Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)

[SmootSmack]

Well this game looked pretty ugly early on. But it ended beautifully. Nice to finally see the Redskins blow-out an opponent. Did you all see that stat today that the Redskins have been in the most games decided by 3 points or less since 2003? 40 games, record of 17-23.

Ganther continues to impress me. He can't really block much right now, but we might be spoiled because we have the best blocking back in the league in Clinton Portis. Still, I love the way Ganther hits the hole and fights for the extra yards. I hope we find a place on the roster for him next year.

I've been critical of Kareem Moore, but he made some very nice textbook tackles today. Nice to see both Moore and Tryon stepping...and I keep forgetting that we also have Chris Horton on the roster as well.

And finally, can't say enough about Lorenzo Alexander-making tackles on special teams, blocking on rushing touchdowns, getting a sack.

Ok, let's get to the smack down:

Offensive Line The Raiders defensive line is underrated but still Campbell bailed out his line all day. He got little to no help from them today. I couldn't tell exactly who was the main culprit (I'll have to go back and see), but it looked Rabach. Also, as mentioned above the pass blocking frum the running backs was suspect at best. By the way, I thought Campbell was sharp but I still want to see him succeed in more pressure situations.

LaRon Landry Nice forced fumble and key interception. Still he was getting targeted and abused by Gradkowski the whole first half. Landry benefited the most from Russell entering the game, since Russell has no sense of timing with anyone else in the offense it seems

Danny Smith I'm tired of putting ARE on my smack down list seemingly every week. So I'm putting it on the coach now. C'mon Danny, enough is enough. Get ARE off the field for punt returns already.

Referees Horrible calls on both sides. Against Davis on the celebration, and against Eugene on the interference with ARE.

Overall, nice to finally get a win after weeks of coming so close. Cerrato and the front office have given us some pieces to build with....still think there will be and should be changes in the coaching staff and front office though

[mlmdub130]

that was fast, i agree completekly with laron and danny smith, laron looked great in the second half but russell was in there, and i don't know wtf is the deal with smith leaving are in there, after that muffed punt he has to be pulled imo

[Chico23231]

Orakpo is a f*ing monster. The Oline sucked, but whatelse is new. JC, nice game, finished strong. Ganther good game. Hopefully Landry will gain some confidence from that key interception, but you tell today he was playing with none in the first half, overthinking and just not reacting in coverage...

[davy]

It really is bewildering why El is still back there for punts.

This is his 4th year here and never at any stage has he looked like a good option.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by davy

It really is bewildering why El is still back there for punts.

This is his 4th year here and never at any stage has he looked like a good option.

They should keep him in the slot. Put Santana back there full time.

[mooby]

Well you don't put Santana back there full time because he's your #1 wideout, and you don't put Hall back there full time because he's one of your starting corners, and we don't have a lot of depth guys that would make a dependable full time punt returner. It's ARE only because in the scheme of things if he went down we'd still have young depth at wideout to rely on. I doubt he'll be back there next season.

[GTripp0012]

Moss got completely owned by Asomugha today, as it was obvious he would be. He's a No. 4 WR on this team, once Kelly catches up to where Thomas is mentally.

And at that point, he's just blocking Marko Mitchell.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Moss got completely owned by Asomugha today, as it was obvious he would be. He's a No. 4 WR on this team, once Kelly catches up to where Thomas is mentally.

And at that point, he's just blocking Marko Mitchell.

Hence putting him full time as a punt returner. Hell, maybe even put him in the slot if we do get rid of ARE (although I doubt that will happen).

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by davy

It really is bewildering why El is still back there for punts.

This is his 4th year here and never at any stage has he looked like a good option.

Agreed. If you want to get sick to your stomach, go check out the contract we gave him under team info. All that money essentially for a slot receiver who will catch you a first down every game and is 'good locker room guy'...but come on man!! Him and Portis need to go in the offseason

[dmek25]

when the skins moved Moss to the slot in the second half, he started to produce. i say bye bye to El

[Big C]

the only smack i have to lay down on this team today is this. the o-line gave up a lot of pressure, moss and randle el dropped some passes, and carter whiffed on the fumble recovery. but carter had a great game otherwise.

[Zerohero]

Originally Posted by mooby

Well you don't put Santana back there full time because he's your #1 wideout, and you don't put Hall back there full time because he's one of your starting corners, and we don't have a lot of depth guys that would make a dependable full time punt returner. It's ARE only because in the scheme of things if he went down we'd still have young depth at wideout to rely on. I doubt he'll be back there next season.

I'm so sick of hearing that Moss can't return kicks because he is number 1 receiver. Every punt return we botch or let roll back is killing our drives. I think Moss can handle an extra 4 to 6 plays a game.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by dmek25

when the skins moved Moss to the slot in the second half, he started to produce. i say bye bye to El

Nnamdi was out. Moss produced from the outside as well when Stanford Routt was on him.

[Coff]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Overall, nice to finally get a win after weeks of coming so close. Cerrato and the front office have given us some pieces to build with....still think there will be and should be changes in the coaching staff and front office though

Would you still be convinced if the Skins win out? And what does the team have to do to earn Zorn one more year?

There are a lot of coaches out there better than Zorn, but it's been a characteristic of the organization to make abrupt coaching changes just when signs of serious improvement are being seen. We saw it with Marty and then with Gibbs when they brought in a new OC.
I believe we're starting to see big improvements with this team and its system.

I wanted Zorn gone as much as anyone six games ago, and I've been an outspoken critic of JC since day one, but I'm starting to think that given the chance for proper maturation, we may have the ingredients for success.

What cannot be denied is that Zorn has this team playing its heart out with absolutely nothing to play for.

[PennSkinsFan]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Danny Smith I'm tired of putting ARE on my smack down list seemingly every week. So I'm putting it on the coach now. C'mon Danny, enough is enough. Get ARE off the field for punt returns already.

Amen brother. I don't understand what more there is to see?