Ignore the problem, it will go away.

[Skinsfan55]

One of the things I like about my fellow Skins fans is how hopelessly optimistic we are. We've been spoiled by past success, we've seen these kinds of speedbumps and we're quick to dismiss them as minor problems.

I'm just surprised how far everyone has taken this.

A lot of people (flamers) are making irrational posts about how terrible we're going to be, but that doesn't change the fact that there are some legitimate concerns about our team.

1.) Mark Brunell's age- If he's 100%, then he's a little better than league average at QB. But what are the odds? He's coming up with these small nagging injuries and he was not good through most of the 2nd half. If Campbell ready to step in? Who knows?

2.) Clinton Portis's injury- Yeah, he will probably only miss one game, but a dislocated shoulder takes time to fully heal, it's going to be tender and open to re-injury. He may end up missing some time.

3.) Linebacker situation- Arrington was overrated, so was Pierce, but we still don't have anyone better. Holdman and Marshall will start the season, and while they are certainly not bad players, they aren't the kind of impact players that Williams has been so successful with in the past.

4.) Saunders' system- He is a brilliant offensive coordinator, but it is a complicated system to run, and history shows it usually takes a couple years to fully take flight.

We can't just ignore this stuff, it's going to be a problem...

Still, we have lots of depth at the offensive skill positions and the secondary, this team COULD take off into a real Superbowl contender once the regular season starts... but it's certainly not carved in stone.

[NikiH]

As a fan of football I learned a long time ago that NOTHING is 'carved in stone'. The Patriots themselves could fall apart next week if they lose two or three players.

Here's what I think about all of those concernes of yours.


1)Campbell looks like he's doing what he needs to be doing to prepare himself. The coaching he's receiving and the experience from actually playing in a game are showing. Since the scrimmage I'm presently suprised by his improvement. And he's done all of that behind a scrub offensive line. I do think that Brunnell has more left to give. I think it could possibly be an entire season but who knows. If not I'm sure by the time Jason has to step up, he'll be prepared.

2) Apparently, the coaching staff agrees with you, hence T.J. Duckett. He will not only be there to fill in for C.P. but he will also take the pressure off when Clinton returns. He's going to at least share the carries and that will mean less time on the field and less possiblity of re-injury.

3)Pierce was a nobody before Greg Williams getting a hold of him. We need a player to step up, I agree with that but I'm not 100% convinced it won't be Lemar Marshall or Warrick Holdman.

4) The last concern I don't really have much to say about it. I believe in our players. I think they've had so many changes in recent years that hopefully they're ready to step up to the challenge of learning this and executing it all in an off season.

[JPM36]

I've been one of the most overwhelmingly positive people following the game last night and I still maintain that we are going to have a great year.

However, I do have one serious concern following the Pats game.

Adam Archuletta.

He got beat again and again and again and again last night. Good God. I expected him to be a coverage liability but that was just embarassing. Did we really pay him $30 M when we could have had Ryan Clark for practically nothing....

I am very worried about him.

[NikiH]

Adam Archuletta did not impress last night, I agree with that. But for some reason no one seemed to cover anyone over the middle.

The announcers said something about him having a back problem and opting to forego surgery. Anyone know anything about that??

[Skinny82]

Dont worry Joe Gibbs is a God and we can use this excuse for the rest of him time as Head Coach - the problem is we dont build through the draft and Snyder is a idiot.

[Chris Luva Luva]

Ignore the problem, it will go away.

/thread

[elchalje]

Typical reaction on this board. Ignore a 41-0 pasting. Means nothing.

[Skinny82]

This team sucks lets just admit it - We should of never fired Shotenheimer - there is no consitancy from year to year on this team

[Jake]

When I read the title of this thread, I thought you were talking about elchalje.

[gay4pacman]

arch had 10 tackles last night. two cents

[Chris Luva Luva]

This team sucks lets just admit it - We should of never fired Shotenheimer - there is no consitancy from year to year on this team

Phonics at its best.

Typical reaction on this board. Ignore a 41-0 pasting. Means nothing.

I know, you should take your insight somewhere it'd be appreciated.


We're going to the superbowl, reply if you're with me.

[Cappster]

This team sucks lets just admit it - We should of never fired Shotenheimer - there is no consitancy from year to year on this team

Phonics at its best.

Typical reaction on this board. Ignore a 41-0 pasting. Means nothing.

I know, you should take your insight somewhere it'd be appreciated.


We're going to the superbowl, reply if you're with me.

