Who's afraid of a slow start by our passing game?

[HTTR]

I do get nervous when Brunell and his receivers start out of rhythm . . . they tend to stay that way for the whole game (or, in the case of last year, the whole season). HOWEVER, look at Dallas #1 and you realize that if our D keeps the game close, anything can happen.

My question is, can Gibbs expand the playbook now that we're in the playoffs? The Eagles pretty much shut down our bread-and-butter plays (or tried, in the case of Portis pounding), and we had nothing new to show them. Will this be the case in Tampa?

[dmek25]

hey hess,welcome!whats up with the small print?

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by gortiz

I'm sure if our passing game comes out like they did against Philly, we are done. Not sure why, but when the skins/Brunell start off slow, we stay slow and out of sync FOR THE ENTIRE GAME. It seems we never dig our selves out of sluggish starts by the passing game. As important as the running game is, I really think the skins need to come out throwing and establsh the passing game ...

I don't think Brunell was that hurt either, I just think that when he is off, he stays off ... I hope we come out slinging...

I disagree, dude limped around noticibly the whole game. When he ran, he looked slow. He was not sprayin' balls all over the place, he missed high. Dude is a warrior, and I think he down played his true condition, to not reveal any weakness to the birds.

[skins052bgr8]

I feel extremely comfortable with our running game against Tampa, Portis has had two very productive running game in last years and this years meeting with the Bucs. There is something their I am not sure what, but he looks really good running against them even when we were not dedicated to the run. He broke off his longest run as a Redskin against them and Nov looked like he almost broke the exact same play for a TD. I think they will come out hoping the run opens up the pass. He blew it up in the first half then we pulled away from the run a little if I remember correctly.

[illdefined]

Originally Posted by Hog1

I disagree, dude limped around noticibly the whole game. When he ran, he looked slow. He was not sprayin' balls all over the place, he missed high. Dude is a warrior, and I think he down played his true condition, to not reveal any weakness to the birds.

Brunell was DEFINITELY hurt. it was painfully obvious, you could see it every time he took a step. he couldn't evade the rush as well as usual (notice the lack of throws to Cooley? thats usually when he goes to him) and when was the last time you saw overthrows like that? haven't seen them in a while, but they were pretty familiar. 2004, when i now know without a doubt he played hurt. only way to explain the night and day change in his play.

i give it to Mark for trying, especially on that scramble for the first down, he's a tough guy who gives it his all to win and not make mistakes. but if he can't make those throws on target or on the run like he does when he's healthy, then i'd definitely prefer a healthy Ramsey out there than a hobbled Brunell. we need good shots downfield and to Cooley (remember Ramsey basically discovered Cooley) and not out of bounds.

Get well Mark, but if you're less than 70% on gameday and they're locking down on Portis, Ramsey has to show.

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by illdefined

Brunell was DEFINITELY hurt. it was painfully obvious, you could see it every time he took a step. he couldn't evade the rush as well as usual (notice the lack of throws to Cooley? thats usually when he goes to him) and when was the last time you saw overthrows like that? haven't seen them in a while, but they were pretty familiar. 2004, when i now know without a doubt he played hurt. only way to explain the night and day change in his play.

i give it to Mark for trying, especially on that scramble for the first down, he's a tough guy who gives it his all to win and not make mistakes. but if he can't make those throws on target or on the run like he does when he's healthy, then i'd definitely prefer a healthy Ramsey out there than a hobbled Brunell. we need good shots downfield and to Cooley (remember Ramsey basically discovered Cooley) and not out of bounds.

Get well Mark, but if you're less than 70% on gameday and they're locking down on Portis, Ramsey has to show.

Totally correct. It would nice to be able to keep a "happy" PR for that reason!

[onsidekick]

Aside from Brunell's health, we do have one more thing going for us. If they do decide to blanket Cooley like Philly did I think the addition of a healthy Thrash made a big difference last week and I look for him to play a bigger role. He looks like he's finding his rhythm again with Brunell.

[gortiz]

Originally Posted by Hog1

I disagree, dude limped around noticibly the whole game. When he ran, he looked slow. He was not sprayin' balls all over the place, he missed high. Dude is a warrior, and I think he down played his true condition, to not reveal any weakness to the birds.

Well I feel better cause I didn't think he was hurt, but then I have to admit I don't look at certain things as close as I should ... I didn't notice limping but a few of did so you all can't be wrong ...

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by onsidekick

Aside from Brunell's health, we do have one more thing going for us. If they do decide to blanket Cooley like Philly did I think the addition of a healthy Thrash made a big difference last week and I look for him to play a bigger role. He looks like he's finding his rhythm again with Brunell.

Yea we need other recievers to step up like Trash last game, thats the only way we can win, because they had Cooley and Moss covered. Hey maybe other recievers as well, like Brown, or maybe, maybeeee even Jacobs. Yea I said Jacobs lol.

[Dirtbag]

We should get Mark some early, high percentage passes (short hitches to Cooley, dump-offs to Portis, etc) so that he gets into a nice groove.

[SUNRA]

Can you see the greatest upset since the Bosox vs. the Yankees? The Redskins will win the Superbowl in Detroit. The cast has already been set. In the Starledger newspaper of New Jersey, the reporter asks the question, " Why do Redskins fans have a reason to believe they will get to the Superbowl? The answer was that every NFC to make it to the Superbowl defeated the Eagles to get there. The Redskins winning the last game of the season puts them in position to fulfill a streak that has seen the Bucs, Rams, Giants and Panthers in Superbowl after defeating Philly!

[hesscl34]

haha.. I have no idea why the print is small in my reply...

Brunell is perfectly healthy. Saw the clip of him at practice yesterday. No brace or tape. Knee is good to go!!