There were a lot of things to see and feel on a day that was a roller coaster for most of Redskins Nation. After a dominant first half, and then nearly throwing it away in the second half, a knight in shining armor swooped in and saved the day – only our knight had a sleeve on his left arm.
RGIII – why not start where everyone will? The guy is just phenomenal. Every week, he reveals a new wrinkle to his game and or character, and he just keeps impressing everyone that knows anything about football. When Griffin took to the field with less than 2 minutes to go, with 1 timeout, and EVERY drop of momentum going Tampa’s way – I still believed that he would do it. I tweeted:
RG3 time.
— TheHogs.net (@TheHogsdotNet) September 30, 2012
And it was.
I can’t remember the last time that I actually felt we were going to drive the field and win in that exact situation, but for some reason, I did. Delusions of grandeur?? Swag? Nope. Just confidence in my new FRANCHISE quarterback. After the game, it was revealed that RGIII’s headset went out and he had to call some plays himself on the last drive. Even more impressive still. Four games into his career and I’d take him over every quarterback we’ve had since… the dawn of time.
Trent Williams – I owe an apology. I was SURE there was no way that TW could go a whole game, let alone do so effectively. All reports are that he even walks with a limp, but he was a pillar all day, and on one leg. Seriously? Playing left tackle in the NFL on one leg? Am I reaching anyone here? It doesn’t happen. I don’t know if we can count on such a monumental effort and performance if he doesn’t get better and heal, but I can’t believe that we even got one out of him. What a warrior.
Alfred Morris – 6th round? Small school? People only say that now to establish a contrasting background to just how well he is playing. This kid plays with fire – he loves the contact – heck he is almost impervious to it if you aren’t wrapping and making the surest of tackles. What a find. Mike Shanahan has an incredible eye for running backs that will fit into his system well. Morris already seems like the best SUITED back to this offense since Shanny got here.
Ryan Kerrigan – The defense had a good first half, but struggled in the second. Kerrigan balled out the whole game though. He’s so disruptive – that motor never stops. He provided a spark throughout, and made several huge plays down the stretch. The Redskins definitely have a new stable of young ‘uns that are shaping up to be core Redskins for a long time. None with a future much brighter than number 91.
Billy Cundiff – Did he save his job by winning the game? He shouldn’t have. Missing 3 out of 4 could/should be walking papers. You can’t miss from 31 yards in this league and EXPECT to keep your job. Even if he doesn’t get canned this week, that leash around his neck just got shortened to about one more bad miss.
Lastly, a win is a win. It wasn’t petty, it wasn’t poetic – but at the end of the year, you don’t get extra points for ‘better’ wins. 2-2 looks a heck of a lot better than 1-3.
Hail to the Redskins.
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I’d also like to give anod to Kyle Shanahan, for DRASTICALLY reducing RG3’s carries. I counted 6 called runs. For the first 3 weeks, the Shanahan’s treated RG3 like that shiny new toy that you eventually play todeath and brake. But yesterday they put forth a much more realistic and sensible game plan for how to use him.
Most impressive? They shredded the #1 run defense… without trying to kill Bob.
That game should have been comfortably in hand… but for 3 missed field goals…
@Dylan – I’d love to give a nod to Kyle, but I didn’t think he did that great a job in the second half -specifically the 4th quarter. He dialed up three pass plays on one series, and the 3 and out took just 1:26 off the clock. That’s poor play calling when your running back has been heading straight downfield all game long. I agree with what you said though that it was great to see RG3 put in danger less often, and run a much more traditional offense. The kid is just outstanding. Far beyond my greatest expectations in every regard.
@Mike – Curmudgeon’s Corner on Cundiff? 😉