Skins @ Saints PRE-game thread

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

Ya I know its Thursday night, I did it... I jumped the gun like most want to... None of us can wait untill the unveiling of our beloved Robert Griffen the third, so why wait! Feel free to post YouTube.com vids of our boy killing it at Baylor, predictions, bounty jokes, bobble head pics/jokes, articles on how to beat Nalins! And anything u want until Sundays kickoff. As always keep it pg-13/17ish smack is down the hall to the left.

Now I give you some refreshing thoughts on the saints losses to teams we didn't think they could lose to.

" But the schedule is what it is and the Redskins can’t do anything about the venue. They also probably can’t get to be as good as the Packers or 49ers, the teams that dealt the Saints their first loss of the year and their last loss, respectively. So let’s focus on the Rams and Bucs, two teams that finished with worse records than the Redskins last year but still managed to beat New Orleans."

From Rich Tandlers: How to beat the Saints

http://www.csnwashington.com/09/06/12/H ... eedID=6355

[langleyparkjoe]

I like that thing Rich has up, sounds good and hopefully we execute well.

[Irn-Bru]

Definitely not too early to pregame.



Uh . . . what were we talking about again?

[PAPDOG67]

While I like the optimism in Rich's article, I just don't see us pulling this one out this week. NO is a different animal in the dome, and nearly impossible to beat down there. Couple that with our rookie QB and sub-par secondary, and this could get ugly quick.

[Smirk]

They also probably can’t get to be as good as the Packers or 49ers, the teams that dealt the Saints their first loss of the year and their last loss, respectively. So let’s focus on the Rams and Bucs, two teams that finished with worse records than the Redskins last year but still managed to beat New Orleans."

All road games. I do hate the meme that the Saints are a "different team" outside of the dome, because they have a stellar record overall the last 3 years (best in the league actually). Yes, they have more losses on the road than at home...but its still a good record.

But anyway, yeah, they don't lose a lot at home. The Bucs game, Sean Payton got hurt halfway into the game and that was a major distraction during the game. The Rams game was just an abject disaster. Just...awful.

But every year is different. My personal opinion is that the Saints are a lot better than the Redskins and will finish with a far better record (barring injury to 9), but this is the NFL. Each individual game is generally pretty close. The Skins could win if they get immense pressure up the middle on Brees and turn the Saints over.

That's pretty much it. The Saints are virtually unbeatable when they don't turn the ball over. I know that's common sense, but if you look at the Saints record in the Brees era, when they don't turn the ball over, regardless of the other team turning the ball over, the winning percentage is obscene.

And Brees HATES pressure up the middle. He can deal quite well with it on the edges, but up the middle (where the Saints line is strongest) is when it causes him major problems.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

While I like the optimism in Rich's article, I just don't see us pulling this one out this week. NO is a different animal in the dome, and nearly impossible to beat down there. Couple that with our rookie QB and sub-par secondary, and this could get ugly quick.

Funny you say that... The Rams beat them with... No not the secound year Bradford, but with A(j?) Feeley, who? He threw 175 yards. Oh but they had Stephen Jackson, and we only have three hard nosed rbs lmao. But but our secondary! It's no where near as good as St. Louis! Lmao name some of them on there team? D Hall and Wilson can be ball hawks, if one of them can get an int and Crawford or Bernstein can... It's not all doom and gloom brotha, the pessimism is understood but kinda worthless imo

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

They also probably can’t get to be as good as the Packers or 49ers, the teams that dealt the Saints their first loss of the year and their last loss, respectively. So let’s focus on the Rams and Bucs, two teams that finished with worse records than the Redskins last year but still managed to beat New Orleans."

All road games. I do hate the meme that the Saints are a "different team" outside of the dome, because they have a stellar record overall the last 3 years (best in the league actually). Yes, they have more losses on the road than at home...but its still a good record.

But anyway, yeah, they don't lose a lot at home. The Bucs game, Sean Payton got hurt halfway into the game and that was a major distraction during the game. The Rams game was just an abject disaster. Just...awful.

But every year is different. My personal opinion is that the Saints are a lot better than the Redskins and will finish with a far better record (barring injury to 9), but this is the NFL. Each individual game is generally pretty close. The Skins could win if they get immense pressure up the middle on Brees and turn the Saints over.

That's pretty much it. The Saints are virtually unbeatable when they don't turn the ball over. I know that's common sense, but if you look at the Saints record in the Brees era, when they don't turn the ball over, regardless of the other team turning the ball over, the winning percentage is obscene.

And Brees HATES pressure up the middle. He can deal quite well with it on the edges, but up the middle (where the Saints line is strongest) is when it causes him major problems.

I agree with the pressure up the.middle statement.. the rams got to him a few times. I'm hopeful in our front 7 and what they can do. I thought Yall lost one of your starting guards this off season? Could be wrong...

[riggofan]

I hate to admit it and I don't want to be a downer, but I'm expecting a loss on Sunday. Until I see otherwise, I'm just going to assume that the Saints offense is still scary good and our secondary is still a huge weakness.

