Skins News of the Day - Wed 11/25

[Caliskinsfan]

Excerpt

—After getting five turnovers from the Redskins last Sunday, the Panthers are tied the league lead with a plus-13 turnover ratio. The team they are tied with is the Giants. They do well on both sides of the ledger with 23 takeaways (T-2nd in NFL, 14 interceptions, 9 fumble recoveries) and just 10 giveaways (T-1st, 6 interceptions, four fumbles lost).

—Will this be the week that the Redskins break a six-game streak of giving up at least 140 yards rushing? The Giants have not posted 140 yards on the ground in a single game this season. They have been over 100 only twice, with a high of 132 against the Cowboys in Week 7.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Really like this podcast. If you haven't listened to it before, try it out...

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Pretty interesting stance by Hatcher... That's one way to deflect. Doesn't remember anything huh? Obviously someone had some 'real talk' with him about how absurd he looked with his post game statements.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Excerpt

Why does Kirk Cousins struggle so much against the Giants?

That’s a hard one to grasp, but the numbers suggest the struggle is real. In three games against New York, Cousins has thrown two touchdowns and eight interceptions for a passer rating of 48.6. Some of this can be partly explained by the growing pains of an inexperienced quarterback: His first meeting against them, the 2013 season finale, was the fourth start of his career; his second was the sixth start. In both games Cousins forced throws or made head-scratching decisions. This season, of the two interceptions, one resulted from a bad decision and throw. But I don’t know if the struggles relate just to facing the Giants or circumstances. The Giants have a new defensive coordinator this season after all. But this is yet another hurdle for Cousins.

Did the offensive line take a step back last week?

It wasn’t the unit's best game -- and that’s by every member of the front, not just one player. Each guy was beaten a couple times, whether for a sack or a tackle for a loss or no gain. Again: This is an inexperienced line, with four players having combined for 34 NFL starts. In some ways it was a step back, but really it’s why some have preached patience for months now, from general manager Scot McCloughan to the coaches. The problem is, if the Redskins really want to stay in the NFC East race, the line has to start opening more holes in the run game. The running backs have not always helped, either. In protection they have been rather solid until Sunday -- a combination of Cousins making quick decisions but also of their own performance. Run blocking can take a little longer to become cohesive. But they absolutely need center Josh LeRibeus to handle that spot better; you can see players visibly frustrated after some too-early snaps. It helps that left tackle Trent Williams, who left Sunday’s game with a knee patella contusion, is expected to play. There might be some question about him during the week, but they’re optimistic.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Excerpt

Culliver signed a 4-year, $32 million deal in March. When watching him in San Francisco, he took top receivers out of the game with an in-your-face, jam-you-at-the-line, physical, aggressive style that saw quarterbacks going to the other side of the field which opened up opportunities for Perrish Cox to get turnovers. As anyone knows, if you're going to shell out big bucks for a player in free agency, you either take his playbook with you or at least steal the concept that allowed him to shine and earn that contract. Too often we see players paid and forced into a different scheme and they faulter. As it stands now, the Redskins are following suit.

When watching the Chargers defense while Joe Barry was on staff, they played a lot of Cover 1 man but it was never confirmed if that was a philosophy that Barry actually believed in. When Perry Fewell was added to staff, it was well documented that he liked to play his cornerbacks soft and now it's showing. Redskins have been primarily a Cover 3 team and opponents have been attacking them as such.

Back to how this factors into Culliver (Breeland as well), he is out of his element 10 yards off the ball. I mentioned after the game that Redskins twitter account is constantly tweeting vines of Culliver in 1-on-1s during practice roughing up WRs, getting in their faces, talking trash and breaking up passes. On gameday, they play him far off and we see none of what made him a $32 million man. Against Panthers, it was no different. Let's take a look:

 

[Caliskinsfan]

CB Will Blackmon

 

[Caliskinsfan]

No clue how many NFCE match ups he was injured for... Regardless he's due...

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Hmmmmmm. Sounds like Kirk remains focused on being less of a gun slinger...

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Nice touch by Jay

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Seems like yet more confirmation that McVay and Jay have the most influence in play calling

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Caliskinsfan]