What it takes to be a playoff team

[44Deezel]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

Someone pointed out that Bill Parcells drafted six lineman in last year's draft as his way of rebuilding the franchise. True 'dat.

More importantly, some of those rookie linemen actually - you know - put on their pads and played in games on Sunday afternoons. He didn't just accumulate large bodies with the hope that someday a few of them might be taught how to play. He drafted guys who could actually play as rookies.

Perhaps the scouts and the FO for the Redskins could take notes here...

He would have played our guys as well if he drafted them. I don't care if Kelly and Thomas were going out for passes riding unicycles. Our passing game couldn't have been any worse than it was. Now we'll have to suffer through watching both of them (and Davis) make rookie mistakes next year, because they didn't see the field enough this year. They'll have games like DeSean Jackson had against us (and it could cost games).

[firstdown]

If you noticed that the teams that had good passing numbers had bad D's. I think the Cards success yesterday came from having homefield and fans going crazy and they will not win next week.

[44ever]

Strong Defense seems to be the main factor. Ravens and Eagles drove that point home this weekend. A good running game doesn't hurt either. (isn't that right Sproles?)

[redskinsrob]

That's why Marino never won a SB. No defense or a running game.

[44Deezel]

Originally Posted by Defensewins

This morning I was watching NFL network and they were running stats. I have never been a stats guy but I was surprised at what it showed.

In the 2008 regular season stats

The top passing teams:
1) N. O. Saints - did not make the playoffs
2) Arizona Cardinals - made it but I am not impressed. They will get beat soon.
3) Denver Broncos - Did not make the playoffs
4) Houston Texans - Did not make the playoffs
5) Philly - Good team

The Top Running Teams:
1) NY Giants- Solid playoff team
2) Atlanta Falcons- average playoff team
3) Carolina Panthers- Solid playoff team
4) Baltimore Ravens- Solid playoff team
5) Minn. Vikings-ok team

The Top Defense fewest points allowed:
1) Pittsburgh Steelers
2) Tenn. Titans
3) Baltimore Ravens
4) Philadelphia Eagles
5) NY Giants

You have run the ball and play defense.
The passing game while important enough to be balanced on offense, is clearly overrated. The teams that can run the ball effectively a dn play good defense usually win.

The top running teams also spread the ball around, while Zorn decided to run Portis into the ground and all but ignored the RBs in the passing game(Turner and Peterson had more carries, but they don't have near the wear and tear Portis does):

Carries
Giants - Jacobs 219, Ward 182, Bradshaw 67
Falcons - Turner 376, Norwood 95 (and 36 receptions), Ryan 55
Panthers - Williams 273, Stewart 184
Ravens - McClain 232, McGahee 170, Rice 107, Flacco 52
Vikings - Peterson 363, Taylor 101 (and 45 receptions)

Redskins - Portis 342, Betts 61 (only 6 more than Flacco), Campbell 47

With our receiving corps, you would think the running backs would be a bigger part of the passing game. I'd love to see Rock get a few passes each game. We've seen what he can do in open space. Look how the Chargers utilized Sproles and the Eagles utilized Westbrook (71 yard screen pass for a TD yesterday). Even the Dolphins got some big plays from a dude named Cobbs... their third RB.

I'm just sayin'.

[KLHJ2]

I do not care what the stats tell you, here is the truth.

If you score more points than your opponent, then you win.

If you prevent them from scoring more points than you, then you win.

Note 1: It does not matter if you did it by running the ball, passing the ball, or returning the ball as long as you score points and keep the other team out of the endzone.

Note 2: If you do these things better than 20 other teams, then you will make the playoffs.


Let me ask you a question, what do the experts say if SD were to win the SB? They didn't finish top 5 in any category so the whole theory would go to crap.

[Jake2008]

Originally Posted by Angry

I do not care what the stats tell you, here is the truth.

If you score more points than your opponent, then you win.

If you prevent them from scoring more points than you, then you win.

Note 1: It does not matter if you did it by running the ball, passing the ball, or returning the ball as long as you score points and keep the other team out of the endzone.

Note 2: If you do these things better than 20 other teams, then you will make the playoffs.


Let me ask you a question, what do the experts say if SD were to win the SB? They didn't finish top 5 in any category so the whole theory would go to crap.

SD only made the playoffs because of the crappy division they are in and the complete collapse of the Broncos. They are playing their best football now and getting on a hot streak happens to all good teams, it just depends on when you hit it.

But you can't argue with the general results. Yes there will always be some exceptions, but in general it has been proven time and again that defense wins championships.

[wvuskins]

A real GM, not some yes man who puts together rosters like its a fantasy football squad.

[vallin21]

You need to start a team from the top down to the players. Our FO just pays people who they think will make revenue for the franchise they don't care if Portis calls out the Head Coach. If we had a no nonsense guy like Parcells we would see alot more playoff births and wins than being a 500 team.

[Daseal]

The Redskins didn't score more than 30 points once this year. Not a single time. It's important to have balance. All the teams you listed with high powered throwing attacks, don't have anything remotely resembling a running game. However, the run teams you listed are all able to pass the ball VERY effectively. Having a run game helps, but having a TRUE #1 WR helps a ton too. Keeps them from stacking the box every play.

