Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Rams)

I think there is blame to be shared among Rex, Kyle, and perhaps others, but I am troubled by the fact that with very good pretection today, we managed something like a paltry 163 yards passing. Our run game looked very good -- no doubt. But to fail to throw for 200 against that awful Rams defense makes me wonder what we're not doing right at this stage of the season.

As always John Keim with great reporting on the football side of things.

7. Oh, Rex, Rex, Rex. Before we put any blame on him for the interception, we must say this: Santana Moss and Hightower both dropped passes that would have resulted in first downs and more in the fourth quarter. And Grossman had a couple nice throws, including the TD to Moss in which they worked the wide side of the field well.

The play in which he was picked off by James Laurinaitis is one they use a lot. And the play-action typically opens a seam for the pass to Moss. But Laurinaitis had the speed to make up for being sucked in by the fake. And Grossman forced the ball, maybe because that play has worked so often – especially from their own end of the field -- and he just expected it to work again. But it was a very poor decision. Can’t blame Grossman for his first interception (it bounced off Moss’ hands), but this one at this time in the game was terrible.

I wish the Redskins had come out running a little bit. Finish it off strong with some power. But they started the game this way, too, feeling they could suck up the Rams with play action and hurt them deep. Didn’t work then either. Grossman got away with two other passes that could have, or should have, been picked. What’s the credo? Never throw back to the middle of the field when rolling out? Plays like this are why some scouts/experts think he’ll never change. Those plays are about a mindset, not a system. I know other quarterbacks make bad plays, but this happens a couple times every game. But let’s not start calling for John Beck just yet. The Redskins are 3-1 and Beck’s decision making in his final two preseason starts wasn’t the best, either. For the time being this is Grossman’s team.



Read more at the Washington Examiner: Ten observations: Redskins 17, Rams 10 | John Keim | NFL | Washington Examiner (http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/redskins/2011/10/ten-observations-redskins-17-rams-10#ixzz1ZgkiVJKj)

@Russellmania980
Chris Russell
Mike Shanahan when asked if Ryan Torain will be starter vs Philly said "This will be fun. I'll play this game with you guys all week."Torain against Philly actually wouldn't be a bad idea.

Torain is the bad team punisher. If we're playing a defense that can't tackle and is poor at staying in it's run gaps (two hallmarks of bad run defense teams), Torain runs hard enough to make them pay for being bad.

Torain against Philly actually wouldn't be a bad idea.

Torain is the bad team punisher. If we're playing a defense that can't tackle and is poor at staying in it's run gaps (two hallmarks of bad run defense teams), Torain runs hard enough to make them pay for being bad.

Torain is a great physical back that none of the eagles LB's or secondary could cover. Quick name me all the eagles starting LBs....


exactly you can't because their no names who suck. Supposedly 5'9 rookie Brian Rolle of Ohio St is a new OLB for them over Casey Matthews. Then you have Fokou from maryland who can't cover or tackle in space. And don't forget Jamar Chaney who bites a lot on play action and overruns plays and takes bad angles. I like our chances in 2 weeks.

Walt Coleman This was not a great week for NFL officiating, but I can't say my expectations for this crew were any higher than what they got. When you lose control of a game, make sure to throw a bunch of 15 yard flags on one team, but not the other.

Torain is a great physical back that none of the eagles LB's or secondary could cover. Quick name me all the eagles starting LBs....


exactly you can't because their no names who suck. Supposedly 5'9 rookie Brian Rolle of Ohio St is a new OLB for them over Casey Matthews. Then you have Fokou from maryland who can't cover or tackle in space. And don't forget Jamar Chaney who bites a lot on play action and overruns plays and takes bad angles. I like our chances in 2 weeks.Hey, I can name all the Eagles LBs.

