Sunday, October 31, 2010

Some quick post-game thoughts

First of all... yes, I'm back. Sorry about last week, my work schedule just didn't allow any blog time.  However we will be back on a regular schedule now and though other reponsibilities will still occasionally get in the way of the blog it won't be as severe as it has been over the past month. The Lions game review will proceed as normal.  A couple quick points on this game:

- The Redskins are 4-4.  Given that most of us thought we would be lucky to be a .500 team this year, it seems rather odd that some people are shocked and disgusted that the Redskins are .500 at the Bye week. This is a flawed team that has displayed the flaws we expected to see.

- On a related note, I would like to see an end to the chatter about the Redskins "playing down to their opponent." By definition, only good teams can "play down to their opponent." I don't think there is a basis for claiming that the Redskins are convincingly better than the Lions, at least not sufficiently better that they should be expected to win and any other result can only be the result of some sort of psychological letdown. The Lions massively improved their defensive line this offseasone (N'Damokung Suh, Corey Williams, Kyle Vanden Bosch). This strong defensive line beat the pants off an offensive line which we already knew to be poor. How does our weakest unit getting beaten by their best unit constitute "playing down to their level"?

- I re-watched the first half of the Bears game this morning, and then of course the Lions game today. In both it seems there were occasional four-man fronts featuring both Haynesworth and Carriker on the same side. I look forward to looking at this more closely. Those are pretty clearly the Redskins' two best defensive linemen, and unfortunately they mostly play in different packages. I am all in favor of finding ways to get them both on the field at the same time.

- Brandon Banks was great today, but his ball security iss terrifying. In both the Bears and Packers games he lost a ball while going to the ground. Maybe they were cases of "the ground causing a fumble" and they never could have been recovered anyway, but nonetheless it raises doubts about his ability to hang onto the ball while sustaining contact. And of course he had a fumble today.  One of these weeks he is going to kill us.

- The last-minute benching of McNabb is worrisome. He was certainly inconsistent in the first part of the season, but he was obviously victimized by his offensive line play at times and we knew coming in he would be the victim of random bouts of inaccuracy. But against Chicago, and continuing this week, the wheels seem to have come off. If we're up to week 8 and McNabb is not trusted to know how to execute the 2-minute offense, then there are definitie concerns with the extent to which he has applied himself to learning the new scheme. And not to make too much out of a little thing, but does his inability to adjust his footwork as the Shanahan's desire indicate a deeper lack of receptiveness to this coaching regime? This could very well all blow over, but given the uneven results so far and McNabb's still unresolved contract situation, we have to at least consider if the coach-quarterback relationship has not progressed in the way the Redskins anticipated when they traded a second round pick for the guy. I'm thinking the bye week came at a good time.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Sorry everybody

As I have mentioned previously I am in the middle of the busy season at work, and am generally not getting home til quite late at night (in fact I'm writing this at the office) so that's why you haven't seen any progress on a game review for this week.  Don't worry I only have one more week of this absurdity and then we will be back to a normal situation where work only sometimes gets in the way of the blog. Anyway, it's hard for me to predict right now when I will next have free time but when it happens I will be doing something about that Bears game.  Whether we only do certain quarters, or maybe do an abbreviated game review, or something, will be determined when we get there I guess.  Just didn't want you to think I had forgotten about it or lost interest - I'll be back at it soon.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Redskins vs. Colts 4th quarter game review

1st quarter review
2nd quarter
3rd quarter

FOURTH QUARTER

2-4-WAS 28 (15:00) J.Addai up the middle to WAS 23 for 5 yards (L.Fletcher).

Carter and Alexander take on the LG and RT but are on the line in a standing position and obviously give up leverage to the linemem. Golston is the only man with his hand on the ground at the nose but the C (too) easily overpowers him. All three are carried to the offensive left creating a rather obvious cutback lane, and the lack of any other presence on the line allows the RG to get out to Fletcher 5 yards downfield. First down.

