Not a bad team.........If.........

[Stymietee]

.........You close your eyes and pinch your nose.

Some say that these early scrimmages mean nothing, I say uh-oh. Why? Well beyond the rationalizations about Brady and the more polished NE team the tell-tale signs points to a formula that spells trouble for this bunch.

Did anyone notice that NE (even in a controlled scrimmage) were highly successful when they had the ball? Did Washington match this success when it was their turn? The question following that is why?

Easy answer, Our DB's didn't challenge the ball, or effectively disrupt routes, theirs did.

OK, so now some will say.......well, because it was a controlled scrimmage our pass rush would have gotten to Brady and disrupted things. Well, isn't it equally true that because it was a controlled scrimmage, our team should have been equally successful? This brings me to that formula that I spoke of earlier.

NE just told the rest of the NFL how to play this team. Effective blocking and quick reads.

Oh! Come on Sty, all teams use this formula!


Right!!! But what is it about this team that is cause for concern? Easy answer; only one upgrade behind the line of scrimmage. (MLB). Yell if you must but Clark while an (aging) upgrade, is not much of one, and he only raises excitement because he is not the guy we had before.

Bottom line: If this scrimmage is indicative (and there's no reason to believe otherwise) of the style that's to be employed this season, where DB's don't challenge the ball or disrupt routes, even an 86 defensive front will be a waste.

 

[Freeforall]

Sty, I'm going to point out is that the Patriots had a joint practice with the Eagles last season. And they're having another joint practice together next week. Brady "ripped" apart the Eagles defense. They were in the state that we're currently dealing with: new coach, new offense, "new" defense.

Our dbs were less hands on possibly due to the fact they're playing by the new rules regarding defensive holding. Maybe the Patriots didn't get the update yet, or they just didn't care. But for me I'm not jumping to conclusions on this seasons. There is still a lot of crap on this team to fix, and no one knows if/when it'll ever get fixed. One thing that can help, years and years and years of STABILITY.

 

[TCB]

Sty, I'm going to point out is that the Patriots had a joint practice with the Eagles last season. And they're having another joint practice together next week. Brady "ripped" apart the Eagles defense. They were in the state that we're currently dealing with: new coach, new offense, "new" defense.

Our dbs were less hands on possibly due to the fact they're playing by the new rules regarding defensive holding. Maybe the Patriots didn't get the update yet, or they just didn't care. But for me I'm not jumping to conclusions on this seasons. There is still a lot of crap on this team to fix, and no one knows if/when it'll ever get fixed. One thing that can help, years and years and years of STABILITY.

 

[skinsdad62]

.........You close your eyes and pinch your nose.

Some say that these early scrimmages mean nothing, I say uh-oh. Why? Well beyond the rationalizations about Brady and the more polished NE team the tell-tale signs points to a formula that spells trouble for this bunch.

Did anyone notice that NE (even in a controlled scrimmage) were highly successful when they had the ball? Did Washington match this success when it was their turn? The question following that is why?

Easy answer, Our DB's didn't challenge the ball, or effectively disrupt routes, theirs did.

OK, so now some will say.......well, because it was a controlled scrimmage our pass rush would have gotten to Brady and disrupted things. Well, isn't it equally true that because it was a controlled scrimmage, our team should have been equally successful? This brings me to that formula that I spoke of earlier.

NE just told the rest of the NFL how to play this team. Effective blocking and quick reads.

Oh! Come on Sty, all teams use this formula!


Right!!! But what is it about this team that is cause for concern? Easy answer; only one upgrade behind the line of scrimmage. (MLB). Yell if you must but Clark while an (aging) upgrade, is not much of one, and he only raises excitement because he is not the guy we had before.

