Why all the complaining?

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

I'm probably in the minority here, but for some reason I think we'd still have most of the same offensive problems even if our offensive line was completely healthy.

Portis isn't hitting on all cylinders, Betts hasn't really picked up the slack the way he did last season, and Moss is in a funk. Overall, there just doesn't seem to be much intensity with the players, chemistry between teammates, and general disorganization with coaching.

And no, I never expected us to be on the level of the Patriots.

You actually nailed it, Beemnseven. This whole thing about the offensive line being banged, while true, I really don't think we'd see much different to be honest.

That being said, I think the Pats are going to face their toughest oppenent yet, and I can't wait for the Skins to come home 5-2!!

[TheBigD]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

I'm probably in the minority here, but for some reason I think we'd still have most of the same offensive problems even if our offensive line was completely healthy.

Portis isn't hitting on all cylinders, Betts hasn't really picked up the slack the way he did last season, and Moss is in a funk. Overall, there just doesn't seem to be much intensity with the players, chemistry between teammates, and general disorganization with coaching.

And no, I never expected us to be on the level of the Patriots.

You are correct, sir. In my way to work, I was listenning to Doc Walker on SportsTalk 980. He was saying how sick he is of the team using the O-line as an excuse for being sloppy. Yes, the line is not what they envisioned it to be in the preseason, but you can't just simply give up. I mean the Titans and Panthers won with back-up QBs. Good teams don't just throw in the towel because players get hurt.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by TheBigD

Good teams don't just throw in the towel because players get hurt.

Who threw in the towel? They effing won.

And if Doc Walker thinks that having 60% of your starting linemen injured is not a legitimate reason for a hindered offensive gameplan, he has no business analyzing football. Of course O line injuries have no effect on dropped balls and fumbles, but it has a major impact on pass protection and running lanes.

[AlvinWalton'sNeckBrace]

Originally Posted by TheBigD

You are correct, sir. In my way to work, I was listenning to Doc Walker on SportsTalk 980. He was saying how sick he is of the team using the O-line as an excuse for being sloppy. Yes, the line is not what they envisioned it to be in the preseason, but you can't just simply give up. I mean the Titans and Panthers won with back-up QBs. Good teams don't just throw in the towel because players get hurt.

Isn't Pucillo a tight end most of the time...we didn't play so bad considering. Anyway....back to work, just wanted to get a post in this week...HAIL, and here's to the "any given sunday" factor against the patriots

[JWsleep]

Originally Posted by TheBigD

You are correct, sir. In my way to work, I was listenning to Doc Walker on SportsTalk 980. He was saying how sick he is of the team using the O-line as an excuse for being sloppy. Yes, the line is not what they envisioned it to be in the preseason, but you can't just simply give up. I mean the Titans and Panthers won with back-up QBs. Good teams don't just throw in the towel because players get hurt.

I don't think many of the skins are taking this line--lots of them have said, hey, this happens in the NFL, people need to step up and make plays. Who on the skins (not people on this board! ) ) have said this? But I agree that this issue is sloppiness (i.e., execution) as much as anything. Still, O-line chemistry is an issue--it takes time for these guys to gel sometimes, and when your center is out, it really makes things worse, given the line calls he makes. So replacements can lead to sloppiness, at least in blocks.

But whatever--they've got to find a way to win. Nothing is given to you in this league. Oh, and they did find a way to win last week, despite the sloppiness, injuries, and whatnot. I like JCs comments about peaking in Nov and Dec (and beyond)--the bright side is we haven't played our best football yet, and we're 4-2. Hopefully, we get Rabach back and eventually Thomas. That will be a big boost.

[4mrusmc]

Originally Posted by dgack

First of all, you don't need to be the Patriots and be dominant on both sides of the ball to make the playoffs and make noise in a weak NFC. Chicago Bears anyone?




Oh, I guess you missed the week where he posted the second-best QB rating in the league. Or the numerous third-and-forever plays where his back was against the wall due to penalties and mistakes, and yet he came through despite the defense bringing the house. And, I guess, you figure the 9 dropped passes last week were all his fault.




You lose 90% of your O-line, and then half of the backups, and what do you expect? Frankly, two rushing TD's ought to stop the bitching. I'd rather see Portis rush 90 times for one yard and 3 TD's than peel off 200 yards and get blanked trying to get the scores.

What about keeping drives alive and giving your defense a rest when it is time for you to do something when you have the ball. So far that detroit game is the exception.

[BigSKINBauer]

our o-line is young and inexperienced. They will pick it up more and more as the weeks progress.

[SC Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by BigSKINBauer

our o-line is young and inexperienced. They will pick it up more and more as the weeks progress.

The o-line is the problem, you are obviously right there. They aren't young, though, and the reason everyone is so down, I suspect, is that with the o-line basically in shambles there is not much prospect for improvement of the offense. Getting Rabach back will help, but Fabini is simply not a good player. He can pass block some, but got eaten alive by Dockett today, and cannot run block to save his life. The Skins cannot run right, backs are being forced to make cuts three and four yards deep. I just am far less sanguine about the future prospects of the line than you are. Let's be clear, though, the problem IS the line not Campbell or Portis or Saunders. You could see Campbell's offseason progress in that first half. The throw to Randle El was great, he threw it to the back shoulder because he saw the safety coming over the middle and the read on the abortive shovel pass to Portis where he saw that the Cards read the play and so he tucked it and ran for the first down was great as well. If the Skins can't run, though, they are going to struggle to beat anyone the rest of the way. The Defense was worn down by the end because the offense could not sustain a drive or even pick up a first down. They couldn't open any holes and they couldn't protect Jason, and I'm not sure what is going on with Moss at this point.