I am still on the superbowl bus! I don't like seeing us get pounded BUT I trust in Gibbs. He will drive us to the superbowl and run over everyone in the way.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I am still on the superbowl bus! I don't like seeing us get pounded BUT I trust in Gibbs. He will drive us to the superbowl and run over everyone in the way.

Exactly, I mean...its almost like we're 5-6 and have no hopes of making the playoffs! Its just a horrible predicament that we're in.

[Jake]

arch had 10 tackles last night. two cents

Because he got burned that many times and had to catch up to Watson every single time.

I'm sure most of those 10 tackles were after the Pats converted first downs.

[ryanw7196]

Jeez guys u all need to calm down, 1. it is pre season, not saying that im not worried based on what happened but come on just wait for something bad to happen in the regular season before you give up on this team.

2. ive been with this team through thick and thin, and for some reason i dont see these guys falling over this season, the reason they made the playoffs last year was because they simply wanted it, and they wanted it more than anything, that fire inside doesnt just simply dissapear over an off season, there are alot of guys on this team who wont stand for a loss like this, joe picked character guys, and do you not think that these character guys which means its not like they dont care that they just lost 41-0, alot of people on this team are going to step up and fight their way out of this

... i remember this team when they were losers, these guys are not losers, last season i saw a gaurd get carted off the field, knowing his season was over, not with a glum look on his face, but he was smiling ear to ear, raising a fist like he had just won the lottery, i saw a running back in the last game of the season who kept slamming his shoulder into people no matter how torn apart it was, he placed the weight of the world on those shoulders and kept on running until he had nothing left, and had also placed us firmly into the post season...

these guys arent finished, whatever problems they may have right now, theyre going to do everything they can do to fix them, this isnt that same redskins anymore thats going to be tested and keel over like its nothing, i remember that team and if that team lost 41-0 in the pre season then yes it probably would be over right now, but come on guys this isnt that team...

[JPM36]

Archuletta was horrible last night.

That is by far my main concern coming out of that game. Ben Watson beat him like a drum.

[Chris Luva Luva]

arch had 10 tackles last night. two cents

Because he got burned that many times and had to catch up to Watson every single time.

I'm sure most of those 10 tackles were after the Pats converted first downs.

I wasn't going to say anything because Ive been blasted for not being on his bandwagon...but that can't has stunk it up since the preseason game. Hopefully it'll get better.

[yupchagee]

This team sucks lets just admit it - We should of never fired Shotenheimer - there is no consitancy from year to year on this team

Phonics at its best.

Typical reaction on this board. Ignore a 41-0 pasting. Means nothing.

I know, you should take your insight somewhere it'd be appreciated.


We're going to the superbowl, reply if you're with me.

Save me a seat on the bus (I hope you don't expect an old man like me to stand).

[SCSkinsFan]

Here's a little inside info for those of you with short memories. As mentioned in Wilbon's column, 1982 = 0 - 4 in pre-season. 1991, 1 - 3. Results at the end of both of those years = Super Bowl (Priceless!).

[Deadskins]

This team sucks lets just admit it - We should of never fired Shotenheimer - there is no consitancy from year to year on this team

Uh, Stinky, if you want to be an undercover troll, you have to remain consistent. You said "we" here, but "you" when referencing the 'Skins in the Smack forum.

[NikiH]

I guess we need to give Arch and Kenny Wright a learning curve here. They're the only new parts in the secondary. They're learning the new system and if they're going to miss tackles and learn the plays now is the time. When the games mean nothing.

[welch]

Back from vacation and work assignment ("since you're on the road, why not go to Buffalo?")

...and it seems like the Redskins haven't quite gotten the season started.

So I think back to last season, to the point when the Redskins had won 5 and lost 6, and they were officially eliminated from the playoffs. Weren't they???

Are we unhappy about the way the team has played? Sure.

Do we remember who coaches the team? Yes.

We remember the '92 season, the year after SB 26, when half the team went down with injuries. We remember that somehow the coach pulled them together and drove into the playoffs. Did an all-pro offensive guard play most opf the season with a broken leg? Yes.

I don't know exactly what's wrong with the offense and the defense, but I know that Joe Gibbs is coaching the team, so I'm confident that the Redskins will play like a Joe Gibbs team.

[Redskin in Canada]

Back from vacation and work assignment ("since you're on the road, why not go to Buffalo?")

Welcome back! Thanks for the perspectve as usual.

[JPM36]

I don't know exactly what's wrong with the offense and the defense, but I know that Joe Gibbs is coaching the team, so I'm confident that the Redskins will play like a Joe Gibbs team.

I agree completely.

[Dishgeek]

We're going to the superbowl, reply if you're with me.

I'm with you.