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

What i saw in game one left me smiling from ear to ear i'm not going to lie, but at the same time there were some things that did concern me a little. Our special teams for example didn't look that special when it came time to stopping the return. TB has never been known for thier return game, although one have never guessed it when looking at that game, making holes for the running game. We did pretty darn good at the running for the most part, but it wasn't a result of our line guys opening it up for us it seemed more like great running skills. set aside the fact that we won for a moment, although i couldn't be happier, and ask yourself this. Where do you think we need to improve?

J82, relax - You worry too much. If the Skins play that well for the remainder of season, we be talking about meaningful games in December!

but it wasn't a result of our line guys opening it up for us it seemed more like great running skills.

I have to disagree with you there. Every great runner has an at least decent offensive line. Charlie Garner is a great RB and TB's line couldn't do much for him. Look at Denver they pump out good backs. Part of it is the system part of it is the back. Portis was said to be a system back but he wasn't, he was a good back in a good system. That system is still good and Quentin Griffith is behind that line and got 140+ yards last night.


I think our defense still has issues up front. We're a lot improved from last year, BUT we need to be able to create pressure without having to blitz. Being able to do that will improve our 2ndary coverage and make our blitzing more effective. Our defense is going to be decent this year and will be substantially improved next season with a stud DT or a good DE.

I think we can carry over our LB, and 2ndary into the next 2 seasons without upgrade.

The Skins defense won the game - hands down. Hats off to Clinton Portis, I love this guy!!! - But the Skins defensive unit - up front for pressure, sacks and tips. Middle for hits, hits and more hits and the DB's for all of the above.

The Bucs were clearly in the game until the end. Dropped balls, penalties and wasted opportunities ended their day.

The Skins beat a mediocre team on Sunday - which is better than in years past - but the Bucs stunk on Sunday. The Skins O, especially Brunell, special teams - entire unit - all need to be MUCH better if the Skins are going to beat good teams.

Winning ugly is better than not winning:0)

Our offense needs to be able to spread it out a bit. Brunell and Friedman/Raymer need to get there timing right. We need Brunell to finish it off in the red zone for a TD instead of a FG. Gibbs realizes what needs to be done, and he's already working on improving the offense. Over the next several weeks, expect the offense to improve significantly.

The Bucs were clearly in the game until the end. Dropped balls, penalties and wasted opportunities ended their day.

They were only in the game because we kept them in the game. We should have had at least two additional TD's for sure. Their only score for a TD was because we made a mistake. What you said is true, but nots give them too much credit.

I actually thought the pressure from the front four was not too bad. There were several near misses. It's just that the Bucs were throwing the ball short most of the game. Hard to sack a QB when he takes just a 5-step drop.

Kickoff coverage needs improvement.

Also, I'm wondering if Brunell doesn't have noodle arm. It doesn't look like he's got the zip for a consistent vertical game. Play action is only good if the QB can throw the deep ball....

The 'Skins put great pressure on the QB at times w/o blitzing. We almost had a sack on a 3 man rush. Now you can't tell me that we need better pass rushers. Becuase last time I checked 3 vs. 5 doesn't usually end up in a QB pressure.
As for the special teams; that is my only concern right now. Well, only kickoff coverage, our punt coverage is amazing. But I believe it will come in time. The coaching staff just needs to try different combinations out there to see which works best.

What are we lacking? Just a little more time for the o-line to get completely in synch. A more accurate QB... but that may be that the southpaw just needs a few more reps (that's my bet)

What are we lacking? Just a little more time for the o-line to get completely in synch. A more accurate QB... but that may be that the southpaw just needs a few more reps (that's my bet)

The southpaw needs some more muscle behind the ball too. He'll become more accurate with the receivers as the year goes on, it takes time to get accustomed to everyone's difference in speed. Perfectly leading a receiver to the ball is a hard thing to do and takes repetition.

We need a QB who has a good enough arm to stretch the field. I like Brunell, but he's only decent at the short and moderate length passes. His bombs just die up in the air. This hurt them in the game yesterday and will continue to hurt them. I'm not sure if Simply putting in Ramesy would be the solution, either.

I'm not sure if Simply putting in Ramesy would be the solution, either.

No, that'd create more problems.

Brunell just needs to give up on that long ball. Do it to mix things up but for someone who can't push the ball downfield he threw an awful lot of long ones. Almost 2 were intercepted.

Just wait until this line jells. It will be a sweet thing. The blockers did Ok but could have blocked better. We will get there by our byb week. I want to see Portis have a 200 yard game sometime this year. I also want to see LC have a 150 game. I think we will but we must still jell.

What we are lacking is a loss....and to be quite frank.....I'd like to keep it that way as long as possible

Brunell does have noodle arm, but I think part of the problem was he was waiting too long to throw it. He was trying to throw 40 yard bombs when he can only throw 30-35 yards. Once he gets the timing down better, he will hit those guys a little shorter than he was trying to in the Tampa game. You know Gibbs wasn't having him do something he knew he couldn't. I think it's just a matter of timing.