****OFFICIAL 2008 Washington Redskins Thread**** (1 Viewer)

[thayman]

after 5 weeks we have zero offensive turnovers. The only one we have had IIRC is the Randle El fumble on the punt (he looked like poo back there again today) this stat, and our complete dominance in the 2nd half have me more excited than anything else.Also I love how they are middle of the road defense after facing Dallas, New York, Philly, Arizona, New Orleans....that's easily 5 of the top 10 offenses in the league.

Middle of the road in terms of yardage perhaps, but each of those offenses has performed below its season average in every major category vs. the Redskins.

That's what I like. On paper they look fairly average, I'm going to love seeing them shoot up the boards over the next few weeks.

 

[-baller]

all you fair weather 'skins fans back on the bandwagon yet?

how many hits is firejimzorn.com getting?

 

[Steady Mooobin]

I can't imagine what McNabb saw when he audibled to that run on 3rd and goal in what would turn out to be their final offensive play. To the left of the C, Philly had their LG, LT, and a TE. The Skins had 6 guys over there. Add in the Philly FB and they were still outmanned 6-4. That play didn't have a chance.

McNabb is teh suck when it comes to big moments.The Redskins are playing great right now. Imagine how well they will play when they have a little more talent. What impresses me the most is how their defense just seems to stifle any offense. Offenses just seem not to be able to establish any rhythm. It doesn't even appear that they're doing anything overly complicated. Just seems like everybody is play sound fundamental ball and it's working. Jason Campbell looks really good. Cowboys fan who has been very impressed with the Skins.

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

I can't imagine what McNabb saw when he audibled to that run on 3rd and goal in what would turn out to be their final offensive play. To the left of the C, Philly had their LG, LT, and a TE. The Skins had 6 guys over there. Add in the Philly FB and they were still outmanned 6-4. That play didn't have a chance.

McNabb is teh suck when it comes to big moments.The Redskins are playing great right now. Imagine how well they will play when they have a little more talent. What impresses me the most is how their defense just seems to stifle any offense. Offenses just seem not to be able to establish any rhythm. It doesn't even appear that they're doing anything overly complicated. Just seems like everybody is play sound fundamental ball and it's working. Jason Campbell looks really good. Cowboys fan who has been very impressed with the Skins.

Did anyone see Mcnabb's presser? Says that there is no way that the Skins are better. That the Eagles are better then the Skins and the Cowboys.

 

[TobiasFunke]

all you fair weather 'skins fans back on the bandwagon yet?how many hits is firejimzorn.com getting?

Really? Fair-weather fans? Are those the fans that have been selling out and filling a 92,000 seat stadium for years even when the team is mediocre?You can say a lot of unflattering things about D.C. sports fans, but if you call 'Skins fans "fair weather," you clearly have no idea what you're talking about.

 

[Sylira21]

all you fair weather 'skins fans back on the bandwagon yet?how many hits is firejimzorn.com getting?

Really? Fair-weather fans? Are those the fans that have been selling out and filling a 92,000 seat stadium for years even when the team is mediocre?You can say a lot of unflattering things about D.C. sports fans, but if you call 'Skins fans "fair weather," you clearly have no idea what you're talking about.

*attended every home game of the Steve Spurrier era*I think that says enough...

 

[Johnny Ice]

all you fair weather 'skins fans back on the bandwagon yet?

how many hits is firejimzorn.com getting?

As if one of us who post in this thread got that site up and running.

 

[dgreen]

The line for the STL game apparently opened at 15 and has moved down to 13.5.

 

[dgreen]

From MVN:

Joe Gibbs builds teams. Jim Zorn wins with them.

By Anthony Brown | October 5th, 2008

E-mail | Print | Share

Joe Gibbs never promised a Super Bowl when he returned to Washington in 2004 to coach the Redskins.

He promised to rebuild the organization for consistent winning performance and a return to respect. That’s not the way we heard it, but that’s what he said.

Jim Zorn never promised a Super Bowl either. He promised an updated passing game. That’s not what we (I) thought when he said it, but that’s what he meant. And that’s what he’s doing.

With today’s 23-17 win over the Eagles, in Philadelphia no less, The aims of both coaches are realized.

It’s Sunday. I’ll get Biblical. Gibbs was Moses. Zorn is Joshua. Gibbs led the people out of the wilderness, but didn’t get to enter the promised land. Zorn is blowing the walls down.

Gibbs built a veteran team with the right character and an absence of “characters.”

Zorn has a better grasp of how to win with those characters.

Example: Redskins up by six late in the fourth quarter. On 3rd and 1 on the Eagles’ 38, Washington attempts a pass for the first down; they miss.

The Redskins go for it on 4th and 1, a hand-off to Portis from the shotgun formation to seal the win.

Those were not Joe Gibbs plays. Coach Joe would have been in heavy jumbo on third down and would have punted on fourth to put the game in the defense’s hands. The defense played admirably. But there’s no certainty the D could have held off Donovan McNabb when the Eagles were desperate.

I love Joe Gibbs. I love even more what Jim Zorn is doing with Gibbs’ team.

For one thing, passing well from any down and distance opens things up for the running game. Clinton Portis ran for 145 yards and a score on a defense that allowed an average of 53 yards per game until today.

It will take another three or four games before opponents figure Zorn out.

I’m going to start calling him “Jugular Jim” Zorn, because that’s what he goes for. Always the kill shot. He’s going to lose some games pulling that stuff; but that will be OK. I’d rather lose with aggression than to play not to lose.

As long as you win, that is!

_________________________

Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly were both in on a play in the second half. An offensive interference call on Thomas nullified a 12 yard reception by Santana Moss and a first down.

Rookies!

