Actually, it's not that big of a deal so not sure why I put the exclamation point. It was a good win but it's just preseason. Here are my general thoughts on the game:
1. Was okay with JC. I really liked that we took two shots downfield. Even though we didn't hit those, we have to take shots to get the defense to respect that part of our offense. We keep doing that, we will hit some of those. We need to have some big plays this season. Also, I know JC was only 1 for 7. Not a big deal. JC and Zorn both said it wasn't a big deal. The thing that was important was that JC looks more in control out there. If you look at his incompletions, he missed on the two long balls and he got rid of the ball on two screens that weren't developing. The only bad ball was I think his last throw to Fred Davis where there looked to be a miscommunication. Davis did a button hook and JC looked like he thought Davis was going to slant in so the pass wasn't accurate. Not sure who was at fault but that was the only one that looked a little sketchy.
2. Pretty happy with the first team offense. Their first drive was a 15 play, 7 plus minute drive that led to a field goal. It was against one of the top defenses last year and a defense that dominated us when we played them last year. The encouraging thing was that we scored. The VERY disappointing thing was that we settled for a FG when we should have gotten a touchdown. That will have to be fixed when the regular season gets underway.
3. The O line looked good again. I don't have any problem with the way they have played in the preseason. They had all 5 starters out there and they were solid.
4. ORAKPO - what can you say about this guy? The guy has impressed all through camp and now we get to see in these games what people are talking about. Incredible example of size and speed. He seems to always be in on the play. I think we can expect good things from him this year.
5. Starting defense was good. They look much more aggressive and seem to have the ability to get to the QB so much better this year. On the Steelers first drive, Batch was under quite a bit of pressure so that was all good.
The things that were disappointing:
1. Again, we have got to be able to punch it in and not settle for the FG.
2. Special teams weren't great. In all phases of the special teams we need improvement.
3. WAY too many dumb penalties. Starting with Hall's personal foul on a short pass on 3rd and 18 to give them 15 yards and an automatic first down was terrible. I thought it was an iffy call but it certainly was not out of the question for them to make the call and Hall should know better. I think he was feeding off of the energy after getting them into a 3rd and long, after just making a big hit on the safety valve the previous play, and the crowd being into it but still no excuse. We had a few more dumb penalties and that can't happen. I know Zorn wanted to see more intensity out of the team this game compared to the last game but that doesn't mean take stupid penalties.
I didn't watch much of the second half so I can't comment on the play of the second/third stringers. Although by all accounts, Daniels and Marko impressed. Glad to see that the love of Colt has tempered and people realize that he isn't ready for the big time yet. Frankly, Colt better watch out because if Daniel continues to impress, he will be the new darling of Skins fans and supplant Brennan.
Looking forward to Friday night against the Pats and having the 1s go for the first half.
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!!!!
13 comments:
I jumped the gun. My thoughts on the game are in the previous topic.
JC is going to have to deliver better numbers. I like the guy but the reality is that fans (and probably Danny Boy) are not that patient.
DeAngelo is an idiot.
In response to your points:
1. I don't agree about JC. The shots downfield were forced. On the first one, he had Moss wide open about 20 yards down field for a sure 30 yard play. He then threw a poor pass to Moss on the 2nd deep ball. He then threw a poor pass to Moss on 3rd down that was badly overthrown. I didn't see him reading defenses well. He seems to be going into a play with an idea in mind and going with it rather than going through his progressions. For now I'll just sit back and hope it's just me, but I'm losing some confidence in the guy.
2. The first team O looked good except for some issues I had with Campbell. I wasn't happy that we had to go with a fake punt to overcome the first 3 and out though. The running game was strong for the most part, but I wasn't happy about the ongoing struggles with short yardage situations. Also, why we tried a field goal from 20 yards out in the pre-season is beyond me.
3. The starting O-line looks strong. Pass protection was good. We were able to move the ball on the ground. Depth is the only concern. We'll see how this goes.
