Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

Now that everyone has had about 24 hours to get that sour taste out of their mouth, I figured pointing out some positives and negatives from the game would help us move on to Week 2 and the Jags:

[B][I][U]Positives[/U][/I][/B]

-Keenan Robinson- He looks like a stud, reminds me of Bobby Wagner from Seattle, the way he can run sideline to sideline, cover, and swarms to the ball.

-Ryan Kerrigan- Forcing that turnover when we HAD to have it, I have said this since his rookie season that I thought he was the better all-around player than Orakpo, even though Rak is the better pure pass rusher.

-Alfred Morris- The butler is a hoss, I think we can put to bed the "system back" thing, if w haven't already.

-Run Blocking- Is it me or does it look like we have a top 3 line when running the ball.

-Andre Roberts- Feels nice to have a return man after all this time, his adjustment to catch that pass from Griffin in the first where he was robbed of the catch was awesome.

-Defense- The defense looked great outside of 1 play, Hatcher looks like a great pickup and Barry Cofield looks like a top 5 NT.

[B][I][U]Negatives[/U][/I][/B]

-Pass Blocking- I have never seen an O-line so night and day when it comes to pass blocking vs. run blocking

-Turnovers- Can't win games giving up the ball in the red zone.

-Special Teams mistakes- Chris Chester and Roy Helu, that has to be the worst efforts in blocking I have ever seen.

-Robert Griffin III- He doesn't trust his line in pass blocking and rightfully so, but he also looks scared to explode and get to the edges, I don't know what is wrong with him mentally, but we need him to get that back.

-Niles Paul- You are running into the endzone and get stripped from behind on a last ditch tackle that you broke, then say "I guess I have to hold it high anf tight." You guess?????

-The Center position- When was the last time we had a center that didn't get blown up off the ball at least 4 times a game? I think Rabach in 2005.

-Playcalling- I just wish we would have ran the ball a bit more.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

Positives:

Keenan Robinson

Andre Roberts

Jason Hatcher

Trey Way (until the punt was blocked)

Ryan Clark

Alfred Morris/Roy Helu

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

EQ could analysis.

The last line though has to go; even jokingly.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

I think you nailed it Quake. Clock management at the end of the first half was crappy imo. RGIII just doesnt look right to me, if he doesn't throw the ball within about 1 second it immediately turns into an "oh $hit play" . I just don't get that.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

[quote=mredskins;1081553]EQ could analysis.

The last line though has to go; even jokingly.[/quote]

And it is gone.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

[url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014090703/2014/REG1/redskins@texans#menu=gameinfo%7CcontentId%3A0ap3000000390995&tab=recap]Watch Washington Redskins vs. Houston Texans [09/07/2014] - NFL.com[/url]

negative:

at the 00:20 second mark of the highlight video, its 3rd and 8 with the texans showing 6 in the box. we had 6 in pass pro. it appears the texans bring 7 with a DB moving up right before snap ...... RG3 looks left, hesitates, back peddles and gets sacked.

why didnt he audible to a hot route or do something to show that he recognized his pass pro was going to be overloaded ... why werent he and the receivers ready and anticipating a blitz on 3rd and long? just baffling to me that he looks like he didnt expect a blitz/pressure and didnt know what to do ....

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

I was actually shocked to see that we were plagued with many of the same problems that destroyed our 2013 season. Now I'm concerned about what will happen the rest of this season.

I know there were numerous positives but if we can't fix the ST problems, the turnovers, and the pass protection issues, we're not going to win many games this season.

Jay Gruden's play-calling did not impress me at all. We could have rolled the Texans with our ground game and there would have been opportunities to hit them with some deep passes when the were forced to cheat up against the run. Instead two-thirds of the plays he called were passes. His game plan lacked patience and it allowed the Texans to play to their strong suit of rushing the passer. He talked the talk about using Alfred Morris but he didn't walk the walk.

