***Official*** 2009 Washington Redskins Thread (1 Viewer)

[Sebowski]

However, the most important thing is that Campbell doesn't get killed by the Ravens #1 defense for the series or two that he plays on Thursday night.

That's going to be the concern for the entire season ---- that the O-line doesn't let Campbell get killed. The front office didn't address the O-line and has set the offense (and the team) up to fail.

Think about it this way: 4/5 of the starters are past their prime, and the 5th guy is a UDFA.

Dockery is not past his prime. He should be right in it if he has one.

 

[sinatravolta]

However, the most important thing is that Campbell doesn't get killed by the Ravens #1 defense for the series or two that he plays on Thursday night.

That's going to be the concern for the entire season ---- that the O-line doesn't let Campbell get killed. The front office didn't address the O-line and has set the offense (and the team) up to fail.

Think about it this way: 4/5 of the starters are past their prime, and the 5th guy is a UDFA.

I too am disappointed that the team didn't address the OL much in the offseason. However, the main thing they did address is what I have been dying for them to address for probably a decade - the D-Line. I don't know exactly how we came out ranked as a top D last year - maybe combination of bend-don't-break and our offense being a ball control type - but we have been sorely missing a pass rush in particular which is the #1 key to getting turnovers which is as important as giving up fewer yards. With Haynesworth, Orakpo and Jarmon all added we should be completely set on this for years. Our D last year was better than our O, but the stats on yardage and points given up were misleading. We couldn't turn the ball over and late in the game against good teams the D couldn't even stop the run when it became obvious the other team was just going to run the ball. Now our D should actually scare opponents and be capable of getting itself off the field and often setting up the O in a much better position to score. Getting a decent punter should help on this too. Is it too bad we didn't address the O-line too - yes. But we spent our draft picks and money mostly in a wise place. I would feel totally differently had we spent big for a QB.

 

[T Bell]

However, the most important thing is that Campbell doesn't get killed by the Ravens #1 defense for the series or two that he plays on Thursday night.

That's going to be the concern for the entire season ---- that the O-line doesn't let Campbell get killed. The front office didn't address the O-line and has set the offense (and the team) up to fail.

Think about it this way: 4/5 of the starters are past their prime, and the 5th guy is a UDFA.

Dockery is not past his prime. He should be right in it if he has one.

That's just going off of age, but by most accounts his game took a step back since he left D.C. two years ago. Maybe he can get it back, but until he proves that we're talking about a guy whose best football was in prior years.

 

[T Bell]

However, the most important thing is that Campbell doesn't get killed by the Ravens #1 defense for the series or two that he plays on Thursday night.

That's going to be the concern for the entire season ---- that the O-line doesn't let Campbell get killed. The front office didn't address the O-line and has set the offense (and the team) up to fail.

Think about it this way: 4/5 of the starters are past their prime, and the 5th guy is a UDFA.

I too am disappointed that the team didn't address the OL much in the offseason. However, the main thing they did address is what I have been dying for them to address for probably a decade - the D-Line. I don't know exactly how we came out ranked as a top D last year - maybe combination of bend-don't-break and our offense being a ball control type - but we have been sorely missing a pass rush in particular which is the #1 key to getting turnovers which is as important as giving up fewer yards. With Haynesworth, Orakpo and Jarmon all added we should be completely set on this for years. Our D last year was better than our O, but the stats on yardage and points given up were misleading. We couldn't turn the ball over and late in the game against good teams the D couldn't even stop the run when it became obvious the other team was just going to run the ball. Now our D should actually scare opponents and be capable of getting itself off the field and often setting up the O in a much better position to score. Getting a decent punter should help on this too. Is it too bad we didn't address the O-line too - yes. But we spent our draft picks and money mostly in a wise place. I would feel totally differently had we spent big for a QB.

I largely agree, but this is about more than one draft. What is frustrating is that with merely moderately better drafting (and more discipline in trading away draft picks) over the last five years, they could have addressed both lines. Even just one or two more solid young O-line players would make all the difference right now.

 

[fatness]

In the offseason it was glaringly obvious to all of us that the Redskins needed to address both lines. That is not an either-or situation; both could have been given some attention. And given a choice, only one of them to address, the O-line was worse last year and responsible for more defeats than was the D-line.

