SouperMeister
10-30-2008, 07:55 PM
The third quarter of the season has not been kind to the Skins recently. Looking at the two years under Spurrier and the 4 years under Gibbs, the Skins started the season's second half as follows:
2002: 1-3 (losing first 2)
2003: 1-3
2004: 1-3 (losing first 3)
2005: 1-3 (losing first 3)
2006: 1-3 (losing first 2)
2007: 0-4
I'm at a loss for how the team would open the 2nd half so poorly, especially when they had good teams in 2005 and 2007 that started 5-3, and eventually made the playoffs. Needless to say, this trend must stop NOW if this year's team aspires to hosting playoff games and making a deep run. I'm curious if any of you have theories on the cause of this negative trend, and how this year might be different with Zorn at the helm.
JWsleep
10-30-2008, 08:20 PM
Good post--I had a feeling there was a problem here, but I didn't know the numbers were so bad!
One issue is injuries. Another is fatigue. But all teams face this sort of pressure every year, so that's certainly no excuse. Let's hope Zorn can fire them up. I do think the bye falls at a great time this year, as opposed to some of the last couple of years. Even if we lose to Pitt, we can recharge and get it straight in the bye week.
RMSkins
10-30-2008, 08:42 PM
Wow! I always knew we had rough third quarters but I had no idea that it was this bad.
JLW428
10-30-2008, 08:46 PM
I think this team can do well in the second half of the season. As long as we can keep players healthy - and get the unhealthy players back up to speed, we should be fine.
Another thing we need to work on is capitalizing on our offence in the redzone. We can not settle for field goals. We have been able to drive down the field without a problem (for the most part) thus far. However; once we get in the redzone, it seems that our offence struggles on executing redzone plays.
If we can make these things happen I think we will be just fine.
MiraclesHappen07
10-30-2008, 08:54 PM
Like most people said its injuries. Those can really take a toll on a team looking for a playoff run. But so far we havent been doing to bad on injuries, and i believe that Zorn and co. can keep us foucsed and relatively healthy than we have been in recent years
53Fan
10-30-2008, 09:56 PM
This may be why we're not trying to rush injured players. Better for them to be completely healthy for the second half of the season.
Ijaeger
10-31-2008, 12:29 AM
After looking at those stats, it's easy to see why people are just sitting back waiting for the Redskins to fall flat on their face. Then they can point the finger and laugh and say "I told you so". However, nothing is forever and times do change. And I must say that there is just a different feel about this team. We might not end up 6-2 for the 2cd half of the season but I doubt we'll be 2-6 either. Speaking of stats and streaks, wonder how the election will go after the Pitt. game?
theJBexperience
10-31-2008, 12:59 AM
Man! That's bad. A better third quarter will definitely show improvement and whether or not this team is poised to make a run through the playoffs or just barely make it.
GTripp0012
10-31-2008, 01:06 AM
Interesting trend, but ultimately it's just statistical noise. The Redskins have played worse in November, historically, but they also never had a team quite as good as this one.
SmootSmack
10-31-2008, 08:13 AM
Interesting trend, but ultimately it's just statistical noise. The Redskins have played worse in November, historically, but they also never had a team quite as good as this one.
I know I can't be the only one who finds it ironic that Tripp would refer to some stats as "just statistical noise"