Steelers, Redskins, and Dolphins (2 Viewers)

[Doctor Detroit]

Steelers lose at home to Cincy and look like trash tonight.

Skins can't score three out of five weeks and can't beat anyone in their division or conference for that matter.

Dolphins are atrocious in every way. I can't believe anyone thought they could be a Super Bowl team.

Will any of these teams recover? What can each team pull from their wins or losses? Will any of them make the playoffs? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Kleck.]

Steelers lose at home to Cincy and look like trash tonight.Skins can't score three out of five weeks and can't beat anyone in their division or conference for that matter.Dolphins are atrocious in every way. I can't believe anyone thought they could be a Super Bowl team. Will any of these teams recover? What can each team pull from their wins or losses? Will any of them make the playoffs? Inquiring minds want to know.

If they do it might be too late. Not sure what you're asking. No.

 

[CrossEyed]

Looking at the schedule, I can see the Steelers running off 8 of the next 9, which would put them at 9-4 heading into the last three games against Carolina, Baltimore and Cincy. And who knows how everyone will be playing by then.

Things certainly aren't looking good right now, but I wouldn't be counting them out just yet.

 

[nightshift]

Looking at the schedule, I can see the Steelers running off 8 of the next 9, which would put them at 9-4 heading into the last three games against Carolina, Baltimore and Cincy. And who knows how everyone will be playing by then.Things certainly aren't looking good right now, but I wouldn't be counting them out just yet.

Not unless Ben get his head out of ### & into the game. He's playin' horrible! If he doesn't turn it around next week, I think Cowher better have Batch ready to roll..

 

[pizzatyme]

Looking at the schedule, I can see the Steelers running off 8 of the next 9, which would put them at 9-4 heading into the last three games against Carolina, Baltimore and Cincy. And who knows how everyone will be playing by then.Things certainly aren't looking good right now, but I wouldn't be counting them out just yet.

Take the rose-colored glasses of for a second...1-3 team gonna run off 8 of 9 against teams like Baltimore and Denver. Wow! What a lucky Super Bowl run will do to cloud the judgement of some....

 

[BassNBrew]

Looking at the schedule, I can see the Steelers running off 8 of the next 9, which would put them at 9-4 heading into the last three games against Carolina, Baltimore and Cincy. And who knows how everyone will be playing by then.Things certainly aren't looking good right now, but I wouldn't be counting them out just yet.

Not unless Ben get his head out of ### & into the game. He's playin' horrible! If he doesn't turn it around next week, I think Cowher better have Batch ready to roll..

There are so many directions to go with this post, but alas I'm tired and will leave it to the rest of you.

 

[Englishteacher]

Looking at the schedule, I can see the Steelers running off 8 of the next 9, which would put them at 9-4 heading into the last three games against Carolina, Baltimore and Cincy. And who knows how everyone will be playing by then.Things certainly aren't looking good right now, but I wouldn't be counting them out just yet.

Not unless Ben get his head out of ### & into the game. He's playin' horrible! If he doesn't turn it around next week, I think Cowher better have Batch ready to roll..

Really!?

 

[CrossEyed]

Looking at the schedule, I can see the Steelers running off 8 of the next 9, which would put them at 9-4 heading into the last three games against Carolina, Baltimore and Cincy. And who knows how everyone will be playing by then.

Things certainly aren't looking good right now, but I wouldn't be counting them out just yet.

Take the rose-colored glasses of for a second...1-3 team gonna run off 8 of 9 against teams like Baltimore and Denver. Wow! What a lucky Super Bowl run will do to cloud the judgement of some....

I was going to explain my reasoning until I saw the bolded part. And then I realized I was dealing with a bitter Steeler hater and it's just not worth the effort.

 

[ImTheScientist]

go steelers ......

 

[Steelers4Life]

Looking at the schedule, I can see the Steelers running off 8 of the next 9, which would put them at 9-4 heading into the last three games against Carolina, Baltimore and Cincy. And who knows how everyone will be playing by then.

Things certainly aren't looking good right now, but I wouldn't be counting them out just yet.

Take the rose-colored glasses of for a second...1-3 team gonna run off 8 of 9 against teams like Baltimore and Denver. Wow! What a lucky Super Bowl run will do to cloud the judgement of some....

I was going to explain my reasoning until I saw the bolded part. And then I realized I was dealing with a bitter Steeler hater and it's just not worth the effort.

Let him go... he's apparently still upset that the Steelers smacked around the Colts in the playoffs last year and were a correctly called Polamalu INT away from icing it long before the final missed field goal.We'll see what happens, but right now, things aren't looking promising for this season. If the Steelers expect to beat good teams, they can't turn the ball over. Pretty simple at this point.

 

[redman]

The Redskins have some major problems as you identified. As a practical matter, they likely need to finish 11-5 to get to the playoffs given their 0-3 intra-conference start. That means 9-2 the rest of the way. Even if 8-3 suffices, you're still talking about a pretty major tear over the final three months of the season. The overwhelming liklihood is that it's not going to happen.

 

[pizzatyme]

Looking at the schedule, I can see the Steelers running off 8 of the next 9, which would put them at 9-4 heading into the last three games against Carolina, Baltimore and Cincy. And who knows how everyone will be playing by then.

Things certainly aren't looking good right now, but I wouldn't be counting them out just yet.

Take the rose-colored glasses of for a second...1-3 team gonna run off 8 of 9 against teams like Baltimore and Denver. Wow! What a lucky Super Bowl run will do to cloud the judgement of some....

I was going to explain my reasoning until I saw the bolded part. And then I realized I was dealing with a bitter Steeler hater and it's just not worth the effort.

Fella, I'm not bitter at all. The Steelers won. They got on a lucky roll. Is it so that skill and luck cannot happen at the same time?They were far from a great team last year. They got hot at the right time. There was a fair amount of luck involved. Just because someone menions the word luck, is no reason for you to get your panties in a wad!

They were the #5 qualifier in the AFC for the playoffs last year! I would also go so far as to say that ANY Superbowl winner is LUCKY to have won. Not that their ability isn't worthy alone, but it does take a fair amount of luck to be the Champion of a 30 team league!

 

[pizzatyme]

Looking at the schedule, I can see the Steelers running off 8 of the next 9, which would put them at 9-4 heading into the last three games against Carolina, Baltimore and Cincy. And who knows how everyone will be playing by then.

Things certainly aren't looking good right now, but I wouldn't be counting them out just yet.

Take the rose-colored glasses of for a second...1-3 team gonna run off 8 of 9 against teams like Baltimore and Denver. Wow! What a lucky Super Bowl run will do to cloud the judgement of some....

I was going to explain my reasoning until I saw the bolded part. And then I realized I was dealing with a bitter Steeler hater and it's just not worth the effort.

