Needs for improvement
 

After watching this game I believe we really have to improve on a couple things. First of all, I will say the offense did impress me except for their red zone offense, where was Chris Cooley all game? Plus we didn't throw it deep once, you need to do that to stretch out the defense. But here are things we really need to improve on.

1. Punt and Kick Return coverage
This was absolutely horrible last night. Frost would kick it to their goal line on kickoffs but then the returner would usually make it all the way to the 30 or 40, same with punts. Coverage must be improved if we want any shot to win a game, asking too much for your defense.

2. Pressure on the qb
This has been the redskins achilles heel for like the past 6 years and we still don't got it. we were killed on third downs by Brad Johnson and he even scrambled away from some of our linebackers and defensive linemen, BRAD Johnson! I think overall we stopped the run alright even though taylor had 86 and a td he got that on like 41 carries so that don't bother me.

3. Field Goal Kicking- I just hate John Hall.

4. And last but not least- Pass Protection
I saw way too many times on third down Brunell just having to throw it away since he was under so much pressure. That cannot happen if we want to win the game. Brunell is suspect as it is, thank god he has the smarts to just throw it away.

Overall I believe this was a close game but if we had done some of the above things better then we definitely would of won this game. I still have high hopes for this team to improve and do better then they did last year. Next up- DALLAS

Re: Needs for improvement
 

Two main areas need a big improvement.

Redzone offense, and our 3rd down defense.

If we improve those two areas we can live with just about anything else.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;214227]Two main areas need a big improvement.

Redzone offense, and our 3rd down defense.

If we improve those two areas we can live with just about anything else.[/QUOTE]

I agree 99%. Our offense looked good, save its inability to score TDs instead of FGs in the redzone. Similarly, the defense looked good except on 3rd down.

I also think, however, that the special teams coverage needs to improve.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;214227]Two main areas need a big improvement.

Redzone offense, and our 3rd down defense.

If we improve those two areas we can live with just about anything else.[/QUOTE]

What he said.. Also, our special teams need work in all aspects. I will chalk it up to first game rust/jitters but it better improve, quickly!

Re: Needs for improvement
 

[QUOTE=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;214233]I agree 99%. Our offense looked good, save its inability to score TDs instead of FGs in the redzone. Similarly, the defense looked good except on 3rd down.

I also think, however, that the special teams coverage needs to improve.[/QUOTE]

It wasn't just on 3rd downs that the defense looked bad. Many of those third down conversions were due to big gains on 1st and 2nd down. The defense looked bad across the board.

Defensive line grade: D+ (Evans got pressure, run stopping was OK at times, but the Vikings were able to run when they needed to. Zero contribution from Andre Carter, Daniels got banged up, Griffin and Salave'a were 50/50 -- they held their own here and there, but got pushed around in crucial spots.)

Linebackers: C- (Not a bad outing, but nothing special came out of this group.)

Secondary: F (Carlos Rogers, I'm officially worried about this guy; Wright, Rumph, and Arch all got torched by a largely unknown and untested group of wideouts.)

Re: Needs for improvement
 

I agree about our secondary - sure TD and 3rd down catches dropped by Williamson or this game wouldn't even have been close.

Without a healthy Springs, there is no hope. With Springs, hope springs eternal for us. Damn, I should've been a writer.

The only way we beat Dallas is if we manhandle their O-line and get to the QB. Since nothing I saw from our D-line yesterday leads me to believe we can do that, I'm going to predict that TO and Terri "she" Glenn will burn us.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

Get Tom Cruise out of the owners box. I hope we don't have to look at him all season.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

Message to Gibbs: Bring a kicker in today! Not to compete with Hall but, to take over from Hall.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

i dont mind looking at katie holmes all season

Re: Needs for improvement
 

but wow....how do u let brad johnson throw all over u...with wiliamson and travis taylor......i really hate their tight end too...

Also....what was with that call on taylor..."hitting a defenseless receiver"...then like what 10 plays later a ball sails over our receivers head and he gets drilled from behind...AWESOME!

Re: Needs for improvement
 

I blame 90,000 "Polyester" American Flags....."Made in China"!

Yeah, Tom Cruise in the box was a kiss of death as soon as I saw it.

peace

Re: Needs for improvement
 

and yes get Hall the hell out of there!

Re: Needs for improvement
 

[quote=Beemnseven;214242]
Secondary: F (Carlos Rogers, I'm officially worried about this guy; Wright, Rumph, and Arch all got torched by a largely unknown and untested group of wideouts.)[/quote]We should've re-signed Ryan Clark, saved some money by not signing Archuleta and used free agency to find Hall's replacement. I am happy to see that our draftees are playing.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

YEA! and Golston had a really nice play in the backfield!!