The defense held together well enough to be rated in the top 10 in the league. Their main drawbacks were the inability to generate to generate turnovers, and the inability to get off the field during time-consuming 4th quarter drives. The reasons those 4th quarter drives by opponents were so important (and decimating) was because the games were close, and the defense had been on the field too much. The offense was more-than-partly to blame for both those things. They could not sustain drives and they could not score points.

And the main reason for both those offensive shortcomings was an offensive line that was old, injured, and had lousy backup players.

The only O-line improvements made in the offseason were adding Dockery (a good move) and praying that Chad Rinehart would not have to be locked away in a closet like a ######ed uncle again.

This year the defense will get the offense back on the field in more of a hurry, more often. But there's no reason to think that what happened to the O-line last year will not happen again this year. So if the front office's attention span is so limited that they could only address one offseason need, it should have been the O-line.

I'm very happy for all the improvements to the defense, don't get me wrong. But if the O-line is no better than last year what the hell is the advantage putting the offense back out on the field quicker, to see Campbell beaten around twice, Portis stuffed once, and a punt?

 

[T Bell]

In the offseason it was glaringly obvious to all of us that the Redskins needed to address both lines. That is not an either-or situation; both could have been given some attention. And given a choice, only one of them to address, the O-line was worse last year and responsible for more defeats than was the D-line.The defense held together well enough to be rated in the top 10 in the league. Their main drawbacks were the inability to generate to generate turnovers, and the inability to get off the field during time-consuming 4th quarter drives. The reasons those 4th quarter drives by opponents were so important (and decimating) was because the games were close, and the defense had been on the field too much. The offense was more-than-partly to blame for both those things. They could not sustain drives and they could not score points. And the main reason for both those offensive shortcomings was an offensive line that was old, injured, and had lousy backup players. The only O-line improvements made in the offseason were adding Dockery (a good move) and praying that Chad Rinehart would not have to be locked away in a closet like a ######ed uncle again. This year the defense will get the offense back on the field in more of a hurry, more often. But there's no reason to think that what happened to the O-line last year will not happen again this year. So if the front office's attention span is so limited that they could only address one offseason need, it should have been the O-line.I'm very happy for all the improvements to the defense, don't get me wrong. But if the O-line is no better than last year what the hell is the advantage putting the offense back out on the field quicker, to see Campbell beaten around twice, Portis stuffed once, and a punt?

The corollary to this is that if you draft for need early in the draft instead of BPA (which Orakpo most certainly was), then you're putting yourself into a hole. I don't mind their draft approach, but otherwise you're exactly right.

 

[Sebowski]

I'm a sucker for these fluff pieces. Great quotes from our no-nonsense D-Cord though

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/aug/1...renewed-effort/

Rookies Brian Orakpo and Jeremy Jarmon are generating attention by showing strong pass-rushing skills, and second-year safeties Chris Horton and Kareem Moore seem to be making plays all over the field.

But what has Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache encouraged after two weeks of training camp is that the veterans reported intent on improving a unit that allowed the sixth-fewest points in the NFL last year.



"I have some veteran players that have respect for the game. They have a passion for the game, they come to work every day professionally and that makes it fun for me and the staff to come to work," Blache said after Tuesday's first practice. "They understand what this is about and the opportunity available to them."

Setting the tone are the usual suspects: defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, defensive end Phillip Daniels and middle linebacker London Fletcher.

Blache hopes those three, plus Renaldo Wynn and newcomer Albert Haynesworth, have a positive impact on the young players.

"We have some young guys who still have to learn what it is to be a professional," Blache said. "What we have to do the next few weeks is let those young guys catch up and mature and get on the bus with the rest of us. ... Even this morning, there were some things happening where you go, 'Where have these guys been the last two weeks? They have to be asleep or something.' It will be interesting how they respond when the lights go on and the speed picks up Thursday night [at Baltimore]."

Blache's appearance at the podium was his first interview availability since the opening day of practice. Some of his other thoughts:

c On safety Reed Doughty: "Reed's the best he's been - his back is better than when he came here as a rookie. He's done really well."

c On Daniels: "If you didn't look at the birth certificate, you would never believe he's 36 years old. He has a body 21-year-olds would kill for and he'd be on a magazine cover."

c On Jarmon: "I thought he would be further behind on the learning curve, but quite honestly some of the things he can do athletically helps bring him up [to speed]. When his mind catches up with his athletic skills, I think he'll possibly be on the field even a little sooner than we thought he would be."

