Division title! Everything is set up perfectly for us.

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

Could we worry about winning two of the next four games before we start getting dreams of division titles dancing in our heads?

[DEHog]

We were a 4-12 team last year. Not only that, but we just completely sucked in most of those games. How about we aim to at least be a .500 team this, before we start demanding that these guys win the division?

Riggo I just picked this quote out of your post because it’s one thing that really annoys me, you’re not the only one who thinks like that. Like you and I agree we’ll be happy if the Skins are competing for a playoffs spot instead of a high draft pick come December. That said this organization has conditioned this fan base to have low expectations. I’m not asking for division titles every year but is it too much to expect or want this team to compete year in and year out. It truly is sad to see the atmosphere out at FedEx Field these days…which is a direct reflection of the low expectations this franchise has created.

[grampi]

The Skins are not winning the division until they can figure out how to beat the other teams in the division...they beat the Fecals, now they gotta figure out how to beat the Midgets and the Crackboys...

[riggofan]

We were a 4-12 team last year. Not only that, but we just completely sucked in most of those games. How about we aim to at least be a .500 team this, before we start demanding that these guys win the division?

Riggo I just picked this quote out of your post because it’s one thing that really annoys me, you’re not the only one who thinks like that. Like you and I agree we’ll be happy if the Skins are competing for a playoffs spot instead of a high draft pick come December. That said this organization has conditioned this fan base to have low expectations. I’m not asking for division titles every year but is it too much to expect or want this team to compete year in and year out. It truly is sad to see the atmosphere out at FedEx Field these days…which is a direct reflection of the low expectations this franchise has created.

No, I don't think its too much at all to want/expect the team to be competitive every year. I know you and I are on the same page with that one.

My point about going from 4-12 to 8-8 was just about being realistic this year. We're talking about winning the division in this thread? Maybe it couldn't happen, but it doesn't seem like the most realistic expectation for this team. We were terrible last year. Not like we lost a bunch of close games where we could have been 7-9 or something like that.

Frankly I'm impressed by how well they've played so far and really encouraged by what we've seen from McCloughan. I love that this team has been willing to draft young guys AND PLAY THEM.

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

Frankly I'm impressed by how well they've played so far and really encouraged by what we've seen from McCloughan. I love that this team has been willing to draft young guys AND PLAY THEM.

This. A thousand times this.

[HEROHAMO]

We were a 4-12 team last year. Not only that, but we just completely sucked in most of those games. How about we aim to at least be a .500 team this, before we start demanding that these guys win the division?

Riggo I just picked this quote out of your post because it’s one thing that really annoys me, you’re not the only one who thinks like that. Like you and I agree we’ll be happy if the Skins are competing for a playoffs spot instead of a high draft pick come December. That said this organization has conditioned this fan base to have low expectations. I’m not asking for division titles every year but is it too much to expect or want this team to compete year in and year out. It truly is sad to see the atmosphere out at FedEx Field these days…which is a direct reflection of the low expectations this franchise has created.

Exactly. Is it really crazy to expect this team to take a division thats battered throughout? Yes we have difficult non division opponents on our scheduele but the other teams in the division have to play the same teams as well.

This is not positive spin. Its being real.
We can win this division. I expect it. I demand it.

[heatman28]

[/quote]Scot may trade Griffin for a player that helps make this team better - while Scot made the decision, Griffin might "help" make us better [/quote]


Exactly!

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

Scot may trade Griffin for a player that helps make this team better - while Scot made the decision, Griffin might "help" make us better [/quote]


Exactly! [/quote]

Which team is going to clear $6.7 million in cap space to sign a player who isn't even active on gamedays? That GM will be looking for work.

[SkinsJock]

Griffin is in street clothes, so he has absolutely nothing to do with winning the division. Connect the dots for me.

THANKFULLY - you do not make player decisions here ... at least, I don't think you do ... maybe you are making these decisions?
Scot may trade Griffin for a player that helps make this team better - while Scot made the decision, Griffin might actually "help" make us better

I'm just looking for Kirk to help lead this franchise to the promised land - next up is the Falcons, then a slightly tougher foe - here we come NY

we can do this .... Kirk is showing us all what can happen when the QB plays well ...

[SkinsJock]

I'm a big HEROHAMO fan - let's go Redskins .. let's go ...

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

I'm a big HEROHAMO fan - let's go Redskins .. let's go ...

The two of you drank the Kool Aid, didn't you?

[DEHog]

We were a 4-12 team last year. Not only that, but we just completely sucked in most of those games. How about we aim to at least be a .500 team this, before we start demanding that these guys win the division?