I'm sure you guys have read that Shanny leads the league in opening day wins. Isn't he like 14-2 all time on opening day?

He's had months to prepare for this game, and the team is as healthy as it is likely to be this season. I'm hoping they prove me wrong!

[langleyparkjoe]

i dont think we have anyone half as good as s. jackson.. just my opinion do'h.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

i dont think we have anyone half as good as s. jackson.. just my opinion do'h.

Not in one player no, not yet. We have hard runners tho AND the X factor!

http://m.youtube.com/?reload=3&rdm=m9xtks3aw#/home

Haven't seen him run much, first half is running second half? THE SKY IS LIMIT!

[Deadskins]

And Brees HATES pressure up the middle. He can deal quite well with it on the edges, but up the middle (where the Saints line is strongest) is when it causes him major problems.

That's because he's short for an NFL QB.

[Smirk]

I agree with the pressure up the.middle statement.. the rams got to him a few times. I'm hopeful in our front 7 and what they can do. I thought Yall lost one of your starting guards this off season? Could be wrong...

Yeah...and replaced him with a Pro-Bowl Guard in his prime.

Ben Grubbs is not as good an overall guard as Nicks, but he's actually a better run-blocker. There's a small dropoff, but about as little of one as you can get when losing a guy like Nicks. Grubbs is a very good Guard.

They knew they would lose Nicks so they mitigated with Grubbs. They knew they would lose Vilma and that Vilma had lost a step, so they upgraded with better linebackers in Lofton and Hawthorne. They knew they were subpar in the middle, so they upgraded with Brodrick Bunkley in FA and Akiem Hicks in the draft (he has been sensational in preseason, which counts up to about...nothing).

The Saints are better personell wise than they have ever been in the Brees/Payton era. It just comes down to whether the off-field distractions and the loss of Payton for in-game management matters.

Only one way to tell.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

I hate to admit it and I don't want to be a downer, but I'm expecting a loss on Sunday. Until I see otherwise, I'm just going to assume that the Saints offense is still scary good and our secondary is still a huge weakness.

I'm sure you guys have read that Shanny leads the league in opening day wins. Isn't he like 14-2 all time on opening day?

He's had months to prepare for this game, and the team is as healthy as it is likely to be this season. I'm hoping they prove me wrong!

I bet you didn't think we had a prayer when we played GB two years ago when they won it all huh?

We play good teams pretty hard IMO.. beat the last two SB champs, the gnats twice, also nearly beat NE LAS year.. all w Grossman or Mcnugget. RGiii gives us more then a chance vs ANY team in the NFL.

Btw every team has holes.. be it this that depth etc.. its called salary cap bra.

[Smirk]

While I like the optimism in Rich's article, I just don't see us pulling this one out this week. NO is a different animal in the dome, and nearly impossible to beat down there. Couple that with our rookie QB and sub-par secondary, and this could get ugly quick.

Funny you say that... The Rams beat them with... No not the secound year Bradford, but with A(j?) Feeley, who? He threw 175 yards. Oh but they had Stephen Jackson, and we only have three hard nosed rbs lmao. But but our secondary! It's no where near as good as St. Louis! Lmao name some of them on there team? D Hall and Wilson can be ball hawks, if one of them can get an int and Crawford or Bernstein can... It's not all doom and gloom brotha, the pessimism is understood but kinda worthless imo

Don't know what to say about that game. It was a disaster.

Payton admitted that they did not prepare properly for the game and did not adjust to the protection issues. They didn't have protection issues for the rest of the season, and Brees didn't get hit anywhere near that amount again.

But its still a blueprint any way you slice it. I will point out that they didn't lose again that regular season (won 9 straight).

Football isn't rocket science. Brees is short. Like all QBs, he hates pressure. He is great at avoiding it, but up the middle gives him problems.

The Saints do have a great Running game, which a lot of peeps overlook. The trick is to get up early, turn them over early and force them one-dimensional to where Brees has to pass on almost every down. Then go after him.

[riggofan]

I bet you didn't think we had a prayer when we played GB two years ago when they won it all huh?

We play good teams pretty hard IMO.. beat the last two SB champs, the gnats twice, also nearly beat NE LAS year.. all w Grossman or Mcnugget. RGiii gives us more then a chance vs ANY team in the NFL.

Btw every team has holes.. be it this that depth etc.. its called salary cap bra.

No doubt man, and I totally agree with what you're saying. They shocked me last year by beating the Giants twice. I would love to be surprised this Sunday and see them beat the Saints.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

I bet you didn't think we had a prayer when we played GB two years ago when they won it all huh?

We play good teams pretty hard IMO.. beat the last two SB champs, the gnats twice, also nearly beat NE LAS year.. all w Grossman or Mcnugget. RGiii gives us more then a chance vs ANY team in the NFL.

Btw every team has holes.. be it this that depth etc.. its called salary cap bra.

No doubt man, and I totally agree with what you're saying. They shocked me last year by beating the Giants twice. I would love to be surprised this Sunday and see them beat the Saints.