 

[Ripleys]

And just think how freaking scary this new D would be with Sean Taylor. I mean seriously, it almost wouldn't be fair.

 

[Bizkiteer]

In the offseason it was glaringly obvious to all of us that the Redskins needed to address both lines. That is not an either-or situation; both could have been given some attention. And given a choice, only one of them to address, the O-line was worse last year and responsible for more defeats than was the D-line.The defense held together well enough to be rated in the top 10 in the league. Their main drawbacks were the inability to generate to generate turnovers, and the inability to get off the field during time-consuming 4th quarter drives. The reasons those 4th quarter drives by opponents were so important (and decimating) was because the games were close, and the defense had been on the field too much. The offense was more-than-partly to blame for both those things. They could not sustain drives and they could not score points. And the main reason for both those offensive shortcomings was an offensive line that was old, injured, and had lousy backup players. The only O-line improvements made in the offseason were adding Dockery (a good move) and praying that Chad Rinehart would not have to be locked away in a closet like a ######ed uncle again. This year the defense will get the offense back on the field in more of a hurry, more often. But there's no reason to think that what happened to the O-line last year will not happen again this year. So if the front office's attention span is so limited that they could only address one offseason need, it should have been the O-line.I'm very happy for all the improvements to the defense, don't get me wrong. But if the O-line is no better than last year what the hell is the advantage putting the offense back out on the field quicker, to see Campbell beaten around twice, Portis stuffed once, and a punt?

Very valid stuff here, but I thought it would be wise to point out to many of our brothers are looking at the glass half empty. For the longest we've been screaming that we should draft lineman...either offense or defense. Well, the 'Skins drafted two defensive lineman and it seems that all we can look at is that our OL is hurting. Be glad they drafted two DL's and maybe the OL come sooner than later. Now, I'm not saying everything is peachy though, just looking at the glass half full.I will point out that until the injuries hit our OL, we had the leading rusher in the NFL last year. They were doing something right guys, they just broke down. Of course, the OL's age is a serious concern and is the breaking down a product of the age. You can't fix everything in one draft and every team in the NFL has a hole or even two. I think DanMan & Boy Blunder failed in that they did not compensate for the other line after addressing the one (defense). Matter of fact, drafting two WR's in 2nd round and a TE is more of the glaring problem from the year before. Team's can do that, if they are covered more in vital areas and we were not covered in either the OL or DL at that time. Basically for this past off season, they could have brought in another real starting quality OL w/ Dockery, so we wouldn't have to depend on all the older guys to make it through a whole season.Anyways, it is what it is...be glad they at least drafted RAK and JJ, both seem to be good to great picks so far. Half full guys, not half empty.

 

[fatness]

Interesting stuff from Haynesworth:

The Giants, of course, are coached by Tom Coughlin, a man who had once grilled Haynesworth on his ethics before he was drafted, when Coughlin was still in Jacksonville.

"I spent three or four hours on the phone with him the day before the draft," Haynesworth said. "He kept asking me these questions that didn't quite make sense to me. He's like, 'OK, if I ask you to do something and you know it's the wrong thing to do, what are you going to do?' So I'm like, 'Well, I'll do the right thing.' And he said, 'No, do what I say.' We kind of clashed at the time. I said, 'Yeah, I don't need to go to Jacksonville.' "

Link

 

[fatness]

I will point out that until the injuries hit our OL, we had the leading rusher in the NFL last year. They were doing something right guys, they just broke down.

This is true, and we also had a QB that either Mortensen or Jaworski was talking about as an MVP candidate. So yeah, I agree, and most of the rest of what you said also.I just have this recurring image of the defense forcing a punt, the offense taking the field, and getting hit with a delay of game penalty because they're all using walkers.

 

[fatness]

Bugel:

Joe Bugel told Dan Steinberg he loves the hitting, the tackling, the blocking. Boy, does he love it. "That first hit, I feel great," he said, after full-contact tackling had finally returned. "That's the big explosion right there, you know what I mean? That puts you on a high. Pro football's always been the sport for me. After 32 years, I love to watch the competitiveness, the explosion, the blocking, the tackles. That's my turn-on, that's my entertainment: violence."

