Decent game yesterday but unfortunately came out on the short end of the stick this week. Here are my general thoughts/comments:
1. Squandered opportunities. I am thinking less and less of Kareem Moore. He takes poor angles when tackling and has missed a few INTs that he could have gotten. Last night, he had one right in his hands/chest that he dropped and another one that would have been much tougher but could have been made. If he makes the first one, it kills that drive. Indy ended up scoring a TD on that drive. If he makes the second one, it would have saved a FG. That's 10 points we could have prevented.
2. Run the ball. Torain was effective running the ball although there were a few times he didn't hit the right hole but all in all he did a decent job. The Indy defense is bad at the run game and I just felt that we didn't run as much as we should have.
3. Defense could not keep up with Manning's pace. Manning would run a play and then immediately get his team to the line and run the next play. He did a great job of keeping our defense out of sync and also snapping the ball quickly before the crowd could get loud enough to be a factor. It was the mark of a true veteran that understands the game better than almost every other QB.
4. Haynesworth/Dockery: Not sure what is going on with these two. I like Shanny and there is a tremendous difference b/t this year's team compared to last year's team and Shanny deserves much of that credit. However, I am a little confused as to why Haynesworth and/or Dock are not playing. Haynesworth wanted to play and we could have used his emotion of losing his brother in last night's game. We also could have used his abilities to get a push up the middle but he was made inactive. The reason was that Shanny said that the game plan was already in place before Haynesworth returned to practice on Thursday. Okay. It's not like we totally revamp the defense in one week. There is no question Haynesworth could have played if the coaches wanted him to. We certainly could've used him. Also, Dock. He was made inactive. What is that about? I am not a big fan of Lichtensteiger (although I like to yell his name in a German accent). Dock has started like 112 games. The guy knows what he is doing. Sure, he may not be as athletic as Lichtensteiger but I have to believe he is the better overall blocker and to make him inactive? Again, what is that about?
5. Clock management. On our last TD drive, I was a little confused as to why we didn't show more urgency. In the end, it was fine because we scored with 2:45 left and had all of our timeouts and the 2 minute warning but still seemed like we should have been in a hurry up.
6. Special teams were good. The coverages are excellent. Banks looks like Devin Hester lite. The guy looks like he is going to break one any time he touches it. I will say that I didn't like his effort on the deep ball thrown to him. Seems like he could have made a better effort to go after that ball and possibly make a play. Hunter the Punter is a tremendous improvement over Bidwell. Gano is falling out of favor with me. Bad game from him last night. He missed the 48 yd FG. Sure, it was a longer FG but he has missed a couple other long ones and while I don't expect him to make all of those, I would like to see a better percentage of makes from that range. Also, his kickoffs weren't as deep as they have been. He needs to start stepping up.
7. Defense was okay. Again, gave up a ton of yards but only gave up 7 points in the second half. We also knocked out a key player with another big hit. Seems like every week, we knock someone from the opposition out. Osakpo made a big play in stripping the ball from Manning for a turnover but in general we needed more pressure (again, points back to the need for Haynesworth). We blitzed a little more in the second half but Manning is too good in reading defenses and is able to release the ball quickly. We also need to hang on to those INT possibilities. Those are difference making plays and we let them literally slip through our fingers.
All in all, a decent game. We hung tough and we certainly don't seem like the pushover we have been in recent years. Unfortunately, both the Eagles and Giants won so we find ourselves one game behind those teams in the East but still to be 3-3 at this point in the season, I'll take it.
HAIL SKINS!!!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Redskins/Indy prediction
At the beginning of the season, this looked like it might be a pretty easy Indy win. However, it's shaping up to be a pretty tough game for both teams. It's the kind of game that if the Skins win in prime time on a national stage, they will legitimize themselves as a true playoff contender. Keys to the game are as follows:
1. Skins need pressure on Manning. The Indy O line is decent but not great; however, Manning is the best/smartest QB in the league with good talent at his skill positions. He is like an O coordinator on the field and is able to read defenses and make the necessary adjustments at the line better than anyone I have seen. He will do his best to pick apart the Redskin defense. On the Redskin side, we have done a good job of limiting points against two tough passing offenses the last two weeks and we need to step up and do the same this week. I want to see more of a 4-3 and allow Haynesworth, Orakpo, and Carter to rush the QB with an occasional blitz from Landry. Then play more nickel so we don't give up big plays. Also, allow the CBs to be physical like they were last week. Mix in the blitz to keep Manning off balance but essentially maintain the same basic strategy as the last couple of weeks. The key though will be pressure because Manning will be able to find the gaps in the zone if he has time.
