COmpare/Contrast the 2005 team with the 2007 team

[724Skinsfan]

After reading the Been There, Done That article, I see a noticeable change for the better in most of our postions. Better depth along the defensive lines, linebackers, secondary. On the offensive side of the ball we have a good passing game to balance the great running game. Our receivers are more dependable. The o-line has been nailed with injuries but having Heyer and Alexander step up has helped offset that. Having Thomas coming back instead of going out is great. Sellers has played at a Pro Bowl level.

I think we are a much better team than the one we fielded two years ago. You know, the one that advanced to the next round in the playoffs. Does anybody believe that the 2005 team is better, even in comparing our competition then and our competition now?




*There's no hidden meaning behind the capital "O" in COmpare in the thread title. Just a typo...I suck.

[dmek25]

i agree. more depth, even though we have had our fair share of injuries. and we have definitely had better quarterback play this season, as compared to 2005.

[Big C]

2005

better run game, better o-line, moss was playing better, much worse depth at receiver though, qb play was better (brunell actually did well that season 23 td 10 int), defense as a whole was better (i dont know the rankings of that year but i think they were better than this year)

2007

better pass rush, more depth at reciever, worse run game, more depth in the team as a whole, more experience, more weapons

i think the main difference is the experience and depth though between the 2 teams. in 2005 portis got worn down and we had nowhere to go because we were basically on offense portis and moss, and brunell by that point was shot as well. this year we have portis plus collins and a wide range of recieving threats.

[skinsnut]

AL SAUNDERS

Remember, that was the first thing Gibbs did after losing to the Seahawks in 05 playoffs,,,he fired himself as offensive coordinator and hired Al...let see if if works this time.

[scowan]

Here is the bottom line to me.... the 2007 Skins are much heathlier group going to Seattle than the 2005 Skins. The 2005 Seahawks were a much more complete team than the 2007 Seahawks. I hate that the team has to travel so far, but I like our chances this time around much better than 2005.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by scowan

Here is the bottom line to me.... the 2007 Skins are much heathlier group going to Seattle than the 2005 Skins. The 2005 Seahawks were a much more complete team than the 2007 Seahawks. I hate that the team has to travel so far, but I like our chances this time around much better than 2005.

I actually think we are in an equally bad state re: injuries, but our depth is better. We've got better wideouts (Caldwell, McCardell, and ARE are better than what we had in 2005) and Portis is healthy, but we've lost half our secondary, a starting OLB, and the right side of our line. But, our defense is just as good as it was in 2005 and our offense is FAR better. I like our chances.

[LMsexyAO]

Let's just say we wont be setting any NFL records for the lowest number of offensive yards in a playoff win this time!

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

I'm knocking on wood, but I honestly think that if we keep playing like we have over the past 4 weeks we can take any team in the NFC and remain competitive with any team in the NFL. I have seen ANYTHING like this kind of play from a Redskins team since Gibbs I.

[GusFrerotte]

Better team chemistry, something to rally the team(ST tragedy), better depth, an offense that actually can move the ball. Seattle is a lot weaker also than in '05. There division is the sorriest in the NFC and only the AFC East is weaker overall. I predict a Skin victory next weekend. We are peaking while Seattle isn't looking so great.

[Mc2guy]

Originally Posted by Big C

2005

better run game, better o-line, moss was playing better, much worse depth at receiver though, qb play was better (brunell actually did well that season 23 td 10 int), defense as a whole was better (i dont know the rankings of that year but i think they were better than this year)

2007

better pass rush, more depth at reciever, worse run game, more depth in the team as a whole, more experience, more weapons

i think the main difference is the experience and depth though between the 2 teams. in 2005 portis got worn down and we had nowhere to go because we were basically on offense portis and moss, and brunell by that point was shot as well. this year we have portis plus collins and a wide range of recieving threats.

