What's Our Weakness?

[SmootSmack]

Ok, this has been great the past month talking about how all aspects our team (passing, running, defense) have stepped up during our winning streak. But as hot as we are right now, there must be something that could hold us back. Some area of our team that opponents could expose to our disadvantage.

So, what's our biggest weakness going into the playoffs?

[Redskins_P]

As much as I hate to say it....our Secondary. Both of our safeties are very young and green and could easily get exposed (like the 1st Cowboys game), and if one of our corners go down (God forbid), then we're looking at Leigh Torrence covering either #1 or #2 wideout. I don't know about you, but that scares the crap out of me.

Don't get me wrong though, they've played their asses off, but I'm sure teams are going to be testing them in the playoffs. Especially Seattle.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Ok, this has been great the past month talking about how all aspects our team (passing, running, defense) have stepped up during our winning streak. But as hot as we are right now, there must be something that could hold us back. Some area of our team that opponents could expose to our disadvantage.

So, what's our biggest weakness going into the playoffs?

The immobility of Collins. If we can protect him well enough, we'll do great. But if he gets pressured, I see him getting sacked and fumbling.

We can certainly protect him well enough to allow him to get the quick hitters out in time, those five-step-drop-and-ball-comes-out throws. But if we want to stretch the field, we have to give him time for a seven stepper. We did real well with that against the Cowboys, though Ware did beat Samuels and sacked Collins for a fumble. Luckily we did well enough the rest of the game to beat them into submission.

We've got to stay strong on defense, because if a team manages to get to Collins and prevent us from trying anything deep, or God forbid turning the ball over a lot, we're going to need to keep the scores low. I don't worry about Collins throwing INTs at all, I worry about DEs coming around and smacking the ball out of his hand.

[skinsguy]

Hhhmmm...everything has been so improved, it's hard to really say what big glaring weakness might expose us. With that said, I'd probably say our pass rush and pass protection. I've given the OL and Buges a lot of credit for their improvement, but defenses are still able to get to our QBs a few times per game. Our DL, while again is much improved, still rely on good coverage from our secondary in order to have time to get to the QB. We need to continue to develop more of a pure pass rush despite what are secondary is doing. If Matt Hasselbeck receives a lot of pressure from our DL, Seattle is in for a long day because I just do not believe Alexander can beat us. On the flipside, if we give Matt plenty of time, he can beat us.

So, our strengths and weaknesses are in the trenches.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I agree about the secondary. If we keep playing out of our minds we'll be fine. I do like the fact that Seattle really only has one decent WR. We just CANNOT let people behind us. They're smallish (weight-wise) so if we're physical and jam them up, we could be giving people some alligator arms.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Ok, this has been great the past month talking about how all aspects our team (passing, running, defense) have stepped up during our winning streak. But as hot as we are right now, there must be something that could hold us back. Some area of our team that opponents could expose to our disadvantage.

So, what's our biggest weakness going into the playoffs?

I'm really concerned about Heyer this week. So far he has been very solid. But this week he's going to have to deal with a very very loud stadium with speed pass rushers. We had better give him some help, even if it hurts the passing game. We can't afford to have our qb gettting hit and fumbling the ball. I remember the 05 game and the O-line really struggled w/out Thomas.

I'm also concerned with the emotional state of the team. After the last 5 weeks these guys have to be emotionally drained. Can they get re-focused, travel across country on a short week to play a good Seattle team? Seattle is one of the toughest places to play in the NFL. I'm not going to bet against these guys, but this is going to be a very very tough task.

[freddyg12]

Redskins P has a good point; the secondary has been playing great ball, but the safeties are young & both Springs & Smoot are not the most durable corners. PLus, Smoot got burned on a few plays v. Dallas that could've been costly.

Schneed is right too, the pass pro has to continue to give collins time. I've been almost amazed at how long he's had in the pocket these past 4 weeks. This is a pass rushing team, so I expect a no. of screens & draws + plays for Cooley before we air it out a couple times deep.

To answer the question though, I would say our biggest weakness is the same that it's been all year - running right. We can't run right until late in games when we've worn teams down. It limits our run game early & forces us to pass more.

[mheisig]

I'd say overall depth. We're already using backups in so many positions that losing anyone else from here on out is going to be killer.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

I agree about the secondary. If we keep playing out of our minds we'll be fine. I do like the fact that Seattle really only has one decent WR. We just CANNOT let people behind us. They're smallish (weight-wise) so if we're physical and jam them up, we could be giving people some alligator arms.

I seriously disagree there, they have 4 decent wr's; Branch, Hackett, Engram & Burleson. None are pro bowl caliber other than maybe Branch, but all have their strengths & can get open. Anyone of those guys could start as our #2.

See this article on Engram, he put up some big #s:

ESPN - Almost 35, Engram endures thyroid illness, roster attrition and thrives - NFL

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by mheisig

I'd say overall depth. We're already using backups in so many positions that losing anyone else from here on out is going to be killer.

That's true, good point. When you see the depth perform so well, it feels like there's a bottomless well of talent. But in reality the well runs dry eventually. We need to stay healthy.

[dgack]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

I seriously disagree there, they have 4 decent wr's; Branch, Hackett, Engram & Burleson. None are pro bowl caliber other than maybe Branch, but all have their strengths & can get open. Anyone of those guys could start as our #2.

See this article on Engram, he put up some big #s:

ESPN - Almost 35, Engram endures thyroid illness, roster attrition and thrives - NFL

Sure, they all produced against weak opposition. Branch is possibly one of the most overrated WR's in recent memory, and the rest of those guys are decent but unspectacular. It's a team full of WR2's and 3's.

Besides, saying any one of those guys could start as our #2 is like saying anybody here could become the chief trash collector for the city of DC. It might or might not be true, but in either case it's not particularly impressive

[MTK]

Believe it or not Bobby Engram had 94 catches for 1147 yards and 6 scores.

A tad better than your typical #2.

They have a solid and deep WR corps. Our secondary should have it's hands full.

[12thMan]

I'm not too worried about the secondary or the defense. Realistically, we've been shutting teams down. I don't know how much longer we can expect to put up the type of numbers we have defensely.

But to Schneed's point, if there is a weakness, I would say Collins' lack of mobility. My main concern is that giving up turnovers and sacks on the road allows the crowd into the game and gives the other team momentum. It's just a tough thing to overcome when playing on the road. But is there anything this team can't overcome?

[jamf]

Depth and Consistency.

We can't afford to lose Olinemen, DB's or Linebackers.

Also, We need to be consistent with overall play. Seattle is going to dink and dunk all day. We need to find a way to get off the field on 3rd downs on defense and convert 3rd downs on offense.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

I'm not too worried about the secondary or the defense. Realistically, we've been shutting teams down. I don't know how much longer we can expect to put up the type of numbers we have defensely.

But to Schneed's point, if there is a weakness, I would say Collins' lack of mobility. My main concern is that giving up turnovers and sacks on the road allows the crowd into the game and gives the other team momentum. It's just a tough thing to overcome when playing on the road. But is there anything this team can't overcome?

Good point, right now it's tough to say yes to that.

Whenever something doesn't go their way, they just keep their heads up and keep plugging away until things do go their way.

This team just doesn't get flustered.