It was good to see them both on the field and I still have great confidence that the Skins will get more from these two than they would have from Chad Ocho Zero. But, I wish someone, Brian Mitchell maybe, to explain to me exactly why they are off to such a slow start when DeSean Jackson and other rookies are contributing more for their teams.

I can see that they don’t get the playbook. I’ve heard coach Jugular’s complaint about conditioning. I don’t understand why. What’s the difference between them and Felix Jones, or Chris Horton for that matter? Anyone?

_________________________

You’d think by now that defensive coordinators would have thrown out that Thursday Night Giants game to game plan the Redskins. To stop the Redskins, you have to stop Jason Campbell. He’s the playmaker now.

The Eagles took away Santana Moss as a target and brought pressure on Campbell thinking they could shake him into a mistake. The Cowboys last week wrongly assumed Campbell locked on his primary receiver and wouldn’t check down.

It’s like they use ESPN for scouting reports.

Gibbs brought in talent, but didn’t want his quarterback to be the playmaker. That explains his preference for “football smart” Mark Brunell.

Jugular Jim expects his quarterback to adjust and make the play. He expects Jason Campbell to win the game.

Gibbs builds. Zorn wins. With an up-tempo and more aggression, the offense is less prone to mistakes. Go figure.

_________________________

I’m changing my view of that Giants game. The Giants didn’t beat the Redskins. The Giants upset the Redskins.

 

[dgreen]

Dan Snyder was pretty excited.

 

[fatness]

all you fair weather 'skins fans back on the bandwagon yet?how many hits is firejimzorn.com getting?

Sorry to hear that your team lost.

 

[fatness]

Interesting stat in that the Eagles were the worst Offense we've face in the NFL this season and they were ranked #6. Considering that, I'm even more impressed with the defensive side of the ball. Someone else said it earlier, but in particular...this Offense plays to win the game and not to lose the game. I for one am very impressed, especially considering they were 14-0 in the hole and away from home, but dominated the game after that.

The Redskins honestly do have room for improvement on both sides of the ball. It's not like they've maxed out and played over their heads in these games. Defensive line pressure is still inadequate, too many offensive drives stall and end in FG's, for 2 examples. I find that far more encouraging than discouraging. They haven't played a "peak" game yet, and seem to improve a little week by week. And I agree with what several others have said about Gibbs building the team, and Zorn coaching the team in a way that lets them win.

 

[fatness]

Dan Snyder was pretty excited.

Dan threw some key blocks on those stretch plays for Portis. On one play he knocked out a popcorn vendor.

 

[Manster]

congrats to the skins and their fans, on a big win in philly. i gotta say, this team is really playing with some fire after looking horrible wk 1. as a Cowboys fan i wanted to see both teams implode on the field. but i hate the iggles more so i was sorta rootin for da skins.

great year to be a fan of an NFC East team.

 

[fatness]

11 Nov 16 DAL @ WAS

13 Nov 30 NYG @ WAS

16 Dec 21 PHI @ WAS

 

[fatness]

congrats to the skins and their fans, on a big win in philly.

Thank you. It's been a long time since our team has played this well, so this is really fun.

 

[dgreen]

11 Nov 16 DAL @ WAS 13 Nov 30 NYG @ WAS 16 Dec 21 PHI @ WAS

Of course I'm looking forward to those Dallas and Philly games, but that NYG game could be a whole buttload of awesomeness.

 

[southeastjerome]

This week’s game against St. Louis might be more indicative of this Redskins team than it is at first glance. Years prior the Skins had some good runs including 2 late season pushes to the playoffs under Gibbs 2.0. The difference here is that more often than not they played down to their competition when facing lesser teams. They are playing at home against a team they should blow out. To follow thru on that blowout would show that they can keep this killer instinct no matter who they are playing.

 

[buster c]

This week’s game against St. Louis might be more indicative of this Redskins team than it is at first glance. Years prior the Skins had some good runs including 2 late season pushes to the playoffs under Gibbs 2.0. The difference here is that more often than not they played down to their competition when facing lesser teams. They are playing at home against a team they should blow out. To follow thru on that blowout would show that they can keep this killer instinct no matter who they are playing.

completely agree. since everyone seems to want to speak ill of St. Joe these days (not saying you, SE J), let's take a trip down memory lane to the days of milk and honey when the Gibbs 1.0 Skins would usually punk the daylights out of these opponents. this run is nice, to be sure, but it's 4 games. hell, Gibbs 2.0 had a beautiful 4 game run last December that was just as -if not more- satisfying as how they're playing now. road wins against NY & MN were comparable to what we've just seen, and they came with a 'win or go home' urgency.

 

[TeddyKGB]

This week’s game against St. Louis might be more indicative of this Redskins team than it is at first glance. Years prior the Skins had some good runs including 2 late season pushes to the playoffs under Gibbs 2.0. The difference here is that more often than not they played down to their competition when facing lesser teams. They are playing at home against a team they should blow out. To follow thru on that blowout would show that they can keep this killer instinct no matter who they are playing.

Yep. The next three weeks are maybe just as important as the last two, because they could give it all back if they stumble badly here. Conservatively, you take 2-1 and be happy. Obviously, you want 3-0 because it is there for the taking. JZ just has to keep them medium and let them go to work. Agree with fatness, they *need* a pass rush in the worst way. That's really the only glaring need, aside from converting some of these FGs into TDs. Hopefully JTaylor can get his legs under him again and ramp it up for the stretch.

 

[T Bell]

This week’s game against St. Louis might be more indicative of this Redskins team than it is at first glance. Years prior the Skins had some good runs including 2 late season pushes to the playoffs under Gibbs 2.0. The difference here is that more often than not they played down to their competition when facing lesser teams. They are playing at home against a team they should blow out. To follow thru on that blowout would show that they can keep this killer instinct no matter who they are playing.

I read somewhere last night (don't remember where) that Zorn was going to give the players the day off today, and they refused. They wanted to come in to go to work on the Rams today. That's a good sign.