4.Orakpo is a BEAST! He looks a lot quicker than the guys trying to block him.
5. The starting D will be very good. I'm a little worried about our 3rd corner though. Smoot seems to have lost it and Tryon is not ready for prime-time. Apparently Barnes has been struggling as well, although he looked alright the other night.
HAIL 'SKINS!
DeAngelo let up and tried to avoid a hard hit. He made the mistake of putting his head down and going for the kill instead of seeing that the play had ended until it was too late. The call was iffy. I'm not concerned. He won't do it again.
Didn't have the luxury of seeing the whole field like you did being at the game. However, the first pass Kelly was open and JC threw the ball quickly and deliberately to him with good reason. The ball was a little underthrown and Polamalu has 4.3 speed and was able to recover and make the play. I am okay with that. I would have loved to see the completion for a TD on the first play of the game but it didn't happen. Honestly, watching that game, I was more content with the strategy than the execution. The execution will come. The time now is good for practice and game film/learning.
As far as going through progressions, it seems like JC is doing a better job of that. It's easy for to second guess and from the bird's eye have a different take but there is SO much the QB has to process in a matter of seconds that he will not always hit the open receiver. Just look at the Madden video game. There are so many things to see, buttons to push in a few short seconds. Often times, you won't hit the open WR. Take that and multiply it by 1000 and that is maybe what it feels to be an NFL QB.
Now I am not discounting that JC has to get through his progressions. All NFL QBs have to do that but it appears that he is doing that quicker and I am still looking forward to a solid year from JC. The part that gives me confidence is that he and Zorn both genuinely seem comfortable with where they are at this point. I will reserve true judgement once the season starts. Again, preseason is practice time. If JC looks shaky/uncomfortable as the season unfolds, I will be critical.
I think we all agree that the we have to be able to punch it in when we are that close. That won't cut it in the NFL -- especially the NFC East.
Agree on your other points.
Third corner could be an issue but I am assuming Smoot will be fine. He did well as a corner last year. Tryon is useless. I think he has had good camps but it doesn't translate to the field where it matters.
Hall's hit was stupid. The play was over and he gave Miller a hit. Sure, he could have hit him harder but that doesn't matter, he shouldn't have hit him at all. I really think he was feeding off the emotion at the time. I like Hall and think he is a true playmaker but he's been in the league for a while now and is being paid like top CB money and he can't let those things happen.
Giving a team an automatic first down on a 3rd and 18 play that had no chance is unforgivable.
For Robs, JC will have to deliver better numbers but the numbers will count in the regular season. I am not worried about the preseason.
Also, for Deeps, I like Mason but the problem for him is it's a numbers game. We aren't going to get rid of Portis, Betts, Cartright, or Sellars so I am not sure there is room for Mason. He's a hard worker and has some talent and would love to see him make the roster but it's the same thing as last year -- he may find himself be a casualty of limited number of backs we can keep on the starting roster.
I'm sure there is concern for JC in the Redskins braintrust - frankly I think Danny Boy wants him out right now. He's probably calling up Jeff George as I write this.
Would be tough to sign Jeff George since he is already under contract and starting for the Bears. OOPS! Did I just write that?
Since I just re-read it, I guess I did write that.
That's not possible. I heard Jeff was over at your house tickling your arse with a feather.
That is true. As he was tickling my arse with the feather he said he had just come from your place where you blew him to happy ending.
Your boyfriend was just trying to make you jealous with a lie. Don't worry, you are the only man in his life.
First, how many times do I have to tell you that YOU are NOT my boyfriend!!!!
Second, you CANNOT make me jealous.
Jeff George told me to tell you he is coming back for more and wants it to be good given that he will be facing a big preseason game in Denver facing his old team/fans.
HA HA HA!
I did not think you would be able to come back so strong. You win this round my friend. I'll just wait until next time.
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