The Glass is Half Full: Skins' Positives from Week Four

So I was the first person out there bashing the team, but I think last game was pretty damn good; mainly because of our improvement in the 2nd half. A couple good positives;



Playcalling: I was really impressed with Zorn not getting away from the run, like he did last week. The truth is we are not the Colts; can't just throw it around for 300+ yards per game. We need to run, and it would have been really easy to get away from the run going down 10-0 at the half. Props to Zorn to making some adjustments and sticking to the run.
Screen plays: I was complaining to my buds about us not throwing enough screens; it was really effective in the past, and a couple could take some pressure off the line and JC. Zorn answered my prayers, and we had some nice gainers off the screen.
Campbell: Mainly his second half. I expected him to lose confidence and just tank. Instead he came out strong and had some tough runs for critical first downs. He still threw some terrible picks, and he is telegraphing his passes. This needs to change next week. All in all a good turn around from the first half.
Fans: We booed after the first half(which was deserved) but we cheered the team at the end of the game when we needed to. Even though it was close, the Skins played great at the end when it counts. I am glad our fans realized that and gave props where due.
Overall: It was good stuff by both sides of the ball the 2nd half. I am just impressed we didn't give up after a terrible first half. Everyone's job was pretty much on the line. If the Z-man and JC continued to suck the 2nd half, I feel there was a good chance Zorn might have been booted this week. The 2nd half score was 16-3, which is a great score for any half. If we can start out strong this team may have some hope.


I know I have my burgundy and gold shades on, but this was a good win considering how we have lost and performed recently. Yeah the Bucs are a terrible team, but it is tough going 16-3 2nd half after you are down ten. Props to the Skins.

So I was the first person out there basing the team, but I think last game was pretty damn good; mainly because of our improvement in the 2nd half. A couple good positives;



Playcalling: I was really impressed with Zorn not getting away from the run, like he did last week. The truth is we are not the Colts; can't just throw it around for 300+ yards per game. We need to run, and it would have been really easy to get away from the run going down 10-0 at the half. Props to Zorn to making some adjustments and sticking to the run.
Screen plays: I was complaining to my buds about us not throwing enough screens; it was really effective in the past, and a couple could take some pressure off the line and JC. Zorn answered my prayers, and we had some nice gainers off the screen.
Campbell: Mainly his second half. I expected him to lose confidence and just tank. Instead he came out strong and had some tough runs for critical first downs. He still threw some terrible picks, and he is telegraphing his passes. This needs to change next week. All in all a good turn around from the first half.
Fans: We booed after the first half(which was deserved) but we cheered the team at the end of the game when we needed to. Even though it was close, the Skins played great at the end when it counts. I am glad our fans realized that and gave props where due.
Overall: It was good stuff by both sides of the ball the 2nd half. I am just impressed we didn't give up after a terrible first half. Everyone's job was pretty much on the line. If the Z-man and JC continued to suck the 2nd half, I feel there was a good chance Zorn might have been booted this week. The 2nd half score was 16-3, which is a great score for any half. If we can start out strong this team may have some hope.


I know I have my burgundy and gold shades on, but this was a good win considering how we have lost and performed recently. Yeah the Bucs are a terrible team, but it is tough going 16-3 2nd half after you are down ten. Props to the Skins.

I would add to this...

Defense: They did a hell of a job (although I would have like them to deal with a mobile QB a bit better. Other than the 1st Qtr TD (which I blame JC's fumble on that one), they held the Bucs to just 6 points and came away with two huge turnovers. And before you say, oh it's just the Bucs, the Cowpukes let them put up more points and yardage.

1. The defense looked more aggressive. The tackling was better. The pass rush was getting up field but against a mobile quarterback there were some containment issues. The pass coverage was okay. If only Rogers could catch, this game would have not been this close.

2. Zorn stayed with the running game. I think this is very important because the Skins look most effective on offense when teams respect their running abilities. The play action pass seems more effective after a few good runs. The pass rush is also slowed down because they have to read run first.

3. Portis obviously likes to run behind zone blocking schemes. He tends to run well against the grain and find the seam. In power running, he tends to run right up the back of his blockers. He is very good at the sprint draw as well.

4. Campbell took a lot of chances downfield. Against a cover two defense he paid the price forcing a few bad passes. The receivers didn't help much in fighting for the ball, gaining separation or finding the seams in the zone. Cooley is the Skins best option against zone defenses. He knows how to find the open areas. I've yet to see Thomas or Kelly exploit zone defenses. Moss is the Skins best option against man coverage. His double move is as good as any receiver in the league. Thomas and Kelly can take lessons.

Yeah defense played a heck of a lot better. I am still worried about the meat of the schedule. I don't know if we will be able to get pressure in those games, but we will see

1. Rinehart at least looks like an N.F.L player
2. while Hall does get burnt, he is a play-maker. something that is sorely needed
3. Cooley is a baller. rarely does the first tackler bring him down

We could be 0-4 like Tennessee. Instead we are 2-2.

Maybe the second half of the Tampa game was an awakening which will continue.

Tryon and Doughty both look better than expected.

1. Rinehart at least looks like an N.F.L player
2. while Hall does get burnt, he is a play-maker. something that is sorely needed
3. Cooley is a baller. rarely does the first tackler bring him down

Can't say enough about the guy. He looked wholly unaffected by that hit he took in the end zone. (BTW, others may have already said it, but I think that throw of Campbell's was his best of the day--a perfect demonstration of just how strong an arm he has).

It was good to see the team respond in the second half the way they did after facing so much adversity in the first. Fans were booing in the first qtr. and it did have an affect on Jason, but in the end he demonstrated his resilency and overcame. I feel Jason should stop worrying so much about what people are saying about him, and just play.

The second half proved a good effort, but upon leaving the stadium one could feel the perplexity of many fans, satisfied with the win but an overall disbelief at what had just transpired. How could we play so dismal for one half and do a three-sixty to salvage the win? At least for the moment the victory will stave off continuous talk about Zorn's job status.

It was good to see the team respond in the second half the way they did after facing so much adversity in the first. Fans were booing in the first qtr. and it did have an affect on Jason, but in the end he demonstrated his resilency and overcame. I feel Jason should stop worrying so much about what people are saying about him, and just play.

The second half proved a good effort, but upon leaving the stadium one could feel the perplexity of many fans, satisfied with the win but an overall disbelief at what had just transpired. How could we play so dismal for one half and do a three-sixty to salvage the win? At least for the moment the victory will stave off continuous talk about Zorn's job status.

I hope these talks of firing him cool off and the team can focus on their opponent and not the media.

The glass may be half full, but the missing half of the glass is glaring.

Our Offense showed what it can do when they're able to air it out. It opened up the field for cooley and portis (and how bout that nice run by mason), but in three deep passes Campbell had one TD and two INTs. Will that work against anyone other then the dismal Bucs? Perhaps, but without another deep target, teams will just start double teaming moss all game.

Our Defense showed that they can disguise there blitzes and coverages against a QB in their first start. Will it work against the elite QB's? Probably not, but we saw some good things from our younger players. I'm leaning toward playing Jarmon over Daniels, hes just sooo sslllllllllloooooooowwwww.

Oh yeah, and special teams, I gotta give props to Suisham, way to step up in the clutch! Hopefully it'll give him the confidence to hit the game winning 50+ yarders we're definitely gonna need this season.