Armstrong bad choice?

[Swarley]

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

I agree, but I think the overeaction is due to the hype we have given these newbies. Can't quit on AA after one game, but face it we have been overhyping our young WR corp for two seasons with nothing to really justify it. Armstrong is just the newest member in a cast that has been said by most in this forum to be ready to bust out. I don't think people would be so impatient if the hype/ kool aid machine wasn't turned up so much. That just leads to unrealistic expectations.

I agree and in this case the point about overreacting applies to everyone. We just really need to wait and see, just as it's over-hyping on one end, it's the complete opposite on the other end and neither is a valid conclusion at this point in the season.

To me AA is a good story, and a guy that by all accounts worked his butt off to make this team. If he can give us something on offense (which our coaches must think he can) than we got something. I dont think it's going to change the fact that we need WR help because even if he pans out we're getting up there in age at the position. It's just a bit silly to be talking about a "bad choice" already, imo.

[FRPLG]

I am sure I have heard a saying...
Patience is a bird in the bush....no
Patience is overrated...no
Oh a "virtue"...Patience is a virtue.

Seems to apply.

[DCtoAZ]

Week 1 ... We Won the game 13-7 and are 1-0

However Armstrong is a cool choice to have around but how about as a 4th WR .. DT #11 should get his way into the lineup at somepoint, think of how last season he finished strong.. that reverse against NY comes to mind along with the Saints game ... It has to be Moss,Thomas,then Galloway or Armstrong .. who are we kidding here ?? All that being said ... If we can somehow get Vincent Jackson we have to make that move ... this team has to much MoJo and hype to go all year with the hopes of Moss making every play .. I agree Davis needs to get more involved which I think will happen as well ... sorry for the rambling but i'm just not comfortable with Armstrong but i'm not giving up on the guy either .... Maybe we should put D.Hall as the IronMan

[pg86]

Originally Posted by jsarno

What was with all the love for this guy, then he dropped a TD that he really needed to catch?
Granted, first game, but I watched some routes and I was not all impressed. Anyone else care to shed some light on this guy?

I am with you he needed to catch that but first off Mike Knows that he should of called a better route than that on the second try second He's a rookie, third that corner was hanging all over him its only uncatchable when their hanging on your neck like a drunk girl at a bar.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by pg86

I am with you he needed to catch that but first off Mike Knows that he should of called a better route than that on the second try second He's a rookie, third that corner was hanging all over him its only uncatchable when their hanging on your neck like a drunk girl at a bar.

Depends on what you consider a rookie. He's a rookie in terms of playing time, but you are aware he was signed by the Dolphins and couldn't crack their lineup last year right? He was signed by the Dolphins in July of 08. Singed to the Dolphins practice squad in Sept 08. Signed to the Dolphins January 09. So it's not like he hasn't been around NFL football. He's 27 and wasn't able to crack the Dolphins lineup for a reason, and he was targeted 5 times vs the cowboys and ony caught 1 pass for a reason.
I do agree the second ball was not catchable, but his route running was suspect as well. I just don't see why people are impressed with this kid. I don't see the potential apparently. Keep in mind, it's not like he didn't play football professionally, he played for Odessa and Dallas (desperados).

[30gut]

I watched parts of the game again.
And Ruhskins is right Cooley was open.

Armstrong might have been the WR for that particular play at that particular time.
But, not for the reason everyone thinks but because he was coming into the game cold.
1) He had barely been on the field and wasn't targeted on any pass plays until then.
How's this for pressure his very 1st NFL pass target was a stutter fade in the RZ against a top NFL CB/bitter division rival.

2) Armstrong was the wrong choice on that particular play was as Ruhskins pointed out: Cooley was more open for a much easier throw and catch if McNabb had waiting a nose hair longer.
The worst part is that Cooley was open again on the second play too.

I'm sure this is one of the plays McNabb regrets from the game that he mentioned in his press conference and on his radio show.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by 30gut

I watched parts of the game again.
And Ruhskins is right Cooley was open.

Armstrong might have been the WR for that particular play at that particular time.
But, not for the reason everyone thinks but because he was coming into the game cold.
1) He had barely been on the field and wasn't targeted on any pass plays until then.
How's this for pressure his very 1st NFL pass target was a stutter fade in the RZ against a top NFL CB/bitter division rival.

2) Armstrong was the wrong choice on that particular play was as Ruhskins pointed out: Cooley was more open for a much easier throw and catch if McNabb had waiting a nose hair longer.
The worst part is that Cooley was open again on the second play too.

I'm sure this is one of the plays McNabb regrets from the game that he mentioned in his press conference and on his radio show.

I've read a couple of places that Armstrong was the right read on that play because of the blitz Dallas came with..

On the more general topic, I expect that Thomas will be the #2 WR by season's end. He's put together some good games last season and once he earns Kyle's trust/respect I think he will earn a role in the offense.