1-10-WAS 23 (14:35) (No Huddle) J.Addai right end to WAS 17 for 6 yards (L.Fletcher). FUMBLES (L.Fletcher), RECOVERED by WAS-L.Landry at WAS 17. L.Landry to WAS 17 for no gain (P.Garcon). IND-J.Addai was injured during the play. His return is Questionable. 29- Shoulder Injury

On a stretch to the right the backside guard fails at cutting Golston so he is able to come down the line and wrap up Addai as he starts to turn upfield. Before he is dragged down Fletcher comes from downfield and lowers his shoulder right into the ball, knocking it out.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Redskins vs. Colts 3rd quarter review

First quarter review
Second quarter review

THIRD QUARTER

P.McAfee kicks 67 yards from IND 30 to WAS 3. B.Banks to WAS 25 for 22 yards (J.James, K.Dawson).

Washington Redskins at 15:00, (1st play from scrimmage 14:54)

1-10-WAS 25 (14:54) R.Torain left tackle to WAS 35 for 10 yards (C.Session, P.Angerer). PENALTY on WAS-T.Williams, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at WAS 29.

Davis does a good job kicking the OLB to the outside and Cooley, who initially motioned to the playside, turn, reverses again and cuts off the backside purtsuit. Williams gets a solid second level block on the MLB, but although his hands are inside he hooks the jersey sleeve a bit too noticeably and gets called for the hold.

1-16-WAS 19 (14:34) D.McNabb pass incomplete short right to C.Cooley (P.Angerer) [A.Johnson].

The DTs stunt and Rabach and Lichtensteiger initially adjust just fine, but despite good positioning Lichtensteiger is knocked aside and McNabb takes a helmet to his chest as he throws. Cooley has the MLB by a step on an out. The ball is just a little bit in front of him but probably should have been caught.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Redskins vs. Colts 2nd quarter review

1st quarter review is here

SECOND QUARTER

1-10-IND 46 (15:00) P.Manning pass short right to P.Garcon to WAS 43 for 11 yards (D.Hall).

1-10-WAS 43 (14:34) (No Huddle, Shotgun) J.Addai left tackle to WAS 40 for 3 yards (L.Fletcher).

Colts run a draw to take advantage of Orakpo’s outside rush, but Fletcher reads it immediately.

2-7-WAS 40 (14:04) (No Huddle) P.Manning pass short left to R.Wayne pushed ob at WAS 28 for 12 yards (P.Buchanon).

Reed Doughty threatens the LG with a blitz and pulls him inside to open a blitz lane for Moore, but Moore is picked up by the RB. Alexander beats the RG to the outside and starts to close in, but Manning is not rattled by the shrinking pocket.

1-10-WAS 28 (13:56) (No Huddle) J.Addai right tackle to WAS 24 for 4 yards (C.Rogers).

OK I’m all in favor of replays but not when they make me miss the first half of the next play. There appeared to be a lot of blockers on LBs – couldn’t tell you how they got there - but Rogers beat the block of a WR and lowered his shoulder to make a hit on the RB and keep the gain modest.

2-6-WAS 24 (13:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) P.Manning pass short right to P.Garcon pushed ob at WAS 10 for 14 yards (L.Landry).


1-10-WAS 10 (13:21) (No Huddle) J.Addai right end to WAS 5 for 5 yards (L.Landry, D.Hall).

The TE kicks Carter to the outside and Jarmon is moved off the line by a C-RG double team. The LT tries to get out to the second level to block Doughty, but Doughty slips under his arm to get into the hole but the RB manages to dodge him.

2-5-WAS 5 (12:48) (No Huddle, Shotgun) P.Manning pass short middle to A.Collie for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Rogers seems to think he is responsible for the flat and expect a safety to be behind him in the end zone, but Kareem Moore helps Philip Buchanon against the outside receiver and the slot guy springs wide open in the end zone.

Redskins vs. Colts 1st quarter review

FIRST QUARTER

G.Gano kicks 69 yards from WAS 30 to IND 1. K.Moore to IND 19 for 18 yards (C.Wilson).

