Week 1 Loss - Post Thoughts Here

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by FrenchSkin

Again, our TEs blocking still is an issue in the run game, ie VD on this play... no run game expert but if he blocks his guy it seems like it could've been a solid gain.

Great point and yes you can see #55 on the Eagles (Brandon Graham) chase Guice down from the back side of the play.

Graham is lined up inside Vernon which doesn't make Vernon's job easy, and Graham easily beats Vernon inside because of it, as you'd expect. But notice Graham is able to push Vernon two yards into the backfield immediately. Vernon is never going to seal Graham off on this play, the way Graham is aligned prevents it, but he at least needs to keep Graham from crossing to the Washington side of the line of scrimmage. He needs to stalemate Graham there and force him to run down the line of scrimmage, which would then let Guice get to the line of scrimmage before being contacted, and then you've got a shot at a 3 yard gain to keep the drive on schedule.

Vernon can't give ground so easily, doing so gave Graham the angle to meet Guice in the backfield and stop the play for no gain.