The Redskins Are Close

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

It seemed like yesterday we were enduring the August sun and training camp predictions. Anything and everything about Brian Orakapo, Marko Mitchell, or Marcus Mason was newsworthy and commanded our attention. Now two games into the regular season and we're sharply focused on a Redskin team like a couple of know it all interns bickering over how to treat a patient who just got wheeled into the emergency room. While the situation may require medical assistance, what's ailing the patient is not life threatening. Not even close.

I asked myself if I were the fan of another team, who happens to catch all the Redskins games live, what would be my honest assessment of this team and where do I see them going. Because grading something -anything- is difficult when you're so emotionally invested in the outcome. So I'm taking a step back. Where's that damn Paintrain thread when you need it!

I really don't want to rehash the team's epic failures in the red zone, because it's been well documented here and elsewhere. In fact, it's been talked about over and over and over again. I don't think there's one person breathing today that will put more pressure on Jim Zorn this week than Jim Zorn. We saw the offense open up from week one to week two. Coach Zorn just needs to take the next step, and I believe he will.

Besides coach Jim Zorn the other Redskin causing angst among the faithful is Jason Campbell. Right now Campbell is ranked 15th in the NFL in passing. Let me throw a few names out there for perspective. Mark Sanchez, Carson Palmer, and Aaron Rodgers, who by the way, has been sacked 10 times already, all rank below Campbell statistically. For all the critcism he's been receiving, some warranted some not, you would think he's chucking the ball in the air like Jake Delhomme. So let's be a little honest here, Campbell has been solid and probably a little more given the dropped passes he's had at critical moments thus far. I'm not a Jason Campbell apologist, but I sometimes wonder if the tables were turned and Campbell wore another uniform how many trade threads would be requesting for him to come play for Washington so that Zorn can "coach him up."

This team just needs to keep on winning until they find the easy button. If winning ugly is the formula for now, I'll take it. I'd much rather be going into week three bitching and moaning about Zorn than going into week six or seven bitching about Zorn. There's no way Moss will continue to be ineffective that much longer. Especially with the way Cooley and Kelly have started. I think Sellers and Thomas catch those balls next time. And honestly, I don't think losing Randy Thomas will be that big of a deal. He hasn't played a ton of downs over the past few years anyway, and when he has he wasn't exactly dominant, so I don't see any major disruption along the offensive line regardless of who they plug in to replace Thomas.

All of that being said, the Redskins will handle their business in Detroit. I'm not calling for a close game either. The Redskins are 7-2 in indoor facilities in the last six years, including 2004 and 2008 wins over the Lions at Ford Field. The defensive line found another gear last week and should only get better as the season wears on. And I think --hope --Zorn opens up the offense inside the twenty. I won't predict a final score, but I think the Skins by 17 points is doable. From there, I think they finish the season with six losses.

Here's to a big, big win in the Motor City this weekend!

I'm doing an end run around the Debbie Downers, who think that seeing the glass as half empty is the same thing as football wisdom, and return to the OP.

Good job here. I agree with most of what you say (I'm still leery of Moss, though). The offense has been moving the ball well and just needs to take that one last (but critical) step. The defense improves with each quarter played.

Whether ugly or pretty, a win is a win and counts the same in the standings.

[CRedskinsRule]

From ESPN
Giants game
Time Qtr length start plays yards result
02:11 2 01:50 WAS 23 7 77 Touchdown

[hooskins]

I think I agree with Skinny here. In the end of the Giants game the chances of winning were quite small when that final drive started. Gmen knew we needed the onside kick. On the Cooley TD, however, they did blitz, not just drop back.

I also think we need to distinguish between "garbage drives" and end of first half drives. I think being able to move up and down the field before halftime is huge as it has an impact on momentum. As soon as Hunter got that TD we gained some momentum back. Otherwise it was about to be a slaughter the way the game had been going.

[NYCskinfan82]

I beleive they are very close all teams have bad games, the Rams was ours, it's only the 2nd game of the season and it was a win.

[CultBrennan59]

redskins barely win 16-13

[saden1]

Just watched the Lions vs Viks game on NFL Rewind and I must say the Lions looked good on several drives. I didn't know they have Larry Foote playing for them now and they did a pretty decent job against Peterson. They're not going to be easy to beat for any of you that think this game should be a gimme.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by saden1

Just watched the Lions vs Viks game on NFL Rewind and I must say the Lions looked good on several drives. I didn't know they have Larry Foote playing for them now and they did a pretty decent job against Peterson. They're not going to be easy to beat for any of you that think this game should be a gimme.

I don't think anyone thinks this is going to be an easy game, including the Redskins.

[44Deezel]

Originally Posted by saden1

Just watched the Lions vs Viks game on NFL Rewind and I must say the Lions looked good on several drives. I didn't know they have Larry Foote playing for them now and they did a pretty decent job against Peterson. They're not going to be easy to beat for any of you that think this game should be a gimme.

Yeah, but it was a divisional game. Even when the Cowboys were 1-15, they would play us tough. Divisional opponents always seem to play each other tough. I believe the Lions were close to beating the Vikes last year. But I hear ya. We can't sleep on the Lions... or anyone for that matter.

[rypper11]

Originally Posted by saden1

Just watched the Lions vs Viks game on NFL Rewind and I must say the Lions looked good on several drives. I didn't know they have Larry Foote playing for them now and they did a pretty decent job against Peterson. They're not going to be easy to beat for any of you that think this game should be a gimme.

The Lions have a great LB crew (Foote, Ernie Simms and Julian Peterson) and a good front line (Grady Jackson and Sammie Hill are too huge to move). Add that Schwartz is a great defensive strategist and coach, and I see them as a much improved defense. If they would play offense like the SKins (ultra-conservative passing and running behind Jansen) they should win a lot of 9-7 games.
Hopefully not this week, though. Let's hope they air it out and try to be aggressive so Stafford can add to his 5 picks.

[tootergray34]

that garbage touchdown we scored at the end is also known as the ... spreadbuster! or better known as the "backdoor cover" thank you redskins...at least you won money.

oh and if you like money...go ahead and be on washington this week... we will beat the kitty kat lions by at least 2 touchdowns.

we will pick off stafford the staff infection at least a half dozen times. mwauhahahaha

[Skinny Tee]

Originally Posted by tootergray34

that garbage touchdown we scored at the end is also known as the ... spreadbuster! or better known as the "backdoor cover" thank you redskins...at least you won money.

oh and if you like money...go ahead and be on washington this week... we will beat the kitty kat lions by at least 2 touchdowns.

we will pick off stafford the staff infection at least a half dozen times. mwauhahahaha

Nice...the Warpath's own wager advocate.

How much money are you putting down on the Redskins to beat the spread this week? I want to see how sure you are.

...Do you want to bet your signature that they'll beat the spread?

[tootergray34]

there is no such thing as a "gimme game" in the NFL...these are professionaly paid people playing a game. much like a caged animal...if you let it loose...anything can happen. that said, i think we take care of business...we have better players on paper...it's just a question of if they decide to show up...and most importantly ..... if we execute.

[doughtydoubter]

The 44 points come from our monster blockbuster strategy of keeping 5rbs on the roster!
dammit!

[12thMan]

I think SkinnyTee broke the record for number of posts in one thread.

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

I think SkinnyTee broke the record for number of posts in one thread.

He's currently speaking of himself on the "third person", and searching for a publicist.......