1st quarter review
2nd quarter review
3rd Quarter
T.Morstead kicks 59 yards from NO 30 to WAS 11. D.Thomas to WAS 26 for 15 yards (C.Roby).
Washington Redskins at 15:00, (1st play from scrimmage 14:57)
1-10-WAS 26 (14:57) R.Cartwright right end to WAS 31 for 5 yards (S.Shanle).
2-5-WAS 31 (14:17) J.Campbell pass incomplete deep right to M.Kelly (M.McKenzie).
Rock doesn't notice the MLB blitzing up the middle and Campbell is forced to unload the ball earlier than he wants and off his back foot.
3-5-WAS 31 (14:13) (Shotgun) J.Campbell pass short middle to A.Randle El to WAS 43 for 12 yards (D.Sharper).
Campbell pumps once, then slides out of the pocket when the RDE spins off of Levi Jones. While on the move, he sees Randle El get open due to a pick by Fred Davis (shhh!).
1-10-WAS 43 (13:32) J.Campbell pass deep left to D.Thomas pushed ob at NO 28 for 29 yards (M.Jenkins) [W.Smith].
Fred Davis easily handle a blitzing LB on the right side, and Levi is threatened by the DE but slows him down just long enough for Jason to make his throw. Devin Thomas is tightly covered, but Campbell manages to place it right in his hands.
1-10-NO 28 (13:07) J.Campbell pass short left to D.Thomas to NO 23 for 5 yards (J.Vilma, T.Evans).
2-5-NO 23 (12:43) R.Cartwright right tackle to NO 16 for 7 yards (T.Hargrove).
Levi gets to the inside and blocks both the RDE and DT from closing up the hole. Heyer and Dockery both do an excellent job picking up LBs downfield.
1-10-NO 16 (12:04) J.Campbell pass incomplete short right to S.Moss.
2-10-NO 16 (12:00) J.Campbell pass short left to R.Cartwright to NO 10 for 6 yards (M.Jenkins).
Rock get the ball on a dumpoff, and Santana throws a very nice block on a LB to open up the yardage.
3-4-NO 10 (11:14) (Shotgun) J.Campbell pass incomplete short left to S.Moss.
Saints run an overload blitz on the offensive left. Rock picks up a LB, but that leaves both a DE and a DB against Levi with no other help. Both get past him, and Campbell is hit just after he throws. The ball sails very high and behind Moss. The commentators suggested that Moss, who had cut inside, was supposed to have run a fade, but I'm not convinced Jason wasn't just throwing it away under pressure.
4-4-NO 10 (11:09) S.Suisham 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-E.Albright, Holder-H.Smith.
NO 17 WAS 20, 10 plays, 64 yards, 4:00 drive, 4:00 elapsed
S.Suisham kicks 59 yards from WAS 30 to NO 11. C.Roby to NO 48 for 37 yards (D.Thomas). FUMBLES (D.Thomas), ball out of bounds at NO 48. Ball fumbled forward and out of bounds at the NO49. Moved back to the NO48.
Again the returner cuts across the field with tons of room, and again Devin Thomas' speed prevents a huge return. Devin even strips the ball, but of course it goes out of bounds. Why do I feel like if the situation had been reversed that ball would have bounced into the hands of a Saint and been returned for a touchdown?
New Orleans Saints at 11:00, (1st play from scrimmage 10:51)
1-10-NO 48 (10:51) M.Bell right guard to 50 for 2 yards (H.Blades).
2-8-50 (10:16) M.Bell right tackle to WAS 43 for 7 yards (R.Doughty, L.Fletcher).
Doughty is solidly blocked by the LT but fights past him to make the tackle. Doughty just keeps getting better in the box.
3-1-WAS 43 (9:46) M.Bell up the middle to WAS 43 for no gain (P.Daniels).
The LG pulls to the inside right, so RB is being led up the middle by both a G and a FB. HB Blades comes off the edge and blows up the FB, and Daniels fights through both the RT and TE to penetrate and trip up the pulling guard.
4-1-WAS 43 (9:26) Z.Strief reported in as eligible. M.Bell right tackle to WAS 43 for no gain (A.Haynesworth, R.McIntosh).
The Saints really need more than one short yardage play. The LG pulls right again, but Kedric Golston drives back the C, cutting off the LG's path and wrecking the play. Haynesworth penetrates through the gap vacated by the LG, and Daniels lowers his shoulder and totally defeats the pulling FB.
Washington Redskins at 9:22
1-10-WAS 44 (9:22) J.Campbell pass deep right to D.Thomas to NO 16 for 40 yards (M.McKenzie).
We never get a good replay angle on this, but commentators say that Fred Davis ran a seam route to occupy the safety and that allowed Thomas to get so wide open after exiting the CB's shallow zone. Thomas has to slow up to make the catch, and stumbles. Given the moves we've seen from Davis, I have a feeling that if he had been able to cath it in stride he may well have been able to outmaneuver the closing safety, who was the only defender between him and a touchdown.
1-10-NO 16 (8:41) R.Cartwright right end to NO 13 for 3 yards (R.Ayodele).
2-7-NO 13 (8:02) (Shotgun) J.Campbell pass incomplete short left to F.Davis (M.Jenkins) [W.Smith].
The LDE continues to beat Levi, and Campbell gets hit in the back while throwing. Partly as a result, he misses his intended receiver (Davis?) badly and the ball hits a DB right in the chest, but our side gets some good luck for once and it is dropped. Jason had no good throws and a ton of open running room to his right. His awareness has declined so dramatically over the course of the year.
3-7-NO 13 (7:57) (Shotgun) J.Campbell pass short middle to D.Thomas for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Devin Thomas is absolutely deadly on the shallow cross. He catches it near the hashmarks, then a LB and two safeties all underestimate his speed and take bad angles. He turns the corner on them and tip-toes the sideline to stay in bounds.
S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-E.Albright, Holder-H.Smith.
NO 17 WAS 27, 4 plays, 56 yards, 1:34 drive, 7:12 elapsed
S.Suisham kicks 70 yards from WAS 30 to NO 0. C.Roby to NO 27 for 27 yards (R.Doughty).
New Orleans Saints at 7:48, (1st play from scrimmage 7:43)
1-10-NO 27 (7:43) M.Bell left end to NO 34 for 7 yards (L.Landry).
The line and the leads FB block to the right, but the Redskins, especially Rocky McIntosh, collapse the corner and the RB cuts it back to the left. I like Lorenzo Alexander so I don't feel good about publicizing this, but he was at RDE and got completely beat by a slot receiver to allow the RB around the edge. Ouch.
2-3-NO 34 (7:08) D.Brees pass short left to J.Shockey to NO 45 for 11 yards (R.Doughty).
1-10-NO 45 (6:33) D.Brees pass short middle to J.Shockey to WAS 47 for 8 yards (L.Landry).
Quick slant. Landry was in man coverage on him but was playing outside leverage and so never had a chance. Rocky McIntosh is momentarily frozen by play action so he is unable to make it to the outside to cut off the slant route.
2-2-WAS 47 (5:58) M.Bell left end to WAS 47 for no gain (R.Doughty).
Reed Doughty isn't even on camera at the snap, but he reads the play from the beginning and beats the RB to the corner and blows him up. In a previous post a commenter and I discussed the safety situation and I mentioned that I would be fine with Landry taking over strong safety because I consider him and Doughty about even in that role, but I am reconsidering it. Doughty is fantastic.
3-2-WAS 47 (5:19) Z.Strief reported in as eligible. D.Brees pass deep left to D.Thomas to WAS 26 for 21 yards (R.McIntosh).
Saints line up with a sixth offensive lineman and run a play action, so the Redskins are more concerned with gap control than rushing the passer so Brees has plenty of time. McIntosh initially bites on the play action so the TE is able to beat him fairly easily.
1-10-WAS 26 (4:34) D.Brees pass short left to D.Henderson to WAS 11 for 15 yards (L.Landry).
Again the pass rush is frozen by an effective play action.
1-10-WAS 11 (3:49) P.Thomas right tackle to WAS 8 for 3 yards (L.Landry).
The LT tries to keep Anthony Montgomery to the outside, but Montgomery fights through him and puts a hit on the RB before Landry comes to finish him off.
2-7-WAS 8 (3:04) D.Brees pass incomplete short left to M.Colston (L.Landry).
Damn the Saints are good at play action. Smoot was lined up outside so Colston easily beat him on a slant, but fortunately Landry read sBrees' eyes and comes over to break up the play in the end zone.
3-7-WAS 8 (2:58) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short right to D.Henderson to WAS 9 for -1 yards (L.Alexander).
Penalty on NO-J.Stinchcomb, Illegal Block Above the Waist, declined. [ed.: Call is illegal block in the back. Not sure what an illegal block "above the waist" is.]
An attempted bubble screen. Byron Westbrook sees it developing and avoids the blocking. He doesn't manage to tackle the WR (largely due to the illegal block), but he forces him to cut too early and allows time for Lorenzo Alexander to recover from the screen and take him down from behind.
