12th's Five Bright Spots

[12thMan]

For the first time in a long time, I actually felt somewhat okay about a loss. I believe the Redskins took a step forward...yes even in a loss. The Redskins now stand at .500 for the season, but all is not lost. Some definite positives we can take away from this game. Here are my five.

Jason Campbell: If this wasn't Jason's coming out party this year, then I'm not sure which game it was. Save the two turnovers, Campbell had an otherwise brilliant game. I think he took a step forward in solidifying his role as the leader of the team and also showing what he's capable of when the game is in his hands. Kudos to JC.

Rock Cartwright: For the past three seasons Rock Cartwright is generally mentioned as somone battling for a roster spot or who is on the bubble. And no sooner than the season begins, Rock proves his worth to this organization. Time after time today, Rock put Campbell and the Skins offense in great starting position. Nice job, Rock.

Playcalling: Generally speaking the play calling allowed the Skins to keep pace with the high flying Cowboys. One probably could argue the ratio of passes to rushes, but overall we didn't lose the game because of "bad calls". I think Gibbs and Saunders should somehow use today's loss as a template for the rest of the season. I like the playaction and the moving pocket right from the start. Do you get the feeling we'll see more no-huddle for the rest of the season?

Santana Moss: Finally this guy get's on the field showed his stuff. Santana, man, we need you for the next six games. Even though Moss wasn't a 100%, you could see the defense having to respect him as a threat. How 'bout that one hand grab too!

Team Character: I really liked how the team didn't just roll over late in the game, especially after the T.O.'s last touchdown. The defense made key stops when it was crunch time too. And how about how we bounced right back after Terrence Newman's int. I really got the feeling that this team still believes in itself, and they had a lot of fight up until the very last minute.

[hooskins]

Good post, I have given too much rep out, but I will get it to you. I agree with everything, only issue for me is playcalling was great about 99% of the time, just going for the 50 yarder is something I disagree with. But I guess you can't expect perfect play calling the whole game.

[SouperMeister]

Rock is like James Thrash - he just does whatever the coaches ask. I know it's a Gibbs cliche, but he IS a "True Redskin".

[MTK]

Honestly I saw a lot of positives today.

I really think if Taylor was out there, we would have won the game. With Taylor there's no way the deep middle would have been open like that over and over.

One player was the difference today, and that one player was on the sideline for us.

[Ocliw]

I feel that Al S called this game.....Until faced with 4th and 1's then Gibbs took the reins.

We can blame JC for the key pick but one could also blame some no guts calls.

[12thMan]

I just hope we're still in the hunt when Taylor, Thomas, and even Moss and Washington are full speed.

I wouldn't write this team off just yet.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Ocliw

I feel that Al S called this game.....Until faced with 4th and 1's then Gibbs took the reins.

We can blame JC for the key pick but one could also blame some no guts calls.

Gibbs always makes the call to go for it or not on 4th downs.

[GTripp0012]

Doesn't kicking the FG on 4th and 1 take a lot more guts than saying "go for it" to your coordinator? Essentially, you as the HC are taking responsibility for the kicker's job, and if he doesn't make it, the blame comes back to you.

Where I'm from, that takes balls. What's easy is just keeping the offense on the field and putting your coordinator on the hot seat.

Wrong call? Probably. Gutless? Get real.

[SouperMeister]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Honestly I saw a lot of positives today.

I really think if Taylor was out there, we would have won the game. With Taylor there's no way the deep middle would have been open like that over and over.

One player was the difference today, and that one player was on the sideline for us.

Same can be said for the Philly game last week. Taylor is definitely the most indispensible player on the D.

[FRPLG]

I gotta say that JC just continually shows me that he will be a top QB in this league. Even when others have let some doubt sink in about him I always felt that he was a guy who could make plays to win a game. The difference between a QB like JC and say Brunell(at this point in his career) is that Brunell, who I love for various reasons, was rarely going to win us a game while JC showed us today that given the latitude he could win us games. He didn't pull it off today but I know everyone of us thought when we got the ball back with 3 minutes that we had a damn good shot at winning. I say 75% of the time in that situation we end up winning. JC can play. We need to lock this guy up long term now.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

I gotta say that JC just continually shows me that he will be a top QB in this league. Even when others have let some doubt sink in about him I always felt that he was a guy who could make plays to win a game. The difference between a QB like JC and say Brunell(at this point in his career) is that Brunell, who I love for various reasons, was rarely going to win us a game while JC showed us today that given the latitude he could win us games. He didn't pull it off today but I know everyone of us thought when we got the ball back with 3 minutes that we had a damn good shot at winning. I say 75% of the time in that situation we end up winning. JC can play. We need to lock this guy up long term now.

I definitely agree with that.

[Gmanc711]

I think we can add Sean Taylor to the list of people we need to lock up, because its becoming more and more evident just how good he really is. You can say more about him when he's not in there than you can when he is, lol. He's such a cornerstone to that defense. Hoepfully he only misses one more week.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Gmanc711

I think we can add Sean Taylor to the list of people we need to lock up, because its becoming more and more evident just how good he really is. You can say more about him when he's not in there than you can when he is, lol. He's such a cornerstone to that defense. Hoepfully he only misses one more week.

Agreed. Taylor gets noticed for the big hits, but it can be hardest to recognize when Taylor's presence is felt the most. His impact is felt most in the throws that don't get attempted. Just because he's back there, many QBs decide to check down and never decide to attempt stretching the field. They're fearful of his range. Without him there today, we saw how fearless Romo was in attacking downfield. Hell, TO looked like he was on a mission today. Funny, I don't think he would have felt so confident if 21 was back there. We'll see you in Washington, Terrell.

[GMScud]

I agree with all of your bright spots. Rock is awesome. And I was so happy to see Santana get back on track. Play calling was overall pretty solid, but eventually we have to score more than the 14-25 point range to win ball games. We're not there yet. But aside from the 4th and 1 where we tried the 50 yd FG, I was okay with it. Maybe a few more creatively placed runs in the 2nd half (only 4 rushing plays all 2nd half?).

Jason looked awesome overall. But damn it, does he have to fumble EVERY time he gets sacked? That aspect is getting a little ridiculous. And the Newman pick was just a bad decision by a QB in his 17th game.

As far as character, that's my favorite part. Our guys believe in each other and the coaching staff, and never quit. Gotta respect that. Makes me think of Pacino's "inches" speech from Any Given Sunday. We claw with our fingernails for that inch.

Sean Taylor plays and we win.

I do disagree with one thing you say: I'm NEVER "somewhat okay with a loss."

[Crat92]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Agreed. Taylor gets noticed for the big hits, but it can be hardest to recognize when Taylor's presence is felt the most. His impact is felt most in the throws that don't get attempted. Just because he's back there, many QBs decide to check down and never decide to attempt stretching the field. They're fearful of his range. Without him there today, we saw how fearless Romo was in attacking downfield. Hell, TO looked like he was on a mission today. Funny, I don't think he would have felt so confident if 21 was back there. We'll see you in Washington, Terrell.

AGREED! Beware the middle next time T.O.!