Re: Needs for improvement
 

[QUOTE=Beemnseven;214242]It wasn't just on 3rd downs that the defense looked bad. Many of those third down conversions were due to big gains on 1st and 2nd down. The defense looked bad across the board. [/QUOTE]

The defense allowed just 2.5 yards per rush. I'm cool with that. While I'd like to see them allow between 10-15 points per game, 19 points is decent. I can't say they looked bad across the board.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;214305]The defense allowed just 2.5 yards per rush. I'm cool with that. While I'd like to see them allow between 10-15 points per game, 19 points is decent. I can't say they looked bad across the board.[/quote]

We got very lucky it wasn't a lot more than 19 points. Carlos Rogers was burned a couple times by Troy Williamson, who then dropped the ball.

On third downs, we didn't pressure Brad either. I'd say it was really disappointing, especially when you consider that this was Saunders' first game. You can't expect the offense to do much so early in the season with a new coordinator in tow. It takes time to learn, and while they're learning, the defense has to carry us. It didn't.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;214351]We got very lucky it wasn't a lot more than 19 points. Carlos Rogers was burned a couple times by Troy Williamson, who then dropped the ball.

On third downs, we didn't pressure Brad either. I'd say it was really disappointing, especially when you consider that this was Saunders' first game. You can't expect the offense to do much so early in the season with a new coordinator in tow. It takes time to learn, and while they're learning, the defense has to carry us. It didn't.[/QUOTE]

If you expected the defense to "carry us," then they were certainly a disappointment and there is room for big improvement. If you expected them to do a decent job, they met what was expected of them.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

[quote=hurrykaine;214248]I agree about our secondary - sure TD and 3rd down catches dropped by Williamson or this game wouldn't even have been close.

Without a healthy Springs, there is no hope. With Springs, hope springs eternal for us. Damn, I should've been a writer.

The only way we beat Dallas is if we manhandle their O-line and get to the QB. Since nothing I saw from our D-line yesterday leads me to believe we can do that, I'm going to predict that TO and Terri "she" Glenn will burn us.[/quote]

on a positive note, dallas' o-line got beat a lot sunday. Paul Spicer ran around Flozell A a few times. Look for Carter to get to Bledsoe

Re: Needs for improvement
 

[QUOTE=freddyg12;214385]on a positive note, dallas' o-line got beat a lot sunday. Paul Spicer ran around Flozell A a few times. Look for Carter to get to Bledsoe[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I saw that Flozell did not look all that good.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

[QUOTE=freddyg12;214385]on a positive note, dallas' o-line got beat a lot sunday. Paul Spicer ran around Flozell A a few times. Look for Carter to get to Bledsoe[/QUOTE]



I'm going to continue to hold out hope for Andre but the last time I heard his name called was at his introductory news conference. Maybe you know something, or have seen something I haven't.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

[QUOTE=Longtimefan;214447]I'm going to continue to hold out hope for Andre but the last time I heard his name called was at his introductory news conference. Maybe you know something, or have seen something I haven't.[/QUOTE]

There's been one game. I didn't expect him to post at least one sack per game and I saw him drawing some double-teams last night.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

[QUOTE=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;214353]If you expected the defense to "carry us," then they were certainly a disappointment and there is room for big improvement. [B]If you expected them to do a decent job, they met what was expected of them[/B].[/QUOTE]


I'm sorry, I just don't know how anyone could characterize the defense's performance as "decent".

Yeah, Minnesota's stats didn't knock anybody's socks off, but the 86 yards rushing, combined with precision passing at all the crucial times was enough to win the game.

Holding Cincinnati, Indianapolis, or any other high powered offense to 19 points might be 'decent'. But not at home against the Vikings, and especially not when you're offense scored less.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

[QUOTE=Beemnseven;214495]I'm sorry, I just don't know how anyone could characterize the defense's performance as "decent".

Yeah, Minnesota's stats didn't knock anybody's socks off, but the 86 yards rushing, combined with precision passing at all the crucial times was enough to win the game.

Holding Cincinnati, Indianapolis, or any other high powered offense to 19 points might be 'decent'. But not at home against the Vikings, and especially not when you're offense scored less.[/QUOTE]

How can you say the defense was not even decent, yet say (albeit in other posts) that the offense was okay?

Re: Needs for improvement
 

[QUOTE=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;214516]How can you say the defense was not even decent, yet say (albeit in other posts) that the offense was okay?[/QUOTE]

Okay, I've scanned all my posts since the loss last night and I can't find where I have said anything, good or bad, about the offense. Maybe you can.

For the record, the offense deserves as much blame as does the defense. I simply haven't gotten around to my critique of the O just yet.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

[QUOTE=Beemnseven;214530]Okay, I've scanned all my posts since the loss last night and I can't find where I have said anything, good or bad, about the offense. Maybe you can.

For the record, the offense deserves as much blame as does the defense. I simply haven't gotten around to my critique of the O just yet.[/QUOTE]

Sorry, the part of my brain that affects my memory just took a dump. Never mind.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

[QUOTE=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;214533]Sorry, the part of my brain that affects my memory just took a dump. Never mind.[/QUOTE]

No prob. I don't think anyone, from the coaches to each aspect of the team, -- offense, defense, special teams -- escapes blame for the loss.

