GTripp's non-tape related thoughts on Eagles v Redskins

GTripp0012 · 12-23-2008, 05:09 PM

As mentioned in last weeks game tape review, there would be no review of this game, win or lose this week. It will be an offseason project to look through that game and find out exactly how the Redskins won. For now, I'm stuck doing most of this game review off plain old observation and memory. How eighteenth century of me.

Thought #1
It remains to be seen whether or not the Redskins will be a better defense in the post-Blache era. But if Blache's poor gameplanning is to blame for defeats to the Cowboys and Giants, then it's only fair to credit Blache for a job well done leading up to the game this week. The same man who ran a poor gameplan in the rain against the Giants that gave Eli Manning a nice pocket and man coverage on his receivers, managed to call a game that -- in the wind this time -- gave Donovan McNabb no where to put the football while he got considerable pressure from the Redskins front four, or oftentimes, three man rush. McNabb was totally stymied when the Redskins defensive line simply held Brian Westbrook coming out of the backfield, which is legal behind the line of scrimmage.

It's a very simple strategy to prevent Westbrook from being a receiving threat. There's a reason a lot of teams opt to play zone against the Eagles instead: it's because you cost yourselves a pass rusher doing this, and teams feel like if they can get pressure on McNabb, they can force him into mistakes. Problem is, if you aren't covering his outlet receiver, how the heck are you going to get any pressure on him? The Redskins were able to collapse the pocket with just a three man rush most of the day, and their corners in man coverage on the Eagles WRs, with safety help usually available, is going to be a matchup that heavily favors the Redskins. Except Fred Smoot, who was responsible for pretty much all 10+ yard passes in this one.

While DeAngelo Hall has shown questionable fundamentals in tackling, a short fuse causing him to hit people after the play, and you generally don't want him on an island with any receiver, when you give the guy safety help and tell him to play what's in front of him, you can see that he's pretty darn good. I do think Hall can be a good second corner if his secondary mates are Carlos Rogers, LaRon Landry, and Chris Horton next year.

Thought #2
Jason Campbell made too many mistakes in this game, which caused Jim Zorn to pull the ball out of his hands in the fourth quarter. I counted three bad plays from Campbell, which will generally cost his team the game, but luckily, none of the three became Redskins turnovers.

Campbell's first mistake came on the first drive of the game, the second third down conversion attempt. The Eagles did not blitz, and played a zone coverage. Campbell kept his eyes downfield like he's taught, but for some reason, did not feel all the pressure behind him. Campbell knows he is supposed to step up in the pocket in this situation, and he'll see his mistake in the film room. By not sliding up in the pocket, Campbell's big windup allowed an Eagles rusher to get his hand on the ball and force a fumble, which was recovered by Casey Rabach.
Campbell's second mistake came on a third down play in which they scored a touchdown against the Bengals the week before with the same call. It's a max protect scheme where Randle El runs across the formation trying to draw the coverage, and the Redskins try to slip Santana Moss in between the coverage in the back of the end zone. The Eagles came with a 5 man rush, not the seven man rush the Bengals came with. Moss was very well defended in the end zone, and Campbell threw the ball anyway. Moss made a great defensive play to keep the ball from being intercepted, and the Redskins got three points out of the drive.
Campbell's final mistake was the most obvious: The Eagles brought an overload blitz from the blind side that should have been picked up, but Campbell realized quite early that it wasn't going to be, and scrambled out to his right. That's an early win for the Redskins offense, since the Eagles had dropped coverage on the side Campbell was rolling to. However, the Eagles were bringing a corner and a safety, and there was no way Campbell was going to out run them, so he tried to throw off his back foot out of bounds. Only he threw way too far down the field, and the ball came down in Asante Samuel's arms, only to see him drop it. Would have been a tough pick for Samuel in a full on sprint, but a throw away pass can't be left on the field of play unless the QB's arm is hit as he throws. Campbell knows he's got to get the ball onto the sideline. The Redskins would not get a first down the rest of the game on offense, because the Eagles shut down the run, and the Redskins dropped all of Campbell's short, safe passes in the 4th quarter.