4-8-WAS 9 (2:40) G.Hartley 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Kyle, Holder-M.Brunell.
NO 20 WAS 27, 10 plays, 64 yards, 5:13 drive, 12:25 elapsed
T.Morstead kicks 56 yards from NO 30 to WAS 14. D.Thomas to WAS 34 for 20 yards (P.Prioleau).
Washington Redskins at 2:35, (1st play from scrimmage 2:31)
1-10-WAS 34 (2:31) R.Cartwright left tackle to WAS 39 for 5 yards (S.Ellis, T.Evans).
A LB gets free penetration but Rock puts a cut on him worthy of a video game.
2-5-WAS 39 (1:51) J.Campbell pass short middle to A.Randle El to WAS 45 for 6 yards (J.Vilma).
1-10-WAS 45 (1:11) R.Cartwright right guard to WAS 44 for -1 yards (B.McCray).
Either Heyer or Williams screwed up - they were both seeking out the OLB and the LDE penetrated virtually uncontested.
2-11-WAS 44 (:32) (Shotgun) J.Campbell pass incomplete short middle to A.Randle El.
Dockery and Rock do a nice job adjusting to a LB and S who blitz up the middle. Campbell, unfortunately, throws it low.
3-11-WAS 44 (:27) (Shotgun) J.Campbell pass deep middle to A.Randle El to NO 12 for 44 yards (M.Jenkins). WAS-A.Randle El was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.
The RDE once again beats Levi and is tugging at Jason's back as he is in his motion, but he makes a strong throw and Randle El is wide open on a deep post.
Play by play info taken from the NFL Game Book.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Meet the new kicker
If you're like me, you have absolutely no idea who Graham Gano is. Hogs Haven can introduce you.
The description of his college career looks pretty encouraging, but of course only good college kickers ever get the chance to become bad NFL kickers, so we will see.
Best of luck, Shaun.
The description of his college career looks pretty encouraging, but of course only good college kickers ever get the chance to become bad NFL kickers, so we will see.
Best of luck, Shaun.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Some Redskins-Saints recommended reading
The 2nd quarter review went up earlier tonight. When you're done with that, here's some reading material for you to aid in digesting yesterday's experience.
I think Tom Boswell tends to be hit or miss when he strays from his home turf of baseball, but his column on the Redskins this morning did a good job of expressing the sheer bewilderment that must be felt after this loss:
Given the exotic nature of the game, it was featured rather prominently in this week's Audibles column from Football Outsiders (scroll down to get to our game). It's worth reading in its entirety, but here's some extended excerpts:
In Monday Morning Quarterback, Peter King discusses Skins-Saints under the heading of "Crazy game of the day. Or the year."
I think Tom Boswell tends to be hit or miss when he strays from his home turf of baseball, but his column on the Redskins this morning did a good job of expressing the sheer bewilderment that must be felt after this loss:
At some point, the Redskins had to play one game
that absolutely epitomized everything both right and wrong with them. And, of
course, that meant they had to lose in a brutal and bizarre manner, yet not know
quite how it happened, what it meant, how to feel about it or what to do next.
...
For now, however, the Redskins' self-inflicted curse is in full
and spectacular force, producing breathtaking blunders:
-- If, in order to lose, the Redskins need to intercept a pass yet somehow let the other team
score a touchdown on the same play, they can do it. For years, we'll see replays
of Robert Meachem stealing the ball from interceptor Kareem Moore and returning
it untouched for a 44-yard touchdown with 22 seconds left in the half.
-- If the Redskins have to miss a 23-yard field goal for a 33-23 lead to
virtually ice the game with 1 minute 52 seconds to play, then they can miss it
wide to the right, true Masters of Disaster style. The kick was not blocked,
mind you. It wasn't a fumbled snap. The Redskins can top that: They missed the
equivalent of a high school extra point on a dry day on their own field to blow
perhaps the biggest NFL upset of the year.
Given the exotic nature of the game, it was featured rather prominently in this week's Audibles column from Football Outsiders (scroll down to get to our game). It's worth reading in its entirety, but here's some extended excerpts:
Tim Gerheim: The Redskins' defensive linemen are playing volleyball with Brees' "I'm a six-foot
quarterback" passes. They've knocked two or three back down through about the
middle of the second quarter. It looks like it's part of the game plan. Albert
Haynesworth and the rest of the tackles aren't pushing upfield that hard. Once
they read "pass" they seem to be trying to keep their hands free and their eyes
up on Brees. I think the offense has started figuring that out -- mostly the
fact that the rush isn't coming that hard up the middle unless it's a blitz.
...
Vince Verhei: From what I've seen (admittedly not much), Saints have been playing a lot of soft zone coverages and Campbell has had plenty of time to find the open man. He hasn't been beating blitzes or making great throws into coverage. And a lot of these receivers are wide-open, too. Not to knock Washington, because they are playing well, but this feels more like a New Orleans loss than a Washington win, at least on that side of the ball.
Tim Gerheim: The Redskins are running really
well-designed plays, mixing up where they're throwing and how the receivers are
getting open. Devin Thomas's first touchdown was a second-and-goal from around
the 9 right after an incompletion, in a tight formation, and Thomas motioned
left across the formation and set up right behind the left side tight end. In
other words, everything screamed run. Mike McKenzie ran with him in man
coverage. Thomas crossed back behind the line to the right out into the flat,
McKenzie couldn't get across fast enough, and there was nobody close enough to
stop him once he made the easy catch.
I think their route combinations
have been more creative than New England's last week, they've had more receivers
who can do damage (Thomas, who's had a great game, Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle
El, and Fred Davis). Even though both Moss and Welker are probably better than
anything Washington has, the greater variety of targets is putting more pressure
on the depleted secondary. I think the Redskins are also benefiting from the
sloppy field conditions after the above-freezing snowstorm yesterday. Then, the
week of tape on McKenzie and Chris McAlister may have helped. It's always hard
to defend against a quarterback in his first game in forever, even if he's not
that good; the same may apply to corners.
...
Aaron Schatz: OK, folks watching Skins-Saints. Do you think the Sellers
down-by-contact play was properly overturned by the officials on the replay?
Bill Barnwell: No. Absolutely not indisputable whatsoever.
Doug Farrar: No way. Of course, the NFL can hide behind the "infinite levels of indisputable" defense, but that was a bang-bang call either way.
In Monday Morning Quarterback, Peter King discusses Skins-Saints under the heading of "Crazy game of the day. Or the year."
Meachem, a second-year man, hears defensive coordinator Gregg Williams every day in practice preaching "Strip, strip, strip.'' As Meachem said, "It's burned in my head. So I managed to get through the two blockers and I went for the ball.'' It's crazy how easy it was. Meachem grabbed it, and ran it 44 yards for the tying touchdown. Then, given life by my Goat of the Week [Suisham, obviously], the Saints got the tying touchdown, a 53-yard bomb from Brees to Meachem, to send this one into overtime. There's no way it should have gotten to OT, of course. "Maybe it's our turn,'' Brees said after the game. No maybes about it, particularly after the overtime replay.
The replay of the day -- and the timeout of the day: On the third play of overtime, Jason Campbell completed a ball to fullback Mike Sellers in the flat. Sellers was upended by Chris McAlister, and either just before he was down or a millisecond after his elbow hit the ground, the ball came loose. The officials called the runner down by contact, and the Redskins went to run another play. At the last second, with Campbell calling signals at the line, it appeared replay official Larry Nemmers wasn't going to call for a booth review of the play, and so New Orleans coach Sean Payton called a timeout.
During a timeout, it's perfectly within the rules for the replay official to determine if the play should be reviewed. And Nemmers called for a review. Now, overnight, I watched this replay seven times. I believe it does not meet the most important criterion for being overturned -- namely, that it requires indisputable visual evidence to change the call on the field. The one angle where you can see Sellers upside down, with his elbow either touching the ground or very close to touching the ground, the ball has just been dislodged. It's very, very close. Referee Carl Cheffers called for a reversal. I wouldn't have. But you watch the play a few times and let me know what you think.
Redskins vs. Saints, 2nd quarter review
1st quarter review is here.
2nd Quarter
New Orleans Saints continued.
3-7-WAS 39 (15:00) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short left to D.Henderson to WAS 29 for 10 yards (F.Smoot). NO-D.Henderson was injured during the play.
1-10-WAS 29 (14:49) D.Brees pass deep middle to J.Shockey to WAS 9 for 20 yards (L.Landry).
PENALTY on NO-J.Shockey, Offensive Pass Interference, 10 yards, enforced at WAS 29 - No Play.
All three LBs blitz but Saints keep in two TEs and a RB and no pass rush lanes open up. Carter, on the other side of the play from the blitz, gets around the LT and hits Brees as he throws, but Brees is able to get the ball out to Shockey. Fortunately, Shockey only gets open by basically throwing Carlos Rogers out of the way.
1-20-WAS 39 (14:26) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short right to P.Thomas to WAS 34 for 5 yards (C.Griffin, R.McIntosh).