 

[T Bell]

This week’s game against St. Louis might be more indicative of this Redskins team than it is at first glance. Years prior the Skins had some good runs including 2 late season pushes to the playoffs under Gibbs 2.0. The difference here is that more often than not they played down to their competition when facing lesser teams. They are playing at home against a team they should blow out. To follow thru on that blowout would show that they can keep this killer instinct no matter who they are playing.

completely agree. since everyone seems to want to speak ill of St. Joe these days (not saying you, SE J), let's take a trip down memory lane to the days of milk and honey when the Gibbs 1.0 Skins would usually punk the daylights out of these opponents. this run is nice, to be sure, but it's 4 games. hell, Gibbs 2.0 had a beautiful 4 game run last December that was just as -if not more- satisfying as how they're playing now. road wins against NY & MN were comparable to what we've just seen, and they came with a 'win or go home' urgency.

I've said elsewhere that this last 4-game stretch has been more convincing to me than any such stretch since the early 1990's when they were winning Super Bowls, and I include in that the 5-game and 4-game streaks in 2005 and 2007 to reach the playoffs. The difference? Those streaks felt like "hot streaks", where a decent team took advantage of motivation, momentum and some opportunity (if you go back and look a lot of those opponents were missing key players in those games) to string together wins during an improbable run. This team feels more good than hot, if you gather my meaning. I think we're seeing who they and Zorn really are right now, and not some white hot potential that's sure to fade. I have a lot more confidence, in other words, in this team's ability to sustain this level of performance and success than I do other 'Skins teams of recent years.

 

[Ripleys]

Off topic for a second, have you guys seen these clips of Emmit Smith? OMG its hilarious....

 

[fatness]

I love it when the team can do This.

The Eagles were up 14-0, the defense was all over Jason Campbell and the Redskins couldn't get anything going. Then, almost by script, everything changed.

David Akers missed another field goal, the Redskins put some points on the board, the Eagles' offense didn't and the crowd went silent.

"It felt like we were on the road for some reason," cornerback Sheldon Brown said.

 

[fatness]

Various quotes.

From Santana Moss:

"I mean, outside of the Hip Hip Hooray and all that stuff, he's our coach," Moss said. "So regardless of what kind of swag he has, or what kind of guy he is, I mean, he's your head coach....He's the team, you know what I'm saying? He's the Redskins, when it comes to what we do....I mean, he's been perfect. He played the game, he knows the game, and he knows players, and he talks to us as if he knows what we're going through and he knows what he wants. So [there] was no better guy could come in and do the job that he's doing, and I feel like that's why the team is responding the way that it is."

From Jim Zorn:

On whether aggressive play-calling helps his players: "Yeah, I think that it does, but we just can't be crazy about it either. I hope it's not borderline crazy, do you see what I mean? I hope it's sound. That's what I want to be, I just want to be sound."

On Santana Moss's quiet week: "He had to make a decision weeks ago of how he was gonna react to a game like this, and he never came off the sidelines saying, you know, 'How come you're not getting me the ball? I mean, don't you know who I am? I'm Santana Moss.' He didn't say anything like that. He just kept after it."

On the lack of turnovers from Campbell: "I always tell him this, this is what I preach to him: 'Hey if you see things breaking down, just give me another chance to call another play. I got a play. You know, I already know what I'm gonna call, so just give me another chance, ok?' And he's been very faithful with the ball from that standpoint. And then the second thing is is when he's back in the pocket and things are flying around and arms are flying...you have to have the ball in two hands. And it was really evident that it happened. Remember the play, we had a play-action pass and they blitzed everybody from one side, and there was no chance for him to throw the ball?...He didn't panic and throw the ball up, he didn't hold it with one hand and wave it around, he just held it with two hands and took the sack. To me, that's kind of like a plus play."

On Smoot saying players wanted to work today: "Well, that's not what they were chanting last night. Fred might have been chanting it. See, he's the only dedicated guy on the whole team. They certainly want a Victory Monday, and probably in the big picture they would all love to have a little bit of a rest...but we have work to do. We did not play flawless football. We have a lot of work to do."

 

[fatness]

During his appearance on Elliot In The Morning today, Chris Cooley discussed yesterday's egging of his team bus by Eagles fans in admiring tones:

"You know what, though, they're good shots," he said of the Philly fans. "They've been practicing. You could see them coming in; they were leading the bus. It was good egging." The Redskins Blog told a similar tale. Herewith, the Redskins discuss yesterday's performance from the Eagles fans and their love of eggs.

"Oh yeah, they just come raining down when you pull in there," Casey Rabach said. "You know, I don't know how many we got hit with, but it looked like a hailstorm."

"They were lighting it up," Devin Thomas said.

"I'm talking about whoop," Malcolm Kelly said.

"I'm talking about the middle of the bus, like, bammmm, like busted and everything," Kedric Golston said. "I ain't never been thrown eggs at. I mean, at Philly, they throw everything."

"My bus only got hit with one egg, but I had my headphones on listening to music, and it was like two windows back, and all you hear was thump," Mike Sellers said. "Everybody starts cracking up, it was like, 'Oh we got here, here it comes.'

"It must have been one of those big ones too, an ostrich egg," Golston said.

"It was crazy, though, because the egg was actually thrown in front of the bus," Kelly said. "It was like a quarterback almost; you throw it to where the receiver's gonna be at. I was very impressed."

"Very impressed," Thomas agreed. "If they ever had a replacement [team] in Philly, they'd have to get that dude for quarterback, because he hit that thing on point."

"You would think it would probably happen in Dallas or something," Sellers said, "[but] they're nicer fans than Philly fans."

Link

 

[dgreen]

Off topic for a second, have you guys seen these clips of Emmit Smith? OMG its hilarious....

