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

Anybody else bother to watch? I refuse to make too much out of preseason games or judge anything, but I will say the Packers preseason game didn't do much to fill me with hope.

I did like that the offensive starters stayed in so long. The first couple drives were not good at all. I read somewhere that Callahan was getting the second team o-line ready to go in, and Williams basically refused to come out. Kept the first team in. Pretty cool that the first team didn't want to leave the field without scoring a TD.

However, while I said I won't make judgements, its hard not to be concerned about the running game. I don't know what the continuing problem there is, but I was hoping to see some improvement.

We haven't had a running back in ages. Kelly was frustrated, that was obvious, but he has lost his quickness. Perine looks like the guy, I'd be givin him the ball. Something wonky in the offensive line, the right side.
The defense is aggressive, like they have enough confidence to do some bold things. Last week I saw Kerrigan lining up on the right, I'm wondering what thats about.
Its good to see a #72 out there.
If Vernon Davis can play the entire season like he played that game at his age, he has to be one of the best conditoned atheletes on the field. I salute!

I don't put alot of stock in preseason either, the thing that does concern me is Gruden. He's not a great game manager to start with IMO, and now with him calling plays I can see it getting worse. I thought he mismanaged the clock (at times) in this game.

DEHog wrote:I don't put alot of stock in preseason either, the thing that does concern me is Gruden. He's not a great game manager to start with IMO, and now with him calling plays I can see it getting worse. I thought he mismanaged the clock (at times) in this game.

Yeah, I was going to disagree with you about the play calling, but thought more about what you wrote and I agree. Clock management has definitely been an issue as long as he's been HC - especially at the end of the first half. The annoying thing is that 1) its obviously been a problem and 2) it seems like a CORRECTABLE problem. I mean seriously. Come up with a new strategy for how you're going to deal with that situation. Put a guy in charge of managing time in those situations. It's fixable, right???

Gotta say btw, I watched the Giants last night and weirdly felt better about our own preseason performance so far.

What worries me about Gruden is that he says he isn't concerned about the lack of a running game so far. Hopefully, he was just 'fibbing'.

riggofan wrote:

DEHog wrote:I don't put alot of stock in preseason either, the thing that does concern me is Gruden. He's not a great game manager to start with IMO, and now with him calling plays I can see it getting worse. I thought he mismanaged the clock (at times) in this game.

Yeah, I was going to disagree with you about the play calling, but thought more about what you wrote and I agree. Clock management has definitely been an issue as long as he's been HC - especially at the end of the first half. The annoying thing is that 1) its obviously been a problem and 2) it seems like a CORRECTABLE problem. I mean seriously. Come up with a new strategy for how you're going to deal with that situation. Put a guy in charge of managing time in those situations. It's fixable, right???

Gotta say btw, I watched the Giants last night and weirdly felt better about our own preseason performance so far.

Yeah not so much play calling as much as the play calling affecting his game management which IMO was already suspect.

oj wrote:What worries me about Gruden is that he says he isn't concerned about the lack of a running game so far. Hopefully, he was just 'fibbing'.

That's definitely five pinocchio's.

DEHog wrote:

riggofan wrote:

DEHog wrote:I don't put alot of stock in preseason either, the thing that does concern me is Gruden. He's not a great game manager to start with IMO, and now with him calling plays I can see it getting worse. I thought he mismanaged the clock (at times) in this game.

Yeah, I was going to disagree with you about the play calling, but thought more about what you wrote and I agree. Clock management has definitely been an issue as long as he's been HC - especially at the end of the first half. The annoying thing is that 1) its obviously been a problem and 2) it seems like a CORRECTABLE problem. I mean seriously. Come up with a new strategy for how you're going to deal with that situation. Put a guy in charge of managing time in those situations. It's fixable, right???

Gotta say btw, I watched the Giants last night and weirdly felt better about our own preseason performance so far.

Yeah not so much play calling as much as the play calling affecting his game management which IMO was already suspect.

Let us all be very honest. Gruden is middle of the pack coach. Not the worst you can get but not the best. I think the players like him, but they probably like him too much (which isn't always good).

Not really seeing this time improving because I don't really see anyone standing out in preseason. A couple of flashes here and there but no one really looking to force themselves into a starting lineup.

mastdark81 wrote:Let us all be very honest. Gruden is middle of the pack coach. Not the worst you can get but not the best. I think the players like him, but they probably like him too much (which isn't always good).

I like Gruden, but there's no way to argue against this. Until or unless he actually wins something as a head coach, he is what he is.

One thing I'd like to see from Gruden this year is to start the year off strong. We have not won a season opener under Gruden. Four years in a row losing the season opener would be kind of an embarrassment.

riggofan wrote:

mastdark81 wrote:Let us all be very honest. Gruden is middle of the pack coach. Not the worst you can get but not the best. I think the players like him, but they probably like him too much (which isn't always good).

