Hail to the Redskins! (1 Viewer)

[BassNBrew]

Does Seattle have an answer for Moss?

 

[jwvdcw]

seriously, good luck to the Skins this week, but if the Hawks don't win this game they should burn the franchise down to the ground.

a week off for Seattle, a team that is hurt a little in Wash, coming off a physical game, where they gained 100 yards of offense AND THEN flying clear across the entire country...I just don't see how Wash pulls this one out.

we'll see I guess. I think Seattle wins by 10 at least, but the Skins do have a good D.

I don't disagree, but I just want it explained a bit to me....What is the big deal about "flying across the country"? I mean, is a 3 hour plane ride on a first class plane really that difficult?

Now like I said, I'm not disputing it, and I"m sure you guys could raise stats to prove the point. I'm just asking why.

 

[jwvdcw]

Found something interesting about Seattle's schedule.  Take a look at their home games against the three best teams they faced (not counting Indy and their 2d stringers):

Sun 9/18 Atlanta W 21-18

Sun 10/23 Dallas W 13-10

Sun 11/27 NY Giants W 24-21

All three were three-point wins, and all were against teams that have gone home for the year.Now they play Washington, who is clearly a better team than any of these three at this point.

If Seattle only beats Atlanta by 3, Dallas by 3 on a dumb Bledsoe throw, and NYG by 3 on Jay Feely's worst day of his career -- all at home -- just how good are they really??

Washington lost at home to Oakland. How good are they really? See, it works both ways.

Washington is playing its best football right now. At its best, Washington has shown to be a very good football team. I'm not sure if Seattle is playing their best right now or not. But what is Seattle's best football? What 3 games do you think Seattle has played the best in this season?13-3 is 13-3. I can't argue with that. But theres no single game that impresses me like Washington dismantling Dallas or the Giants in back to back weeks.

 

[BassNBrew]

Found something interesting about Seattle's schedule.  Take a look at their home games against the three best teams they faced (not counting Indy and their 2d stringers):

Sun 9/18 Atlanta W 21-18

Sun 10/23 Dallas W 13-10

Sun 11/27 NY Giants W 24-21

All three were three-point wins, and all were against teams that have gone home for the year.Now they play Washington, who is clearly a better team than any of these three at this point.

If Seattle only beats Atlanta by 3, Dallas by 3 on a dumb Bledsoe throw, and NYG by 3 on Jay Feely's worst day of his career -- all at home -- just how good are they really??

Washington lost at home to Oakland. How good are they really? See, it works both ways.

Washington is playing its best football right now. At its best, Washington has shown to be a very good football team. I'm not sure if Seattle is playing their best right now or not. But what is Seattle's best football? What 3 games do you think Seattle has played the best in this season?13-3 is 13-3. I can't argue with that. But theres no single game that impresses me like Washington dismantling Dallas or the Giants in back to back weeks.

13 Mon. Dec. 5 9:07 p.m. ET  at Eagles 42-0 W Recap | Box 14 Sun. Dec. 11 1:06 p.m. ET  49ers 41-3 W Recap | Box

 

[jwvdcw]

Found something interesting about Seattle's schedule.  Take a look at their home games against the three best teams they faced (not counting Indy and their 2d stringers):

Sun 9/18 Atlanta W 21-18

Sun 10/23 Dallas W 13-10

Sun 11/27 NY Giants W 24-21

All three were three-point wins, and all were against teams that have gone home for the year.Now they play Washington, who is clearly a better team than any of these three at this point.

If Seattle only beats Atlanta by 3, Dallas by 3 on a dumb Bledsoe throw, and NYG by 3 on Jay Feely's worst day of his career -- all at home -- just how good are they really??

Washington lost at home to Oakland. How good are they really? See, it works both ways.

Washington is playing its best football right now. At its best, Washington has shown to be a very good football team. I'm not sure if Seattle is playing their best right now or not. But what is Seattle's best football? What 3 games do you think Seattle has played the best in this season?13-3 is 13-3. I can't argue with that. But theres no single game that impresses me like Washington dismantling Dallas or the Giants in back to back weeks.

13 Mon. Dec. 5 9:07 p.m. ET  at Eagles 42-0 W Recap | Box 14 Sun. Dec. 11 1:06 p.m. ET  49ers 41-3 W Recap | Box

Ok, fair enough. I don't think those opponents were very high quality, but I understand your point.

 

[BassNBrew]

Found something interesting about Seattle's schedule.  Take a look at their home games against the three best teams they faced (not counting Indy and their 2d stringers):

Sun 9/18 Atlanta W 21-18

Sun 10/23 Dallas W 13-10

Sun 11/27 NY Giants W 24-21

All three were three-point wins, and all were against teams that have gone home for the year.Now they play Washington, who is clearly a better team than any of these three at this point.

If Seattle only beats Atlanta by 3, Dallas by 3 on a dumb Bledsoe throw, and NYG by 3 on Jay Feely's worst day of his career -- all at home -- just how good are they really??

Washington lost at home to Oakland. How good are they really? See, it works both ways.

Washington is playing its best football right now. At its best, Washington has shown to be a very good football team. I'm not sure if Seattle is playing their best right now or not. But what is Seattle's best football? What 3 games do you think Seattle has played the best in this season?13-3 is 13-3. I can't argue with that. But theres no single game that impresses me like Washington dismantling Dallas or the Giants in back to back weeks.