[WillH]

Im sorry....WE'RE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!

Originally Posted by WillH

Im sorry....WE'RE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!

LOL...Yeah,why not dream big...Lets start with our divison and make the playoffs....Many of SB teams got there mostly on their strong defense, not offense as much. However, I'd like to see them both get a whole lot better in the coming weeks.

[SouperMeister]

What is troubling is that watching this team is dare I say, like watching the Skins during the Norv Turner era try to give away a game. Let's count the ways:

1. Up 14-0 and having forced a change of possession on downs, Gibbs/Saunders dial up a screen pass on first down at mid-field that is intercepted, leading to a Cardinal score. Instead of seizing the game with a score before the half we let a team on the ropes back in the game - sound familiar?

2. Up 21-6 in the 3rd quarter, the D takes TWO personal fouls on 3rd down stops, all but handing the Cards another score to make it a one TD game again.

3. Ultra-conservative offensive playcalling when it's clear that the Cards are selling out to stop the run. I counted ONE Campbell pass attempt over 20 yards (to Thrash). That is not enough to get Adrian Wilson and gang to respect the pass. We are four years into Gibbs 2.0 and this offense still only scores 3 or more TDs less than one third of the time.

4. At one point, I believe that the Skins had about 10 consecutive runs on 1st down. Is that the kind of predictability that we're paying Saunders $2M to dial up?

Until Gibbs takes the handcuffs off of Campbell and trusts him to make plays downfield, the Skins will remain mired in mediocrity.

[4mrusmc]

Originally Posted by SouperMeister

What is troubling is that watching this team is dare I say, like watching the Skins during the Norv Turner era try to give away a game. Let's count the ways:

1. Up 14-0 and having forced a change of possession on downs, Gibbs/Saunders dial up a screen pass on first down at mid-field that is intercepted, leading to a Cardinal score. Instead of seizing the game with a score before the half we let a team on the ropes back in the game - sound familiar?

2. Up 21-6 in the 3rd quarter, the D takes TWO personal fouls on 3rd down stops, all but handing the Cards another score to make it a one TD game again.

3. Ultra-conservative offensive playcalling when it's clear that the Cards are selling out to stop the run. I counted ONE Campbell pass attempt over 20 yards (to Thrash). That is not enough to get Adrian Wilson and gang to respect the pass. We are four years into Gibbs 2.0 and this offense still only scores 3 or more TDs less than one third of the time.

4. At one point, I believe that the Skins had about 10 consecutive runs on 1st down. Is that the kind of predictability that we're paying Saunders $2M to dial up?

Until Gibbs takes the handcuffs off of Campbell and trusts him to make plays downfield, the Skins will remain mired in mediocrity.

Well said, and I second that. This team is going to get it's ass handed back to them against new england I'm sorry to say.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by SouperMeister

What is troubling is that watching this team is dare I say, like watching the Skins during the Norv Turner era try to give away a game. Let's count the ways:

1. Up 14-0 and having forced a change of possession on downs, Gibbs/Saunders dial up a screen pass on first down at mid-field that is intercepted, leading to a Cardinal score. Instead of seizing the game with a score before the half we let a team on the ropes back in the game - sound familiar?

2. Up 21-6 in the 3rd quarter, the D takes TWO personal fouls on 3rd down stops, all but handing the Cards another score to make it a one TD game again.

3. Ultra-conservative offensive playcalling when it's clear that the Cards are selling out to stop the run. I counted ONE Campbell pass attempt over 20 yards (to Thrash). That is not enough to get Adrian Wilson and gang to respect the pass. We are four years into Gibbs 2.0 and this offense still only scores 3 or more TDs less than one third of the time.

4. At one point, I believe that the Skins had about 10 consecutive runs on 1st down. Is that the kind of predictability that we're paying Saunders $2M to dial up?

Until Gibbs takes the handcuffs off of Campbell and trusts him to make plays downfield, the Skins will remain mired in mediocrity.

After the Giants game you said the offense was too conversative, after the Packers game you complained about Saunders running a reverse to Moss, and wondered why all the need for the trickery. Why not just run the bal straight ahead. And now you're back to wondering why we're running and not more unpredictable

Am I missing something here?

[WaldSkins]

its the oline not campbell, he is playing great after only getting to play for less then 2 full seasons. he was second in the nfc in passer rating coming into the game. the offense looks like shit right now and its on the offensive line being injured. we have 3 starters out on the line. Our yards per play running has decreased every week since week one when we were healthy. if you cant run, it opens up no room for the passing game... Campbell is playing pretty good. his deep ball needs a little air underneath, but his short and midpasses are where they need to be, we just need to catch them....

[MTK]

I'm just amazed that people seem to be shocked that the offense is sputtering with 3 starters out on the offensive line and two others banged up. Samuels is our only healthy starter right now.

Anyone recall the Green Bay game at the end when we couldn't even get a pass off??

Considering how poor the line play was last week I think Buges and company did as good of a job as he could have getting a patchwork line together today.