Difference in the Game

[Sharkinva]

The thing about Norman is he isn't the most talented CB, but he does get in his opponents head. That's part of his game. He is on them physically and mentally until many of them break. OBJ beat him numerous times, but once he broke him, he was done. The downside of that style is it tends to draw attention to you from the refs, resulting in many more penalties, some of which are tic tac calls. But the refs know that if they don't get involved, things are about to turn ugly.

With Dez throwing shade after the game, Norman vs Bryant is going to be must see TV for the foreseeable future.

Also this game exposed our defensive weakness in a big way. Got to think the front seven becomes a major point of emphasis this off season.

 

[ehb5]

The thing about Norman is he isn't the most talented CB, but he does get in his opponents head. That's part of his game. He is on them physically and mentally until many of them break. OBJ beat him numerous times, but once he broke him, he was done. The downside of that style is it tends to draw attention to you from the refs, resulting in many more penalties, some of which are tic tac calls. But the refs know that if they don't get involved, things are about to turn ugly.

Right. Like its kind of annoying but I also know he's doing it for a reason. He's gotten in both dez and objs heads. But yea the penalties that can come with it are a pain.

 

[j_y19]

With Dez throwing shade after the game, Norman vs Bryant is going to be must see TV for the foreseeable future.

Also this game exposed our defensive weakness in a big way. Got to think the front seven becomes a major point of emphasis this off season.

I think our weakness has always been known. We can't stop the run. We've been fortunate to play a couple of teams that suck at running, so many kinda forgot about it. But it's not curable with the talent we have on this team. We will be exposed in every game where our opponent has a running game. We can only hope our offense just outscores them. Carolina will present a real challenge for us as we are especially vulnerable against mobile QBs.

 

[Sharkinva]

I think our weakness has always been known. We can't stop the run. We've been fortunate to play a couple of teams that suck at running, so many kinda forgot about it. But it's not curable with the talent we have on this team. We will be exposed in every game where our opponent has a running game. We can only hope our offense just outscores them. Carolina will present a real challenge for us as we are especially vulnerable against mobile QBs.

Carolina should be fun. Especially if we are still in the hunt by that time. If both teams are, that game could get nasty. I have been digging through our roster over the past few weeks ( mainly depth and practice squad players).

A few guys that have me interested are

Lee Hightower. He is another tweener type like Cravens. But I think he needs to either play safety, or add 20 LBS and move to ILB.

Kevin Bowen OT. Kid is 6-7 330 LBS. I dont see him as a starting LT, but I think he can make solid depth and possibly a RT once healthy (Currently on IR) And at the risk of drawing the ire of some posters... I really think we need an upgrade at RT and LG going forward. Lauvao might be a solid backup... but fuck if we dont need a good starter in both spots.

As for WR with size, we got some trees on the roster. And i think Harris is seriously being groomed at this point.. which I love. I think the real trick is going to be finding that guy with good size AND speed. Jackson is likely gone, and I dont want to lose that deep ball threat. Crowder is just too valuable in the slot right now.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Right. Like its kind of annoying but I also know he's doing it for a reason. He's gotten in both dez and objs heads. But yea the penalties that can come with it are a pain.

I don't see how you can say he "got in OJB's head" when he tuned them up for 7 for 121, most coming against Norman. I didn't see one pass to Dez yesterday that Josh deflected away. Josh Norman has one pick, one forced fumbles and as many penalties as he does passes defended. As Shark said he says stupid ass things that makes him a target with the refs, they are human too. I see a lot more of Josh Norman wolfing than I see him making plays. Every week it's another pro wrestling side show with the other top receiver that dominates the telecast when I'm there to watch football.

 

[ehb5]

I don't see how you can say he "got in OJB's head" when he tuned them up for 7 for 121, most coming against Norman. Josh Norman has one pick, one forced fumbles and as many penalties as he does passes defended. As Shark said he says stupid ass things that makes him a target with the refs, they are human too. I see a lot more of Josh Norman wolfing than I see him making plays. Every week it's another pro wrestling side show with the other top receiver that dominates the telecast when I'm there to watch football.

When Revis was the best corner in football he almost never made big plays. You don't have to make big plays to be really good. He's not perfect by any stretch but if you expected perfection that was silly. He's still really good.

