Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

Well this game looked pretty ugly early on. But it ended beautifully. Nice to finally see the Redskins blow-out an opponent. Did you all see that stat today that the Redskins have been in the most games decided by 3 points or less since 2003? 40 games, record of 17-23.

Ganther continues to impress me. He can't really block much right now, but we might be spoiled because we have the best blocking back in the league in Clinton Portis. Still, I love the way Ganther hits the hole and fights for the extra yards. I hope we find a place on the roster for him next year.

I've been critical of Kareem Moore, but he made some very nice textbook tackles today. Nice to see both Moore and Tryon stepping...and I keep forgetting that we also have Chris Horton on the roster as well.

And finally, can't say enough about Lorenzo Alexander-making tackles on special teams, blocking on rushing touchdowns, getting a sack.

Ok, let's get to the smack down:

[B]Offensive Line[/B] The Raiders defensive line is underrated but still Campbell bailed out his line all day. He got little to no help from them today. I couldn't tell exactly who was the main culprit (I'll have to go back and see), but it looked Rabach. Also, as mentioned above the pass blocking frum the running backs was suspect at best. By the way, I thought Campbell was sharp but I still want to see him succeed in more pressure situations.

[B]LaRon Landry[/B] Nice forced fumble and key interception. Still he was getting targeted and abused by Gradkowski the whole first half. Landry benefited the most from Russell entering the game, since Russell has no sense of timing with anyone else in the offense it seems

[B]Danny Smith[/B] I'm tired of putting ARE on my smack down list seemingly every week. So I'm putting it on the coach now. C'mon Danny, enough is enough. Get ARE off the field for punt returns already.

[B]Referees[/B] Horrible calls on both sides. Against Davis on the celebration, and against Eugene on the interference with ARE.

Overall, nice to finally get a win after weeks of coming so close. Cerrato and the front office have given us some pieces to build with....still think there will be and should be changes in the coaching staff and front office though

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

that was fast, i agree completekly with laron and danny smith, laron looked great in the second half but russell was in there, and i don't know wtf is the deal with smith leaving are in there, after that muffed punt he has to be pulled imo

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

Orakpo is a f*ing monster. The Oline sucked, but whatelse is new. JC, nice game, finished strong. Ganther good game. Hopefully Landry will gain some confidence from that key interception, but you tell today he was playing with none in the first half, overthinking and just not reacting in coverage...

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

It really is bewildering why El is still back there for punts.

This is his 4th year here and never at any stage has he looked like a good option.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=davy;639211]It really is bewildering why El is still back there for punts.

This is his 4th year here and never at any stage has he looked like a good option.[/quote]

They should keep him in the slot. Put Santana back there full time.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

Well you don't put Santana back there full time because he's your #1 wideout, and you don't put Hall back there full time because he's one of your starting corners, and we don't have a lot of depth guys that would make a dependable full time punt returner. It's ARE only because in the scheme of things if he went down we'd still have young depth at wideout to rely on. I doubt he'll be back there next season.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

Moss got completely owned by Asomugha today, as it was obvious he would be. He's a No. 4 WR on this team, once Kelly catches up to where Thomas is mentally.

And at that point, he's just blocking Marko Mitchell.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=GTripp0012;639221]Moss got completely owned by Asomugha today, as it was obvious he would be. He's a No. 4 WR on this team, once Kelly catches up to where Thomas is mentally.

And at that point, he's just blocking Marko Mitchell.[/quote]

Hence putting him full time as a punt returner. Hell, maybe even put him in the slot if we do get rid of ARE (although I doubt that will happen).

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=davy;639211]It really is bewildering why El is still back there for punts.

