The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

By Ryan O’Halloran

Staff writer

CSNwashington.com



With a few exceptions, the Redskins’ starters played the entire first half Saturday against Baltimore. After rolling through the video, here are some observations from the first two quarters:



• Although Donovan McNabb was just so-so in the passing game, he was on-point enough to give the Redskins’ receivers some good yards-after-catch figures.



Santana Moss had YACs of 4, 20 and 12 yards along with Chris ey (10 and 8 yards) and Anthony Armstrong (6 and 10 yards).



• Larry Johnson gained only 4 yards on eight carries but it wasn’t all his fault.



The 4-yard loss: Mike Sellers whiffed on Terrell Suggs.



No gain: Trent Williams couldn’t get a helmet on Jameel McClain.



The 3-yard loss: Suggs blew up Williams, who fell back into Sellers, causing Johnson to stumble.



The 2-yard gain: Artis Hicks hit the deck and accidently tripped up Johnson.



• Think the Jugs machine will be turned on this week for things other than holder Josh Bidwell?



First-half drops: Chris ey (the throw was a little behind him, but still), Fred Davis (in the end zone), Clinton Portis (outlet pass), Johnson (juggled it for what seemed like 25 minutes), Santana Moss (over the middle) and Devin Thomas (for what would have been a first down).



• Evidently, “certain situations” for Clinton Portis meant 17 first-half snaps. It’s the biggest indication so far that he’ll be the No. 1 back when Dallas comes to town Sept. 12.



Why? Because he started the Buffalo game and won’t play the Arizona game so the Redskins need to keep him sharp.



More telling was that Portis was on the field for seven third-down chances in the first half. Translation: The coaches don’t think Johnson or Willie Parker are reliable enough in pass protection to put them on the field, but that leaves them with a conundrum: Portis will wear out as an every-down back so they need somebody to rise up for the occasional first- and second-down snap. It’s an opening for Parker, who is scheduled to get his first extended preseason action Friday against the Jets.



• Punter Josh Bidwell’s first-half hang times: 4.72, 4.18 and 4.35 seconds.



• Cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall and Carlos Rogers were both effective as open-field tacklers. Rogers also got a taste of blitzing when he lined up at the left slot. When he rushed, safety LaRon Landry picked up coverage on the receiver.



• On McNabb’s intentional grounding call, the Ravens rushed five and Johnson had two choices – block Dannell Ellerbe or Jameel McClain. He chose neither and both stormed through the gap unblocked. The Redskins were trying to set up a screen pass to Johnson.



• The defense didn’t do a lot of substitution within a drive, either that will be Jim Haslett’s philosophy or the coaching staff wants to get the starting unit into football shape.



On the Ravens’ first drive (five plays), the Redskins made only change – Phillip Buchanon came in as the nickel back on third down. The other 10 players played each snap.



• Are the Redskins saving receiver Joey Galloway for the regular season? He played only seven snaps against Baltimore. Meanwhile, Moss played 28 snaps.



• The Redskins’ starting defense’s unofficial pass rush totals: Three rushers (one snap), four (17), five (four) and six (once).



• Breaking down McNabb’s throw by distance: Traveled up to 5 yards – 3-of-8 for 37 yards. Traveled 6-10 yards – 6-of-10 for 101 yards. Traveled 11-20 yards – 1-of-4 for 23 yards. Traveled 21 or more yards – 1-of-4 for 45 yards and one interception.

encinoman wrote:Now that I got a chance to break down some film...this becomes a different game. If you have to listen to sonny and sam bumble all over themselves, you dont get a real feel for the game.

Landry is a force in the run game. you can tell he loves playing in the box. That is what suits him best that is what his mentality is built for.

Mcnabb looks good on the run. like what he is doing down the field. I think we all agree we would rather see some balls go down the field than the two runs and incomplete pass on 3rd and 5.

Devin Thomas is a body catcher and hes gonna have a few bounce out of his forearm grasp technique.

Armstrong has an ability to make plays. takes advantage of opportunities. Lets invest in him over a burnt out galloway.

Defense is soft against the run. It showed up with buffalo as well. very few no gain or loss of yard run plays. However I think this unit has a huge upside. Our best players are orakpo, london, and landry. Shanny's got to continue to work with albert and get him on board. He will mke the difference we need with that unit.

Special Teams have been amazing. Ofcourse minus fake punt.
good punt coverage. kickoffs are now touchbacks. and Barandon Banks is electric.

CanesSkins26 wrote:

frankcal20 wrote:Orakpo said this is a good thing. This was a reality check matched up against a year in year out playoff team.

He said, "Don't worry about our D because we're no where near opening our bag of tricks and I can see how once we do, we're going to wreak havoc."

Great thought.

See, I don't buy that. You should still be able to generate some pressure on a qb out of your base package. The Ravens were able to do it, we weren't. It's still only preseason, but the first team didn't look good on either side of the ball.

CanesSkins26 wrote:If there is a concern I take out of this game it was the inability of the defensive line to generate any pressure.

CanesSkins26 wrote:

frankcal20 wrote:Rogers was in position but the WR made the play. I'm not holding that against him. Last year - that was a TD.

He got both hands on the ball and should have made the catch. He had great coverage on the play though. But he has to start turning some of these plays into turnovers for our D to become an elite unit.

frankcal20 wrote:The receiver quickly turned into a DB in one play and the receiver did a hell of a job breaking it up.

chiefhog44 wrote:I watched the replay yesterday after reading these posts, and I came away much more impressed than my expectations.

The starting defense played much better than our starting d d last year imo. Much more pressure, even with the holding, and you can see it becoming a defense that just attacks when it is full go. Very excited to watch this.

McNabb didn't have a great game, but the guy hit many passes for first downs and had like 7 guys drop a ball on him. His stats would have been much better had they hung onto the ball. The guy was extremely mobile in the pocket, and had the ball swatted from behind once, held on and dumped it off. Campbell would have fumbled that for shizzle...in fact did against the Bears this weekend.

The interior line really faltered in pass and run blocking. I think those were mistakes of a line who was up against the best in the league and a 3-4 front. Hopefully they will work that out.

It was basically a 3-3 game and we were moving the ball on them but they didn't move the ball on us much at all. I likey

frankcal20 wrote:Moss's drop was 100% on Moss. Not McNabb.

SkinsJock wrote:btw - it's good to see some 'old' buddies back on the boards like cville and dcd - welcome back

CanesSkins26 wrote:

frankcal20 wrote:Moss's drop was 100% on Moss. Not McNabb.

Agreed. He got hit, but that's a catch a receiver needs to make. There was also no excuse for Davis' td drop, or the balls that CP and LJ dropped.