Riggo I just picked this quote out of your post because it’s one thing that really annoys me, you’re not the only one who thinks like that. Like you and I agree we’ll be happy if the Skins are competing for a playoffs spot instead of a high draft pick come December. That said this organization has conditioned this fan base to have low expectations. I’m not asking for division titles every year but is it too much to expect or want this team to compete year in and year out. It truly is sad to see the atmosphere out at FedEx Field these days…which is a direct reflection of the low expectations this franchise has created.

No, I don't think its too much at all to want/expect the team to be competitive every year. I know you and I are on the same page with that one.

My point about going from 4-12 to 8-8 was just about being realistic this year. We're talking about winning the division in this thread? Maybe it couldn't happen, but it doesn't seem like the most realistic expectation for this team. We were terrible last year. Not like we lost a bunch of close games where we could have been 7-9 or something like that.

Frankly I'm impressed by how well they've played so far and really encouraged by what we've seen from McCloughan. I love that this team has been willing to draft young guys AND PLAY THEM.

Well there are different types of 8-8 if we’re 6-8 or 7-7 we’re probably playing meaningful games in December. If we’re 4-8 we’re not. I guess my point is we have become so condition that we are now going to view mediocrity as success. As I said and you pointed out there is reason to be optimistic this year and we are witnessing our draft picks and FA’s pick-ups actually contribute!!

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

Well there are different types of 8-8 if we’re 6-8 or 7-7 we’re probably playing meaningful games in December. If we’re 4-8 we’re not. I guess my point is we have become so condition that we are now going to view mediocrity as success. As I said and you pointed out there is reason to be optimistic this year and we are witnessing our draft picks and FA’s pick-ups actually contribute!!

I think strength of schedule is an important consideration when evaluating improvement. For instance:

Of the 16 regular season games Atlanta will play in 2015, only four of those will come against opponents who finished 2014 with a winning record. The Falcons strength of schedule for 2015 is .409, which beat out the Colts (.417) for the easiest strength of schedule.

On the other hand, here's our ranking and the teams with easier SOS this season (Note that two teams in our division have an easier SOS):

T-20. Washington Redskins: 122-133-1, .478

T-20. New York Giants: 122-133-1, .478

22. New England Patriots: 122-134, .477

23. Philadelphia Eagles: 121-134-1, .475

24. Dallas Cowboys: 119-136-1, .467

25. Jacksonville Jaguars: 118-137-1, .463

26. Tennessee Titans: 111-144-1, .435

27. Carolina Panthers: 111-145, .434

28. New Orleans Saints: 109-145-2, .429

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 108-146-2, .425

30. Houston Texans: 106-148-2, .417

31. Indianapolis Colts: 106-149-1, .417

32. Atlanta Falcons: 104-150-2, .409

[DEHog]

I’ve never really put a lot of stock on SOS because it’s based on last year and you really only get two different teams then the rest of the division. There's a reason the Falcons and COlts have easy SOS...look at their divisions.

[riggofan]

I guess my point is we have become so condition that we are now going to view mediocrity as success.

You're 100% correct about that, man.

I can't tell you how many games I watched last year and thought, "Damn I wish we at least looked like a professional football team." So many of those games were just embarrassing.

I don't know if its about being conditioned or if it is just a sad statement about the state of this team. After the past two seasons, being an 8-8 team would be a success. Sad as that is to write.

Anyway, beat the Falcons this Sunday and I might jump on the division title bandwagon with HEROHAMO. Right now I still feel good that the team doesn't completely suck.

[riggofan]

I'm just looking for Kirk to help lead this franchise to the promised land - next up is the Falcons, then a slightly tougher foe - here we come NY

You think the Jets will be tougher than the Falcons?

I kinda like our chances v. the Jets better. I know they have a good defense, but we can get after Fitzpatrick. They really haven't beaten anybody good yet, and they lost to the Eagles. That's a winnable game.

[SkinsJock]

I do think the Jets will be tougher - I have watched the Falcons a bit - they just don't seem as tough a game to me

our team is starting to know what they have to do in order to have a good chance to win - the penalties and missed assignments need to go away - this group is playing tough

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

I’ve never really put a lot of stock on SOS because it’s based on last year and you really only get two different teams then the rest of the division. There's a reason the Falcons and COlts have easy SOS...look at their divisions.

I think if we went 8-8 with Atlanta's schedule it would be less of an accomplishment than going 8-8 or even 7-9 with Pittsburgh's schedule. I think there would be more quality in the wins against good teams than bad ones. Certainly, no single metric can be used to judge a season as a success or failure unless that metric is wins and losses, but even that has to be taken in context. I think if we get six wins this season with the number of players we have on IR, the change at quarterback, the entirely revamped offensive line, and the schedule we play it has to be considered a success. Unless we look at the games and see there are several we should have won and gave away. But I can't see that happening with this team this season. We're a bottom twelve team playing well, not a top twelve team playing poorly. There aren't many games on the schedule where, all things being equal, we could look at it week one and call definite wins. I'd go so far as to say anyone who claims to have expected the team to perform as well as it has thus far is being intellectually dishonest.

