My random thoughts on the game:
-Brunell still has plenty left in his tank, he managed the game and that's exactly what Gibbs wants from him.
-Portis, wow. 64 yarder right off the bat set the tone. The guy is the most dynamic playmaker Gibbs has ever had and he's going to put him to good use.
-Nice to see Rod Gardner step up, he did have a couple of drops though, he's got to kill that nasty habit already.
-HUGE props to the offensive line (that includes the TE's and h-backs of course). No sacks allowed, NONE. What a difference a year makes, huh?! Brunell had all freakin' day to throw at times. He did get hit pretty hard twice, but all in all a super solid job by this unit and they're only going to improve as the season wears on.
-More HUGE props to Gregg Williams and the rest of the defensive staff. We finally have an aggressive and smart defensive attack. When guys blitzed there were always guys in the right place in coverage. The D was gang tackling all over the place and they played with an energy and enthusiasm I haven't see from a Skins D in a very, very long time. I know there's a lot of football to be played, but the D answered a bunch of questions out there today.
-Anybody wanna cut Matt Bowen now?? We can't deny he's got skills, seems that all he needed was a coaching staff to harness those skills. He was a terror on the safety blitzes.
-Gibbs really should have challenged that Brunell scramble, that wasn't even close, it was clearly a first down. Whoever is advising him in the booth didn't earn their paycheck today.
-Did you see Gibbs' reaction when the Bucs scooped up the fumble for the TD?! It didn't even faze him and that definitely rubbed off on the rest of the team.
-All in all a great day, it's been a long time since I could honestly say I had a blast watching the Skins. Smashmouth football, aggressive D and a smart team that won't beat itself... that's Gibbs, that's Redskins football!!
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