Smoot Lays the Smack Down

[SmootSmack]

Sorry for the delay here, I was running some errands and dealing with some work emergencies.

With the latter in mind, I first want to say RIP Dan Wheldon. Great driver, better person. Redskins lost a game in the field of competition, he unfortunately lost his life Dan Wheldon dies following IndyCar crash at Vegas - ESPN

On to the smack:

The 1st Half Defense: Couldn't believe it when Landry said after the game that they basically came out in the first half without any sense of purpose. Couldn't believe it because it showed. I know, I know Rex's interceptions tired them out early. That's total bull. The defense played sloppy the first half, missing tackles, completely whiffing when trying to jam a receiver (c'mon Barnes!), not diving after tipped balls. Seemed like Rocky was just standing there on the Celek tipped catch. And a makeshift OL for the Eagles, and we got almost zero pressure. I'll give them a stud for turning things around, but early on they looked ugly

Fred Davis Yeah I know I'm calling giving the smack down to another of today's Studs. We are very fortunate to have FD in our lineup and he has made some great plays all season long. But there were multiple times, not the least of which was the first Rex interception where he made little to no attempt on the ball. He wasn't the only receiver to do so, though. Still, he's got to be more aggressive sometimes.

Whoever Decides To Keep Sitting Terrence Austin Let the man play!

Rex Grossman I know this is the one you're all waiting for. I still maintain that the first interception was not a bad decision. Three things I thought were likely to happen 1.) FD catches it at the 2 (possibly goes in for a TD) and the crowd goes wild and early on we've got the momentum 2) It falls incomplete and we punt or 3) Ball is intercepted but we pin them deep in their own territory. I didn't expect FD to not make a play and TW to get a penalty. After that, it was pretty much all downhill for Rex. I said at the time, and I'll say again, that throw to Cooley (which at the time I didn't know was about to knock him out for the next month or so) was terrible. He hung his receiver out to dry on a critical 3rd down. He did the same later, I believe with Helu. I like Rex, from a "dealing with the media" perspective, you'd be hard pressed to find a more accommodating guy, but Redskins fans aren't looking for that. The other three interceptions, I'd have to go back and watch them again, but from what I saw it was all on Rex. All on him trying to make a play. And why was he trying to make a play? Because of....

Kyle Shanahan I knew he wasn't going to run just because it was the Eagles, because KS doesn't prepare his game plan based on the opponent's known weaknesses. Never has, never will. And I don't really have a problem with that. I do have a problem with not taking advantage of two solid backs in Torain and Helu. I do have a problem with ignoring one of football's basic tenents "When you're trying to get your new offensive line to gel, run the ball and let them get into their groove" I commend Locklear, Cook, and the rest of that makeshift line for the work they did today. Kyle didn't put them in a good spot. And I do have a problem with him trying to make Rex more than he is. If we were even tied at the half, I'm fully confident we win. But we put on Rex's shoulders, at home where you had to know he was going to get booed mercilessly, and that just isn't the right game plan. Sidenote: You just know that if Rex had that fumble Beck had, it would have gone back for 6. By the way, I thought Beck was fine but I still think he sells the play action horribly

Well, I'm sure there's plenty more. But as I said earlier this week, my concern is not losing this game so much as it's hoping this doesn't turn things in a negative direction for us. It's one game. Let's see what these guys are made of. Yes it was a big game, but 3-2 is better than 2-4. I'll have to see to it though that we don't schedule Philly after a bye anymore.

[GTripp0012]

The biggest issue here is that the Redskins really shouldn't have been gearing up to compete in the NFC East and trying to convince people that they could do so with John Beck and Rex Grossman. 3-2 puts this team ahead of schedule, all things considered. And if the Redskins themselves hadn't allowed expectations to get unreasonable, we'd be talking about this team the same way as the Cincinnati Bengals, as an overachiever.

But while 3-2 is a decent start, it's not a good enough start to overcome the total lack of an offense. The Shanahan's should come out and explicitly say that they are building an offense that they can count on for next year. Play Austin. Play Hankerson. Play Davis. We're wasting time with veterans who are hurting us in the short term and have no long term value. And I just don't understand it.

Half of the wins by the Eagles and Cowboys have come against the Redskins. The Cardinals and Rams have combined for one win. The Giants win is still the clear outlier, but this team isn't good. It's a product of it's schedule.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

The biggest issue here is that the Redskins really shouldn't have been gearing up to compete in the NFC East and trying to convince people that they could do so with John Beck and Rex Grossman. 3-2 puts this team ahead of schedule, all things considered. And if the Redskins themselves hadn't allowed expectations to get unreasonable, we'd be talking about this team the same way as the Cincinnati Bengals, as an overachiever.

But while 3-2 is a decent start, it's not a good enough start to overcome the total lack of an offense. The Shanahan's should come out and explicitly say that they are building an offense that they can count on for next year. Play Austin. Play Hankerson. Play Davis. We're wasting time with veterans who are hurting us in the short term and have no long term value. And I just don't understand it.

Half of the wins by the Eagles and Cowboys have come against the Redskins. The Cardinals and Rams have combined for one win. The Giants win is still the clear outlier, but this team isn't good. It's a product of it's schedule.

They're trying to win now. That's why we're seeing Stallworth and Gaffney. I don't agree with it either. Glad to at least see Austin and Paul get in there. But it's very clear that MS wants the younger guys to earn it in practice and right now now they're not.

[Bucket]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

They're trying to win now. That's why we're seeing Stallworth and Gaffney. I don't agree with it either. Glad to at least see Austin and Paul get in there. But it's very clear that MS wants the younger guys to earn it in practice and right now now they're not.