Look, I don't know what happened insofar as the coverage was concerned on the long touchdown pass the Texans had; however, Rambo's attempt to tackle the receiver was absolutely pathetic. Rambo is no safety. I'm putting him on my can't play list.

Now, on to Chester. How badly can an OG play in a single game? He was beat like a drum all day in pass protection (and on an extra point block). Yes, I know, he went against JJ Watt. Still, this needs to be closely monitored. He may be done.

As time goes on, I question RGIII's football skills and instincts more and more. That's all I have to say about that for now.

I have been the eternal optimist but I'm wavering now. In 2013, we developed a formula for losing that carried over to our first game of this season. I'm not emotionally prepared to endure a repeat of last season's **** show.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

We need to be a run first team... we're running boots and such when we didnt even set it up with stretch run lol, it looked backwards as shit as if we were setting up our rinning game lmao instead of the pa pass.... the defense. Looks good, same old story tho... one side of the ball is good one sucks

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

[quote=SFREDSKIN;1081552]Positives:

Keenan Robinson

Andre Roberts

Jason Hatcher

Trey Way (until the punt was blocked)

Ryan Clark

Alfred Morris/[B]Roy Helu[/B][/quote]

Helu is the reason the punt was blocked. That can't happen.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

Love Robinson. He's obviously a young pup compared to Fletcher's knowledge but his athleticism really jumps out at you.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

Negatives: We lost a game that we should have won. Pretty much wipes out any positives for me.

But ... I agree with Matty. Robinson jumped out at me. I just hope he continues to do so.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

[quote=Mattyk;1081578]Love Robinson. He's obviously a young pup compared to Fletcher's knowledge but his athleticism really jumps out at you.[/quote]

Yeah, if he continues to play like that he will quickly move up the list of my favorite players. I was watching him and watching film of Bobby Wagner and they look so identical in the way he plays. Not saying he will be Wagner but if he can become that, it would be awesome.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

i see helu, over and over again, whiff in pass protection( and on the blocked kick)
with watt causing all kinds of chaos, why no adjustments?
polumbus couldnt block me

roberts looked good, all around
robinson could be a real star
morris is a flat out baller, but we dont keep running?
thought RG3 looked ok, but wont finish the season unless we can pass block

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

I don't know--I feel sick about the loss, but I think there were some positive signs from RGIII. He executed the game plan pretty well, IMO. We knew we couldn't block Watt, but we still managed to gain lots and throw a high percentage of completions. The Texans took away the deep stuff. RGIII only f up was the fumble, really. Yeah, he missed that sideline throw, but that's a tough play. And I think it was inbounds, personally. What happened to all the talk of patience? Come on. If Niles Paul friggin holds onto the ball, we probably win. And we do win if that punt shite does not occur. And then what are we saying about RGIII, with exactly the same stat line?

Other positives: Ryan Clark, Darrell Young, WRs got the ball a lot, good punt/kick returns.

Negatives: o-line pass pro (though Watt is a freak of nature--give a bit of credit), Rambo (Not For Long...), TOs and the ST blocking. Maybe it's the long snappers fault? J/K, but this is pathetic. Reed's injury.

Overall, it's about what I expected, given what we've seen so far. We went in 3 point dogs to Houston and should have won. We beat ourselves. If the team eliminates stupid mistakes, it will go 6-10/7-9 (a 3-4 game improvement, actually a big deal). If it doesn't, yikes. I think both the D and O looked better, but it's not there yet. PATIENCE!!!!!