Thought #3
The special teams had a really good game. I don't think I've ever been able to say that this year, but if the Redskins are going to win any games with two replacement-level offensive tackles preventing the offense from moving, someone is going to have to pick up the slack. Ryan Plackemeier has now had TWO good games as the punter of the Redskins. How about that?

And even Antwaan Randle El had a return of over 30 yards. Which is longer than 16, his previous season long. Which is pathetic. Er, was pathetic.

And even though Shaun Suisham missed short again, he was punching the ball into the end zone with regularity on kickoffs, so we know the problem on the FG team isn't a lack of leg power. It's got to be something with the hold, or where Suisham is striking the ball on his longer FGs. Either way, it's can't hurt to change the holder, especially since Todd Collins at holder allows the Redskins to have a fake FG package. I don't see the problem with Suisham on those shorter kicks that others do, as he's usually right down the middle with those kicks, not hugging the goal post on either side.

Thought #4
Troy Aikman mentioned this during the broadcast: the Redskins offense has declined at the same rate it's running game has. The Redskins are now clearly a pass first team. And while that was the plan all along, this change didn't come by design, it was dictated by neccessity. Portis had a good game against the Eagles, but you just can't get Jason Fabini and Stephon Heyer to make their blocks in the running game with any regularity. So instead of the 4.5-5.0 yards per carry that Portis got in the first game, he's now between 3.0 and 4.0 yards per carry. I don't think that's Portis doing any worse, although he certainly had his chances one on one vs. DBs, I just think the OL isn't the run blocking force it was in the first seven games of the season. Ever since Samuels got hurt the first time (against St. Louis), the Redskins have been not-so-great at protecting the passer. Now, they just aren't good run blocking line either. They've re-passed the receviers as the main trouble unit on the offensive side, in my opinion.

Thought #5
Greg Blache says that he wants Jason Taylor to return. While he's not an everydown end at this point in his career, there's two main reasons I want him back next year. The first one is this: there's no chance I see that any of our picks in the 2009 draft go to the defensive line. Offensive Line and Linebacker are both greater need areas. Any cuts we make on the defensive front will simply downgrade our production next season when I fully expect a much-improved offense to help us have a great team. The other reason is that I think Greg Blache, or whoever the defensive coordinator is next year, will easily find a niche in the defense for a player like Jason Taylor. You know who leads the Redskins in sacks this year? Yep, it's No. 55, following his two sack performance against the Eagles.

Jason Taylor is not good against the run at all, but every other player on the Redskins defense is (save maybe LaRon Landry), so there is absoultely a spot on the team for him next year. Now, if the Redskins can save his 8 million cap number next year, and re-invest that money into the team, more power to them, but I like our defensive line in the short term just the way it is right now, and would like to bring back Jason Taylor for one more season. We saw how improved Andre Carter got from year one to year two on the Redskins, I would give Jason Taylor the same chance.

Final Thought
We could play the what if game this week. Had we beaten the Bengals, we would control our own destiny in the NFC playoffs right now. But I'm not worried about that. Had we beaten the Bengals, Blache might not have altered his gameplan to defend the Eagles as well as he did. And going forward, this divisional win, a much needed quality victory, is way more important to the Redskins' future than any win in the AFC. Given the hatred that Eagles fans deserve, this is really the best Christmas gift the Redskins could have given us, much better in my opinion than a 6th seed playoff birth that saw us losing to these guys. If we can go to the west coast and beat the 49ers, the Redskins are guarenteed a 3rd place finish in the NFC East. A loss by the Cowboys, and we finish ahead of them in the standings.

Given, a last place schedule gets the Rams and Lions next year, and a third place schedule gets the Seahawks and Packers. So there's that benefit to losing the game this week. However, any finish ahead of the Cowboys or the Eagles, and you HAVE to consider this a successful season. 9-7 in this division IS something to write home about.

Happy Holidays everyone!

