***OFFICIAL*** Washington Redskins 2011 Off-Season Thread (1 Viewer)

[Sidewinder16]

3 ugly wins, but 3 BEAUTIFULLY important wins vs Dallas, Philly, and now the Packers.

A team that wins ugly while it's learning a new coaching staff, offense and defense, along with new key personnel, and a defensive star absent today and not yet fully integrated into the defense, is a dangerous team going forward. If they play defense the remainder of this season the way they did in the second half this team has the potential to even get deep into the playoffs. Still, they have a ways to go. The MVP for the Redskins was Clay Matthews' hamstring. His absence was the difference in the ball game, no question.

This was an amazing win. The team is obviously still learning and gelling, but to be able to pull out a W today says something about the foundation of the team, IMO. I may be letting the burgundy-and-gold-colored glasses slip back on, but the future of this team looks more promising every week. It still has glaring flaws and needs, but they seem to have that "it"-factor that hasn't been there for awhile.

 

[GreedoShotFirst]

Was at the game and that was a great win. Had that feeling of a team really coming together. And Landry and Orakpo are serious playmakers!

 

[Eastwood]

Skins on top of the NFC East

Dallas in the cellar

 

[fatness]

Their time of protection was bad, but I think ours was worse.

LOLDamn all these football terms. I can never get them straight.

 

[fatness]

Was at the game and that was a great win. Had that feeling of a team really coming together. And Landry and Orakpo are serious playmakers!

I couldn't watch the last quarter and OT, but the crowd sounded incredibly loud on the radio.

 

[fatness]

Goot win today but I really ould have liked to seen a little more urgency late in regulation. The team just seemed to play not to lose. Kyle could have also playcalled alot better. After two straight blitzes where the packers brought everything it seemed that Kyle called a horrible play for third down that got McNabb sacked and out of field goal range. Still, I am well pleased with the win. Maybe the team finds an identity!

I thought Kyle's playcalling in the first half was atrocious. I remember near the end of the half seeing McNabb look at the sidelines at least twice after getting clobbered.

 

[fatness]

Skins on top of the NFC East

Dallas in the cellar

Tennessee Titans (3-2) vs. Dallas Cowboys (1-3)

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

Skins on top of the NFC East

Dallas in the cellar

Tennessee Titans (3-2) vs. Dallas Cowboys (1-3)

Come on Niners

 

[Sebowski]

Skins on top of the NFC EastDallas in the cellar

Don't mean to be a downer, but we're tied with the Giants and they look pretty good. They also have a much easier schedule. We're also only 1 game over .500 with a loss to the Rams who got smoked by the Lions today. (I feel very, very, weird being the pessimist. First time ever.)While I'm at it.... The OLine is not only bad, but is getting banged up. We can't run the ball, we can't hit short passes, and we can't play two halfs in a row. Anthony Armstrong looks good though.

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

Skins on top of the NFC EastDallas in the cellar

Don't mean to be a downer, but we're tied with the Giants and they look pretty good. They also have a much easier schedule. We're also only 1 game over .500 with a loss to the Rams who got smoked by the Lions today. (I feel very, very, weird being the pessimist. First time ever.)While I'm at it.... The OLine is not only bad, but is getting banged up. We can't run the ball, we can't hit short passes, and we can't play two halfs in a row. Anthony Armstrong looks good though.

actually if for some strange reason if the season ended today we would win the division. And none of us expected or thinks the Skins win the division, so let us enjoy this again for the 2nd week

 

[PinkydaPimp]

good win. this is what i expect from the skins all year. We will lose to teams we shouldn't lose to. We will challenge and beat a few teams who are much better than us. In the end, will probably end up 8-8.

 

[fatness]

If they beat the Colts I will burn my socks.

 

[Nightly Mistake]

If they beat the Colts I will burn my socks.

Well, if you're going that far, then I won't wash my hair for two days.

 

[thayman]

If they beat the Colts I will burn my socks.

i want pics.

 

[dgreen]

If they beat the Colts I will burn my socks.

Well, if you're going that far, then I won't wash my hair for two days.

I'll take buster off ignore.

 

[Nightly Mistake]

If they beat the Colts I will burn my socks.