Griffin reverses course as soon as he reads the screen and makes an impressive tackle from behind.
2-15-WAS 34 (13:41) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short middle to J.Shockey to WAS 19 for 15 yards (L.Fletcher).
1-10-WAS 19 (13:10) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short middle to R.Meachem to WAS 16 for 3 yards (H.Blades) [K.Golston].
Carter keeps threatening the LT on the edge but Brees is consistently getting the ball out just in time.
2-7-WAS 16 (12:30) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete short middle to D.Thomas (P.Daniels).
Daniels bats it at the line.
3-7-WAS 16 (12:24) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete short middle to M.Colston [A.Carter].
Brees is protected but Orakpo moves the LT far enough inside that Brees runs out of room to step into his throw. He slides to his left, pursued by Carter, and throws it away. This is one example of a play made by pass rush that doesn't show up in any stats. Brees had locked onto a receiver and was ready to rifle a pass when Orakpo and the LT suddenly ended up in front of him.
4-7-WAS 16 (12:18) G.Hartley 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Kyle, Holder-M.Brunell.
NO 3 WAS 10, 12 plays, 50 yards, 5:34 drive, 2:46 elapsed
T.Morstead kicks 63 yards from NO 30 to WAS 7. M.Mason to WAS 25 for 18 yards (J.Charleston).
Washington Redskins at 12:14, (1st play from scrimmage 12:08)
1-10-WAS 25 (12:08) Q.Ganther left tackle to WAS 28 for 3 yards (W.Smith).
2-7-WAS 28 (11:29) Q.Ganther up the middle to WAS 33 for 5 yards (T.Evans).
I know this is a 5 yard gain but it doesn't look right. The line slants left, then Ganther cuts the play back to the right. Despite the SLB crowding the line, Fred Davis at RTE ignores him and joins the slant to the left. When Ganther cuts back, the SLB is there waiting for him and its a tribute to Ganther's power that he broke through the tackle for several more yards. I assume Davis was responsible for the backside on this play and missed his assignment.
3-2-WAS 33 (10:53) M.Mason right guard to WAS 34 for 1 yard (R.Ayodele).
Dockery lands a blow on the DT and then pops through to seek out the LB, passing off the DT to Levi. But Levi can't control him and the hole closes up.
4-1-WAS 34 (10:15) H.Smith punts 51 yards to NO 15, Center-E.Albright. R.Bush to NO 13 for -2 yards (H.Blades, B.Westbrook).
New Orleans Saints at 10:01
1-10-NO 13 (10:01) P.Thomas right guard to NO 18 for 5 yards (R.Doughty).
The DTs play rather wide and the Gs are able to keep them to the outside, so the C comes clean and gets a free shot on Fletcher, but he holds his ground and sheds off the block to join Doughty in the tackle.
2-5-NO 18 (9:27) M.Bell right tackle to NO 22 for 4 yards (A.Haynesworth).
3-1-NO 22 (8:29) Z.Strief reported in as eligible. M.Bell up the middle to NO 25 for 3 yards (R.McIntosh, R.Doughty).
1-10-NO 25 (7:47) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete short middle to R.Bush (A.Haynesworth).
Daniels (LDE), Golston, and Haynesworth all rush to the inside, and unsurprisingly get tangled up in a scrum with four O-linemen. Carter drives the LT slowly backwards but doesn't get close enough to interfere with the pass. Haynesworth, once he sees the pass rush isn't getting anywhere, disengages from the blockers and drops back several yards to get in position for the deflection.
2-10-NO 25 (7:42) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short left to D.Henderson to NO 39 for 14 yards (B.Westbrook).
That LT continues getting terrorized on the outside - this time by Orakpo - and Brees continues his perfect timing and get the ball out just as Orakpo is grasping at his back.
Timeout #1 by NO at 06:53.
1-10-NO 39 (6:53) D.Brees pass incomplete deep middle to D.Henderson (L.Landry).
The LT keeps Carter to the outside this time, which is good because Brees takes a very deep drop off the play fake. Fletcher, impressively, is running stride for stride with Devery Henderson down the seam and would have made the play if Landry hadn't also streaked over to knock it down.
2-10-NO 39 (6:45) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short right to R.Meachem to NO 49 for 10 yards (L.Landry). P8
1-10-NO 49 (6:17) P.Thomas left end to WAS 40 for 11 yards (L.Landry).
Saints snapped the ball while the Redskins were still setting their formation, and we didn't even have anyone lined up at RDE, so its safe to say they were able to seal the corner fairly easily.
1-10-WAS 40 (5:42) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass deep left to M.Colston for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Nothing new here - Colston makes an inside move, Carlos Rogers lets him go assuming he has high safety help, but Landry gets himself out of position trying to lay the Colston out over the middle and is burned when he turns it back upfield.
G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Kyle, Holder-M.Brunell.
NO 10 WAS 10, 9 plays, 87 yards, 4:27 drive, 9:26 elapsed
T.Morstead kicks 69 yards from NO 30 to WAS 1. D.Thomas to WAS 22 for 21 yards (C.Reis).
Washington Redskins at 5:34, (1st play from scrimmage 5:28)
1-10-WAS 22 (5:28) J.Campbell pass short right to F.Davis to WAS 31 for 9 yards (T.Evans, M.McKenzie).
2-1-WAS 31 (4:54) J.Campbell pass short left to S.Moss to WAS 37 for 6 yards (M.Jenkins).
When they give Santana a 9 yard cushion on a 2nd and 1, the quick hitch kind of seems like a no-brainer, doesn't it?
1-10-WAS 37 (4:14) J.Campbell pass short left to S.Moss ran ob at WAS 45 for 8 yards.
2-2-WAS 45 (3:44) (Shotgun) J.Campbell pass incomplete short middle to F.Davis.
I'm pretty sure Fred Davis let the LB on his side past him on purpose to suck him into the backfield and set up the dumpoff - the WRs on his side both ran straight downfield and drew the secondary with them, opening up lots of running room. Unfortunately a second LB came untouched from the opposite side - I think Levi missed that he was coming - and the unexpected causes Jason to rush his throw and he misses Davis.
3-2-WAS 45 (3:40) J.Campbell pass deep right to S.Moss to NO 17 for 38 yards (M.Jenkins).
The RB (unidentified) picks up a blitzing LB and gives Campbell time to pump once before lofting it to Santana. The pump coincided with a fake out route, so the DB was totally fooled and Santana beat him badly. It's thrown just a little short, and because Santana has to slow up for it he's taken down right after the catch.
1-10-NO 17 (3:11) J.Campbell pass short middle to M.Kelly to NO 11 for 6 yards (C.McAlister).
2-4-NO 11 (2:37) J.Campbell pass short left to S.Moss to NO 5 for 6 yards (D.Sharper).
Timeout #2 by NO at 02:27.
Eight yard cushion, and another hitch to Moss. The first DB to arrive ends up on the ground as a result of the move Santana puts on him.
1-5-NO 5 (2:27) J.Campbell pass incomplete short right to S.Moss (T.Evans).
One more hitch, but this time a blitzing OLB has gotten into the passing lane and the pass gets batted down.
2-5-NO 5 (2:25) J.Campbell pass short middle to D.Thomas for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Thomas starts out in the right slot, then motions left and stops right behind Levi's butt at LT. After the snap he slips back behind the line to the right (so it is critical that the linemen hold their ground) and he leaks out into the flat. When he catches the pass it looks like two Saints have an angle on him, but he turns on the speed and gets close enough to make a dive into the end zone. Very impressive play.
S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-E.Albright, Holder-H.Smith.
NO 10 WAS 17, 9 plays, 78 yards, 3:17 drive, 12:43 elapsed
S.Suisham kicks 62 yards from WAS 30 to NO 8. C.Roby to NO 21 for 13 yards (B.Westbrook).
New Orleans Saints at 2:17, (1st play from scrimmage 2:12)
1-10-NO 21 (2:12) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short left to R.Bush ran ob at NO 30 for 9 yards.
Two-Minute Warning
2-1-NO 30 (2:00) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete short right to M.Colston.
Brees loses his footing as he throws. Haynesworth was pushing the LG back into him, but I think he just slipped on a wet spot.
3-1-NO 30 (1:55) R.Bush left end to NO 30 for no gain (B.Orakpo).
Orakpo absorbs a heavy blow from the LT, then just tosses him backwards and takes down Bush as he tries to round the corner.
Timeout #2 by WAS at 01:43.
4-1-NO 30 (1:43) T.Morstead punts 27 yards to WAS 43, Center-J.Kyle. K.Barnes MUFFS catch, touched at WAS 43, RECOVERED by NOU.
Young at WAS 41. U.Young to WAS 41 for no gain (A.Randle El).
You can't blame Barnes for this. As a gunner, there's no reason he would be looking out for a punt to come down only 27 yards downfield and way over on the sideline. Just terrible, terrible luck. It kills me to see the Saints rewarded for making a completely awful punt.
