Hats off to the defense

[SoCalWizFan]

Again I'm not trying to diminish a very big win. I'm just pointing out that we got lucky. The pick that was fumbled out of the end zone could have been the difference in the game. They get ahead and can then pound us with the running game. Steve Smith going out and not available for the final drive was another huge break, as were the large number of penalties the Ravens committed. We got the Ravens when they were simply not at their best. Again very happy with the win but I'm just trying to keep things in perspective here.

Not disagreeing about the luck factor (the fumbled Ravens INT may be the luckiest play in Redskins history). However - you also saw things yesterday that have been missing all season. The defense had new life especially in relation to pass rush. Special teams also took it up a notch.

I am just advocating not throwing in the towel at this time as several on this site are suggesting. Sure - they will continue to have some defensive issues especially with the run. However - they also should see better performance from the offense & yesterday showed that don't necessarily need 30+ pts from their offense to win (as several here suggested).

Again -not stating that the Redskins will go to the SB - just that perhaps this team is not as bad as some claim.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I've always hated that rule on the fumble, and it has bitten us a number of times over the years. To award the defense the ball at the 20 when they never touched it is way too severe of a penalty for the team that was a yard from a TD. It should be changed, possesion for the team who fumbled at the spot of the fumble.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Solid win none the less. Ball doesn't always bounce our way either. Can't wait to see what Whitner brings to the defense as "Not my Nachos" looked less than stellar yesterday.

Oh my God when I saw yet another safety whiff on that tackle I was reminded of just how many bad safeties this team has been trotting out since Sean Taylor died. The list is very very long and every last one of them sucked.

 

[kbso83432]

They gotta find a way to get Whitner up to speed.

 

[gkekoa]

We can talk about luck all we want, but do not overlook the referees either. That call against Compton for PI was as bogus as they come. We don't get that call.

 

[gkekoa]

I've always hated that rule on the fumble, and it has bitten us a number of times over the years. To award the defense the ball at the 20 when they never touched it is way too severe of a penalty for the team that was a yard from a TD. It should be changed, possesion for the team who fumbled at the spot of the fumble.

It is a great rule. What is to prevent offensive players from extending without worry of loss? What is the benefit of making a great hustle defensive play by forcing the fumble? Here is an idea...hold onto the ball and let the offense pound it.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

It is a great rule. What is to prevent offensive players from extending without worry of loss? What is the benefit of making a great hustle defensive play by forcing the fumble? Here is an idea...hold onto the ball and let the offense pound it.

When it's fumbled out of bounds the offense retains possession, as they should. IMO the defense should not get possession of a ball they never were in possesion of or in this case never even touched. As for the runner extending of course he runs the risk of losing the ball before the goal line but still in bounds.

 

[Sharkinva]

When it's fumbled out of bounds the offense retains possession, as they should. IMO the defense should not get possession of a ball they never were in possesion of or in this case never even touched. As for the runner extending of course he runs the risk of losing the ball before the goal line but still in bounds.

Flip side, if the ball had rolled into the endzone and stopped, if a Ravens player falls on it, its a TD. If a Skins player falls on it and then gets touched, its a safety. The rule is what it is.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I get that and it's fair because that is a live ball. Again we are talking about a ball going out of bounds without the defense even touching it and they are given a huge reward for doing nothing.

Think some of you think it is a good rule because it just helped us. It wasn't such a good rule when our guy fumbled right before crossing the goal line. We think it's a TD, suddenly the ball belongs to the Giants on the 20 when they did nothing to earn it.

 

[Sharkinva]

I get that and it's fair because that is a live ball. Again we are talking about a ball going out of bounds without the defense even touching it and they are given a huge reward for doing nothing.

Think some of you think it is a good rule because it just helped us. It wasn't such a good rule when our guy fumbled right before crossing the goal line. We think it's a TD, suddenly the ball belongs to the Giants on the 20 when they did nothing to earn it.