Like it or not, this makes the Giants radically different with and without Plaxico Burress.

[44Deezel]

Originally Posted by Daseal

The Redskins didn't score more than 30 points once this year. Not a single time. It's important to have balance. All the teams you listed with high powered throwing attacks, don't have anything remotely resembling a running game. However, the run teams you listed are all able to pass the ball VERY effectively. Having a run game helps, but having a TRUE #1 WR helps a ton too. Keeps them from stacking the box every play.

Like it or not, this makes the Giants radically different with and without Plaxico Burress.

Radically? That's debatable. The Giants had good games without him. They scored 44 against the Seahawks (and only beat the Bengals 26-23 in OT with him) and scored 34 against Carolina. In fact, his only 100 yard game was against the Skins in week 1 when they scored 16 points. His best game after week 2 was 4 catches for 58 yards against Cleveland. I know he draws coverage, but the Giants are still a good team, running AND passing, without him and it won't surprise anyone if they still win it all.

Now watch them go out and lay an egg against the Eagles

I wouldn't describe Carolina's or Minnesota's passing games as VERY effective either. Their passing games were credible and it was impossible to make either of them one dimensional (Eli killed us when we held the run in check).

And I'm not sure a "true" #1 WR is all that important. The Chargers, Ravens and Eagles looked pretty good without one. As much as I'd like to have a top WR, I think there's better places to spend money. There are a lot of top WRs who didn't make the playoffs this year or probably won't be going that far - (Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, TO, Wes Welker, Roddy White, Greg Jennings, Brandon Marshall, Reggie Wayne, etc.). I think it's more important to spread the ball around (WRs, TEs, Backs, etc.), so the offense can still function if any single player is taken out.

We heard all year long that Moss was being double teamed downfield. If so, why not design more plays underneath to the RBs? McNabb had a 71 yard TD pass on a 5 yard dump off yesterday and Sproles and Cobbs had big plays in the passing game for SD and Miami.

I think the Skins could have had a better passing offense with better coaching and better play calling.

But in the end you're right. It takes balance.

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by 44Deezel

Radically? That's debatable. The Giants had good games without him. They scored 44 against the Seahawks (and only beat the Bengals 26-23 in OT with him) and scored 34 against Carolina. In fact, his only 100 yard game was against the Skins in week 1 when they scored 16 points. His best game after week 2 was 4 catches for 58 yards against Cleveland. I know he draws coverage, but the Giants are still a good team, running AND passing, without him and it won't surprise anyone if they still win it all.

Now watch them go out and lay an egg against the Eagles

I wouldn't describe Carolina's or Minnesota's passing games as VERY effective either. Their passing games were credible and it was impossible to make either of them one dimensional (Eli killed us when we held the run in check).

And I'm not sure a "true" #1 WR is all that important. The Chargers, Ravens and Eagles looked pretty good without one. As much as I'd like to have a top WR, I think there's better places to spend money. There are a lot of top WRs who didn't make the playoffs this year or probably won't be going that far - (Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, TO, Wes Welker, Roddy White, Greg Jennings, Brandon Marshall, Reggie Wayne, etc.). I think it's more important to spread the ball around (WRs, TEs, Backs, etc.), so the offense can still function if any single player is taken out.

We heard all year long that Moss was being double teamed downfield. If so, why not design more plays underneath to the RBs? McNabb had a 71 yard TD pass on a 5 yard dump off yesterday and Sproles and Cobbs had big plays in the passing game for SD and Miami.

I think the Skins could have had a better passing offense with better coaching and better play calling.

But in the end you're right. It takes balance.

Shit, Minnesota doesn't have a passing game dude!!! Jackson can't take any heat at tall and makes too many mistakes. When your best QB is an old journeyman QB like Frerotte is now, you are screwed. Tarvis Jackson is going to be seen as a major bust. My advice to Minnesota is to draft a Qb with their first pick. Maybe the kid from Missouri will be available for them.

[DarkKnight]

Originally Posted by Defensewins

This morning I was watching NFL network and they were running stats. I have never been a stats guy but I was surprised at what it showed.

In the 2008 regular season stats

The top passing teams:
1) N. O. Saints - did not make the playoffs
2) Arizona Cardinals - made it but I am not impressed. They will get beat soon.
3) Denver Broncos - Did not make the playoffs
4) Houston Texans - Did not make the playoffs
5) Philly - Good team

The Top Running Teams:
1) NY Giants- Solid playoff team
2) Atlanta Falcons- average playoff team
3) Carolina Panthers- Solid playoff team
4) Baltimore Ravens- Solid playoff team
5) Minn. Vikings-ok team

The Top Defense fewest points allowed:
1) Pittsburgh Steelers
2) Tenn. Titans
3) Baltimore Ravens
4) Philadelphia Eagles
5) NY Giants

You have run the ball and play defense.
The passing game while important enough to be balanced on offense, is clearly overrated. The teams that can run the ball effectively a dn play good defense usually win.

you might not be impressed with the Cards, but they made the playoffs, so wheather they get beat or not......what makes a good playoff team is having all the right parts.

[freddavisbro86]

oline doin there part and defenseeeeeee