I think the "coaches" on here should lay off Haslett and his blitz packages and when he uses it. Look, we are the best in the NFL on 3rd for a reason. I think its because of Haslett not inspite of Haslett. He has turned this defense (so far) into the defense that can hold opponents down and win games for us. Holding the Giants to 14, the Cowboys to 6 FG's, the Rams to under 200 yards for the game. I know its the Rams, but holding any NFL team to a total yardage of under 200 is impressive in my book.

SO.....let the man call his game. He obviously has the confidence in our corners and safeties to get the job done on those blitzes. if he didn't he would be calling them.

Or he is calling them to cover up the inability of the corners to cover?? Having guys that can't cover only cover for 1 to 2 seconds vs 3 or 4 seconds is a big difference.

Here we go

Rex Grossman Overall he didn't have a bad game. He was actually quite solid up until the final quarter, including a nice TD pass to Moss and some nice throws to Gaffney. And the first INT along with the dropped Hightower pass on 3rd and short were not even remotely Rex's fault. All that said for the second week in a row he faltered when it was "clutch time" Very poor decision on the Laurianitis INT and a poor throw to Moss on 3rd down late in the 4th quarter. Rex can't keep making those mistakes. Still..."We're 3-1 inspite of Rex" is an argument I just don't buy...at all.

Brandon Banks No idea what you're doing dude. Actually I suspect Banks thinks (perhaps with reason) his job is hanging by a thread so he needs to bust out a big return to justify his spot on the roster. But you're killing the team with some of these returns.

Penalties We played sloppy today. What did we have 10 penalties? More? We had 10 the first three games of the season.

FOX Sports Broadcast Not a good effort. Feed kept going in and out. Crazy aerial camera angles...on running plays. No sideline reporters. Not like FOX

Kyle Shanahan In my opinion one of the brightest offensive minds in the NFL. But he doesn't have to remind everyone of it all the time. Keep it simple stupid

Grossman consistently makes throws that a rookie makes. He did it 4-5 times yesterday. A TD was flat out dropped. I've seen enough. Put in Beck. Grossman is what he is.

Banks will not be in the roster by the end of the year.

The penalties were out of control. What a painful game to watch. Every other play there was a flag.

Kyle still think he's in Houston.

0 blitz rules! Don't be a girl. Real men use 0 blitz. Yesterday I was in a bar trying to pick up a chick. Rather then walking up to her and simply saying "hi" I said "I want to f**k you." 0 blitz for the win!

Also I wanted a raise from my boss so what did I do. Ran into his office, tackled him, and demanded a raise! 0 blitz FTW!

Also I wanted to get a game free from Gamestop so after I got out of jail on bail I ran to my local shop jumped over the counter and grabbed a copy of Wii Fit. 0 blitz FTW

Dirt, this made my day & it's still early! thank you, this was absolutely inspiring! Can't stop laughing to myself.

I'm going to change all of my long-range plans & incorporate the 0 blitz. don't worry I'll quote you, you can patent the "0 blitz business plan". Too bad Billy Mays isn't around to do the infomercial.

I think the "coaches" on here should lay off Haslett and his blitz packages and when he uses it. Look, we are the best in the NFL on 3rd for a reason. I think its because of Haslett not inspite of Haslett. He has turned this defense (so far) into the defense that can hold opponents down and win games for us. Holding the Giants to 14, the Cowboys to 6 FG's, the Rams to under 200 yards for the game. I know its the Rams, but holding any NFL team to a total yardage of under 200 is impressive in my book.

SO.....let the man call his game. He obviously has the confidence in our corners and safeties to get the job done on those blitzes. if he didn't he would be calling them.

Or he is calling them to cover up the inability of the corners to cover?? Having guys that can't cover only cover for 1 to 2 seconds vs 3 or 4 seconds is a big difference.

Gotta figure we'll see more deep zone v. Philly, don't give up the big play, make Vick lead drives. I think we were best yesterday when we played for coverage & only rushed 4 or 5. We now have the front that can get consistent pressure. I think that's the way to play philly - bend, don't break.