Indianapolis Colts at 15:00, (1st play from scrimmage 14:56)

1-10-IND 19 (14:56) J.Addai left tackle to IND 23 for 4 yards (L.Fletcher, L.Alexander).

The center carries Golston off the line on a stretch play.

2-6-IND 23 (14:26) (Shotgun) P.Manning pass short right to B.Eldridge to IND 28 for 5 yards (H.Blades).

Lorenzo Alexander (LOLB) is unblocked by the TE, which is of course the plan as that same TE then takes the pass in the flat.

3-1-IND 28 (13:41) (No Huddle, Shotgun) PENALTY on IND-K.DeVan, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at IND 28 - No Play.


3-6-IND 23 (13:16) (Shotgun) P.Manning pass incomplete deep middle to A.Collie (C.Rogers).

Orakpo and Alexander both standing on the offensive right. Orakpo tries an inside move on the LT but Alexander works inside on the LG so they trip each other up, but Orakpo falls forward and interferes with Manning’s ability to step into his throw, leading to an underthrow and what should have been an interception.

Indianapolis challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was Upheld. (Timeout #1.)

4-6-IND 23 (13:06) P.McAfee punts 52 yards to WAS 25, Center-J.Snow. B.Banks pushed ob at WAS 41 for 16 yards (B.King).


Washington Redskins at 12:54


1-10-WAS 41 (12:54) D.McNabb pass incomplete short left to M.Sellers (D.Freeney).

The RDE (Freeney) stands up Trent Williams and pushes him into the middle of the backfield, while Jammal Brown fails to contain a spin move from Mathis (LDE) and allows pressure from McNabb’s right. McNabb is forced to try to dump it off to Sellers but it is deflected, quite dangerously.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Redskins vs. Packers 4th quarter and Overtime game review

1st quarter game review
2nd quarter
3rd quarter

FOURTH QUARTER

3-13-WAS 47 (15:00) (Shotgun) D.McNabb pass short middle to C.Cooley to GB 42 for 11 yards (P.Lee, A.Hawk).

4-2-GB 42 (14:17) D.McNabb pass incomplete deep right to A.Armstrong.

The line easily absorbs the three man rush, but nothing comes open downfield. An ILB is on top of Torain to take away the dumpoff option, and the other ILB is spying McNabb so he can’t run for it. He eventually throws it deep, but its essentially a throw-away.

Green Bay Packers at 14:09

1-10-GB 42 (14:09) (Shotgun) A.Rodgers sacked at GB 40 for -2 yards (P.Daniels).

Alexander is at LOLB and despite getting picked up by the RB he forces Rodgers to step up, but Daniles at LDE has completely overpowered the RT and closed off Rodgers’ escape route.

2-12-GB 40 (13:32) (Shotgun) A.Rodgers pass short right to B.Jackson to GB 39 for -1 yards (L.Landry).

The RB takes the dumpoff in the flat with plenty of room in front of him, but Landry closes like a missile to take him down hard.

3-13-GB 39 (12:54) (Shotgun) A.Rodgers pass short middle to D.Driver to GB 44 for 5 yards (C.R.ogers).

Lorenzo Alexander rushes from a standing position over the RG. He works his way inside, blows past the C’s left shoulder, then is picked up by the LG but drives him straight back into Rodger’s face and forces a rushed throw well short of the sticks.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Redskins vs. Packers 3rd quarter review

THIRD QUARTER

M.Crosby kicks 62 yards from GB 30 to WAS 8. B.Banks to WAS 26 for 18 yards (K.Hall).

Banks takes a hard hit from the right side and the ball pops right out, but rolls out of bounds. No replay was shown and he may well have been down before the fumble, but it does nothing to assuage my worries about Banks’ ball security.

Washington Redskins at 15:00, (1st play from scrimmage 14:56)

1-10-WAS 26 (14:56) R.Torain up the middle to WAS 28 for 2 yards (A.Hawk).