He's absolutely horrible. In fact, many of the great players who try tv are horrible but they stay on because of their name. You know who should be on one of the big national shows? Trevor Matich. I love his analysis.

 

[dgreen]

Oh, and if Dallas was considered the best team in the NFL prior to today, who is that team today?

Guess who Jeff Sagarin says is #1.

Still #1 in the Sagarin rankings. Giants are #2. Notice the strength of schedule rankings. Redskins are #1 and the Giants are #32.

 

[T Bell]

If you guys want to get a quick boost to your day, check out the video of Portis' 4th down game-clinching run @ Philly. You can hear the linemen at the end screaming, "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

 

[dgreen]

Rich Tandler:

Tuesday Take—Redskins NFL’s most impressive

The New York Giants are the best team in the NFL right now.

The Washington Redskins are the league's most impressive team.

A distinction without a difference?

Let me explain.

The Giants are 4-0, one of two undefeated teams in the league. One of those wins came against the Redskins. Going by the adage of that old Giants coach Bill Parcells, you are what your record says you are.

However, it's fair to say that the Giants have yet to be tested. Other than the Redskins, their opponents are from among the dregs of the NFL. Their three wins since the opener have come against the Rams, one of the worst teams in recent memory, the Bengals, the poster children for NFL futility, and the Seahawks, who still are in contention in the NFC West despite their 1-3 record. That Seattle win represents the lone 2008 victory among New York's three victims since they beat Washington.

But it's not like the Giants handpicked their opponents. The NFL, not Tom Coughlin, set up their schedule. Their performance shouldn't be downgraded because of who they have faced. And on top of that they beat the Redskins, so I have no problem with anyone who puts the Giants atop the Redskins in any sort of power ranking. They only can beat the teams that line up in front of them.

While the Giants have been knocking down tomato cans, the Redskins have gone 4-1 against teams with a combined total of 15 wins. Not only is that a significantly stronger schedule than the Giants have faced, it's also tougher than the road that the 4-1 Cowboys (opponents have a combined 9 wins, four of those belonging to the Redskins) and 4-1 Panthers (11 opponent wins).

If you don't want to believe me about this, go see what Jeff Sagrin says on USA Today. According to his rankings, the Redskins have faced the toughest schedule, the Giants have faced the easiest. Sagrin rates the opponents of Dallas and Carolina at #21 and #20 respectively.

If you want to go to the AFC and put the 5-0 Titans in the conversation, that's fine but consider their 31st-ranked schedule first. The 4-1 Steelers? Sagrin has their schedule at #29.

What makes the Redskins record even more impressive is the fact that it hasn't exactly been smooth sailing for them, going back to last January when Joe Gibbs retired unexpectedly. After the Giants game it was suggested that Gibbs' replacement as head coach, Jim Zorn, needed to go get some seasoning at someplace like DeMatha High and that he should take Jason Campbell with him.

Three of their best defensive players, Shawn Springs, Marcus Washington, and Jason Taylor, each has missed two games. All three of them were out in Philadelphia as the Redskins had to overcome a 14-point deficit after eight minutes of play. The Skins trailed New Orleans by nine in the fourth quarter before coming back to win.

To summarize the Redskins' resume—a 4-1 record against the toughest schedule in the NFL, overcoming injuries, turmoil, and some sizeable point deficits to get there. Nobody out there has done anything that impressive.

The title of the NFL's Most Impressive in early October and a five spot will get you a latte at Starbucks. There is a long way to go and I'll talk about the road ahead later this week.

But for right now, all things considered, that's pretty damn impressive.

 

[fatness]

If you guys want to get a quick boost to your day, check out the video of Portis' 4th down game-clinching run @ Philly. You can hear the linemen at the end screaming, "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

For those looking for that particular video, click Washington Redskins, then click Clinton Portis, then go to the one called "WK 5: Portis clincher" which is 0:42 long.It kicks ###.

edit: Here's the Direct video file link (it's an .flv file) which will play with VLC Player or Media Player Classic (both are free software)

 

[T Bell]

If you guys want to get a quick boost to your day, check out the video of Portis' 4th down game-clinching run @ Philly. You can hear the linemen at the end screaming, "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

For those looking for that particular video, click Washington Redskins, then click Clinton Portis, then go to the one called "WK 5: Portis clincher" which is 0:42 long.It kicks ###.

edit: Here's the Direct video file link (it's an .flv file) which will play with VLC Player or Media Player Classic (both are free software)

Thanks for the instructions there - I didn't even bother to check the link as I thought that went right to the video in question. My bad.BTW, I'm pretty sure the lineman yelling in that video was Randy Thomas.

 

[Sylira21]

Geez - anyone read the JLC article in the Post this morning? I looked on the paper's site but didn't find it posted yet, but he was trying to make it a big deal that Jansen had been so hurt by being demoted behind Heyer, and that Zorn hadn't guaranteed him staying the starter once Heyer heals up.

I think Jansen has played very well in relief. But the tone of the article was so negative - Jansen's friends on the OL all upset, that Bugel wouldn't agree with Zorn's assessment that Heyer was better...I guess JLC is so intent on NOT being a homer, he just has to take a negative slant on things no matter what.

 

[T Bell]

Geez - anyone read the JLC article in the Post this morning? I looked on the paper's site but didn't find it posted yet, but he was trying to make it a big deal that Jansen had been so hurt by being demoted behind Heyer, and that Zorn hadn't guaranteed him staying the starter once Heyer heals up.

I think Jansen has played very well in relief. But the tone of the article was so negative - Jansen's friends on the OL all upset, that Bugel wouldn't agree with Zorn's assessment that Heyer was better...I guess JLC is so intent on NOT being a homer, he just has to take a negative slant on things no matter what.