 

[Bizkiteer]

I will point out that until the injuries hit our OL, we had the leading rusher in the NFL last year. They were doing something right guys, they just broke down.

This is true, and we also had a QB that either Mortensen or Jaworski was talking about as an MVP candidate. So yeah, I agree, and most of the rest of what you said also.I just have this recurring image of the defense forcing a punt, the offense taking the field, and getting hit with a delay of game penalty because they're all using walkers.

...and sadly, this could also be very true for the upcoming season too. Let's just hope our offense does not come to a screetching halt because of walkers or anything else.

 

[ECV]

Hey fellow Skins fans!! Vick doesn't fit in DC. His career completion percentage is in the neighborhood of 55% (well below the NFL average). Most of the positive plays he made while in Atlanta were done with his feet (keeping a few drives alive vs the Packers in the playoffs comes to mind). He's been out of the NFL now for two full years. Does he still have the burst that he once had? What kind of shape is he in? I don't care if you can get him on the cheap (Snyder enjoys overpaying...let him overpay for a younger and more stable option). Vick would possibly push Campbell over the edge. Campbell has handled all of the off-season drama with class.

I've been to training camp twice. At the first day of camp a friend of mine said, 'we don't need Vick for the WildCat, we've got Randle El' (I couldn't agree more!). The Skins haven't utilized El's abilities to their fullest (we know that he dances too much on punt returns ). There was a very good point made earlier about there already being enough strong-willed personalities (the guys from the 'U' alone...lol). I would be utterly disgusted if Vick came to DC.

 

[dgreen]

5 more hours.

Giggity.

 

[T Bell]

5 more hours.Giggity.

Thinking strongly about leaving work early to watch the 1st quarter or so.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Projected starting lineups:

OFFENSEPos. 	Redskins 	RavensWR 	11 Devin Thomas 	89 Mark ClaytonLT 	60 Chris Samuels 	71 Jared GaitherLG 	66 Derrick Dockery 	66 Ben GrubbsC 	61 Casey Rabach 	77 Matt BirkRG 	75 Chad Rinehart 	65 Chris ChesterRT 	74 Stephon Heyer 	79 Willie AndersonTE 	47 Chris Cooley 	86 Todd HeapWR 	82 Antwaan Randle El 	85 Derrick MasonQB 	17 Jason Campbell 	5 Joe FlaccoFB 	45 Mike Sellers 	33 Le’Ron McClainRB 	46 Ladell Betts 	23 Willis McGaheeDEFENSEPos. 	Redskins 	RavensDE 	99 Andre Carter 	90 Trevor PryceDT 	96 Cornelius Griffin 	92 Haloti NgataDT 	64 Kedric Golston 	94 Justin BannanDE 	93 Phillip Daniels 	95 Jarret JohnsonSLB 	98 Brian Orakpo 	52 Ray LewisMLB 	59 London Fletcher 	51 B. AyanbadejoWLB 	52 Rocky McIntosh 	55 Terrell SuggsLCB 	23 DeAngelo Hall 	31 F. WashingtonRCB 	22 Carlos Rogers 	24 D. FoxworthSS 	48 Chris Horton 	26 Dawan LandryFS 	30 LaRon Landry 	20 Ed Reed

 

[fatness]

His decision to give up beer helped Samuels lose nearly 30 pounds from his peak offseason weight of 334.

Link

 

[fatness]

TUESDAY'S HIGHLIGHTS

• The Redskins' safeties continue to get to the ball. During the morning practice, Kareem Moore, Chris Horton and LaRon Landry all had interceptions.

Link

 

[fatness]

5 things to watch for in the scrimmage

1. Jason Campbell: How does the mild-mannered quarterback play in his first action since management twice tried to replace him during the offseason? Does Campbell play with passion and inspire his teammates against a ferocious Baltimore defense?

2. The O-line: Right guard Randy Thomas (knee) might not play and left tackle Chris Samuels and center Casey Rabach are aging. Stephon Heyer has yet to prove that he's a true No. 1 right tackle for a group that has struggled in camp. Chad Rinehart, who'll fill in for Thomas, didn't play as a rookie even as the unit collapsed during the second half.