There were some individual performances worthy of note, but that's going to involve some deep thought and analysis before I can think of any.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;214227]Two main areas need a big improvement.

Redzone offense, and our 3rd down defense.

If we improve those two areas we can live with just about anything else.[/QUOTE]

Right on. Redzone offense was abysmal, and the 3rd down defense just about gave me a heart attack. If EITHER of those were better last night we would have won.

I'll also add to that Carlos Rogers. I thought that guy was the shit last year, but he scared me this game. He flat out could not cover a second-rate receiver in Williamson - how is he going to do against TO or Glenn next week? And what was with the absurd little dance after the receiver flat out dropped the ball, which had nothing to do with him?

Re: Needs for improvement
 

I wonder if Carlos Rogers' struggles were in any way related to Troy Williamson's blazing speed. I'd be more comfortable with that answer than with a mental lapse.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

where is nick novak now? I think there needs to be some sort of kicking competition. John Hall doesnt even kickoff anymore and if you cant make a 48 yard field you got to go. NFL= not for long. I wish gibbs would adopt that policy. If I am not mistaking didnt the skins cut antonio brown last season after a fumble on opening day? the same should apply to hall and especially after seeing him on comcast after the game saying it was all his fault and he will shoulder the blame. We need to have some accountablity. cut john hall now...

Re: Needs for improvement
 

one more final thought and then i will be done talking about last night. You wont win many games if you get into the redzone and score 1 td and 3 fgs. The play calling in the red zone was ridiculous...inside the 5 and we dont see tj duckett? what was saunders thinking?

Re: Needs for improvement
 

I respectfully have to disagree with cutting Hall, at least until I get more information. Hall used to be clutch in those long distance FGs. Assuming Hall gets healthy, he'll be better than anything else on the street. I just pray he's expected to get healthy, as it's been 2 years now.

I can't imagine why Gibbs et al would keep him around unless there was some expectation that he would get healthy.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;214591]I respectfully have to disagree with cutting Hall, at least until I get more information. Hall used to be clutch in those long distance FGs. Assuming Hall gets healthy, he'll be better than anything else on the street. I just pray he's expected to get healthy, as it's been 2 years now.

I can't imagine why Gibbs et al would keep him around unless there was some expectation that he would get healthy.[/quote]

the key word in your post "USED"....suggesting in the past he was a clutch kicker. thats the thing in the "PAST" he was clutch. NOT NOW. I gotta disagree in case you forgot i think novak won the game for us last year against the seahawks during the regular season. Its been two years of injuries and inconsistencies its time to move on and bring in a few kickers and lets a have an open competition. which we should have done in the preseason.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

[QUOTE=vaoutlaws2006;214596]the key word in your post "USED"....suggesting in the past he was a clutch kicker. thats the thing in the "PAST" he was clutch. NOT NOW. I gotta disagree in case you forgot i think novak won the game for us last year against the seahawks during the regular season. Its been two years of injuries and inconsistencies its time to move on and bring in a few kickers and lets a have an open competition. which we should have done in the preseason.[/QUOTE]

I certainly see why you have your opinion. I just have to believe that Gibbs would not have kept him if he didn't think he would recover soon. Novak's gone and Hall is here and Gibbs isn't crazy, so there has to be a reason. I guess I am just going on blind faith.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

My question is: How many more games will Hall cost us the chance for a win or a tie. He showed last night that his range is 27 yards. He barely made one of those short, short FGs. And the fact he didn't know what down it was and wasn't ready to come on the field for the game-tying kick tells me he's not prepared to do the one thing he gets paid a lot of money to do: Kick field goals. We all made fun of Vanderjagt. We should look at Hall, too.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

Special teams is always that forgotten unit that makes such a big difference in games. Given that most games are decided by a FG or two, it is incredibly surprising that kickers aren't paid more.

Re: Needs for improvement
 

carlos is probably just more of a ronde type zone/cover 2 corner :/
his speed didn't seem to match up very well.

I don't think it was horrible, but the skins were sloppy and it looked like the offensive playcalling was just a random grab bag instead of a scheme (which is what the vikings were running).

not addressing kicker/punter and leaving 15 points on the field is fairly unforgiveable though. everyone here knew our kickers sucked last year and they did nothing, even with vinetari and longwell on the market, and zastidul in FA with koch in the draft at punter (which, while not game breakers, are at least competent).

Re: Needs for improvement
 

It wasn't that bad guys, if Moss holds on to that pass from Brunell after being rocked by Sharper what would we be discussing? We are on the right path guys, trust me! Mr Saunders will have that Offense running like a freight train in just a few short weeks and all the loose ends on defense will be tightened as the players get in game shape. Mark my words gentlemen!