Who here is guarding against the usual?

[grampi]

From what I've seen of the Skins' preseason games, the offense looks much improved so far in all aspects compared to any of the recent seasons, and while the D looks like it needs some work, it appears the offense is finally good enough so the D doesn't have to carry the team like in previous seasons. However, I'm guarding against getting my hopes too high. Too many times I've seen this team look very promising during preseason play, only to have them fall flat on their faces once the regular season begins. I'm really hoping that doesn't happen this year, but I'm not getting my hopes too high (just yet anyway) until they start winning some meaningful games....

[KazooSkinsFan]

From what I've seen of the Skins' preseason games, the offense looks much improved so far in all aspects compared to any of the recent seasons

I agree they are improved, but if we're going to surprise anyone I think it's still going to need to be lead by the D. I don't see our O as being better then mediocre. Though to your point that would be a vast improvement.

[grampi]

From what I've seen of the Skins' preseason games, the offense looks much improved so far in all aspects compared to any of the recent seasons

I agree they are improved, but if we're going to surprise anyone I think it's still going to need to be lead by the D. I don't see our O as being better then mediocre. Though to your point that would be a vast improvement.

From what I've seen during preason games, if we have to lean on the D to get wins, we may be in trouble. They haven't impressed me...

[cvillehog]

From what I've seen of the Skins' preseason games, the offense looks much improved so far in all aspects compared to any of the recent seasons

I agree they are improved, but if we're going to surprise anyone I think it's still going to need to be lead by the D. I don't see our O as being better then mediocre. Though to your point that would be a vast improvement.

I hold out hope for our run game.

[KazooSkinsFan]

From what I've seen of the Skins' preseason games, the offense looks much improved so far in all aspects compared to any of the recent seasons

I agree they are improved, but if we're going to surprise anyone I think it's still going to need to be lead by the D. I don't see our O as being better then mediocre. Though to your point that would be a vast improvement.

I hold out hope for our run game.

Agreed, but as you say it's still "hope." I don't see our passing game scaring anyone.

[KazooSkinsFan]

From what I've seen of the Skins' preseason games, the offense looks much improved so far in all aspects compared to any of the recent seasons

I agree they are improved, but if we're going to surprise anyone I think it's still going to need to be lead by the D. I don't see our O as being better then mediocre. Though to your point that would be a vast improvement.

From what I've seen during preason games, if we have to lean on the D to get wins, we may be in trouble. They haven't impressed me...

Given the massive changes "if" our D is actually good then it's definitely going to have to evolve over the season. But that isn't a certainty. I've argued against the people who say we suck, but if we have improvement on both sides of the ball and finish with 7-9 wins I think it's been a successful season we can build on. You can go from the outhouse to the penthouse in one year, but it doesn't happen very often.

[grampi]

I agree they are improved, but if we're going to surprise anyone I think it's still going to need to be lead by the D. I don't see our O as being better then mediocre. Though to your point that would be a vast improvement.

I hold out hope for our run game.

Agreed, but as you say it's still "hope." I don't see our passing game scaring anyone.

Our passing game carved up the Raven's starting D pretty darn good...

[The Hogster]

I have thought that the first team defense has looked very solid. Our problems on offense are in the red zone as usual. So, it will take me a couple of scoring plays from the +20 before I'm satisfied.

All too often we have settled for 3s after good offensive drives, only to lose by 6 or less. We've got to get Cooley & Davis into the endzone regularly (ala the Pats with Gronkowski & Gonzalez) or have guys like Gaffney, Armstrong & Hankerson catch elevate their games from a scoring standpoint.

This year it won't be the line's fault.

[SkinsJock]

We have added some pieces to the puzzle - the key is the QB position

we don't know how good (OR bad) John Beck is - he seems to be decent at best - Grossman is a good back up QB ONLY

We will be better on defense - I think that the offensive line is starting to come together but this needs time and better depth
we should see better game planning and play calling from both Jim & Kyle
I think the players are more comfortable with the coaches and what is expected of them - they also are playing with more intensity

we will be in the 7 to 9 win range with better play on the field and better play calling from our DC and OC

[DarthMonk]

I'd love to see league-wide pre-season stats from the last 10 years from starters vs. starters and how it correlates to the regular season. I feel like we did very well in that regard this year and therefore have high hopes. The least meaningful stat in these games is the final score.

