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Fire at 17th and L NW Forces Evacuations
Remember six and two? Nearly two months ago, the Redskins were on fire: winning big games on the road, commanding the line of scrimmage and finishing games. With big wins in both Dallas and Philadelphia, this team was a force to be reckoned with, and the league had taken notice. Fast forward six weeks. Losers of four of five and bickering among themselves, the crumbling Redskins arrived in Cincinnati looking for a bit of salvation against one of the worst teams in the NFL—the 1-11-1 Bengals.
We know these Redskins, and one thing they excel at is making bad teams look great. And they did a fantastic job of it on Sunday afternoon, losing 20-13.
The first drive was indeed a sign of things to come. On the first completed pass of the game, Chris Cooley took a big hit and fumbled the ball away. Moments later, Cincinnati quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick jogged into the end zone to put the Bengals up 7-0. After a few more painful offensive series and more methodical drives by Cincinnati’s suddenly potent offense, the Redskins found themselves down 17-0…and staring at a lost season.
The 'Skins offense did make an abbreviated run against one of the worst defenses in the league, with a touchdown to Santana Moss and a Suisham field goal before the half. But that desperation and drive did not sustain.
AP Photo
Redskins fans could see their season slip away in the third quarter. After a Mike Sellers touchdown was overturned, the 'Skin were left with a third and one—looking to tie the game 17-17. What's worst that could happen? Not get the touchdown and take the three points? Fumble the ball away? Fumble the ball into the end zone giving Cincinnati the ball at their own 20 yard line? How about reviewing the play so you lose a timeout while you're at it? Impressively done, Redskins.
Besides making Ryan Fitzpatrick look like Randall Cunningham, the Redskins defensive unit showed very little. Yesterday's game was like watching the Baltimore game all over again, only this was against a far worse team. Little pressure from the front four, poor coverage in the secondary, coaching snafus and an uncanny ability to cave when it counted added up to another horrid day for this overrated unit. In a last gasp attempt to get the offense the ball for one last shot at a season, the defense and coaching staff were embarrassed again. After a key stop on third down, the Redskins looked confused when the Bengals decided to go for it on fourth down. Rushing to the line, the only play the Bengals could run was a quarterback sneak. The announcers, the fans, ball boys and hot dog vendors, all seemed to know what was coming. Unfortunately, no one told the Redskins defense.
After another field goal by Shayne Graham effectively put the game out of reach, Redskins fans kissed their season goodbye. So again, remember 6-2? Zorn was a god in D.C. Now, there are rumors flying that he might be out the door. .
The good news? Well, there's little. Now, another loss just means better position in the 2009 draft. The real question is, "How many receivers will we take this year?"
Humbug.
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Cowher watch begins today.
Hail to the Deadskins,
Hail, miseryyy...
Why is so little attention being paid to the fact that the Redskins have a mediocre-at-best QB? There's a reason the offense isn't scoring much - teams stack up against Portis and take their chances against a passing game led by Jason Campbell.
Because he's black. We won 4 straight last December with our so-called second string QB, only for him to be summarily ditched once more for the mediocre Campbell.
Guh. Watching this game was actual torture. What does it take -- and we've tried money, time, personnel changes and voodoo -- to get a Redskins season that isn't marred by choke after incredible choke?
This team is ill-equipped to compete over 16 games. No depth at the line position, Zorn too self-conscious now to give Betts any meaningful carries when Portis clearly is banged up.
I think maybe Devin Thomas can develop into a player, but those three picks we wasted on receivers netted a solitary touchdown so far. Fred Davis has two catches now and one reverse for negative yardage? Any other teams employing tight end reverses these days?
We say the D is good, but they're not that good. The D line is poor. Fletcher is great as a leader and an all-energy guy, but he's not a game-changer every week.
We need to scrap Cerrato and get a new personnel team.
Amen to that, DE! Finally someone else who agrees with me! Jason Campbell is very mediocre. Here, he had another mediocre game. Although certainly there is plenty of blame to spread around for his mediocrity (bad coaching, bad offensive line, bad receivers), in general, Jason Campbell gets sacked a lot, only throws the ball short, and does not throw very many touchdowns. That's not going to win you very many games.
"Why is so little attention being paid to the fact that the Redskins have a mediocre-at-best QB"
I say give him an O Line that can give him more than 1.5 secs in the pocket to hit a receiver. Back when the O-Line was healthy he was tearing it up. But once the 5th string comprised most of the line, the running game and passing game went down the toilet.
Shit Sandwich
If you think that Jason Campbell is the problem with this franchise - you are not very bright. That's about as nice as I can state it.
He completed over 60% of his passes, as usual, with next to no protection, as usual.
QBs only thrive when their franchise puts them in a position to - with adequate protection. See: E. Manning, T. Brady, etc...
But Moss' touchdown celebration was awesome! The Redskins score so rarely that it's great when a player selflessly makes a score memorable.
It's Dan Synder's fault. Always.
they are very far from having a good O line, which is the biggest problem. those units have to play together for a few years before they become good-to-great. samuels and jansen are both on the back nine of their careers (were they ever really that good?). so now the task is to find an anchor or two to build around and wait for them to get experience together. good luck with that. especially when this admin likes the flash and not the foundation.
and who will be running the ball when/if they get there? portis has more mileage then my mom's old chevy caprice station wagon with wood paneling (i just hope he doesn't blow up again this week because no one told them they loved him. for a guy who is so physically tough on the field, he is a mental midget off it).
jebus - even the philistines got a respite from famine after 7 years. what the hell did snyder and cerrano do?! god is p!ssed.
The problem with this franchise is that people fail to realize how shitty this team is.
They are very far from having a good O line, which is the biggest problem. those units have to play together for a few years before they become good-to-great. samuels and jansen are both on the back nine of their careers (were they ever really that good?).
I am a believer than Samuels and Jansen were never the cornerstones people made them out to be. But when your front office rarely ever develops those mid-to-late round picks like other organizations do fans and media lavish excessive praise on the top picks who are merely good or slightly above average. Lavar was the biggest example of this. Great athlete sure - but an un-disciplined and overall below average defensive player.
To me, the biggest problem is that there are so many different problems. Campbell is probably mediocre (although many a team has proven that you can win with a mediocre QB). Jansen and Samuels are definitely overrated and Blatche looks like an old and confused drunk who should be hanging with Sweet Dick Willie in Do the Right Thing. I'm not sure if firing Zorn is the right call, unless they have a proven successor (like Cowher) signed, sealed, and delivered when they can him. But Cerrato has to go and it has to be a clean break. He can't be allowed to hang around like Wes Unseld with Abe Pollin where he can still whisper in Snyder's ear.