This is his 4th year here and never at any stage has he looked like a good option.[/quote]

Agreed. If you want to get sick to your stomach, go check out the contract we gave him under team info. All that money essentially for a slot receiver who will catch you a first down every game and is 'good locker room guy'...but come on man!! Him and Portis need to go in the offseason

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

when the skins moved Moss to the slot in the second half, he started to produce. i say bye bye to El

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

the only smack i have to lay down on this team today is this. the o-line gave up a lot of pressure, moss and randle el dropped some passes, and carter whiffed on the fumble recovery. but carter had a great game otherwise.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=mooby;639218]Well you don't put Santana back there full time because he's your #1 wideout, and you don't put Hall back there full time because he's one of your starting corners, and we don't have a lot of depth guys that would make a dependable full time punt returner. It's ARE only because in the scheme of things if he went down we'd still have young depth at wideout to rely on. I doubt he'll be back there next season.[/quote]

I'm so sick of hearing that Moss can't return kicks because he is number 1 receiver. Every punt return we botch or let roll back is killing our drives. I think Moss can handle an extra 4 to 6 plays a game.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=dmek25;639232]when the skins moved Moss to the slot in the second half, he started to produce. i say bye bye to El[/quote]Nnamdi was out. Moss produced from the outside as well when Stanford Routt was on him.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=SmootSmack;639188]Overall, nice to finally get a win after weeks of coming so close. Cerrato and the front office have given us some pieces to build with....[B]still think there will be and should be changes in the coaching staff and front office though[/B][/quote]

Would you still be convinced if the Skins win out? And what does the team have to do to earn Zorn one more year?

There are a lot of coaches out there better than Zorn, but it's been a characteristic of the organization to make abrupt coaching changes just when signs of serious improvement are being seen. We saw it with Marty and then with Gibbs when they brought in a new OC.
I believe we're starting to see big improvements with this team and its system.

I wanted Zorn gone as much as anyone six games ago, and I've been an outspoken critic of JC since day one, but I'm starting to think that given the chance for proper maturation, we may have the ingredients for success.

What cannot be denied is that Zorn has this team playing its heart out with absolutely nothing to play for.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=SmootSmack;639188]
[B]Danny Smith[/B] I'm tired of putting ARE on my smack down list seemingly every week. So I'm putting it on the coach now. C'mon Danny, enough is enough. Get ARE off the field for punt returns already.
[/quote]

Amen brother. I don't understand what more there is to see?

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=mooby;639218]Well you don't put Santana back there full time because he's your #1 wideout, and you don't put Hall back there full time because he's one of your starting corners, and we don't have a lot of depth guys that would make a dependable full time punt returner. It's ARE only because in the scheme of things if he went down we'd still have young depth at wideout to rely on. I doubt he'll be back there next season.[/quote]

Put Rock back there

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[QUOTE=mlmdub130;639200]that was fast, i agree completekly with laron and danny smith, laron looked great in the second half but russell was in there, and i don't know wtf is the deal with smith leaving are in there, after that muffed punt he has to be pulled imo[/QUOTE]
Wes Welker says hi.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=Coff;639263]Would you still be convinced if the Skins win out? And what does the team have to do to earn Zorn one more year?

There are a lot of coaches out there better than Zorn, but it's been a characteristic of the organization to make abrupt coaching changes just when signs of serious improvement are being seen. We saw it with Marty and then with Gibbs when they brought in a new OC.
I believe we're starting to see big improvements with this team and its system.

I wanted Zorn gone as much as anyone six games ago, and I've been an outspoken critic of JC since day one, but I'm starting to think that given the chance for proper maturation, we may have the ingredients for success.

What cannot be denied is that Zorn has this team playing its heart out with absolutely nothing to play for.[/quote]

Well I did say coaching staff...not necessarily head coach :)

Seriously though, I go back and forth on it. Zorn seems like a good guy and I'd love for him to succeed here but I don't know what value he brings. I mean is it really undeniable that it's Zorn that has this team playing its heart out? Because where was that heart at the end of last year against teams like Cincy and San Fran? Where was it at the beginning of this year against the Lions and Chiefs of the league?