13 Mon. Dec. 5 9:07 p.m. ET  at Eagles 42-0 W Recap | Box 14 Sun. Dec. 11 1:06 p.m. ET  49ers 41-3 W Recap | Box

Ok, fair enough. I don't think those opponents were very high quality, but I understand your point.

Agreed, but you play the cards you're dealt. Crushing SF after destorying philly on a short week is solid work. Washington definately had the tougher schedule and the posts here have me leaning towards them with the points.

 

[Kleck]

What is the big deal about "flying across the country"? I mean, is a 3 hour plane ride on a first class plane really that difficult?

Wild guess here. You haven't made that "three hour flight" before have you?

Now like I said, I'm not disputing it, and I"m sure you guys could raise stats to prove the point. I'm just asking why.

No matter how anyone tries to logic out a reason why Washington should be favored I think those guys in Vegas do a fairly good job of predicting favorites. What's the current line?Meh. What's it matter? Game happens next Saturday. Let's just hurry up and wait.

 

[BassNBrew]

What is the big deal about "flying across the country"? I mean, is a 3 hour plane ride on a first class plane really that difficult?

Wild guess here. You haven't made that "three hour flight" before have you?

Now like I said, I'm not disputing it, and I"m sure you guys could raise stats to prove the point. I'm just asking why.

No matter how anyone tries to logic out a reason why Washington should be favored I think those guys in Vegas do a fairly good job of predicting favorites. What's the current line?Meh. What's it matter? Game happens next Saturday. Let's just hurry up and wait.

Actually the flight east to west is easier. The flight time is recovered by picking up the three hours. The skins can leave Friday morning at 8 and arive at 8, still getting in a practice session. Teams flying west to east lose a whole day. I think the early line is Seattle +9.

 

[jwvdcw]

What is the big deal about "flying across the country"? I mean, is a 3 hour plane ride on a first class plane really that difficult?

Wild guess here. You haven't made that "three hour flight" before have you?

Now like I said, I'm not disputing it, and I"m sure you guys could raise stats to prove the point. I'm just asking why.

No matter how anyone tries to logic out a reason why Washington should be favored I think those guys in Vegas do a fairly good job of predicting favorites. What's the current line?Meh. What's it matter? Game happens next Saturday. Let's just hurry up and wait.

I was born in Cali and still have family there, and grew up in Maryland. I've made that flight many times- never in the luxury of first class that I'm sure NFL teams have.

 

[jwvdcw]

What is the big deal about "flying across the country"? I mean, is a 3 hour plane ride on a first class plane really that difficult?

Wild guess here. You haven't made that "three hour flight" before have you?

Now like I said, I'm not disputing it, and I"m sure you guys could raise stats to prove the point. I'm just asking why.

No matter how anyone tries to logic out a reason why Washington should be favored I think those guys in Vegas do a fairly good job of predicting favorites. What's the current line?Meh. What's it matter? Game happens next Saturday. Let's just hurry up and wait.

Actually the flight east to west is easier. The flight time is recovered by picking up the three hours. The skins can leave Friday morning at 8 and arive at 8, still getting in a practice session. Teams flying west to east lose a whole day. I think the early line is Seattle +9.

think you mean -9. I saw it at 8.5 at sportsbook.com, but others have said 9. I wouldn't be surprised to see it drop to 8 before kickoff.

 

[BassNBrew]

What is the big deal about "flying across the country"? I mean, is a 3 hour plane ride on a first class plane really that difficult?

Wild guess here. You haven't made that "three hour flight" before have you?

Now like I said, I'm not disputing it, and I"m sure you guys could raise stats to prove the point. I'm just asking why.

No matter how anyone tries to logic out a reason why Washington should be favored I think those guys in Vegas do a fairly good job of predicting favorites. What's the current line?Meh. What's it matter? Game happens next Saturday. Let's just hurry up and wait.

I was born in Cali and still have family there, and grew up in Maryland. I've made that flight many times- never in the luxury of first class that I'm sure NFL teams have.

Oakland and 49er fan too???

 

[Kleck]

Flight time for a 747 from Dulles to Sea-Tac

Block time 4:20

Flight time 4:05

Distance (mi) 2302

http://www.bestflights.com.au/airportdist/...SEA&airtype=747

 

[jwvdcw]