Let him go... he's apparently still upset that the Steelers smacked around the Colts in the playoffs last year and were a correctly called Polamalu INT away from icing it long before the final missed field goal.We'll see what happens, but right now, things aren't looking promising for this season. If the Steelers expect to beat good teams, they can't turn the ball over. Pretty simple at this point.

Like I said...ALL Champions have to have LUCK on their side! If you want to think otherwise, then that is on you.

 

[fatboyj711]

Steelers lose at home to Cincy and look like trash tonight.Skins can't score three out of five weeks and can't beat anyone in their division or conference for that matter.Dolphins are atrocious in every way. I can't believe anyone thought they could be a Super Bowl team. Will any of these teams recover? What can each team pull from their wins or losses? Will any of them make the playoffs? Inquiring minds want to know.

......but the lions are superbowl bound right?!

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

The Redskins solution lies on page 683 of their offensive playbook.

The only problem is that they're only on page 28 now.

What has Daniel Snyder, Tom Cruise and his three millionaire coaches and their overpaid Antwaan Randle El, Brandon Lloyd, Adam Archuletta and Andre Carter gotten the Redskins this season?

96 points for and 110 points against.

That's a high price for 'below average'

 

[The Jerk]

Looking at the schedule, I can see the Steelers running off 8 of the next 9, which would put them at 9-4 heading into the last three games against Carolina, Baltimore and Cincy. And who knows how everyone will be playing by then.

Things certainly aren't looking good right now, but I wouldn't be counting them out just yet.

Take the rose-colored glasses of for a second...1-3 team gonna run off 8 of 9 against teams like Baltimore and Denver. Wow! What a lucky Super Bowl run will do to cloud the judgement of some....

I was going to explain my reasoning until I saw the bolded part. And then I realized I was dealing with a bitter Steeler hater and it's just not worth the effort.

Fella, I'm not bitter at all. The Steelers won. They got on a lucky roll. Is it so that skill and luck cannot happen at the same time?They were far from a great team last year. They got hot at the right time. There was a fair amount of luck involved. Just because someone menions the word luck, is no reason for you to get your panties in a wad!

They were the #5 qualifier in the AFC for the playoffs last year! I would also go so far as to say that ANY Superbowl winner is LUCKY to have won. Not that their ability isn't worthy alone, but it does take a fair amount of luck to be the Champion of a 30 team league!

Fair response.Steelers were actually the 6th seed and it's a 32 team league...

It will be interesting to see if the teams that look so strong right now will be playing at the same level come December and January. Chicago has put it all together, but can they KEEP it together or are they playing their best football right now.

Your Colts actually are clearly not playing their best yet continue to win. Perhaps they will be stronger in another dozen weeks.

 

[pizzatyme]

No, the Colts are REALLY lucky to be where they are! I meant #6 seed. Fat fingers. I am tired, 32 teams is obvious.

I was sickened at the game today. The Colts are digressing thus far. They have key injuries on Defense. They have a week defensive scheme and D Coordinator. I am not looking forward to another early exit from the playoffs.

 

[Assani Fisher]

The Redskins certainly aren't dead, especially after that huge late season rally last year. No way this team gives up under Gibbs. Plus both division losses have been at home, so its not too bad.

 

[thecardiackid]

The Redskins certainly aren't dead, especially after that huge late season rally last year. No way this team gives up under Gibbs. Plus both division losses have been at home on the road, so its not too bad.

fixed.At least CP won't be watching from the sidelines during the FF playoffs.

 

[pigskin pimp]

Steelers lose at home to Cincy and look like trash tonight.Skins can't score three out of five weeks and can't beat anyone in their division or conference for that matter.Dolphins are atrocious in every way. I can't believe anyone thought they could be a Super Bowl team. Will any of these teams recover? What can each team pull from their wins or losses? Will any of them make the playoffs? Inquiring minds want to know.

Gotta love the irony of a Lions homie throwing out jabs at other NFL franchises.

 

[Peyton Marino]

I think these teams (save for Miami) got some lucky play from their QB at times last year. We're seeing their true QB talents right now.

If the stillers could run more and keep that defense off the field they could manage to pull out 9-7 and make the wild card if the AFC has a down year.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

The Redskins have some major problems as you identified. As a practical matter, they likely need to finish 11-5 to get to the playoffs given their 0-3 intra-conference start. That means 9-2 the rest of the way. Even if 8-3 suffices, you're still talking about a pretty major tear over the final three months of the season. The overwhelming liklihood is that it's not going to happen.

They are such a Jekyll and Hyde team. I really don't know how they put up 36 against such a stout Jacksonville defense and then come back with three vs a struggling Giants unit. What is different from last year with this team? I didn't expect them to be in the playoffs this year but I certainly believed they had a shot. Just seems like they are on or not on for the entire game which is a strange phenomenon from a veteran team with very good coaching.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Steelers lose at home to Cincy and look like trash tonight.Skins can't score three out of five weeks and can't beat anyone in their division or conference for that matter.Dolphins are atrocious in every way. I can't believe anyone thought they could be a Super Bowl team. Will any of these teams recover? What can each team pull from their wins or losses? Will any of them make the playoffs? Inquiring minds want to know.

Gotta love the irony of a Lions homie throwing out jabs at other NFL franchises.

I'm not a Lions fan. I'm gonna have to make that my signature or something. But even if I were this is a legit question and I was looking for reasons from subject experts (fans) of these three teams current status. Thanks for your in-depth analysis.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

No, the Colts are REALLY lucky to be where they are! I meant #6 seed. Fat fingers. I am tired, 32 teams is obvious.I was sickened at the game today. The Colts are digressing thus far. They have key injuries on Defense. They have a week defensive scheme and D Coordinator. I am not looking forward to another early exit from the playoffs.

In the NFL any road win no matter what the score is big. Colts played like trash at hoime yesterday but when you look at the standings and see yourself at 5-0 you have to be pleased. The run defense will kill this team when they get into outdoor games with weather later in the year but as always if this team can get home playoff games, they are going to be tough to beat.

 

[snogger]

Steelers lose at home to Cincy and look like trash tonight.

Skins can't score three out of five weeks and can't beat anyone in their division or conference for that matter.

Dolphins are atrocious in every way. I can't believe anyone thought they could be a Super Bowl team.

Will any of these teams recover? What can each team pull from their wins or losses? Will any of them make the playoffs? Inquiring minds want to know.

Don't forget.. Arizona and The Lions were suppose to us this year according to all the "experts"..

1-9 record is not a ..

is it

 

[fred_1_15301]

I think these teams (save for Miami) got some lucky play from their QB at times last year. We're seeing their true QB talents right now.If the stillers could run more and keep that defense off the field they could manage to pull out 9-7 and make the wild card if the AFC has a down year.