[markshark84]

Exactly. Is it really crazy to expect this team to take a division thats battered throughout? Yes we have difficult non division opponents on our scheduele but the other teams in the division have to play the same teams as well.

This is not positive spin. Its being real.
We can win this division. I expect it. I demand it.

Demand it.......

The actual reality is that we have played 4 games --- all against mediocre AT BEST teams (2 are actually straight up bad). We are MIA's only win. STL played a bad game against us and we were at home and played our best game of the year. We lost handily to NYG and PHI is just a disaster.

If you look at the remainding season on a game by game basis, what are your expectations??? Of our 12 remaining games, only 4 have losing records. Our games (multiple) against DAL will INCLUDE Romo and Dez. 7 of these games are played away. I don't think 8-8 is unrealistic by any means based on how we have played up to this point.

I also think you are grossly underestimating the division. By mid-November, the NYG could very well be 6-2 (seeing how they play SF, PHI, DAL (without Romo and likely Dez), and NO). They then play NE and @WAS followed by 5 winnable games. To say the NYGs could get to 10 wins isn't unrealistic.

[DEHog]

I'm just looking for Kirk to help lead this franchise to the promised land - next up is the Falcons, then a slightly tougher foe - here we come NY

You think the Jets will be tougher than the Falcons?

I kinda like our chances v. the Jets better. I know they have a good defense, but we can get after Fitzpatrick. They really haven't beaten anybody good yet, and they lost to the Eagles. That's a winnable game.

Neither have the Falcons really..they are going for the sweep of our divsion this week (should have lost to NY) Outside of that they beat Houston.

[yupchagee]

Well there are different types of 8-8 if we’re 6-8 or 7-7 we’re probably playing meaningful games in December. If we’re 4-8 we’re not. I guess my point is we have become so condition that we are now going to view mediocrity as success. As I said and you pointed out there is reason to be optimistic this year and we are witnessing our draft picks and FA’s pick-ups actually contribute!!

I think strength of schedule is an important consideration when evaluating improvement. For instance:

Of the 16 regular season games Atlanta will play in 2015, only four of those will come against opponents who finished 2014 with a winning record. The Falcons strength of schedule for 2015 is .409, which beat out the Colts (.417) for the easiest strength of schedule.

On the other hand, here's our ranking and the teams with easier SOS this season (Note that two teams in our division have an easier SOS):

T-20. Washington Redskins: 122-133-1, .478

T-20. New York Giants: 122-133-1, .478

22. New England Patriots: 122-134, .477

23. Philadelphia Eagles: 121-134-1, .475

24. Dallas Cowboys: 119-136-1, .467

25. Jacksonville Jaguars: 118-137-1, .463

26. Tennessee Titans: 111-144-1, .435

27. Carolina Panthers: 111-145, .434

28. New Orleans Saints: 109-145-2, .429

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 108-146-2, .425

30. Houston Texans: 106-148-2, .417

31. Indianapolis Colts: 106-149-1, .417

32. Atlanta Falcons: 104-150-2, .409

Philly schedule is 1 game weaker TTiT is 3. Remember, we play them twice, they played us.

[HEROHAMO]

If Djax can return it would help out tremendously. He would demand a double coverage if not
hes a deep threat homerun who needs to be utilized.

With Djax going deep most of the time it takes a saftey and corner with him most of the time.
Opening up things in the middle deep for Garcon or whoever is our slot guy. Will aslo help out the
run game as well.

[HEROHAMO]

Let me just say this.

Teams that have film on us from weeks 1-4 will probably have this game plan.

Stop Washingtons running game and attack the Redskins secondary on offense since our Skins
are strong against the run.

To stop our run teams will employ more 7-8 man fronts. This should give Kirk more freedom
to pass the ball. I would like to see more playaction deep passes. The return of Djax would help
big time.

Our pass defense.
Most of the time our defense rushes four and plays off of WRs.
Id like to see our defense play more press coverage and send more blitzes. Why rush only four
and play off and still give up the yardage? Why not attack?

So long as we continue to dominate running the ball and stopping the run. With this as our identity
we can win more and more games.

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

Why rush only four and play off and still give up the yardage? Why not attack?

Because the two players best at playing man coverage are both injured. Our corners and safeties will get destroyed stacking eight or nine in the box.

[HEROHAMO]

Why rush only four and play off and still give up the yardage? Why not attack?

Because the two players best at playing man coverage are both injured. Our corners and safeties will get destroyed stacking eight or nine in the box.

It does not have to be eight. You can send 5 or 6 and have the rest in coverage. Corner blitzes , zone blitzes, the main idea is sending more then four.