Redskins' do-it-all D By Charles Robinson, Yahoo! SportsJanuary 7, 2006 TAMPA, Fla. – At one point after Saturday's 17-10 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington walked toward the showers with eyes like silver dollar pancakes. Along the way he mumbled – apparently to himself – "Is this real?" His offense had just put up the fewest yards in NFL history by a winning playoff team – 120, including only 25 passing – and yet, the Redskins walked out of Raymond James Stadium with a victory. It's a win that was balanced on the shoulders of the same Redskins' defense that hadn't gotten the media acclaim of the Chicago Bears' unit or the statistical title of No. 1 defense given to Tampa Bay. It was also driven by a star outside linebacker whose biggest accomplishment until Saturday was escaping the doghouse of head coach Joe Gibbs and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. "It feels like, I don't know – I really don't know what it feels like," Arrington said. "It feels good, but it just doesn't seem like this is happening. Maybe that's what it feels like – like it's not really happening. Maybe I'm going to wake up and this was a horrible dream and then we have to play the real game. This is pretty cool. If this is really real, then it's cool." As descriptions go, it wasn't exactly Robert Frost. But Arrington didn't need it to be. Not after recording arguably his best game of the season – 10 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and a pass defensed. Washington needed that kind of a performance with the record-setting futility from its banged-up offense. ADVERTISEMENT Tampa Bay's No. 1 defense was every bit as dominating as advertised, but Clinton Portis never looked quite right, having to leave the game on a handful of occasions to get his sore shoulders treated. Quarterback Mark Brunell wasn't much better, either, completing only 7 of 15 passes for 41 yards and an interception. That left Washington's defense to save the day. An impressive four-man rush allowed the Redskins to get pressure on Chris Simms without taking too many gambles with blitzes, as two of Washington's three sacks came from defensive linemen. "That was part of the plan," said Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who made news this week by signing the most lucrative contract for an assistant coach in the history of professional sports. "Because we were healthier up front, we really felt that we could have a presence in the rush only rushing four. It was totally because of the matchups and because of our health. We were in a shambles the last time we came down here – in our defensive front and even in the secondary." Washington's offense had to rely on the defense to produce both of the team's touchdowns. On the first TD, Arrington intercepted a deflected pass by Simms and returned the ball 21 yards to Tampa Bay's six-yard line. Portis ran for a touchdown on the next play, and the Redskins had already met one of their big goals for the game: force Simms into a turnover. Despite Simms' improved play down the stretch, his errors had been harbingers of doom. Before Saturday, the Buccaneers had gone 2-4 in games where Simms committed at least one turnover, but he had a relatively impressive day against Washington. He rushed for one touchdown and threw a perfect, game-tying touchdown pass to Edell Shepherd in the fourth quarter, only to have the catch ruled incomplete after reviews showed Shepherd didn't control the ball before losing it once he hit ground. Ultimately, a pivotal fumble buried Tampa Bay. Redskins linebacker Marcus Washington stripped Carnell Williams on Tampa's next drive, and in the ensuing chaos, Washington picked up the ball, had it stripped from behind and then watched safety Sean Taylor scoop up the loose ball and run 51 yards for a score and eventual 14-0 lead. "I tried to get pretty and get my Walter Payton on," Washington said later, swinging his arms out in the locker room. "But Sean Taylor, he's always around, lurking, ready to make a play like that." Unfortunately for the Redskins, Taylor's moment of sunshine was eventually wiped out when an official saw him spit in the face of Buccaneers running back Michael Pittman in the third quarter. Taylor was ejected and will likely face a fine of one game check if the league stays true to its last punishment for spitting in 2000, when Oakland Raiders defensive end Regan Upshaw spit in the face of then-Pittsburgh Steelers punter Josh Miller. "If he did what they say he did, then we can understand someone being taken out of the game," Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. "They should be." Pittman said afterward that Taylor had indeed spit in his face, but Taylor denied the incident in a conversation with Gregg Williams. "He said he did not spit on him," Williams said of Taylor. "That's what he told me, and I believe him. I love the kid. The kid has got a great heart behind the scenes and he's a tremendous competitor. There's no other free safety in the NFL I would rather coach than him." Along with the offensive struggles and a broken forearm suffered by defensive end Renaldo Wynn, a bit of the luster was taken out of the victory, which propelled the Redskins to a second-round matchup against a Seattle Seahawks team it defeated 20-17 in Week 4. What can't be erased is the fact that Washington has now strung together six straight wins and posted one of the most impressive defensive triumphs in postseason history. As Brunell said later, if he had known he would only pass for 25 yards on Saturday, "I would have told you that our season was over." Instead, Washington marches on – with the validation that no team in the NFL has ever done so little offensively in the postseason and still advanced in the playoffs. "I never thought about it that way," said defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, breaking into a grin after being told Washington had broken the NFL record for fewest yards by a winning playoff team. The last team to hold the record? An upstart Baltimore Ravens squad in 2001 – the same Ravens team that rode its defense all the way to a Super Bowl ring. Charles Robinson is the national NFL writer for Yahoo! Sports. Send him a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.

 

[Chaka]

Dear jw...Somewhere in the 48 pages of this thread I made a comment to the effect that I was shocked that a thread about the Redskins could get so much play. In that post I stated that I considered the Redskins to be a mortal lock to lose their first round playoff game and were therefore unworthy of this type of thread.I stand corrected.That is all.~Chaka

 

[GreedoShotFirst]

Dear jw...

Somewhere in the 48 pages of this thread I made a comment to the effect that I was shocked that a thread about the Redskins could get so much play. In that post I stated that I considered the Redskins to be a mortal lock to lose their first round playoff game and were therefore unworthy of this type of thread.

I stand corrected.

That is all.

~Chaka

 

[dgreen]

Wow, Seattle -9? I was expecting more around -7.

 

[Quez]

Found something interesting about Seattle's schedule.  Take a look at their home games against the three best teams they faced (not counting Indy and their 2d stringers):

Sun 9/18 Atlanta W 21-18

Sun 10/23 Dallas W 13-10

Sun 11/27 NY Giants W 24-21

All three were three-point wins, and all were against teams that have gone home for the year.Now they play Washington, who is clearly a better team than any of these three at this point.

If Seattle only beats Atlanta by 3, Dallas by 3 on a dumb Bledsoe throw, and NYG by 3 on Jay Feely's worst day of his career -- all at home -- just how good are they really??

Washington lost at home to Oakland. How good are they really? See, it works both ways.

Washington is playing its best football right now. At its best, Washington has shown to be a very good football team. I'm not sure if Seattle is playing their best right now or not. But what is Seattle's best football? What 3 games do you think Seattle has played the best in this season?13-3 is 13-3. I can't argue with that. But theres no single game that impresses me like Washington dismantling Dallas or the Giants in back to back weeks.