Bottom line: If this scrimmage is indicative (and there's no reason to believe otherwise) of the style that's to be employed this season, where DB's don't challenge the ball or disrupt routes, even an 86 defensive front will be a waste.

all of this could be true but its way early in the game to make these "proclamations "

we have questions and so far from what i have seen we are looking at 6 wins (subject to change based on pre season games )

we will see. i think we are 3 years away from being a year in and year out contender

 

[j_y19]

all of this could be true but its way early in the game to make these "proclamations "

we have questions and so far from what i have seen we are looking at 6 wins (subject to change based on pre season games )

we will see. i think we are 3 years away from being a year in and year out contender

I still maintain Gruden (or RG3 for that matter) won't last 3 years. This is not the team Shanahan inherited. This team has real talent at most of the key positions. We just need to fill in and add depth. There is no reason why this team shouldn't be a winning team this year. The only thing that should hold them back is Gruden as a HC (we have no idea if he's Gibbs, Zorn, or somewhere in between) and RG3 not living up to his billing (either by poor play or injury).

 

[Caliskinsfan]

I just don't see the luxury of 3 years here. Too many weapons for the skins fan base to be that patient IMO. Now a so so year this upcoming season is reasonable, but by next year, if we are not trending towards something, things will change significantly, including possibly the QB...

 

[TxHeat]

I still maintain Gruden (or RG3 for that matter) won't last 3 years. This is not the team Shanahan inherited. This team has real talent at most of the key positions. We just need to fill in and add depth. There is no reason why this team shouldn't be a winning team this year. The only thing that should hold them back is Gruden as a HC (we have no idea if he's Gibbs, Zorn, or somewhere in between) and RG3 not living up to his billing (either by poor play or injury).

I like your avatar. That's how everyone is going to treat the Dallas defense (again)!!

 

[Caliskinsfan]

I like your avatar. That's how everyone is going to treat the Dallas defense (again)!!

Hmmmm, pretty sure the entire NFCE Ds are going to get ripped to a certain extent this upcoming season... In fact the team who's D steps up will likely take the division in my opinion...

 

[TxHeat]

Hmmmm, pretty sure the entire NFCE Ds are going to get ripped to a certain extent this upcoming season... In fact the team who's D steps up will likely take the division in my opinion...

I think that's how it will play out.

 

[skinsdad62]

I still maintain Gruden (or RG3 for that matter) won't last 3 years. This is not the team Shanahan inherited. This team has real talent at most of the key positions. We just need to fill in and add depth. There is no reason why this team shouldn't be a winning team this year. The only thing that should hold them back is Gruden as a HC (we have no idea if he's Gibbs, Zorn, or somewhere in between) and RG3 not living up to his billing (either by poor play or injury).

we have one o/lineman who could start for another nfl team our qb play is questionable health wise

BU TE needs work

we have an aging defense with hall , hatcher , bowen , clark , golston , and cofield on the wrong side of 30
our ILBs are avg at best the safety position consist of the ancient clark , the suspension in waiting merriweather , a safety we cant get on the field and one who cant tackle

our special teams we have questions at punter , kicker and any returner and our coverage teams are unproven

although we do have some talent at wr , RB , qb , and OLB i think you are kidding yourself about talent elsewhere

we have some potential in weak areas but that is all

gruden gets 1 year to see what he needs , year 2 to gather the pieces and gell and year 3 to arrive

 

[Stymietee]

Sty, I'm going to point out is that the Patriots had a joint practice with the Eagles last season. And they're having another joint practice together next week. Brady "ripped" apart the Eagles defense. They were in the state that we're currently dealing with: new coach, new offense, "new" defense.

Our dbs were less hands on possibly due to the fact they're playing by the new rules regarding defensive holding. Maybe the Patriots didn't get the update yet, or they just didn't care. But for me I'm not jumping to conclusions on this seasons. There is still a lot of crap on this team to fix, and no one knows if/when it'll ever get fixed. One thing that can help, years and years and years of STABILITY.

That is of course my point.........We've all witnessed it last season, teams that took a more aggressive approach defending passes and altering routes were more successful because they disregarded/challenged the rules. This season the rules have been altered again in favor of the offense.