Well, if you're going that far, then I won't wash my hair for two days.

I'll take buster off ignore.

[collective]Oooooooooooooooooooooh![/collective]

 

[Warrior]

Skins on top of the NFC EastDallas in the cellar

Don't mean to be a downer, but we're tied with the Giants and they look pretty good. They also have a much easier schedule. We're also only 1 game over .500 with a loss to the Rams who got smoked by the Lions today. (I feel very, very, weird being the pessimist. First time ever.)While I'm at it.... The OLine is not only bad, but is getting banged up. We can't run the ball, we can't hit short passes, and we can't play two halfs in a row. Anthony Armstrong looks good though.

Yet with a bad OLine, no running game, no short passes, and not playing 2 halfs in a row....we just beat one of the favorites to go to the Super Bowl.Awesome! Things are looking up for once!

 

[drm1125]

I've been watching the redskins' games because I have S. Moss and I must say, I really like watching them! The games are, for the most part, entertaining. plus, they seem kind of scrappy. Who would ever think ofa redskins team as scrappy? I've also always had a soft spot for Mcnabb, always felt like the philly fans didn't appreciate him enough.

 

[Nightly Mistake]

I've been watching the redskins' games because I have S. Moss and I must say, I really like watching them! The games are, for the most part, entertaining. plus, they seem kind of scrappy. Who would ever think ofa redskins team as scrappy? I've also always had a soft spot for Mcnabb, always felt like the philly fans didn't appreciate him enough.

They've not really been known for consistently good efforts for some time. I will say this about them too- you'd be hard pressed to find a team that hits harder than they do. I don't think it's a coincidence that they've inflicted a number of injuries on opposing players this year.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Yet with a bad OLine, no running game, no short passes, and not playing 2 halfs in a row....we just beat one of the favorites to go to the Super Bowl.Awesome! Things are looking up for once!

Not to rain on your parade, but as a Packer fan, our team looks like a shell of its former self. Injuries and terrible coaching have taken a toll. Great win for the Redskins today though, kudos to your team for making it happen.

 

[jbz]

McNabb throws every ball the same way. Hard.

 

[thayman]

Yet with a bad OLine, no running game, no short passes, and not playing 2 halfs in a row....we just beat one of the favorites to go to the Super Bowl.Awesome! Things are looking up for once!

Not to rain on your parade, but as a Packer fan, our team looks like a shell of its former self. Injuries and terrible coaching have taken a toll. Great win for the Redskins today though, kudos to your team for making it happen.

Completely outside view but I think the Packers biggest problem is Aaron Rodgers. He just doesn't look like he can pull the team together and lead them. Twice on Sunday he ran the ball once he slid before the 1st down marker when he probably could have made it. The other he could have ducked out of bounds at the end of the 4th but went to the middle of the field for an extra couple of yards.

 

[fatness]

If they beat the Colts I will burn my socks.

i want pics.

I will post pics.

 

[fatness]

If they beat the Colts I will burn my socks.

Well, if you're going that far, then I won't wash my hair for two days.

I'll take buster off ignore.

Hey, no fair rooting for the Colts.

 

[fatness]

Now imagine Portis had played, and been able to block all game.

Now imagine Haynesworth had played.

Maybe this win was not a fluke.

BTW, my son just told me he saw Portis on the sideline cheering during the game and sitting on the bench with Torain going over how to block. Good stuff.

Lorenzo Alexander made the play of the game.

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

If the Skins can't run the ball against the Colts, they should just play 5 wr sets

 

[Sidewinder16]

Now imagine Portis had played, and been able to block all game.

Now imagine Haynesworth had played.

Maybe this win was not a fluke.

I certainly wouldn't classify the win as a fluke. In addition to missing Portis and Haynesworth, Mike Wise also points out the release of Devin Thomas and having an apparently healthy Derrick Dockery inactive for the game. I think this is one of those wins people were saying we'd get simply due to the new head coach and QB. There's a confidence and a trust that's flowing between the HC/QB and the team that hasn't been there before. In that article, London Fletcher calls it a mental toughness that hasn't been there in past seasons, and is starting at the top with Shanahan.