Never said it was a good rule. But its no worse than the rule where if a QB steps out of the back of the endzone on a passing attempt by mistake.. its a safety. And in our instance Scherff made a play and forced the fumble to prevent a TD. As I mentioned, had the ball stopped moving in the endzone and one of our guys jumps on top of it, its a safety the moment he is touched. The LB made a play and got greedy... it cost his team.

 

[gkekoa]

I get that and it's fair because that is a live ball. Again we are talking about a ball going out of bounds without the defense even touching it and they are given a huge reward for doing nothing.

Think some of you think it is a good rule because it just helped us. It wasn't such a good rule when our guy fumbled right before crossing the goal line. We think it's a TD, suddenly the ball belongs to the Giants on the 20 when they did nothing to earn it.

The offensive player doesn't just drop the ball. It is forced out. Defense should be rewarded and it doesn't matter the team.

 

[SoCalWizFan]

The offensive player doesn't just drop the ball. It is forced out. Defense should be rewarded and it doesn't matter the team.

C.J. Mosley Regrets One-Handed Dive That 'Backfired'

Yep or like you said before the ball carrier (LB in this case) doesn't have to stretch out the ball to the goal line (when he knows damn well that it can be fumbled). Just go out of bounds or fall on the ball. Most likely the offense can punch it in from a yard out. Too many players trying to be cute at this time.

Mosley admitted he made a mistake & vowed to never do this again if in the same situation. To make things worse he injured his hamstring on the play. Rough day for this guy.

 

[SoCalWizFan]

This was pointed out in the comments for the above article. Mosley didn't just reach for the goal line - it appears that he almost tossed it into the endzone. Not too smart. A shame for him since he made a great play & showed a lot of effort.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

The offensive player doesn't just drop the ball. It is forced out. Defense should be rewarded and it doesn't matter the team.

When Griffin had a slight bobble just before crossing the goal line, then lost the ball out of bound turning a TD into a first down for the defense did you honestly think that was a fair rule? The defense did nothing to cause that fumble yet they got the best result possible, pretty good considering they did nothing but watch. Same can be argued here. Saying Scherff "caused the fumble" is simply not true.

I'm not alone:

The dumbest rule in the NFL helped the Redskins beat the Ravens

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

When a player fumbles out of bounds at the 40 the offense retains possession. Anyone disagree with that rule? Want to give it to the defense there for "causing the fumble" even though they never touched the ball? To change that for the end zone, where the reward/penalty is so much higher for the exact same situation, is ridiculous.

 

[SoCalWizFan]

When a player fumbles out of bounds at the 40 the offense retains possession. Anyone disagree with that rule? Want to give it to the defense there for "causing the fumble" even though they never touched the ball? To change that for the end zone, where the reward/penalty is so much higher for the exact same situation, is ridiculous.

Well then they can look into this over the offseason. Till that time the players know the rule & should act accordingly. This is simply a case of Mosley making a huge mental mistake & yes he should be penalized as much as possible for this (I would say the same thing if this happened to the Redskins).

You just don't act that careless w/ the ball especially near the goal line. Protect the ball & go down inside the 5 or out of bounds if needed. The only time where Mosley should handle the ball in that manner would have been if time had ran out.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Oh no doubt. But that wasn't the discussion. It's a dumb rule and should be changed.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Even tho the rule benefitted us...this time, not a fan of it myself and think it should be changed. Didn't we get burned on this with Matt Jones in a game last year too (as well as Griffin in NY)

IIRC I think the Skins presented this as a rule they wanted to have changed but it was turned down. Delicious irony, if true.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Redskins' changing DL, Trent Murphy's improvement helps vs. Ravens

8:51 AM PT

• 
  
  John Keim

BALTIMORE -- Five observations on the Washington Redskins' defense after the 16-10 win against Baltimore:

1. This was the sort of defense I expected this season. Not one that holds a team to 10 points, mind you. But one that plays a smart, disciplined game and doesn’t have a lot of missed tackles. There were a couple, of course, and they occurred on the two longest runs of the game for Baltimore (a combined 62 yards). (Sidenote: I’m surprised Terrance West only finished with 11 carries. Fail. That offense is not good, but it has played better). Those have to be cleaned up or they will continue to bite the Redskins. But, for the most part, they played sound coverage and forced everything underneath. It helped that the Ravens' line was banged up and that receiver Steve Smith was out with an injury. But the Redskins played smart. After one play, a tackle for a loss by linebacker Will Compton on a tight end screen, you could see him pointing to his helmet. What he was saying: That was smart -- and from film study. I also liked how rookie slot corner Kendall Fullerplayed to his help on the last heave into the end zone by Joe Flacco. Good awareness and the right play. His man was covered. It’s just one strong game, but it’s one the defense must build on.
   
   
2. One move I absolutely liked: Ziggy Hood played a lot more end Sunday, especially after the first series -- a Ravens touchdown drive. That’s where he should be, but he had been playing nose with Kedric Golston sidelined. The inability to find a legit nose tackle has been a problem. If you’re in nickel a lot, that’s OK, but Sunday they were in their base defense most of the game. Anyway, the Redskins used Matt Ioannidis more at nose tackle, allowing Hood to play right end. He has worked quite a bit on his pass-rush moves in recent years, and had a chance to record his first sack since 2014 with a quick swim move. He also did a good job on another cutback run by holding his man off with his right arm and filling the gap to make the tackle. The Redskins need to find a true nose if they want to start playing the run a lot better. Indeed, on Monday they were hosting Terrance Knighton and Phil Taylor. Both are bigger nose tackles. (For what it’s worth: I saw at least one time where Chris Baker was aligned over the center. He prefers end; he’s making plays at end and did so again Sunday. Both he and Hood would help. They and the linebackers need someone who can not only command a double team, but hold one. Guards don’t have to stay on the nose right now, because it’s unnecessary after the initial surge).
   
   
3. The Redskins tried a different pass rush Sunday on two occasions, with a line consisting of Ryan Kerrigan at one end, Preston Smithover the nose and Trent Murphy at the other end (with Terrance Garvin at linebacker). The first time it led to a quick throw on third down with some duress. But the second time it led to a sack, thanks to this group’s quickness -- on the sack they also sent Compton and Garvin, too. Murphy got inside quick and, because of it, the guard was off-balance and moved backward -- and that caused the fullback to trip, taking away another blocker. It was a different look and blitz package than the Redskins have showed all season. It’s certainly not the first time they have tweaked a package, but this one was noticeable.
   
   
4. I wrote about Trent Murphy before the game in my notes package, but it’s worth repeating, because he continues to show more as a pass-rusher. It often takes pass-rushers a few years to get a great feel for the game, etc..., and that’s especially true if you’re not someone who can just win off the edge. Murphy has developed because he’s kept working. He also said Friday how much yoga has helped his game for one reason: it provides more flexibility. Sure enough, on his pressures and his sack, a key for Murphy was being able to bend the corner and maintain his balance and speed. Made a big difference.
   
   
5. Props to inside linebacker Mason Foster, who had his most visible game since joining the Redskins (and probably his best). In many cases it was just a matter of making the right read and reacting. He blew up screens because of that -- on the first one he took care of, Foster was already moving up field as the ball was being thrown. The blockers had no chance to react, so it became a tackle for a loss. He reacted fast on a quick slant when he was in coverage outside, driving down hard on the ball for an incompletion. Just an overall solid day for Foster.
   

 

[Ruzious]

I get that and it's fair because that is a live ball. Again we are talking about a ball going out of bounds without the defense even touching it and they are given a huge reward for doing nothing.

Think some of you think it is a good rule because it just helped us. It wasn't such a good rule when our guy fumbled right before crossing the goal line. We think it's a TD, suddenly the ball belongs to the Giants on the 20 when they did nothing to earn it.

It might be the single stupidest rule I can think of in modern pro sports.