Friday, October 30, 2009
6 in a row!
Caps hang on to beat the Thrashers last night for their 6th win in a row. They are second in the East only behind the Penguins. For the second game in a row, Ovie netted 2 goals. The team is playing pretty well but still not hit their stride.
The PP attack is not nearly as effective as they were last season so that needs to improve. Also, last night was the second straight game we got called for a penalty shot. Fortunately, we stopped both but our defense needs to shore up. Thankfully, we have gotten good goalie play but if we expect to win the Cup those areas are going to need to be addressed. I imagine we might McPhee might try and pull the trigger on an experienced defenseman later in the season as the trade deadline approaches.
Still, this is a very good team that is starting to build confidence.
Islanders tonight. Good teams put away teams like the Islanders so we better win.
ROCK THE RED!
The PP attack is not nearly as effective as they were last season so that needs to improve. Also, last night was the second straight game we got called for a penalty shot. Fortunately, we stopped both but our defense needs to shore up. Thankfully, we have gotten good goalie play but if we expect to win the Cup those areas are going to need to be addressed. I imagine we might McPhee might try and pull the trigger on an experienced defenseman later in the season as the trade deadline approaches.
Still, this is a very good team that is starting to build confidence.
Islanders tonight. Good teams put away teams like the Islanders so we better win.
ROCK THE RED!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Singletary on V. Davis last year
Singletary coaches the way he plays. With passion and intensity and he demands discipline and execution. He expects to win and wants winners on his team. He took over midway through last season and finished up 5-2 and they have been respectable to start this season. It's a clear case of how a guy that demands excellence can have a positive change on an NFL team.
Caps win!
Good game last night against the Flyers. Two teams that are expected to make a run for the Cup this year. Flyers had a 1-0 lead in the second when the Caps got 1:41 of 5-3 hockey. We had a couple of good chances but missed out on a golden opportunity. Shortly thereafter, the Flyers scored again making it 2-0. At that point, I thought that might be it.
However, Ovie came back with a goal to make it 2-1. Ovie is the greatest player in the world right now. The guy is a goal scoring machine but even better is how physical the guy is. He is a big, strong tough guy with amazing skills. On top of that, he plays every game with extreme passion. I love his celebrations. I love the enthusiasm he brings to the game. He gets the players and fans really pumped. A couple of minutes after his goal, Caps went on a power play and Backstrom got a great feed in front of the net and one timed it past Emery. Game tied 2-2. I like Backstrom too. He is another young, core guy to this very talented Cap team but the one thing he REALLY needs to work on is shooting more. He is ALWAYS looking to pass so it was good to see him not hesitate and pull the trigger.
The game was well played from the onset so it was exciting to start the third period knotted at 2. The third member of the big three, Semin, ended up getting the game winner by pulling a patented Ovechkin move. He skated down the left side and used the defender as a screen and pulled a quick wrist shot top shelf past Emery. Ovie added an empty netter to seal the deal.
Theo put together another great game. The guy has been MUCH better this year and seems to be playing the way he did a couple of years ago when he was one of the best goalies in the league. He made a few tremendous stops including stopping a penalty shot. I think he ended up with 40+ saves.
It was the Caps 5th win in a row so looks like they have found a good groove and hopefully can keep this thing going.
However, Ovie came back with a goal to make it 2-1. Ovie is the greatest player in the world right now. The guy is a goal scoring machine but even better is how physical the guy is. He is a big, strong tough guy with amazing skills. On top of that, he plays every game with extreme passion. I love his celebrations. I love the enthusiasm he brings to the game. He gets the players and fans really pumped. A couple of minutes after his goal, Caps went on a power play and Backstrom got a great feed in front of the net and one timed it past Emery. Game tied 2-2. I like Backstrom too. He is another young, core guy to this very talented Cap team but the one thing he REALLY needs to work on is shooting more. He is ALWAYS looking to pass so it was good to see him not hesitate and pull the trigger.
The game was well played from the onset so it was exciting to start the third period knotted at 2. The third member of the big three, Semin, ended up getting the game winner by pulling a patented Ovechkin move. He skated down the left side and used the defender as a screen and pulled a quick wrist shot top shelf past Emery. Ovie added an empty netter to seal the deal.