 

[j_y19]

I don't see how you can say he "got in OJB's head" when he tuned them up for 7 for 121, most coming against Norman. I didn't see one pass to Dez yesterday that Josh deflected away. Josh Norman has one pick, one forced fumbles and as many penalties as he does passes defended. As Shark said he says stupid ass things that makes him a target with the refs, they are human too. I see a lot more of Josh Norman wolfing than I see him making plays. Every week it's another pro wrestling side show with the other top receiver that dominates the telecast when I'm there to watch football.

I guess you didn't see his reaction on the sideline with the kicking net and his coaches? He was clearly in his head. 7 for 121 is an avg day for that guy. And some of those came from the slot.

 

[Sharkinva]

When Revis was the best corner in football he almost never made big plays. You don't have to make big plays to be really good. He's not perfect by any stretch but if you expected perfection that was silly. He's still really good.

I still think the issue with bringing Norman in is that we dont have the D-line to bring pressure consistently. Also that we dont have the DC with the ability to use him to his best advantage. If we had the pass rush to simply leave Norman on one side, and give help to Breeland/Dunbar/Fuller or who ever is on the other side... I think we would see a much better Norman.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I get what you guys are saying, interceptions are not the only measuring stick. I'm not asking for perfection but I sure saw Revis breaking up more passes than Norman.

But my main point is are you really not sick and tired of the drama, the constant shots of Norman jawing with the opponent of the week that dominates every telecast? Are you OK with a player baiting the refs with his mafia comment? Being told not to do the bow and arrow and then doing it anyway drawing a flag? Not learning that the hands to the face is going to be called and continuing in a 5 penalty game? That Bengals game was an embarrassment.

 

[Sharkinva]

I get what you guys are saying, interceptions are not the only measuring stick. I'm not asking for perfection but I sure saw Revis breaking up more passes than Norman.

But my main point is are you really not sick and tired of the drama, the constant shots of Norman jawing with the opponent of the week that dominates every telecast? Are you OK with a player baiting the refs with his mafia comment? Being told not to do the bow and arrow and then doing it anyway drawing a flag? Not learning that the hands to the face is going to be called and continuing in a 5 penalty game? That Bengals game was an embarrassment.

I get where you are coming from. I think you feel the same way about Norman that i have felt about some other players that came to DC with a shit ton of fan fare and expectations, and the narrative was more about the personality than the play. IM willing to give Norman a little bit of leash because I do think we are mis-using him and our defense is not set up to take best advantage of his skill set.

Bottom line, if we were winning the games that have frustrated us this season, we would all be saying Norman is some sort of character isnt he?? But when we lose, or tie and the talk the next day is about Norman and who he is beefing with... yes it is a little annoying. But as long as he doesnt start pointing fingers and deflecting.. Im ok.

 

[gkekoa]

Norman has been fine. CBs have to have an edge.

Now the penalties have to stop and so does the finger pointing, but not the jaw jacking. Dez handled himself decently on the field though.

As for Revis, I think you should go back and look at his stats.

As for the stats against OBJ, Green, and Dez...I will need to check on those. I can say this because it is fresh, Dez did nothing against Norman...he did his damage when he moved inside.

 

[ehb5]

I still think the issue with bringing Norman in is that we dont have the D-line to bring pressure consistently. Also that we dont have the DC with the ability to use him to his best advantage. If we had the pass rush to simply leave Norman on one side, and give help to Breeland/Dunbar/Fuller or who ever is on the other side... I think we would see a much better Norman.

I agree. He and the other dbs are kinda hung out to dry because we have no dline. If we don't address that this offseason...

 

[Breed]

I still think the issue with bringing Norman in is that we dont have the D-line to bring pressure consistently. Also that we dont have the DC with the ability to use him to his best advantage. If we had the pass rush to simply leave Norman on one side, and give help to Breeland/Dunbar/Fuller or who ever is on the other side... I think we would see a much better Norman.

Why we brought him in. That's easy, Shark. He became available unexpectedly and we had to strike while the iron was hot. He was a top tier CB last year and apparently, or so it seems. Scotty Mac thought it was the beginning of Norman playing at a high level for a long term period of time and not a one n deal or luck. Regardless if one thinks cover CB or pass rushing DE/OLB or run stuffing DT/NG is the most important piece of a defense. They are all mandatory to have a defense that's good to great against all offensive schemes/styles. And SM hasn't been coy about what he wants to build in DC. A team that physically dominates other teams.

