some perspective on the season so far

[MTK]

If we looked at the first 5 games of the season back in August and tried to predict what would have happened, a 2-3 start probably wouldn't have been that far fetched of an idea.

Vikings - I think most of us would have predicted a 'W' here. Definitely one they should have won.

Cowboys - on the road in Dallas, I think a good part of us would have predicted a 'L'.

Texans - Most of us would have predicted a 'W' and they got it.

Jaguars - This makes up for the Vikings loss, I think a good part of us would have predicted a 'L', a surprising win to say the least.

Giants - I can't remember the last time they played well in NY. I'm sure alot of us would have slated this one as a 'L'.

So there we go. If you would have told me after 5 games the Skins would be 2-3, I would have been disappointed but I can see the logic.

Wilbon's article in the WP today makes alot of sense. Road games in the East are very tough games to win. Add in the fact the Giants had 2 weeks to prepare and they were a desperate team, and the Skins were coming off a very emotional 'W' against the Jags, and perhaps our expectations for this game were a little off.

After all, we got hammered 36-0 in the Meadowlands last year and ended up playing a week later into the postseason than the Giants. So, as Wilbon said:

Sometimes a loss isn't a window to a bigger picture. Sometimes there's no greater meaning to draw from an athletic event than the result of the day. And the Washington Redskins' 19-3 loss to the Giants on Sunday is probably such a case in point.

[724Skinsfan]

Matty, I going to start referring to you as The Eye of the Storm. As much chaos and "we suck" posting that blows around the Warpath you manage to bring solace and comfort to those caught amidst the turbulent waters of doubt and confusion.

[jermus22]

Originally Posted by 724Skinsfan

Matty, I going to start referring to you as The Eye of the Storm. As much chaos and "we suck" posting that blows around the Warpath you manage to bring solace and comfort to those caught amidst the turbulent waters of doubt and confusion.

Darn, you sound like a poet (he, he). In all seriousness I can't say I'm terribly upset--just disappointed. I have complete confidence in Gibbs; just not sure about what's happening to the rest of the group. On a positive note, we seem to have a lot of guys with good character, and that will be the biggest factor in bouncing back from a loss like this.

[hail_2_da_skins]

Good summary Matty. I guess my expectations are too high. I expected the Skins to beat the Vikings and Texans. I expected them to be competitive against the Jaguars, Cowboys and Giants.

The Viking lost hurt bad. Too may missed opportunities. Any lost the Cowboys is extremely painly, no matter the situation. Despite the poor play in Dallas, they had an opportunity to comeback in that game and Brunnel faltered down the stretch, thus my calling for Brunnel to be benched. Brunnel redeemed himself against the Texans, but in my view that would have been a good opportunity to give Jason Campbell some experience against a weaker foe before some tougher games ahead. The Skins won a barn burner against Jacksonville. Brunnel still throwing the 5 yard dinks and dunks. His receivers and running backs bailed him with great runs after the catch. He did not escape from my doghouse. He showed his rear-end again against the Giants. The Giants were prepared for the short passes and force him to throw deep and Brunnel can't deliver. I wonder how long Gibbs is going to stay with a quarterback that throw deep? Bench Brunnel while the season is young.

[Southpaw]

I agree that 2-3 is about what I expected after the first five games, but the most frustrating part about this team is the multiple faces it displays from week to week. One week they have a shootout with a top three defense and pull out a win. Then, they follow that up with a piss poor performance against a Giants team that has played like ass for all but one quarter of this season, before yesterdays game. And it's not like this is a new theme in Washington. This is the same way they've played for the past ten seasons, excluding last season.

[hesscl34]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

I agree that 2-3 is about what I expected after the first five games, but the most frustrating part about this team is the multiple faces it displays from week to week. One week they have a shootout with a top three defense and pull out a win. Then, they follow that up with a piss poor performance against a Giants team that has played like ass for all but one quarter of this season, before yesterdays game. And it's not like this is a new theme in Washington. This is the same way they've played for the past ten seasons, excluding last season.

Looks who's back! I only see you when we lose.....

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by hesscl34

Looks who's back! I only see you when we lose.....

Actually, I was on vacation last week, so I only caught the highlights of the Jags game. I didn't feel it would be fair to comment on anyone's performance when I didn't see the whole game, but what I did see from Brunell actually gave me hope. Then, wouldn't you know it. 100 passing yard... Woohoo.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

Actually, I was on vacation last week, so I only caught the highlights of the Jags game. I didn't feel it would be fair to comment on anyone's performance when I didn't see the whole game, but what I did see from Brunell actually gave me hope. Then, wouldn't you know it. 100 passing yard... Woohoo.

Yep. And last year's popular excuse: "Brunell's got nobody other than Moss and Cooley to throw to" won't work this season.

