Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins at Cowboys)

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SouperMeister

I was very disappointed that Banks couldn't give us better field position. On more than one occasion, he fielded kicks short of the goal line and barely returned to the 15. If he's not an X Factor in the return game, Banks is a waste of a roster spot. We certainly could have used Stallworth active when Armstrong went down early.

I was thinking along the same lines with the return game, but I'm not sure it's as simple as pointing the finger at Banks.

The Cowboys kicker didn't have much distance, but he was good at getting hang time on those kickoffs, allowing his coverage to get down there.

[sportscurmudgeon]

No one here can really believe that I am a Haslett apologist but if folks will take a deep breath for a moment, you might be able to see why he decided to make the blitz call on 3rd and 21. I am NOT saying it was a good call because it sure as Hell did not work, but recall this:

There was a playoff game about 6 or 7 years ago between the Eagles and the Packers. The Eagles had the ball and it was 4th and 26. If they do not convert, the game is over and they go home. The Packers rushed 3 people and dropped 8 into coverage; McNabb (folks here know who he is, right?) hit Freddy Mitchell for 26 yards and the Eagles went on to win the game and advance in the playoffs.

The flip side of dropping into coverage is that you will give the other QB time in the pocket and that carries the risk of a big play.

Remember that Bryant did not catch the pass from Romo at the first down marker. Had Hall been right there to bring him down immediately, the Cowboys would have had 4th and 5 or 6 or 7. He was not in tight coverage.

Haslett took a HUGE gamble and it bit him in the ass. In retrospect, something less than "max blitz" might have been a better call.

Hall is supposed to be the guy who takes the other team's best receiver when the game is on the line. Last night DeAngelo Hall did not perform.

Blame both of them if you have to assign blame...

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

Thanks Kyle: They ran the ball twice out of 16 plays in the fourth quarter

Because thats what you do Kyle, you put the ball in Rex's on the road ahead. Brilliant.

Obviously you'd like more balance but I don't have a problem with being aggressive in the 4th quarter. We got to 2-0 with that philosophy.

[mlmpetert]

Rex. He made 3 very bad throws fortunately he only gave up 1 pick. He was also sacked 3 times but I only put the last play of the game as a sack that was his fault. I would point to play calling as the main culprit that forces Rex into bad situations and for his sacks and somewhat for his fumbles.

2 minute drill. Seriously what the f was going on. It wasnt just the 2 minute drill it was every play, just a lack of tempo and awareness of the clock by the entire team and the coaches. Dallas had the chance to rotate 4-6 players for ever nickel situation all night long. Besides the whole lack of tempo the entire game my biggest gripe was on Gaffeny. Gaffney needs to run out of bounds when he has the chance instead of forcing the team to call a timeout.

Play calling. As someone pointed out earlier this year our zone block running game works in the open field but once we get into the redzone our running game drops off because theres nothing we can do. We need some power running schemes badly. The 3 & 21 play, yeah I get the people on Hall’s side, but honestly that was straight up inexcusable by Hasselt. It was even a all out blitz, it was a LOS containment with a couple rushing.

Snapping the ball. I don’t know what the hell was going on with dallas last night, but ive figured out why we have been real good with a lack of offside penalties, its because our snap count is as easy as it gets. Dallas and Ware in particular were jumping the snap because they knew what was up. If youre gonna use a vanilla snap count that’s fine but you got to put a hard count (or let Rex decide when to use a hard count) in there ever so often or a lack of false starts wont mean shit because we are giving up more sacks and having plays broken down from backfield penetration.

[sportscurmudgeon]

Originally Posted by mlmpetert

Rex. He made 3 very bad throws fortunately he only gave up 1 pick. He was also sacked 3 times but I only put the last play of the game as a sack that was his fault. I would point to play calling as the main culprit that forces Rex into bad situations and for his sacks and somewhat for his fumbles.