9-7 isn't gonna cut it this year. I'm a Steeler fan but I don't think their chances are very good. I would disagree with you about seeing Ben's "true" talent right now because he has shown in the past that he has talent. One of his strengths was his passing efficiency and ability to make plays outside of the pocket. For whatever reason (maybe mental), he's not very efficient this year and not making very many plays when the pocket collapses.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Looking at the schedule, I can see the Steelers running off 8 of the next 9, which would put them at 9-4 heading into the last three games against Carolina, Baltimore and Cincy. And who knows how everyone will be playing by then.

Things certainly aren't looking good right now, but I wouldn't be counting them out just yet.

Take the rose-colored glasses of for a second...1-3 team gonna run off 8 of 9 against teams like Baltimore and Denver. Wow! What a lucky Super Bowl run will do to cloud the judgement of some....

I was going to explain my reasoning until I saw the bolded part. And then I realized I was dealing with a bitter Steeler hater and it's just not worth the effort.

Fella, I'm not bitter at all. The Steelers won. They got on a lucky roll. Is it so that skill and luck cannot happen at the same time?They were far from a great team last year. They got hot at the right time. There was a fair amount of luck involved. Just because someone menions the word luck, is no reason for you to get your panties in a wad!

They were the #5 qualifier in the AFC for the playoffs last year! I would also go so far as to say that ANY Superbowl winner is LUCKY to have won. Not that their ability isn't worthy alone, but it does take a fair amount of luck to be the Champion of a 30 team league!

Sorry but the way you said it in the original post, it came across as sounding a little bitter.....

 

[thayman]

The Redskins have some major problems as you identified. As a practical matter, they likely need to finish 11-5 to get to the playoffs given their 0-3 intra-conference start. That means 9-2 the rest of the way. Even if 8-3 suffices, you're still talking about a pretty major tear over the final three months of the season. The overwhelming liklihood is that it's not going to happen.

They are such a Jekyll and Hyde team. I really don't know how they put up 36 against such a stout Jacksonville defense and then come back with three vs a struggling Giants unit. What is different from last year with this team? I didn't expect them to be in the playoffs this year but I certainly believed they had a shot. Just seems like they are on or not on for the entire game which is a strange phenomenon from a veteran team with very good coaching.

Giants just came off a bye, two weeks to prepare, plus the embarassment the D suffered against Seattle. The Giants just outplayed the Skins this weekend pure and simple.Both Division losses have been on the road, so I'm not worried, I'm very concerend but not super worried just yet. There will be no wild card team coming out of the NFC East anyway, so the only way ANY team is making the playoffs from this division is going to be by winning it.

 

[thayman]

The Redskins solution lies on page 683 of their offensive playbook.

The only problem is that they're only on page 28 now.

What has Daniel Snyder, Tom Cruise and his three millionaire coaches and their overpaid Antwaan Randle El, Brandon Lloyd, Adam Archuletta and Andre Carter gotten the Redskins this season?

96 points for and 110 points against.

That's a high price for 'below average'

As a fan I couldn't care less what they pay any player. They manage the salary cap well, and avoid this salary cap "Hell" that they are supposed to be in every single year. In fact I enjoy the fact that the owner of my favorite football team is willing to squeeze every last cent out of the cap year in and year out. Has it translated to championships? No. But even when my favorite NFL team ends up at the lower end of the league, I at least know that the organization is trying.........could be worse, I could be a Raiders fan.....

 

[Doctor Detroit]

The Redskins have some major problems as you identified. As a practical matter, they likely need to finish 11-5 to get to the playoffs given their 0-3 intra-conference start. That means 9-2 the rest of the way. Even if 8-3 suffices, you're still talking about a pretty major tear over the final three months of the season. The overwhelming liklihood is that it's not going to happen.

They are such a Jekyll and Hyde team. I really don't know how they put up 36 against such a stout Jacksonville defense and then come back with three vs a struggling Giants unit. What is different from last year with this team? I didn't expect them to be in the playoffs this year but I certainly believed they had a shot. Just seems like they are on or not on for the entire game which is a strange phenomenon from a veteran team with very good coaching.

Giants just came off a bye, two weeks to prepare, plus the embarassment the D suffered against Seattle. The Giants just outplayed the Skins this weekend pure and simple.Both Division losses have been on the road, so I'm not worried, I'm very concerend but not super worried just yet. There will be no wild card team coming out of the NFC East anyway, so the only way ANY team is making the playoffs from this division is going to be by winning it.

I don't disagree with this about the Giants but the Redskins have still been hit or miss. The Giants are also historically bad coming off bye weeks and I don't think it would have took much for them to stick their heads in the sand. And I agree on your NFC East and the wildcard observation. It's going to be very tough for any of these teams to get that birth although Dallas and the Giants IMO, will fight to the death for the division and a playoff birth.

 

[redman]

The Redskins have some major problems as you identified. As a practical matter, they likely need to finish 11-5 to get to the playoffs given their 0-3 intra-conference start. That means 9-2 the rest of the way. Even if 8-3 suffices, you're still talking about a pretty major tear over the final three months of the season. The overwhelming liklihood is that it's not going to happen.

They are such a Jekyll and Hyde team. I really don't know how they put up 36 against such a stout Jacksonville defense and then come back with three vs a struggling Giants unit. What is different from last year with this team? I didn't expect them to be in the playoffs this year but I certainly believed they had a shot. Just seems like they are on or not on for the entire game which is a strange phenomenon from a veteran team with very good coaching.

Giants just came off a bye, two weeks to prepare, plus the embarassment the D suffered against Seattle. The Giants just outplayed the Skins this weekend pure and simple.Both Division losses have been on the road, so I'm not worried, I'm very concerend but not super worried just yet. There will be no wild card team coming out of the NFC East anyway, so the only way ANY team is making the playoffs from this division is going to be by winning it.

I don't disagree with this about the Giants but the Redskins have still been hit or miss. The Giants are also historically bad coming off bye weeks and I don't think it would have took much for them to stick their heads in the sand. And I agree on your NFC East and the wildcard observation. It's going to be very tough for any of these teams to get that birth although Dallas and the Giants IMO, will fight to the death for the division and a playoff birth.

The Redskins for whatever reason have been historically bad at the Meadowlands, even under Gibbs whose record there slipped to 3-10 yesterday. I have no explanation for it because I know that they're not intimidated by the Giants and the Giants have not consistently fielded more overall talent than the 'Skins have. That was an important game for the 'Skins to win too. Two years in a row now they've really not shown up to a game there and gotten whipped, by a combined score of 55-3. I agree, if there's one team that won't collapse and start to mutiny or give up on the season with these problems it's this team under Gibbs. I won't count them out, but my original post was meant to quantify what they need to do from here on out. That's a very tough set of requirements to reach the post-season.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

The Skins have 2 problems...

1. Defense.

2. Offense.

TIA

Seriously, they are likely an 8-8 team from what I've seen. They will beat low calibre teams, but talented ones give them no chance. The Jax game was an outlier.

1. The D has gotten worse as I predicted preseason. They simply don't have any pass rush without the blitz, and the CBs can't handle playing 1 on 1. Teams have wised up to Gregg Williams' schemes and QBs seem to have all day to pass. It isn't just Springs being out. The whole thing is breaking down.

