The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by hesscl34

JC has a habit of throwing the short ball.. often, to his TE. He is not good at checking down field and throwing down field (at least not last year). That is what I saw with my own eyes last year and it has NOTHING to do with any axe to grind. I just get very sick of waiting for him to prove himself and most of you always blaming everything around him, but him. I don't consider my opinion of why the WR didn’t perform last year JC "bashing" at all.. it's just an opinion that I've formed by watching games, an opinion that most of you don't agree with. However, I’ve also said in other threads that I’m hoping Zorn will improve his game and he’ll finally step up this year. I'll be the first one to sing his praises if he gets it done on the field.

None of my comments are based on emotions, or my like for Brunell, and none of them should be construed as “bashing”. Don't take my opinion about JC so personally. Just take it for what it is - I want the Skins to win, period.

We went to the first Giants game and I guess there was 10 or so playes were we had WR's 15 20 to 25 yards down field wide open and JC dumped the ball off. My wife even commented on how JC was missing some wide open plays (that cost us that game). The following couple of weeks I watched him close and it seemed some games he was scanning the entire field and other he lock on to players. Not sure whay he would in some games more than others.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by hesscl34

Calling it like you see it? .... no, you are reading into it.

It's ok that you want to defend him because you have so much faith in him, but it's also ok for me to doubt him based on his previous performances.

I'm not defending him based on faith, I'm defending him based on the logic that says we haven't seen enough of him yet to determine what kind of player he is.

[hesscl34]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I'm not defending him based on faith, I'm defending him based on the logic that says we haven't seen enough of him yet to determine what kind of player he is.

OK!!...and I'm not bashing him, I'm voicing my skepticism based on what I have seen... TRUCE?? Now let's hope for the best and let the games begin!!!

[DIRTEE]

We need at least 20 TDs from the receiving corps, not including TE's.

[The Goat]

Maybe I'm too optimistic but I don't have any question about Landry and CP this year. LL is a phenom and I don't doubt his progression to elite status by mid-season. CP had it rough last year because he was running behind Jason "truckstop" Fabini most of the season (and a generally an out-of-sync line). I think CP will dominate this year. On the other hand I don't have a lot of faith in Moss. His attitude seems to slowly get worse and his hands IMHO were f'ing terrible last year. That said, I would love for him to make all of us doubters look foolish!!!

My top step-up prospects:

1) A. Montgomery: GW said this kid should dominate, period. GW reserved that kind of praise for guys like Sean and London. Monty needs to get there.

2) A rookie WR. Can't say whether Thomas or Kelly is more likely to fly but one of them should. Both guys could have gone in the 1st round, there should be enough talent to make an impact even as a rook. IMO one of these guys has to fly for the offense to fly. Defenses know what to do against Moss, ARL, and even somewhat w/ Cooley, so there needs to be another variable, another threat on the field to shake things up.

3) Khary Campbell: he will have to fill in for Rocky early on and possibly later if Rocky can't stay healthy (already his knees are deteriorating). Campbell needs to be a monster at weak-side to keep the LB corp competitive.

(Like everyone else said, JC is the easy answer.)

[skinsfan69]

Santana Moss!!!!! He needs to stop getting these nagging little injuries and start getting back to his 05 form. If he can't then the writing is on the wall with the drafting of Kelly and Thomas.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Soup's Uncle

Santana and Randle El big time. Santana will produce if he stays healthy. We need more than 1 touchdown from our number 2 reciever.

Our corners.

Pretty much everyone! Jason Campbell, Portis, the D Line, the O Line.

To me Randle El really doesn't need to step up cause he's only a #3 WR to begin with. He's never been nothing more then that his whole career.

[hesscl34]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Santana Moss!!!!! He needs to stop getting these nagging little injuries and start getting back to his 05 form. If he can't then the writing is on the wall with the drafting of Kelly and Thomas.

If it makes you guys feel any better when I saw him in training camp I was in awe!! That guy has speed that is unmatched, and he can catch anything. He's a true pro-bowler that has all the talent in the world (IMO). His injuries, and the lack of opportunity, I think contributed to his poor play last year. I'm so thankful he's a skin. That man has some serious skills.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

To me Randle El really doesn't need to step up cause he's only a #3 WR to begin with. He's never been nothing more then that his whole career.

I see it that way too. ARL is not blessed w/ the talent Moss has but shares the same small stature, so I never thought ARL would be a huge force. Still, w/ big threats out there I think he can be a surprise guy, picking up yards when defenses are focusing on Moss, Thomas, and/or Kelly.

[hesscl34]

Originally Posted by The Goat

I see it that way too. ARL is not blessed w/ the talent Moss has but shares the same small stature, so I never thought ARL would be a huge force. Still, w/ big threats out there I think he can be a surprise guy, picking up yards when defenses are focusing on Moss, Thomas, and/or Kelly.

