Smoot Lays The Smack Down-Redskins vs. Ravens (Preseason Special)

Well most of what we ran was pretty vanilla yesterday, both on offense and defense so I'm not going to worry so much about the score really. Obviously would have preferred that we had the 23 though. For me, the player of the game was probably Laron Landry. I was really impressed with the way he played yesterday, and Keiland Williams looked strong on the kickoff returns.

Shanahan puts a lot of emphasis on how players "on the bubble" perform in games, so with that said I think Anthony Armstrong did a lot to solidify his chances of being on the 53-man roster come September 12.


Ok, let's get to the smack downs:

The Running Game Everything about it was poor. Blocking from the OL was matador-esque. Sellers, like he's done so many times before, whiffed on a block. LJ struggled to hit the hole hard enough on multiple occassions; and looked lost on a couple of blocking assignments. Based on his training camp and OTA performances, LJ is penciled in as 1A to CPs' 1. As I said above, Shanahan puts a lot of emphasis on how players play in games so guys like Parker, Torain, and even Williams had a chance to make a case for themselves last night to move up the RB depth chart. None of them really did. As to LJ's comments about wanting to play in the 4th quarter, I didn't take them to be a shot at anyone. He just wanted to play is all

Rex Grossman Just putting this out there so I can point out that Chase Daniel was 15/21 yesterday with 3 TDs

Kareem Moore's Knee Right now they're saying he could miss the first two weeks of the season, maybe more (maybe less if we're lucky). Yet another injury setback for a career that has been slow to get going. Sad

Devin Thomas Can't confirm this yet, but I heard that he's had more drops than any other WR in the league this pre-season. And his poor hands are what have frustrated the coaching staff all spring and summer.

LeRon McLain What's with all the trash talking afterward "Yeah we own the Beltway. This one's for Zorn!" And a Gatorade shower for Zorn? Really?

and finally...

Albert Haynesworth If it was more than just "headaches" why don't you just say what it was? Sorry, but AH doesn't get the benefit of the doubt in my mind. Yes, he's a dominant DT but he's not more important than the team. And if he put more effort in, he'd probably be a first-team Hall of Famer. If he keeps it up, he'll be out of the league sooner than later because teams won't want to put up with him. Think that's impossible? Look at Jeff George. Arguably, with little argument, the best passer the league has seen in 20 years but his attitude ruined what could have been a great career. Big Al need only look around him in the locker room and see guys like Phillip Daniels and London Fletcher to know how he should act.

Well most of what we ran was pretty vanilla yesterday, both on offense and defense so I'm not going to worry so much about the score really. Obviously would have preferred that we had the 23 though. For me, the player of the game was probably Laron Landry. I was really impressed with the way he played yesterday, and Keiland Williams looked strong on the kickoff returns.

Shanahan puts a lot of emphasis on how players "on the bubble" perform in games, so with that said I think Anthony Armstrong did a lot to solidify his chances of being on the 53-man roster come September 12.


Ok, let's get to the smack downs:

The Running Game Everything about it was poor. Blocking from the OL was matador-esque. Sellers, like he's done so many times before, whiffed on a block. LJ struggled to hit the hole hard enough on multiple occassions; and looked lost on a couple of blocking assignments. Based on his training camp and OTA performances, LJ is penciled in as 1A to CPs' 1. As I said above, Shanahan puts a lot of emphasis on how players play in games so guys like Parker, Torain, and even Williams had a chance to make a case for themselves last night to move up the RB depth chart. None of them really did. As to LJ's comments about wanting to play in the 4th quarter, I didn't take them to be a shot at anyone. He just wanted to play is all

Rex Grossman Just putting this out there so I can point out that Chase Daniel was 15/21 yesterday with 3 TDs

Kareem Moore's Knee Right now they're saying he could miss the first two weeks of the season, maybe more (maybe less if we're lucky). Yet another injury setback for a career that has been slow to get going. Sad

Devin Thomas Can't confirm this yet, but I heard that he's had more drops than any other WR in the league this pre-season. And his poor hands are what have frustrated the coaching staff all spring and summer.

LeRon McLain What's with all the trash talking afterward "Yeah we own the Beltway. This one's for Zorn!" And a Gatorade shower for Zorn? Really?
and finally...

Albert Haynesworth If it was more than just "headaches" why don't you just say what it was? Sorry, but AH doesn't get the benefit of the doubt in my mind. Yes, he's a dominant DT but he's not more important than the team. And if he put more effort in, he'd probably be a first-team Hall of Famer. If he keeps it up, he'll be out of the league sooner than later because teams won't want to put up with him. Think that's impossible? Look at Jeff George. Arguably, with little argument, the best passer the league has seen in 20 years but his attitude ruined what could have been a great career. Big Al need only look around him in the locker room and see guys like Phillip Daniels and London Fletcher to know how he should act.

:doh: D.C. Sports Bog - Jim Zorn's postgame Gatorade shower (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2010/08/jim_zorns_postgame_gatorade_sh.html)

the k moore thing is the dagger of the whole game. sucks.