I don't know - I thought JLC's tampering accusation (disguised as a question) was ridiculous, and I do think he gets oversensitive about the subject of bias, but I don't find anything to criticize in that article. There isn't a single unattributed quote - Jansen, Rabach, Kendall, Bugel are all on the record - and after having watched Jansen over the last decade I would expect him to say everything that he said in that article. I also know that that line has a lot of chemistry and unity, having played together now for four seasons excepting Kendall. Thomas in particular I know from other articles/interviews loves playing next to Jansen. At the end of the day this is just another older player trying to hold off a younger player from taking his job. Not much to see here, is there?

 

[dgreen]

Geez - anyone read the JLC article in the Post this morning? I looked on the paper's site but didn't find it posted yet, but he was trying to make it a big deal that Jansen had been so hurt by being demoted behind Heyer, and that Zorn hadn't guaranteed him staying the starter once Heyer heals up.

I think Jansen has played very well in relief. But the tone of the article was so negative - Jansen's friends on the OL all upset, that Bugel wouldn't agree with Zorn's assessment that Heyer was better...I guess JLC is so intent on NOT being a homer, he just has to take a negative slant on things no matter what.

I don't know - I thought JLC's tampering accusation (disguised as a question) was ridiculous, and I do think he gets oversensitive about the subject of bias, but I don't find anything to criticize in that article. There isn't a single unattributed quote - Jansen, Rabach, Kendall, Bugel are all on the record - and after having watched Jansen over the last decade I would expect him to say everything that he said in that article. I also know that that line has a lot of chemistry and unity, having played together now for four seasons excepting Kendall. Thomas in particular I know from other articles/interviews loves playing next to Jansen. At the end of the day this is just another older player trying to hold off a younger player from taking his job. Not much to see here, is there?

Agreed. I'd guess players/coaches are like fans in this sense. Yes, winning is the top priority, but they'd get much more satisfaction out of winning with a particular person than winning without them. Personally, I took much more pleasure in the 2005 Redskins than the 1999 Redskins because of the people involved. Each team had almost identical results, but the 2005 team had Gibbs et al.If Heyer is the guy who will help this team reach higher goals, so be it. But, if the results are going to be virtually the same with Jansen, I'd rather see Jansen out there because I feel an increased connection with him after 10 years of watching him play.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Oh, and if Dallas was considered the best team in the NFL prior to today, who is that team today?

Guess who Jeff Sagarin says is #1.

Still #1 in the Sagarin rankings. Giants are #2. Notice the strength of schedule rankings. Redskins are #1 and the Giants are #32.

The Giants' schedule is one of the strangest things I've ever seen. As Sagarin recognizes, it's been rather soft through four games. Amazingly, that will continue for two more weeks (at Cleveland, hosting San Fran). Then it turns violently. Their final ten games include the two Dallas games, two Philly games, and road game vs. Washington in the division, and trips to Pittsburgh, Arizona and Minnesota. They also host Baltimore and Carolina- not exactly pushovers.They were or will be favored by over a field goal in their first six games, and by more than a touchdown in all but one of them. I would be surprised if they are favored by more than a touchdown in any of their last ten, and will probably beeither underdogs, or favored by a field goal or less, in all but two or three of them.

If the Redskins can win the next two (and they'll likely be double-digit favorites in both) and are one game behind the Giants going into Week 8, you have to like their chances to pass them.

I can't believe I just wrote that.

 

[T Bell]

Oh, and if Dallas was considered the best team in the NFL prior to today, who is that team today?

Guess who Jeff Sagarin says is #1.

Still #1 in the Sagarin rankings. Giants are #2. Notice the strength of schedule rankings. Redskins are #1 and the Giants are #32.

The Giants' schedule is one of the strangest things I've ever seen. As Sagarin recognizes, it's been rather soft through four games. Amazingly, that will continue for two more weeks (at Cleveland, hosting San Fran). Then it turns violently. Their final ten games include the two Dallas games, two Philly games, and road game vs. Washington in the division, and trips to Pittsburgh, Arizona and Minnesota. They also host Baltimore and Carolina- not exactly pushovers.They were or will be favored by over a field goal in their first six games, and by more than a touchdown in all but one of them. I would be surprised if they are favored by more than a touchdown in any of their last ten, and will probably beeither underdogs, or favored by a field goal or less, in all but two or three of them.

If the Redskins can win the next two (and they'll likely be double-digit favorites in both) and are one game behind the Giants going into Week 8, you have to like their chances to pass them.

I can't believe I just wrote that.

It's a fluke of scheduling, and very ironic that that same sort of thing was what we 'Skins fans were cursing one month ago as we feared that their onerous early schedule would be too much for a team transitioning to a new coach. I'm just going to enjoy the ride - it's been a while since I could say that and really believe it in October.

 

[DCThunder]

Oh, and if Dallas was considered the best team in the NFL prior to today, who is that team today?

Guess who Jeff Sagarin says is #1.

Still #1 in the Sagarin rankings. Giants are #2. Notice the strength of schedule rankings. Redskins are #1 and the Giants are #32.

If the Redskins can win the next two (and they'll likely be double-digit favorites in both) and are one game behind the Giants going into Week 8, you have to like their chances to pass them.I can't believe I just wrote that.

The key is this game against the Rams. If the Skins start believing the hype and reading their own press clippings, they'll lay an egg against the Rams, who have a new coach and have had a week off to rest and reorganize and get ready for the Skins. A loss to the Rams essentially negates either the Cowboys or Eagles win and totally deflates this hot streak and the good feelings.I want them to come out hard and stomp on the Rams early and not let Jackson or Bulger get hot and hang around and make this a nail biter at 4:00 pm Sunday afternoon.

 

[T Bell]

Oh, and if Dallas was considered the best team in the NFL prior to today, who is that team today?

Guess who Jeff Sagarin says is #1.