The DT maintains his feet despite Hicks’ attempt to cut him and is waiting for Torain in the hole.

2-8-WAS 28 (14:17) D.McNabb pass short right to R.Torain to WAS 33 for 5 yards (C.Peprah).

Zero blockers get in front of Torain for this screen.

3-3-WAS 33 (13:35) D.McNabb pass short middle to S.Moss to WAS 46 for 13 yards (N.Collins).

1-10-WAS 46 (12:55) D.McNabb pass incomplete deep left to J.Galloway.

In just about the least-threatening corner blitz ever, the CB over Santana on the far right is spotted by both Torain and Sellers while he’s about 15 yards away, and both set to block him and have to wait awkwardly a few seconds. McNabb has plenty of time, but Galloway is not at all open on a go route – in fact the corner is a couple steps in front of him – so McNabb plays it safe by basically throwing it away deep.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Redskins vs. Green Bay 2nd quarter game review

You can find the first quarter review here. Play by play info is in bold and taken from the NFL Gamebook, and my commentary is added below.

SECOND QUARTER

2-4-WAS 20 (15:00) (Shotgun) A.Rodgers pass short right to J.Jones to WAS 9 for 11 yards (R.Doughty; D.Hall).

Holliday lines up as the only DL and tries to occupy both the C and RG to open a blitz lane for Landry, but the RG does a nice job of seeing Landry early and adjusting, allowing Rodgers to hit the flanker on an out.

1-9-WAS 9 (14:17) (Shotgun) A.Rodgers pass short right to J.Nelson pushed ob at WAS 1 for 8 yards (D.Hall).


2-1-WAS 1 (13:40) J.Kuhn right guard to WAS 1 for no gain (A.Carriker; C.Wilson).
Carriker and Golston go low to prevent a surge by the line. Maake tries to but fails and actually gets lifter out of the hole. But Chris Wilson comes off the offensive right edge to start wrapping him up from behind, then Rocky closes and Carriker rises up from the ground to make sure the RB can’t fight his way into the end zone.

Redskins vs. Green Bay 1st quarter game review

FIRST QUARTER
G.Gano kicks 69 yards from WAS 30 to GB 1. P.Lee to GB 8 for 7 yards (F.Davis).

Excellent kick coverage by Chris Wilson.

Green Bay Packers at 15:00, (1st play from scrimmage 14:54)


1-10-GB 8 (14:54) A.Rodgers pass short right to G.Jennings to GB 16 for 8 yards (D.Hall).

An easy hook against Hall’s soft coverage.

2-2-GB 16 (14:18) A.Rodgers pass short left to D.Lee to GB 33 for 17 yards (L.Landry). FUMBLES (L.Landry), RECOVERED by WAS-K.Moore at GB 34. K.Moore to GB 21 for 13 yards (B.Bulaga). GB-J.Finley was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.

Orakpo overpursues and loses contain, allowing Rodgers plenty of time on the bootleg. The TE is wide open when he catches the pass but doesn’t see Landry coming and the ball is knocked out.

Washington Redskins at 14:04


1-10-GB 21 (14:04) R.Torain right end to GB 21 for no gain (C.Woodson).

Torain gets to the corner despite Jammal Brown being pushed into the backfield, but Galloway leaves the CB unblocked.

2-10-GB 21 (13:27) R.Torain up the middle to GB 22 for -1 yards (B.Raji). GB-R.Pickett was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.

Lichtensteiger and Cooley (at LTE) both pull right and Trent Williams blocks an ILB, so there is no one to cut off the backside pursuit.

3-11-GB 22 (12:46) (Shotgun) D.McNabb FUMBLES (Aborted) at GB 27, and recovers at GB 41. D.McNabb to GB 44 for -3 yards (C.Matthews).

The snap wasn’t all that high, and it didn’t even look like McNabb wasn’t expecting it, it just bounced off his hands.

4-33-GB 44 (12:23) H.Smith punts 34 yards to GB 10, Center-N.Sundberg, out of bounds.