2. The offense suprises me. I thought Saunders and Lloyd were going to be a HUGE additions. I still think Brunell is the problem, or at least Gibbs' philosophy on how Brunell should play. a. He sets up so ####### slow that the OL has no chance. b. He simply can not stretch the field or go over the middle. If you think about Saunders offense in KC and STL, there were a lot of crossing routes. Brunell has probably thrown 5 passes between the hash marks all year long. c. That could be because he can't, or because Gibbs is playing conservatively. Personally, I want a QB that tries to win the game rather than tries not to lose it.

Unfortunately they will win the Titans game next week, and Brunell will last until midseason. Then we see what Campbell can do.

If he looks good, its practice for next year. If not, they need to head back to FA to find a QB. Problem is, no non-octagenarian QB out there that knows Saunder's system. I wish they had signed Suckington last offseason. He would have been a nice, cheap #3 QB that might have been able to learn the system for a year and start if Campbell doesn't cut it.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

IMO, Ben is pressing. He's trying not to let the motorcycle accident have a psychological impact, but he's overcompensating.

Two plays stick out last night...

His second interception. He never should have thrown that ball. Should have taken the sack. This was the worst of his decisions.

The first interception - off of the flea flicker. This was a bad decision to throw the ball...but it was an even worse play call. I think the Steelers get a little caught up in trick plays sometimes. The reason they worked last year was because they had other parts of their game clicking. Until they get the other parts of their game clicking, they should put these trick plays on the shelf.

Take care of the house before you work on the shrubs.

 

[Godsbrother]

I think these teams (save for Miami) got some lucky play from their QB at times last year. We're seeing their true QB talents right now.If the stillers could run more and keep that defense off the field they could manage to pull out 9-7 and make the wild card if the AFC has a down year.

9-7 isn't gonna cut it this year. I'm a Steeler fan but I don't think their chances are very good. I would disagree with you about seeing Ben's "true" talent right now because he has shown in the past that he has talent. One of his strengths was his passing efficiency and ability to make plays outside of the pocket. For whatever reason (maybe mental), he's not very efficient this year and not making very many plays when the pocket collapses.

Steelers are going to need to go 10-6 at least and even then they won't make it unless Jax and SD either stumble or win their division. They have a long road ahead and need to put a few wins together...

 

[redman]

1. The D has gotten worse as I predicted preseason. They simply don't have any pass rush without the blitz, and the CBs can't handle playing 1 on 1. Teams have wised up to Gregg Williams' schemes and QBs seem to have all day to pass. It isn't just Springs being out. The whole thing is breaking down.

I have to disagree with you at least in part. I think the fundamental problem is Springs' absence, in combination with the rest of the CB's mediocrity in coverage. This is the worst defense the 'Skins have fielded in their three years under Williams. It's also the defense that has blitzed the least, and that's not a coincidence. Without Springs they can't blitz, and without the blitz they won't consistently get pressure from their front four. The result? Guys like Archuleta, who was signed IMHO to do a lot of blitzing and playing insde the box now has to be used more in coverage, which is the weakest part of his game. Marcus Washington, another LB they love to bring on blitzes, has been invisible for two straight games now. What is surprising and disappointing for me has been the poor play of Carlos Rogers. He looks worse this year than he did at the end of the season last year (before he was injured) when I thought he was actually outplaying Springs in coverage. He's no better in coverage right now than are Wright and Rumph, and I detect no attempt by opposing offenses to throw away from him, and why should they?

Personally, I think Williams has to call his game more often the way his defense is designed to be called and let the chips fall where they may. If Mike Rumph or Kenny Wright or Rogers get beat, then so be it. But this offense is geared to run downhill at the offensive backfield, and isn't quite sure what to do if it can't do that.

1. The D has gotten worse as I predicted preseason. They simply don't have any pass rush without the blitz, and the CBs can't handle playing 1 on 1. Teams have wised up to Gregg Williams' schemes and QBs seem to have all day to pass. It isn't just Springs being out. The whole thing is breaking down.

2. The offense suprises me. I thought Saunders and Lloyd were going to be a HUGE additions. I still think Brunell is the problem, or at least Gibbs' philosophy on how Brunell should play. a. He sets up so ####### slow that the OL has no chance. b. He simply can not stretch the field or go over the middle. If you think about Saunders offense in KC and STL, there were a lot of crossing routes. Brunell has probably thrown 5 passes between the hash marks all year long. c. That could be because he can't, or because Gibbs is playing conservatively. Personally, I want a QB that tries to win the game rather than tries not to lose it.

Unfortunately they will win the Titans game next week, and Brunell will last until midseason. Then we see what Campbell can do.

If he looks good, its practice for next year. If not, they need to head back to FA to find a QB. Problem is, no non-octagenarian QB out there that knows Saunder's system. I wish they had signed Suckington last offseason. He would have been a nice, cheap #3 QB that might have been able to learn the system for a year and start if Campbell doesn't cut it.

Joey Harrington? You may as well pine away for Patrick Ramsey. I fault a lot of yesterday's outcome with the play-calling. I know Saunders loves to run to the edges, but yesterday the Giants were doing a phenomenal job stopping those runs. OTOH, the Redskins were running very well between the tackles; I think a mid-game stat showed something like 11 rushes for 67 yards or something very similar. Why not keep doing that? It was the one part of the offense that was working, but if you had to choose one part of the offense to work on that team, that's the one as it makes everything else easier to do. That game was still in reach well into the third quarter, but I saw no attempt to make adjustments or to emphasize what had been working. Very frustrating.

 

[thayman]

The Skins have 2 problems...1. Defense.2. Offense.TIASeriously, they are likely an 8-8 team from what I've seen. They will beat low calibre teams, but talented ones give them no chance. The Jax game was an outlier.1. The D has gotten worse as I predicted preseason. They simply don't have any pass rush without the blitz, and the CBs can't handle playing 1 on 1. Teams have wised up to Gregg Williams' schemes and QBs seem to have all day to pass. It isn't just Springs being out. The whole thing is breaking down.2. The offense suprises me. I thought Saunders and Lloyd were going to be a HUGE additions. I still think Brunell is the problem, or at least Gibbs' philosophy on how Brunell should play. a. He sets up so ####### slow that the OL has no chance. b. He simply can not stretch the field or go over the middle. If you think about Saunders offense in KC and STL, there were a lot of crossing routes. Brunell has probably thrown 5 passes between the hash marks all year long. c. That could be because he can't, or because Gibbs is playing conservatively. Personally, I want a QB that tries to win the game rather than tries not to lose it. Unfortunately they will win the Titans game next week, and Brunell will last until midseason. Then we see what Campbell can do.If he looks good, its practice for next year. If not, they need to head back to FA to find a QB. Problem is, no non-octagenarian QB out there that knows Saunder's system. I wish they had signed Suckington last offseason. He would have been a nice, cheap #3 QB that might have been able to learn the system for a year and start if Campbell doesn't cut it.

