Who thinks the Panthers game was a prelude to this season?

[Thundersloth]

I think it's waaaaay to soon to tell what kind of season we'll have based on one pre season game. I'm not going to push the panic button yet, just like I wasn't looking for flights to Tampa in February because the team was 3-0.

Having said that, I do wonder how the team has gotten better since last year. If we go positon by position, I think we've pretty much stayed the same. I wish we had used some more of our draft picks on our defense, especially D-Line. But since we used our first 4 picks on the offensive side of the ball, I guess the front office knows what it's doing.

[hailskins666]

I wish we had used some more of our draft picks on our defense, especially D-Line. But since we used our first 4 picks on the offensive side of the ball, I guess the front office knows what it's doing.

ROTFALMAO

was that a joke?
made me laugh.

[Thundersloth]

The Redskins obviously know what they're doing since they drafted a punter instead of a player who might actually play more than 8% of the plays. I know a good punter can help win the battle for field position, but I think that pick could have been used better. But again, Redskins Management seems to have this draft thing down, especially since this past draft they actually had some picks to work with.

So I'll sit back and watch, with bated breath, this upcoming season and not base it on the tremendous loss suffered at the hands of the Carolina Panthers. By the way, if they keep Frost, they need to get a new crystal ball for the draft because the one they have now is obviously broken.

[Deadskins]

If they're not keeping Frost, then why is he the one always kicking with the first team?

[crazyhorse1]

Frankly, I don't think our offensive line is going to be able to protect Campbell, who takes too long to spot open receivers. Casey and Jansen are no longer good players and the rest have slipped. Gibbs has left both the OL and the DL a mess and was wrong about Campbell.

[welch]

No telling. Gibbs strengthened the OL, and deepened it...not, maybe, on purpose, but he and Bugel were forced to use a half and OL but made the playoffs.

One gave. A bad game, but who knows?

[John Manfreda]

its preseason, and everyone has an off day. I would say no.

[Thundersloth]

It seems like the blueprint has always been there, Bethard built the team up through the drafts by having solid O and D lines. I admit that the league has changed based on free agency, but the more things change, the more they stay the same.

I wouldn't have given the NYG any chance last year of winning a Championship, but their defense (D-line play in particular) kept pressure on their opponnets offense and provided them with a CHANCE to win the game.

I keep hearing people talk about replacing people in the secondary, but to me, a good pass rush makes your secondary way better than it might actually be.

I know Carolina has a decent secondary, but how good do you have to be when their D-line is running through our O-line and putting pressure on the QB on 3 step drops?

Football is a simple game that comes down to being able to BLOCK and being able to TACKLE. From what I saw on Saturday in Charlotte, we didn't do either well. Again, I'm not pushing the panic button, but it will be interesting to see how the coaches and players bounce back. A shakey performance by the starters on Thursday and I may have to lift the cover off of the panic button and keep my finger hovering over it.

[Hoss]

Thundersloth, many good points in the above statement. I agree that the D-line's play will improve your secondary. Also, I may have missed this mentioned earlier in other threads, but why hasn't anyone mentioned the lack of tackling? We look like we did in '06 with the piss poor attempts to tackle. Football is, bottom line, a game of fundamentals. If you can succeed at the fundamentals, you will succeed.

WRAP 'EM UP!!!!

[BadgerKing]

The O LIne are Bugel's boys perhaps they were feeling some of the pain and grief of Joe. Maybe they just didn't have a game head on that night being too wrapped up in feelings for the coach. If they did, they should have known better but its preseason. I think we will see a burst of effort and everyone in the team will play with noticible pride and passion this season. It may not be enough to go too far, but I have a feeling we will all catch the buzz!

[JansenFan]

The O LIne are Bugel's boys perhaps they were feeling some of the pain and grief of Joe. Maybe they just didn't have a game head on that night being too wrapped up in feelings for the coach. If they did, they should have known better but its preseason. I think we will see a burst of effort and everyone in the team will play with noticible pride and passion this season. It may not be enough to go too far, but I have a feeling we will all catch the buzz!

I think this is an under-explored angle to this whole thing. Buges was probably in no shape to be coaching mentally, and he's the type of guy that includes his players in his extended family, and the players seem to buy into it. Perhaps they all felt as though they lost a sister, and their play suffered as a result. One would think that they would play harder in this situation, but you never know how someone will react.

[VetSkinsFan]

The O LIne are Bugel's boys perhaps they were feeling some of the pain and grief of Joe. Maybe they just didn't have a game head on that night being too wrapped up in feelings for the coach. If they did, they should have known better but its preseason. I think we will see a burst of effort and everyone in the team will play with noticible pride and passion this season. It may not be enough to go too far, but I have a feeling we will all catch the buzz!

I think this is an under-explored angle to this whole thing. Buges was probably in no shape to be coaching mentally, and he's the type of guy that includes his players in his extended family, and the players seem to buy into it. Perhaps they all felt as though they lost a sister, and their play suffered as a result. One would think that they would play harder in this situation, but you never know how someone will react.