2. Torain. He has an opportunity to really step up against this poor rushing defense. This is the week we need to get the running game going. The running game will be the Skins best defense as we need to keep Manning and the Indy offense off the field. This is how Houston was so successful against Indy. We need to grind it out and keep longer sustained drives together. Torain will be key.
3. Short passing game. Again, we need longer drives and we can do this with shorter passes to keep drives alive. We had a good game plan last week and we should use essentially the same plan as we had last week. Would like to see the quick hitters to Cooley and Davis in the flat and then crossing patterns to Moss. Still, like to see a couple of shots downfield as well.
4. Homefield advantage. The home crowds have been great for the Skins so hopefully that continues this week. The crowd definitely had an impact in the Dallas and GB games so we will be counting on Deepie to get the crowd in a frenzy. If we lose, I will put the blame solely on him.
5. Special Teams. Banks has been close to breaking one and Sunday is a great time to see one of those.
I think it will be a pretty good game but I feel that Indy is the better team right now. The Skins will put up a good fight but Manning will pick apart the defense on the way to a 20-17 win.
1. Skins need pressure on Manning. The Indy O line is decent but not great; however, Manning is the best/smartest QB in the league with good talent at his skill positions. He is like an O coordinator on the field and is able to read defenses and make the necessary adjustments at the line better than anyone I have seen. He will do his best to pick apart the Redskin defense. On the Redskin side, we have done a good job of limiting points against two tough passing offenses the last two weeks and we need to step up and do the same this week. I want to see more of a 4-3 and allow Haynesworth, Orakpo, and Carter to rush the QB with an occasional blitz from Landry. Then play more nickel so we don't give up big plays. Also, allow the CBs to be physical like they were last week. Mix in the blitz to keep Manning off balance but essentially maintain the same basic strategy as the last couple of weeks. The key though will be pressure because Manning will be able to find the gaps in the zone if he has time.
2. Torain. He has an opportunity to really step up against this poor rushing defense. This is the week we need to get the running game going. The running game will be the Skins best defense as we need to keep Manning and the Indy offense off the field. This is how Houston was so successful against Indy. We need to grind it out and keep longer sustained drives together. Torain will be key.
3. Short passing game. Again, we need longer drives and we can do this with shorter passes to keep drives alive. We had a good game plan last week and we should use essentially the same plan as we had last week. Would like to see the quick hitters to Cooley and Davis in the flat and then crossing patterns to Moss. Still, like to see a couple of shots downfield as well.
4. Homefield advantage. The home crowds have been great for the Skins so hopefully that continues this week. The crowd definitely had an impact in the Dallas and GB games so we will be counting on Deepie to get the crowd in a frenzy. If we lose, I will put the blame solely on him.
5. Special Teams. Banks has been close to breaking one and Sunday is a great time to see one of those.
I think it will be a pretty good game but I feel that Indy is the better team right now. The Skins will put up a good fight but Manning will pick apart the defense on the way to a 20-17 win.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
New Karate Kid
I watched the new Karate Kid movie this past week. It was decent. It followed the original fairly closely. However, in the end, I have to say I enjoyed the original more.
What I liked about the new one is that the production was obviously better given the resources and the amount of money given to the newer version. The karate sequences were obviously much better and frankly a little surprising given how young the actors were. Jaden Smith did a pretty good job of acting and it was a little funny because it very much seemed like a young version of Will Smith.
What I felt it lacked was real character development. I felt the original did a better job overall in each of the main characters development. I also felt that the relationship Daniel had with Myagi was developed better and a little more natural than the one Dre had with Mr. Han. Again, the characters of the Kobra Kai and Ally and how they were woven together with Daniel were better and more natural than those characters in the new movie.
Still, all in all, an entertaining movie. Watched it with my son and he seemed to enjoy it and understood some of the lessons that come from it.
What I liked about the new one is that the production was obviously better given the resources and the amount of money given to the newer version. The karate sequences were obviously much better and frankly a little surprising given how young the actors were. Jaden Smith did a pretty good job of acting and it was a little funny because it very much seemed like a young version of Will Smith.