Your first point can be summed up simply because Springs is not there. If Springs is there I think the Defense is leaps and bounds better. Rogers is a decent #2 CB, mediocre #1. Wright/Rumph are just not that good as #2's, there are better than average #3/4 guys though.I agree with most of your second point. I will wait before I make any judgement on Lloyd or Saunders, if all Lloyd does is keep pressure and double teams off Moss then he's worth it IMO. If you want a QB that is going to try and win rather than not lose, then it's going to be after Gibbs is gone. He just doesn't play that way, it's always been a run first, no mistake, don't lose the game style offense......frustrates the hell out of me too.

 

[Steelers4Life]

I think these teams (save for Miami) got some lucky play from their QB at times last year. We're seeing their true QB talents right now.If the stillers could run more and keep that defense off the field they could manage to pull out 9-7 and make the wild card if the AFC has a down year.

9-7 isn't gonna cut it this year. I'm a Steeler fan but I don't think their chances are very good. I would disagree with you about seeing Ben's "true" talent right now because he has shown in the past that he has talent. One of his strengths was his passing efficiency and ability to make plays outside of the pocket. For whatever reason (maybe mental), he's not very efficient this year and not making very many plays when the pocket collapses.

Steelers are going to need to go 10-6 at least and even then they won't make it unless Jax and SD either stumble or win their division. They have a long road ahead and need to put a few wins together...

Agreed. People will line up to take shots that this is the "real" Ben Roethlisberger, but it's obviously not. It's rough because they'll have to 9-3 from here on out to have a chance, and it'll likely take a 10-2 finish. They have the team to do just that, but not when Ben's playing the way he is right now. I still think they miss that powerful inside runner to compliment Parker, and I honestly hope that Davenport gets a chance to establish himself as a 10-carry per game back.

 

[sinatravolta]

I think the NFC East will have a wildcard team. The Rams are 4-1, but their schedule is about to get a lot tougher. I don't think they'll make the playoffs.

New Orleans' schedule also gets a lot tougher. They might be for real, but I'm not totally convinced at this point. I don't see them making it.

Since the South plays each other, and the NFC East, they are in as tough a spot as the NFC East in terms of schedule. Throw in that the AFC division they play is the AFC North - and their schedule is even worse.

This leaves Minnesota who does have a pretty friendly schedule, and therefore has a good shot to make it.

But really - that's far from a lock, and still that leaves one spot to come from the East or South - some team will get on a roll and make it.

The Redskins have the odds against them at this point. But really they're not in that bad shape. Sure, they're 0-3 in the conference, but they lost their 2 divisional games on the road and they lost one close game (Minn) and won the other (Jax). They're half a game behind the Giants and Cowboys.

I think there's a lot of overreaction regarding the NFL these days. The Giants weren't as bad as people said after the Seattle game, and the Redskins aren't as bad as they looked on Sunday.

I think 10-6 will make the playoffs in the NFC. And while the Redskins are not probably to make the playoffs at this point, they are pretty far from 'done'. Well maybe not that far - if they lose to Tennessee this week, I'll acknowledge that they are done.

 

[thayman]

I think the NFC East will have a wildcard team. The Rams are 4-1, but their schedule is about to get a lot tougher. I don't think they'll make the playoffs.

New Orleans' schedule also gets a lot tougher. They might be for real, but I'm not totally convinced at this point. I don't see them making it.

Since the South plays each other, and the NFC East, they are in as tough a spot as the NFC East in terms of schedule. Throw in that the AFC division they play is the AFC North - and their schedule is even worse.

This leaves Minnesota who does have a pretty friendly schedule, and therefore has a good shot to make it.

But really - that's far from a lock, and still that leaves one spot to come from the East or South - some team will get on a roll and make it.

The Redskins have the odds against them at this point. But really they're not in that bad shape. Sure, they're 0-3 in the conference, but they lost their 2 divisional games on the road and they lost one close game (Minn) and won the other (Jax). They're half a game behind the Giants and Cowboys.

I think there's a lot of overreaction regarding the NFL these days. The Giants weren't as bad as people said after the Seattle game, and the Redskins aren't as bad as they looked on Sunday.

I think 10-6 will make the playoffs in the NFC. And while the Redskins are not probably to make the playoffs at this point, they are pretty far from 'done'. Well maybe not that far - if they lose to Tennessee this week, I'll acknowledge that they are done.

I just don't see how a Wild Card berth can come out of the East. The way I see it you have Chicago/MinnesotaNew Orleans/Atlanta/Carolina

St. Louis/Seattle

Now three of those teams will win their respective divisions, I would guess the wild card contenders to be Minny, NO, CAR, and Seattle/St. Louis is pretty tight to call. The NFC East teams are all pretty much on par with each other, and are going to pound it out with each other. I can't see any one NFC East team dominating the others (except for Philly) so that would leave NYG, WASH, and DAL beating up on each other and at best splitting records

 

[fatness]

Article on the Redskins from Thomas Boswell

the Redskins did what they do best in games that they don't absolutely, positively need to win to keep their season breathing. That's to say, they barely showed a pulse, were outgained by a massive 411-164 yards, lost 19-3, and then vowed that, next week, with their backs "against the wall," they'd show what they were really made of.

Last season, the Redskins finished their regular season 5-0 to atone for earlier misdemeanors. This season, they've already repeated that pattern, rebounding from an awful preseason and two dispirited opening losses with a pair of impressive victories. Yet once again here against the Giants, they didn't meet their own expectations in a tough road game where a maximum effort would have been needed for an upset.

"How do you explain the energy we played with last week [in beating Jacksonville 36-30 in overtime], and the energy we played with today?" asked Clinton Portis, who gained 76 yards on 19 carries. "If we'd played with the same emotion, we'd be smiling and jumping around in here right now. Being consistent in your effort every week is not about talent. It's like the coaches say -- it's about having the right mentality. Now, we're two and three and we have to stay desperate for the rest of the season."

Perhaps you also have to ask whether the Gibbs teams of 1981 to 1992 didn't have a bit more edge and spark. None of his players ever seemed comfortable. As last season's late run showed, Gibbs is still inspirational, especially in the faith he shows in his players and his ability to minimize back-biting and infighting during a long, sometimes-dispiriting season.