Still #1 in the Sagarin rankings. Giants are #2. Notice the strength of schedule rankings. Redskins are #1 and the Giants are #32.

If the Redskins can win the next two (and they'll likely be double-digit favorites in both) and are one game behind the Giants going into Week 8, you have to like their chances to pass them.I can't believe I just wrote that.

The key is this game against the Rams. If the Skins start believing the hype and reading their own press clippings, they'll lay an egg against the Rams, who have a new coach and have had a week off to rest and reorganize and get ready for the Skins. A loss to the Rams essentially negates either the Cowboys or Eagles win and totally deflates this hot streak and the good feelings.I want them to come out hard and stomp on the Rams early and not let Jackson or Bulger get hot and hang around and make this a nail biter at 4:00 pm Sunday afternoon.

This is the sort of game where the Redskins should aim to score first and extend that lead throughout the game. I won't be happy if the Rams are still in the game in the second half.

The Rams are more dangerous than people give them credit for. Just as Zorn is very familiar with them from his days with the Seahawks, the Rams are more familiar than most with Zorn's more aggressive Holmgren-school WCO, and Haslett is a defensive coach who's certainly been paying attention to that. I'm sure there will be some new wrinkles there, and I'm also sure that Bulger will be back in that lineup with a more run-oriented offense to protect him and to play to that offense's strengths with Steven Jackson while that team tries to reorient itself.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Oh, and if Dallas was considered the best team in the NFL prior to today, who is that team today?

Guess who Jeff Sagarin says is #1.

Still #1 in the Sagarin rankings. Giants are #2. Notice the strength of schedule rankings. Redskins are #1 and the Giants are #32.

The Giants' schedule is one of the strangest things I've ever seen. As Sagarin recognizes, it's been rather soft through four games. Amazingly, that will continue for two more weeks (at Cleveland, hosting San Fran). Then it turns violently. Their final ten games include the two Dallas games, two Philly games, and road game vs. Washington in the division, and trips to Pittsburgh, Arizona and Minnesota. They also host Baltimore and Carolina- not exactly pushovers.They were or will be favored by over a field goal in their first six games, and by more than a touchdown in all but one of them. I would be surprised if they are favored by more than a touchdown in any of their last ten, and will probably beeither underdogs, or favored by a field goal or less, in all but two or three of them.

If the Redskins can win the next two (and they'll likely be double-digit favorites in both) and are one game behind the Giants going into Week 8, you have to like their chances to pass them.

I can't believe I just wrote that.

It's a fluke of scheduling, and very ironic that that same sort of thing was what we 'Skins fans were cursing one month ago as we feared that their onerous early schedule would be too much for a team transitioning to a new coach. I'm just going to enjoy the ride - it's been a while since I could say that and really believe it in October.

Interestingly, if you look at the Redskins remaining schedule, I don't see a single game in which I'd expect Vegas to make them an underdog if they had to set lines today. At Baltimore, perhaps, and the home games against the Cowboys and Giants might be pick 'ems.

 

[dgreen]

Portis named NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

And, Adam Schein of Fox Sports says Portis is the league MVP right now:

There are three juicy storylines with the Redskins' sensational comeback win in Philadelphia.

# Washington is one of the best teams in the NFL thus far.

# The Eagles choked away a lead and got manhandled at home.

# Clinton Portis is the league MVP through five weeks.

Color me surprised, impressed and totally dead wrong on this Redskins team and Jim Zorn.

In a season where the Skins have dropped New Orleans and Arizona and won in Dallas, I'll make this case this was the most impressive win of the year.

Washington was down 14-0 in a blink of an eye in the first quarter after a DeSean Jackson return for a touchdown.

But then Portis (who in the NFL has played better ball in the first five weeks?) just took over. Portis and the Washington offensive line shoved around the Eagles. Portis ran for 145 yards against a defense giving up less than 60 on the ground per game. The back was tough and fresh in the fourth quarter. Portis was the best player on the field and humiliated the Eagles defense.

Zorn, once again, called a brilliant game mixing up the run and pass. He even had Antwaan Randle El throw a touchdown pass to Chris Cooley. The tight end was unstoppable with eight catches for 109 yards.

Washington's defense was incredible once again under Greg Blache. The Eagles offense was totally inept. Philadelphia was helpless on third downs.

This was a killer loss for the Eagles, who fall to 0-2 in the division and 2-3 on the season. In the NFC East, that cannot happen.

And now the Eagles have to deal with Brian Westbrook's broken ribs for the San Fran game this weekend.

 

[dgreen]

Seattle misses Zorn:

Jim Mora, Jim Zorn could have both coached in Seattle

A year ago, they were both in Seattle. Both were assistants looking for head-coaching jobs.

They were here, and they were ready for the next step, the next stop.

This is a tale of two Jims, Zorn and Mora. What might have been and what is. The solutions that weren't.

In a perfect world, Seattle could ask for a mulligan, a do-over to start fixing its football emergency.

It could ask, as referees sometimes do, for the clock to be set back to, say, late last autumn, after the Apple Cup, when Washington football was beginning its free fall, and before Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren had decided his future.

The solutions were there, right in front of us, as obvious as Mount Rainier.

The answers to the troubles at Washington and to the future of the Seahawks were a pair of Jims.

It could have happened, but it didn't.

Jim Mora, the assistant head coach of the Seahawks and a former Husky, could have been, in hindsight should have been, named as Tyrone Willingham's replacement at Washington.

He would have reawakened the Tyee Club. He would have opened up the program, invited the entire state to practices, revved up recruiting and outworked every coach in the Pac-10.

Mora is a great communicator. He could have been the Northwest's Pete Carroll. The rebuilding plan already could have begun. There would be energy, instead of ennui, on Montlake.

Hiring Mora would have been the right call. He still bleeds purple and, quietly, he probably relished the idea of returning to his alma mater. He would have felt it almost was his duty as a Husky to come back and repair the mess.