New Orleans Saints at 1:31
1-10-WAS 41 (1:31) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete deep left to D.Henderson (B.Westbrook).
PENALTY on WAS-A.Carter, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced at WAS 41 - No Play.
Brees threw into double coverage because he had a free play due to Carter's blatant offsides.
1-5-WAS 36 (1:27) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short right to R.Bush to WAS 28 for 8 yards (A.Carter).
1-10-WAS 28 (1:04) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete short middle to J.Shockey.
2-10-WAS 28 (1:00) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete short right to R.Bush.
PENALTY on NO-J.Evans, Ineligible Downfield Pass, 5 yards, enforced at WAS 28 - No Play.
Carter blows past the RT, then runs over Reggie Bush before he can get into position to catch the screen.
2-15-WAS 33 (:55) (Shotgun) D.Brees sacked at WAS 44 for -11 yards (L.Landry).
Timeout #3 by NO at 00:39.
Greg Blache and his staff decide to show their old boss that they can design crazy blitzes too. Griffin, Haynesworth, and Carter all stack up on the offensive right, but Orakpo is lined up way outside the LTE's shoulder - so there is a huge gap in the line and the LT and LG have no one in front of them. Fletcher and Doughty then shift over to fill this gap, albeit a yard off the line. Fletcher hangs back and picks up the RB out of the backfield, while Doughty charges to the outside and drags the LT with him. Meanwhile Landry, who intially lined up very deep, has been creeping up towards the line and barrells through the gap opened up by Doughthy's blitz and Orakpo's outside alignment.
3-26-WAS 44 (:39) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short middle intended for J.Shockey INTERCEPTED by K.Moore at WAS 30. K.Moore to
WAS 44 for 14 yards (R.Meachem). FUMBLES (R.Meachem), RECOVERED by NO-R.Meachem at WAS 44. R.Meachem
for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Play Challenged by Replay Assistant and Upheld.
Orakpo and Haynesworth both get inside penetration and force Brees to abort his first attempt to throw. He pumps twice, then staggers backwards under hot pursuit from Andre Carter. Carter lowers his head to tackle a bit too early, and Brees stiff arms him in the facemask, driving him to the ground. Brees staggers back still further, and desperately unloads the ball while falling backwards with Orakpo bearing down on him. The throw is released from 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage. And of course once the ball gets there, the play turns exciting. I'm sure you've all relived what happens next plenty of time already, so I won't burden you with another description.
Timeout #3 by WAS at 00:22.
G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Kyle, Holder-M.Brunell.
NO 17 WAS 17, 0 plays, 44 yards, 0:00 drive , 14:38 elapsed
T.Morstead kicks 68 yards from NO 30 to WAS 2. D.Thomas pushed ob at WAS 24 for 22 yards (R.Harper).
Washington Redskins at 0:22, (1st play from scrimmage 0:14)
1-10-WAS 24 (:14) J.Campbell kneels to WAS 23 for -1 yards.
2nd Quarter
New Orleans Saints continued.
3-7-WAS 39 (15:00) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short left to D.Henderson to WAS 29 for 10 yards (F.Smoot). NO-D.Henderson was injured during the play.
1-10-WAS 29 (14:49) D.Brees pass deep middle to J.Shockey to WAS 9 for 20 yards (L.Landry).
PENALTY on NO-J.Shockey, Offensive Pass Interference, 10 yards, enforced at WAS 29 - No Play.
All three LBs blitz but Saints keep in two TEs and a RB and no pass rush lanes open up. Carter, on the other side of the play from the blitz, gets around the LT and hits Brees as he throws, but Brees is able to get the ball out to Shockey. Fortunately, Shockey only gets open by basically throwing Carlos Rogers out of the way.
1-20-WAS 39 (14:26) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short right to P.Thomas to WAS 34 for 5 yards (C.Griffin, R.McIntosh).
Griffin reverses course as soon as he reads the screen and makes an impressive tackle from behind.
2-15-WAS 34 (13:41) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short middle to J.Shockey to WAS 19 for 15 yards (L.Fletcher).
1-10-WAS 19 (13:10) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short middle to R.Meachem to WAS 16 for 3 yards (H.Blades) [K.Golston].
Carter keeps threatening the LT on the edge but Brees is consistently getting the ball out just in time.
2-7-WAS 16 (12:30) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete short middle to D.Thomas (P.Daniels).
Daniels bats it at the line.
3-7-WAS 16 (12:24) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete short middle to M.Colston [A.Carter].
Brees is protected but Orakpo moves the LT far enough inside that Brees runs out of room to step into his throw. He slides to his left, pursued by Carter, and throws it away. This is one example of a play made by pass rush that doesn't show up in any stats. Brees had locked onto a receiver and was ready to rifle a pass when Orakpo and the LT suddenly ended up in front of him.
4-7-WAS 16 (12:18) G.Hartley 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Kyle, Holder-M.Brunell.
NO 3 WAS 10, 12 plays, 50 yards, 5:34 drive, 2:46 elapsed
T.Morstead kicks 63 yards from NO 30 to WAS 7. M.Mason to WAS 25 for 18 yards (J.Charleston).
Washington Redskins at 12:14, (1st play from scrimmage 12:08)
1-10-WAS 25 (12:08) Q.Ganther left tackle to WAS 28 for 3 yards (W.Smith).
2-7-WAS 28 (11:29) Q.Ganther up the middle to WAS 33 for 5 yards (T.Evans).
I know this is a 5 yard gain but it doesn't look right. The line slants left, then Ganther cuts the play back to the right. Despite the SLB crowding the line, Fred Davis at RTE ignores him and joins the slant to the left. When Ganther cuts back, the SLB is there waiting for him and its a tribute to Ganther's power that he broke through the tackle for several more yards. I assume Davis was responsible for the backside on this play and missed his assignment.
3-2-WAS 33 (10:53) M.Mason right guard to WAS 34 for 1 yard (R.Ayodele).
Dockery lands a blow on the DT and then pops through to seek out the LB, passing off the DT to Levi. But Levi can't control him and the hole closes up.
4-1-WAS 34 (10:15) H.Smith punts 51 yards to NO 15, Center-E.Albright. R.Bush to NO 13 for -2 yards (H.Blades, B.Westbrook).
New Orleans Saints at 10:01
1-10-NO 13 (10:01) P.Thomas right guard to NO 18 for 5 yards (R.Doughty).
The DTs play rather wide and the Gs are able to keep them to the outside, so the C comes clean and gets a free shot on Fletcher, but he holds his ground and sheds off the block to join Doughty in the tackle.
2-5-NO 18 (9:27) M.Bell right tackle to NO 22 for 4 yards (A.Haynesworth).
3-1-NO 22 (8:29) Z.Strief reported in as eligible. M.Bell up the middle to NO 25 for 3 yards (R.McIntosh, R.Doughty).
1-10-NO 25 (7:47) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete short middle to R.Bush (A.Haynesworth).
Daniels (LDE), Golston, and Haynesworth all rush to the inside, and unsurprisingly get tangled up in a scrum with four O-linemen. Carter drives the LT slowly backwards but doesn't get close enough to interfere with the pass. Haynesworth, once he sees the pass rush isn't getting anywhere, disengages from the blockers and drops back several yards to get in position for the deflection.
2-10-NO 25 (7:42) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short left to D.Henderson to NO 39 for 14 yards (B.Westbrook).
That LT continues getting terrorized on the outside - this time by Orakpo - and Brees continues his perfect timing and get the ball out just as Orakpo is grasping at his back.
Timeout #1 by NO at 06:53.
1-10-NO 39 (6:53) D.Brees pass incomplete deep middle to D.Henderson (L.Landry).
The LT keeps Carter to the outside this time, which is good because Brees takes a very deep drop off the play fake. Fletcher, impressively, is running stride for stride with Devery Henderson down the seam and would have made the play if Landry hadn't also streaked over to knock it down.
2-10-NO 39 (6:45) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short right to R.Meachem to NO 49 for 10 yards (L.Landry). P8
1-10-NO 49 (6:17) P.Thomas left end to WAS 40 for 11 yards (L.Landry).
Saints snapped the ball while the Redskins were still setting their formation, and we didn't even have anyone lined up at RDE, so its safe to say they were able to seal the corner fairly easily.
1-10-WAS 40 (5:42) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass deep left to M.Colston for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Nothing new here - Colston makes an inside move, Carlos Rogers lets him go assuming he has high safety help, but Landry gets himself out of position trying to lay the Colston out over the middle and is burned when he turns it back upfield.
G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Kyle, Holder-M.Brunell.
NO 10 WAS 10, 9 plays, 87 yards, 4:27 drive, 9:26 elapsed
T.Morstead kicks 69 yards from NO 30 to WAS 1. D.Thomas to WAS 22 for 21 yards (C.Reis).
Washington Redskins at 5:34, (1st play from scrimmage 5:28)
1-10-WAS 22 (5:28) J.Campbell pass short right to F.Davis to WAS 31 for 9 yards (T.Evans, M.McKenzie).
