Dock is back!

You couldn't hope for a better O line pickup than Dockery. I am almost excited about this pickup as I am about Haynesworth. First, we are getting a guy that can play and is young and experienced. Second, he is familiar with his other O linemates (Samuels, Rabach, Thomas, and Jansen). Third, we didn't have to overspend to get him.

It's kind of funny how he landed with us seeing how he was VERY close to be traded to the Lions. Still, I don't care how we got him, we got him. Apparently Buges was crying as he hugged him yesterday at Redskin Park as he was re-introduced as a Redskin. Dock looked happy to be back and he will certainly help us on the O line front.

Redskins vs. Ravens

So at 7-5 the Skins find themselves on the outside looking in on the playoffs right now. We have a key matchup in the beltway bowl this Sunday in prime time.

The key for the game seems pretty simple...win the battle at the lines. The O line needs to do better than they have over the last several weeks and give JC time to make plays. The Ravens have a solid defense so this is no easy task but they have to get the job done to allow JC to make the plays he is capable of making.

Similarly, the D line needs to get pressure on Flacco. The guy is a rookie and has been playing well and improving. Still, he is a rookie and we have to get pressure on him and rattle him and force a turnover or two.

The keys to the game are as simple as that. Win the battle at the line and we can win this game.

HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!!!

Jason Candle

Alright so the Skins are 1-3 over the last four games and the offense has been sputtering. There are some that are complaining that JC is off his game. I say bullshat. It's always very easy to point at the QB as the problem. However, you have to look at the offense as a whole. I'm not saying JC is not without fault. I'm sure he could have made some better decisions at times. However, we have to remember that he is still a young QB (this is his first full year as a starter) and he having to learn yet another offensive system (this time it is the west coast offense).

Not only that but the O line has been letting him down big time over the last 4 games. He has spent more time on his back or dodging defensive players looking to put him on his back. He is not getting the time or protection he needs to make plays. Also, he has had a number of dropped passes so the receivers are not helping him out much. Frankly, he doesn't have much of a receiving corps to work with. Moss is fine but Randle El is not a number 2 WR and Thrash is not a number 3 WR.

Jason Campbell is the 12 rated QB in the league. I am just fine with that. Overall, he has played well in my opinion. What he needs is some help around him to make him better. He is entering the prime of his career and to me he has matured a lot this year. I believe he is a franchise QB. I'm glad he is getting to learn the system this year. Hopefully we can help him out by drafting some O linemen in the offseason. Rinehardt seems capable and may end up filling in for the aging Kendall next year. We need more help at RG/RT. Additionally, we NEED for either Thomas or Kelly (preferably both) to become major contributors next year. They have the size and speed to be threats they just need to work hard and come in to camp in shape and learn the offense. They haven't been able to do that yet. If we get the line help and production from those young WRs, I believe Campbell can be a great QB in this league.

What I like from him this year, again, is that I can see that he has grown as a leader. He seems more confident in understanding the NFL and taking control of the game. I'm sure he has made mistakes but for all of the issues mentioned (his youth, lack of line help, lack of WR help), I believe he has played admirably.

Frankly, if we were to make a move in the offseason at QB it would be a big mistake. Who would we go with? Brennan? Yeah, right. Brennan played pretty well against 3rd stringers and guys that didn't make NFL teams in the preseason and he is the "sexy" pick but he is not ready to lead an NFL team particularly in the tough NFC East. He is small in stature and has the side arm throw. I'm not saying that he can't develop. All I am saying is that JC has done nothing in my opinion to warrant any type of change and to even consider a change in my mind would be ridiculous as it would set our offense back even further.

Skins (Zorn) Beat Seahawks!

Behind another great outing by C.P., the Skins come out victorious against the 'Hawks. Seattle's a tough place to play and we certainly have had our struggles there in the past so it was good to come out with the win. It was also a little interesting in that Seattle and us run similar offenses so we had to change some of the terminology to disguise our plays. It was a tougher than expected game but a win is a win and we are 7-4 and control our own destiny moving forward. Here are my thoughts in no particular order:

1. Great game by Portis again. That guy is a tremendous player and gains more of my respect with each passing week. He continues to get beaten up but only comes back each week to run even harder. He is a great team guy and probably the best RB blocker in the league. You don't see featured running backs of star quality block the way he does. He works on on every single play whether his number is called or not.

2. JC was solid in his performance. Made the plays he needed to and had a few crucial drops that could have jacked up his numbers (most notably Sellars catch for a probable TD and a deep ball to Moss on the sideline). Still, all in all a good game for him.

3. Moss had a decent game. He is good with the ball after the catch and made a couple of nice runs on short screens for first downs. We should utilize him more in these types of situations whether it is screens or crossing routes to better utilize his elusiveness.

4. Line play was better. After being porous the last couple of weeks, they gave JC a bit more time to allow plays to develop and let him make the passes. They still need to improve especially with the Giants D line coming to town this week.

5. We controlled the clock and racked up yards but we still have to score more points. FGs for TDs is not going to cut it.

6. Defense was okay. Was surprised that we had as much difficulty stopping the run as we did. Not sure if it was because we didn't respect their running game or what but that is going to be a huge issue when we play the Giants. Hopefully Jacobs will still be hurt but I'm not counting on it. We have been good all year stopping the run but we sucked yesterday.

7. Suisham normally has a strong leg but he seemed to be struggling yesterday. He missed a very makeable 43 yard attempt and most of his kickoffs were short.

8. What was up with Betts fumbling with a minute and a half left? The game was essentially over at that point as long as we hold on to the ball and the one thing you can't have happen (a turnover), happens! Unacceptable!

9. I liked the use of Sellars in the offense. Most of the season he has been used as a blocker but the last couple of weeks he has actually gotten his hands on the ball and he normally gets positive yards. I like seeing him get a few opportunities in the game. Hopefully that continues.

10. Finally, I'm happy we got the "W." I'm looking forward to getting the Giants at home. I expect a very tough and typical NFC East battle. Our offense has been stagnating and that is going to have to improve. If we can manage a victory against them, we will be in really good shape as the schedule lightens up after them with games against the 49ers, Bengals, and struggling Eagles.

For now, I am happy being 7-4 at this point of the season. Lets keep this thing going!

HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!!!!

Best 5-5-1 team out there?

Looks like the McNabb era in Philly may be over and Kevin Kolb will get his chance. McNabb always tried to portray his team as better than they actually were. The fact is that they are an aging and mediocre team. McNabb is getting up there and we'll see what the future brings for him.

On one hand, I feel sorry for him as he had to deal with a lot up in Philly and never really seemed to get the respect he deserved. On the other hand, he never really seemed to take on the true leadership qualities of a top tier QB and seemed to let the fans/media get to him at times.

Not sure how much McNabb has left in the tank. Would be nice to see him go to a winner and get another chance. My guess is his career will end similar to a Culpeper or someone where he goes to a decent team and there will be high expectations but he won't deliver.

JMU ends season Ranked #1 - faces Wofford in Round 1

So JMU finishes the season with a 10-1 record and ends the season as the consensus #1 team. All of that means nothing now that the "second season" is starting this weekend. We face Wofford at home on Saturday and the season would be meaningless if we lost in the first round. I love the playoff system and it seems much more fair and realistic than the BCS shat.

GO DUKES!!!

Wizards fire Jordan!

After a 1-10 start, what do you expect? Sure, they haven't had Arenas and Haywood but 1-10 is 1-10. They have been in all of their games except for 2-3 but good teams know how to close out close games and a lot of that is due to good coaching.

I like Jordan but he seemed to have taken the Wizards as far as he could take us. We'll see what the change brings.