 

[Nightly Mistake]

McNabb throws every ball the same way. Hard.

They said the same thing about Elway and Favre. Accuracy is McNabb's real problem, not pace.

 

[fatness]

Good stuff from that Mike Wise article:

Fletcher essentially told them they would have folded a year ago. "That's what he said," added Golston.

 

[VaTerp]

Now imagine Portis had played, and been able to block all game.

Now imagine Haynesworth had played.

Maybe this win was not a fluke.

I certainly wouldn't classify the win as a fluke. In addition to missing Portis and Haynesworth, Mike Wise also points out the release of Devin Thomas and having an apparently healthy Derrick Dockery inactive for the game. I think this is one of those wins people were saying we'd get simply due to the new head coach and QB. There's a confidence and a trust that's flowing between the HC/QB and the team that hasn't been there before. In that article, London Fletcher calls it a mental toughness that hasn't been there in past seasons, and is starting at the top with Shanahan.

Agreed. There are certain intangibles that McNabb and Shanahan bring to the table. And I think those things showed up yesterday.

McNabb throws every ball the same way. Hard.

They said the same thing about Elway and Favre. Accuracy is McNabb's real problem, not pace.

Agreed again. McNabb displays adequate touches when he needs to. His problem is that he seems to drive the ball down or let his throws sail on him too often. I'm not sure if it's a mechanics problem or what but at this point in his career it is what it is.I still take that over what we've had at QB for at least the last 11 years.

 

[buster c]

If they beat the Colts I will burn my socks.

Well, if you're going that far, then I won't wash my hair for two days.

I'll take buster off ignore.

to counter DG, if the Skins beat the Colts, I will not post again in this thread. I can always get my Skins commentary from the WaPo web site - and without all the fluctuating estrogen levels some of you ladies bring to this forum.

 

[fatness]

I did like the goal line stand in the 2nd quarter, by the way.

 

[fatness]

Landry is playing as fast and aggressive as almost any Redskin defender in some time. It’s the way LaVar Arrington was before his injuries and the way Sean Taylor was before he died.

“He’s a great player, man,” teammate Brian Orakpo said. “He’s playing at a very high level, a Pro Bowl type level. He’ll continue to make a lot of plays for us. This defense fits him to a T. I hate for him to get so much scrutiny throughout the years, but this year look out for 30 because he’ll continue to make plays.”

Yes, he will. This isn’t just a good start for Landry; it’s a trend. He makes plays; he set up the game-winning field goal with an interception. That play sort of typifies his growth. Landry, coaches say, has become more of a student of the game.

“We saw that pass concept run the whole game,” he said. “But they never threw it. When they finally threw it, I just made a great read on the ball…. I let the receiver cross my face, either he would have caught the ball and I would have hit him or I would have made an interception.”

High praise for Landry from John Keim.

 

[Nightly Mistake]

If they beat the Colts I will burn my socks.

Well, if you're going that far, then I won't wash my hair for two days.

I'll take buster off ignore.

to counter DG, if the Skins beat the Colts, I will not post again in this thread. I can always get my Skins commentary from the WaPo web site - and without all the fluctuating estrogen levels some of you ladies bring to this forum.

We're talking about making sacrifices here, chief, and instead you just turn this into one more insult.

 

[ROBOPUNTER]

you missed my point. had nothing to do with my opinion of AH. had everything to do with having no sympathy for a man who clearly was a danger to society. I'm not glad he's dead.

It's real easy to do what you're doing buster: finding a fresh corpse and setting up a soapbox next to it to say it proves some point of yours. Real easy to do on the internet to show what a tough guy you are, but you'd never do it in real life. That's because you're a coward.And classless as hell.Go to the memorial service and tell his family your opinion, brave guy.

I would. buster has a point, and you are way too homery about this. What is more tragic? A guy kills himself by driving recklessly on a motorcycle? Or a guy permanently paralyzing a kid, then failing to teach his little brother about the dangers of driving recklessly before the little brother dies by the same driving? I'd say the classless one is Haynesworth, and that's obvious. Haynesworth actually had a chance to pass on the wisdom, and failed.And at the "tough guy" statements on the internet. People say that, why?