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

[quote=over the mountain;1081565][URL="http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2014090703/2014/REG1/redskins@texans#menu=gameinfo%7CcontentId%3A0ap3000000390995&tab=recap"]Watch Washington Redskins vs. Houston Texans [09/07/2014] - NFL.com[/URL]

negative:

at the 00:20 second mark of the highlight video, its 3rd and 8 with the texans showing 6 in the box. we had 6 in pass pro. it appears the texans bring 7 with a DB moving up right before snap ...... RG3 looks left, hesitates, back peddles and gets sacked.

why didnt he audible to a hot route or do something to show that he recognized his pass pro was going to be overloaded ... why werent he and the receivers ready and anticipating a blitz on 3rd and long? just baffling to me that he looks like he didnt expect a blitz/pressure and didnt know what to do ....[/quote]

The play at :30 was more irritating. It was blocked perfectly. He ran right into Watt when all he had to do was step up and he had a huge running lane. Great field position that was ruined by taking sacks, and that takes points off the board.

Positives were several. It actually looks like we have a professional return man. And all Morris does is show up and ball every week. Hatcher also had a good game as well.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

Shame for jordan reed, dude stays hurt

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

Negatives:
4 bonehead plays: 2 on offense, 1 on defense, 1 on special teams.

Positive:
If those four plays don't end in boneheaded results, we win easily.

Have to clean up the boneheaded plays and we'll be ok.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

Defense on a whole doesn't grade as positive, 7/9 in the second half on third down against Fitzpatrick will never be ok.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

It's pretty hard to find any positives in a loss to the worst team last year.

Same ol' players, Same ol' coaches, same ol' owner, same ol' Redskins...to expect different is insanity.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

Agree with EQ's summary, especially that we should have run more. The game plan seems to have been installed partially to avoid JJ, but mostly to develop Robert's confidence. He's back in remedial reading class. Let's hope next week's game plan has more to do with beating the Jags and less with Robert's needs.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

Positives - The defense. Minus Rambo. Plus Alfmo.

Negatives - Minus Alfmo. Plus Rambo and everyone else. Literally, everyone else.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

they really weren't disguising the safety blitzes at all. i was pretty surprised they didn't audible out of a couple plays and just ran right into brick walls, so to speak.

we made good adjustments at half time (or clowney's exit really helped). offense seemed better, but still not very good.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

Positives - defense minus the Rambo blown coverage wiff. Special teams was a positive until Helu wiffed and Chester got a skirt put on him. Offense was better Polumbus, Chester, and Lich were uneven but they mostly played solid. Is it me or does Alfred Morris drop the ball alot?

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

[url=http://grantland.com/the-triangle/whos-afraid-of-robert-griffin-iii/]Who’s Afraid of Robert Griffin III? «[/url]

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

[quote=KI Skins Fan;1081575]I was actually shocked to see that we were plagued with many of the same problems that destroyed our 2013 season. Now I'm concerned about what will happen the rest of this season.

I know there were numerous positives but if we can't fix the ST problems, the turnovers, and the pass protection issues, we're not going to win many games this season.

Jay Gruden's play-calling did not impress me at all. We could have rolled the Texans with our ground game and there would have been opportunities to hit them with some deep passes when the were forced to cheat up against the run. Instead two-thirds of the plays he called were passes. His game plan lacked patience and it allowed the Texans to play to their strong suit of rushing the passer. He talked the talk about using Alfred Morris but he didn't walk the walk.

Look, I don't know what happened insofar as the coverage was concerned on the long touchdown pass the Texans had; however, Rambo's attempt to tackle the receiver was absolutely pathetic. Rambo is no safety. I'm putting him on my can't play list.

Now, on to Chester. How badly can an OG play in a single game? He was beat like a drum all day in pass protection (and on an extra point block). Yes, I know, he went against JJ Watt. Still, this needs to be closely monitored. He may be done.

As time goes on, I question RGIII's football skills and instincts more and more. That's all I have to say about that for now.

I have been the eternal optimist but I'm wavering now. In 2013, we developed a formula for losing that carried over to our first game of this season. I'm not emotionally prepared to endure a repeat of last season's **** show.[/quote]

This sums up just about everything I feel.
Running game was working great like you said but they didnt stick with it.

