mooby
11-01-2010, 02:18 AM
Just because we lost to the Lions doesn't mean we can't analyze good and bad spots from today's game. As always here's the link (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2010/10/redskins-lions_best_and_worst.html) from Dan Steinberg of the DC Sports Bog.
Personal Best and Worst:
Best:
1. Banks' electrifying punt and kickoff returns. Huge reason why we were able to stay in today's game. Some could say only reason we stayed in today's game. The NFL is now on notice.
2. Offense taking advantage of good field position, unlike last week.
Worst:
Well, where to start. We all know this one will be a long list.
1. Offensive line play. The bad far outweighed the good. McNabb was on his back more than a hooker in a whorehouse. And even on plays where he was able to get rid of the ball, it f'd with his psyche. Bad offensive line play affects a qb in a lot of ways. It makes them see pressure that isn't there. It makes them throw off their back feet to get rid of the ball quicker. It leads to bad decision making, and throws that are off target and off balance. I doubt even the best of qb's could've played decent behind our outmatched offensive line today.
1a. McNabb's pick. Well duh. This was just a bad decision. Armstrong had 3 defenders wrapped around him. I prefer to think this was the result of McNabb's not being able to trust his line to give him enough time and him deciding to force that ball in there. I'm sure others will just say this one is all on McNabb. Either way, he threw the ball into a crowd of 3 defenders, which is an inexcusable bad decision especially with the game on the line.
2. Defense. Just keep them out of the end zone. I know our special teams gave you a short field, but if Matt Stafford doesn't throw 4 touchdowns they don't win the game. They exploited the zone coverage. I understand zone gives us a better chance at getting turnovers, but it's also easier to complete passes against if you know where the soft spots are. And they anticipated the rush. We need to be better off the snap too, because they got that ball out extremely quickly on that Pettigrew touchdown. Teams know how to figure this defense out, and we obviously can't rely on forcing turnovers every drive.
3. Special teams: Yeah I'm bringing them into this, because week after week we see Brandon Banks bust off great returns that continually get called back for the same 2 penalties: holding, or block in the back. And it's even worse when you see the infraction in question and it's so far away from the ball it's not funny. Just don't do it. Discipline is lacking on special teams this season.
4. Small mention goes to Fred Davis, for dropping 2 2 point conversions. I know the balls were high but you're supposed to bring those in. He even went back to you on the second 2 point conversion. You don't see the field too often because coaches obviously don't have confidence in you to do your job well.
5. Before I forget, the coaching staff. K.Shanny needs to play to his players' strengths better (read: get the ball out quicker, or start max protecting more), and Mike Shanny needs to not make impulsive decisions like benching his star qb at the end of the 4th quarter while down by 6 points and the game's on the line. There's no chance a rusty, crappy qb like Grossman would've been the solution after sitting on the bench for 58 minutes.
That covers the big ones imo. I'm sure I'm missing other things as well, but someone can fill in the blanks.
Philly can't come fast enough, mainly just because I don't want to read 2 weeks of coverage blasting Mike Shanahan for benching McNabb. (Make no mistake, that one is all on Shanny. There could be repercussions that go beyond this season.)
Personal Best and Worst:
Best:
1. Banks' electrifying punt and kickoff returns. Huge reason why we were able to stay in today's game. Some could say only reason we stayed in today's game. The NFL is now on notice.
2. Offense taking advantage of good field position, unlike last week.
Worst:
Well, where to start. We all know this one will be a long list.
1. Offensive line play. The bad far outweighed the good. McNabb was on his back more than a hooker in a whorehouse. And even on plays where he was able to get rid of the ball, it f'd with his psyche. Bad offensive line play affects a qb in a lot of ways. It makes them see pressure that isn't there. It makes them throw off their back feet to get rid of the ball quicker. It leads to bad decision making, and throws that are off target and off balance. I doubt even the best of qb's could've played decent behind our outmatched offensive line today.
1a. McNabb's pick. Well duh. This was just a bad decision. Armstrong had 3 defenders wrapped around him. I prefer to think this was the result of McNabb's not being able to trust his line to give him enough time and him deciding to force that ball in there. I'm sure others will just say this one is all on McNabb. Either way, he threw the ball into a crowd of 3 defenders, which is an inexcusable bad decision especially with the game on the line.
2. Defense. Just keep them out of the end zone. I know our special teams gave you a short field, but if Matt Stafford doesn't throw 4 touchdowns they don't win the game. They exploited the zone coverage. I understand zone gives us a better chance at getting turnovers, but it's also easier to complete passes against if you know where the soft spots are. And they anticipated the rush. We need to be better off the snap too, because they got that ball out extremely quickly on that Pettigrew touchdown. Teams know how to figure this defense out, and we obviously can't rely on forcing turnovers every drive.
3. Special teams: Yeah I'm bringing them into this, because week after week we see Brandon Banks bust off great returns that continually get called back for the same 2 penalties: holding, or block in the back. And it's even worse when you see the infraction in question and it's so far away from the ball it's not funny. Just don't do it. Discipline is lacking on special teams this season.
4. Small mention goes to Fred Davis, for dropping 2 2 point conversions. I know the balls were high but you're supposed to bring those in. He even went back to you on the second 2 point conversion. You don't see the field too often because coaches obviously don't have confidence in you to do your job well.
5. Before I forget, the coaching staff. K.Shanny needs to play to his players' strengths better (read: get the ball out quicker, or start max protecting more), and Mike Shanny needs to not make impulsive decisions like benching his star qb at the end of the 4th quarter while down by 6 points and the game's on the line. There's no chance a rusty, crappy qb like Grossman would've been the solution after sitting on the bench for 58 minutes.
That covers the big ones imo. I'm sure I'm missing other things as well, but someone can fill in the blanks.
Philly can't come fast enough, mainly just because I don't want to read 2 weeks of coverage blasting Mike Shanahan for benching McNabb. (Make no mistake, that one is all on Shanny. There could be repercussions that go beyond this season.)