I could give a shit less about zorn or the ravens. It's preseason really???? Grow up. As for Moore that's my biggest worry. Although I do trust guys like doughty and horton, I was really hoping Moore would become a big time player. I hope he's not just another injury prone DB. Hope he is back before Dallas

The gatorade thing just seemed like all in good fun to me. Kinda like the "Hip-hip-horray" stuff from last year. Not a big deal by any means to me.

Devin was a dissapointment to me. U gotta make catches that hit u right in the hands especially if u wanna be a starting receiver in this league. On a positive note Armstrong is looking like a player who could give us many good years.

I think KM will be back for the Cowboys game. He walked off a little slow but he walked off. He has three weeks to work with and I can't see it taking any longer to get healthy.

The INT Donovan through was a TD if he threw it out in front of him. The ball was severely underthrown. However, I again look at it as they have only been working together for a few months. Later on in the 2nd quarter he over threw a TD to Armstrong as well. By midseason barring injuries the passing game is going to be nasty!

What is the big deal about the gatorade thing is right. Zorn is gone, and that is all that matters.

Well most of what we ran was pretty vanilla yesterday, both on offense and defense so I'm not going to worry so much about the score really. Obviously would have preferred that we had the 23 though. For me, the player of the game was probably Laron Landry. I was really impressed with the way he played yesterday, and Keiland Williams looked strong on the kickoff returns.

Shanahan puts a lot of emphasis on how players "on the bubble" perform in games, so with that said I think Anthony Armstrong did a lot to solidify his chances of being on the 53-man roster come September 12.


Ok, let's get to the smack downs:

The Running Game Everything about it was poor. Blocking from the OL was matador-esque. Sellers, like he's done so many times before, whiffed on a block. LJ struggled to hit the hole hard enough on multiple occassions; and looked lost on a couple of blocking assignments. Based on his training camp and OTA performances, LJ is penciled in as 1A to CPs' 1. As I said above, Shanahan puts a lot of emphasis on how players play in games so guys like Parker, Torain, and even Williams had a chance to make a case for themselves last night to move up the RB depth chart. None of them really did. As to LJ's comments about wanting to play in the 4th quarter, I didn't take them to be a shot at anyone. He just wanted to play is all

Rex Grossman Just putting this out there so I can point out that Chase Daniel was 15/21 yesterday with 3 TDs

Kareem Moore's Knee Right now they're saying he could miss the first two weeks of the season, maybe more (maybe less if we're lucky). Yet another injury setback for a career that has been slow to get going. Sad

Devin Thomas Can't confirm this yet, but I heard that he's had more drops than any other WR in the league this pre-season. And his poor hands are what have frustrated the coaching staff all spring and summer.

LeRon McLain What's with all the trash talking afterward "Yeah we own the Beltway. This one's for Zorn!" And a Gatorade shower for Zorn? Really?

and finally...

Albert Haynesworth If it was more than just "headaches" why don't you just say what it was? Sorry, but AH doesn't get the benefit of the doubt in my mind. Yes, he's a dominant DT but he's not more important than the team. And if he put more effort in, he'd probably be a first-team Hall of Famer. If he keeps it up, he'll be out of the league sooner than later because teams won't want to put up with him. Think that's impossible? Look at Jeff George. Arguably, with little argument, the best passer the league has seen in 20 years but his attitude ruined what could have been a great career. Big Al need only look around him in the locker room and see guys like Phillip Daniels and London Fletcher to know how he should act.


Not too worried about the running game. If that was a real game we'd probably want to throw anyway cause Balt. has a weak 2ndary.

Grossman seems to be the same type of guy. Makes some really nice plays and follows it up with stuff that can lose a game for you.

Too bad about Moore. Do we have anyone to replace him?

Thomas plays hard but he just doesn't seem to be consistent enough.

IMO we just need to cut our losses and let AH go. Enough is enough.

I think the status quo for AH is fine. Let him play with the 2nd team defense until he shows that he can play with 1st team.

Donovan was solid, although he did have a lot of inaccurate passes, which are what he was criticized for in philly. The deep strike to armstrong was underthrown, the 3rd & goal pass on the first drive was way off target, and so was a dumpoff to portis that CP couldn't bring in. Still, the 3rd down completion to cooley on the 1st drive under heavy pressure made me happy, and also made me laugh about what campbell would have done...

I think portis is without question the starter this season, and will probably rush for 800 yards or more. I remember seeing a couple really good blocks in pass protection from him; I think one was the deep bomb to armstrong but I dont remember.

Injury to kareem hurts, but I like doughty, who while probably a better fit at SS, is one of the better tacklers on our team.

With a few exceptions, rather dismal game in general. Generally lacked positive consistency.
Need a running game, and a blocking game for same....
DMac, please stop acting like JC (your pressure evasion not withstanding)
lose the Dropzies
lose the revolving door blocking technique
Need a dynamic return game
It's ok Trent, he does that to everybody
Actually, perhaps we can just play Buffalo again and.....NO worries
Well.........thats why he have pre-season............

On a side note Marc Bulger is still a really good QB. Balt made a nice move in picking him up if Flacco struggles. Very accurate passer and the ball comes out very quick.