3. Second-year wideouts: Malcolm Kelly didn't play in the 2008 preseason while Devin Thomas had just two catches, setting the stage for their seriously disappointing debuts. Thomas has been slowed by a hamstring (again) in camp. Kelly is coming off another knee scope. Coach Jim Zorn wants one of the kids to beat out incumbent starting receiver Antwaan Randle El.

4. Brian Orakpo: The 13th pick overall has looked like a first-round draft pick during his first training camp, flying past blockers en route to the quarterback. The Ravens will give the former Texas defensive end a better test of how he'a adjusting to playing in space as a strongside linebacker.

5. Kickers: Shaun Suisham was a surprise standout for the Redskins in 2007, his first full NFL season, hitting 83 percent of his field goal tries. Last year, that figure crashed to 72.2 percent. Suisham largely blamed departed holder Ryan Plackemeier, but the Redskins signed journeyman Dave Rayner to challenge him. Both will kick against the Ravens.

The 3 things I want to watch are:the offensive line

the defensive line

the offensive line

 

[T Bell]

5 things to watch for in the scrimmage

1. Jason Campbell: How does the mild-mannered quarterback play in his first action since management twice tried to replace him during the offseason? Does Campbell play with passion and inspire his teammates against a ferocious Baltimore defense?

2. The O-line: Right guard Randy Thomas (knee) might not play and left tackle Chris Samuels and center Casey Rabach are aging. Stephon Heyer has yet to prove that he's a true No. 1 right tackle for a group that has struggled in camp. Chad Rinehart, who'll fill in for Thomas, didn't play as a rookie even as the unit collapsed during the second half.

3. Second-year wideouts: Malcolm Kelly didn't play in the 2008 preseason while Devin Thomas had just two catches, setting the stage for their seriously disappointing debuts. Thomas has been slowed by a hamstring (again) in camp. Kelly is coming off another knee scope. Coach Jim Zorn wants one of the kids to beat out incumbent starting receiver Antwaan Randle El.

4. Brian Orakpo: The 13th pick overall has looked like a first-round draft pick during his first training camp, flying past blockers en route to the quarterback. The Ravens will give the former Texas defensive end a better test of how he'a adjusting to playing in space as a strongside linebacker.

5. Kickers: Shaun Suisham was a surprise standout for the Redskins in 2007, his first full NFL season, hitting 83 percent of his field goal tries. Last year, that figure crashed to 72.2 percent. Suisham largely blamed departed holder Ryan Plackemeier, but the Redskins signed journeyman Dave Rayner to challenge him. Both will kick against the Ravens.

The 3 things I want to watch are:the offensive line

the defensive line

the offensive line

I firmly believe that as the O line goes, so goes the team this year. I'm far more worried about that than I am about Campbell.

 

[dgreen]

Portis, Thomas, Moss, and Haynesworth being held out tonight.

Can't wait to see Orakpo play.

 

[southeastjerome]

 

[southeastjerome]

Can those who can actually watch this game fill in some highlights (or lowlights if you must)

 

[Sebowski]

I'm listening to it hear:

http://sports.espn.go.com/stations/player?station=dc

 

[metoo]

nice run by McGahee

 

[Marvelous]

I only watched the first quarter so far. O line looked pretty good in pass blocking. Campbell looked ok. Who is Bettis, number 46? Embarassing that they mispelled Betts' name.

 

[MikeApf]

Knee jerk reactions to the play of the first team over the first two drives:

1. Offensive line provided surprisingly good protection to Campbell over the first two drives.

2. Campbell had a few nice throws over the middle but he missed some he should hit, like Hagens on the sideline which would have extended the drive instead of leading to the usual Redskins punt.

3. Campbell vs. Flacco -- watching the two players one after another, it's just amazing how much faster Flacco gets back and gets rid of it. Campbell seems very slow by comparison. I thought that Zorn was working with Campbell to get back and get rid of it quickly...I didn't see that.

4. It was nice to see Thomas and Kelly get out there and make some catches. Kelly made a nice grab over the middle when he had to reach up high. If he gets healthy, I really think he could add a major redzone component to the team. Fred Davis = 2 fumbles...WTF?

