Exciting game yesterday. Again, a tremendous game by RG3. This guy is unbelievable. Aside from the obvious physical talents, he is an incredible leader both in terms of his actions and his words. The team and fans have really rallied around this guy. He is WAY better than advertised and the trade we made for him looks more and more like a bargain. After six games, it appears that we have found that franchise QB to build around. He is the face of the team and a guy willing and capable of putting the team (and the city) on his shoulders. Here are my thoughts/grades on the game:
1. Offense: A. Putting up 31 offensive points on a solid defense is impressive. The offense has been good all year and yesterday was no exception. I have already mentioned RG3’s performance. Outside of his early INT, he had a great game. His passes were on the money and his two TD runs were tremendous runs. He threw for nearly 200 yards going 17 for 22 and spreading the ball to eight different receivers. Morris was largely held in check only rushing for 47 yards. However, I did feel like the O line played well and you really never heard Jared Allen’s name so great job by Trent Williams for keeping him silent.
2. Defense: B. For the second straight game much improved. They started out a little shaky allowing the Vikings to march down the field but at least they held them to FGs instead of TDs. The turnover right before the half that led to a TD was huge. Instead of being 10-9 at halftime, we were able to go in 17-9 that was a HUGE swing. Madieu Williams pick 6 was another big defensive play. We got good pressure on Ponder for much of the game. The only downside was giving up a couple of TDs in the fourth quarter but I imagine this was because we were playing softer with the lead. It’s not an outstanding secondary but they played better than that stretch where they were really sucking.
3. Special Teams: B+. This grade is largely because of Forbath. It was his first career NFL game and to open up his career with a 50 yard FG was pretty special. He was perfect in FGs and PATs and his leg on his attempts looked strong. I will say that his kickoffs were a little short and he admitted that that was a part of his game that he needed to work on. Punt and kickoff coverage was sound and return teams were fine.
4. Coaching: B. Kyle Shanny seems like he knows exactly how to use RG3 as the offense and RG3 appear to be thriving. Haslett looked like he is getting a better balance of aggressiveness and dropping guys to help the secondary. After early season struggles, the special teams are looking more like Danny Smith led teams.
All in all, a very solid game. The best part is that given the Eagles and Cowboys loss, we find ourselves only one game behind the Giants. Now I am not expecting to win the division but it’s nice to be competitive and improved. That is all I expected out of this year. I have maintained that since the draft.
HTTR!!!
5 comments:
RG-WEEEEEEE!
This win made Friday night's Nats debacle a little less painful. Here are my thoughts:
Offense - A for AMAZING! The Viqueens' defensive front is very good and their defense came into the game looking very impressive. Regardless, our O kept them off balance. RG3's accuracy, speed, and decision making are causing a lot of problems for opposing defenses. It's a unique combination and the only way he'll be slowed is if defenses can get through to him with a 4-man rush. The O-line is a weak link, but it's not that bad as long as the starters remain healthy.
Defense - C for Can you please stop giving up points at the end of games so I can relax? - Holding the Queens to 3 field goals early was huge, but an A+ defense wouldn't have allowed the opposing team to move downfield so consistently (granted one field goal came off of RG3's INT). The 2nd and 3rd quarters were solid. We were able to salt away the game with a couple of picks. It goes to show how much pressure gets put on a team when they have to keep up on the scoreboard.
Special Teams - A for A kicker who can make field goals!!! Well...He only made one, but it was a 50 yarder that Forbath nailed. We'll have to see how he does in the coming weeks, but so far so good. Like you said, the kick-offs were a little short, but that's nit-picking. BTW...Niles Paul was a beast in punt coverage. He downed a punt inside the 5 on a good hustle play and he made one of the best hits I've ever seen on another punt for no return. Now, if he could just get open on a pass route...
Overall, it was a good win against a supposedly superior team. RG3 gives us a chance each week. As long as the D can go long stretches without giving up tons of points, we'll be in each game. I will say that getting B. Meriweather back will be helpful whenever he gets healthy.
Pretty much agree with you on the assessment of the Skins performance. It is alarming to me at how much RG3 is running and how many designed run plays Shanny is calling. You have to be holding your breath everytime he takes off. At this rate its really only a matter of time before a serious injury occurs. I hope not but its inevitable. RG3 is supremely fun to watch and it would be a travesty if he sustains a serious injury that cuts his season or career short. He has a great arm and knows how to use it so i dont know why take such risks again and again.
JSR, I don't have a problem with using his athleticism and having him run on occasion. This is a big part of his game that makes him exceptionally dangerous. It is something that will keep opposing defenses off balance and something that opposing defenses have to account for.
That said, I have maintained that I am not in favor of him running the option plays as that is setting him up for a big hit. However, I don't have much problem with him running QB draws as it gives him the flexibility to run to the sidelines or slide so chances of injury are lessened. I also have no problem with RG3 dropping back and scrambling if protection breaks down and no receivers are open. In these cases, it is up to him to protect himself by going out of bounds or sliding.
After six weeks, he is proving to be a great talent and I agree that if he gets hurt it will be devastating for the Skins but I would honestly feel worse for RG3 as he seems to be a too good to be true kind of guy. Just seems like such a likable kid and even if you hate the Skins, it's hard not to like this guy.
Football is an incredibly physical and dangerous sport but hopefully he can remain healthy.
HTTR!!!
Yeah i mean i understand the threat of him taking off is great but id try to leave it at that as much as i could. Its been six games and hes already been knocked out of one game with a serious injury because he took off. If hes going to get concussions every 5 games (and at this rate he will have more than 2 year) he will have a very short career. Hes immensely talented and very likeable which is why it would be very unfortunate and sad if he get gets cut short because of him and his coaches using him recklessly.
His concussion is his own fault. He tried to get an extra yard when it would have been very easy for him to throw it away, run out of bounds, or slide. He put himself in harms way.
He is a tough player and he is an athletic player. He knows that. However, he has to become a smarter player. Running is part of his game. He knows that. However, if he is going to take off and run, he has to be aware of his surroundings and know when he needs to protect himself. I do think that that play where he hurt himself served as a warning. Hopefully he learns.
Post a Comment