Did you really just say washington is playing it's best football right now? Did you see the offensive stats vs the Buc's

 

[Big Score]

Flight time for a 747 from Dulles to Sea-Tac

Block time 4:20

Flight time 4:05

Distance (mi) 2302

http://www.bestflights.com.au/airportdist/...SEA&airtype=747

I don't understand the big deal here. I've flown thousands upon thousands of miles. I've flown from Atlanta to Sydney Australia many times. Europe, Africa, Aisa etcA 1st class flight across the US (and quite often via private / chartered jet), is nothing. People who try and make a big deal of it, really don't know what they're talking about.

 

[Capella]

Flight time for a 747 from Dulles to Sea-Tac

Block time 4:20

Flight time 4:05

Distance (mi) 2302

http://www.bestflights.com.au/airportdist/...SEA&airtype=747

I don't understand the big deal here. I've flown thousands upon thousands of miles. I've flown from Atlanta to Sydney Australia many times. Europe, Africa, Aisa etcA 1st class flight across the US (and quite often via private / chartered jet), is nothing. People who try and make a big deal of it, really don't know what they're talking about.

I don't think it's a huge deal, but you don't think going across the country and playing in a rested team's stadium is a big deal? The numbers would generally disagree with you.

 

[Big Score]

Flight time for a 747 from Dulles to Sea-Tac

Block time 4:20

Flight time 4:05

Distance (mi) 2302

http://www.bestflights.com.au/airportdist/...SEA&airtype=747

I don't understand the big deal here. I've flown thousands upon thousands of miles. I've flown from Atlanta to Sydney Australia many times. Europe, Africa, Aisa etcA 1st class flight across the US (and quite often via private / chartered jet), is nothing. People who try and make a big deal of it, really don't know what they're talking about.

I don't think it's a huge deal, but you don't think going across the country and playing in a rested team's stadium is a big deal? The numbers would generally disagree with you.

The bolded part is definitely a disadvantage for the Skins. Going across the country 1st class, via chartered or private jet, is not a disadvantage for the Skins.

 

[AB in DC]

No matter how anyone tries to logic out a reason why Washington should be favored

Who said that Washington should be favored?

 

[avoiding injuries]

When everyone starts laying money on the Skins +9, it should drop to 7 by kickoff.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Did you really just say washington is playing it's best football right now? Did you see the offensive stats vs the Buc's

At what point in the game did Washington need it's offense to put up stats?Washington broke the record for fewest offensive yards in a playoff win. According to the article quoted above, the 2000 Ravens previously held the record, and went on to win Super Bowl XXXV.

I may be a homer, and it certainly would be debatable, but I'd say the 2005 Redskins offense > 2000 Ravens offense.

 

[fatness]

The Redskins ran the ball 39 times and had the ball for over 36 mintues (in regulation) in their first win over Seattle this year. I expect Portis to carry a lot, until his shoulders don't let him, and then Betts and Cartwright to carry a lot this Saturday. The thing I keep thinking about the 2 NFC games completed this weekend is that 3 of the 4 teams playing had extremely good defenses ---- Washingtone, Tamps, and Carolina. Tampa's defense was good enough to win most games, just not this one. I do not think Seattle's defense measures up right now to that of either Washignton or Tampa.James Thrash has a broken finger. More injury reports from the Skins will come out today. Bram Weinstein on Sportstalk 980 said Portis's shoulders are a problem.

 

[dgreen]

Bram Weinstein on Sportstalk 980 said Portis's shoulders are a problem.

They might want to take him out when they go to shotgun on obvious passing downs. He could be saved some pain by not having to block. Then again, I don't think Seattle blitzes very much, so it may not be a big problem. If they can hang around through three quarters, they might give Portis some drives off to keep him fresh for the 4th.

 

[Kleck]

No matter how anyone tries to logic out a reason why Washington should be favored

Who said that Washington should be favored?

Perhaps I'm misinterpreting this:

Washington is playing its best football right now. At its best, Washington has shown to be a very good football team. I'm not sure if Seattle is playing their best right now or not. But what is Seattle's best football? What 3 games do you think Seattle has played the best in this season?

13-3 is 13-3. I can't argue with that. But theres no single game that impresses me like Washington dismantling Dallas or the Giants in back to back weeks.

I'll just hang up now and wait for the game to happen.

 

[redman]

I'm as big of a 'Skins fan as there is and I agree there's no way in hell they should be favored. Seattle's the #1 seed at home with a week of rest. While I never bet on my team, however, I have to say that with the way the Washington defense is playing that +8.5 is looking pretty nice right now. One thing to consider about Washington - you should expect their defense to get better for this game based upon the injury situation. Shawn Springs appears to be healthy for this game - what I've read indicates that he could have played against the Bucs but they let him rest. Also, Carlos Rogers should have more of his legs back - the Bucs game was his first game back from injury. While I love Renaldo Wynn as a player, the truth is he's a run-stuffing DE type who holds the line rather than disrupts in the backfield. His loss hurts for depth purposes, but Demetric Evans has played well and is probably a better pass rusher than Wynn anyway. Food for thought.

 

[malice]

Did you really just say washington is playing it's best football right now? Did you see the offensive stats vs the Buc's

At what point in the game did Washington need it's offense to put up stats?Washington broke the record for fewest offensive yards in a playoff win. According to the article quoted above, the 2000 Ravens previously held the record, and went on to win Super Bowl XXXV.

