Any1 want to act like we dont suck?

I think we're in good company... Last season there was a team that was manhandled all season, Including a 38-0 whooping from the Bengals. That team ended up going 14-2 last year. You may know them as the Colts.
AMEN!

Ok, after taking a deep breath, here's what I think:

Not time to panic yet. Never panic based on preseason games. BUT, I am worried and I think that anyone who's a fan would have to have some worries or they're fooling themselves. What has me most worried is that, with each game, our play has gotten progessively worse. I was really surprised by the showing last night. I don't care about winning or losing preseason games, but the way that the ENTIRE team played was shocking to me. Especially after the coaches made such a big deal about their anger after preseason game 2.

I do have one theory, however lame it may be. I think that the slew of starter injuries has the remaining starters playing soft. I really think this is affectingy their mental attitude and it's certainly understandable.

Having said that, Portis truly is the key to our offense. We've just got to get him back by game 1. I have never been a big Brunell fan and am very disappointed in his play, so far. I think this offense's strength will remain the running game, until Campbell comes of age and is our starter. Brunell just doesn't have what it takes to make the best use of all of those good receivers we now have.

I'm still not too worried about the "D". I feel they will come out swinging. Don't forget that 3 of the "D's" starters are injured and that has to have an effect on their overall play. When Griffin and Daniels are back, our rush will improve and we won't have to rely on so many safety blitzes to pressure the QB. Don't know when to expect Springs back, but his loss is obviously very tough too.

As to special teams - a major worry for me. Our kicking game is very questionable and was last year too. Yet, no effort made to improve it, it seems, unless Lonie suddenly takes off and wins the punter job.

Guess I'm still in shock that the starters on offense still have yet to score a point in 3 games. There's just no way to overlook or sugarcoat that. Without Portis, this offense is in trouble.

So, we have 2 weeks left to hope that, at least, Portis, Griffin and Daniels are ready for the opening night game. Springs will probably be out longer.

Again, not ready to panic at all, but very disappointed and concerned.

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggghhhhhhhhh, panic, PANIC, P A N I C!!!!!!!!!

P
A
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The above is the general concensus around here, all the "fire Saunders" stuff, get a grip guys!

Did last nights loss knock us out of contention to make the playoffs? NO Would winning it put us in contention to make the playoffs? NO
What? You mean those games don't count?

Preseason MEANS NOTHING, if we won 77-0 it still would have meant NOTHING! The first time anything counts is against the Vikes.
All these people calling for Saunders head ... will be the first ones calling him a genius when we light it up in the reg season.For those of you that are struggling to understand this concept must first understand that the entire complexity of the game changes come week one. Expierence is so important in the NFL, yet in the preseason, it will not have ANY effect on the outcome. This is because of the way the game is played. Vanilla, structured. A team of 40 very talented rookies would likely go 4-0 in the preseason, and something like 5-11 in the regular season. It's just the nature of the game.

I firmly believe there is NOTHING that can be learned from a preseason football game from a fans perspective. Not to say that it's not important to the players. It is. But the game they are playing in August isn't the same they will be playing come September. "Team Chemisty" is a factor, but a highly overrated one. If the coaching staff can best utilize their talent, thats chemistry enough. Obviously, Saunders has great confidence in his system if he's not even going to practice it in the preseason.

We will easily learn more about this team on September 11 than we have in the month in a half that preceeded it combined. Even so, it will be about midseason before we can accurately judge this team to see if they have met expectations.

If 8 games into the year, Brunell is hurting this team, come back to me and I'll jump on the Jason Campbell bandwagon.

Here's my new theory that's keeping me from drawing a warm bath, drinking a bottle of Tuaca, and cutting my wrists.

This team was way too full of themselves in camp. David Patten said that for the first time since he was with the New England Patriots he feels his team is going to the Super Bowl. Even the normally taciturn Mark Brunell said "Anything short of going all the way would be a disappointment."

Talent is only part of the equation. There wasn't the hunger the coaching staff expected, and they have called games specifically to humble their players. In game one, Williams left his CBs on an island, and let them get killed. On Friday, Saunders called almost exclusively three step drops with minimum protection for Brunell.

The coaching staff wants the team to know that they will have nothing handed to them, and that they have to be ready to fight. They learned that last year when they lost three straight, two to teams out of the playoffs. There won't be the chance to learn that lesson in November this year.

I want to think that as well, but do you really think the coaches would do that at the risk of letting them lose a lot of their swagger and confidence?

You're right, Brud. The intangibles like leadership, motivation and desire have to be cultivated. I think the 'Skins coaching staff is relatively comfortable with our players from talent or skill level perspective but this pre-season seems more about focusing on evaluating each players commitment to the team. I haven't heard one player grumble and complain about how bad the coaching staff is and you know someone at sometime would want to let something slip to the press.

Here's the question: Since most final pre-season games have the starters play only a limited amount, what will the 'Skins do? It would be nice to go into the pre-season knowing that John Hall has enough left in the leg to ick an extra point.

This is preseason junk football. By week 4 you will know if this team sucks until then there is no need to get excited.