But Washington decided to give Willingham a fourth year, and Mora, who is in charge of the Seahawks' suddenly shaky secondary, was named to succeed Holmgren after this swan-song season.

In this lost season, when the Huskies and Seahawks are a combined 1-8, we are left to think about what might have been.

While the Hawks were losing by 38 points last Sunday to the Giants, Zorn, just a short drive down the New Jersey Turnpike, was coaching the Washington Redskins to their fourth win in a row in Philadelphia.

Last year Zorn was the Seahawks' quarterbacks coach. He was Matt Hasselbeck's muse, a bundle of kinetic energy and sound coaching principles.

After seven seasons as a Seahawks assistant, he was ready to become a head coach. And it could have happened here.

Instead, Zorn, a Washington outsider, has become the ultimate Beltway insider. He has won the hearts and minds of fans there, not an easy task.

Washington is 4-1. It has won consecutive games at Dallas and Philadelphia and, with games against St. Louis, Cleveland and Detroit looming, it should be 7-1 by Halloween.

This is not to say that Mora won't succeed with the Seahawks. But imagine the excitement this city would be feeling with one Jim at the University of Washington and the other Jim preparing to replace Holmgren.

Losing makes a town feel whimsical. And no city in America feels more pain and knows more about losing in 2008 than Seattle.

And now losing Zorn hurts as much as losing games.

Jim Zorn is as much a Seahawk as Tommy Lasorda is a Dodger. But he is in Washington now, remaking Jason Campbell into one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the NFL.

Through the first five games, Campbell's quarterback rating is 96.7. After throwing 17 interceptions in the first 20 games of his career, Campbell hasn't thrown one this season.

A classic dropback, pocket passer, he has been transformed by Zorn into a quick-flick, West Coast kid.

Meanwhile, without Zorn, Hasselbeck has struggled. Last season he threw 27 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. He had an efficiency rating of 91.4. In the first quarter of this season, he has thrown for only two touchdowns and has been intercepted four times. His rating is 57.7.

Of course Hasselbeck has had to deal with the injury plague that cost him all of his experienced wide receivers. And he has bravely played through back and knee problems.

But he hasn't been the same without Zorn.

And in this autumn of our discontent we look at a pair of Jims and wonder about solutions to Seattle pigskin problems that no longer exist.

 

[T Bell]

In fairness to the Seahawks, it's easier to go somewhere else and be successful than it is to become the head guy after having been the assistant or, in Zorn's case, the assistant and former face of the (then-new) franchise. As the old saying goes, "you can't go home".

The expectations in Seattle were Zorn to be named the head coach would be much higher than they were in Washington, where Zorn is just another former QB in the coaching ranks who clearly wasn't even Snyder's or Cerrato's first (or even fourth) choice to be the head coach. The expectations on Zorn were minimal, which has made the start to the season all the more pleasant as a surprise.

It is interesting to get a perspective from Seattle, though, where Zorn came into this season as a much bigger deal than he did in Washington. He's about as big of a Seattle sports figure as you could name, all in all.

 

[Dexter Manley]

Thoughts from the eagles game which I just watched again on nfl replay last night:

- Devin Thomas actually looks like a legitimate nfl wr, which is amazing considering how bad he looked about a month ago. He made a big 3rd down catch. Dude just needs to learn not to get called for offensive PI.

- The left side of the oline is killing opponents in the running game. I don't know what Pete Kendall has been doing since last season, but whatever it is, it's definitely working. Kendall and Samuels are leading the oline which is imposing its will on defenses.

- Chris Horton still makes some rookie mistakes (i.e. not touching the downed receiver in the 4th quarter), but the dude is all over the field making plays. This guy is the steal of the draft.

- You can tell all of the players have bought into the system when Santana Moss not only isn't complaining about not catching a pass, but is decleating lbers. I thought it was hillarious when Portis was talking about how fired up Moss was about blocking.

- Carlos Rogers looks fantastic. He has been playing at an all pro level the last 2 games.

- How the hell did the refs pick up that flag for a block in the back in Djax's punt return td? That's one of the 3 or 4 worst calls I've seen this season, and that's saying something. This makes the Redskins win even more impressive, since they got hosed on that call.

- Philly had a very good drive for a td to start the game. The drive in the 4th quarter when they got stuffed at the goalline mainly happened due to Horton not touching the downed receiver allowing him to get up and run for a big gain. Other than those 2 drives, Washington had Philly on LOCKDOWN. The defense flat out dominated the eagles' offense. And the Skins did so without Taylor, Springs, and Washington. That is pretty scary.

- If the season ended today, Portis would be the league MVP. The guy is an animal.

- Fantasy tip: If you have a TE playing against the Eagles defense, get him active. Philly basically left poor Stewart Bradley trying to cover Cooley all game without much help, and CC gouged the eagles time and time again. If the Eagles aren't concerned enough with Cooley to double him, they aren't going to be doubling any TE.

 

[T Bell]

- Fantasy tip: If you have a TE playing against the Eagles defense, get him active. Philly basically left poor Stewart Bradley trying to cover Cooley all game without much help, and CC gouged the eagles time and time again. If the Eagles aren't concerned enough with Cooley to double him, they aren't going to be doubling any TE.

This is a good fantasy tip that jives with gripes from Eagles fans I've run into. Opposing TE's eat them up.Regarding Cooley in particular, the Eagles chose their poison on Sunday by deciding to take away Moss from the Redskins. Campbell is a good enough QB now and Cooley is a good enough TE to make them pay, though I think the Eagles suspected that might happen a little. What they didn't expect was for Campbell to have so much time to pass (especially after the 1st quarter) and for Portis to be running roughshod over them. That + the defense = ballgame.