I'm not buying that the more I think about it. If they can go to the playoffs mourning ST, then they can show up for a pre-season game.

[Irn-Bru]

I think this is an under-explored angle to this whole thing. Buges was probably in no shape to be coaching mentally, and he's the type of guy that includes his players in his extended family, and the players seem to buy into it. Perhaps they all felt as though they lost a sister, and their play suffered as a result. One would think that they would play harder in this situation, but you never know how someone will react.

Yeah, it seems like it can go both ways. Following Sean Taylor's death and funeral, the Redskins lost to a not-great Buffalo team before making their 4-0 run to the playoffs.

[BnGhog]

The O LIne are Bugel's boys perhaps they were feeling some of the pain and grief of Joe. Maybe they just didn't have a game head on that night being too wrapped up in feelings for the coach. If they did, they should have known better but its preseason. I think we will see a burst of effort and everyone in the team will play with noticible pride and passion this season. It may not be enough to go too far, but I have a feeling we will all catch the buzz!

I think this is an under-explored angle to this whole thing. Buges was probably in no shape to be coaching mentally, and he's the type of guy that includes his players in his extended family, and the players seem to buy into it. Perhaps they all felt as though they lost a sister, and their play suffered as a result. One would think that they would play harder in this situation, but you never know how someone will react.

Remember after ST. We lost that first game, but then the guys really had a fire. I would think that the first game within a few days after would be hard, but then the next game is where they will play harder for it.

These guys have lots of pride, and will want to play great for Buges.

But, when their Coach is down it effects them. Notice every game Buges yelling at them on the sidelines, the linemen love it. At the Carolina game he was quite though. It does make a big difference.

[BossHog]

I'm not buying that the more I think about it. If they can go to the playoffs mourning ST, then they can show up for a pre-season game.

How are the two even comparable? In one there is everything at stake, in the other, there is absolutely nothing at stake.

I'm not rationalizing the play of the line one way or the other, but I don't think its much of a stretch to think that in a meaningless game, the concentration just wasn't there...

[Thundersloth]

The starters are going to come out with both barrels smokin'. They'll perform well and redeem themselves and we'll have a great season. We'll look back at this particular game (Carolina) and laugh about how we thought it was an indicator of the upcoming season.

[fleetus]

I do. Maybe this is why people usually aren't hired into head coaching positions when they have no prior coaching experience. I say this team will be lucky to go 4-12.

knee jerk

[Deadskins]

Maybe this is why people usually aren't hired into head coaching positions when they have no prior coaching experience.

Who are you talking about? I don't know of a single HC in the NFL's history who got their job with no prior coaching experience.

[JansenFan]

Maybe this is why people usually aren't hired into head coaching positions when they have no prior coaching experience.

Who are you talking about? I don't know of a single HC in the NFL's history who got their job with no prior coaching experience.

I'm sending in my resume, just in case.

[Deadskins]

Maybe this is why people usually aren't hired into head coaching positions when they have no prior coaching experience.

Who are you talking about? I don't know of a single HC in the NFL's history who got their job with no prior coaching experience.

I'm sending in my resume, just in case.

OK, maybe Barry Switzer.

[Fios]

Maybe this is why people usually aren't hired into head coaching positions when they have no prior coaching experience.

Who are you talking about? I don't know of a single HC in the NFL's history who got their job with no prior coaching experience.

I'm sending in my resume, just in case.

I've helped a few people become solid mini-golf players, presumably I am now over-qualified

[VetSkinsFan]

I'm not buying that the more I think about it. If they can go to the playoffs mourning ST, then they can show up for a pre-season game.

How are the two even comparable? In one there is everything at stake, in the other, there is absolutely nothing at stake.

I'm not rationalizing the play of the line one way or the other, but I don't think its much of a stretch to think that in a meaningless game, the concentration just wasn't there...

There was a lot more disarray than just the pathetic showing of the O-line, so I'm not buying that it was due to the passing of Buge's daughter.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I finally got to see the game last evening and I wasn't too upset. I saw a lot of good things...

- Colt continues to impress me
- The running game looks pretty good (Clinton)
- Erasumus James looking decent (quality depth... having him, taylor and carter on the field at once in obvious passing situatins will be awesome, 3rd & 20, etc)
- Both Rocky and Carlos are taking more and more work and getting comfy b4 the games cout
- Kareem Moore all over the place, making picks
- Fred Davis...

There were more things. I understand that they did not shine as a unit but I'm sure the kinks will get ironed out.

We're still missing key components on both sides of the ball and I'm sure as they come together for game 1 against the Giatns they'll put forth an effort to be proud of.

[Gibbs4Life]

Kareem Moore the next Sean Taylor??

[JansenFan]

Kareem Moore the next Sean Taylor??

No one can fill his shoes. Landry's close. Way too early to tell on Moore, but he looks like he'll be a good one if he can stay healthy and adjust to the level of speed in the NFL.