What I felt it lacked was real character development. I felt the original did a better job overall in each of the main characters development. I also felt that the relationship Daniel had with Myagi was developed better and a little more natural than the one Dre had with Mr. Han. Again, the characters of the Kobra Kai and Ally and how they were woven together with Daniel were better and more natural than those characters in the new movie.
Still, all in all, an entertaining movie. Watched it with my son and he seemed to enjoy it and understood some of the lessons that come from it.
Interesting
I was talking to my oldest son yesterday and we were talking about the color of people's skin. He said that he liked the color of his skin because it was the same as most people's skin. It was interesting in that being a minority, he still felt that the color of his skin was more common. Having grown up here that very much wasn't the case when I was young so it's interesting how things have changed and how there is much more diversity in the area. It is also interesting in that that is one of the reasons why he is comfortable with the color of his skin. Just found the conversation interesting with the little guy.
Caps off to a 3-1 start
It's great that hockey is back but as I mentioned in my earlier post about the Caps, the regular season is largely irrelevant. We all know the Caps are going to win the Southeast Division (barring injuries to their key players). They will be one of the best teams in hockey and they will have a high seed going into the playoffs. The real test is what they do once they get to the playoffs. This is a team that is built to win now. Their core players (Ovie, Semin, Backstrom, Green) are all young but they are all vets and the time is now. This is a team that should be thinking about how many championships they will win and building a dynasty so another early exit this year would be devastating.
I have watched at least parts of every game so far and a couple of thoughts on the season:
1. Offense is going to be fine. Just as last year, we will not have a problem scoring goals.
2. Penalty kill seems much improved right now. This was an issue last year and something that was stressed in the offseason and so far so good.
3. Neuvy has been very good. Varly is supposed to be the number one but he tweaked a groin and should be joining soon so in the meantime Neuvirth has gotten the nod and he has been excellent. He kept the game close in the season opener loss. He had some great saves last night against the Isles. He really hasn't had a poor game so far so first it's comforting to know we have two solid goalies but second, if Neuvy continues this play, maybe he challenges for the number one spot.
4. D.J. King - love this guy. He was brought in specifically to be the enforcer. Losting Brashear last year hurt. I don't think we can really understand how much his loss hurt us and we didn't have anyone that fit his bill. Now we have King and this guy is a beast. In his first shift of his first game last night, he gets into a fight. That's exactly what we need. We need an enforcer. Someone that provides toughness and grittiness and he knows his role. He was actually on the Junkies this morning and it's funny just listening to him as he is totally serious but he knows why he is on the team. The Junkies were asking him about fighting and if he would get into it with certain players including Beaugard from NY Rangers who is a 6'8", 280 lbs monster and King said, "Probably." He said it in all seriousness and said that they had mixed it up several times before so it is likely. It's funny because most players prepare for a game thinking about scoring or good defense or that part of the game. King goes into games thinking he is going to fight. Takes a special guy to be in that role and it's just funny that that is what he does. Still, I am glad he is on the team because that role was missing last year and was very much needed.
5. Power play needs to step up. I am confident it will. In fact, we got a PP goal last night but want to see this pick up soon.
6. Need other players to chip in on offense. We can't rely on the usual suspects (Ovie, Semin, Backstrom). We need guys like Fehr, Fleischmann, Johannson, Knuble to get theirs. Fehr already has a couple of goals and I think Knuble and Fleischmann have one each but these guys have to not rely on the superstars and create opportunities themselves.
7. Guys need to continue to play hard. As I mentioned earlier, the season is largely irrelevant and we need to see what we do in the playoffs. I think the players kind of feel the same way as there have been times during the games there are signs where guys seem a little lackadaisical and it seems like there is some impatience/annoyance to have to go through the formality of the season. I may be way off on this and it may just be my own feelings of lets just get through the season but guys need to stay focused. Everyone is playing with a chip on their shoulder as to how the season ended in such a disappointing fashion and maybe once the playoffs come around, there will be an extra sense of urgency and focus among the team. I expect that but I don't want to lose the hunger during the season. We need to be the dominant team we should expect to be.
We'll see how the season goes but so far so good.
LETS GO CAPS!!!
I have watched at least parts of every game so far and a couple of thoughts on the season:
1. Offense is going to be fine. Just as last year, we will not have a problem scoring goals.
2. Penalty kill seems much improved right now. This was an issue last year and something that was stressed in the offseason and so far so good.