On the td pass I would say when you have 10 seconds to throw the ball you cant cover someone that long,the tackle afterward is another story.
Dont know what happened to our pass rush we had in preseason but its now disappeared.

When was the last time Orakpo made a sack when it counted? Only time I can think of is when he got the holding call against his man when Romo got the td called back.

I cant remember the last time RG3 had that much time to pass the ball like Fitz had on that play.You would think with the heavy dose of Alfred we could do some play action passes and get some time to throw but that doesnt seem to be the case,maybe teams know when RG3 lines up under center 99% of the time its a run

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

[quote=Mattyk;1081650][url=http://grantland.com/the-triangle/whos-afraid-of-robert-griffin-iii/]Who’s Afraid of Robert Griffin III? «[/url][/quote]

I think that hits the head on the nail, and throw in the "what we gave up for him" crowd, (which at this point is a sunk cost, and you can't convince me that the Rams blew us away with that trade, or that we would have used the extra few picks to "be a contender now"). We as a fan base need to chill, let Griffin have time, this season, and even next. Deep down I feared that Griffin was going to pull some Superman hurdling stuff that injured him again, against the likes of Watt, Clowney and Cushing. The fact that he reigned himself in, even though he from all accounts looked like he was thinking too much, is a good thing. In time, he will find the right blend.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;1081654]I think that hits the head on the nail, and throw in the "what we gave up for him" crowd, (which at this point is a sunk cost, and you can't convince me that the Rams blew us away with that trade, or that we would have used the extra few picks to "be a contender now"). We as a fan base need to chill, let Griffin have time, this season, and even next. Deep down I feared that Griffin was going to pull some Superman hurdling stuff that injured him again, against the likes of Watt, Clowney and Cushing. The fact that he reigned himself in, even though he from all accounts looked like he was thinking too much, is a good thing. [B]In time, he will find the right blend.[/B][/quote]

Yup. He just needs more reps in the new offense and, as SS said, some confidence-building experiences.

Personally I am not so worried about RGIII.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

One more thing I liked, and I mentioned it with RGIII's press conference. There was a lot of the use of I(personal accountability), properly blended with we (team focus), within the interviews. I haven't heard any of the obvious culprits (Helu, Griffin, Paul) make pushaway type answers, sounds like there is a lot of accountability within the locker room. Now we have to see if it matters enough for results to change.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

[quote=Mattyk;1081650][url=http://grantland.com/the-triangle/whos-afraid-of-robert-griffin-iii/]Who’s Afraid of Robert Griffin III? «[/url][/quote]

I gotta agree with everything the writer said. RG III needs to take off and be him again. I love this kid, and he has been beaten down every chance anyone gets. I want the kid from 2012. I don't care about the scheme protecting him blah blah blah. RG III did something incredible in 2012 and all we have done is want to change everything that made him great...

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

[quote=artmonkforhallofamein07;1081669]I gotta agree with everything the writer said. RG III needs to take off and be him again. I love this kid, and he has been beaten down every chance anyone gets. I want the kid from 2012. I don't care about the scheme protecting him blah blah blah. RG III did something incredible in 2012 and all we have done is want to change everything that made him great...[/quote]

I thought he wanted the scheme changed though? He wanted to be more of a pocket QB...

But as fans, after he got hurt, nobody wanted the read option anymore but now people want him to run again? It pains me to watch him run now, there's no confidence in his scrambling, he seems like he's trying to not get hit, but not in a good way.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

There were 5 key plays that changed the game.

The blown coverage on the 76 yard TD and Rambo's poor angle

The blocked extra point by JJ Swatt

The block punt for 6 because of Helu's whiff

The 2 red zone fumbles one by Paul and if you look at the replay the center steps on RG3 foot that's why he falls I still don't understand why he's getting the blame for that one

Mostly our problem is blocking and turnovers

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

[quote=Mattyk;1081650][url=http://grantland.com/the-triangle/whos-afraid-of-robert-griffin-iii/]Who’s Afraid of Robert Griffin III? «[/url][/quote]

"Griffin played solidly in the Redskins’ loss Sunday to the Texans"

Zero TDs, and he only turned over the ball once. Solid.


