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LRT · 10-04-2004, 07:34 AM

I know I don't post here often, but here are a couple of points I want to make as a long-time Skins fan...

1. As others have said, this is a rough time and there are a lot of problems, but patience and perseverance are the answer, not quick fixes.

2. We have a lot of problems, but they are fixable and we have already fixed a number of problems this season, such as botched center-quarterback exchanges. I have every confidence that we can work through these, too.

3. One of the big problems I think we're facing is that we all underestimated how bad the Skins have been as a team and caught up in the hype of how well certain players have performed in the past and in other places. A collection of good individual players doesn't make a good team. During the first Gibbs era, we rarely had the best players, but we usually had the best team. Building a real team, not to mention a winning team, takes time and effort, and that's what we're suffering through now. Despite the difficult slogging ahead, I'd still bet on at least 8-8 and a deep playoff run next season.

4. As for Portis, I think he is still learning a system that requires a back to think and wait for holes rather than just zoom off. That takes time. And, look at his age! The guy is a kid. Given the new system, I'd consider him practically a rookie. Now, that doesn't mean that he may not need to "ride the pine" a bit if he can't get the fumbling under control (and the fumbling seems to me to be related to his mishandling of the running scheme). However, I'm still glad we have and still expect good things from him.

5. As for Brunell, I do agree that he doesn't seem to be the same quarterback he used to be in Jacksonville. I think he's reached the point in his career where he may need to make some adjustments in his play to meet his ability. I also think he's still trying to master a new system along with the rest of the offense. Benching him would, I think, risk sending the wrong message to the team and wouldn't be Gibbs' style. However, it might be a good idea to start working Ramsey into some games to get him ready in case a change has to be made later.

6. If our defense is as good as it is with Arrington out, injuries on the DL and Taylor still playing like a rookie (mixing the bad with the good), how good will they be when we're healthy and Taylor has a bit more experience?

10-04-2004, 07:34 AM	#27
LRT Special Teams Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Springfield, VA Age: 59 Posts: 174	I know I don't post here often, but here are a couple of points I want to make as a long-time Skins fan... 1. As others have said, this is a rough time and there are a lot of problems, but patience and perseverance are the answer, not quick fixes. 2. We have a lot of problems, but they are fixable and we have already fixed a number of problems this season, such as botched center-quarterback exchanges. I have every confidence that we can work through these, too. 3. One of the big problems I think we're facing is that we all underestimated how bad the Skins have been as a team and caught up in the hype of how well certain players have performed in the past and in other places. A collection of good individual players doesn't make a good team. During the first Gibbs era, we rarely had the best players, but we usually had the best team. Building a real team, not to mention a winning team, takes time and effort, and that's what we're suffering through now. Despite the difficult slogging ahead, I'd still bet on at least 8-8 and a deep playoff run next season. 4. As for Portis, I think he is still learning a system that requires a back to think and wait for holes rather than just zoom off. That takes time. And, look at his age! The guy is a kid. Given the new system, I'd consider him practically a rookie. Now, that doesn't mean that he may not need to "ride the pine" a bit if he can't get the fumbling under control (and the fumbling seems to me to be related to his mishandling of the running scheme). However, I'm still glad we have and still expect good things from him. 5. As for Brunell, I do agree that he doesn't seem to be the same quarterback he used to be in Jacksonville. I think he's reached the point in his career where he may need to make some adjustments in his play to meet his ability. I also think he's still trying to master a new system along with the rest of the offense. Benching him would, I think, risk sending the wrong message to the team and wouldn't be Gibbs' style. However, it might be a good idea to start working Ramsey into some games to get him ready in case a change has to be made later. 6. If our defense is as good as it is with Arrington out, injuries on the DL and Taylor still playing like a rookie (mixing the bad with the good), how good will they be when we're healthy and Taylor has a bit more experience?