 

[scoobygang]

Agreed again. McNabb displays adequate touches when he needs to. His problem is that he seems to drive the ball down or let his throws sail on him too often. I'm not sure if it's a mechanics problem or what but at this point in his career it is what it is.I still take that over what we've had at QB for at least the last 11 years.

It's actually a pretty special skill to be able wring 350+ passing yards out of a game when the QB just doesn't have it at the start. McNabb was horrible in the first half. The line's inability to block Matthews did him no favors, but he was too dinged to take off when he had opportunities and he missed something like six guys. To be able to start that badly and still play decently in the second half (aided by Matthews' injury, no doubt) is a testament to why McNabb is still a good to very-good quarterback. Ironically, Armstrong's TD might have been one of McNabb's worst throws of the half, as he hung it up short, but considering the number of excellent deep balls that have gone off receivers' fingers this season, maybe making a short throw was the right call. This is the first win that really encouraged me. Even if they were still a bit lucky, this was the first game where I really thought the coaches intelligently adjusted to the game. Haslett saved his blitzes for opportune moments (he still needs to trust the blitz and play tighter coverage when he brings it, that loose shell on the slant route at the end of regulation could have lost the game). Mini-Shanny mixed up his the drops and manufactured open receivers based on what Green Bay was doing and he scrapped a lot of bootleg action when it was clear that McNabb wasn't mobile.

 

[fatness]

And at the "tough guy" statements on the internet. People say that, why?

 

[fatness]

Anthony Armstrong, a bit excited:

"When I jumped, I was floating," said Armstrong, grinning. "I was WAY up over that safety. He was down at my knees, man.

After Landry's interception, one Packer tried to strip the ball away from him. "Landry's got the biggest arms you've ever seen on a guy his size. You're going to try to strip the ball from him?" said linebacker Chris Wilson. "LaRon could have curled that guy."

"We were ready for them. Whenever I had [Andrew Quarless] line up on me, it would be a pass. We practiced that coverage all week," said Alexander. So, even though he was isolated in one-on-one coverage in the end zone, Alexander still had the joy of feeling Rodgers's pass bounce off the back of his helmet incomplete. "Sure felt good when it hit me in the head," Alexander said.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

Wasn't able to watch the game, but it looks like a good win on paper. Expected a blowout.

 

[Sebowski]

Now imagine Portis had played, and been able to block all game.

Now imagine Haynesworth had played.

Maybe this win was not a fluke.

BTW, my son just told me he saw Portis on the sideline cheering during the game and sitting on the bench with Torain going over how to block. Good stuff.

Lorenzo Alexander made the play of the game.

I saw that too. Not sure what Portis was saying, but he was definitely giving pointers.

I did like the goal line stand in the 2nd quarter, by the way.

That was HUGE. McIntosh's hit was awesome.

 

[fatness]

The Redskins have 5 pass plays of 50+ yards, leading the NFL in that category.

 

[Eastwood]

As great as Landry is playing now, can you imagine this secondary if we still had Taylor, and if Carlos had hands that could catch? wow.

 

[TankRizzo]

I'd be a hypocrite if I said I wasn't concerned. I was one of the few naysayers during the Zorn 6-2 run. But I feel 100x better about this team than that team.

We're going to be an up and down team all year, but the thing I LOVE about what I'm seeing is that they play hard on every down. The o-line isn't good and they can't run the ball at all. The defense is still trying to find their legs with the 3-4, but they're going to be getting better every week. I was skeptical of Haslett, but I've really been impressed with him. I love the 3-4 and he's been able to adapt and learn and use what he's got, and I think now he's really getting his players figured out and he's gameplanning accordingly.

The biggest difference though is that they THROW the ball, which means they're never going to be totally out of any game they're in. Being down by 17 points isn't that big of a deal. Last year you might as well pack up and go home.

I do think they can beat the Colts. Hopefully we can at least pretend like we can run the ball on them. Their D isn't that great, it's the teams with a good D I think that are going to give this team fits.

 

[TankRizzo]

The Redskins have 5 pass plays of 50+ yards, leading the NFL in that category.

that probably matches their record for the same stat for the rest of this decade

 

[TankRizzo]

@Adam_Schefter WR Devin Thomas claimed by the Panthers on waivers

So do we get any compensation?

