Tony McGee: Redskins @ Seahawks

[Gmanc711]

Former NFL great Tony McGee sat down with TheWarpath.net front office Monday afternoon and answered some TheWarpath.net questions about the Redskins 20-10 playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Please be sure to visit http://www.tonymcgeeplus.com and watch Tony McGee's Pro Football Plus Saturdays at 11:30 am on Comcast SportsNet and DirecTV to see Tony and his panel of guests answer "TheWarpath.net Question of the Week". This week's question is "What is the Redskins number one priority this offseason?" Ok, let's get started with Tony's thoughts here:

The Redskins had plenty of opprotunities to win this game, and didn't take advantage of them. The lack of pass rush allowed Seattle's passing game to become a much bigger factor than it should have been. In addition, the Redskins inability to take advantage of turnovers killed them down the stretch of the game. This was a game that was theirs to win, and they didnt take advantage of it. I think that if they played the offense the entire game, like they did at the end of the game, they would have been much more successful. I think that they were too conservative in the first half, and it really showed how successful they could be once things were opened up. When you are in the playoffs, you have to let everything hang out, no holds barred. I was suprsied at how conservative the game was in the first half for the Redskins offensivley.

Looking at the season as a whole, the team met my expections as I predicted 10-6 and a playoff berth. Looking in depth, I was pleased with the defense all year long. I think the pass rush could have been better from the defensive line, with the exception of a few games. In addition, I would have liked to see more of LaVar Arrington in towards the begining of the season. I think in many games, specifically the Denver game in October, he could have made a difference in the outcome. Offensivley, I think the skins' needed to build around the run to set up the pass. I think if they did a better job of that from game one, they could have won a few more games and possibly had homefeild advantage. As far as special teams, I thought both coverage units were very solid all season long. I was dissapointed with John Hall both on kickoffs and feild goals this year, and I think there is a good chance he might not be back next year. I think his miss this past weekend was absolutley huge in the outcome, even though it was only three points. That kick could have changed the whole complection of the game. As for Derrick Frost, I would be shocked if he returned to the team. There were times this year when he was a good punter, but his inconsitency really hurt Washington, especially when you look at the first Tampa Bay game.

For the coaching and the moves they have made, they finally got the offense to begin to play physical football, and they took a pounding all season long and kept coming back. It took a toll on them down the stretch, but it was somthing that was good to see from the Redskins. Putting David Patten on IR was a huge mistake and blew up in their faces the past couple weeks. Taylor Jacobs didn't get the job done this season, and I also disagree with the release of McCants going back to training camp. I just think he could have been a bigtime possession reciver for the Redskins.

Going into the offseason the Redskins have a few needs to address, specifically a second wide reciver and a pass rushing defensive end. I think the Redskins need a wide reciver to compliment Santana Moss, and that should be their top priority. I know one free agent is Reggie Wayne, and while I think he is a great reciver, I just think he is a clone of Santana Moss. I think Washington should go after someone who is different from Santana Moss, and who can be a possession reciver while still breaking the game open. I wouldn't mind seeing a package trade with Patrick Ramsey, and talk with Detroit to try to get one of their recivers because its not working out for them up there. I'm not sold on Charels Rogers, but I think the other two are playmakers. As for a pass rushing defensive end, I was excited about the potential I saw last week from Evans, and I think that Daniels did a sufficient job down the stretch. Still, the Redskins didnt get enough rushers to the quarterback, and it hurt them this season.

I would just like to end this week by commenting on the career of Ray Brown. Ray was a guy that obviously meant a lot on and off the feild for the Washington Redskins. You saw when he left the Seattle game how much the offense struggled without him, and he did a good job replacing Randy Thomas as the offense never missed a beat. I think that Ray Brown may be the last football position player who is able to play twenty years in the football league, and I think that is an amazing accomplishment. I excpet Ray Brown to be back with the Redskins in a coaching capacity of some sort next season.

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Tony McGee's NFL career started in 1971 where he was a starting defensive end for the Chicago Bears. In 1974, Tony began a 7-year stint with the New England Patriots and earned the nickname, "Mac the Sack." His unique ability to swarm opposing quarterbacks helped coin the phrase, "designated pass rusher." Tony's career as a Washington Redskin began in 1982, and included a Super Bowl championship. Tony ended his spectacular career in 1985 with 106 career sacks and played in over 200 games -- a feat achieved only by a select group of NFL defensive linemen.
For more information visit http://www.tonymcgeeplus.com

[Gmanc711]

Sorry for the delay with the interview this week, but I would just like to add that Tony wants to sit down with thewarpath.net about once a month over the offseason to talk Redskins football, so we will be starting threads for questions in the coming weeks. In addition, Tony has asked that we continue to email the programing director for comcast sports about once a month to help him out when lobbying for the show. We will also start threads on that as well. Tony was fabulous to work with, so I really hope the show continues success.

[MTK]

Thanks Gmanc711 and thanks to Tony!

[jbcjr14]

Yes, thanks Tony and Warpath!!!

[Master4Caster]

Thank you, Tony M, for your perspective. Great stuff.
What was that Comcast email address again?

[Gmanc711]

lpendleton@comcastsportsnet.com