My contention is that our team while emphasizing more aggressiveness and pressure up front, negates that effort if they are not equally aggressive and challenging on the back end.

I think that NE cares more about effectively putting their team in contention than they do about that update or the possibility of getting a flag from time to time.

 

[LucklessPadresFan]

I think you guys have a shot at taking the division, since there is no team that has the talent to run away with the division. I think the Cowboys are going to be limping into last place and the Giants have so much to fix from last year. If RG3 is healthy, I think it will come down to the Redskins and Eagles.

 

[j_y19]

we have one o/lineman who could start for another nfl team our qb play is questionable health wise

BU TE needs work

we have an aging defense with hall , hatcher , bowen , clark , golston , and cofield on the wrong side of 30
our ILBs are avg at best the safety position consist of the ancient clark , the suspension in waiting merriweather , a safety we cant get on the field and one who cant tackle

our special teams we have questions at punter , kicker and any returner and our coverage teams are unproven

although we do have some talent at wr , RB , qb , and OLB i think you are kidding yourself about talent elsewhere

we have some potential in weak areas but that is all

gruden gets 1 year to see what he needs , year 2 to gather the pieces and gell and year 3 to arrive

I guess that's one way to look at it. Thats not what I see. What I see is that we have one of the best running attacks in the NFL. We have arguably the best WR corps in the league. We have an perennial all pro at LT and have upgraded the OL by addition and moving players into their more natural position. We have also added much needed youth as depth, some of which may work their way into a starting role before seasons end. We have a QB that has all the talent and may be the most versatile QB in the league. We have an up and coming TE that everyone is raving about. We should easily have a top 10 offense with the talent we have, and a good chance of top 5. We may have the best set of OLBs in the league. We have upgraded the DL with both proven vets and key youth (jenkins, baker) and should be able to put together a rotation that keeps the pressure on and everybody fresh. We have young, aggressive, and talented ILBs that may become the cornerstone of our D for years to come. We also have added proven depth at ILB that will add to bolstering STs. We have a good mix of vets and youth at CB and have so much young talent that its likely a very good young player is going to be cut. We have upgraded our safety situation with the addition of a proven vet to add leadership. We also have 2 or 3 young safeties that have to potential to start after a year or two of seasoning.

We do have holes and question marks, but all teams do. But without question, we have talent on this team and it is much better than the team Shanahan inherited.

 

[Stymietee]

all of this could be true but its way early in the game to make these "proclamations "

we have questions and so far from what i have seen we are looking at 6 wins (subject to change based on pre season games )

we will see. i think we are 3 years away from being a year in and year out contender

Hey Dad.........is it still too early to make these proclamations?

 

[Sleepy T]

I just don't see the luxury of 3 years here. Too many weapons for the skins fan base to be that patient IMO. Now a so so year this upcoming season is reasonable, but by next year, if we are not trending towards something, things will change significantly, including possibly the QB...

Agree. The FO needs to start making some moves to upgrade the OL/DL, and Secondary QUICKLY. As well as settle on ONE QB, meaning trade one at years end, getting whatever you can get for said QB.

What is our cap situation going into next offseason??

 

[skinsdad62]

Hey Dad.........is it still too early to make these proclamations?

was i not right ? tell me where i made and error ? i think that when this was written in the preseason i was fairly close to what has happened

 

[Stymietee]

was i not right ? tell me where i made and error ? i think that when this was written in the preseason i was fairly close to what has happened

No you were not right, in fact just as I predicted teams are taking full advantage of our defense because of the scheme in the same manner that N.E. did in that scrimmage. Back then you suggested that it was too early to make the proclamations that I did. I ask you now is it still too early? I say, back then it was too late!!

BTW: you didn't make many errors, in your assessments of the team which mirror my own. We are both old codgers who remember the years of the hogs, Dexter, D.G. et.al and also both know that winning and losing games are done at the line of scrimmage. So, (except for that one other thing) we are usually in agreement, it's no big deal that when you said that it was too early, you forgot to indicate when the best time would be.