Special Obs

[JPFair]

I've decided to list a few observations that I observed while at FedEx Field yesterday. I'll entitle them "Special Obs" and open them up for discussion. I hope the mods don't mind.

1- Not that he ever looked any different, but Joe is starting to look and act like Joe again. In many ways, a Head Coaches job is similar to that of the whole team as he needs time to develop a feel for the system, etc... Joe Gibbs is starting to act more comfortable in the "new" NFL. Just watching him on the sidelines and hearing him after the game shows that he's confident, composed, and is aware of what he's doing.

2- We really need a new Jumbo-Tron at FedEx Field. That little small screen that they have is way too small for the size of the stadium. When they showed replays on the screen, no one in the upper deck can see it. That's one thing that's missing from that stadium.

3- Home field advantage is becoming just that. FedEx field has been ROCKIN for both home games so far this year. Those of you that have been there for them know what I'm talking about. The difference between FedEx Field this year, and last year, with the exception of game one, is phenominal. The crowd, encouraged by the Defense to do so, are getting more involved at FedEx than ever. Do you get the feeling that the Defense likes it? After both home games this year, Gibbs has commented on how the fans were for each respective game.

4- Gregg Williams is a genius, but no matter how good you are, we still need someone to rush the passer. The reason why we were 6-10, in my opinion, was because we had to rely on the defense ALL the time. Truth is, we can't rely on them all the time, just when we need to. Yesterdays game was a classic example that we can't expect them to be perfect every snap. The Offense has to pick it up, and they know that. But, we still need to get after the QB. Hasselbeck had more time than he should have yesterday. I recall one play, in particular, where I could have gone and gotten a hot dog and came back to see him still in the pocket waiting to throw the pass.

5- Brunell is proving that experience is invaluable. Statistics, personal feelings, and last year aside, he has shown incredible composure, poise, and leadership. He's calm, confident, and strong. Is he perfect? No. But, it's clear that Mark Brunell is not a young gunslinger. His experience in the league is becoming more and more important by the day. If you didn't think so before, how can you not think so today? Brunell's leadership, his maturity, and his intelligence, in my opinion, were the most important factors in yesterdays victory. He may not be able to scramble like he used to, but we don't need him to. We only need him to scramble when he can, and has to, as evidenced by the last two games. His experience proved invaluable yesterday.

6- Brunell, contrary to public opinion, has a very strong arm that has plenty of zip on it. But, that's not what will make him valuable in this offense. To me, his experience will be the key to any success that we have.

7- Danny Smith may be fighting for his job. Although special teams didn't play poorly yesterday, they didn't play great. Kickoffs continue to be a problem, as does the battle for field position. We need a punter who can hang the ball high, and force the reeiver to either fair catch it inside the 10 or let down it inside the 20. Too often are we punting the ball in to the end zone when it should be hung up to down it inside the 15. Special Teams need to improve almost as much as our offense.

8- Whatever happened to our blitzes? Does anyone have any ideas as to why we havne't blitzed much in the last two games?

9- Hugging a complete stranger after a win can be a very emotional and uplifting experience.

10- Sean Springs is becoming a "core" Redskin. We need him!!

[1niksder]

9- Hugging a complete stranger after a win can be a very emotional and uplifting experience.

Must have been alot of that going on

The loser missed the FG and that was the 1st time Ive ever hugged 2 complete strangers at the same time before.

[Gibbs' Hog]

2- We really need a new Jumbo-Tron at FedEx Field. That little small screen that they have is way too small for the size of the stadium. When they showed replays on the screen, no one in the upper deck can see it. That's one thing that's missing from that stadium.

True DAT!!!

3- Home field advantage is becoming just that. FedEx field has been ROCKIN for both home games so far this year. Those of you that have been there for them know what I'm talking about. The difference between FedEx Field this year, and last year, with the exception of game one, is phenominal. The crowd, encouraged by the Defense to do so, are getting more involved at FedEx than ever. Do you get the feeling that the Defense likes it? After both home games this year, Gibbs has commented on how the fans were for each respective game.

What I love now is that the guys in the upper row (like, right behind me ) have figured out how to get a lot of noise in that stadium now by bangin' on the metal 'FedEx' signs at the top. I don't know how it resonates throughout the rest of the stadium, but it was loud as hell when they're right behind you...at first it sounded like the ol' bouncy-seat-sound at RFK - I was like, wtf is that?

9- Hugging a complete stranger after a win can be a very emotional and uplifting experience.

I very nearly "bit it" at one point. After Seattle missed the kick at the end, I jumped higher than I've ever jumped in those little narrow rows. Of course, I was also spinning around looking for fellow "high-fivers", and as I was coming down, my left foot caught the edge of the concrete in front of my seat....well, I found a hand from the guy behind me, and I think he realized I was about to take a dive, and he just held my hand and quite literally brought me to safety! I swear I hadn't been drinking...too much!

But yeah, the comraderie after a win like that is just so sweet.

[Skinsfan55]

Whoa, JP...

Special Obs?

You're almost there, that was very military... but what if we change it to:

Spec. Ob?

No, that's too long... how about SpOb

hmmm, still too much, how does SO sound?

Nah... let's just go with S.

[JPFair]

Well, I went with "Special Obs" in the spirit of the good ol' days. Remember the "Capital Defense"? I wanted the Military feel to it, to remind me of the Capital Defense.

[hkiss444]

I agree about the Jumbo Tron, must be the smallest in the NFL. We were commenting the same thing at the game, but Danny will never allow it because it would cut into his marketing budget. From the time you arrive at the stadium to the time you leave you are bombared with advertising everywhere you turn.

The crowd was loud, that's what creating a winning atmosphere will do.

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

...Danny will never allow it because it would cut into his marketing budget.

No.

He has clearly gone on the record that he wants a bigger screen there. He said so in an online chat a couple weeks ago, on ES.

The commercials are a bit annoying, but I did notice that there were less of them over the PA system yesterday.

[hkiss444]

was he referring to a bigger screen in the Owner's box. :)

[Justice Hog]

During moments where we needed to get loud, I started running down (from row twenty eight) to about row 15 raising my hands trying to get people in my section to "pump up the volume!" Yes, it worked.