4.4 seconds

Green Bay Packers at 12:17


1-10-GB 10 (12:17) (Shotgun) B.Jackson left guard pushed ob at WAS 19 for 71 yards (D.Hall; L.Landry).

Kedric Golston is moved off the line by a double team, and while Carriker and Orakpo nearly succeed in caving in the right side of the offensive line the RB slips through the tiniest of holes just before it squeezes shut. Three more failures turn this into a massive gain: Fletcher overpursues and gets caught on the wrong side of Golston’s double team, Hall quits on the play early (apparently assuming all that traffic at the line meant it was stuffed) and then is not in position to make a play after the RB pops through the line, and Kareem Moore is caught flat footed and makes an incredibly weak tackle attempt unworthy of a professional safety. Credit is also due to Greg Jennings for a very solid downfield block on Buchanon.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Some late Monday night Redskins reading

Hi folks.

As you no doubt noticed, I have not posted anything since the third quarter review of the Eagles game.  This is entirely due to the absurd work hours I've been pulling lately (including weekends) and I just can't always get to things as quickly as I'd like.  I have a couple more weeks of work hell, then things should get more reasonable.  Even until then I will do my best to get as much done as possible.

One thing I learned last year is that once I get behind on game reviews its best to cut losses and move on rather than get bogged down on stuff that is already dated, so I will not be doing the 4th quarter of the Eagles game and will instead move straight to the first quarter of the Packers game.  I'm getting a jump on in tonight, but will finish it up tomorrow.  Until then, here's some recommended reading in case you're one of those people who's not all that interested in Brett Favre's genitals:

Friday, October 8, 2010

Redskins @ Eagles 3rd quarter review

1st quarter review 2nd quarter review

THIRD QUARTER

D.Akers kicks 70 yards from PHI 30 to WAS 0. D.Thomas to WAS 24 for 24 yards (O.Gaither).

Washington Redskins at 15:00, (1st play from scrimmage 14:55)

1-10-WAS 24 (14:55) D.McNabb pass incomplete deep right.

2-10-WAS 24 (14:47) C.Portis up the middle to WAS 32 for 8 yards (T.Cole).

Hole is opened by RG Will Mongtgomery (now in for the sick Artis Hicks) blocking down on the DT and Sellers cutting the LDE, then Lichtensteiger and Brown take out the LBs to create the significant gain.

Timeout #1 by WAS at 14:18.
3-2-WAS 32 (14:18) (Shotgun) D.McNabb pass incomplete short left to A.Armstrong. PENALTY on PHI-E.Sims, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at WAS 32 - No Play.

McNabb has to get the ball out quick because an OLB comes unblocked off the edge. His hot route is Armstrong on a hitch but the DB jumps the route. After McNabb got the ball out it looks like the LB took a good three steps before hitting McNabb, so the penalty is not a shock.

1-10-WAS 47 (14:15) C.Portis left tackle to PHI 42 for 11 yards (Q.Mikell).

Montgomery traps the RDE, then Sellers, Heyer, and Brown each put a solid block on a linebacker.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Redskins @ Eagles 2nd quarter review

First quarter review is here.

SECOND QUARTER


4-13-WAS 31 (15:00) D.Akers 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Dorenbos, Holder-S.Rocca.
WAS 14 PHI 3, 10 plays, 43 yards, 4:52 drive, 0:05 elapsed

D.Akers kicks 70 yards from PHI 30 to end zone, Touchback.

Washington Redskins at 14:55
1-10-WAS 20 (14:55) D.McNabb pass short right to C.Cooley to WAS 26 for 6 yards (B.Graham).

This screen should have been a big gain. The LDE drops into coverage because all 3 LBs blitz to the opposite side. Jammal Brown is the only blocker here and has the LDE lined up but just misses his block and Cooley is taken down after a moderate gain with a lot of open field in front of him.

2-4-WAS 26 (14:20) C.Portis up the middle to WAS 32 for 6 yards (T.Cole).