[30gut]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

I've read a couple of places that Armstrong was the right read on that play because of the blitz Dallas came with..

Really where did you read that?
I would be interested to see that b/c if you listened to the presser or the interview he seems to spefically refering to this play (at least the second time) as a mistake/throw he would like to have back.
ESPN 980 Audio Vault - Play Now

Originally Posted by Kevin Sheehan

Was there a play or 2 specifically that you can point to that you would love to have back?

Originally Posted by Donovan McNabb

A couple of passes that i threw in the RZ where i possibly could have went somewhere else

Originally Posted by Paintrain

On the more general topic, I expect that Thomas will be the #2 WR by season's end. He's put together some good games last season and once he earns Kyle's trust/respect I think he will earn a role in the offense.

IF he earns the Kyle's trust and right now he seems pretty fair away from that considering that he can't get on the field.
But, either way wether its by committee or someone steps up i have full confidence that our passing game will be fine.
There were WRs open yesterday and there were plays that were missed and mistakes that were made that will be minimized as the season progresses.
The passing game will improve as McNabb and Kyle gets more comfortable with each other and with the receivers.

[CRedskinsRule]

In terms of the 2nd pass. I remember in the off-season MS saying something to the effect that he will do that sometimes, especially if the player knows he ought to have caught it, as kind of a way to redeem himself.

[MTK]

Height wasn't a factor on those passes to him anyway. He flat out dropped the first and the 2nd was well defended.

[KI Skins Fan]

On point comments:

1. Armstrong should have caught the first fade pass. If he wants to play in the NFL, he'd better start making the plays he needs to make. I'm not throwing him under the bus. He just needs to make the tough catches to stick.

2. I think that using Devin Thomas, who has a longer reach and good hands, might have been a good choice for that play. Nevertheless, I admit that I don't know how well (or poorly) Devin runs that play. Fred Davis could have been used there, as well.

Related comments:

1. Our WR corps is weak. Very weak. We need to stop kidding ourselves about that.

2. If Vincent Jackson's suspension is reduced to three games on Thursday, then Shanahan should offer SD his left nut in trade for Vincent. He would solve part of our WR problems.

3. If the Skins don't trust Brandon Banks enough to use him as a KR or WR, they might as well put him on the taxi squad and bring up Terrence Austin who I think can play WR in this league.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by KI Skins Fan

On point comments:

1. Armstrong should have caught the first fade pass. If he wants to play in the NFL, he'd better start making the plays he needs to make. I'm not throwing him under the bus. He just needs to make the tough catches to stick.

2. I think that using Devin Thomas, who has a longer reach and good hands, might have been a good choice for that play. Nevertheless, I admit that I don't know how well (or poorly) Devin runs that play. Fred Davis could have been used there, as well.

Related comments:

1. Our WR corps is weak. Very weak. We need to stop kidding ourselves about that.

2. If Vincent Jackson's suspension is reduced to three games on Thursday, then Shanahan should offer SD his left nut in trade for Vincent. He would solve part of our WR problems.

3. If the Skins don't trust Brandon Banks enough to use him as a KR or WR, they might as well put him on the taxi squad and bring up Terrence Austin who I think can play WR in this league.

You're absolutely right.

What is going on with Banks anyway...I liked that kid in the preseason. He has major speed and he can make our return game explosive. Then again, who knows really.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by jsarno

You're absolutely right.

What is going on with Banks anyway...I liked that kid in the preseason. He has major speed and he can make our return game explosive. Then again, who knows really.

They're probably letting him work on holding onto the ball before putting him in a real game. He fumbled once for each great return...literally.

DT was great. By the time he works his way into the starting lineup, Banks will probably get onto return duties.

I'm guessing Roydell will be the odd man out when these two get promoted.

[skins89moss]

Originally Posted by jsarno

You're absolutely right.

What is going on with Banks anyway...I liked that kid in the preseason. He has major speed and he can make our return game explosive. Then again, who knows really.

The difference between KC and the Redskins is the Cheifs have to let their young rookies play. Dexter McCluster and Javier Arrenas are rookies but they made a huge impact in the win over San Diego. The Redskins think they have a chance to win this season so they rather play it safe by playing Galloway,instead of Thomas at WR. Also not letting Brandon Banks return KR or PR. Rookies will make mistakes at times but sometimes when you have speed and young legs you will get the big plays.

[scowan]

Guys I think all of this will normalize this week against Houston. Armstrong will have more catches and Arian Foster will have fewer runs. I don't see Foster going for 230 yards against us and I also don't see us only scoring 13 points either. Will we win? I don't know, but every week is different and I think Houston realized they could run on the Colts and keep Manning off the field and they did so successfully, which was good game planning. I think McNabb will be more successful every week and get more players involved. I also predict a 100 yard week out of Portis. I don't know who has the advantage on Game Planning this week, with Houston knowing what we will do and Kyle Shannahan knowing what they will do. Either way, Houston doesn't know what Hasslet is going to do that's for sure!