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=SmootSmack;639278]Well I did say coaching staff...not necessarily head coach :)

Seriously though, I go back and forth on it. Zorn seems like a good guy and I'd love for him to succeed here but I don't know what value he brings. I mean is it really undeniable that it's Zorn that has this team playing its heart out? Because where was that heart at the end of last year against teams like Cincy and San Fran? Where was it at the beginning of this year against the Lions and Chiefs of the league?[/quote]

Perhaps it's all part of the learning curve; maybe it's the confidence due to Sherman Lewis' play-calling; I don't know. But we're seeing improvement. I'd hate to have to watch the Skins start over from square one again, especially when improvement is shown.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=SmootSmack;639278]Well I did say coaching staff...not necessarily head coach :)

Seriously though, I go back and forth on it. Zorn seems like a good guy and I'd love for him to succeed here but I don't know what value he brings. I mean is it really undeniable that it's Zorn that has this team playing its heart out? Because where was that heart at the end of last year against teams like Cincy and San Fran? Where was it at the beginning of this year against the Lions and Chiefs of the league?[/quote]Right now, Zorn's value is Shanahan not being here.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=Coff;639301]Perhaps it's all part of the learning curve; maybe it's the confidence due to Sherman Lewis' play-calling; I don't know. But we're seeing improvement. I'd hate to have to watch the Skins start over from square one again, especially when improvement is shown.[/quote]

I think we have a young enough core now, that bringing in a new coaching staff would be ok. In fact, I might go as far as to say if next year is again a tryout year, then might as well bring in the new staff now. Without knowing exactly how the duties are being handled, it's real hard to say who gets the credit for the heart this team seems to be showing.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

Does the head coach deserve any blame when it appears that it takes 10, 11, or 12 games for he can get his offense to finally start hitting on some cylinders? Then you have to ask how much of it really is "his" offense when they had to bring in somebody from the outside to run it.

Look, we beat the Raiders. The lowly, pathetic Raiders. Let's see how high we are on Zorn in about three weeks after playing the Giants, Cowboys and Chargers.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=Beemnseven;639318]Does the head coach deserve any blame when it appears that it takes 10, 11, or 12 games for he can get his offense to finally start hitting on some cylinders? Then you have to ask how much of it really is "his" offense when they had to bring in somebody from the outside to run it.

Look, we beat the Raiders. [B] The lowly, pathetic Raiders[/B]. Let's see how high we are on Zorn in about three weeks after playing the Giants, Cowboys and Chargers.[/quote]

The Raiders who beat Steelers and Bengals? Let's face the fact, every week, every game is different..

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=Beemnseven;639318]Does the head coach deserve any blame when it appears that it takes 10, 11, or 12 games for he can get his offense to finally start hitting on some cylinders? Then you have to ask how much of it really is "his" offense when they had to bring in somebody from the outside to run it.

Look, we beat the Raiders. The lowly, pathetic Raiders. Let's see how high we are on Zorn in about three weeks after playing the Giants, Cowboys and Chargers.[/quote]Well, we blew out the Raiders, which is exactly what we were supposed to do to the Rams, Lions, Bucs, and Chiefs. Yes, it took way too long, but this is exactly what good teams do to bad teams.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

It all just goes to show how difficult these decisions can be. We want Snyder to "Save OUR team" by firing Zorn one week and keeping him the next, cutting Campbell one week, re-signing him the next. Before, during, and after every game most of us have 10 different suggestions for every situation. It's not easy

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=GridIron26;639321]The Raiders who beat Steelers and Bengals? Let's face the fact, every week, every game is different..[/quote]

Dont forget about the Eagles

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=SmootSmack;639325]It all just goes to show how difficult these decisions can be. We want Snyder to "Save OUR team" by firing Zorn one week and keeping him the next, cutting Campbell one week, re-signing him the next. Before, during, and after every game most of us have 10 different suggestions for every situation. It's not easy[/quote]

Atleast everyone agrees that Cerrato should be fired

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

Yeah...but I don't think he's nearly the problem everyone says he is. Unfortunately, I think this is one of those times the fans' voice might as well be heard

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=SmootSmack;639339]Yeah...but I don't think he's nearly the problem everyone says he is. Unfortunately, I think this is one of those times the fans' voice might as well be heard[/quote]

You mean that those bus ads are working?

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=GridIron26;639321]The Raiders who beat Steelers and Bengals? Let's face the fact, every week, every game is different..[/quote]

Well, the Steelers are in free-fall, and the Bengals got caught in a trap game. Even the lowly, pathetic teams will sneak up and bite some good teams now and then.