12-23-2008, 05:09 PM	#1
GTripp0012 Living Legend Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Evanston, IL Age: 36 Posts: 15,994	GTripp's non-tape related thoughts on Eagles v Redskins As mentioned in last weeks game tape review, there would be no review of this game, win or lose this week. It will be an offseason project to look through that game and find out exactly how the Redskins won. For now, I'm stuck doing most of this game review off plain old observation and memory. How eighteenth century of me. Thought #1 It remains to be seen whether or not the Redskins will be a better defense in the post-Blache era. But if Blache's poor gameplanning is to blame for defeats to the Cowboys and Giants, then it's only fair to credit Blache for a job well done leading up to the game this week. The same man who ran a poor gameplan in the rain against the Giants that gave Eli Manning a nice pocket and man coverage on his receivers, managed to call a game that -- in the wind this time -- gave Donovan McNabb no where to put the football while he got considerable pressure from the Redskins front four, or oftentimes, three man rush. McNabb was totally stymied when the Redskins defensive line simply held Brian Westbrook coming out of the backfield, which is legal behind the line of scrimmage. It's a very simple strategy to prevent Westbrook from being a receiving threat. There's a reason a lot of teams opt to play zone against the Eagles instead: it's because you cost yourselves a pass rusher doing this, and teams feel like if they can get pressure on McNabb, they can force him into mistakes. Problem is, if you aren't covering his outlet receiver, how the heck are you going to get any pressure on him? The Redskins were able to collapse the pocket with just a three man rush most of the day, and their corners in man coverage on the Eagles WRs, with safety help usually available, is going to be a matchup that heavily favors the Redskins. Except Fred Smoot, who was responsible for pretty much all 10+ yard passes in this one. While DeAngelo Hall has shown questionable fundamentals in tackling, a short fuse causing him to hit people after the play, and you generally don't want him on an island with any receiver, when you give the guy safety help and tell him to play what's in front of him, you can see that he's pretty darn good. I do think Hall can be a good second corner if his secondary mates are Carlos Rogers, LaRon Landry, and Chris Horton next year. Thought #2 Jason Campbell made too many mistakes in this game, which caused Jim Zorn to pull the ball out of his hands in the fourth quarter. I counted three bad plays from Campbell, which will generally cost his team the game, but luckily, none of the three became Redskins turnovers. Campbell's first mistake came on the first drive of the game, the second third down conversion attempt. The Eagles did not blitz, and played a zone coverage. Campbell kept his eyes downfield like he's taught, but for some reason, did not feel all the pressure behind him. Campbell knows he is supposed to step up in the pocket in this situation, and he'll see his mistake in the film room. By not sliding up in the pocket, Campbell's big windup allowed an Eagles rusher to get his hand on the ball and force a fumble, which was recovered by Casey Rabach. Campbell's second mistake came on a third down play in which they scored a touchdown against the Bengals the week before with the same call. It's a max protect scheme where Randle El runs across the formation trying to draw the coverage, and the Redskins try to slip Santana Moss in between the coverage in the back of the end zone. The Eagles came with a 5 man rush, not the seven man rush the Bengals came with. Moss was very well defended in the end zone, and Campbell threw the ball anyway. Moss made a great defensive play to keep the ball from being intercepted, and the Redskins got three points out of the drive. Campbell's final mistake was the most obvious: The Eagles brought an overload blitz from the blind side that should have been picked up, but Campbell realized quite early that it wasn't going to be, and scrambled out to his right. That's an early win for the Redskins offense, since the Eagles had dropped coverage on the side Campbell was rolling to. However, the Eagles were bringing a corner and a safety, and there was no way Campbell was going to out run them, so he tried to throw off his back foot out of bounds. Only he threw way too far down the field, and the ball came down in Asante Samuel's arms, only to see him drop it. Would have been a tough pick for Samuel in a full on sprint, but a throw away pass can't be left on the field of play unless the QB's arm is hit as he throws. Campbell knows he's got to get the ball onto the sideline. The Redskins would not get a first down the rest of the game on offense, because the Eagles shut down the run, and the Redskins dropped all of Campbell's