I may be a homer, and it certainly would be debatable, but I'd say the 2005 Redskins offense > 2000 Ravens offense.

NE, CAR, and PIT seemed to have no problem applying pressure after taking the lead...Seattle's defense is healthy now and has been playing tougher than they were earlier in the season. Also, Darrell Jackson is now 100%. I think Portis is more banged up than he's admitting to, and this game will be totally on Brunell's shoulders to win. Cooley's been the invisible man lately (I didn't see him run routes vs. TB- although he's not on the injury report, is he still slowed by the groin injury?).

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Holmgren, at home, with time to rest his players and get healthy, against a former backup Q.B of his whose tendancies he knows well and who is hampered with injury, with the leagues MVP back going against a run defense that will have to resuffle to replace a starting D.E. out with injury, against a team with a built in controversy this week in Taylor's disgusting punk antics.Golly I'll take Seattle.(It's a damn shame that a class guy like coach Gibbs is going to have to waste breath this week addressing the punk antics of a low class moran. I would have loved to see Coach Gibbs come into this game undistracted and with all his weapons.)

 

[redman]

Did you really just say washington is playing it's best football right now?  Did you see the offensive stats vs the Buc's

At what point in the game did Washington need it's offense to put up stats?Washington broke the record for fewest offensive yards in a playoff win. According to the article quoted above, the 2000 Ravens previously held the record, and went on to win Super Bowl XXXV.

I may be a homer, and it certainly would be debatable, but I'd say the 2005 Redskins offense > 2000 Ravens offense.

NE, CAR, and PIT seemed to have no problem applying pressure after taking the lead...Seattle's defense is healthy now and has been playing tougher than they were earlier in the season. Also, Darrell Jackson is now 100%. I think Portis is more banged up than he's admitting to, and this game will be totally on Brunell's shoulders to win. Cooley's been the invisible man lately (I didn't see him run routes vs. TB- although he's not on the injury report, is he still slowed by the groin injury?).

First of all Tampa's defense was flying around. This wasn't going to be a banner offensive day no matter what happened. Both defenses were very aware that they'd given up more than 30 points the last time they played each other and were very fired up. I think people are diminishing, however, the effects of Portis' injury on the offense, and Joe Gibbs' conservatism in play-calling with a lead. Case in point - did you notice how many times the Bucs lined up on Moss in single coverage? I couldn't believe my eyes. There were at least a half-dozen plays where I saw that, and yet the 'Skins never threw deep.

I also suspect that Brunell's not fully back from his knee injury. He'll never tell us - as evidenced by the fact that he said nothing about his leg injury last year when everyone was saying he sucked and was done as a player, and Gibbs is very close-mouthed on such matters. But I noticed the bounced pass to Moss late in the game when Moss was open, and I flashed back to last year.

As for Portis, the offense just runs better with him in there. Betts even seems to run better when Portis has prepped the defense for him and he's asked to help grind down the clock. He had a stinger on one shoulder, and the other shoulder was so sore that the training staff was even suspecting it might be separated (it's not). He runs with low pads, so that's no small problem.

Anyway, these were the problems facing the offense against Tampa that people seem too willing to overlook in favor of chanting "120 total yards - you suck!"

 

[Kleck]

While I love Renaldo Wynn as a player, the truth is he's a run-stuffing DE type who holds the line rather than disrupts in the backfield.  His loss hurts for depth purposes, but Demetric Evans has played well and is probably a better pass rusher than Wynn anyway. 

I see Wynn being out as a non-issue. Walter Jones would have likely just dominated him as he will Evans. I've lost count on how many times I've seen him completely collapse the right side of a defense line. ***Watch for Seattle to toss sweep (or stretch play) to the left. Key will be getting Tobeck/Hutchinson pulling and getting a hat on someone quickly. Alexander's most successful plays and yards have come this season untouched off left tackle.

Can the Washington linebackers and safeties take Hutchinson on heads up? Inquiring minds want to know.

*** I should also mention that Jones may be the best in the game not only because he dominates at the point of attack, but because he finishes blocks on the back side of runs allowing for cut back lanes. Dude is a full size man.

 

[fatness]

The Redskins at times this year have been vulnerable to toss sweeps and wide runs to the left, so Seattle would be smart to do what you suggest. That's Arrington's side, so it will depend on him to stay in position to take on blockers. The Redskin starting LB's had 32 tackles in the Tampa game, a higher-than-usual total for them, by the way.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Did you really just say washington is playing it's best football right now?  Did you see the offensive stats vs the Buc's

At what point in the game did Washington need it's offense to put up stats?Washington broke the record for fewest offensive yards in a playoff win. According to the article quoted above, the 2000 Ravens previously held the record, and went on to win Super Bowl XXXV.

I may be a homer, and it certainly would be debatable, but I'd say the 2005 Redskins offense > 2000 Ravens offense.

NE, CAR, and PIT seemed to have no problem applying pressure after taking the lead...Seattle's defense is healthy now and has been playing tougher than they were earlier in the season. Also, Darrell Jackson is now 100%. I think Portis is more banged up than he's admitting to, and this game will be totally on Brunell's shoulders to win. Cooley's been the invisible man lately (I didn't see him run routes vs. TB- although he's not on the injury report, is he still slowed by the groin injury?).

First of all Tampa's defense was flying around. This wasn't going to be a banner offensive day no matter what happened. Both defenses were very aware that they'd given up more than 30 points the last time they played each other and were very fired up. I think people are diminishing, however, the effects of Portis' injury on the offense, and Joe Gibbs' conservatism in play-calling with a lead. Case in point - did you notice how many times the Bucs lined up on Moss in single coverage? I couldn't believe my eyes. There were at least a half-dozen plays where I saw that, and yet the 'Skins never threw deep.