I'm just saying that you can't do exactly what SmootSmack says, and fire the coach after one game, or sign him to an extension after one nice win against one of the bottom-dweller teams of the league. Look at the total body of work.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=Beemnseven;639358]Well, the Steelers are in free-fall, and the Bengals got caught in a trap game. Even the lowly, pathetic teams will sneak up and bite some good teams now and then.

I'm just saying that you can't do exactly what SmootSmack says, and fire the coach after one game, or sign him to an extension after one nice win against one of the bottom-dweller teams of the league. Look at the total body of work.[/quote]The whole body of work suggests fringe playoff contender who simply lost too many games on the margin in September and October to be around in December.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=Zerohero;639241]I'm so sick of hearing that Moss can't return kicks because he is number 1 receiver. Every punt return we botch or let roll back is killing our drives. I think Moss can handle an extra 4 to 6 plays a game.[/quote]

Exactly. Deshean Jackson is the #1 WR for Philly and he still returns punts and does it well. I think Devin Thomas is on his way to #1 WR material if he keeps this up. I totally think Moss should be our slot with Marko, Malcolm, and Devin as the other 3 WRs.

If Santana is gonna be on this team next year, he needs to be the slot receiver and punt returner.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=GTripp0012;639360]The whole body of work suggests fringe playoff contender who simply lost too many games on the margin in September and October to be around in December.[/quote]

You believe we are a 'fringe playoff contender' ?

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=GTripp0012;639221]Moss got completely owned by Asomugha today, as it was obvious he would be. He's a No. 4 WR on this team, once Kelly catches up to where Thomas is mentally.

And at that point, he's just blocking Marko Mitchell.[/quote]

Agreed. I have lost all confidence in Moss as a #1 receiver. Let him return punts and come in off the bench at wideout.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=Beemnseven;639365]You believe we are a 'fringe playoff contender' ?[/quote]Only if looking at the whole body of work. Through seven games, we were pretty bad, but a lot better than it seemed. What we've done since the bye has moved us past, in my opinion, what we accomplished all of last season. To me, this five game stretch we're in was every bit as impressive as last year's five game streak that put us on top of the NFC for most of October and November.

Of course, even if we had three more wins than we currently do, just by virtue of winning more of our close games, that 7-6 record would make us a fringe playoff contender. We'd still be last in our own division. To me, that's in line with how we have played this year.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

What did we lose our last 3 games by? A total of 7 points? To the Cowgirls, the Eagles, and the Saints. We're competitive. I think we're closer than people think.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=SmootSmack;639188][B]Danny Smith[/B] I'm tired of putting ARE on my smack down list seemingly every week. So I'm putting it on the coach now. C'mon Danny, enough is enough. Get ARE off the field for punt returns already. [/quote]

[B]EXACTLY[/B] Its on D.Smith now.

ARE is making me F-ing sick to my stomach.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

Against the 6 patsies we played last year, we were 3-3. Against the 6 patsies we played this year, we remained 3-3. (I counted 09 Carolina and 08 SF as "patsies", if you disagree, then it just goes to 3-2 in five games).

The only difference was that last year in 10 games against quality opponents (6 divisional games, 4 non-divisional games), we went 5-5. This year, in 7 games against quality opponents, we are 1-6. But three of those losses came in the exact same venues against the exact same teams that we beat last year, and we played them about as well as anyone has played them, but with an unfortunate result.

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

[quote=53Fan;639383]What did we lose our last 3 games by? A total of 7 points? To the Cowgirls, the Eagles, and the Saints. We're competitive. I think we're closer than people think.[/quote]

I agree with you, with GTripp, as well.. We were 6-2 first half of the season last year, but then until other teams figured out Zorn's patterns and such.. Maybe Zorn have good concept of designing plays and things like that but he does not know how to call plays.. Maybe with Sherm's mentoring, I think it would be safe to give playcallings to Kubiek (sp?) or Smith.. Of course, that is only if everything in FO and coaches is intact in off season..

Re: Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Raiders)
 

I agree Moss ought to be our slot and returner. At this point he and ARE are the same type player but Moss is faster and can do some stuff on returns.

My biggest concern right now is Landry. He simply can't cover. At all. He got abused by a marginal QB with marginal WRs. He's a liability on the field. A big time liability. I'd have benched him today after the first half. He was that bad.