Game Thread: Week 1: MNF: Steelers @ Redskins

[Stymietee]

A bit of sweetness before the horror

Nice picture, but, I sincerely hope that it was close to her bedtime. Imagine the nightmares this would have introduced into her young mind.

 

[Stymietee]

I do...stop teaching DB to play with their backs turned all of the time. I don't know when this foolishness started (and it's been a while) but there was a time that speedy back-peddling was as important to corner play as anything. So rare to see these days! OK, there's the set-up guys, fire away, but come correct because one thing that is and will always remain true....NO WR has ever caught a pass if the DB has possession of it! #Football-lite.

 

[Breed]

This ^^^^^ is boo boo, at least imo. Hall wasn't deep enough to give real help on Brown unless he breaks immediately at the snap of the ball. But he had responsibility for the right side wide out as well as a possible run by Williams. That was just a gutsy play-call that was pretty much flawless in execution.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

I do...stop teaching DB to play with their backs turned all of the time. I don't know when this foolishness started (and it's been a while) but there was a time that speedy back-peddling was as important to corner play as anything. So rare to see these days! OK, there's the set-up guys, fire away, but come correct because one thing that is and will always remain true....NO WR has ever caught a pass if the DB has possession of it! #Football-lite.

Interesting point Sty.

Haven't seen that as an issue regarding Breeland but Manny mentioned it as a note on Fuller (apparently they teach that style at VT).

I'm honestly not that worried about Breeland, he had an off night against a superior WR with practically no help all night. Where was the adjustment? Where was Plan B when Plan A was obviously failing? That was the part that was baffling to me.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

This ^^^^^ is boo boo, at least imo. Hall wasn't deep enough to give real help on Brown unless he breaks immediately at the snap of the ball. But he had responsibility for the right side wide out as well as a possible run by Williams. That was just a gutsy play-call that was pretty much flawless in execution.

Seemed like it to me too.

But I'm no film guru nor do I know the actual assignments. Nor did I ever play football for that matter!

 

[Breed]

Seemed like it to me too.

But I'm no film guru nor do I know the actual assignments. Nor did I ever play football for that matter!

Word. I'm guilty as charged on all those counts as well.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Grrrrrrrrr

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Mark chimes in.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Footwork

 

[Caliskinsfan]

This one is just really ugly...

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Interesting read with some film

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Has a point.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Mike Jones' mailbag...



Given your time at camp and knowledge of the team, what surprised you most in the opener?

– Bob Lasher

I’d have to say my biggest surprise from the season opener involved the struggles of the offense – and mainly the passing attack. I expected a sharper Kirk Cousins, and expected him to spread the ball around to his plentiful receivers, march his team downfield and to score points. I expected struggles in the run game, but I thought there would be quick-hitters to Jamison Crowder, Jordan Reed and Pierre Garcon to keep the Steelers off balance, and then have some shots downfield to DeSean Jackson to ensure that the offense remained competitive. I really expected a shootout because of the Redskins’ struggles up front on defense, and the Steelers’ struggles in that mid-range passing attack (primarily against tight ends). But, the offense instead looked really rusty, and missed all kinds of opportunities. I think they can correct these problems, which is the good news. The defensive struggles could continue throughout the year.

Kirk Cousins looked out of rhythm early last night. Do you think he needed more game time in the preseason in order to be ready for the Redskins week 1 matchup against the Steelers defense?

– Chris Duble, Centreville

I think there’s something to that. Regardless of what Gruden, Cousins and the other offensive players will say, there’s nothing like game reps. You can’t simulate that speed and level of intensity. Some quarterbacks and their receivers could possibly handle a scaled-back preseason and do just fine in their season openers. Ben Roethlisberger played only one preseason game. But Drew Brees took snaps in all four preseason games. So, there’s no right or wrong. But, for a young guy like Cousins, who remains in the developmental stages? I think he probably could have benefited from playing in that second preseason game.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Keim...


Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden said Kirk Cousins continues to grow as a quarterback. For the Redskins to go anywhere this season, he'll have to grow after Monday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

There's no doubt Cousins has played better games, and that outing did not erase skepticism over how good he can become.

What we truly know after one game is that there's a gap between Cousins and Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger. But you should have known that entering the game. Roethlisberger is a true franchise quarterback. When big plays needed to be made, he made them.

It's not as if Cousins was bad on every throw -- he had a nice one to Pierre Garcon on an out route for 19 yards -- but his impact on the game could have been much greater. Cousins knows this. Some of the mistakes are correctable. He has been more accurate in many games (but last season his inconsistent start was due in part to accuracy issues).

He's now being judged at a different level and expectations are higher, based off last season and working as the starter all offseason. Add to that the contract talk that exists. A big-money deal doesn't change a player's skills or talent, but it does increase scrutiny, especially when people want to see one thing: How much you are worth.

One stat stood out in the passing game Monday: Cousins completed 8 of 15 passes for 64 yards and an interception inside the Steelers' 30-yard line. Last season, Cousins had a 91.3 quarterback rating (out of 100) in this area over the last 10 games -- and a 124.3 passer rating.

One game doesn't make or break anyone, but it wasn't the start anyone wanted.

Regardless, here are four of Cousins' plays that jumped out:

Second-and-6, Steelers' 13-yard line, first quarter: A well-designed play should have resulted in a touchdown. Tight end Jordan Reed, at the front of a bunch formation to the right, ran over the middle where linebacker Ryan Shazier, coming from the opposite side in zone coverage, met him. The safety in the middle of the field vacated the area and rotated to his left, where the Redskins sent two receivers. For whatever reason, the ball isn't thrown right away. But a lofted pass to the back of the end zone would have given Reed plenty of room to win. It didn't help that left guard Shawn Lauvao was driven back into Cousins' lap, but at least in looking at the film, the pass could have been thrown beforehand. I don't know what Cousins could or couldn't see from his vantage point. But Reed was open.


Third-and-6, Steelers' 13-yard line, first quarter: Again, another well-designed play. This time, Jamison Crowder ran a pivot route on the right side as two other receivers on that side cleared out room against another zone look. The defender in Crowder's area fell hard on the outside break, so when Crowder turned back in he had plenty of room. But the pass was too far in front. Had Cousins connected and led Crowder a little bit, it might have been a touchdown. At worst, the ball is inside the 5. Two plays. Two missed chances. Three points.

First-and-10, Redskins' 44-yard line, third quarter: The Steelers consistently dropped seven or eight into coverage. That forced a lot of underneath throws, and if you're patient you can move the ball that way. Cousins became impatient. He tried to hit Reed, starting in the middle and breaking outside. The problem: Shazier took a deep drop -- deeper than Cousins probably anticipated -- and the throw needed to be perfect. It wasn't. There was no need to force a pass here, not with running back Matt Jones about to circle out of the backfield with room ahead of him. At worst it's probably a 7-yard gain.

Third-and-6, Steelers' 16-yard line, third quarter: The Steelers rushed three, dropping eight into coverage. There wasn't anyone open, but Cousins could have extended the play simply by sliding to his right. Instead, from the pocket, he threw the ball out of bounds. He avoided a possible turnover and the Redskins kicked a field goal. But the ability to extend plays in the red zone is huge, so getting rid of the ball while not under pressure wasn't necessary. You don't want Cousins to force something here, but being down 18 they needed a touchdown. Take as much time as you can and if you end up sacked and lose a couple yards, that's OK. You're still in good field-goal range.