But his week-to-week motivational skills -- that capacity to instill a consistently violent mentality in almost every player -- is not yet present to the same degree that it was in his first term. Back then, by his third season when he'd had time to pick his kind of "character" players and polish his offensive system, the Redskins were dismantling opponents. Gibbs can't be expected to recreate his past. But the dissimilarities can't be totally ignored.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

The Skins have 2 problems...1. Defense.2. Offense.TIASeriously, they are likely an 8-8 team from what I've seen. They will beat low calibre teams, but talented ones give them no chance. The Jax game was an outlier.1. The D has gotten worse as I predicted preseason. They simply don't have any pass rush without the blitz, and the CBs can't handle playing 1 on 1. Teams have wised up to Gregg Williams' schemes and QBs seem to have all day to pass. It isn't just Springs being out. The whole thing is breaking down.2. The offense suprises me. I thought Saunders and Lloyd were going to be a HUGE additions. I still think Brunell is the problem, or at least Gibbs' philosophy on how Brunell should play. a. He sets up so ####### slow that the OL has no chance. b. He simply can not stretch the field or go over the middle. If you think about Saunders offense in KC and STL, there were a lot of crossing routes. Brunell has probably thrown 5 passes between the hash marks all year long. c. That could be because he can't, or because Gibbs is playing conservatively. Personally, I want a QB that tries to win the game rather than tries not to lose it. Unfortunately they will win the Titans game next week, and Brunell will last until midseason. Then we see what Campbell can do.If he looks good, its practice for next year. If not, they need to head back to FA to find a QB. Problem is, no non-octagenarian QB out there that knows Saunder's system. I wish they had signed Suckington last offseason. He would have been a nice, cheap #3 QB that might have been able to learn the system for a year and start if Campbell doesn't cut it.

Your first point can be summed up simply because Springs is not there. If Springs is there I think the Defense is leaps and bounds better. Rogers is a decent #2 CB, mediocre #1. Wright/Rumph are just not that good as #2's, there are better than average #3/4 guys though.I agree with most of your second point. I will wait before I make any judgement on Lloyd or Saunders, if all Lloyd does is keep pressure and double teams off Moss then he's worth it IMO. If you want a QB that is going to try and win rather than not lose, then it's going to be after Gibbs is gone. He just doesn't play that way, it's always been a run first, no mistake, don't lose the game style offense......frustrates the hell out of me too.

Per several different posts...all pretty good points.1. I disagree that Gibbs plays a mistake free system inherently. Rypien, Frerotte, and Schroeder all took shots downfield. When Gibbs was in San Diego, the WR/TEs were among the best in the league.2. I like Gregg Williams. The fact that his defense isn't getting it done is no slight on him.3. 95% of the Skin's problems, and the answers to #1 and #2, really come down to personnel. D is lacking the depth at CB, and needs some DL force to press the pocket. O is lacking a downfield presence (due to Brunell, the scheme, whatever). I mean we are 2-3 with I believe only 1 TO for the whole year. Penalties haven't been too bad. And Saunders has been successful everywhere he's been. So the only thing left is that the personnel can not execute the system.So is the lack of the proper personnel Gibbs' fault or Cerato's fault? Or both? I still and always will believe Cerrato is the worst part of this franchise. And I still believe Brunell doesn't have the ability to get it done in Saunders' across the middle system.

 

[redman]

Article on the Redskins from Thomas Boswell

the Redskins did what they do best in games that they don't absolutely, positively need to win to keep their season breathing. That's to say, they barely showed a pulse, were outgained by a massive 411-164 yards, lost 19-3, and then vowed that, next week, with their backs "against the wall," they'd show what they were really made of.

Last season, the Redskins finished their regular season 5-0 to atone for earlier misdemeanors. This season, they've already repeated that pattern, rebounding from an awful preseason and two dispirited opening losses with a pair of impressive victories. Yet once again here against the Giants, they didn't meet their own expectations in a tough road game where a maximum effort would have been needed for an upset.

"How do you explain the energy we played with last week [in beating Jacksonville 36-30 in overtime], and the energy we played with today?" asked Clinton Portis, who gained 76 yards on 19 carries. "If we'd played with the same emotion, we'd be smiling and jumping around in here right now. Being consistent in your effort every week is not about talent. It's like the coaches say -- it's about having the right mentality. Now, we're two and three and we have to stay desperate for the rest of the season."

Perhaps you also have to ask whether the Gibbs teams of 1981 to 1992 didn't have a bit more edge and spark. None of his players ever seemed comfortable. As last season's late run showed, Gibbs is still inspirational, especially in the faith he shows in his players and his ability to minimize back-biting and infighting during a long, sometimes-dispiriting season.

But his week-to-week motivational skills -- that capacity to instill a consistently violent mentality in almost every player -- is not yet present to the same degree that it was in his first term. Back then, by his third season when he'd had time to pick his kind of "character" players and polish his offensive system, the Redskins were dismantling opponents. Gibbs can't be expected to recreate his past. But the dissimilarities can't be totally ignored.

I consistenly find Boswell to be the most circumspect and objective writer about the team. I only rarely take issue even with a detail contained in one of his columns, much less the overall thrust of it. He's right.

 

[fatness]

The Redskins played flat yesterday. There was no point at the game at which they made a direction-changing hit, or play. The game just inexorably slid in the opponents' direction. That's been the pattern in their 3 losses. I don't get it --- without feeling like they're in a hole they seem to play with little urgency. Hell, that's what puts them in holes.

 

[Assani Fisher]

The Skins have 2 problems...

1. Defense.

2. Offense.

TIA

Seriously, they are likely an 8-8 team from what I've seen. They will beat low calibre teams, but talented ones give them no chance. The Jax game was an outlier.

1. The D has gotten worse as I predicted preseason. They simply don't have any pass rush without the blitz, and the CBs can't handle playing 1 on 1. Teams have wised up to Gregg Williams' schemes and QBs seem to have all day to pass. It isn't just Springs being out. The whole thing is breaking down.

2. The offense suprises me. I thought Saunders and Lloyd were going to be a HUGE additions. I still think Brunell is the problem, or at least Gibbs' philosophy on how Brunell should play. a. He sets up so ####### slow that the OL has no chance. b. He simply can not stretch the field or go over the middle. If you think about Saunders offense in KC and STL, there were a lot of crossing routes. Brunell has probably thrown 5 passes between the hash marks all year long. c. That could be because he can't, or because Gibbs is playing conservatively. Personally, I want a QB that tries to win the game rather than tries not to lose it.

Unfortunately they will win the Titans game next week, and Brunell will last until midseason. Then we see what Campbell can do.

If he looks good, its practice for next year. If not, they need to head back to FA to find a QB. Problem is, no non-octagenarian QB out there that knows Saunder's system. I wish they had signed Suckington last offseason. He would have been a nice, cheap #3 QB that might have been able to learn the system for a year and start if Campbell doesn't cut it.

This couldn't be further from the truth. Just look at last year when they beat teams like the Giants, the Seahawks, the Bears, and the Bucs and even gave Denver all they could handle in Denver....yet they then lose to Oakland and barely squeak by Arizona.

 

[sinatravolta]

I think the NFC East will have a wildcard team. The Rams are 4-1, but their schedule is about to get a lot tougher. I don't think they'll make the playoffs.