5. The defense is being touted as top 5 but the Ravens first team drove the field on them their first two drives. 2 FGs, but I thought the D woudl be a bit more stout, even with Haynesworth sitting out.

I know it's only the first preseason game, but the offenses' continued lackluster play is a bit disconcerting. Hope I'm wrong and they explode this season. Campbell is going to have to break out this year but I'm just not certain that he can do it.

2 cents.

M

 

[Ripleys]

I could only get a link to watch the 2nd half, and stopped after about a quarter. I was disgusted by how bad the offense and defense was playing.

Stone me for it, but I REALLY wish we could have gotten Cutler.

 

[StevePatterson]

Campbell had a rough second half of the season last time around but if the running game and his line can protect him, I think he can do much better.

QB Jason Campbell is the starter because the Redskins couldn’t get anyone else.

 

[TankRizzo]

I don't mean to be a negative Nancy here, but my knee jerk reaction to this miserable outing is as follows:

Fed Ex starts to get rowdy by game 4

Campbell doesn't make it past the bye

By December we start seeing the Snyder dinner date rumors with Cowher and Shannahan.

Zorn out the door immediately following week 17. I can only hope that Vinny is packing up his office at the same time.

The defense will keep us in most games, but the failure to properly address the O-line I think is pretty much going to set those events in motion.

I just hope Snyder doesn't become smitten with Tebow.

 

[dgreen]

I thought the following players showed some good stuff:

Kareem Moore - All over the field; hustled.

Jeremy Jarmon - Looked good against backups.

Philip Daniels - I figured he'd look old and slow (like Renaldo Wynn did), but he didn't.

Rocky McIntosh - Seemed to have some burst back and had some nice, solid hits.

Starting OL - Other than one breakdown, gave Campbell plenty of time on mostly short-to-medium passes.

Jason Campbell - The first play was an improvement where he went through his reads very quickly and dumped the ball to Betts for a good gain.

Malcolm Kelly - Showed his nice hands.

 

[Sidewinder16]

The defense will keep us in most games, but the failure to properly address the O-line I think is pretty much going to set those events in motion

Didn't seem to me that the OL was the problem tonight. At least not pass blocking. Heyer and Reinhart seemed to hold their own on the right side (although, admittedly, I missed the first drive due to technical difficulties on my local station )I'm may be more concerned with Campbell than I am with the OL after tonight. Not sure I saw any "progression" as a player or a leader from him tonight (but, again, I missed the first drive).Orakpo and Jarmon looked good at DE, although I think most of it was against 2nd and 3rd teamers.

 

[dgreen]

The defense will keep us in most games, but the failure to properly address the O-line I think is pretty much going to set those events in motion

Didn't seem to me that the OL was the problem tonight. At least not pass blocking. Heyer and Reinhart seemed to hold their own on the right side (although, admittedly, I missed the first drive due to technical difficulties on my local station )I'm may be more concerned with Campbell than I am with the OL after tonight. Not sure I saw any "progression" as a player or a leader from him tonight (but, again, I missed the first drive).

He made some nice throws on the first drive and, what appeared to be, some nice reads. Of course, maybe they were poor reads and guys we couldn't see were open. But, he made reads quickly and didn't stay too long with one receiver on most plays.

Orakpo and Jarmon looked good at DE, although I think most of it was against 2nd and 3rd teamers.

Orakpo did very little against the starters. He was mostly invisible. A lot of coverage responsibilities. He abused some backups, though, which is what you expect from a 1st-rounder.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Orakpo and Jarmon looked good at DE, although I think most of it was against 2nd and 3rd teamers.

Orakpo did very little against the starters. He was mostly invisible. A lot of coverage responsibilities. He abused some backups, though, which is what you expect from a 1st-rounder.

So did he play LB mostly against the 1st team then DE against the backups?

 

[Sidewinder16]

So...we get to see Vick twice this year. That should be interesting.

 

[dgreen]

Orakpo and Jarmon looked good at DE, although I think most of it was against 2nd and 3rd teamers.

Orakpo did very little against the starters. He was mostly invisible. A lot of coverage responsibilities. He abused some backups, though, which is what you expect from a 1st-rounder.

So did he play LB mostly against the 1st team then DE against the backups?