Again, another man I saw do great things in practice. He caught a throw in the endzone and touched it down perfectly (toes reaching). If he has nothing else, he has as a great disire to score and make plays. But of course he does have something else.. He's Randel El..

[GINeric]

I think the O-line and D-line. Not saying these units were bad for you guys, but this is where it all starts for everybody else.

The O-line steps up, Cambell and Portis looks great, which makes the WRs look great.

The D-line steps up, LB's can do their job easier, and the DBs spend less time covering and can catch a rushed pass for a pickle every now and then. They now look great.

Without these units stepping it up, you're in for a long year.
This goes for any team, but I think more so for the Skins, being in a new mode this year.

I think they will step up to the challenge.

[The Goat]

I just started to wonder whether Khary Campbell will play an even bigger role than I thought (as of yesterday). I guess Rocky's knee injury from last season is the opposite knee that has been degenerating since his college years (I know i've read this a few different places but couldn't come up w/ a link off hand). Previously I was under the mistaken impression he still had "one good knee" so to speak.
I think this looks like a lousy scenario for Rocky and the team. He was progressing awesome IMO w/ second most tackles for the team last year. But two bad knees shortens a career drastically for most players. Hopefully he does not rush back and the trainers do everything possible to strengthen his knees, but that means Khary will have to step up big time for now. If he has any wits he's been busting ass all off-season, knowing Rocky will take time to recover and the fact our FO didn't go get a LB.

[Paintrain]

If by 'step up' you mean take their game to a level significantly above last year or levels they've reached before then I'd go with:

1. Moss-He needs to become a bonafide #1 WR. I'm talking 75 catches, 1200 yds, 10 TD type of receiver. I think he can be that guy when healthy and given the opportunity to get the ball in positions to maximize his strengths. I can't tell you how frustrated I'd get watching him catch 5 yard outs and go out of bounds. The WCO should put him in space more and give him opportunities to make big plays from RAC.

2. Jansen-I know he's coming off of a pretty major injury and is up there age wise, but if he has a Pro Bowl season (although he should have gone a couple times before) left in him, we need to see it this year. He can't be getting run over or blown up in the running game. We know Samuels is going to be a stud, the interior will be solid, Jansen can be the key between a good OL and a great one.

3. Doughty-He's going to get his opportunity at SS, let's see him maximize it. With a pass rush that should be much improved and Landry patrolling the field at FS, Doughty should be able to make an impact with bone crushing hits and making plays on errantly thrown balls. He doesn't have to become the next John Lynch, but he needs to round out a secondary that should be a strength of our defense.

3a. Rogers-I'll temper it a little since he is coming off a major injury, but I want to see 2 things from him. First of all, CATCH THE BALL!! How many game changing plays has Rogers missed over his first 3 years? The difference between a good defense and a great defense is making plays that change field position in your team's favor. Secondly, he's got to stop making game killing mistakes. The awful attempted tackle at GB on the long early completion that led to a TD. Completely misplaying the ball and then the man against Plaxico in week 2. A couple years ago at Tampa getting killed by Joey Galloway on the game winning TD. He doesn't have to become elite THIS YEAR, but he was a top 10 pick, it's time he started playing like one.

[hesscl34]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

3a. Rogers-I'll temper it a little since he is coming off a major injury, but I want to see 2 things from him. First of all, CATCH THE BALL!! How many game changing plays has Rogers missed over his first 3 years? The difference between a good defense and a great defense is making plays that change field position in your team's favor. Secondly, he's got to stop making game killing mistakes. The awful attempted tackle at GB on the long early completion that led to a TD. Completely misplaying the ball and then the man against Plaxico in week 2. A couple years ago at Tampa getting killed by Joey Galloway on the game winning TD. He doesn't have to become elite THIS YEAR, but he was a top 10 pick, it's time he started playing like one.

I coudn't have said it any better!!! I totally agree!!!!!

[GTripp0012]

Rocky McIntosh is both 1a and 1b. He's simply got to fill the one potential hole in the pass defense, not to mention be able to tackle the ballcarrier on plays to Jason Taylor's side.

1c is LaRon Landry, but I don't really have any doubts that he'll be able to fill his role just fine.

2. I would say that Santana Moss is the clear cut No. 2. ARE had a career year last year, and I don't think he can repeat that performance. Malcolm Kelly looks like a pretty good option as a No. 2 target, but not so much as a No. 1. Therefore, Moss gets one last shot to prove he can be a legit No. 1.

3. This one is going to be Jason Taylor. As far as people who need to "step up", Taylor has to be on the list. We certainly didn't toss a second rounder at him for sub-pro bowl level production (I hope). He's got the track record, but now he's got to take his game here.

Monty just has to keep doing his thing. He was excellent last season for a young guy, though they didn't ask him to play on passing downs (and now that we have Taylor, still probably won't). Fletcher is slipping in pass coverage just a tiny bit, so maybe HB Blades should get an honorable mention on this list, but for right now I'll leave it at the four aforementioned players.