2 minute drill. Seriously what the f was going on. It wasnt just the 2 minute drill it was every play, just a lack of tempo and awareness of the clock by the entire team and the coaches. Dallas had the chance to rotate 4-6 players for ever nickel situation all night long. Besides the whole lack of tempo the entire game my biggest gripe was on Gaffeny. Gaffney needs to run out of bounds when he has the chance instead of forcing the team to call a timeout.

Play calling. As someone pointed out earlier this year our zone block running game works in the open field but once we get into the redzone our running game drops off because theres nothing we can do. We need some power running schemes badly. The 3 & 21 play, yeah I get the people on Hall’s side, but honestly that was straight up inexcusable by Hasselt. It was even a all out blitz, it was a LOS containment with a couple rushing.

Snapping the ball. I don’t know what the hell was going on with dallas last night, but ive figured out why we have been real good with a lack of offside penalties, its because our snap count is as easy as it gets. Dallas and Ware in particular were jumping the snap because they knew what was up. If youre gonna use a vanilla snap count that’s fine but you got to put a hard count (or let Rex decide when to use a hard count) in there ever so often or a lack of false starts wont mean shit because we are giving up more sacks and having plays broken down from backfield penetration.

Good point. Remember how vital it was to have a fast tempo on the offense and that is one of the things McNabb could not to to the satisfaction of the Shanahans? Well, last night, the tempo was a lot more like a waltz than a disco.

[SirClintonPortis]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

No one here can really believe that I am a Haslett apologist but if folks will take a deep breath for a moment, you might be able to see why he decided to make the blitz call on 3rd and 21. I am NOT saying it was a good call because it sure as Hell did not work, but recall this:

There was a playoff game about 6 or 7 years ago between the Eagles and the Packers. The Eagles had the ball and it was 4th and 26. If they do not convert, the game is over and they go home. The Packers rushed 3 people and dropped 8 into coverage; McNabb (folks here know who he is, right?) hit Freddy Mitchell for 26 yards and the Eagles went on to win the game and advance in the playoffs.

The flip side of dropping into coverage is that you will give the other QB time in the pocket and that carries the risk of a big play.

Remember that Bryant did not catch the pass from Romo at the first down marker. Had Hall been right there to bring him down immediately, the Cowboys would have had 4th and 5 or 6 or 7. He was not in tight coverage.

Haslett took a HUGE gamble and it bit him in the ass. In retrospect, something less than "max blitz" might have been a better call.

Hall is supposed to be the guy who takes the other team's best receiver when the game is on the line. Last night DeAngelo Hall did not perform.

Blame both of them if you have to assign blame...

It's a matter of probability. Cover-0s are easy to burn if you pick it up, and boy our cover 0s have been picked up easily. Actually, if Ogletree wasn't so pathetic, the Cowboys would have burnt us earlier in the game. And Fitzgerald also burnt our cover-0 last week. You rush three, and the QB will need to have a lot of time and luck to make that throw.

[SmootSmack]

Good point about Banks. It was a moot point ultimately, but I mentioned on that last drive he should have just downed in the end zone and saved those seconds.

I don't mind going all out on 3rd and 21. Don't play soft and let them get 10 or so yards. It was 2 down territory for the Cowboys. Go after them

[skinsfaninok]

I agree Dallas would have went on 4th anyway, Hall just got beat shit happens it sucks but we got a BAD BAD Rams team in 5 days.. I say we win pretty easily

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Good point about Banks. It was a moot point ultimately, but I mentioned on that last drive he should have just downed in the end zone and saved those seconds.

I don't mind going all out on 3rd and 21. Don't play soft and let them get 10 or so yards. It was 2 down territory for the Cowboys. Go after them

I'd rather go down being aggressive than play it conservative.

Didn't we all get tired of playing not to lose with Gibbs 2.0? I love JG but his way was a little outdated.

These days you've gotta keep the pedal to the metal.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by skinsfaninok

I agree Dallas would have went on 4th anyway, Hall just got beat shit happens it sucks but we got a BAD BAD Rams team in 5 days.. I say we win pretty easily

Famous last words? I think SJ is back on Sunday for the Rams

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Last night was a chance to make a statement and we didn't. Would rather have been 2-1 with the loss coming to Aruzona

I think that is what hurts the most. That and having a chance to make that statement against the Cowgurls. A team that played AWFUL and still won. Hopefully we'll come back stronger and play better when they come to our place. A really good ass kicking would help erase this feeling of letdown. I hope we rip the Rams a new one.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Obviously you'd like more balance but I don't have a problem with being aggressive in the 4th quarter. We got to 2-0 with that philosophy.

