Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Rams)

[MTK]

Might be time to give Paul or someone else a shot on returns, but I don't think the blocking has been anything special either.

[Bucket]

One way to make Rex look really bad.

Pressure him and put a blanket on Moss. He's bound to throw atleast 2 INT's, but he will have some big plays too.

[IrMitchell]

This Gaffney pickup is beginning to look very very good. Somebody Rex has confidence in and it shows..

As for the defense, I think Rocky is quickly becoming a game changer, rather than a fill in.

It's an ugly 3-1 record, but I think we can all agree that it's very satisfying.

[MTK]

3-1, first place in the division, I'm not complaining.

Sure beats being a 1-3 dream team.

[mooby]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

3-1, first place in the division, I'm not complaining.

Sure beats being a 1-3 dream team.

Even if the Eagles do manage to get it together, I still don't understand how people can keep getting hyped about a team that goes out and makes a bunch of big splash free agent signings in the offseason. I thought we taught people that lesson. Sure, it could work, but more often than not it fails. Look at the SB champions of the last decade, how many of them went out the offseason before and loaded up on big names that helped them deliver a title?

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Might be time to give Paul or someone else a shot on returns, but I don't think the blocking has been anything special either.

Gotta think they'll give Philip Buchanon a look on punt return's moving forward.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by mooby

Even if the Eagles do manage to get it together, I still don't understand how people can keep getting hyped about a team that goes out and makes a bunch of big splash free agent signings in the offseason. I thought we taught people that lesson. Sure, it could work, but more often than not it fails. Look at the SB champions of the last decade, how many of them went out the offseason before and loaded up on big names that helped them deliver a title?

It sure is nice to see someone else crashing and burning after winning the offseason championship isn't it?

[diehard]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Gotta think they'll give Philip Buchanon a look on punt return's moving forward.

Uh, no.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

It sure is nice to see someone else crashing and burning after winning the offseason championship isn't it?

Yup. It was Andy Reid going all in to make one last run before he hangs it up. Unless he's gonna coach for another 15 years, he knows his window for a championship is about as big as Mike Vick's prime years are long- 2 to 3 more seasons at best. Might as well load up on talent, right? I don't see him coaching for more than another season or two before he goes the route of Jeff Fisher.

[mooby]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

It sure is nice to see someone else crashing and burning after winning the offseason championship isn't it?

Yep.

[calia]

I think there is blame to be shared among Rex, Kyle, and perhaps others, but I am troubled by the fact that with very good pretection today, we managed something like a paltry 163 yards passing. Our run game looked very good -- no doubt. But to fail to throw for 200 against that awful Rams defense makes me wonder what we're not doing right at this stage of the season.

[Dirtbag59]

As always John Keim with great reporting on the football side of things.

7. Oh, Rex, Rex, Rex. Before we put any blame on him for the interception, we must say this: Santana Moss and Hightower both dropped passes that would have resulted in first downs and more in the fourth quarter. And Grossman had a couple nice throws, including the TD to Moss in which they worked the wide side of the field well.

The play in which he was picked off by James Laurinaitis is one they use a lot. And the play-action typically opens a seam for the pass to Moss. But Laurinaitis had the speed to make up for being sucked in by the fake. And Grossman forced the ball, maybe because that play has worked so often – especially from their own end of the field -- and he just expected it to work again. But it was a very poor decision. Can’t blame Grossman for his first interception (it bounced off Moss’ hands), but this one at this time in the game was terrible.

I wish the Redskins had come out running a little bit. Finish it off strong with some power. But they started the game this way, too, feeling they could suck up the Rams with play action and hurt them deep. Didn’t work then either. Grossman got away with two other passes that could have, or should have, been picked. What’s the credo? Never throw back to the middle of the field when rolling out? Plays like this are why some scouts/experts think he’ll never change. Those plays are about a mindset, not a system. I know other quarterbacks make bad plays, but this happens a couple times every game. But let’s not start calling for John Beck just yet. The Redskins are 3-1 and Beck’s decision making in his final two preseason starts wasn’t the best, either. For the time being this is Grossman’s team.

Read more at the Washington Examiner: Ten observations: Redskins 17, Rams 10 | John Keim | NFL | Washington Examiner

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag59

@Russellmania980
Chris Russell
Mike Shanahan when asked if Ryan Torain will be starter vs Philly said "This will be fun. I'll play this game with you guys all week."

Torain against Philly actually wouldn't be a bad idea.

Torain is the bad team punisher. If we're playing a defense that can't tackle and is poor at staying in it's run gaps (two hallmarks of bad run defense teams), Torain runs hard enough to make them pay for being bad.

[CultBrennan59]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Torain against Philly actually wouldn't be a bad idea.

Torain is the bad team punisher. If we're playing a defense that can't tackle and is poor at staying in it's run gaps (two hallmarks of bad run defense teams), Torain runs hard enough to make them pay for being bad.

Torain is a great physical back that none of the eagles LB's or secondary could cover. Quick name me all the eagles starting LBs....


exactly you can't because their no names who suck. Supposedly 5'9 rookie Brian Rolle of Ohio St is a new OLB for them over Casey Matthews. Then you have Fokou from maryland who can't cover or tackle in space. And don't forget Jamar Chaney who bites a lot on play action and overruns plays and takes bad angles. I like our chances in 2 weeks.

[GTripp0012]

Walt Coleman This was not a great week for NFL officiating, but I can't say my expectations for this crew were any higher than what they got. When you lose control of a game, make sure to throw a bunch of 15 yard flags on one team, but not the other.