I copied this from the the Post game thread so that we could discuss issues of making the team.
SkinsFreak wrote:Deadskins wrote:SkinsFreak wrote:the fact that physical defenders can easily run him over, or run through or over him to intercept passes.
That is called pass interference. The defender has the same right to go for the ball as the receiver, but he can't go through him to do it.
True. I should have worded that differently.
But here's another evaluation similar to what I'm talking about...4.) Brandon Banks got his chances - Coach Mike Shanahan was serious about wanting to see if Brandon Banks can make this team as a receiver. The 5-foot-7 third-year pro was targeted nine times - more than any other wideout - but managed just two catches for seven total yards. Banks didn’t get the separation from Bills defenders that he did from Redskins corner Cedric Griffin in practices. And it looked as if a lack of size hurt Banks at times. Four of the incompletions came as a result of defenders either knocking the ball away from Banks, or shielding him from passes. On another route, Banks slipped.
So I'll leave it at that. The point has been made. I'd actually like to see Banks bounce back with a better performance next Saturday night against the Bears.
And once again,
if size was the issue the coaches wouldn't have him out there. They
clearly know the limitations of a receiver of Brandon's size. The coaches know more than all of us to include Mike Jones and John Keim (my favorite beat writer). What Bank's lacked
on Thursday night (keeping on the post game topic) was the ability to get separation.
That, more than size, makes a good receiver. Aldrick Robinson came out of the SMU system which runs pro routes - routes with precision - the spread O's often do not demand precision (
yes, generally speaking, there is a difference in how they run routes in the pros - the pros stress precision). Aldrick makes sharp cuts.
Brandon did not do that
on Thursday night. He rushed his cuts and kept slipping. What we saw Friday, night, was a receiver who reverted back to old ways (
that is usually a sign of nerves or trying too hard).
Positves from Thursday night (fought back for the ball. He had control of his feet on that sideline pass that he caught out of bounds (He had separation on that play). He made a good studder step move on the second deep ball to blow past the receiver. He hustled every play. He made a good block. These are things that coaches look for on the field. Yes, they see the negative too, but unlike the media and fans who give passes to Niles Paul for similar mistakes, the coaches take it all in. Oh that's right Niles Paul is not small - Oh wait a minute - he's small for a TE - If he can what the Coaches expect of him, his size doesn't matter - same for Brandon.
From the looks of Brandon's Thursday night at wideout, he has a lot to prove in the next game. No blame game here, Brandon didn't play well as a receiver.
You can blame it on size and point out that others agree with you, but I will go with the coaches and believe that they
ACTUALLY know that the guy is small (no, really, they do know that Brandon is small) and that they really do know the limitations that come with smaller size. I am going to go out on a limb and say that
what determines Brandon making the team is being one of the best 53, not his size or lack of(Just a touch of sarcasm).
This is an
article from last year's TC about Robinson. I am posting here in relation to Thursday night to show you what Brandon didn't do on his cuts and what is expected. I would expect beat writers focus on technique and skills like Tandler did here (one of my favorites). Saying that the guy is small - tell us and he can't out jump guys. Tell us something that we don't know. I bet Brandon wasn't out jumping folks in practice either.
But what impressed the observer the most was Robinson’s ability to plant his foot, cut, and change direction. “That will get you separation at any level of football,” he said.
As we watched, many players, even some NFL veterans, were rounding off their routes. Robinson ran a simple square in and changed direction very suddenly. The ball did not come his way but he had achieved separation. Before practice wrapped up he executed a few more sharp cuts.
Yes, Aldrick clearly is the better reciever right now, but when it comes to making the 53, special teams will also be a factor as well as who gives us the best chance to win. Right now, I don't see this as a Banks - Aldrick comp. AAA has a lot to prove as well. Briscoe is still has a lot to prove. Austin? He seems to be way under the radar.
http://www.realredskins.com/rich-tandle ... inson.html