2-1-WAS 31 (4:54) J.Campbell pass short left to S.Moss to WAS 37 for 6 yards (M.Jenkins).
When they give Santana a 9 yard cushion on a 2nd and 1, the quick hitch kind of seems like a no-brainer, doesn't it?
1-10-WAS 37 (4:14) J.Campbell pass short left to S.Moss ran ob at WAS 45 for 8 yards.
2-2-WAS 45 (3:44) (Shotgun) J.Campbell pass incomplete short middle to F.Davis.
I'm pretty sure Fred Davis let the LB on his side past him on purpose to suck him into the backfield and set up the dumpoff - the WRs on his side both ran straight downfield and drew the secondary with them, opening up lots of running room. Unfortunately a second LB came untouched from the opposite side - I think Levi missed that he was coming - and the unexpected causes Jason to rush his throw and he misses Davis.
3-2-WAS 45 (3:40) J.Campbell pass deep right to S.Moss to NO 17 for 38 yards (M.Jenkins).
The RB (unidentified) picks up a blitzing LB and gives Campbell time to pump once before lofting it to Santana. The pump coincided with a fake out route, so the DB was totally fooled and Santana beat him badly. It's thrown just a little short, and because Santana has to slow up for it he's taken down right after the catch.
1-10-NO 17 (3:11) J.Campbell pass short middle to M.Kelly to NO 11 for 6 yards (C.McAlister).
2-4-NO 11 (2:37) J.Campbell pass short left to S.Moss to NO 5 for 6 yards (D.Sharper).
Timeout #2 by NO at 02:27.
Eight yard cushion, and another hitch to Moss. The first DB to arrive ends up on the ground as a result of the move Santana puts on him.
1-5-NO 5 (2:27) J.Campbell pass incomplete short right to S.Moss (T.Evans).
One more hitch, but this time a blitzing OLB has gotten into the passing lane and the pass gets batted down.
2-5-NO 5 (2:25) J.Campbell pass short middle to D.Thomas for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Thomas starts out in the right slot, then motions left and stops right behind Levi's butt at LT. After the snap he slips back behind the line to the right (so it is critical that the linemen hold their ground) and he leaks out into the flat. When he catches the pass it looks like two Saints have an angle on him, but he turns on the speed and gets close enough to make a dive into the end zone. Very impressive play.
S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-E.Albright, Holder-H.Smith.
NO 10 WAS 17, 9 plays, 78 yards, 3:17 drive, 12:43 elapsed
S.Suisham kicks 62 yards from WAS 30 to NO 8. C.Roby to NO 21 for 13 yards (B.Westbrook).
New Orleans Saints at 2:17, (1st play from scrimmage 2:12)
1-10-NO 21 (2:12) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short left to R.Bush ran ob at NO 30 for 9 yards.
Two-Minute Warning
2-1-NO 30 (2:00) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete short right to M.Colston.
Brees loses his footing as he throws. Haynesworth was pushing the LG back into him, but I think he just slipped on a wet spot.
3-1-NO 30 (1:55) R.Bush left end to NO 30 for no gain (B.Orakpo).
Orakpo absorbs a heavy blow from the LT, then just tosses him backwards and takes down Bush as he tries to round the corner.
Timeout #2 by WAS at 01:43.
4-1-NO 30 (1:43) T.Morstead punts 27 yards to WAS 43, Center-J.Kyle. K.Barnes MUFFS catch, touched at WAS 43, RECOVERED by NOU.
Young at WAS 41. U.Young to WAS 41 for no gain (A.Randle El).
You can't blame Barnes for this. As a gunner, there's no reason he would be looking out for a punt to come down only 27 yards downfield and way over on the sideline. Just terrible, terrible luck. It kills me to see the Saints rewarded for making a completely awful punt.
New Orleans Saints at 1:31
1-10-WAS 41 (1:31) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete deep left to D.Henderson (B.Westbrook).
PENALTY on WAS-A.Carter, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced at WAS 41 - No Play.
Brees threw into double coverage because he had a free play due to Carter's blatant offsides.
1-5-WAS 36 (1:27) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short right to R.Bush to WAS 28 for 8 yards (A.Carter).
1-10-WAS 28 (1:04) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete short middle to J.Shockey.
2-10-WAS 28 (1:00) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete short right to R.Bush.
PENALTY on NO-J.Evans, Ineligible Downfield Pass, 5 yards, enforced at WAS 28 - No Play.
Carter blows past the RT, then runs over Reggie Bush before he can get into position to catch the screen.
2-15-WAS 33 (:55) (Shotgun) D.Brees sacked at WAS 44 for -11 yards (L.Landry).
Timeout #3 by NO at 00:39.
Greg Blache and his staff decide to show their old boss that they can design crazy blitzes too. Griffin, Haynesworth, and Carter all stack up on the offensive right, but Orakpo is lined up way outside the LTE's shoulder - so there is a huge gap in the line and the LT and LG have no one in front of them. Fletcher and Doughty then shift over to fill this gap, albeit a yard off the line. Fletcher hangs back and picks up the RB out of the backfield, while Doughty charges to the outside and drags the LT with him. Meanwhile Landry, who intially lined up very deep, has been creeping up towards the line and barrells through the gap opened up by Doughthy's blitz and Orakpo's outside alignment.
3-26-WAS 44 (:39) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short middle intended for J.Shockey INTERCEPTED by K.Moore at WAS 30. K.Moore to
WAS 44 for 14 yards (R.Meachem). FUMBLES (R.Meachem), RECOVERED by NO-R.Meachem at WAS 44. R.Meachem
for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Play Challenged by Replay Assistant and Upheld.
Orakpo and Haynesworth both get inside penetration and force Brees to abort his first attempt to throw. He pumps twice, then staggers backwards under hot pursuit from Andre Carter. Carter lowers his head to tackle a bit too early, and Brees stiff arms him in the facemask, driving him to the ground. Brees staggers back still further, and desperately unloads the ball while falling backwards with Orakpo bearing down on him. The throw is released from 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage. And of course once the ball gets there, the play turns exciting. I'm sure you've all relived what happens next plenty of time already, so I won't burden you with another description.
Timeout #3 by WAS at 00:22.
G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Kyle, Holder-M.Brunell.
NO 17 WAS 17, 0 plays, 44 yards, 0:00 drive , 14:38 elapsed
T.Morstead kicks 68 yards from NO 30 to WAS 2. D.Thomas pushed ob at WAS 24 for 22 yards (R.Harper).
Washington Redskins at 0:22, (1st play from scrimmage 0:14)
1-10-WAS 24 (:14) J.Campbell kneels to WAS 23 for -1 yards.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Redskins vs. Saints, 1st quarter review
I couldn't get my mind off this crazy game, so I said to hell with Sunday Night Football and reviewed the first quarter tonight.
I have already posted some initial reactions and a poll question.
As always, play by play is taken from the NFL Game Book and my commentary can be distinguished by having its own font.
1st Quarter
S.Suisham kicks 56 yards from WAS 30 to NO 14. C.Roby to NO 34 for 20 yards (H.Blades).
New Orleans Saints at 15:00, (1st play from scrimmage 14:57)
1-10-NO 34 (14:57) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short left to P.Thomas to NO 47 for 13 yards (R.McIntosh).
Andre Carter powers past the LT's outside shoulder and nearly bats down this screen pass.
1-10-NO 47 (14:32) P.Thomas left end to NO 43 for -4 yards (A.Carter).
Carter runs over both the LG and the slot receiver (the LT had pulled to the outside) and chases down the RB from behind.
2-14-NO 43 (13:53) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete deep left to R.Bush (F.Smoot) [A.Carter].
Orakpo attacks the LT's inside shoulder and is only slowed down by having the guy's arm wrapped around his neck. He carries the LT into the backfield and interferes with Brees' first attempt to throw, forcing him to pull the ball down. When Brees escapes to the left Andre Carter, who had been rushing from LDE, pursues him and tackles Brees by the legs just as he throws. Smoot is in front of the receiver and gets both hands on the ball, but can't bring it down.
3-14-NO 43 (13:43) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short left to P.Thomas to WAS 47 for 10 yards (K.Moore) [A.Haynesworth].
4-4-WAS 47 (13:02) T.Morstead punts 42 yards to WAS 5, Center-J.Kyle, downed by NO-J.Kyle.
Washington Redskins at 12:51
1-10-WAS 6 (12:51) J.Campbell pass short right to F.Davis to WAS 15 for 9 yards (J.Kyle).
2-1-WAS 15 (12:11) R.Cartwright up the middle to WAS 19 for 4 yards (R.Ayodele, W.Smith).
PENALTY on NO-W.Smith, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced at WAS 19.
There would have been a bigger hole but the RDE stayed on his feet despite Sellers' cut block. After this penalty we're already past the 30 rather than pinned deep by the punt, so Smoot's dropped interception ended up not really hurting us in terms of field position.