Norman's been good imo. Not last year good, but he was playing on a noticeably better defense last year. PFF had him rated as the 11th best CB in football going into this week's games. They don't make mention of his dropped INTs, which I guess would fall into the break up category, but they don't have his forced fumbles listed, 2, (I thought he had 4) all of which I believe the Skins have recovered. I think PFF's ratings are fair,
Top 25 NFL cornerbacks this season

Norman had to be got when he was or he wouldn't have been got at all. I don't wanna say he fell into our lap, as I think that implies getting something for nothing and 50 mill guaranteed is not nothing, but its in line with top CB pay. Lets see what happens as the defense is improved via draft/FA etc.

 

[Sharkinva]

Why we brought him in. That's easy, Shark. He became available unexpectedly and we had to strike while the iron was hot. He was a top tier CB last year and apparently, or so it seems. Scotty Mac thought it was the beginning of Norman playing at a high level for a long term period of time and not a one n deal or luck. Regardless if one thinks cover CB or pass rushing DE/OLB or run stuffing DT/NG is the most important piece of a defense. They are all mandatory to have a defense that's good to great against all offensive schemes/styles. And SM hasn't been coy about what he wants to build in DC. A team that physically dominates other teams.

Norman's been good imo. Not last year good, but he was playing on a noticeably better defense last year. PFF had him rated as the 11th best CB in football going into this week's games. They don't make mention of his dropped INTs, which I guess would fall into the break up category, but they don't have his forced fumbles listed, 2, (I thought he had 4) all of which I believe the Skins have recovered. I think PFF's ratings are fair,
Top 25 NFL cornerbacks this season

Norman had to be got when he was or he wouldn't have been got at all. I don't wanna say he fell into our lap, as I think that implies getting something for nothing and 50 mill guaranteed is not nothing, but its in line with top CB pay. Lets see what happens as the defense is improved via draft/FA etc.

I know why we brought him in. I just dont think we currently have the talent to get the best use out of him in light of what we paid for him. When your #1 CB is in the top four for tackles on your team... thats not a good sign.

 

[Breed]

Drive 1- We get to the Dallas 19. Thompson -3, Ty holding, and we miss a 43 yard FG.

Drive 2- 1st and goal from Dallas 5. Wildcat, incomplete, incomplete...24 yard FG.

Drive 3- To the Dallas 38...missed FG

Drive 4- 1st and goal from the 10...3rd and goal from the 2 after not knowing WTF to do after getting it here, forcing us to take a TO, and off of that TO we forget to block a DL and KC is forced to throw it early...20 yard FG.

Those are our drives in the first half. Every drive go to FG range, 2 drives were inside the 5, and we walked away with 6 points. We should have walked away with a minimum of 17 points. There is your difference...there is your ball game.

Agree with this ^^^^^^^ 100%.

 

[Sportster 72]

You guys realize with 28 sacks we rank tied for 6th in the NFL right?

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I was happy with the signing, imagine a season with Breeland and Fuller as our starters. But he is beyond annoying at this point. I tune in to watch football and his clown show dominates every telecast.. He isn't even a top 10 corner yet he acts like he is Rod Woodson. And those stats don't even count the penalties, many he brought on himself with his dumbass comments and antics.

 

[Breed]

I was happy with the signing, imagine a season with Breeland and Fuller as our starters. But he is beyond annoying at this point. I tune in to watch football and his clown show dominates every telecast.. He isn't even a top 10 corner yet he acts like he is Rod Woodson. And those stats don't even count the penalties, many he brought on himself with his dumbass comments and antics.

Yeah they do. League leading 12, 3 more than any other CB.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Yeah they do. League leading 12, 3 more than any other CB.

Well there you go. If they counted penalties pretty sure he would not be the 11th rated CB

 

[skinz2winz]

Drive 1- We get to the Dallas 19. Thompson -3, Ty holding, and we miss a 43 yard FG.


Drive 2- 1st and goal from Dallas 5. Wildcat, incomplete, incomplete...24 yard FG.

Drive 3- To the Dallas 38...missed FG

Drive 4- 1st and goal from the 10...3rd and goal from the 2 after not knowing WTF to do after getting it here, forcing us to take a TO, and off of that TO we forget to block a DL and KC is forced to throw it early...20 yard FG.

Those are our drives in the first half. Every drive go to FG range, 2 drives were inside the 5, and we walked away with 6 points. We should have walked away with a minimum of 17 points. There is your difference...there is your ball game.

It's at this point we abandoned the run because this lack of completing RZ scoring opportunities that gk mentions. More RZ points will help balance the offense. (Run/Pass)
Our defense continues to struggle tackling, pressuring the QB and making game changing or sudden change plays. That won't change this year until we incorporate more physical bodies up front, more speed at both levels on back end.