The real concern: turnovers

Beemnseven · 11-14-2005, 02:48 PM

I don't know that Griffin would have made that much of a difference with the pass rush. Even when he was healthy this year, the front four had trouble getting to the quarterback.

Interesting numbers:

The Bucs allowed 10 sacks in the two games leading up to the Redskins, who got zero.

In 9 games so far this season, Wynn and Daniels have combined for one sack -- Daniles got it against McNabb when the rest of the line thought he was going to spike the ball just before halftime.

MTK · 11-14-2005, 02:55 PM

Griffin had 3 sacks before his injury, and he also helps take some pressure off the rest of the front four.

Look, Wynn and Daniels will never be big sack guys and I think GW is well aware of that. This system is set up to bring heat from the LBs and DBs, unfortunately our secondary has been pretty banged up for most of the year which has limited the effectiveness of bringing pressure in this way.

Beemnseven · 11-16-2005, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Griffin had 3 sacks before his injury, and he also helps take some pressure off the rest of the front four.

Look, Wynn and Daniels will never be big sack guys and I think GW is well aware of that. This system is set up to bring heat from the LBs and DBs, unfortunately our secondary has been pretty banged up for most of the year which has limited the effectiveness of bringing pressure in this way.

It will certainly help to get Griffin back, yes. But I've never seen a team or its fans willingly write off any chance for the defensive ends to sack the quarterback. If everyone, including the coaching staff dismisses the ineptitude of the starting ends, excusing their performances by saying that's just "part of the system", then I fear for this defense and the team's chances to advance to the playoffs.

MTK · 11-16-2005, 09:49 AM

I don't think the staff is dismissing the abilities of the DEs, I think it's just a case of them understanding what kind of players they are and playing to the defense's strengths, which means relying on the DBs and LBs for pressure.

You can't just snap your fingers and make Wynn and Daniels pass rushing madmen.

Twilbert07 · 11-16-2005, 10:14 AM

Speaking of turnovers, in today's Washington Post, Brunell says he will work to prevent future fumbles. He's dropped the ball five times in the past five games:

Redskins Notebook

Brunell Looks For Personal Improvement

By Leonard Shapiro
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 16, 2005; Page E08

Washington Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell knows his team is playing on borrowed time if its turnover trend continues. At the moment, the Redskins are minus-11 in turnover margin, tied with Baltimore for next to last in the NFL, and Brunell said he has to do a better job of protecting the ball.

"For me personally, I need to anticipate pressure and tuck the ball away," said Brunell, who has fumbled five times in the 12 sacks he has taken over the last five games. "Many times you feel [the pressure], but the ball is exposed because you're trying to throw it. You're looking to get it back to your body so it won't come out.

Where: FedEx Field
When: 1 p.m. Sunday
TV: CBS

Washington's once-dominant defense prepares for Randy Moss and the Raiders.
Notebook: Mark Brunell is looking to cut down on turnovers.
Coach Joe Gibbs contends officials missed several calls on Sunday.
Raiders Coach Norv Turner is again at the helm of a team in turmoil.

Sore Over Four

Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs takes issue with officials on four plays in the team's 36-35 loss Sunday to Tampa Bay: 1. Mike Alstott's game-winning two-point conversion attempt.
2. An offside penalty that negated what would have been a game-clinching, blocked extra-point attempt.
3. A first-half interception of quarterback Mark Brunell on which Tampa Bay was not called for illegal contact.
4. A 34-yard, first-quarter completion given to Tampa Bay wide receiver Joey Galloway after Pierson Prioleau was ruled to have pushed him out of bounds.

BUCCANEERS 36, REDSKINS 35

Mike Alstott scores two touchdowns and converts a gutsy two-point conversion with under a minute left in the game to lift Bucs.
Michael Wilbon: This loss may haunt Redskins for the rest of the season.
Mike Wise: The longer the season goes on, the more cracks show in the defense.
Tony Kornheiser: Last week, the Redskins could run the table. This week, not so much.

On Our Site

Summary
Grade the Redskins.
Talk about the game.

Photos: The Redskins lose after being seconds away from an improbable comeback win, one that could have tied them for the NFC East lead.

Audio

The Post's Tony Kornheiser and Gene Wang look back on the stunning loss.

Basics

Redskins schedule
NFL schedule, by date
NFL schedule, by team

E-mail Newsletter

Looking for Redskins coverage you can't find anywhere else? Sign up for our free e-mail newsletter.

NFL Insider

The Post's Mark Maske on all things NFL -- only on washingtonpost.com.

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"You turn the football over, and you're usually going to lose the football game. Statistics would show if the [takeaway/giveaway] rate is what we have now, you're not winning games. We're beating the odds right now, but you don't like to live like that."

Coach Joe Gibbs didn't share the quarterback's critical self-assessment. "He's playing very, very good," Gibbs said. "He's got a feel for things, he made some phenomenal throws, he scrambled out of the pocket. There's no one else I'd want out there playing for us. I'll say this. I haven't seen anyone play any better with the ball in his hands. He's finding people all over the place. It's pretty powerful stuff."