3. Neuvy has been very good. Varly is supposed to be the number one but he tweaked a groin and should be joining soon so in the meantime Neuvirth has gotten the nod and he has been excellent. He kept the game close in the season opener loss. He had some great saves last night against the Isles. He really hasn't had a poor game so far so first it's comforting to know we have two solid goalies but second, if Neuvy continues this play, maybe he challenges for the number one spot.
4. D.J. King - love this guy. He was brought in specifically to be the enforcer. Losting Brashear last year hurt. I don't think we can really understand how much his loss hurt us and we didn't have anyone that fit his bill. Now we have King and this guy is a beast. In his first shift of his first game last night, he gets into a fight. That's exactly what we need. We need an enforcer. Someone that provides toughness and grittiness and he knows his role. He was actually on the Junkies this morning and it's funny just listening to him as he is totally serious but he knows why he is on the team. The Junkies were asking him about fighting and if he would get into it with certain players including Beaugard from NY Rangers who is a 6'8", 280 lbs monster and King said, "Probably." He said it in all seriousness and said that they had mixed it up several times before so it is likely. It's funny because most players prepare for a game thinking about scoring or good defense or that part of the game. King goes into games thinking he is going to fight. Takes a special guy to be in that role and it's just funny that that is what he does. Still, I am glad he is on the team because that role was missing last year and was very much needed.
5. Power play needs to step up. I am confident it will. In fact, we got a PP goal last night but want to see this pick up soon.
6. Need other players to chip in on offense. We can't rely on the usual suspects (Ovie, Semin, Backstrom). We need guys like Fehr, Fleischmann, Johannson, Knuble to get theirs. Fehr already has a couple of goals and I think Knuble and Fleischmann have one each but these guys have to not rely on the superstars and create opportunities themselves.
7. Guys need to continue to play hard. As I mentioned earlier, the season is largely irrelevant and we need to see what we do in the playoffs. I think the players kind of feel the same way as there have been times during the games there are signs where guys seem a little lackadaisical and it seems like there is some impatience/annoyance to have to go through the formality of the season. I may be way off on this and it may just be my own feelings of lets just get through the season but guys need to stay focused. Everyone is playing with a chip on their shoulder as to how the season ended in such a disappointing fashion and maybe once the playoffs come around, there will be an extra sense of urgency and focus among the team. I expect that but I don't want to lose the hunger during the season. We need to be the dominant team we should expect to be.
We'll see how the season goes but so far so good.
LETS GO CAPS!!!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
NFL expects to review catch rule
The NFL expects to review the catch rule that cost Lions receiver Calvin Johnson a potential winning touchdown in a season-opening loss to Chicago.
The play was ruled a no-catch. After Johnson went to the turf with possession, he placed the ball on the ground as he ran to celebrate. It's been one of the season's most discussed -- and dissed -- calls.
"The going-to-the-ground rule definitely will be discussed," NFL competition committee co-chairman Rich McKay said Tuesday at the league's fall meetings. "It's been discussed the last couple of years. It's a difficult rule. It was made for on-field officials, not as much for people watching on TV."
"There's a definite conflict," he added. "We have to go back and look if we extended it too far."
Clearly, the vast majority of fans did not like this rule and it's good that the NFL is taking note and taking action in reviewing the rule.
The play was ruled a no-catch. After Johnson went to the turf with possession, he placed the ball on the ground as he ran to celebrate. It's been one of the season's most discussed -- and dissed -- calls.
"The going-to-the-ground rule definitely will be discussed," NFL competition committee co-chairman Rich McKay said Tuesday at the league's fall meetings. "It's been discussed the last couple of years. It's a difficult rule. It was made for on-field officials, not as much for people watching on TV."
"There's a definite conflict," he added. "We have to go back and look if we extended it too far."
Clearly, the vast majority of fans did not like this rule and it's good that the NFL is taking note and taking action in reviewing the rule.
Now this is helmet to helmet
This is from last year's GB/AZ playoff game in OT. This is a clear helmet to helmet hit as the AZ defender came full force, head down right into Rodger's head. It's a terrible no call. This one is obvious and blatant.
To Robs point that the NFL does not want Fox to create controversy by replaying it or talking about it and if they did they could lose their rights to broadcasting games, that's ridiculous. Fox showed three replays (two of which were directly meant to show the helmet to helmet hit on Rodgers) and Aikman says that, "Bertrand Berry could have called him there for helmet to helmet on Aaron Rodgers. He led with the crown of his head but they missed that one."
Robs is chasing another phantom with that claim.
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