1-10-WAS 32 (13:46) D.McNabb pass incomplete short left to J.Galloway.

The DT brushes aside Casey Rabach, and the backfield is unable to help out because Portis has to account for a safety blitzing from the offensive right and Sellers helps out Heyer with a chip before releasing into the flat. But McNabb nicely sidesteps and steps up in the pocket before throwing low to Galloway.

2-10-WAS 32 (13:38) R.Torain left end to WAS 27 for -5 yards (M.Patterson).

A DB dives right through Sellers’ legs to trip up Torain and allow the rest of the defense to swarm him in the backfield.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Redskins @ Eagles 1st quarter review

Welcome back.  As always the play by play is taken directly from the official NFL game book with my commentary added beneath in its own font.  Let's go -

FIRST QUARTER

G.Gano kicks 69 yards from WAS 30 to PHI 1. E.Hobbs to PHI 28 for 27 yards (R.Doughty).

Philadelphia Eagles at 15:00, (1st play from scrimmage 14:55)

1-10-PHI 28 (14:55) (Shotgun) M.Vick pass short right to L.McCoy to PHI 28 for no gain (L.Alexander).

The DBs and LBs are all over the multiple curl routes, so Vick has to take the dumpoff but Alexander closes quickly to prevent a gain.

2-10-PHI 28 (14:17) (Shotgun) M.Vick pass short left to L.McCoy to PHI 35 for 7 yards (R.McIntosh).


3-3-PHI 35 (13:35) M.Vick pass incomplete short left to L.McCoy.

With Vonnie Holliday inactive, Haynesworth is on the field as the one lineman – this one appears to have 4 LBs and 6 DBs (Doughty and Moore as deep safeties with Landry in the box) rather than the usual 1-5-5. This is kind of cool – Landry walks right up to the LOS across from the LG… then drops back. Then at the snap Rocky feints towards the LG while dropping into coverage, and Landry loiters about making the RG think he may be on a delayed blitz. End result is that the Gs are frozen and block nobody and the three pass rushers – Orakpo, Haynesworth, and Chris Wilson (at LOLB) all have one on one matchups. Haynesworth shoves the C aside quite easily because that’s what Haynesworth does with centers when given the opportunity and almost wraps up Vick, but Vick manages to barely slip out of his arms and escape the pocket - but he never finds a receiver and has to throw it away.

4-3-PHI 35 (13:27) S.Rocca punts 57 yards to WAS 8, Center-J.Dorenbos. B.Banks to PHI 39 for 53 yards (O.Gaither).

I am usually skeptical of returners who have the label of “home run threat” because they so often are dancers and the returns that they don’t break for big gains often turn out to be almost nothing. On a punt I think the first priority is to get the 8, 10, 12, or however many yards are available to you, and anything more is bonus – for the simple reason that first downs are hard to come by in the NFL and consistently shaving one first down off of each drive leads to significant numbers of additional points over the course of the season. But what I like about Banks is that as soon as he gets the ball he is pressing downfield. No running sideline to sideline hoping to get a huge hole. He gets that 8 or 10 yards, then once he is past that first wave of coverage guys he picks a hole and just goes – with enough elusiveness to delay contact but not so much that it impedes his progress downfield. There were two visible but uncalled blocks in the back here (Horton and Landry) and each may have played a role in getting Banks to the sideline, but honestly you can find those on almost any big return so I’m certainly not going to let them detract from my enjoyment.

Washington Redskins at 13:12


1-10-PHI 39 (13:12) S.Moss right end pushed ob at PHI 34 for 5 yards (Q.Mikell). PENALTY on PHI-Q.Mikell, Personal Foul, 15 yards, enforced at PHI 34.

I would just like to say that I am not a big fan of an end around for the first snap of the game. It’s a play that’s usually more effective if it has been set up by previous plays. I don’t get it. Nice block by Cooley to give Moss the corner. Then Moss gets horse-collared for 15 more.

1-10-PHI 19 (12:45) C.Portis left end to PHI 12 for 7 yards (E.Hobbs).

