Report From Behind Enemy Lines
 

Dallas ESPN Radio [url]www.espn1033.com[/url]

Listening to my radio on the way to work this morning trying not to turn dispondent and drive my car off into the ditch, I was listening to my regular Cowboy Biased radio show and they started off the show by saying how the Skins should have won the game had it not been for the refs. All of a sudden I can't believe whats coming out of my radio. Some callers called in and tried to justify what happened by saying there were no-calls for the Cowboys too.... obviously they had been drinking the cool-aid. But a lot of callers actually agreed with them and one caller, called in and gave his game ball to the referees for "botching the PI call on Harris and the non PI call on Newman". I was definitely not feeling like such a biased Skins fan, knowing that most of the callers(in Dallas) knew that the refs handed them the game on a silver platter. Another caller gave his game ball to Brunell for holding on to the ball so long and playing so horrible, and stated that Gibbs looked disorientated on the sidelines and a little lost. Maybe the absence of lug nuts is throwing him a bit, but i believe he'll get his groove back soon.

I agree....it's usually wrong to blame the officials for a loss, but when bad calls/non-calls can result in a 14 point swing, like it did yesterday, you could certainly point to it as a factor.

IMHO, one thing and one thing only hurt us in this big game - our inability to punch it in from the 1yd line - there is no excuse for that when we have Portis, Betts and a relatively mobile QB in the line-up. That would've been 7 points instead of 3, which would've made all the difference.

I'm never one to point blame at the refs, I always say there's more to the game than just a few calls, but last night was simply ridiculous.

[QUOTE=Mattyk72]I'm never one to point blame at the refs, I always say there's more to the game than just a few calls, but last night was simply ridiculous.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, it was. Usually in circumstances like this, those who criticize the refs are ridiculed and said that the team should have played better if they deserved to win, but in this situation EVERYBODY says that the refs screwed up. I guess the Skins will be getting a "we're sorry" letter in the mail from the league this week.

Watched it again on tape, and they were very bad calls. Madden and Michaels called them right away. I can kinda understand the Harris one, given the new emphasis, but then how can you hold the flag on the Gardner one? That's inexcusable, and worst of all inconsistent. Very frustrating.

Still, and all, we were in a position to win a close game against a division rival, and didn't get it done. Until we get over this NFC hump, we are not that good a team. At least we get a rematch!

I agree with everything you all are saying; we botched the first and goal and other things, but it would be hard to argue that the 14 points the refs stole from us didn't affect the outcome of the game. Can anyone tell me - are there automatic reviews, at a higher level, of the calls? Or do the Redskins have to lodge a formal complaint to get something reviewed? Of course, it doesn't do us much good even if we do get an apology; it's still in the books as a loss. And is there any type of reprimand for officials who make such poor calls?

i hope portis can learn to jump like priest does on 3rd and 1 @ goal... hard to stop that...

but yeah, making that a TD vs a FG would've meant OT (doubt we would have gone for a 2 pt if we made that)... or not wasting all our TOs pointlessly...

The thing about refs is normally when they give you a bad call, they make it up with another questionable one. It's a game of give and take. Unfortunately it was all taking from the skins.

That guy - if our O line gave the push KCs did he could.

[QUOTE=That Guy]i hope portis can learn to jump like priest does on 3rd and 1 @ goal... hard to stop that...

but yeah, making that a TD vs a FG would've meant OT (doubt we would have gone for a 2 pt if we made that)... or not wasting all our TOs pointlessly...[/QUOTE]


We need to get Portis to the outside on the goalline. Hes one of the fastest guys in the league. We cant send him up the middle on plays that dont have time to develop ( such as on the goalline ). We either need Portis to the Outside or Betts up the middle when we are on the 1.

[QUOTE=Gmanc711]We need to get Portis to the outside on the goalline. Hes one of the fastest guys in the league. We cant send him up the middle on plays that dont have time to develop ( such as on the goalline ). We either need Portis to the Outside or Betts up the middle when we are on the 1.[/QUOTE]

Or as I've mentioned in other threads, at least use a different formation to spread the defense out a little. Yeah, there may be fewer blockers in from of him, but that also means there's more of a chance of a crease for him to push it through.......especially when he only needs a yard or less....

not only on goal line situations, but i think we need to get portis out on the edge more, for his speed and the fact that defenses are loading 10 guys in the box against us.

going full bore around the edge has worked for Tiki. imagine what Portis can do. its just not a Gibbs trademark, so would be quite an adjustment. who knows if Gibbs will adjust to Portis, seems way more likely the opposite will happen.

I recall Madden saying he had talked to Bugel, and Bugel told him they were trying to modify their run game to get Portis to the edge more, and to spread the field. ALso, Madden noted that it takes time to read the counter, and Portis is still learning. For all that, he gets 94 yards, and easily gets 100 if we aren't in comeback mode. Plus he caught a few. As for the goal line, I really think that will come. Basically, it's execution down there. Portis can get it done. Also, that may be a part of the game that Gibbs is still getting used to. It'll improve.

i also remember madden saying something about tom brady finding a new favorite receiver....