Post Rams Debacle Thoughts

Jebus: I thought that strip may have cost him the tackle on an experienced back. I also disagree anyone would make that pick. He had to gain a lot of ground to get there on time, and the lateral though not accurate was the right idea. 20 seconds left in the half a TD there would have put them back into the game.

I know where you're coming from on the strip. My first reaction was the same, that it cost him some on the tackle. But when they showed it on the reply, Jackson went right down. I don't whether it's because Taylor's so strong that even with the attempted strip he can still knock a player straight to the ground, or whether he just strips with the right technique. You're probably right, though, that we should withhold judgment until we see how that works on experienced backs (although Taylor has made quite a few tackles during the preseason and always goes for the strip, and I haven't seen a back shed one of his tackles yet).

As for the INT, don't get me wrong, I'm happy he made it--especially because we've had a lot of players drop easy picks they should have made. I just didn't think that was as impressive as some of the other ones on his already substantial highlight reel.

I still disagree with the lateral. You're right about the idea. But, if I remember correctly, he was going down when he pitched it, and he almost sent it into our own endzone. A fumble that was recovered for a Rams touchdown would have been as devastating (and more likely) as a Redskins touchdown would have been inspiring.

Some of the blame has to go to the offense....You have to score points and run time off the clock! You CAN'T LET A TEAM LIKE THE RAMS stay on the field that amount of time! They will score! I think Chris C said it best that Smoot looked tried after being run all over the place. It was like a track meet and Ramsey and the O didn't give them time to think much less change things on the side line! In the NFL it's Time of Possesion! If you have the ball you win much more if you don't! :soapbox:

hmmmmmmmmmm. I sure thought that is the same thing I was saying in the post you responded to. (problem was Ramsey, would have been different with Brunell in there, we left most of our offense behind closed doors, the DB's are going to be fine). Of course you are at an advantage if you control time of possession. But the loss is not what mattered, anyway. I was responding to guys that were in panic mode about our DB's. Again, they will be fine.

Jebus: I thought that strip may have cost him the tackle on an experienced back. I also disagree anyone would make that pick. He had to gain a lot of ground to get there on time, and the lateral though not accurate was the right idea. 20 seconds left in the half a TD there would have put them back into the game.
Daseal once again you have restored my faith with your lack of football knowledge. The interception was great, I think everyone would agree that his make up speed tp cover the opposite side of the field is amazing especially considerring he looks like a linebacker. But saying the lateral was the correct thing to do as there was only 20 seconds left in the half. Wow that is totaly wrong. HE pitched back from the 15 yard line, does saftey or a touchedown come to your thoguhts. Ill advised play and clearly a rookie mistake. If the Redskins were thinking of trying to score with 20 seconds do you rember what the next play after the interception was? KNEEL DOWN PLAY. Wake up dude!!!

CRT3: It was obvious if they didn't gain field position from that interception that it would be a kneel down give up play. I understand the dangers involved with the lateral, but with 20 seconds left in a losing pre-season bought why not try to change morale to your team?

When he tossed the ball I cringed, but you said yourself in your post that: "If the Redskins were thinking of trying to score with 20 seconds" They obviously have no shot at a score from the 15 yard line. However your own 40-45 yard line you can complete one solid pass, take a time out, and get 3 points out of the ordeal. I don't have game footage in front of me, but if I remember correctly there were very few St. Louis players around the other defensive player, and had the pass been slightly more accurate we might be calling that the turning point in the game. What I'm saying in the long run is I don't think it mattered that much. It could have been a great play for them, it could have turned into nothing, but like with every play there's a slight chance it could have turned around. Wouldn't have been any worse than what would have happened if we had Bowen or Lott in instead of Taylor.

I don't think the Rams were very vanilla yesterday though, not when they had Isaac Bruce throwing a pass

And none of our expected front 7 starters on defense played past the first quarter. Plus the Rams still had Holt in there late in the game going up obstensibly Ralph Brown, but really a zone defense

I wasn't at all pleased with last night's performance because I'm a fan and want to see the team do well always but I'm not concerned.

Agreed..and as mention by the fox crew calling the game, the Rams had been embarrassed in KC the previous week and played with a chip on their shoulders

They arent as good as they showed and you guys sure arent as bad as you showed either

On the play Brown got burned, you guys sold out on a blitz and put a 4th CB on a premier WR...if Williams doesnt learn from that..well..morre power to you guys

Does anyone doubt that Holt would have seen some doubles had this been a regular season game. Don't get me wrong the guy is a great WR, top 3 in the league, but he was running wide ass open in single coverage. That kinda stuff doesn't happen in the regular season.

Almost certainly - Saw an interview with Greg Williams on Comcast Sports Net - he fended off comments about the sucky performance saying basically that it was his plan to intensively test the secondary (starters as well as 2nd & 3rd stringers). Of course, the secondary got mauled, but I bet it gave the coaching staff a clearer picture of who's capable of playing and who's not. I for one am not high on Ralph Brown - hope Rufus Brown makes the cut instead of him. Jimoh will certainly be gone, whew!

Could be wrong here, but part of the plan may have even been to hold back on the pass rush (on 1st and 2nd downs) and leave the secondary to hold fort by themselves. Starting DEs such as Upshaw and Wynn left the game in the 1st quarter itself. Gibbs had no interest in trying to win the game as was obvious in the 3rd quarter when Brunell came in and the play calling was still conservative - no long bombs, sweeps or anything of the kind.

About Ramsey - agree with most that he needs to sit back and learn from Brunell - accuracy has never been one of Ramsey's strengths, and he still has too many miscommunications with his receivers for a starting qb . Its certainly been a humbling experience for him and being a back up will aid his development as a qb.

On another note, a pity, but it seems like Rock will be cut - he's pretty ineffective as a runner - Betts played only 2 sets of downs and showed the coaches why he's a better back.

I think the staff loves Rock's heart and may keep him around.

everyone knows betts is a better back, but HE DOESN'T PLAY, that's been the big kicker thus far... wasn't holt in into the 3rd quarter? jeez.

"holding back" on the pass rush? you kidding? we blitzed aLOT. and Bulger was only sacked once. what about the time we sent 9 guys at him. no one got there the whole game. the Rams devastated Oline easily kept our Dline at bay, and Griffin was playing.

I agree, ILL, and we still have a STRONG need for a quality pass-rusher at DE.