1-10-WAS 34 (11:43) J.Campbell pass incomplete deep left to D.Thomas (M.Jenkins).
PENALTY on NO-M.Jenkins, Defensive Pass Interference, 32 yards, enforced at WAS 34 - No Play.
Saints blitz two LBs. Rock picks up the OLB and throws a good block. The RDE slants inside hoping to open a hole for the MLB, but Levi Jones stays home and manages to fill that guy's blitz lane too.
This ball is a little underthrown - Thomas was forced to slow up, but fortunately the only way the DB could break it up was through desperate interference because Thomas had beat him so badly. But if the pass had a little more air under it this may have been a touchdown.
1-10-NO 34 (11:37) R.Cartwright left end to NO 33 for 1 yard (S.Shanle).
Sellers motions to LTE and kicks out the LB to open up a hole, and Jones and Dockery do a good job of sealing the Saints linemen to the inside. But no one is available to pick up the safety who fills the hole, so Rock is forced to cut outside and by that point the LB is able to shed off Sellers and make the play.
2-9-NO 33 (11:00) R.Cartwright left end to NO 31 for 2 yards (S.Shanle).
Rock cuts to the inside off of Sellers' lead block, but Mike Williams (at RG today) and Stephon Heyer can't cut off the backside pursuit.
3-7-NO 31 (10:20) (Shotgun) J.Campbell pass short middle to D.Thomas to NO 21 for 10 yards (M.Jenkins, D.Sharper).
Saints have only 3 down linemen and try to blitz two LBs up the middle, but Dockery blocks the first one so hard he is able to throw him into the second one, so Dockery takes out both blitzers.
1-10-NO 21 (9:40) R.Cartwright up the middle to NO 5 for 16 yards (D.Sharper).
The LDE apparently misreads the play as a bootleg and takes himself out of the play trying to get downfield to pursue Campbell. Fred Davis kicks out the SLB opening up a big running lane and Heyer, since he doesn't have the LDE to worry about, can clear an oncoming safety from the lane.
1-5-NO 5 (9:03) R.Cartwright right end to NO 8 for -3 yards (R.Ayodele, W.Smith).
The Saints D-line wins this battle. Davis and Williams both get pushed back and can't win the corner, and when Rock cuts back he is taken down by a DT who had penetrated agains Dockery's cut block.
2-8-NO 8 (8:21) J.Campbell pass incomplete short left to R.Cartwright.
Timeout #1 by WAS at 08:17.
Campbell was well protected but none of the routes get open. When he tries to dump it off to Rock the RDE, who is engaged on Levi, tries to get his hand up. Campbell reacts to this during his throwing motion and shoots the ball over Rock's head.
3-8-NO 8 (8:17) (Shotgun) J.Campbell pass short left to F.Davis for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Thomas out of the slot runs a post into the endzone which threatens the LBs in shallow coverage and opens up room for Davis on the shallow cross. Once he makes the catch Davis is simply too fast for a LB and a S who each initially appear to have an angle on him.
S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-E.Albright, Holder-H.Smith.
NO 0 WAS 7, 9 plays, 94 yards, 2 penalties, 4:40 drive, 6:49 elapsed
S.Suisham kicks 62 yards from WAS 30 to NO 8. C.Roby to NO 30 for 22 yards (H.Blades, K.Moore).
New Orleans Saints at 8:11, (1st play from scrimmage 8:05)
1-10-NO 30 (8:05) D.Brees pass short left to D.Thomas to NO 36 for 6 yards (H.Blades).
Lorenzo Alexander rushes from RDE and despite being tripped up by the RB gets his hands up and very nearly deflects this pass to the TE in the flat.
2-4-NO 36 (7:30) D.Henderson left end pushed ob at NO 39 for 3 yards (R.McIntosh). End around
Brees fakes a handoff to the RB then gives it to the WR on an end-around, but Lorenzo Alexander and Rocky McIntosh are not fooled and give good pursuit.
3-1-NO 39 (7:07) Z.Strief reported in as eligible. M.Bell up the middle to NO 39 for no gain (R.McIntosh).
Saints attempt to double Haynesworth but he gets off the line too quick for the LG to even get a block on him and he simply runs over the LT. Kedric Golston dives straight through the line and trips up the RG who is trying to pull to the left.
4-1-NO 39 (6:26) T.Morstead punts 31 yards to WAS 30, Center-J.Kyle, fair catch by A.Randle El.
This horribly short punt, which is normally a good thing by the opposition, is an ominous portent of the even worse punt in the 2nd quarter that will somehow end up in New Orleans' favor.
Washington Redskins at 6:17
1-10-WAS 30 (6:17) J.Campbell pass short right to F.Davis to WAS 42 for 12 yards (J.Vilma, M.McKenzie).
LBs bite on play action, opening up both Sellers and Davis in the flat. Jason rolls out and hits Davis, and Sellers blocks the nearest DB to open up more yards.
1-10-WAS 42 (5:39) Q.Ganther left tackle to NO 45 for 13 yards (S.Shanle).
Davis kicks out the SLB (great block #1), Dockery keeps the RDE to the inside (great block #2), Levi hits the MLB two yards past the LOS and knocks him back four more (great block #3). A safety shoots in to fills the large running lane, but Ganther ptus a wicked cut on him and shows impressive power maintaining his footing and forward momentum despite taking a fairly solid blow to the legs.
1-10-NO 45 (4:58) J.Campbell pass incomplete deep right to S.Moss.
Ganther fails to read the LB blitzing around the right edge so he comes in unblocked, but Campbell pump fakes and makes the LB leap for the deflection instead of coming in for the sack. He buys himself a split second to try to get the ball to Santana who is wide open down the sideline, but in all the traffic he is unable to step into the throw and the ball sails out of bounds.
2-10-NO 45 (4:53) (Shotgun) J.Campbell pass short left to A.Randle El to NO 34 for 11 yards (T.Evans) [M.Jenkins].
Ganther again screws up in pass protection - two DBs come untouched off the left edge, but Ganther blocks to the right where the linemen already have all the pass rushers accounted for. Campbell is able to get the ball out off his back foot and hits Randle-El, who is occupying the zone vacated by the two blitzing DBs.
1-10-NO 34 (4:11) J.Campbell pass short right to F.Davis pushed ob at NO 19 for 15 yards (M.McKenzie).
Sellers handles the LDE, allowing the whole line to fan to the offensive left so that Levi can pick up the blitzing SLB. The DTs try to open a lane for the MLB to blitz as well, but the Redskins interiror linemen win the battle and the MLB runs into his own guys backs and is forced to work his way around Heyer's outside shoulder, at which point he's picked up by the RB (Ganther or Rock??). Campbell hits Davis on an out, and he runs through two seperate tackles to pick up 6 tough yards of YAC.
1-10-NO 19 (3:39) J.Campbell pass short left to M.Mitchell to NO 13 for 6 yards (M.Jenkins).
2-4-NO 13 (3:03) J.Campbell pass incomplete short left to S.Moss.
Campbell wants to throw the quick slant to Moss but two DBs jump the route immediately. By the time he pulls the ball down he is under pressure from the LDE and has to throw it away. Not to pick on Ganther, but I think he should have seen that DE was unblocked. The only other pass rush threat he needed to be worried about was the SLB, but Sellers had him well blocked from the TE position.
3-4-NO 13 (2:58) J.Campbell pass incomplete short left to F.Davis.
Saints have three down linemen, but have two LBs showing blitz on the offensive left and two DBs showing blitz on the offensive right. The DBs drop back and the LBs come. The Redskins adjust and Levi and Ganther each take out a blitzing LB. Heyer is beat to the outside by the LDE. Campbell steps up to avoid it but, feeling more pressure than there is, he rushes a hopeless throw to Davis, who is well covered and the throw sails high anyway because Jason threw on the run. If he had just pulled the ball down he had a lot of running room to his right - there was only one defender to that side and Santana was well positioned to block him.
4-4-NO 13 (2:52) S.Suisham 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-E.Albright, Holder-H.Smith.
NO 0 WAS 10, 9 plays, 57 yards, 3:29 drive, 12:12 elapsed
S.Suisham kicks 62 yards from WAS 30 to NO 8. C.Roby pushed ob at NO 34 for 26 yards (D.Thomas).
Redskins coverage unit overpursues and the returner has way too much space when he cuts it back across the field. Good speed from Devin Thomas prevents a bigger return.
New Orleans Saints at 2:48, (1st play from scrimmage 2:40)
1-10-NO 34 (2:40) D.Brees pass short left to R.Meachem pushed ob at NO 45 for 11 yards (L.Landry).
Quick hitch. Byron Westbrook misses an open field tackle 4 yards past the LOS.
1-10-NO 45 (2:15) M.Bell up the middle to NO 44 for -1 yards (B.Orakpo).
Haynesworth and HB Blades take on the Saints RT, RG, and C and win. The RB is forced to cut it outside, where Philip Daniels is unblocked and smothers him.
