Gmanc711
11-02-2008, 02:02 PM
Hello Everyone,
Hope you all enjoyed the Redskins win over the Lions last week, looking forward to a very big contest against the Steelers on Monday.
The Redskins once again last week took advantage of an inferior opponent to grind out a win in a game that was closer than it should have been. The biggest worry to me was the way the offensive line fared against Detroit. Losing Chris Samuels was obviously a huge blow; and if he can't go
this week against the Steelers, they'll need a better effort from Stephon Heyer to keep Jason Campbell protected. Campbell continues to impress me, Jim Zorn has done a phenominal job of taking him to the next level. The fact that he doesn't have an interception yet this season is astounding and a big tribute to Jason. Last year his biggest problem was turning
the ball over, and with the exception of a couple costly fumbles, he has done a great job cleaning that up.
Looking ahead to Pittsburgh this week, Washington will need to have a cleaner game. What I mean by that, is they have to not have dumb penalties, and each individual has to do their job. I don't think that their struggles come from not taking teams seriously enough, but a part of that
fire that they had against Dallas and Philadelphia didn't seem to be there the past two weeks. At home, on a Monday night against a opponent the calibur of the Steelers should be everything they can ask for to get fired up for the game.
As far as Washington blowing out teams? I dont really have a great answer for that. The effort really seems to be there by this team, they're just not playing their best football. I don't know if it's a case of them having a bit of a mental lapse, but the phsycial effort has been there, so I think if
anything that goes to the coach to make sure they're mentally there. The talent level on teams is much more spread out than it used to be, so blow outs are not going to happen every week. However, the Redskins shouldnt have to wait for the last drive every week to know they've won. I think we'll
get a better idea of how they'll be the remainder of the season this week. The month of November is huge for this team: vs Pittsburgh, vs Dallas, @ Seattle, vs NYG. These are four teams that the Redskins should be very excited to play. Even though Seattle is struggling, its still a team that knocked them out of the playoffs 2 of the last 3 years. The month of November should really make or break the team.
I do think this team is in need of the bye week, however. Coming in before any other team in the league, playing more games to this point than anyone, has defintley taken its toll. The team has alot of injuries at this point, and even the guys who are healthy are nursing the physical toll that this game takes on you. However, when you start a season this well, having the bye week at this point is defintley an advantage to make the run through
November and December and possibly beyond.
All and all, if this team stays healthy, they have the potential to make a big run into the post season. I like how their schedule matches up the rest of the way, to get at worst a playoff spot, with a good look at the division at this point as well. I know it will be very interseting to see what happens going forward.
Look forward to talking to you guys after Pittsburgh!
Hope you all enjoyed the Redskins win over the Lions last week, looking forward to a very big contest against the Steelers on Monday.
The Redskins once again last week took advantage of an inferior opponent to grind out a win in a game that was closer than it should have been. The biggest worry to me was the way the offensive line fared against Detroit. Losing Chris Samuels was obviously a huge blow; and if he can't go
this week against the Steelers, they'll need a better effort from Stephon Heyer to keep Jason Campbell protected. Campbell continues to impress me, Jim Zorn has done a phenominal job of taking him to the next level. The fact that he doesn't have an interception yet this season is astounding and a big tribute to Jason. Last year his biggest problem was turning
the ball over, and with the exception of a couple costly fumbles, he has done a great job cleaning that up.
Looking ahead to Pittsburgh this week, Washington will need to have a cleaner game. What I mean by that, is they have to not have dumb penalties, and each individual has to do their job. I don't think that their struggles come from not taking teams seriously enough, but a part of that
fire that they had against Dallas and Philadelphia didn't seem to be there the past two weeks. At home, on a Monday night against a opponent the calibur of the Steelers should be everything they can ask for to get fired up for the game.
As far as Washington blowing out teams? I dont really have a great answer for that. The effort really seems to be there by this team, they're just not playing their best football. I don't know if it's a case of them having a bit of a mental lapse, but the phsycial effort has been there, so I think if
anything that goes to the coach to make sure they're mentally there. The talent level on teams is much more spread out than it used to be, so blow outs are not going to happen every week. However, the Redskins shouldnt have to wait for the last drive every week to know they've won. I think we'll
get a better idea of how they'll be the remainder of the season this week. The month of November is huge for this team: vs Pittsburgh, vs Dallas, @ Seattle, vs NYG. These are four teams that the Redskins should be very excited to play. Even though Seattle is struggling, its still a team that knocked them out of the playoffs 2 of the last 3 years. The month of November should really make or break the team.
I do think this team is in need of the bye week, however. Coming in before any other team in the league, playing more games to this point than anyone, has defintley taken its toll. The team has alot of injuries at this point, and even the guys who are healthy are nursing the physical toll that this game takes on you. However, when you start a season this well, having the bye week at this point is defintley an advantage to make the run through
November and December and possibly beyond.
All and all, if this team stays healthy, they have the potential to make a big run into the post season. I like how their schedule matches up the rest of the way, to get at worst a playoff spot, with a good look at the division at this point as well. I know it will be very interseting to see what happens going forward.
Look forward to talking to you guys after Pittsburgh!