New Orleans' schedule also gets a lot tougher. They might be for real, but I'm not totally convinced at this point. I don't see them making it.

Since the South plays each other, and the NFC East, they are in as tough a spot as the NFC East in terms of schedule. Throw in that the AFC division they play is the AFC North - and their schedule is even worse.

This leaves Minnesota who does have a pretty friendly schedule, and therefore has a good shot to make it.

But really - that's far from a lock, and still that leaves one spot to come from the East or South - some team will get on a roll and make it.

The Redskins have the odds against them at this point. But really they're not in that bad shape. Sure, they're 0-3 in the conference, but they lost their 2 divisional games on the road and they lost one close game (Minn) and won the other (Jax). They're half a game behind the Giants and Cowboys.

I think there's a lot of overreaction regarding the NFL these days. The Giants weren't as bad as people said after the Seattle game, and the Redskins aren't as bad as they looked on Sunday.

I think 10-6 will make the playoffs in the NFC. And while the Redskins are not probably to make the playoffs at this point, they are pretty far from 'done'. Well maybe not that far - if they lose to Tennessee this week, I'll acknowledge that they are done.

I just don't see how a Wild Card berth can come out of the East. The way I see it you have Chicago/MinnesotaNew Orleans/Atlanta/Carolina

St. Louis/Seattle

Now three of those teams will win their respective divisions, I would guess the wild card contenders to be Minny, NO, CAR, and Seattle/St. Louis is pretty tight to call. The NFC East teams are all pretty much on par with each other, and are going to pound it out with each other. I can't see any one NFC East team dominating the others (except for Philly) so that would leave NYG, WASH, and DAL beating up on each other and at best splitting records

But why are you NOT assuming that NO/Atlanta/Carolina are going to be slugging it out with each other? I am giving Seattle and Chicago their divisions. Then obviously someone has to win the South, just as someone has to win the East.

Let's look at St. Louis. They squeaked out victories against Arizona, Detroit and Green Bay. They had an impressive win over Denver. They lost to San Francisco. They now have to play Seattle twice, @SD, @Carolina, Chicago, Washington, @Minnesota and they have KC. 4 of those tough games plus KC are in the next 5 weeks. They are somewhat likely to go 1-4 and be right back at .500.

Now - look at NO. Also 4-1. They won a very impressive, emotional home opener over Atlanta. Otherwise they won close games over Cleveland, Green Bay and Tampa Bay, and lost to Carolina. They still have to play the entire NFC East, plus Baltimore, @ Pittsburgh, Cinci, Carolina and @ Atlanta. That's 9 tough games out of 11.

The schedule is similarly bleak for Carolina (e.g. next 3 games: @ Balt, @ Cinci, Dallas) and Atlanta (e.g. next 3 games: Giants, Pittsburgh, @ Cinci). There's no more reason to think that the NFC East is going to beat each other up than that the NFC South will get beaten up by each other and by the rest of their difficult schedule - they play probably the 2 best divisions in the NFL - the AFC North and the NFC East, and they themselves are probably the 3rd toughest division.

And there's no reason to believe that 11-5 is going to be necessary in the NFC to make the postseason.

 

[DCThunder]

Redman, your analysis of the Redskins is usually spot on and you are one of the most realistic Redskins "homers" posting here (including myself, sometimes ), but your wrong on the Skins defense, not just yesterday, but all season long.

Shawn Springs not playing is a contributing factor, but when is Andre Carter's photo going to start appearing on milk bottles as a missing person? Reynaldo Winn wasn't going to make anyone forget Dexter Manley or Charles Mann, but he played 100% better last year at DE than the overpaid, overhyped Carter has so far. Carter has ONE sack and that was more Griffiths than his. The right end is a renactment of the old Interstate 89 that used to run right over Bruce Smith and down the field when Smith was here. Carter is too small to be a full time DE now (even if he does have the best physique on the team) and he's getting taken one-on-one by the LTs of the other team and then taken wide and out of every play. Or he's getting doubled by the LT and the TE on running plays. Either way, he's a non-factor out there on both runs or passes. Surely they have somebody who can hold down that end better on 1st & second downs and let him be a "3rd down specialist".

And if you had a choice of Archeleta or Ryan Clarke, who'd you take? Thought so.

Brunell is what he is, and isn't going to change. But for all the money that Gregg Williams is getting paid,and all the money invested in the defense, you'd think there'd be some better results than all those 3rd down conversions by not just the Giants, but all the other teams they've played this year. Even the Texans kept drives going until they'd do something so stupid that even the Skins couldn't let them keep the ball.

 

[Marc Levin]

Inquiring minds want to know.

Based on your sub-script, sounds more like you are gloating than inquiring:

Have a nice season guy

Steelers are defending champs - I predict they turn it around pretty soon and end up in the playoffs with one playoff win.

 

[Marc Levin]

I think the NFC East will have a wildcard team. The Rams are 4-1, but their schedule is about to get a lot tougher. I don't think they'll make the playoffs.

New Orleans' schedule also gets a lot tougher. They might be for real, but I'm not totally convinced at this point. I don't see them making it.

Since the South plays each other, and the NFC East, they are in as tough a spot as the NFC East in terms of schedule. Throw in that the AFC division they play is the AFC North - and their schedule is even worse.

This leaves Minnesota who does have a pretty friendly schedule, and therefore has a good shot to make it.

But really - that's far from a lock, and still that leaves one spot to come from the East or South - some team will get on a roll and make it.

The Redskins have the odds against them at this point. But really they're not in that bad shape. Sure, they're 0-3 in the conference, but they lost their 2 divisional games on the road and they lost one close game (Minn) and won the other (Jax). They're half a game behind the Giants and Cowboys.

I think there's a lot of overreaction regarding the NFL these days. The Giants weren't as bad as people said after the Seattle game, and the Redskins aren't as bad as they looked on Sunday.

I think 10-6 will make the playoffs in the NFC. And while the Redskins are not probably to make the playoffs at this point, they are pretty far from 'done'. Well maybe not that far - if they lose to Tennessee this week, I'll acknowledge that they are done.

I just don't see how a Wild Card berth can come out of the East. The way I see it you have Chicago/MinnesotaNew Orleans/Atlanta/Carolina

St. Louis/Seattle

Now three of those teams will win their respective divisions, I would guess the wild card contenders to be Minny, NO, CAR, and Seattle/St. Louis is pretty tight to call. The NFC East teams are all pretty much on par with each other, and are going to pound it out with each other. I can't see any one NFC East team dominating the others (except for Philly) so that would leave NYG, WASH, and DAL beating up on each other and at best splitting records

But why are you NOT assuming that NO/Atlanta/Carolina are going to be slugging it out with each other? I am giving Seattle and Chicago their divisions. Then obviously someone has to win the South, just as someone has to win the East.