I would argue that qb play was better this year overall. If you recall, Brunell had some great games early, but was WOEFULL by the end of the season. Collins is on a roll that we haven't seen in Washington in a LONG time. Regardless, the biggest difference is the '07 team is entering the post season firing on all cylinders on both sides of the ball. That '05 team couldn't find the endzone with a map and seeing-eye-dog. Add in the emotional wave they are riding surrounding ST, I'd be much more afraid of this '07 team if I had to face us in the playoffs.

This is clearly not the same team that started the first 10 games of the season. If I were Mike Holmgren, I would be s(*^ting my pants having to face us right now. Wade Philips has to be afraid as well given his starting O-line couldn't produce more than 1 rushing yard, and all receivers not named Owens got manhandled today.

[SouperMeister]

On offense, the 2005 team was totally dependent on Portis and the O-line after Brunell hurt his knee against the Giants. This year's team is much more balanced offensively and Collins is playing efficient, mistake free football while keeping the chains moving. Perhaps the biggest difference is Saunders having complete faith in Collins, whereas Gibbs in 2005 coached the offense conservatively in the post-season to hide an injured Mark Brunell.

On defense, the 2005 team went on a sack and turnover binge down the stretch, consistently giving the offense short fields to work with. Sean Taylor in particular was amazing during the late season run to the post-season. This year's team hasn't forced as many turnovers, but they have shut down opposing RB's and forced a ton of 3rd and long situations. This team has had to overcome more injuries. I believe that the biggest difference is the play at MLB. While Lemar Marshall was adequate, London Fletcher is lights out.

On special teams, I believe that Suisham is a more reliable kicker than John Hall was back in 2005. I also believe that the 2007 kick coverage units have been the best since Gibbs returned.

[Big C]

Originally Posted by Mc2guy

I would argue that qb play was better this year overall. If you recall, Brunell had some great games early, but was WOEFULL by the end of the season. Collins is on a roll that we haven't seen in Washington in a LONG time. Regardless, the biggest difference is the '07 team is entering the post season firing on all cylinders on both sides of the ball. That '05 team couldn't find the endzone with a map and seeing-eye-dog. Add in the emotional wave they are riding surrounding ST, I'd be much more afraid of this '07 team if I had to face us in the playoffs.

This is clearly not the same team that started the first 10 games of the season. If I were Mike Holmgren, I would be s(*^ting my pants having to face us right now. Wade Philips has to be afraid as well given his starting O-line couldn't produce more than 1 rushing yard, and all receivers not named Owens got manhandled today.

overall it hink the qb play was better in 05, however down the stretch this years qb play has been better. brunell went into the playoffs injured that year and that really hurt us. throughout the season this year we turned the ball over a lot while jason was in there. this season we are better suited for the playoffs, like i said more weapons, healthier on offense aside from the o-line, etc. i feel a lot more comfortable with this team than the 05 team

[MTK]

In '05 the offense stumbled at the end of the season and finally ran out of gas in the playoffs.

This year the offense is clicking as we enter the playoffs, I think we're a deeper and more talented team this time around, even with the injuries.

[dgack]

I think Soup nailed it, pretty much. This year's defense isn't producing spectacular, game-breaking plays, like the '05 unit did. It's a "bend but don't break" defense that is much more balanced.

Our offense in '05 was pretty much one-dimensional and we really depended on the defense to win games for us by the time we made our playoff run, whereas right now our offense is actually able to move the chains.

The biggest difference has to be in momentum, though. We were definitely tired and running out of gas in '05, seemed like we were jogging through the finish line instead of sprinting because we just didn't have the gas. This season we're peaking right at the end of the season on both sides of the ball.

This year we have been hit hard with injuries (and one unbelievable tragedy) this season to be sure, but we are also getting outstanding play from young guys and unheralded FA's which we weren't getting as much of in '05. Maybe it's just that the injuries happened early enough to allow the new guys time to grow into their new roles.

[4mrusmc]

This is a great thread, but I would like to highlight some similarities. This could be fun if we can tap into our brain trust here at Warpath. I'll start it with a few:
-This team went on an incredible winning streak to end the season to make the playoffs.
-Against the bears we lost our starting QB only to find salvation in our back-up.