I like Gruden, but there's no way to argue against this. Until or unless he actually wins something as a head coach, he is what he is.

One thing I'd like to see from Gruden this year is to start the year off strong. We have not won a season opener under Gruden. Four years in a row losing the season opener would be kind of an embarrassment.

winning the first 2 is doable ... finishing the season with 9 or more wins would be great

mastdark81 wrote:Not really seeing this time improving because I don't really see anyone standing out in preseason. A couple of flashes here and there but no one really looking to force themselves into a starting lineup.

I tend to agree, but when you consider what he is working with and his results --- he has done better than most.

SkinsJock wrote:winning the first 2 is doable ... finishing the season with 9 or more wins would be great

No doubt. Trouble is that I could totally see the team losing those first two games too. The Eagles have been decent, could be better this year. Goff has looked better from what I've heard about the Rams this year, I don't doubt that McVay will help them.

Week 1 at home we should be as healthy as we'll be all year. I want to see the coach have them prepared to come out strong and get a valuable home week to start and set the tone for the season.

markshark84 wrote:

mastdark81 wrote:Not really seeing this time improving because I don't really see anyone standing out in preseason. A couple of flashes here and there but no one really looking to force themselves into a starting lineup.

I tend to agree, but when you consider what he is working with and his results --- he has done better than most.

Our offense on paper last year was probably the best it has been the last decade. Remember we had Moss and no one else...well we had DJax, Garcon and the best route running TE in football with a top 10 oline (could be to Gruden's credit in developing chemistry and hiring oline coach).

Defense on paper wasn't good but neither was Dallas and they won 13 games. You can't tell me Dallas looked better than our defense on paper. One of the critiques of a coach is who he hires as well. Joe Barry didn't belong in the NFL.

Our run game average over 4 yards per carry and yes it looked ugly some games but thats the run game in general unless you have barry sanders. When we passed the ball over 36 times we lost every game. When we passed the ball under 35 times we won every game with the exception of 1. That my friend is coaching. They continue to be pass happy and don't stress the run.

this franchise has played 2 pre season games and we all know from experience that these games mean very little - THEY DON'T COUNT

the only thing one needs to know when trying to gauge how this franchise will perform on the field is to look back at what has happened to this franchise since Dan Snyder came in and started getting involved with who plays and coaches here

there is no accountability, ZERO - and the attitude of Redskins coaches and players reflects this

this franchise is not respected like it used to be by fans, media, coaches or players

we might win 7 - 9 games but that is largely based on luck, not on a great desire to coach and play as well as they're capable of

HTTR

SkinsJock wrote:there is no accountability, ZERO - and the attitude of Redskins coaches and players reflects this

I don't know man, I kind of disagree with this statement. Ask Matt Jones if there is accountability or not. Ask Joe Barry. Ask the long gone RG3. I guarantee you there will be a free agent signing or two from the spring who won't make the final 53 even though they're making significant guaranteed $$s.

Maybe you're talking about other areas of the team?

I think accountability for players has definitely improved under Gruden, probably even going back to Shanahan. There was a long time where guys on this team were guaranteed spots based on their "name", their salary, etc; Whether or not these current guys are actually performing up to standards is up for debate, but I don't think its completely fair to say Gruden hasn't held players and coaches accountability for their performances.

I'm just tired of seeing less than motivated play from the players and a lack of leadership and coaching from Jay Gruden

in a way, we're lucky to have Jay Gruden because I really doubt that many quality HCs would want to be a part of this mess

I'm just not sure Jay Gruden has what it takes - maybe he'll step it up this season and show that he's worth keeping even though we won't have Kirk Cousins next season - I just don't think he's going to be here and he knows it already

SkinsJock wrote:I'm just tired of seeing less than motivated play from the players and a lack of leadership and coaching from Jay Gruden

in a way, we're lucky to have Jay Gruden because I really doubt that many quality HCs would want to be a part of this mess

I'm just not sure Jay Gruden has what it takes - maybe he'll step it up this season and show that he's worth keeping even though we won't have Kirk Cousins next season - I just don't think he's going to be here and he knows it already

Nicely said.

SkinsJock wrote:I'm just tired of seeing less than motivated play from the players and a lack of leadership and coaching from Jay Gruden

in a way, we're lucky to have Jay Gruden because I really doubt that many quality HCs would want to be a part of this mess

I'm just not sure Jay Gruden has what it takes - maybe he'll step it up this season and show that he's worth keeping even though we won't have Kirk Cousins next season - I just don't think he's going to be here and he knows it already

I don't know. He just signed a two year extension in March that takes him through 2020. He's tight with Allen.

I don't think he has to do anything epic this year to maintain his job security. Finish +.500 again, show some progress. I don't think the team is eager to run him out of town.

Of course with this owner, nobody should ever feel completely secure in their jobs!