I also suspect that Brunell's not fully back from his knee injury. He'll never tell us - as evidenced by the fact that he said nothing about his leg injury last year when everyone was saying he sucked and was done as a player, and Gibbs is very close-mouthed on such matters. But I noticed the bounced pass to Moss late in the game when Moss was open, and I flashed back to last year.

As for Portis, the offense just runs better with him in there. Betts even seems to run better when Portis has prepped the defense for him and he's asked to help grind down the clock. He had a stinger on one shoulder, and the other shoulder was so sore that the training staff was even suspecting it might be separated (it's not). He runs with low pads, so that's no small problem.

Anyway, these were the problems facing the offense against Tampa that people seem too willing to overlook in favor of chanting "120 total yards - you suck!"

You make very good points, but in the end they gained 120 yards. That is an overwhelming stat. It's not like Tampa was holding most teams this year to under 200 yards and this was a slightly worst performance. This was the biggest collective turd layed in the playoffs in my memory except for one performance, that would be the performance by the Bucs who, in spite of having their defense hold Washington to 120 still managed to screw the pooch.

 

[dgreen]

While I love Renaldo Wynn as a player, the truth is he's a run-stuffing DE type who holds the line rather than disrupts in the backfield. His loss hurts for depth purposes, but Demetric Evans has played well and is probably a better pass rusher than Wynn anyway.

I see Wynn being out as a non-issue. Walter Jones would have likely just dominated him as he will Evans. I've lost count on how many times I've seen him completely collapse the right side of a defense line. ***Watch for Seattle to toss sweep (or stretch play) to the left. Key will be getting Tobeck/Hutchinson pulling and getting a hat on someone quickly. Alexander's most successful plays and yards have come this season untouched off left tackle.

Can the Washington linebackers and safeties take Hutchinson on heads up? Inquiring minds want to know.

*** I should also mention that Jones may be the best in the game not only because he dominates at the point of attack, but because he finishes blocks on the back side of runs allowing for cut back lanes. Dude is a full size man.

Wynn played the other side. So, just to correct you, Jones will be dominating Phillip Daniels.

 

[dgreen]

(It's a damn shame that a class guy like coach Gibbs is going to have to waste breath this week addressing the punk antics of a low class moran. I would have loved to see Coach Gibbs come into this game undistracted and with all his weapons.)

Gibbs will only spend time on it with the media. He's not going to be distracted during meetings and during gameplanning. If he does take time away from the media to deal with it, it will be a quick meeting with Taylor and it will be over. It won't be that big of a deal, distraction-wise.

 

[malice]

You make very good points, but in the end they gained 120 yards. That is an overwhelming stat. It's not like Tampa was holding most teams this year to under 200 yards and this was a slightly worst performance. This was the biggest collective turd layed in the playoffs in my memory except for one performance, that would be the performance by the Bucs who, in spite of having their defense hold Washington to 120 still managed to screw the pooch.

Welcome to the dork club since we share the same outlook on that game.

 

[fatness]

You make very good points, but in the end they gained 120 yards. That is an overwhelming stat.

No, winning the game is the overwhelming stat. If you lose you look for reasons why, and "gaining 120 yards" would be one of them. But they won. The game is over.

This was the biggest collective turd layed in the playoffs in my memory except for one performance, that would be the performance by the Bucs who, in spite of having their defense hold Washington to 120 still managed to screw the pooch.

The biggest turds layed in the playoff were by losing teams. Meanwhile the winners move on, and people talk about how bad (or good) they were.

 

[fatness]

Further injury news, none of it real enlightening except for the description of Portis's injuries, and the update on Springs.