Theo put together another great game. The guy has been MUCH better this year and seems to be playing the way he did a couple of years ago when he was one of the best goalies in the league. He made a few tremendous stops including stopping a penalty shot. I think he ended up with 40+ saves.
It was the Caps 5th win in a row so looks like they have found a good groove and hopefully can keep this thing going.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
SERENITY NOW!!!!!!!!!!
Redskins BLEW IT!!!! We gave the game away to the Eagles. We gave them turnovers. We gave them big plays. We had penalties. Just plain ugly. Here are where I have my biggest issues:
1. I thought the defense was very good for 99% of the game. However, they were REALLY bad for that other 1%. They gave up two HUGE plays that helped the Eagles win this game. Both of the plays were on the safeties. The Eagles first drive with the end around to Jackson, Landry bit on the handoff and then compounded his mistake by taking a bad angle at Jackson. Jackson's speed got him around the end and past Landry and into the end zone. Even more egregious was the freaking 3rd and 23 bomb to a wide open Jackson for a TD. WTF?!!! Given the way Rogers kind of released on the WR, looked like a zone coverage and Horton just blew it! Curious why Horton was playing so much rather than Doughty. The only thing I can think of is that the Eagles have fast WRs and Horton is faster than Doughty but he just blew that. That was one of a few killer plays. Still, outside of those two disasterous plays, the defense I thought was very good. Sad to see such a strong effort be wasted because of a couple of individuals on two plays. Honestly, you take those two plays away, the Eagles only managed to get something like 140 yards of total offense.
2. WTF is ARE doing returning punts?!!!! The guy can't run and now he can't even catch. The Skins are down 17-0 but mount a good drive leading to a Devin Thomas TD. The defense then steps up and forces the Eagles into a three and out which I think included tackles for losses and/or a sack. The crowd got back into it and you could feel the momentum start to shift a bit. They punt and it hits ARE right in the freaking face mask. There wasn't even anyone around the guy. Eagles recover deep in our territory and the defense has to get back on the field. That was a devastating play. Fortunately we held the Eagles to a FG making the score 20-7. I just don't understand why ARE is back there. Put D. Hall back there. Put Devin Thomas back there. Thomas said in the post game show that he wants to return punts/kicks. Let the guy contribute. He is a big, strong, fast guy and I'm sure he can't do any worse than ARE. I seriously don't understand what the fascination is with ARE back there.
3. O line sucks! Not much more needs to be said about that. If these guys were going up against no one, JC would still get sacked. They are a joke and we can't do anything with that group. Sad. Assuming we have a top 5 pick in the draft, we MUST get the best tackle available. Our next pick needs to again be an O lineman. We need to get another O lineman in FA. That group needs to be completely overhauled.
4. Playcalling seemed to be more aggressive. I actually liked the calls but execution was poor on a number of occasions. Devin Thomas said after the game that the calls were more aggressive and he liked it. Actually, that was one of the first times I had a chance to hear Thomas and he seems really anxious to get on the field and contribute. He made some nice plays yesterday and I'd just like to see more of him.
5. JC was okay. I understand he was under duress for much of the game but he had his share of issues. His muff of the snap on the Skins first drive was bad. I still want him to be more decisive on tucking and running when he is scrambling. This has been a big issue for him. The play where he stepped up in the pocket and scrambed towards the line of scrimmage and then was about to throw but got hit from behind and fumbled was on him. He should have just tucked and ran. I know he had a bum ankle but just get the safe 3-5 yards instead of risking something. Also, he missed wide open WRs on 3 or 4 plays which hurt. He still needs to anticipate the routes and throw before the WRs break and trust his arm, his WR, and the play call. I understand it is hard to concentrate when you are under constant duress and thinking that you are going to be under constant duress but he has to do better.
