Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Giants at Redskins)

[warriorzpath]

There's been a lot of talk about poor offensive line play. But if that's really the case, then alot of credit must be given to Grossman for being able to overcome it-- to be able to throw for over 300 yards and 2 tds.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by warriorzpath

There's been a lot of talk about poor offensive line play. But if that's really the case, then alot of credit must be given to Grossman for being able to overcome it-- to be able to throw for over 300 yards and 2 tds.

I think this is the reason why I think Rex is going to be a different QB. Last year's Rex or 2006 Rex would have thrown three picks and coughed up the ball twice with that type of pressure. Now, for the sake of his health, I think that the o-line needs to get better, otherwise Rex is going to get killed out there if he keeps on taking hits like that.

[SirClintonPortis]

Redskins Notes: Trent 'pretty good' last week

[The Goat]

After watching the game again last night, which is the first time ever going back to re-watch a game because I just recently upgraded to DVR, I will join the Doughty bashing bandwagon. Holy crap he's the antithesis of an impact player!!! Way too slow and actually not great at reading plays. On at least a few occasions I saw other guys on defense redirect Doughty because he was evidently out of position (before the snap). And obviously he's too slow to recover from being out of position at the beginning of the play. Considering Landry's iffy injury status I'm kinda shocked we haven't signed another SS. Thoughts on this? Is there another SS on the roster anyone is excited about?

Also, Hightower is not our answer at running back. Again he's not an impact player as in there's no explosiveness there and he doesn't break many tackles. I hope the plan is to use him up early in the season while working Helu and maybe Torain in more and more. My guess is the Shanahan's have Hightower in to protect Rex for the time being as Helu doesn't have any experience protecting a QB at this level and my memory is Torain struggled mightily. C'mon Helu...get on it!!!

[Bucket]

Originally Posted by The Goat

After watching the game again last night, which is the first time ever going back to re-watch a game because I just recently upgraded to DVR, I will join the Doughty bashing bandwagon. Holy crap he's the antithesis of an impact player!!! Way too slow and actually not great at reading plays. On at least a few occasions I saw other guys on defense redirect Doughty because he was evidently out of position (before the snap). And obviously he's too slow to recover from being out of position at the beginning of the play. Considering Landry's iffy injury status I'm kinda shocked we haven't signed another SS. Thoughts on this? Is there another SS on the roster anyone is excited about?

Also, Hightower is not our answer at running back. Again he's not an impact player as in there's no explosiveness there and he doesn't break many tackles. I hope the plan is to use him up early in the season while working Helu and maybe Torain in more and more. My guess is the Shanahan's have Hightower in to protect Rex for the time being as Helu doesn't have any experience protecting a QB at this level and my memory is Torain struggled mightily. C'mon Helu...get on it!!!

Huh? Hightower has looked great so far this year. Yeah his performance against the Giants wasn't strong, but the Giants never give up A LOT of 100 yard performances against them. Hightower actually started to get less yards per carry in the 2nd half after the Giants made adjustments.

In the NFL now there is no ANSWER at RB. To have 2-3 great running backs on your roster is a blessing, and I believe we have 3 guys who will be great.

[Swarley]

1 game and the verdict is in on Tim, cool...

[Bucket]

Originally Posted by GreekSkin

1 game and the verdict is in on Tim, cool...

He doesn't run for 100 yards every game.

He's not the answer.. DUH!

Yeah, being able to catch one handed passes over the middle, and pick up linebackers to protect the QB doesn't matter.

[Meks]

Yea I find that to be a foolish assessment as usual

[44ever]

If anything there should have been more RB rotation. The running game suffered in the 2nd half thats on the coaching IMO, not Hightower....

Hightower was flat in the 2nd half but showed he can be dangerously effective if used properly.

This week I fully expect to see Hightower the featured RB but I would not be surprised to see Torain and or Helu both in the mix and I believe any of them can have a breakout game.

[skinsnut]

I just read all 150 posts...and most has obviously been covered....

I have 2 points not mentioned:

1. Hightower was likely in all game due to his pass blocking skills, Helu is a rookie and Torain has a hand injury and the oline was struggling.

2. Our new wonderful Center has major issues snapping the ball in shotgun formation...they are either slow rainbows or too high...if that doesn't get resolved in a couple weeks we will see sacks and fumbles. Rex did a great job handling the crazy snaps. A less experienced QB would have fumbled them, or rushed a pass for a pick or something.

[The Goat]

There were a handful of plays where Hightower had the opportunity to break out for long yardage i.e. these would have been TDs for a handful of RBs in the league.

If you watch/rewatch the game it's also easy to see why Tim had fumble issues in the past...he still carries the pigskin like a loaf of bread. As the Zen master says...we'll see. But I doubt he's getting the majority of carries by the 2nd half of the season i.e. hopefully the o-line gels and pass protect better and Helu comes in for some huge games.