Starting defensive end Renaldo Wynn underwent season-ending surgery yesterday, putting him out of the Washington Redskins' second-round playoff game Saturday in Seattle, cornerback Shawn Springs said he will return from injury for that game, and tailback Clinton Portis is expected to play through various ailments this weekend as well. Wide receiver James Thrash, who returns kickoffs, has a fracture in his thumb that will require surgery today, but team doctors believe he will still be able to play against the Seahawks.Wynn broke his right forearm in two places in Saturday's 17-10 playoff win at Tampa Bay, and two plates were placed in his arm during surgery at Reston Hospital Center, said Bubba Tyer, the team's director of sports medicine. Wynn will wear a brace for at least eight weeks to protect the injury but should be fine for the start of offseason minicamp. With Wynn out, reserve Demetric Evans, who has made great strides, likely will become a starter."It's not a career-threatening thing, and he'll be fine," Tyer said of Wynn.Springs, who has been dealing with a painful groin injury for the last four weeks, said he feels better than he has in a month and will practice with the team tomorrow. He credits part of his turnaround to rest from sitting out the game in Tampa, and believes the athletic trainers and a specialist who flew in from Atlanta treated the injury well. The specialist, who has worked with wide receiver Terrell Owens, a friend of Springs's, made a breakthrough Thursday, Springs said. But after consulting with cornerbacks coach DeWayne Walker, the decision was made to hold Springs out for the Tampa Bay game. Tyer said Springs still could run explosively during a workout Saturday...................................Portis hopes to be able to carry a bigger load. He has a minor nerve injury in one shoulder and soreness in the other, and also is dealing with an injured wrist that might require offseason surgery. Portis had to split time with reserve Ladell Betts for much of Saturday's game -- Portis finished with 16 carries, his second-lowest total of the season -- but told Coach Joe Gibbs and others after the victory that he definitely would lay against the Seahawks.Tyer said Portis likely will rest much of this week, and the coaches generally keep Portis limited to minimal snaps at practice anyway. The constant pounding, coupled with Portis's relatively slight frame, compounds the problem. Tyer said wearing a neck collar might help with Portis's injury, and rest is imperative.Portis said he took two direct hits on his shoulder -- one in pass protection and one on his six-yard touchdown run -- that resulted in his arm going numb and forcing him out of the game. He returned sporadically, and said he felt a bit better yesterday. Portis said a series of deep-tissue massages helps the problem, and only extended offseason rest will get him back to normal."The last two weeks, it's been happening, but I don't think it's going to stop me from playing this week," Portis said. "I'll be geared up to play and eventually, hopefully, it'll go away. When the season's over, I need rest. There ain't nothing else you can do."Thrash spent much of yesterday with a hand surgeon, and will be in a splint after surgery. Tyer said the team expects Thrash will be able to practice late in the week, and although he will have limited mobility in his thumb, he should be able to play. "It's something he'll be able to play with," Tyer said. "We'll make a specially designed splint and we'll see."Quarterback Mark Brunell, who suffered a mild sprain of his right knee two weeks ago, said the injury did not bother him in Tampa -- despite a season-worst 7-for-15 outing -- and Tyer said Brunell suffered no physical setbacks in the game. Left tackle Chris Samuels, who has experienced knee problems much of the season, was hurting late in the game and sat out the final series, and likely will rest again early this week and undergo treatment before playing Saturday.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

You make very good points, but in the end they gained 120 yards.  That is an overwhelming stat.  It's not like Tampa was holding most teams this year to under 200 yards and this was a slightly worst performance.   This was the biggest collective turd layed in the playoffs in my memory except for one performance, that would be the performance by the Bucs who, in spite of having their defense hold Washington to 120 still managed to screw the pooch.

Welcome to the dork club since we share the same outlook on that game.

I am happy to join the dork club and to be included in membership along with the guy with the avatar paying homage to the hottest chick ever in any ad. I just want it known, however, that I will not be doing any secret 'club handshakes'. GDB shaking hands with persons in a dork club.

 

[jwvdcw]

Dear jw...

Somewhere in the 48 pages of this thread I made a comment to the effect that I was shocked that a thread about the Redskins could get so much play. In that post I stated that I considered the Redskins to be a mortal lock to lose their first round playoff game and were therefore unworthy of this type of thread.

I stand corrected.

That is all.

~Chaka

thanks. classy.

 

[jwvdcw]

Found something interesting about Seattle's schedule.  Take a look at their home games against the three best teams they faced (not counting Indy and their 2d stringers):

Sun 9/18 Atlanta W 21-18

Sun 10/23 Dallas W 13-10

Sun 11/27 NY Giants W 24-21

All three were three-point wins, and all were against teams that have gone home for the year.Now they play Washington, who is clearly a better team than any of these three at this point.

If Seattle only beats Atlanta by 3, Dallas by 3 on a dumb Bledsoe throw, and NYG by 3 on Jay Feely's worst day of his career -- all at home -- just how good are they really??

Washington lost at home to Oakland. How good are they really? See, it works both ways.

Washington is playing its best football right now. At its best, Washington has shown to be a very good football team. I'm not sure if Seattle is playing their best right now or not. But what is Seattle's best football? What 3 games do you think Seattle has played the best in this season?13-3 is 13-3. I can't argue with that. But theres no single game that impresses me like Washington dismantling Dallas or the Giants in back to back weeks.

Did you really just say washington is playing it's best football right now? Did you see the offensive stats vs the Buc's

Washington has won 6 in a row. They've won by the following scores:15, 4, 28, 15, 11, 7. Thats pretty impressive no matter how they got it done.

 

[jwvdcw]

Flight time for a 747 from Dulles to Sea-Tac

Block time 4:20

Flight time 4:05

Distance (mi) 2302

http://www.bestflights.com.au/airportdist/...SEA&airtype=747

I don't understand the big deal here. I've flown thousands upon thousands of miles. I've flown from Atlanta to Sydney Australia many times. Europe, Africa, Aisa etcA 1st class flight across the US (and quite often via private / chartered jet), is nothing. People who try and make a big deal of it, really don't know what they're talking about.

I don't think it's a huge deal, but you don't think going across the country and playing in a rested team's stadium is a big deal? The numbers would generally disagree with you.

The numbers do indeed disagree with me. Thats why I'm so confused- I realize that you're right, but I just don't understand why.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

I've always been a Coach Gibbs fan. I loved the toughness and the character of his 80's teams. Guys like Butz, Grim, Monk, Riggins, hell even Dexter Manley. Good Luck Coach Gibbs

 

[jwvdcw]

Did you really just say washington is playing it's best football right now?  Did you see the offensive stats vs the Buc's

At what point in the game did Washington need it's offense to put up stats?Washington broke the record for fewest offensive yards in a playoff win. According to the article quoted above, the 2000 Ravens previously held the record, and went on to win Super Bowl XXXV.

I may be a homer, and it certainly would be debatable, but I'd say the 2005 Redskins offense > 2000 Ravens offense.

exactly. Washington's first two series of the game:-NIce opening drive. POrtis has Moss open for a TD but slightly underthrew him. They got just on the edge of FG range and punted.