He played DE in passing situations and LB in normal sets. He provided no pressure when rushing the passer. Flacco was throwing quickly, though. Also, on one play, the OL immediately cut out his legs to get him down for a quick slant pass (one of the many Tryon couldn't even attempt to stop). It appeared Orakpo quickly read the play, jumped up, and put his hands up. He didn't deflect the pass or anything, but it looked like he read what was happening and reacted appropriately.At LB, he had to cover Heap some and also looked to be in a zone several times. I think Heap probably could have had a TD on one play when the ball was possibly thrown away.

 

[dgreen]

So...we get to see Vick twice this year. That should be interesting.

If he has to sit the first 6 games, we'll get him in his first game...on a Monday night. Not too much hype for that game. However, I doubt he'd play too much that game. Next time would be week 12. I imagine he will have settled into whatever his role will be by then.

 

[fatness]

A First Half of Futility

Impressions from the first half of the Redskins' first preseason game...well, if you're a first- or second-year guy, it's been mostly bad.

Let's review: Second-year corner Justin Tryon, who has looked great in practice, has been beaten four or five times in the game. Rookie Kevin Barnes was beaten twice, including on the touchdown pass at the end of the half. Second-year tight end Fred Davis has fumbled twice, losing one, and second-year tackle Devin Clark was called for a false start.

Marques Hagans (two drops) has also not looked too great. And linebacker Alfred Fincher got lost in coverage and gave up a big gain.

Meanwhile, the Redskins' starting offense had two drives and punted both times. The first was a six-play drive that ended with Hagans letting a catch go through his hands. The second was three-and-out.

The Redskins' defense, meanwhile, has given up three drives of 67 yards or more.

Yikes

 

[fatness]

Ladell Bettis

 

[Sidewinder16]

Ladell Bettis

Did any concrete info come out about that? Was it a joke, a mistake, a tribute?

 

[T Bell]

Ladell Bettis

Did any concrete info come out about that? Was it a joke, a mistake, a tribute?

There is no "I" in Betts.

 

[TankRizzo]

A First Half of Futility

Impressions from the first half of the Redskins' first preseason game...well, if you're a first- or second-year guy, it's been mostly bad.

Let's review: Second-year corner Justin Tryon, who has looked great in practice, has been beaten four or five times in the game. Rookie Kevin Barnes was beaten twice, including on the touchdown pass at the end of the half. Second-year tight end Fred Davis has fumbled twice, losing one, and second-year tackle Devin Clark was called for a false start.

Marques Hagans (two drops) has also not looked too great. And linebacker Alfred Fincher got lost in coverage and gave up a big gain.

Meanwhile, the Redskins' starting offense had two drives and punted both times. The first was a six-play drive that ended with Hagans letting a catch go through his hands. The second was three-and-out.

The Redskins' defense, meanwhile, has given up three drives of 67 yards or more.

Yikes

CB is definitely an area of concern. Hope Hall and Rogers manage to stay healthy or we're going to be in trouble.

 

[T Bell]

A First Half of Futility

Impressions from the first half of the Redskins' first preseason game...well, if you're a first- or second-year guy, it's been mostly bad.

Let's review: Second-year corner Justin Tryon, who has looked great in practice, has been beaten four or five times in the game. Rookie Kevin Barnes was beaten twice, including on the touchdown pass at the end of the half. Second-year tight end Fred Davis has fumbled twice, losing one, and second-year tackle Devin Clark was called for a false start.

Marques Hagans (two drops) has also not looked too great. And linebacker Alfred Fincher got lost in coverage and gave up a big gain.

Meanwhile, the Redskins' starting offense had two drives and punted both times. The first was a six-play drive that ended with Hagans letting a catch go through his hands. The second was three-and-out.

The Redskins' defense, meanwhile, has given up three drives of 67 yards or more.

Yikes

CB is definitely an area of concern. Hope Hall and Rogers manage to stay healthy or we're going to be in trouble.

Barnes is a rookie, so I don't know where he stands just yet. Tryon's offseason improvements with Darrell Green were a nice story, but he looks like nothing but a special teamer and a dime CB to me, at best. But yeah, if Rogers and/or Hall go down, I'm not going to be optimistic about our pass defense.