 

[Assani Fisher]

3 ugly wins, but 3 BEAUTIFULLY important wins vs Dallas, Philly, and now the Packers.

A team that wins ugly while it's learning a new coaching staff, offense and defense, along with new key personnel, and a defensive star absent today and not yet fully integrated into the defense, is a dangerous team going forward. If they play defense the remainder of this season the way they did in the second half this team has the potential to even get deep into the playoffs.

Still, they have a ways to go. The MVP for the Redskins was Clay Matthews' hamstring. His absence was the difference in the ball game, no question.

This was an amazing win. The team is obviously still learning and gelling, but to be able to pull out a W today says something about the foundation of the team, IMO. I may be letting the burgundy-and-gold-colored glasses slip back on, but the future of this team looks more promising every week. It still has glaring flaws and needs, but they seem to have that "it"-factor that hasn't been there for awhile.

Imo there is much more luck and variance in football than we realize. The way the ball bounces, refs calls, the DB guessing and trying to "jump" the WR's route(sometimes he'll be right, other times he'll be wrong....but it was just a complete guess either way), fluke plays where a defender falls down or big special teams player, etc. Sometimes you get lucky, other times you don't. But I think we mistake good luck for the "it factor" way too often. The Redskins are about a .500 team imo, and thats certainly better than I expected coming into the season. They could get lucky and go win 10 or 11 games, they could get unlucky and only win 5 or 6 games. A 16 game season is a ridiculously small sample size, so you need to get lucky.

 

[Sidewinder16]

The Redskins are about a .500 team imo, and thats certainly better than I expected coming into the season.

Most of us have been saying that a 0.500 season would be considered a success if it's achieved. I would be surprised (pleasantly) if they win any more than that. But that 4 game improvement over last season's win total won't be because there is so much more great talent on the team this year than last, and it certainly won't be entirely due to luck. It will almost certainly happen because this team is playing with purpose behind leaders everyone respects. That's an "it" factor.

They could get lucky and go win 10 or 11 games, they could get unlucky and only win 5 or 6 games. A 16 game season is a ridiculously small sample size, so you need to get lucky.

There is certainly some validity in saying the 'Skins are lucky to be 3-2. But my "it" factor observation really has nothing to do with the W-L record. It has everything to do with the play I see on the field, with the heart and emotion I see on the field, and with things like how the team has gotten better as the game goes on, instead of worse. I'm hard pressed to find any way to attribute those things to luck.

 

[Sebowski]

@Adam_Schefter WR Devin Thomas claimed by the Panthers on waiversSo do we get any compensation?

Carolina picks up his contract instead of us still haveing to pay the difference if he was signed after clearing for less than his deal with us. Other than that, nope, nothing for us.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

@Adam_Schefter WR Devin Thomas claimed by the Panthers on waiversSo do we get any compensation?

Your compensation is not having Thomas on the roster anymore.

 

[DCThunder]

The Redskins are about a .500 team imo, and thats certainly better than I expected coming into the season.

Most of us have been saying that a 0.500 season would be considered a success if it's achieved. I would be surprised (pleasantly) if they win any more than that. But that 4 game improvement over last season's win total won't be because there is so much more great talent on the team this year than last, and it certainly won't be entirely due to luck. It will almost certainly happen because this team is playing with purpose behind leaders everyone respects. That's an "it" factor.

They could get lucky and go win 10 or 11 games, they could get unlucky and only win 5 or 6 games. A 16 game season is a ridiculously small sample size, so you need to get lucky.

There is certainly some validity in saying the 'Skins are lucky to be 3-2. But my "it" factor observation really has nothing to do with the W-L record. It has everything to do with the play I see on the field, with the heart and emotion I see on the field, and with things like how the team has gotten better as the game goes on, instead of worse. I'm hard pressed to find any way to attribute those things to luck.

They are 3 plays (The holding call on Rack in the Dallas game, the hit on Vick against Philly, and the game winning FG that DOINKED off the upright against the Pack) from being 0-5, so let's not get carried away.