2-11-NO 44 (1:39) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short right to P.Thomas pushed ob at WAS 42 for 14 yards (B.Westbrook).
Redskins get suckered by a screen.
1-10-WAS 42 (1:07) P.Thomas right end to WAS 41 for 1 yard (A.Carter, L.Fletcher).
Carter comes unblocked at RDE and pursures from the backside, and Rocky blows up the FBs lead block, forcing the RB to take it further outside so Fletcher can chase him down.
2-9-WAS 41 (:28) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short left to R.Bush to WAS 39 for 2 yards (K.Barnes).
A little bubble screen to Bush, but Kevin Barnes fights past a WR's block to make the play.
I have already posted some initial reactions and a poll question.
As always, play by play is taken from the NFL Game Book and my commentary can be distinguished by having its own font.
1st Quarter
S.Suisham kicks 56 yards from WAS 30 to NO 14. C.Roby to NO 34 for 20 yards (H.Blades).
New Orleans Saints at 15:00, (1st play from scrimmage 14:57)
1-10-NO 34 (14:57) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short left to P.Thomas to NO 47 for 13 yards (R.McIntosh).
Andre Carter powers past the LT's outside shoulder and nearly bats down this screen pass.
1-10-NO 47 (14:32) P.Thomas left end to NO 43 for -4 yards (A.Carter).
Carter runs over both the LG and the slot receiver (the LT had pulled to the outside) and chases down the RB from behind.
2-14-NO 43 (13:53) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete deep left to R.Bush (F.Smoot) [A.Carter].
Orakpo attacks the LT's inside shoulder and is only slowed down by having the guy's arm wrapped around his neck. He carries the LT into the backfield and interferes with Brees' first attempt to throw, forcing him to pull the ball down. When Brees escapes to the left Andre Carter, who had been rushing from LDE, pursues him and tackles Brees by the legs just as he throws. Smoot is in front of the receiver and gets both hands on the ball, but can't bring it down.
3-14-NO 43 (13:43) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short left to P.Thomas to WAS 47 for 10 yards (K.Moore) [A.Haynesworth].
4-4-WAS 47 (13:02) T.Morstead punts 42 yards to WAS 5, Center-J.Kyle, downed by NO-J.Kyle.
Washington Redskins at 12:51
1-10-WAS 6 (12:51) J.Campbell pass short right to F.Davis to WAS 15 for 9 yards (J.Kyle).
2-1-WAS 15 (12:11) R.Cartwright up the middle to WAS 19 for 4 yards (R.Ayodele, W.Smith).
PENALTY on NO-W.Smith, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced at WAS 19.
There would have been a bigger hole but the RDE stayed on his feet despite Sellers' cut block. After this penalty we're already past the 30 rather than pinned deep by the punt, so Smoot's dropped interception ended up not really hurting us in terms of field position.
1-10-WAS 34 (11:43) J.Campbell pass incomplete deep left to D.Thomas (M.Jenkins).
PENALTY on NO-M.Jenkins, Defensive Pass Interference, 32 yards, enforced at WAS 34 - No Play.
Saints blitz two LBs. Rock picks up the OLB and throws a good block. The RDE slants inside hoping to open a hole for the MLB, but Levi Jones stays home and manages to fill that guy's blitz lane too.
This ball is a little underthrown - Thomas was forced to slow up, but fortunately the only way the DB could break it up was through desperate interference because Thomas had beat him so badly. But if the pass had a little more air under it this may have been a touchdown.
1-10-NO 34 (11:37) R.Cartwright left end to NO 33 for 1 yard (S.Shanle).
Sellers motions to LTE and kicks out the LB to open up a hole, and Jones and Dockery do a good job of sealing the Saints linemen to the inside. But no one is available to pick up the safety who fills the hole, so Rock is forced to cut outside and by that point the LB is able to shed off Sellers and make the play.
2-9-NO 33 (11:00) R.Cartwright left end to NO 31 for 2 yards (S.Shanle).
Rock cuts to the inside off of Sellers' lead block, but Mike Williams (at RG today) and Stephon Heyer can't cut off the backside pursuit.
3-7-NO 31 (10:20) (Shotgun) J.Campbell pass short middle to D.Thomas to NO 21 for 10 yards (M.Jenkins, D.Sharper).
Saints have only 3 down linemen and try to blitz two LBs up the middle, but Dockery blocks the first one so hard he is able to throw him into the second one, so Dockery takes out both blitzers.
1-10-NO 21 (9:40) R.Cartwright up the middle to NO 5 for 16 yards (D.Sharper).
The LDE apparently misreads the play as a bootleg and takes himself out of the play trying to get downfield to pursue Campbell. Fred Davis kicks out the SLB opening up a big running lane and Heyer, since he doesn't have the LDE to worry about, can clear an oncoming safety from the lane.
1-5-NO 5 (9:03) R.Cartwright right end to NO 8 for -3 yards (R.Ayodele, W.Smith).
The Saints D-line wins this battle. Davis and Williams both get pushed back and can't win the corner, and when Rock cuts back he is taken down by a DT who had penetrated agains Dockery's cut block.
2-8-NO 8 (8:21) J.Campbell pass incomplete short left to R.Cartwright.
Timeout #1 by WAS at 08:17.
Campbell was well protected but none of the routes get open. When he tries to dump it off to Rock the RDE, who is engaged on Levi, tries to get his hand up. Campbell reacts to this during his throwing motion and shoots the ball over Rock's head.
3-8-NO 8 (8:17) (Shotgun) J.Campbell pass short left to F.Davis for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Thomas out of the slot runs a post into the endzone which threatens the LBs in shallow coverage and opens up room for Davis on the shallow cross. Once he makes the catch Davis is simply too fast for a LB and a S who each initially appear to have an angle on him.
S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-E.Albright, Holder-H.Smith.
NO 0 WAS 7, 9 plays, 94 yards, 2 penalties, 4:40 drive, 6:49 elapsed
S.Suisham kicks 62 yards from WAS 30 to NO 8. C.Roby to NO 30 for 22 yards (H.Blades, K.Moore).
New Orleans Saints at 8:11, (1st play from scrimmage 8:05)
1-10-NO 30 (8:05) D.Brees pass short left to D.Thomas to NO 36 for 6 yards (H.Blades).
Lorenzo Alexander rushes from RDE and despite being tripped up by the RB gets his hands up and very nearly deflects this pass to the TE in the flat.
2-4-NO 36 (7:30) D.Henderson left end pushed ob at NO 39 for 3 yards (R.McIntosh). End around
Brees fakes a handoff to the RB then gives it to the WR on an end-around, but Lorenzo Alexander and Rocky McIntosh are not fooled and give good pursuit.
3-1-NO 39 (7:07) Z.Strief reported in as eligible. M.Bell up the middle to NO 39 for no gain (R.McIntosh).
Saints attempt to double Haynesworth but he gets off the line too quick for the LG to even get a block on him and he simply runs over the LT. Kedric Golston dives straight through the line and trips up the RG who is trying to pull to the left.
4-1-NO 39 (6:26) T.Morstead punts 31 yards to WAS 30, Center-J.Kyle, fair catch by A.Randle El.
This horribly short punt, which is normally a good thing by the opposition, is an ominous portent of the even worse punt in the 2nd quarter that will somehow end up in New Orleans' favor.
Washington Redskins at 6:17
1-10-WAS 30 (6:17) J.Campbell pass short right to F.Davis to WAS 42 for 12 yards (J.Vilma, M.McKenzie).
LBs bite on play action, opening up both Sellers and Davis in the flat. Jason rolls out and hits Davis, and Sellers blocks the nearest DB to open up more yards.
1-10-WAS 42 (5:39) Q.Ganther left tackle to NO 45 for 13 yards (S.Shanle).
Davis kicks out the SLB (great block #1), Dockery keeps the RDE to the inside (great block #2), Levi hits the MLB two yards past the LOS and knocks him back four more (great block #3). A safety shoots in to fills the large running lane, but Ganther ptus a wicked cut on him and shows impressive power maintaining his footing and forward momentum despite taking a fairly solid blow to the legs.
1-10-NO 45 (4:58) J.Campbell pass incomplete deep right to S.Moss.
Ganther fails to read the LB blitzing around the right edge so he comes in unblocked, but Campbell pump fakes and makes the LB leap for the deflection instead of coming in for the sack. He buys himself a split second to try to get the ball to Santana who is wide open down the sideline, but in all the traffic he is unable to step into the throw and the ball sails out of bounds.
2-10-NO 45 (4:53) (Shotgun) J.Campbell pass short left to A.Randle El to NO 34 for 11 yards (T.Evans) [M.Jenkins].
Ganther again screws up in pass protection - two DBs come untouched off the left edge, but Ganther blocks to the right where the linemen already have all the pass rushers accounted for. Campbell is able to get the ball out off his back foot and hits Randle-El, who is occupying the zone vacated by the two blitzing DBs.
1-10-NO 34 (4:11) J.Campbell pass short right to F.Davis pushed ob at NO 19 for 15 yards (M.McKenzie).