-short field. Scored a TD on one play.

Then they were up 14 points and went into a "manage the game" mode. But the first two series when they actually needed to move the ball, they did so.

 

[jwvdcw]

No matter how anyone tries to logic out a reason why Washington should be favored

Who said that Washington should be favored?

Perhaps I'm misinterpreting this:

Washington is playing its best football right now. At its best, Washington has shown to be a very good football team. I'm not sure if Seattle is playing their best right now or not. But what is Seattle's best football? What 3 games do you think Seattle has played the best in this season?

13-3 is 13-3. I can't argue with that. But theres no single game that impresses me like Washington dismantling Dallas or the Giants in back to back weeks.

I'll just hang up now and wait for the game to happen.

No. Let me be clear: I think that the Hawks are favored and I think they will win. At the beginning of the playoffs I listed a percentage of chance the Skins had of beating each opponent. I think I listed Seattle at 40% but I don't remember exactly. I'll stand by that prediction.

 

[jwvdcw]

Holmgren, at home, with time to rest his players and get healthy, against a former backup Q.B of his whose tendancies he knows well and who is hampered with injury, with the leagues MVP back going against a run defense that will have to resuffle to replace a starting D.E. out with injury, against a team with a built in controversy this week in Taylor's disgusting punk antics.

Golly I'll take Seattle.

(It's a damn shame that a class guy like coach Gibbs is going to have to waste breath this week addressing the punk antics of a low class moran. I would have loved to see Coach Gibbs come into this game undistracted and with all his weapons.)

You're looking at it half way:You say "Holmgren." I say that the Seahawks have the worse of the two coaches in this game.

You say "time to rest his players." I say they havn't played a meaningful game in over a month and are rusty.

I don't think the fact that Brunell used to play for Holmgren as a backup is significant, and hes not really banged up any more, and they have a competant backup if he is.

SA was the MVP due to his numbers, but he wasn't the best player in the league, so thats a deceptive statement.

Taylor's sideshow will have the same impact that Lavar Arrington's did: None.

 

[jwvdcw]

I also suspect that Brunell's not fully back from his knee injury. He'll never tell us - as evidenced by the fact that he said nothing about his leg injury last year when everyone was saying he sucked and was done as a player, and Gibbs is very close-mouthed on such matters. But I noticed the bounced pass to Moss late in the game when Moss was open, and I flashed back to last year.

This is actually a very good point and scares me a lot.

 

[jwvdcw]

While I love Renaldo Wynn as a player, the truth is he's a run-stuffing DE type who holds the line rather than disrupts in the backfield.  His loss hurts for depth purposes, but Demetric Evans has played well and is probably a better pass rusher than Wynn anyway. 

I see Wynn being out as a non-issue. Walter Jones would have likely just dominated him as he will Evans. I've lost count on how many times I've seen him completely collapse the right side of a defense line. ***Watch for Seattle to toss sweep (or stretch play) to the left. Key will be getting Tobeck/Hutchinson pulling and getting a hat on someone quickly. Alexander's most successful plays and yards have come this season untouched off left tackle.

Can the Washington linebackers and safeties take Hutchinson on heads up? Inquiring minds want to know.

*** I should also mention that Jones may be the best in the game not only because he dominates at the point of attack, but because he finishes blocks on the back side of runs allowing for cut back lanes. Dude is a full size man.

Not trying to be sarcastic here, but I really don't remember that well:Washington pretty much shut down Seattle in the first half when they played earlier and then Seattle had an average 2nd half on offense....What did Washington do so well to combat this in that game and what adjustments do you think will be made?

 

[malice]

-NIce opening drive. POrtis has Moss open for a TD but slightly underthrew him. They got just on the edge of FG range and punted.

Then they were up 14 points and went into a "manage the game" mode. But the first two series when they actually needed to move the ball, they did so.

The pass wasn't just underthrown...it was batted away. So it was covered.We'll never know for sure, but with the status of Portis as it was, it seemed to me like Gibbs was just going to try and coast with the lead. That typically will get you burned in the playoffs.

 

[tarheel23]

While I love Renaldo Wynn as a player, the truth is he's a run-stuffing DE type who holds the line rather than disrupts in the backfield.  His loss hurts for depth purposes, but Demetric Evans has played well and is probably a better pass rusher than Wynn anyway. 

I see Wynn being out as a non-issue. Walter Jones would have likely just dominated him as he will Evans. I've lost count on how many times I've seen him completely collapse the right side of a defense line. ***Watch for Seattle to toss sweep (or stretch play) to the left. Key will be getting Tobeck/Hutchinson pulling and getting a hat on someone quickly. Alexander's most successful plays and yards have come this season untouched off left tackle.

Can the Washington linebackers and safeties take Hutchinson on heads up? Inquiring minds want to know.

*** I should also mention that Jones may be the best in the game not only because he dominates at the point of attack, but because he finishes blocks on the back side of runs allowing for cut back lanes. Dude is a full size man.

Not trying to be sarcastic here, but I really don't remember that well:Washington pretty much shut down Seattle in the first half when they played earlier and then Seattle had an average 2nd half on offense....What did Washington do so well to combat this in that game and what adjustments do you think will be made?

Both teams can win this game and everyone has their opinion but i would point out that the Seahawks drove 91 yards with 7:00 minutes left in the game to make the game 17-17. I would not call an offense that drives 91 yards on the road to tie the game average. Obviously, it is a mute point since the Seahawks lost the game on a field goal that hit the upright.