 

[fatness]

I only watched the first 3 possessions of the game, 2 by the Skins and one by the Ravens. The Ravens are clearly a better team. Orakpo was constantly close to the ball carrier on running plays. The offensive line held up better than I thought. Redskin rushing plays were completely stuffed. The offense couldn't sustain a drive and the defense couldn't get off the field. Michael Oher for the Ravens looked like Superman and made Renaldo Wynn look terrible.

The Redskins failed to gain 200 yards, failed to score, gave up over 500 yards and 23 points.

It's early. It doesn't look good.

 

[Bizkiteer]

Many can say don't panic or over react to one game and I'm still not there yet. I will point out that it does seem that we are always on the downside of these situations. Yes, it's one preseason game, but so far the score of zero and under 200 yards of total offense shows that not much has changed in over a year...when many of the guys are supposed to know the "system" a lot better.

 

[T Bell]

I only watched the first 3 possessions of the game, 2 by the Skins and one by the Ravens. The Ravens are clearly a better team. Orakpo was constantly close to the ball carrier on running plays. The offensive line held up better than I thought. Redskin rushing plays were completely stuffed. The offense couldn't sustain a drive and the defense couldn't get off the field. Michael Oher for the Ravens looked like Superman and made Renaldo Wynn look terrible. The Redskins failed to gain 200 yards, failed to score, gave up over 500 yards and 23 points. It's early. It doesn't look good.

I do get tired of saying this in the preseasion, but the first quarters of the next two games will be better guides for me. Too few starters in this one to get a good read. We absolutely need Kelly and Thomas to step up this year. That passing game simply needs more people to make plays. It's bizarre to me that the OL did well in the area that we worried most about - pass protection - while failing in the "easier" area of run blocking. I'm not sure what that means.

 

[Ripleys]

maybe the line is more excited to block for Portis?

 

[Bizkiteer]

I only watched the first 3 possessions of the game, 2 by the Skins and one by the Ravens. The Ravens are clearly a better team. Orakpo was constantly close to the ball carrier on running plays. The offensive line held up better than I thought. Redskin rushing plays were completely stuffed. The offense couldn't sustain a drive and the defense couldn't get off the field. Michael Oher for the Ravens looked like Superman and made Renaldo Wynn look terrible.

The Redskins failed to gain 200 yards, failed to score, gave up over 500 yards and 23 points.

It's early. It doesn't look good.

I do get tired of saying this in the preseasion, but the first quarters of the next two games will be better guides for me. Too few starters in this one to get a good read. We absolutely need Kelly and Thomas to step up this year. That passing game simply needs more people to make plays. It's bizarre to me that the OL did well in the area that we worried most about - pass protection - while failing in the "easier" area of run blocking. I'm not sure what that means.

That is what is said by various folks each season, but know that we have to keep saying it each season. Regardless of 1st string, 2nd or 3rd...why is that we always seem out of synch? Why is it that our offense has absolutely no flow or rhythm regardless of which starters are in the game? It's tiresome, but not for having to say it.

 

[T Bell]

I only watched the first 3 possessions of the game, 2 by the Skins and one by the Ravens. The Ravens are clearly a better team. Orakpo was constantly close to the ball carrier on running plays. The offensive line held up better than I thought. Redskin rushing plays were completely stuffed. The offense couldn't sustain a drive and the defense couldn't get off the field. Michael Oher for the Ravens looked like Superman and made Renaldo Wynn look terrible.

The Redskins failed to gain 200 yards, failed to score, gave up over 500 yards and 23 points.

It's early. It doesn't look good.

I do get tired of saying this in the preseasion, but the first quarters of the next two games will be better guides for me. Too few starters in this one to get a good read. We absolutely need Kelly and Thomas to step up this year. That passing game simply needs more people to make plays. It's bizarre to me that the OL did well in the area that we worried most about - pass protection - while failing in the "easier" area of run blocking. I'm not sure what that means.

That is what is said by various folks each season, but know that we have to keep saying it each season. Regardless of 1st string, 2nd or 3rd...why is that we always seem out of synch? Why is it that our offense has absolutely no flow or rhythm regardless of which starters are in the game? It's tiresome, but not for having to say it.

I agree. It seems like the good teams don't have these problems.