Indeed Wed all like to (most of us that is)... I'm not so naive to think we will roll through the Saints easily, but I'm not gonna say no way no how before the first snap. I think we are better in certain areas and clearly they are to. A big factor in our favor is the unknown that RGiii represents. The gloves will finally come off- and no one knows what's gonna happen when they do! Can't wait! Lose or win we will see some glimpses of why we jumped up to get this kid, that's the main thing this game a W would just be icing on the cake.

[riggofan]

Btw I was listening to Boomer Esiason on 980 this morning, and he repeated something I've heard a couple times this offseason that he doesn't expect RGIII (or Luck) to have as good a season as Cam Newton did last year.

I think they are talking about player statistics, but I still can't help thinking if RGIII doesn't have at least as good a year as Cam Newton did last year, then Mike Shanahan is in some big trouble.

The Panthers and Cam Newton won SIX games last year. And three of those were against terrible Tampa and Indy teams.

I think RGIII can do better than that. He may not have 700 rushing yards (I hope he doesn't), but I think he can have a much better year than Cam Newton's rookie season.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

Ya I'd prefer a decent rookie year like Dalton or even Stafford. Glimpses of what's to come, progress, and flashes of greatness. Cam had a pretty laid back schedule compared to ours this year. Playing 6 games vs the NFC east Ds won't be easy on RGiii but will prepare him for games to come.

[Deadskins]

Playing 6 games vs the NFC east Ds won't be easy on RGiii but will prepare him for games to come.

That's a great point. RGIII is getting a baptism by fire playing in the NFC East. This will be great for his development as his career progresses.

[SkinsJock]

Btw I was listening to Boomer Esiason on 980 this morning, and he repeated something I've heard a couple times this offseason that he doesn't expect RGIII (or Luck) to have as good a season as Cam Newton did last year.

I think they are talking about player statistics, but I still can't help thinking if RGIII doesn't have at least as good a year as Cam Newton did last year, then Mike Shanahan is in some big trouble.

The Panthers and Cam Newton won SIX games last year. And three of those were against terrible Tampa and Indy teams.

I think RGIII can do better than that. He may not have 700 rushing yards (I hope he doesn't), but I think he can have a much better year than Cam Newton's rookie season.

RGIII's season will be looked at as to how it helps the Redskins and NOT in any way shape or form to how it compares to Cam Newton

The only thing that matters is how well he adjusts to playing QB in the NFL and shows clearly that he's going to be a great NFL QB

IF this team (NOT RGIII) does not do well - RGIII will be QB for a different Redskins HC

the fact is Mike and RGIII are going to be fine and comparisons to Cam Newton are not at all important to anyone except the fans

I doubt that RGIII has as great a year as Cam did but I have no doubt that RGIII will become a bettter QB than Cam Newton

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

i dont think we have anyone half as good as s. jackson.. just my opinion do'h.

Not in one player no, not yet. We have hard runners tho AND the X factor!

http://m.youtube.com/?reload=3&rdm=m9xtks3aw#/home

Haven't seen him run much, first half is running second half? THE SKY IS LIMIT!

Instead of posting another link to his highlights, this one sums it up, so bump!

[TimSkin]

Just saw on the scroll thingy on Espn that Saints Will Smith and Jon Vilma can play on Sunday.....Will they have a big effect? or wont they play much? It says Vilma wont play for a few weeks but doesn't say anything about Smith...Do you guys think this will give the Saints a big a emotional lift also?

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/83490 ... tion-panel

[Smirk]

Its unlikely Vilma will play. I have to think he'll go on PUP. He hasn't been with the team all off season and he was still rehabbing his knee.

Smith will play.

[SkinsJock]

Vilma is not a starting player for the Saints defense anyway - no doubt it will give them a lift though

they are favoured for a reason .... however, we can win this game

[RayNAustin]

I've read all the hype about how the Saints will have this chip on their shoulders ... and how they will steam roll over the Redskins. Nobody even gives the Redskins a chance to compete in this game.

But I see a team missing their head coach ... a new defensive coordinator ... suspended defensive players ... disrupted by weather ... detracted by controversy and carrying a little bit of bad karma.

I see a team that disrespected their Super Star QB all off season by dragging out the contract talks to the point of absurdity, playing their backup QB for the majority of the preseason games. I see a great QB who had what ... 24 attempts in the preseason, and missing most of training camp, and still having a bad taste in his mouth about how the organization treated him after having the best season in history? The Saints are an emotionally patched up team that can only overcome that due to the superior talent of Brees ... but Brees ain't God, and he's not infallible. He can't catch passes or run the ball ... so this is far from a team that could be considered firing on all cylinders right out of the gate.

The Redskin defense ... particularly the front 7 which was the strength of the team last year, is even stronger this year, and should be able to rotate fresh bodies in and keep the pressure on. The secondary .. the biggest question mark at the moment does have more ball hawk types than in previous years, and this is now the 3rd year in the 3-4 transition ... generally shown to require three years for a fully competent transition. I also think that Morris's coaching experience with defending Brees will add to the secondary' s ability to rise to the challenge.

I see a very close game that could go either way, and might be decided by RG3's success in the red zone. You cannot beat the saints kicking field goals ... scoring TD's is a must.