11-14-2005, 02:48 PM	#16
Beemnseven Pro Bowl Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Virginia Beach Age: 50 Posts: 5,311	Re: The real concern: turnovers I don't know that Griffin would have made that much of a difference with the pass rush. Even when he was healthy this year, the front four had trouble getting to the quarterback. Interesting numbers: The Bucs allowed 10 sacks in the two games leading up to the Redskins, who got zero. In 9 games so far this season, Wynn and Daniels have combined for one sack -- Daniles got it against McNabb when the rest of the line thought he was going to spike the ball just before halftime.

11-14-2005, 02:55 PM	#17
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NY Age: 52 Posts: 99,464	Re: The real concern: turnovers Griffin had 3 sacks before his injury, and he also helps take some pressure off the rest of the front four. Look, Wynn and Daniels will never be big sack guys and I think GW is well aware of that. This system is set up to bring heat from the LBs and DBs, unfortunately our secondary has been pretty banged up for most of the year which has limited the effectiveness of bringing pressure in this way.

11-16-2005, 09:49 AM	#19
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NY Age: 52 Posts: 99,464	Re: The real concern: turnovers I don't think the staff is dismissing the abilities of the DEs, I think it's just a case of them understanding what kind of players they are and playing to the defense's strengths, which means relying on the DBs and LBs for pressure. You can't just snap your fingers and make Wynn and Daniels pass rushing madmen.

11-16-2005, 10:14 AM	#20
Twilbert07 Impact Rookie Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Age: 59 Posts: 594	Re: The real concern: turnovers Speaking of turnovers, in today's Washington Post, Brunell says he will work to prevent future fumbles. He's dropped the ball five times in the past five games: Redskins Notebook Brunell Looks For Personal Improvement By Leonard Shapiro Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, November 16, 2005; Page E08 Washington Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell knows his team is playing on borrowed time if its turnover trend continues. At the moment, the Redskins are minus-11 in turnover margin, tied with Baltimore for next to last in the NFL, and Brunell said he has to do a better job of protecting the ball. "For me personally, I need to anticipate pressure and tuck the ball away," said Brunell, who has fumbled five times in the 12 sacks he has taken over the last five games. "Many times you feel [the pressure], but the ball is exposed because you're trying to throw it. You're looking to get it back to your body so it won't come out. Where: FedEx Field When: 1 p.m. Sunday TV: CBS Washington's once-dominant defense prepares for Randy Moss and the Raiders. Notebook: Mark Brunell is looking to cut down on turnovers. Coach Joe Gibbs contends officials missed several calls on Sunday. Raiders Coach Norv Turner is again at the helm of a team in turmoil. Sore Over Four Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs takes issue with officials on four plays in the team's 36-35 loss Sunday to Tampa Bay: 1. Mike Alstott's game-winning two-point conversion attempt. 2. An offside penalty that negated what would have been a game-clinching, blocked extra-point attempt. 3. A first-half interception of quarterback Mark Brunell on which Tampa Bay was not called for illegal contact. 4. A 34-yard, first-quarter completion given to Tampa Bay wide receiver Joey Galloway after Pierson Prioleau was ruled to have pushed him out of bounds. BUCCANEERS 36, REDSKINS 35 Mike Alstott scores two touchdowns and converts a gutsy two-point conversion with under a minute left in the game to lift Bucs. Michael Wilbon: This loss may haunt Redskins for the rest of the season. Mike Wise: The longer the season goes on, the more cracks show in the defense. Tony Kornheiser: Last week, the Redskins could run the table. This week, not so much. On Our Site Summary Grade the Redskins. Talk about the game. Photos: The Redskins lose after being seconds away from an improbable comeback win, one that could have tied them for the NFC East lead. Audio The Post's Tony Kornheiser and Gene Wang look back on the stunning loss. Basics Redskins schedule NFL schedule, by date NFL schedule, by team E-mail Newsletter Looking for Redskins coverage you can't find anywhere else? Sign up for our free e-mail newsletter. NFL Insider The Post's Mark Maske on all things NFL -- only on washingtonpost.com. var technorati = new Technorati() ;technorati.setProperty('url','http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/15/AR2005111501430_Technorati.html') ;technorati.article = new item('Brunell Looks For Personal Improvement','http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/15/AR2005111501430.html','Quarterback Mark Brunell said the Redskins need to do a better job of protecting the ball.','Leonard Shapiro') ;document.write( technorati.getDisplaySidebar() ); Who's Blogging? Read what bloggers are saying about this article. gas2rise Dallas Cowboys Talk The Redskin Report -View and Opinions of a Fan #technorati_link a {color:#339900;} Full List of Blogs (3 links) » Most Blogged About Articles #technorati_link a {color:#339900;} On washingtonpost.com \| On the web "You turn the football over, and you're usually going to lose the football game. Statistics would show if the [takeaway/giveaway] rate is what we have now, you're not winning games. We're beating the odds right now, but you don't like to live like that." Coach Joe Gibbs didn't share the quarterback's critical self-assessment. "He's playing very, very good," Gibbs said. "He's got a feel for things, he made some phenomenal throws, he scrambled out of the pocket. There's no one else I'd want out there playing for us. I'll say this. I haven't seen anyone play any better with the ball in his hands. He's finding people all over the place. It's pretty powerful stuff."

The real concern: turnovers

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