Tony McGee on Minnesota

[Gmanc711]

Hey Everyone, I didnt get any questions this week, so I just asked Tony his thoughts on last weeks game, if he thought we could make a run given the runs we mdae in 05 & 07 and the thoughts on the Giants game this weekend....

Hello All,

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving last week.

I thought the game against Minnesota is a game that the Redskins had the opportunity to win. The Redskins are making crucial mistakes, and having to play more rookies now, you'll start to see some more mistakes. That doesn't excuse the type of mistakes coming from veterans like Santana Moss. If Moss doesn't drop that pass, Cooley doesn't drop his pass early on, these
little things add up and wind up being the difference in the game. I thought the offensive line has been a little more adequate the past couple of weeks, but the running game was terrible. I was not impressed with the running backs, and I know they're on the 4th and 5th string players, but they need to commit more to trying to run the football if they want to compete with the Giants on Sunday. I thought the line played well enough to win, but the little
mistakes added up.

Do I think this team has the chance to pull off a run like the team did in 2005 or 2007? I honestly didn't think so, until I saw the schedule. All the teams they need to lose, are all playing each other, so if the Redskins won out, I'd be shocked if they didnt get in. I remember both times in 2005 and again in 2007, I did not think either team had any hope of winning out and making the playoffs. I feel the same way about this team; where I dont think thats
realistic. We'll see though, I do think the Giants are a little more beatable than most do, so they need to take it one game at a time. They have no cupcakes left on the schedule; and all the teams they're playing except for Dallas are all playing for playoff positioning, so it's going to be a tough road and I don't think it happens.

To win this week against the Giants, the key is pressure on Eli Manning. The Giants are very banged up this week across the offensive line, so if the Redskins can get some pressure on Eli and not allow the Giants to run the ball well, they have a chance. That is going to be the key defensively. In addition, the Giants star receivers are injured as well and will likely not
be playing; so the Skins' may be catching NY at the right time. Offensively, they need to try to run the football. If they pass as many times as they tried to pass against the Vikings, the defensive line of the Giants will take this game over and the Redskins won't have much of a chance.

Thanks,
Tony

[Lotus]

Thank you as always for your insightful analysis, Tony.