6. Attitude/intensity is a BIG issue. I was talking to a friend about this before the game and Scott has actually mentioned that we need a coach that can motivate. I think I had more of an attitude before that these are professionals and shouldn't need motivation at this level. I was wrong. There is no intensity or sense of urgency with this team. It was mentioned a number of times by Jaws yesterday and you can see it on the field. We don't have any real leaders on this team that can get this team going. Zorn isn't that guy. JC, Portis, Cooley, Moss aren't those guys. The closest thing we got is London Fletcher but he is all by himself. After every game, it is always the same thing. "We are improving." "We have to regroup and not panic and find a way to get a win." Blah, blah, blah. That's all JZ and JC have to say and they say it in such a monotone voice that it really doesn't mean anything. We need leaders that are going to get in people's faces and make things happen. When Sean Taylor died, the team really rallied. It was like the country bonding after 9/11. It was a special time. The team played with passion, inspiration, and motivation. Sad it took a player's death to create that type of feeling. I saw a clip recently of Tom Brady during the Buffalo Bill game this year where it looked like the Bills were going to win easily. After Brady threw a TD to bring them within a TD of winning, he was on the sideline marching up and down looking at his teammates telling them, "WE'RE NOT DONE YET!!!" The thing is you believe that guy when he says it. Brady is a killer. On gameday if he lines up against his entire family, he is going to find a way to kill them. As B-Mitch said in the post game, we need guys to put their feet on the opponents neck and then lift up the other foot. We don't have that. I was sickened seeing Portis with McIntosh and Rogers on the sideline with a few minutes left in the game laughing. UNACCEPTABLE. Robs mentioned recently how Jimmy Johnson during the Cowboys early struggles before they turned things around, there was a Cowboy laughing on the sideline late in a game when they were getting blown out. Johnson cut the guy the next day. We need that. There is absolutely no leadership or guys that can create that inspiration, intensity, motivation, etc. that this team needs.
All in all just a frustrating game because we had opportunities to win this game but we gave it to them. I'm not saying we are a good team because clearly we are not but we just find ways to shoot ourselves in the foot and beat ourselves. We also just look like we don't care. That is embarrassing.
1. I thought the defense was very good for 99% of the game. However, they were REALLY bad for that other 1%. They gave up two HUGE plays that helped the Eagles win this game. Both of the plays were on the safeties. The Eagles first drive with the end around to Jackson, Landry bit on the handoff and then compounded his mistake by taking a bad angle at Jackson. Jackson's speed got him around the end and past Landry and into the end zone. Even more egregious was the freaking 3rd and 23 bomb to a wide open Jackson for a TD. WTF?!!! Given the way Rogers kind of released on the WR, looked like a zone coverage and Horton just blew it! Curious why Horton was playing so much rather than Doughty. The only thing I can think of is that the Eagles have fast WRs and Horton is faster than Doughty but he just blew that. That was one of a few killer plays. Still, outside of those two disasterous plays, the defense I thought was very good. Sad to see such a strong effort be wasted because of a couple of individuals on two plays. Honestly, you take those two plays away, the Eagles only managed to get something like 140 yards of total offense.
2. WTF is ARE doing returning punts?!!!! The guy can't run and now he can't even catch. The Skins are down 17-0 but mount a good drive leading to a Devin Thomas TD. The defense then steps up and forces the Eagles into a three and out which I think included tackles for losses and/or a sack. The crowd got back into it and you could feel the momentum start to shift a bit. They punt and it hits ARE right in the freaking face mask. There wasn't even anyone around the guy. Eagles recover deep in our territory and the defense has to get back on the field. That was a devastating play. Fortunately we held the Eagles to a FG making the score 20-7. I just don't understand why ARE is back there. Put D. Hall back there. Put Devin Thomas back there. Thomas said in the post game show that he wants to return punts/kicks. Let the guy contribute. He is a big, strong, fast guy and I'm sure he can't do any worse than ARE. I seriously don't understand what the fascination is with ARE back there.
3. O line sucks! Not much more needs to be said about that. If these guys were going up against no one, JC would still get sacked. They are a joke and we can't do anything with that group. Sad. Assuming we have a top 5 pick in the draft, we MUST get the best tackle available. Our next pick needs to again be an O lineman. We need to get another O lineman in FA. That group needs to be completely overhauled.
4. Playcalling seemed to be more aggressive. I actually liked the calls but execution was poor on a number of occasions. Devin Thomas said after the game that the calls were more aggressive and he liked it. Actually, that was one of the first times I had a chance to hear Thomas and he seems really anxious to get on the field and contribute. He made some nice plays yesterday and I'd just like to see more of him.
