach is going to need time to get players to buy in, and to bring in "his" guys. Shanahan has done a great job of reshaping the roster. And that much maligned switch to the 3-4 is paying dividends. I'm really not shocked at our early success. Shanahan is the kind of coach that works tirelessly and studies the game obsessively. He didn't take this job to just collect a paycheck. He's here to win.

Coming into this year I did think we would be much improved on both sides of the ball, but I thought it might take some time for things to come together. So from that perspective I am surprised at how well we've played.