Fred Davis at LTE does a good job sealing the OLB to the inside, and Santana gets his hands on a DB to let Clinton turn the corner – then Clinton lowers his shoulder and inflicts a little pain on a cornerback before going down. But Clinton’s afraid of contact now, remember?

2-3-PHI 12 (12:08) R.Torain left end for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Beautiful play – damn near brought a tear to my eye. Rabach and Lichtensteiger keep the DTs to the inside. Hicks starts at RG but swings across the back of the formation to knock the RDE to the outside – allowing Heyer to get to the second level after a chip on a DT. Heyer manhandles the MLB while Sellers leads through the hole and puts the SLB on his back. After 5 yards Torain is met by a safety, but he lowers his head and runs right through him. Then the touchdown is secured by Cooley haven gotten way downfield and perfectly squared up the last DB who could have a chance. Perfectly blocked, but still shows off the running ability of the back. If you appreciate football on an aesthetic level, then this play approaches perfection.

Game review tonight

Looks like alot of people have been checking in yesterday and today so I want to let you know that the 1st quarter review should be up later tonight.  Got stuck working crazy hours yesterday but should get home at a reasonable hour today so I should be able to bang it out this evening.  So see you soon I guess.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Live chat during the game

During the game I will be in a live chat with a number of other bloggers hosted by TBD.  Click here to join.

A weekly roundup post

THE RAMS LOSS

I would like to remind everyone once more that there was near unanimity coming into the season that the Redskins would be an improved team but still deeply flawed, and this would probably lead to mediocre results.  That doesn't mean we should feel good about the loss to the Rams, but losing games to bad teams is something that  flawed teams like the Redskins do.  Some perspective:

- I think most of us would have predicted the Redskins to be 1-2 at this point.  We would probably have had the Dallas win as a loss and the Rams loss as a win, but the result is the same.  We're right where we thought we would be.

- The Rams get paid.  Seriously.  They were, in fact, motivated to win and spent their entire week preparing for the Redskins.  Livelihoods were at stake on their side too.  This seems obvious, but often times in reactions to losses it seems as if people consider the Redskins to be operating in a vacuum.  The Redskins' failures are solely the result of their own incompetence, or worse yet their lack of "heart" or "character" or "will to win" or other stuff that I have never seen adequately defined.  But the Rams are made up of guys who are good enough at football that they are able to do it for a living.  The Redskins played poorly, but the Rams also played well.  That happens in sports.


Saturday, October 2, 2010

Redskins @ Rams 4th quarter game review

1st quarter review
2nd quarter
3rd quarter

FOURTH QUARTER

2-8-WAS 46 (15:00) K.Darby right tackle to WAS 33 for 13 yards (K.Moore).

Carriker gets too high and his stood up by the RG and RT – the RT then sheds off and gets to the second level to neutralize Fletcher while the LF pulls to the right and blocks Rocky to keep the running lane open.

1-10-WAS 33 (14:29) K.Darby right tackle to WAS 27 for 6 yards (K.Moore).

Redskins in a two DL nickel dormation with Haynesworth and Carriker. The C blocks down on Carriker and does a good job of helping the RG carry him out of the play, then comes off and squares up Fletcher to open the hole.

2-4-WAS 27 (13:49) (Shotgun) K.Darby left guard to WAS 24 for 3 yards (L.Fletcher).


3-1-WAS 24 (13:08) K.Darby up the middle to WAS 22 for 2 yards (B.Orakpo).

Golston is driven to the ground by the RT and TE.

1-10-WAS 22 (12:25) K.Darby left guard to WAS 19 for 3 yards (P.Daniels, L.Fletcher).


2-7-WAS 19 (11:47) (Shotgun) S.Bradford pass incomplete short left to D.Amendola.

Haynesworth burst through the A gap from a nickel alignment but get tripped up and goes to the ground. He tries to recover and get his hand into Bradford’s face but is unable to create real pressure – Bradford misses the WR on the screen all by himself.