Tony McGee's Thoughts on Tampa

[SmootSmack]

Former NFL great Tony McGee sat down with TheWarpath.net front office Tuesday morning and answered some TheWarpath.net questions about the Redskins 36-35 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Please be sure to visit http://www.tonymcgeeplus.com and watch Tony McGee's Pro Football Plus Saturdays at 11:30 am on Comcast SportsNet and DirecTV to see Tony and his panel of guests answer "TheWarpath.net Question of the Week". This week's question is "Is it time to start Carlos Rogers?" Ok, let's get started with Tony's thoughts here:

Tough loss for the team. BigSkinBauer, then answer to your question and I'm sure a lot of other people is no, Alstott was not in. His elbow was clearly down. And also that was a bad call early in the game on the pushout. BrudLee, the replay system needs to be adjusted to allow more plays to be reviewable and referees have to be willing to admit mistakes. But all that can be avoided if the Redskins don't put themselves in position to let the referees be a factor. The first thing that needs to happen is they have to eliminate those early turnovers. TAFKAS, your question is about Brunell and his fumbles. Here's what I'm seeing. Brunell holds the ball back ready to pass it until the last possible second. We've seen many times that he's turned a big play out of seemingly nothing when he does this, but there are times he's gotten burned on it. You don't want to take away from his playmaking ability, but the team simply has to stop turning the ball over. We ran the ball well Sunday. Big C, to answer your question I think that was all Clinton Portis. He was making good cuts, seeing the field well. It was vintage Clinton. I also thought going into the game that Tampa's running defense was a bit overrated and the Redskins took full advantage of that. So with that in mind, Redskins_P when you ask should they have run on 3rd and 2 at the end of the game. My answer is yes, absolutely. It's the safest and smartest play. And with the way Portis was running it should have worked. Even if the defense sees it coming you still run it. More often than not the defense isn't surprised by the type of play (run or pass) that's coming. It all comes down to talent and execution.

Let's talk about the defense now. Sean Taylor being out was huge. You're not going to see a lot of plays over the middle if Taylor is in there. And Walt Harris started the season off well but lately he's been very vulnerable. But what it comes down to is lack of pressure. It bothers me that they couldn't pressure Simms, someone who's had trouble this season. And you know I still can't tell if it's scheme or talent. I think these players are talented and I think Williams is a smart coach. So I'm tempted to think it's just timing. Everything comes down to executing at the right second. If you mistime it just slightly everything is off. I'll tell you what though, LaVar needs to see more action as a pass rusher. As for LaVar's decision to leap on that Alstott conversion, I don't think it made that big a difference. It's a gamble, but it's 50/50 he makes the tackle leaping or on the ground.

At this point of the season close losses like this are harder to take than a blowout. But you have to put it behind you and move forward. They'll need to sweep the rest of their home games and probably take two of three on the road. Don't be fooled by Oakland's record. This is a dangerous team. FirstandTen, this is how you stop the Oakland passing attack. You lock Shawn Springs on Moss the entire game. Wherever Moss goes, Springs goes. And you let him go one on one with him. Use the linebackers and safeties to help provide pressure on the QB. You can stop Collins if you rush him into making decisions.

The season is far from over, but it's time to go on a long winning streak.

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Tony McGee's NFL career started in 1971 where he was a starting defensive end for the Chicago Bears. In 1974, Tony began a 7 year stint with the New England Patriots and earned the nickname, "Mac the Sack." His unique ability to swarm opposing quarterbacks helped coin the phrase, "designated pass rusher." Tony's career as a Washington Redskin began in 1982, and included a Super Bowl championship. Tony ended his spectacular career in 1985 with 106 career sacks and played in over 200 games -- a feat achieved only by a select group of NFL defensive linemen.
For more information visit http://www.tonymcgeeplus.com

[Redskins_P]

Thanks Tony, and TAFKAS!

[Big C]

thanks tony, very good insight

[MTK]

So with that in mind, Redskins_P when you ask should they have run on 3rd and 2 at the end of the game. My answer is yes, absolutely. It's the safest and smartest play. And with the way Portis was running it should have worked. Even if the defense sees it coming you still run it. More often than not the defense isn't surprised by the type of play (run or pass) that's coming. It all comes down to talent and execution.

I think this point is especially magnified with the way the Eagles blew the game last night.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I was JUST thinking that last night.

[That Guy]

best of his articles yet.

[jermus22]

Good word, Tony! Thanks again.