Sellers handles the LDE, allowing the whole line to fan to the offensive left so that Levi can pick up the blitzing SLB. The DTs try to open a lane for the MLB to blitz as well, but the Redskins interiror linemen win the battle and the MLB runs into his own guys backs and is forced to work his way around Heyer's outside shoulder, at which point he's picked up by the RB (Ganther or Rock??). Campbell hits Davis on an out, and he runs through two seperate tackles to pick up 6 tough yards of YAC.
1-10-NO 19 (3:39) J.Campbell pass short left to M.Mitchell to NO 13 for 6 yards (M.Jenkins).
2-4-NO 13 (3:03) J.Campbell pass incomplete short left to S.Moss.
Campbell wants to throw the quick slant to Moss but two DBs jump the route immediately. By the time he pulls the ball down he is under pressure from the LDE and has to throw it away. Not to pick on Ganther, but I think he should have seen that DE was unblocked. The only other pass rush threat he needed to be worried about was the SLB, but Sellers had him well blocked from the TE position.
3-4-NO 13 (2:58) J.Campbell pass incomplete short left to F.Davis.
Saints have three down linemen, but have two LBs showing blitz on the offensive left and two DBs showing blitz on the offensive right. The DBs drop back and the LBs come. The Redskins adjust and Levi and Ganther each take out a blitzing LB. Heyer is beat to the outside by the LDE. Campbell steps up to avoid it but, feeling more pressure than there is, he rushes a hopeless throw to Davis, who is well covered and the throw sails high anyway because Jason threw on the run. If he had just pulled the ball down he had a lot of running room to his right - there was only one defender to that side and Santana was well positioned to block him.
4-4-NO 13 (2:52) S.Suisham 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-E.Albright, Holder-H.Smith.
NO 0 WAS 10, 9 plays, 57 yards, 3:29 drive, 12:12 elapsed
S.Suisham kicks 62 yards from WAS 30 to NO 8. C.Roby pushed ob at NO 34 for 26 yards (D.Thomas).
Redskins coverage unit overpursues and the returner has way too much space when he cuts it back across the field. Good speed from Devin Thomas prevents a bigger return.
New Orleans Saints at 2:48, (1st play from scrimmage 2:40)
1-10-NO 34 (2:40) D.Brees pass short left to R.Meachem pushed ob at NO 45 for 11 yards (L.Landry).
Quick hitch. Byron Westbrook misses an open field tackle 4 yards past the LOS.
1-10-NO 45 (2:15) M.Bell up the middle to NO 44 for -1 yards (B.Orakpo).
Haynesworth and HB Blades take on the Saints RT, RG, and C and win. The RB is forced to cut it outside, where Philip Daniels is unblocked and smothers him.
2-11-NO 44 (1:39) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short right to P.Thomas pushed ob at WAS 42 for 14 yards (B.Westbrook).
Redskins get suckered by a screen.
1-10-WAS 42 (1:07) P.Thomas right end to WAS 41 for 1 yard (A.Carter, L.Fletcher).
Carter comes unblocked at RDE and pursures from the backside, and Rocky blows up the FBs lead block, forcing the RB to take it further outside so Fletcher can chase him down.
2-9-WAS 41 (:28) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass short left to R.Bush to WAS 39 for 2 yards (K.Barnes).
A little bubble screen to Bush, but Kevin Barnes fights past a WR's block to make the play.
A poll - which Redskin most needs to drink away his sorrows tonight?
You can find my initial reactions to the game in the previous post.
For now, a poll. You can vote in the comments section.
For now, a poll. You can vote in the comments section.
Which Redskin is drinking the most heavily tonight:
a) LaRon Landry - exploited for two long touchdowns
b) Shaun Suisham - missed a 23 yard field goal that would have virtually sealed the game
c) Mike Sellers - fumbled in overtime
d) Kareem Moore - got stripped on an interception return that gave the Saints a touchdown
e) Kevin Barnes - hit by a short punt to give the ball back to the Saints after they had been stopped
f) Jason Campbell - threw a killer interception to let the Saints back in the game
g) Jim Zorn, for so many reasons
Saints give the Redskins their third consecutive gut-wrenching loss, and I pick myself up off the living room floor to try to wrap my head around it
OK my head is kind of swimming right now. I'm not exactly thinking coherently at the moment, but I'm going to try to record some of my reactions, in no particular order:
- Three weeks in a row that we have outplayed more talented opponents and let them slip away. This team is so much better than in the first half of the season, and because of the way the schedule was arranged we jsut can't quite convert it into wins. Please don't bother me of loser-talk, I know that moral victories aren't good enough, but after Dallas, the Eagles, and the Saints all barely escaped with hard-earned wins, I feel so much better about the state of this team and our prospects for next year. This team, I think, is currently at an 8-8 or 9-7 level of quality - but of course they didn't get there until after losing all of their "easy" games in the first half of the year.
- The commentators didn't mention this, and maybe I'm missing something, but why did the Redskins run a play before the two minute warning? Unless I'm confused about the clock situation at that point they could have let it run to two minutes, then run a running play and take :40 seconds off of Drew Brees' window of opportunity. If my memory isn't failing me, this was an appalling bit of clock management. UPDATE: I just went back and checked and I was totally wrong about this. The previous play ended with :42 seconds before the two minute warning. As I was watching it I had it in my head that we had more play clock available and was screaming at them to let it go.
- LaRon Landry has been killing us all year and needs to be benched or moved to strong safety. It's not like we don't have options -Smoot, Kareem Moore, or Reed Doughty could all fill the position adequately.
- Other than Landry I think the secondary played quite well.
- Zero sacks allowed. Nice job by the offensive line, obviously, but there were also a lot of great blitz pickups by the running backs.
- Devin Thomas is now clearly our #1 wide receiver. The Redskins' late season turnaround (in performance, not wins) is largely about him and Fred Davis.
- The mistakes (missed field goal, Sellers' fumble, Campbell's pick) weren't quite enough to kill us. The bad luck (a shanked punt hitting Kevin Barnes, Kareem Moore getting stripped on the interception return) wasn't quite enough to kill us. But the mistakes and bad luck combined were just enough to let this game slip away.
- The defensive line was outstanding - Brees was under threat in the pocket constantly and the Saints' running game was shut down entirely.
- I'm trying to be angry at Shaun Suisham but all I can manage right now is to feel sorry for him.
- Here's the Win Probability Graph from Advanced NFL Stats. Another quantified gut-punch. The Redskins topped out at a 99% chance of victory.
- I can't take too much more of this.
UPDATE: It turns out Real Redskins was basically real-time blogging the game, so go here if you want a very thorough overview of what transpired.
- Three weeks in a row that we have outplayed more talented opponents and let them slip away. This team is so much better than in the first half of the season, and because of the way the schedule was arranged we jsut can't quite convert it into wins. Please don't bother me of loser-talk, I know that moral victories aren't good enough, but after Dallas, the Eagles, and the Saints all barely escaped with hard-earned wins, I feel so much better about the state of this team and our prospects for next year. This team, I think, is currently at an 8-8 or 9-7 level of quality - but of course they didn't get there until after losing all of their "easy" games in the first half of the year.
- The commentators didn't mention this, and maybe I'm missing something, but why did the Redskins run a play before the two minute warning? Unless I'm confused about the clock situation at that point they could have let it run to two minutes, then run a running play and take :40 seconds off of Drew Brees' window of opportunity. If my memory isn't failing me, this was an appalling bit of clock management. UPDATE: I just went back and checked and I was totally wrong about this. The previous play ended with :42 seconds before the two minute warning. As I was watching it I had it in my head that we had more play clock available and was screaming at them to let it go.
- LaRon Landry has been killing us all year and needs to be benched or moved to strong safety. It's not like we don't have options -Smoot, Kareem Moore, or Reed Doughty could all fill the position adequately.
- Other than Landry I think the secondary played quite well.
- Zero sacks allowed. Nice job by the offensive line, obviously, but there were also a lot of great blitz pickups by the running backs.
- Devin Thomas is now clearly our #1 wide receiver. The Redskins' late season turnaround (in performance, not wins) is largely about him and Fred Davis.
- The mistakes (missed field goal, Sellers' fumble, Campbell's pick) weren't quite enough to kill us. The bad luck (a shanked punt hitting Kevin Barnes, Kareem Moore getting stripped on the interception return) wasn't quite enough to kill us. But the mistakes and bad luck combined were just enough to let this game slip away.
- The defensive line was outstanding - Brees was under threat in the pocket constantly and the Saints' running game was shut down entirely.
- I'm trying to be angry at Shaun Suisham but all I can manage right now is to feel sorry for him.
- Here's the Win Probability Graph from Advanced NFL Stats. Another quantified gut-punch. The Redskins topped out at a 99% chance of victory.
- I can't take too much more of this.
UPDATE: It turns out Real Redskins was basically real-time blogging the game, so go here if you want a very thorough overview of what transpired.
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