 

[buster c]

Oh, and if Dallas was considered the best team in the NFL prior to today, who is that team today?

Guess who Jeff Sagarin says is #1.

Still #1 in the Sagarin rankings. Giants are #2. Notice the strength of schedule rankings. Redskins are #1 and the Giants are #32.

The Giants' schedule is one of the strangest things I've ever seen. As Sagarin recognizes, it's been rather soft through four games. Amazingly, that will continue for two more weeks (at Cleveland, hosting San Fran). Then it turns violently. Their final ten games include the two Dallas games, two Philly games, and road game vs. Washington in the division, and trips to Pittsburgh, Arizona and Minnesota. They also host Baltimore and Carolina- not exactly pushovers.They were or will be favored by over a field goal in their first six games, and by more than a touchdown in all but one of them. I would be surprised if they are favored by more than a touchdown in any of their last ten, and will probably beeither underdogs, or favored by a field goal or less, in all but two or three of them.

If the Redskins can win the next two (and they'll likely be double-digit favorites in both) and are one game behind the Giants going into Week 8, you have to like their chances to pass them.

I can't believe I just wrote that.

8 Oct 26 NYG @ PIT 4:15 PM 9 Nov 02 DAL @ NYG 4:15 PM

10 Nov 09 NYG @ PHI 8:15 PM

11 Nov 16 BAL @ NYG 1:00 PM

12 Nov 23 NYG @ ARI :( 4:15 PM

13 Nov 30 NYG @ WAS 1:00 PM

14 Dec 07 PHI @ NYG 1:00 PM

15 Dec 14 NYG @ DAL 8:15 PM

16 Dec 21 CAR @ NYG 1:00 PM

17 Dec 28 NYG @ MIN 1:00 PM

 

[Sidewinder16]

Geez - anyone read the JLC article in the Post this morning? I looked on the paper's site but didn't find it posted yet, but he was trying to make it a big deal that Jansen had been so hurt by being demoted behind Heyer, and that Zorn hadn't guaranteed him staying the starter once Heyer heals up.

I think Jansen has played very well in relief. But the tone of the article was so negative - Jansen's friends on the OL all upset, that Bugel wouldn't agree with Zorn's assessment that Heyer was better...I guess JLC is so intent on NOT being a homer, he just has to take a negative slant on things no matter what.

I don't know - I thought JLC's tampering accusation (disguised as a question) was ridiculous, and I do think he gets oversensitive about the subject of bias, but I don't find anything to criticize in that article. There isn't a single unattributed quote - Jansen, Rabach, Kendall, Bugel are all on the record - and after having watched Jansen over the last decade I would expect him to say everything that he said in that article. I also know that that line has a lot of chemistry and unity, having played together now for four seasons excepting Kendall. Thomas in particular I know from other articles/interviews loves playing next to Jansen. At the end of the day this is just another older player trying to hold off a younger player from taking his job. Not much to see here, is there?

The one part of the article that really jumped out at me as being borderline bad journalism was this:

"He wasn't being punished," Zorn said of Jansen. "We just felt like Stephon Heyer was the guy who could give us that more solid protection in the passing game, and I still think that."

It's hard to imagine the "we" in Zorn's statement would include Bugel,...

That last part sounds like 100% speculation on JLC's part. Sure there are a lot of attributable quotes, but do any of them really support the notion that Bugel doesn't think Heyer "give us that more solid protection in the passing game", or that Bugel has even opposed the move the whole time?That part, and the overall tone of the piece (at least the way I read it), make it seem like JLC is just trying to stir the pot. Almost like he's trying to say, "Sure the team is 4-1 and exceeding all expectations, but beneath it all this team is on the brink of implosion because veteran players and coaches don't like Zorn".

But I may be reading waaaaaayyyyyy too much into it all.

 

[thayman]

yea, we will see how it plays out...lol...an old rb...portis has miles on him...sure cooley seems like a poor mans jason wittin but he has to stay in and block...horrible front 5...horrible....couple rooks at wr and that moss dude...not the good moss the lil one...who is on defense?...oh yea...jason taylor...lol...good luck with that.....seriousy...they finish 4th out of 4 in the nfc east...can anyone put um higher....ohhh...im soooo f-in ZORNNNNIE!!!!!

Whatever happend to this guy?

 

[nittanylion]

i'll add that the Cowboys looked off today. the skins were the better team TODAY, but dont go suckin eachothers weiners just yet.that said, congrats on a good NFC rivalry win.

Well the Season has certainly been an unbelievably pleasant surprise...a MOST satisfying run thus far!Soooooooo...can we 'go suckin eachothers weiners' NOW, Manster?!!!Seriously, one of the hallmarks of 'Gibbs 1.0' was when the Team, coming off a stretch of beating quality opponents and playing with confidence and fire, and entering a stretch of concievably winnable games...was to do JUST THAT - beat said Teams, and beat them badly.So far we're hearing all the right things this Week - Zorn and the Players seem to be VERY aware of just how dangerous this upcoming stretch can be if they don't put the pedal to the metal from the opening kickoff, and obliterate the heart, mind and will of the Rams, and follow suit vs the Browns and Lions.38-13, 45-10, 52-17 sounds about right, if they play like they're talking. Really looking forward to seeing how this double-digit favorite handles itself come Sunday!

 

[Bankerguy]

yea, we will see how it plays out...lol...an old rb...portis has miles on him...sure cooley seems like a poor mans jason wittin but he has to stay in and block...horrible front 5...horrible....couple rooks at wr and that moss dude...not the good moss the lil one...who is on defense?...oh yea...jason taylor...lol...good luck with that.....seriousy...they finish 4th out of 4 in the nfc east...can anyone put um higher....ohhh...im soooo f-in ZORNNNNIE!!!!!

Whatever happend to this guy?

I killed him. He was a disgrace to all Cowboy fans.