Let's look at St. Louis. They squeaked out victories against Arizona, Detroit and Green Bay. They had an impressive win over Denver. They lost to San Francisco. They now have to play Seattle twice, @SD, @Carolina, Chicago, Washington, @Minnesota and they have KC. 4 of those tough games plus KC are in the next 5 weeks. They are somewhat likely to go 1-4 and be right back at .500.

Now - look at NO. Also 4-1. They won a very impressive, emotional home opener over Atlanta. Otherwise they won close games over Cleveland, Green Bay and Tampa Bay, and lost to Carolina. They still have to play the entire NFC East, plus Baltimore, @ Pittsburgh, Cinci, Carolina and @ Atlanta. That's 9 tough games out of 11.

The schedule is similarly bleak for Carolina (e.g. next 3 games: @ Balt, @ Cinci, Dallas) and Atlanta (e.g. next 3 games: Giants, Pittsburgh, @ Cinci). There's no more reason to think that the NFC East is going to beat each other up than that the NFC South will get beaten up by each other and by the rest of their difficult schedule - they play probably the 2 best divisions in the NFL - the AFC North and the NFC East, and they themselves are probably the 3rd toughest division.

And there's no reason to believe that 11-5 is going to be necessary in the NFC to make the postseason.

The NFC East is HIGHLY LIKELY to produce a WC team - I'd say an NFC East WC team is more likely than seeing either the NFC West or North loser get one.

If I had to guess, I would guess the NFC East and NFC South runner ups will be the WC teams. Why? Because even if you have an easier division, that just helps you win your division - your out of division games determine if you make the playoffs. Better teams play better out of division - Minn got spanked by Buffalo, and, IMO, they'll get spanked EVERY time they have to play outside. Same with St Lou on the road - simply not strong teams.

The NFC E and NFC S teams are designed to win against any competition - not just against crappy in-division games. The NFC N is a bit of a joke if you ask me and Minnesota will only make it interesting inside their division.

 

[redman]

Redman, your analysis of the Redskins is usually spot on and you are one of the most realistic Redskins "homers" posting here (including myself, sometimes ), but your wrong on the Skins defense, not just yesterday, but all season long. Shawn Springs not playing is a contributing factor, but when is Andre Carter's photo going to start appearing on milk bottles as a missing person? Reynaldo Winn wasn't going to make anyone forget Dexter Manley or Charles Mann, but he played 100% better last year at DE than the overpaid, overhyped Carter has so far. Carter has ONE sack and that was more Griffiths than his. The right end is a renactment of the old Interstate 89 that used to run right over Bruce Smith and down the field when Smith was here. Carter is too small to be a full time DE now (even if he does have the best physique on the team) and he's getting taken one-on-one by the LTs of the other team and then taken wide and out of every play. Or he's getting doubled by the LT and the TE on running plays. Either way, he's a non-factor out there on both runs or passes. Surely they have somebody who can hold down that end better on 1st & second downs and let him be a "3rd down specialist".And if you had a choice of Archeleta or Ryan Clarke, who'd you take? Thought so.Brunell is what he is, and isn't going to change. But for all the money that Gregg Williams is getting paid,and all the money invested in the defense, you'd think there'd be some better results than all those 3rd down conversions by not just the Giants, but all the other teams they've played this year. Even the Texans kept drives going until they'd do something so stupid that even the Skins couldn't let them keep the ball.

I agree with you, and I think an implied part of my analysis says what you're saying, i.e. the line is unable to generate pressure when only four rush the passer. Carter is definitely not living up to the hype or expectations. The reason I don't point to that as the critical difference this year is that that's been the case the last two years; the defensive line was never really able to consistently generate pressure on its own, and yet those were effective defenses that weren't getting exploited for big plays. What has changed from 2004-05 to this season has been the defensive secondary. As for Archuleta, while he's part of the problem in the sense that he certainly isn't much good in pass coverage, that's really not why he was signed. I agree, given the need for more coverage schemes as opposed to blitz schemes Ryan Clark would be a better fit there, but that's all hindsight. Archuleta was signed to do a job he has not yet been freed to do: make plays in the offensive backfield and at the line of scrimmage. For me, the jury's out on him, although I again believe they overpaid to acquire him given that he's not an all-around good safety.

 

[DCThunder]

Redman, your analysis of the Redskins is usually spot on and you are one of the most realistic Redskins "homers" posting here (including myself, sometimes ), but your wrong on the Skins defense, not just yesterday, but all season long. Shawn Springs not playing is a contributing factor, but when is Andre Carter's photo going to start appearing on milk bottles as a missing person? Reynaldo Winn wasn't going to make anyone forget Dexter Manley or Charles Mann, but he played 100% better last year at DE than the overpaid, overhyped Carter has so far. Carter has ONE sack and that was more Griffiths than his. The right end is a renactment of the old Interstate 89 that used to run right over Bruce Smith and down the field when Smith was here. Carter is too small to be a full time DE now (even if he does have the best physique on the team) and he's getting taken one-on-one by the LTs of the other team and then taken wide and out of every play. Or he's getting doubled by the LT and the TE on running plays. Either way, he's a non-factor out there on both runs or passes. Surely they have somebody who can hold down that end better on 1st & second downs and let him be a "3rd down specialist".And if you had a choice of Archeleta or Ryan Clarke, who'd you take? Thought so.Brunell is what he is, and isn't going to change. But for all the money that Gregg Williams is getting paid,and all the money invested in the defense, you'd think there'd be some better results than all those 3rd down conversions by not just the Giants, but all the other teams they've played this year. Even the Texans kept drives going until they'd do something so stupid that even the Skins couldn't let them keep the ball.

I agree with you, and I think an implied part of my analysis says what you're saying, i.e. the line is unable to generate pressure when only four rush the passer. Carter is definitely not living up to the hype or expectations. The reason I don't point to that as the critical difference this year is that that's been the case the last two years; the defensive line was never really able to consistently generate pressure on its own, and yet those were effective defenses that weren't getting exploited for big plays. What has changed from 2004-05 to this season has been the defensive secondary. As for Archuleta, while he's part of the problem in the sense that he certainly isn't much good in pass coverage, that's really not why he was signed. I agree, given the need for more coverage schemes as opposed to blitz schemes Ryan Clark would be a better fit there, but that's all hindsight. Archuleta was signed to do a job he has not yet been freed to do: make plays in the offensive backfield and at the line of scrimmage. For me, the jury's out on him, although I again believe they overpaid to acquire him given that he's not an all-around good safety.

While Carter isn't the sole problem with the defense, it isn't just that he isn't getting any pass rush, he's a liability on run defense too. And Carter was brought in to rush the passer, addressing last seasons biggest weakness. Now he can't do either thing. Winn couldn't generate any pass rush, but he could at least shut down the run at his edge. Springs was also great at run defense, but, Kenny Wright playing 20 yards off the line isn't going to support the run or stop the short passes.BTW, what is it with the Redskins and white saftey's? First Bowen, now Archeleta and both of them expensive semi-busts.