I don't mind the aggressive playcalling but Kyle has to realize that we don't have Brady or Brees. We don't have Andre Johnson. Gotta mix in more runs there.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

No one here can really believe that I am a Haslett apologist but if folks will take a deep breath for a moment, you might be able to see why he decided to make the blitz call on 3rd and 21. I am NOT saying it was a good call because it sure as Hell did not work, but recall this:

There was a playoff game about 6 or 7 years ago between the Eagles and the Packers. The Eagles had the ball and it was 4th and 26. If they do not convert, the game is over and they go home. The Packers rushed 3 people and dropped 8 into coverage; McNabb (folks here know who he is, right?) hit Freddy Mitchell for 26 yards and the Eagles went on to win the game and advance in the playoffs.

The flip side of dropping into coverage is that you will give the other QB time in the pocket and that carries the risk of a big play.

Remember that Bryant did not catch the pass from Romo at the first down marker. Had Hall been right there to bring him down immediately, the Cowboys would have had 4th and 5 or 6 or 7. He was not in tight coverage.

Haslett took a HUGE gamble and it bit him in the ass. In retrospect, something less than "max blitz" might have been a better call.

Hall is supposed to be the guy who takes the other team's best receiver when the game is on the line. Last night DeAngelo Hall did not perform.

Blame both of them if you have to assign blame...

He never covers anyone. What else is new? I can't blame him there cause he is what he is. He needs help there. That's on Haslet.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

I don't mind the aggressive playcalling but Kyle has to realize that we don't have Brady or Brees. We don't have Andre Johnson. Gotta mix in more runs there.

Agreed. The best way to be aggressive is lull the defense into some complacency with a few conservative runs.

I realize losing Armstrong hurt our deep threat, but still...

[GridIron26]

The players/coaches that deserve to be smacked are Rexy, J. Brown, and Kyle Shanahan. Rexy showed us and the national exactly why Bears and Texans let him go. Rexy often make good plays AND bad plays. Unfortunately, this time Rexy's bad plays cost us the game.

Trent Williams handled Ware pretty well last night, although he did get away with few holding penalties. But Brown could not handle Ware nor Spencer. Rob Ryan was smart to attack Brown once it was evident that Brown could not handle Ware. We might have won the game if Brown could handle Ware and Spencer on his own.

Kyle called a vanilla game last night, although he did call good plays first several series. But the offense then stalled later in the game. Granted, some has to do with Rexy's bad plays. I wished Kyle would include Davis more in the game. Not to bash on Cooley but it seemed like Cooley could not sting Dallas D with his speed as Davis would. Cooley is one of my favorite Redskins players, but I actually wished that Davis was the primary target over Cooley last night. I really believed that Davis would hurt Dallas D more. Also, I was disappointed that Kyle turned away from running game, especially right after Hightower was running good. Hightower and Helu more than often were always a break-tackle away from hitting homeruns. Kyle have to keep feeding the ball to Hightower and Helu - they will end up making big runs eventually.

Despite what many people, I actually believe Haslett called good game last night. Our D held Cowgirls offense to field goals only. Cowgirls offense could not capitalize on Redskins turnovers - Redskins D held them pretty good. Orakpo's absence in 4th quarter is evident. Although Rob Jackson made a good play, but he could not apply pressure consistently as Orakpo did. I know, Haslett made a bad call on 3 down & 21 yards, but it was sorely based on Romo's play. Romo made a great play on that play. Like Shanny said in post game interview - it happens, sometimes we call right plays and sometimes we call bad plays. Whatever happens, we move on. We should feel good about our defense, now that Landry is back. It looks like our defense will be top 10 this year, which is big jump from last year.