Defense Is Back, Really!

You know who really did well tonight? David Macklin. The guy never got beat and, whenever they showed replays, #38 was on his man. Why this guy was inactive last week is perplexing.

Well it's winning games now, can't argue with that.

After last year's debacle I don't think we can be picky.

I don't mind giving up field goals, as long as we're scoring touchdowns. Also, how great was it to see the dline getting pressure?

Defense played extremely well tonight. You have to give it up to them for not giving up a TD. The three sacks were nice, but the only problem I have with the D is the lack of turnovers. If the D can start creating more turnovers they will be a force to be reckoned with.

I agree that it'll be a test next week against NY's WRs and TEs, but Philly has the best underneath game in the league, IMO, and our D is not well designed for that. So they did well, given Philly's scheme.

What this D needs is TOs--watching the cowroids, it was like the Fins were trying to throw the ball to the roids DBs--why doesn't that happen to us? Is it our scheme? Bad luck? I think the TOs will come, but that's what this D is missing, and it's a big part of what Williams is trying to do, no doubt.

But only giving up FGs in philly, against MCNabb, who is one of the best red zone QBS--that's big time. To much underneath stuff and runs by Westbrook, but when it mattered, they held up. And they got some pressure and sacks. That's a very encouraging sign.

And don't forget, Westbrook is GOOD (much as I hate that fact). He's an all-around player, and he gives everyone fits. Great out of the backfield as a receiver, and great as a cut-back runner. Tough to stop, even if you key on him. Thank god philly has NO WRs!

You know who really did well tonight? David Macklin. The guy never got beat and, whenever they showed replays, #38 was on his man. Why this guy was inactive last week is perplexing.

MackSmack!!!

He's definitely solid. And Torrence played well too

It's a bend but don't break philosophy and it certainly is working so far this year.

So you think its part of a "plan" to give up yards and then stop the other team in the red zone? Personally I think the Skins just started playing more zone/cover2 and prevent at the end there. They gave up a ton of yards on those last 2 or 3 series and made the Eagles O look good. But once they got into the red zone there was just less space and Mcnabb's poor accuracy and 1 big hit kept the Eagles from scoring.

The Skins D looked far better in the first 3 quarters when CBs were locked on their sub par WRs man-to-man with someover help , (most of the time). I couln't believe it but I even saw some pressure on McNabb with just the front four.

MackSmack!!!

He's definitely solid. And Torrence played well too

Really saw a lot of different DBs in there tonight. I couldn't tell if it was a bunch of nickel/dime or substitutions. Or whether the subs were because of a plan or injury. Of course if the booth trio would stop talking about the Pat's cameragate maybe I coulda found out.

So you think its part of a "plan" to give up yards and then stop the other team in the red zone? Personally I think the Skins just started playing more zone/cover2 and prevent at the end there. They gave up a ton of yards on those last 2 or 3 series and made the Eagles O look good. But once they got into the red zone there was just less space and Mcnabb's poor accuracy and 1 big hit kept the Eagles from scoring.

The Skins D looked far better in the first 3 quarters when CBs were locked on their sub par WRs man-to-man with someover help , (most of the time). I couln't believe it but I even saw some pressure on McNabb with just the front four.

Defense Aims to Corner Philadelphia - washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/13/AR2007091302425_2.html)

In their defensive backs meetings, players say the coaches have stressed eliminating big plays this season after a horrible deep defense last season, and are comfortable with the trade-off coming in 10- to 15-yard receptions at times.

Where was Shawn Springs? Once again we didn't see much of him. I was impressed with Leigh Torrence's and David Macklin's play though, they were pretty good. Overall though we have work to do because against some of the better offenses in the league this philosophy won't work.

We also need to work on our tackling, Westbrook was once again having a good game against us. We won't be facing a back of his caliber next week when we play the Giants, but if we don't wrap up we'll be looking at a nice performance by whoever the Giants are using to replace Jacobs.

The main gripe I have is once again we are failing to create turnovers. I realize we can still be a good D if we don't get turnovers, but turnovers are such a crucial part of the game. Through 2 games we have one fumble recovery and no picks. That's a pretty bad sign if you ask me. Look at Cincy, they got 6 turnovers from Baltimore in one game. Good teams make turnovers happen, and so far they aren't happening for us.