As for red zone you may want to check "Value Drive" thread in "Around the League" forum.

DarthMonk

[langleyparkjoe]

16-0
How's that for hope?



Good posts by all you guys by the way, I kinda agree with everybody. (who's a real skins fan)

[grampi]

I'd love to see league-wide pre-season stats from the last 10 years from starters vs. starters and how it correlates to the regular season. I feel like we did very well in that regard this year and therefore have high hopes. The least meaningful stat in these games is the final score.

As for red zone you may want to check "Value Drive" thread in "Around the League" forum.

DarthMonk

It's so difficult, if not impossible to gauge how good the team will be based on preseason performances. Like I said, I've seen preseasons where the Skins looked like they were going to be absolute beasts, and then do nothing once the regular season starts....Remember the first season under Steve Spurrier? My God, they were obliterating teams in the preseason, then they sucked azz once regular season play began....

[HarleyHog]

IF
We can avoid a major visit from the injury faeries, we probably have improved enough at the starter level to win 8-9 games. I have mentioned before in other threads that last year's 6 wins represented a 50% increase in win total. 9 this year will represent a pattern, so we will be able to aim for 14 next year. I figure 11-5 plus 3 in post season.

HTTR


NO TROLL RESPONSE REQUIRED

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

I'm on the 16-0 wagon till proven otherwise. Gonna be a fun season I think we can finally compete every game.
Lmao at the no troll response needed.. Might need to edit my signature stupid star lover

[redskinz4ever]

i think we are better on both O & D just how much we will soon find out !!
my thoughts are on the QB situation because if we average once about 13 PPG we will not win many games.
we can NOT continue driving 80 90 yards and kicking a field goal that equals close games which we seem to be on the losing end mores time than i can count.

[KazooSkinsFan]

Our passing game carved up the Raven's starting D pretty darn good...

Answered your own question

It's so difficult, if not impossible to gauge how good the team will be based on preseason performances. Like I said, I've seen preseasons where the Skins looked like they were going to be absolute beasts, and then do nothing once the regular season starts....Remember the first season under Steve Spurrier? My God, they were obliterating teams in the preseason, then they sucked azz once regular season play began....

[aswas71788]

Last year we were 6 - 10 and looked like an 0 - 16 team sometimes. As you said, the redskins look better this year and it is hard to gauge where they are in the pecking order. I will be happy with an 8 - 8 or 9 - 6 this year and expect to be in the play offs next year. I would be pleasantly surprised at 10 - 6 or better.

Just keep being Redskins fan.

[yupchagee]

I agree they are improved, but if we're going to surprise anyone I think it's still going to need to be lead by the D. I don't see our O as being better then mediocre. Though to your point that would be a vast improvement.

I hold out hope for our run game.

Agreed, but as you say it's still "hope." I don't see our passing game scaring anyone.

Moss, Armstrong & Gafney looks like a good trio. After that nothing but ?????

[KazooSkinsFan]

I hold out hope for our run game.

Agreed, but as you say it's still "hope." I don't see our passing game scaring anyone.

Moss, Armstrong & Gafney looks like a good trio. After that nothing but ?????

It's certainly the most optimistic I've been at receiver for a while. But keep in mind the passing game is the entire O. The line to block, backs to pick up blitzes, other receivers to spread the D and the QB to deliver the ball. Will it all come together? Given our extremely limited success in recent years I am seeing improvement but I have a hard time believing it comes together in one year to be a strength by NFL standards.

[Deadskins]

The passing game is going to benefit greatly from the running game. We have already seen this in the preseason. Not only are we doing a lot more PA passing, but the threat of the run allows you to bring the DBs up closer to the line, opening up the deep routes.