Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Week 1)

[SmootSmack]

Welcome to a new weekly feature where I get all Daseal up in here and pour out the pessimism like a 40 on North Capitol Street on the people, places, things that have let me down after each game (at least I'll try).

I'll even do this after wins to appease to the irishes of the world. To be clear though, this isn't a "we suck, the season is over" type of thread.

Anyway, this week I'm laying the smack down on the following:

1. Shawn Springs: How do you miss this game? With the experience and talent you have you should be a captain on this team but it's moments like this that explain why you're not. I agree that it's just one game but you're the leader of that secondary and you should have set an example and set a tone for the season by suiting up.

2. Carlos Rogers: First off, congratulations on making the starting lineup on opening day. Tremendous comeback from a devastating injury. That said, you need to step up and start making plays. Some people have the misconception that you suck, which of course is wrong. You don't suck, in fact you're very good. If you weren't you wouldn't be in position to make plays so often. But you need to start making those plays. If all you want to do is swat the ball, add 100 pounds and we'll line you up at DT

3. Stan Hixon: I'm putting the WRs woes on you. Too harsh? Perhaps. But someone has to take the blame here and your wide receivers (from Thomas all the way up to Moss) need to run past the first down marker on third downs. What killed us more than anything was that we would complete the pass short of the first down marker and then couldn't even break any tackles. The West Coast Offense is all about breaking tackles and adding yards. That has to improve, asap.

4. The Fans: Don't give up after week one. That's all I ask.