In the long run this will make the younger guys better players.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Bucket

In the long run this will make the younger guys better players.

I'll leave that up to the coaches. But at some point they have to get these guys on the field. Maybe when we're out of playoff contention.

[skinsfaninok]

RUN D was a joke today

Rex Grossman literally killed us today

KS- Dude WTF?

[GMScud]

My smack down is to Rex and Kyle primarily, but to the team in general for letting the Eagles' season off the hook. At 1-5, they're done. Now they're 2-4, they just got a division win heading into a bye, and coming off the bye they play 3 straight at home. Not only did we blow a massive opportunity to improve our season, we breathed life right back into one of our major rivals. Failure.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Not only did we blow a massive opportunity to improve our season, we breathed life right back into one of our major rivals. Failure.

For the second time this year.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by GMScud

My smack down is to Rex and Kyle primarily, but to the team in general for letting the Eagles' season off the hook. At 1-5, they're done. Now they're 2-4, they just got a division win heading into a bye, and coming off the bye they play 3 straight at home. Not only did we blow a massive opportunity to improve our season, we breathed life right back into one of our major rivals. Failure.

Very reminiscent of the Giants game a few years ago when we let them off the hook and they rolled right into the playoffs.

That said, we don't need Beck to be great, just competent. If he can at least achieve that, I suspect it will make a world of difference on both sides of the ball.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Kyle Shanahan.......I knew he wasn't going to run just because it was the Eagles, because KS doesn't prepare his game plan based on the opponent's known weaknesses. Never has, never will. And I don't really have a problem with that.

This is no surprise anymore.....and I've got a HUGE problem with that. I don't know what the hell he's getting paid, but it's too much. If you aren't evaluating the opponent's weaknesses and preparing your gameplan to exploit those weaknesses you should be fired immediately.

This piss-poor playcalling/gameplanning is becoming a trend. If it doesn't improve before mid-season, MS needs to either take the OC reigns and minimize KS's role or get rid of him. This is not difficult to fix, I could fix it tomorrow.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

This is no surprise anymore.....and I've got a HUGE problem with that. I don't know what the hell he's getting paid, but it's too much. If you aren't evaluating the opponent's weaknesses and preparing your gameplan to exploit those weaknesses you should be fired immediately.

This piss-poor playcalling/gameplanning is becoming a trend. If it doesn't improve before mid-season, MS needs to either take the OC reigns and minimize KS's role or get rid of him. This is not difficult to fix, I could fix it tomorrow.

Perhaps Joe Gibbs influenced me too much when I was young and impressionable but I'm with Sammy. You find an opponent's weakness and you attack it mercilessly until they stop you or you go home with a W.

Kyle drove me mad today.

[htownskinfan]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

This is no surprise anymore.....and I've got a HUGE problem with that. I don't know what the hell he's getting paid, but it's too much. If you aren't evaluating the opponent's weaknesses and preparing your gameplan to exploit those weaknesses you should be fired immediately.

This piss-poor playcalling/gameplanning is becoming a trend. If it doesn't improve before mid-season, MS needs to either take the OC reigns and minimize KS's role or get rid of him. This is not difficult to fix, I could fix it tomorrow.

Ive said it many times before and been mostly shot down{because kyle was so great in houston,blah blah blah}
I hated this hire from the get go because as long as mikes here sos his son.If kyle wasnt his son I wouldnt have had a problem with the hire,but theres a HUGE conflict of interest

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by htownskinfan

Ive said it many times before and been mostly shot down{because kyle was so great in houston,blah blah blah}
I hated this hire from the get go because as long as mikes here sos his son.If kyle wasnt his son I wouldnt have had a problem with the hire,but theres a HUGE conflict of interest

Optimistically, I hoped that an MS/KS combo would bring out the best of both. MS's run/PA game combined with the solid passing game KS displayed while OC in Houston would put is in a great place on O. Playing a team with good pass D, focus on run/PA. Solid run team, go to the passing game. Unfortunately what we're seeing is just plays being called, I'm not seeing much of a gameplan. And the situational calls have been awful. KS doesn't seem to understand Schaub and A. Johnson aren't here.

[mlmpetert]

Originally Posted by htownskinfan

Ive said it many times before and been mostly shot down{because kyle was so great in houston,blah blah blah}
I hated this hire from the get go because as long as mikes here sos his son.If kyle wasnt his son I wouldnt have had a problem with the hire,but theres a HUGE conflict of interest

Completely agree. Just the perception, that im positive many players and other coaches have, of the sitution is bad for the team.

[mlmpetert]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

This is no surprise anymore.....and I've got a HUGE problem with that. I don't know what the hell he's getting paid, but it's too much. If you aren't evaluating the opponent's weaknesses and preparing your gameplan to exploit those weaknesses you should be fired immediately.

This piss-poor playcalling/gameplanning is becoming a trend. If it doesn't improve before mid-season, MS needs to either take the OC reigns and minimize KS's role or get rid of him. This is not difficult to fix, I could fix it tomorrow.

Its horrible and in my opinion its all the fault of Mike. Mike is allowing Kyle to continue to call horrible games. Kyle is calling horrible games and is continuing to put Rex in situations that Rex is horrible suited for. Rex has played pretty bad, but i think its in part because hes being forced by Kyle to do something that hes not good at. And Mike is allowing it.

Its a pretty easy fix. Mike just needs to take over game planning and play calling. Coach to the team's strengths and attack the opposing teams weaknesses, then get fancy.