5. JC was okay. I understand he was under duress for much of the game but he had his share of issues. His muff of the snap on the Skins first drive was bad. I still want him to be more decisive on tucking and running when he is scrambling. This has been a big issue for him. The play where he stepped up in the pocket and scrambed towards the line of scrimmage and then was about to throw but got hit from behind and fumbled was on him. He should have just tucked and ran. I know he had a bum ankle but just get the safe 3-5 yards instead of risking something. Also, he missed wide open WRs on 3 or 4 plays which hurt. He still needs to anticipate the routes and throw before the WRs break and trust his arm, his WR, and the play call. I understand it is hard to concentrate when you are under constant duress and thinking that you are going to be under constant duress but he has to do better.
6. Attitude/intensity is a BIG issue. I was talking to a friend about this before the game and Scott has actually mentioned that we need a coach that can motivate. I think I had more of an attitude before that these are professionals and shouldn't need motivation at this level. I was wrong. There is no intensity or sense of urgency with this team. It was mentioned a number of times by Jaws yesterday and you can see it on the field. We don't have any real leaders on this team that can get this team going. Zorn isn't that guy. JC, Portis, Cooley, Moss aren't those guys. The closest thing we got is London Fletcher but he is all by himself. After every game, it is always the same thing. "We are improving." "We have to regroup and not panic and find a way to get a win." Blah, blah, blah. That's all JZ and JC have to say and they say it in such a monotone voice that it really doesn't mean anything. We need leaders that are going to get in people's faces and make things happen. When Sean Taylor died, the team really rallied. It was like the country bonding after 9/11. It was a special time. The team played with passion, inspiration, and motivation. Sad it took a player's death to create that type of feeling. I saw a clip recently of Tom Brady during the Buffalo Bill game this year where it looked like the Bills were going to win easily. After Brady threw a TD to bring them within a TD of winning, he was on the sideline marching up and down looking at his teammates telling them, "WE'RE NOT DONE YET!!!" The thing is you believe that guy when he says it. Brady is a killer. On gameday if he lines up against his entire family, he is going to find a way to kill them. As B-Mitch said in the post game, we need guys to put their feet on the opponents neck and then lift up the other foot. We don't have that. I was sickened seeing Portis with McIntosh and Rogers on the sideline with a few minutes left in the game laughing. UNACCEPTABLE. Robs mentioned recently how Jimmy Johnson during the Cowboys early struggles before they turned things around, there was a Cowboy laughing on the sideline late in a game when they were getting blown out. Johnson cut the guy the next day. We need that. There is absolutely no leadership or guys that can create that inspiration, intensity, motivation, etc. that this team needs.
All in all just a frustrating game because we had opportunities to win this game but we gave it to them. I'm not saying we are a good team because clearly we are not but we just find ways to shoot ourselves in the foot and beat ourselves. We also just look like we don't care. That is embarrassing.
Cooley out
Cooley suffers a broken foot in the game and will be out for an extended period of time. He's the third starter on offense (second Pro Bowler) to suffer a significant injury. Hurts but gives a chance for Fred Davis to show us what he has.
Davis had a good game yesterday receiving but his limitations in blocking only compound the issues we have in blocking. Davis was a WR coming to USC and became a TE but clearly his strength is catching the ball.
The thing I don't get about Davis is whenever he catches and turns upfield and is faced with a tackler, he always leaves his feet and tries to jump over the guy. What the heck is that all about?! Just lower the shoulder and give the guy a shot. Whatever. It will be good to see if Davis can show us something.
Davis had a good game yesterday receiving but his limitations in blocking only compound the issues we have in blocking. Davis was a WR coming to USC and became a TE but clearly his strength is catching the ball.
The thing I don't get about Davis is whenever he catches and turns upfield and is faced with a tackler, he always leaves his feet and tries to jump over the guy. What the heck is that all about?! Just lower the shoulder and give the guy a shot. Whatever. It will be good to see if Davis can show us something.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Jason Campbell's indecisiveness
I am a huge JC supporter. I also like Charley Casserly. Here is some video on Casserly talking about JC's indecisiveness. This has been an issue with JC all along. The guy can play but he just needs to let it loose and throw the ball.
Hopefully with all the stuff that has taken place, he just relaxes and says, "What the screw! I'm playing ball!" We'll see.
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