"The worst thing Robert Griffin can be accused of is sending subliminal jabs at Mike Shanahan (whose handling of what should have been his star pupil was embarrassing to watch)"

How about RG3 not wanting to run the system that got him ROY in 2012?


"Yes, many people in Washington cannot stand Robert Griffin because he risks injury too often, trying to pick up extra yardage. "

Missing open receivers? Risking injury by sliding comically?


"Like any abused and mentally fragile group of people, Washington fans are [U]scared[/U]."

He misspelled "well-versed" above.


"Robert Griffin III is the first man to electrify this fan base in more than 20 years. "

So the author never saw [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJweC3zeiuM"]Joe Gibbs[/ame], [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9kXv9pbv20"]Clinton Portis[/ame], and Sean [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKuUH5TjJzk"]Taylor[/ame].

Guess the author never saw these guys actually win a playoff game. So much more wrong with that article..

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

I posted yesterday that I thought Cooley would give him(griff) a B grade for the game, meaning he played well. Cooley actually said today on 980 that he played very well.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

I don't think Griffin played well, but he didn't play poorly either. Certainly not to the level of grief people are giving him. Blame Gruden for the short passing game, Griffin just did what he was asked to do within the confine of the game plan and what the Texans D was giving him.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

[quote=Mattyk;1081707]I don't think Griffin played well, but he didn't play poorly either. Certainly not to the level of grief people are giving him. Blame Gruden for the short passing game, Griffin just did what he was asked to do within the confine of the game plan and what the Texans D was giving him.[/quote]

I don't understand some fans. They want RG3 to get rid of the ball right away, yet they want deep passes. With our offensive lines, deep passes are out of the way question.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

I thought yesterday was a solid effort, but it was a replay of several college games I had gone to, where the one team was dominant, but kept coughing up the ball in the red zone trying to pound it in. The turnovers killed us, but the execution for the most part was pretty good.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

[quote=Mattyk;1081707]I don't think Griffin played well, but he didn't play poorly either. Certainly not to the level of grief people are giving him. Blame Gruden for the short passing game, Griffin just did what he was asked to do within the confine of the game plan and what the Texans D was giving him.[/quote]

Robert was fine I thought. We really need to cut the crap and use our top picks for linemen. We have decent guys, but we still need an upgrade. Williams is getting long in the tooth.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

[quote=Redskin Warrior;1081675]There were 5 key plays that changed the game.

The blown coverage on the 76 yard TD and Rambo's poor angle

The blocked extra point by JJ Swatt

The block punt for 6 because of Helu's whiff

The 2 red zone fumbles one by Paul and if you look at the replay the center steps on RG3 foot that's why he falls I still don't understand why he's getting the blame for that one

Mostly our problem is blocking and turnovers[/quote]

Can't have a -2 to -3 turnover ratio in a game and expect to win, especially if you throw in a blocked punt for 6.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

[quote=Ghost of George Allen;1081749]Robert was fine I thought. We really need to cut the crap and use our top picks for linemen. We have decent guys, but we still need an upgrade. [B]Williams is getting long in the tooth[/B].[/quote]Say what??? Williams is entering his 5th season and the prime of his career. He is the least of the OL's problems. I agree that the FO needs to draft more linemen, but hopefully Morgan Moses or Spencer Long develop into legit starters.

Re: Week 1 Positives and Negatives
 

[quote=SouperMeister;1081760]Say what??? Williams is entering his 5th season and the prime of his career. He is the least of the OL's problems. I agree that the FO needs to draft more linemen, but hopefully Morgan Moses or Spencer Long develop into legit starters.[/quote]

Lol, 26 years old, 5th year pro = long in the tooth.