Commanders Post at The Warpath - View Single Post

calia · 09-23-2013, 12:29 PM

While 0-3 is a very bitter pill to swallow and there have been precious few things to cheer about the last three weeks, in reviewing these posts and the myriad suggestions ranging from fire Mike/Kyle/Haz/all coaches to cut Fred/Rak/Fletch, etc., it strikes me that even as uninspired as the team has looked, we've collectively got to chill (and I include myself in that category).

This season was going to involve some risk -- especially early -- for the simple reasons that (a) we were facing RGIII recovery and related transition back to full speed, (b) we were facing a complete unknown in the Eagles team in week 1, (c) we were facing a very good Packer team (at least, offensively), in Green Bay where it is very hard to win, and (d) we are starting two rookies in the secondary who, let's face it, still need time to develop from NFL prospects to NFL players. We were probably destined to have a slow start -- 2-2 wouldn't have been a bad start and we could finish just one game behind that at the bye. Also, even though we're 0-3, the Giants are too, the Eagles are 1-2, and Dallas is a very beatable 2-1; we have 5 division games left. That Green Bay, Atlanta, and SF are 1-2 -- all good teams -- should signal that even good teams are going to take their share of lumps. Heck, SF got schooled at home by the Colts -- a game that you know Harbaugh wanted badly to win. Winning in the NFL is just plain hard.

So back to our team, if the team can get on track with a win in Oakland (which would have looked like a lock to me, and I think we will still do), and get some personnel back (Jackson, Jenkins -- solid players for us on D last year where we need the most help) and some injuries behind them (Davis, Rambo) during the bye, we ought to be in a position to at least compete.

BUT, that also will depend on, in my view, three important things: (1) the team needs to get its fire back -- it is amazing to me how they're lost that "us against the wrold" mentality from the end of last season, as though winning the NFC East and the other teams in the division looking weak would translate into guaranteed success this year -- we need some player leadership here, and soon -- no one plays with attitude or a mean streak -- want to know what I mean? watch Richard Sherman -- I hate the guy, but he brings it every play and wants to dominate you and rub it in; (2) they have got to make better adjustments on both sides of the ball (and not wait until halftime to do it) -- the coaching needs to improve on both sides of the ball; and (3) fundamentals, fundamentals -- hang on to the football, wrap folks up when tackling, avoid the stupid penalties, and otherwise play like you're up against a superior adversary every week and thus need to have your A game (because, at least so far, that's actually been the case).

I can still see us salvaging the season -- maybe the playoffs are out of reach, and maybe they're not. But I would settle for a one week at a time approach where we focus like a laser on just getting a win.

09-23-2013, 12:29 PM	#340
calia Playmaker Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woodside, CA Age: 57 Posts: 3,759	Re: Redskins Lions postgame While 0-3 is a very bitter pill to swallow and there have been precious few things to cheer about the last three weeks, in reviewing these posts and the myriad suggestions ranging from fire Mike/Kyle/Haz/all coaches to cut Fred/Rak/Fletch, etc., it strikes me that even as uninspired as the team has looked, we've collectively got to chill (and I include myself in that category). This season was going to involve some risk -- especially early -- for the simple reasons that (a) we were facing RGIII recovery and related transition back to full speed, (b) we were facing a complete unknown in the Eagles team in week 1, (c) we were facing a very good Packer team (at least, offensively), in Green Bay where it is very hard to win, and (d) we are starting two rookies in the secondary who, let's face it, still need time to develop from NFL prospects to NFL players. We were probably destined to have a slow start -- 2-2 wouldn't have been a bad start and we could finish just one game behind that at the bye. Also, even though we're 0-3, the Giants are too, the Eagles are 1-2, and Dallas is a very beatable 2-1; we have 5 division games left. That Green Bay, Atlanta, and SF are 1-2 -- all good teams -- should signal that even good teams are going to take their share of lumps. Heck, SF got schooled at home by the Colts -- a game that you know Harbaugh wanted badly to win. Winning in the NFL is just plain hard. So back to our team, if the team can get on track with a win in Oakland (which would have looked like a lock to me, and I think we will still do), and get some personnel back (Jackson, Jenkins -- solid players for us on D last year where we need the most help) and some injuries behind them (Davis, Rambo) during the bye, we ought to be in a position to at least compete. BUT, that also will depend on, in my view, three important things: (1) the team needs to get its fire back -- it is amazing to me how they're lost that "us against the wrold" mentality from the end of last season, as though winning the NFC East and the other teams in the division looking weak would translate into guaranteed success this year -- we need some player leadership here, and soon -- no one plays with attitude or a mean streak -- want to know what I mean? watch Richard Sherman -- I hate the guy, but he brings it every play and wants to dominate you and rub it in; (2) they have got to make better adjustments on both sides of the ball (and not wait until halftime to do it) -- the coaching needs to improve on both sides of the ball; and (3) fundamentals, fundamentals -- hang on to the football, wrap folks up when tackling, avoid the stupid penalties, and otherwise play like you're up against a superior adversary every week and thus need to have your A game (because, at least so far, that's actually been the case). I can still see us salvaging the season -- maybe the playoffs are out of reach, and maybe they're not. But I would settle for a one week at a time approach where we focus like a laser on just getting a win.