Game Positives and Negatives

Beemnseven

I don't know how anyone can draw anything positive from the O-line, Rock Cartwright or Sultan. Up until the 4th quarter we had 39 yards rushing, and 15 of that was from a scramble by Hasslebeck. Other than one run each by Rock and McCullough against the Panther scrubs late in the game, the rushing attack was pathetic.

And I don't buy into the notion that the offense is sputtering because the gameplan is vanilla. If it's vanilla plays we're running, then that's got to be basic stuff that everyone should be executing sufficiently at this point.

Mattyk

The vanilla offense argument makes some sense when you think about it, if the defense knows what plays are coming it's pretty easy to defend.

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Beemnseven

But Matty, you still have to execute. It doesn't matter if the defense knows what plays are coming -- which by the way, I highly doubt they do -- the defense still has to respond physically to what they think is going to happen. Remember Super Bowl 22? The Broncos had to know what Gibbs was going to throw at them in the 4th quarter. Timmy Smith counter to the left, Timmy Smith counter to the right. They knew that play was coming, and still couldn't stop it.

Michael Irvin used to taunt corners by telling them what route he was going to run. Guess what? He still beat them and caught the ball. The same goes for our offense now. If they execute properly, and with authority -- they should be performing a lot better than what we're seeing. That's the name of the game. Play better, harder, and smarter than your opponent. If you do, it won't matter if he somehow "knows" exactly what play is coming.

I know it's still early, and clearly they need more practice and more reps. But I'm telling you, if there's not marked improvement against Miami, a team in complete disarray, then my hand will move significantly more towards the panic button.

No, I just don't buy the 'Vanilla Offense' argument.

Mattyk

panic in august? I thought you would be a bit more level headed, Beems

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Redskins_P

New coach, new system, new players. 2 PRESEASON games!

Give it some time fellas. I'm not expecting the offense to REALLY start clicking until maybe week 2 or 3 in the regular season. The starters aren't spending that much time on the field, and Gibb's offense is a little complicated....even when it's "vanilla". If it still looks this bad come week 2 against the Giants....then we can start worrying.

JWsleep

I agree, Redskins_P. Couldn't have said it better. But we are skins fans, so we worry!

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Redskins_P

I hear ya man, but still we shouldn't even say the word panic right now. I think we're just a little impatient. I'd rather look like crap right now, and then come in strong during the regular season.

SmootSmack

I guess we'd have to assume that we're up against vanilla defenses as well right? So do we then conclude that a vanilla defense beats a vanilla offense?

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Beemnseven

Me? Level headed? No, not really.

I said my hands would "move significantly more towards" the panic button. I didn't necessarily say that I would pound on it frantically or anything.

I remember hearing the same thing in the 2001 preseason when Marty was in charge. We sucked in the preseason, and sucked for the first 5 regular season games. Hopefully we'll be better this time around. I'll give them the whole preseason before I start lying awake at night sweating profusely.

Mattyk

All this talk about vanilla, no love for chocolate anymore??

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That Guy

with all the player and coaching turnover, its unreasonable to expect high quality mid season performances right now... the QBs have been rotten, but it may be midway through the season before everyone is on the same page, i'm hoping they're ready by week 1 though.

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CRT3

Hey this was my view on positives and negatives. I am not always correct but I was there and this is what I saw. The starting o-line did a good job considering it was preseason and they were running a vanilla offense. If they were bad pick 2-3 plays and tell me what was so bad. And if all 11 guys on the defense know where the ball is headed to on the snap via a run, execution won't matter. And refering to the Superbowl, if you remember we went up top on more then one occasion. Denver's safteys did not know whether to press the line or hang in 2 deep. Confusion at the point of attack is what makes the Air Correyl offense work. In fact they even ran the Charley hitch pattern twice on Saturday. But this is vanilla or simple as compared to regular season.

Beemnseven

Fine. Fair enough. I'm glad somebody's more optimistic. But it's always been my nature to be more of the opposite. Recent Redskin history since about, oh, 1993 has the tendency to do that to you.

If you want 2 or 3 bad plays, how about these: Clinton Portis ran with the starting unit for 15 yards on 5 carries with the longest gain going for 9 yards. That means the other 4 rushes combined for just 6 yards. How about those?

And though this has been a common theme among many of the members here today, I seriously doubt that "all 11 guys on the defense know where the ball is headed..." I mean, come on. I know Gibbs isn't tipping his hand for the exhibition games, but don't you believe that he has the ability to mix it up even when he's careful not to give anything away? Seriously, did Gibbs hand John Fox a script of the offensive plays he was going to run? Just where is the proof that the defense 'knew every play before it was coming' ???

Regarding the Super Bowl, yes, Gibbs called for more than a few bombs. But Timmy Smith did happen to break the record, and still holds it for rushing yards in The Big Game. By the 4th quarter, my great-grandma knew all we were going to do was run, run, run. I have a feeling Denver did too. But guess what? They still couldn't stop it. I noticed you neglected to respond to my point about Michael Irvin, which further backs up my argument. Like I said, he told the corners what routes he was going to run -- and he still beat them.

Look, in my heart of hearts, I'm sure Gibbs will turn this ship around. By the 4th or 5th preseason game, we should start seeing glimpses of what this offense should be capable of -- a punishing running attack and pinpoint passing for big yardage downfield. I just don't see that right now. If you do, that's great.

Just pass me whatever you're drinking.