short, safe passes in the 4th quarter. Thought #3 The special teams had a really good game. I don't think I've ever been able to say that this year, but if the Redskins are going to win any games with two replacement-level offensive tackles preventing the offense from moving, someone is going to have to pick up the slack. Ryan Plackemeier has now had TWO good games as the punter of the Redskins. How about that? And even Antwaan Randle El had a return of over 30 yards. Which is longer than 16, his previous season long. Which is pathetic. Er, was pathetic. And even though Shaun Suisham missed short again, he was punching the ball into the end zone with regularity on kickoffs, so we know the problem on the FG team isn't a lack of leg power. It's got to be something with the hold, or where Suisham is striking the ball on his longer FGs. Either way, it's can't hurt to change the holder, especially since Todd Collins at holder allows the Redskins to have a fake FG package. I don't see the problem with Suisham on those shorter kicks that others do, as he's usually right down the middle with those kicks, not hugging the goal post on either side. Thought #4 Troy Aikman mentioned this during the broadcast: the Redskins offense has declined at the same rate it's running game has. The Redskins are now clearly a pass first team. And while that was the plan all along, this change didn't come by design, it was dictated by neccessity. Portis had a good game against the Eagles, but you just can't get Jason Fabini and Stephon Heyer to make their blocks in the running game with any regularity. So instead of the 4.5-5.0 yards per carry that Portis got in the first game, he's now between 3.0 and 4.0 yards per carry. I don't think that's Portis doing any worse, although he certainly had his chances one on one vs. DBs, I just think the OL isn't the run blocking force it was in the first seven games of the season. Ever since Samuels got hurt the first time (against St. Louis), the Redskins have been not-so-great at protecting the passer. Now, they just aren't good run blocking line either. They've re-passed the receviers as the main trouble unit on the offensive side, in my opinion. Thought #5 Greg Blache says that he wants Jason Taylor to return. While he's not an everydown end at this point in his career, there's two main reasons I want him back next year. The first one is this: there's no chance I see that any of our picks in the 2009 draft go to the defensive line. Offensive Line and Linebacker are both greater need areas. Any cuts we make on the defensive front will simply downgrade our production next season when I fully expect a much-improved offense to help us have a great team. The other reason is that I think Greg Blache, or whoever the defensive coordinator is next year, will easily find a niche in the defense for a player like Jason Taylor. You know who leads the Redskins in sacks this year? Yep, it's No. 55, following his two sack performance against the Eagles. Jason Taylor is not good against the run at all, but every other player on the Redskins defense is (save maybe LaRon Landry), so there is absoultely a spot on the team for him next year. Now, if the Redskins can save his 8 million cap number next year, and re-invest that money into the team, more power to them, but I like our defensive line in the short term just the way it is right now, and would like to bring back Jason Taylor for one more season. We saw how improved Andre Carter got from year one to year two on the Redskins, I would give Jason Taylor the same chance. Final Thought We could play the what if game this week. Had we beaten the Bengals, we would control our own destiny in the NFC playoffs right now. But I'm not worried about that. Had we beaten the Bengals, Blache might not have altered his gameplan to defend the Eagles as well as he did. And going forward, this divisional win, a much needed quality victory, is way more important to the Redskins' future than any win in the AFC. Given the hatred that Eagles fans deserve, this is really the best Christmas gift the Redskins could have given us, much better in my opinion than a 6th seed playoff birth that saw us losing to these guys. If we can go to the west coast and beat the 49ers, the Redskins are guarenteed a 3rd place finish in the NFC East. A loss by the Cowboys, and we finish ahead of them in the standings. Given, a last place schedule gets the Rams and Lions next year, and a third place schedule gets the Seahawks and Packers. So there's that benefit to losing the game this week. However, any finish ahead of the Cowboys or the Eagles, and you HAVE to consider this a successful season. 9-7 in this division IS something to write home about. Happy Holidays everyone! __________________ according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

GTripp's non-tape related thoughts on Eagles v Redskins

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