[dmek25]

wilbon writing an article that makes sense? the one thing i didn't like about the game yesterday was, after halftime, we are playing like crap, no adjustments, and no sense of urgency

[illdefined]

Originally Posted by dmek25

no adjustments, and no sense of urgency

NONE!

[50-GUT]

Will someone please HIT THE PANIC BUTTON!! SOMEONE?!?!?

If there was such a thing, now is the time to press it, not when it's too late.

The season is NOT over.. it's not cooked......yet.

However, we HAVE to get this team turned around RIGHT HERE!
If we want a chance to grab a wildcard at 10-6, we have to go 8-2! (assuming loss @indy). There is no time for working things out or giving things time to gel. GOTO PLAN B RIGHT NOW. Saunders needs to move pass this shuffle play offense thats now obviously been over exposed on film for too many weeks. ....And if he needs to make player changes to get his REAL offense executed then by ALL means get it done. This is no time to hold onto player's feelings and friendships. That time was on opening day when its "all good". WAKEUP!! RED ALERT!! MAN YOUR BATTLE STATIONS!! Its all about survival now.

We need to get aggressive on offense AND defense. ATTACK ATTACK LIKE APACHES... Set the tempo, hit someone in the mouth, and then hit em AGAIN. We're playing scared AGAIN on both sides of the ball.. These players NEED TO GET MAD.. I see a bunch of pouters, and excuse makers in the lockeroom.

Someone better do "it" NOW because we are a handful of losses away from being out of the hunt, and there's still alot of games left!!

[70Chip]

Originally Posted by 50-GUT

Will someone please HIT THE PANIC BUTTON!! SOMEONE?!?!?

If there was such a thing, now is the time to press it, not when it's too late.

The season is NOT over.. it's not cooked......yet.

However, we HAVE to get this team turned around RIGHT HERE!
If we want a chance to grab a wildcard at 10-6, we have to go 8-2! (assuming loss @indy). There is no time for working things out or giving things time to gel. GOTO PLAN B RIGHT NOW. Saunders needs to move pass this shuffle play offense thats now obviously been over exposed on film for too many weeks. ....And if he needs to make player changes to get his REAL offense executed then by ALL means get it done. This is no time to hold onto player's feelings and friendships. That time was on opening day when its "all good". WAKEUP!! RED ALERT!! MAN YOUR BATTLE STATIONS!! Its all about survival now.

We need to get aggressive on offense AND defense. ATTACK ATTACK LIKE APACHES... Set the tempo, hit someone in the mouth, and then hit em AGAIN. We're playing scared AGAIN on both sides of the ball.. These players NEED TO GET MAD.. I see a bunch of pouters, and excuse makers in the lockeroom.

Someone better do "it" NOW because we are a handful of losses away from being out of the hunt, and there's still alot of games left!!

I agree. It is time to panic. This team is under-achieving and if its time for the coaches to get in their faces a little. Especially the Offensive Line. They should be the best in football, but they only show up for home games. If I see Jansen laughing it up with the other team after an ass-beating like that, one more time, I will puke. Where is the intensity, the professional pride. I bet he never laughed it up with the Buckeyes after an Ohio State game, win or lose.

I disagree that the Giants game should have been counted as a loss in the beginning of the season. The Giants aren't very good. A good team would have put 40 on us yesterday. If we had just played average we would have had a chance. When I look at the schedule, yesterday's game was one they needed to win. This team was supposed to be a threat to win it all this year. There window of opportunity is closing very quickly. They cannot wait until December to get serious this year.

[railcon56]

Originally Posted by dmek25

wilbon writing an article that makes sense? the one thing i didn't like about the game yesterday was, after halftime, we are playing like crap, no adjustments, and no sense of urgency

I was thinking ..well it's close at halftime .. we are in good shape..They will make the adjustments.... Like against Jacksonville....Just didn't happen...

[Schneed10]

Can we still make the playoffs? Sure. We're going to have to get on a big roll in December again, and we're going to need to take care of our NFC East home games.

It ain't over yet. But we really need Shawn Springs. I mean bad. We'll beat Tennessee without him, but we need him back to have a chance against Indy on the 22nd. After that it's a bye week, so he better get back after that, because then we're home against Dallas on the 5th (which I'll be in the stands for!).

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Can we still make the playoffs? Sure. We're going to have to get on a big roll in December again, and we're going to need to take care of our NFC East home games.

We're going to have to start much sooner than December. Right now, we are 0-3 in the conference. Last year, we were 10-2 and controlled our own destiny with making the playoffs. Before December, we're @ Philly, @ Tampa Bay and have Carolina and Dallas at home. The Bucs fight like dogs every week but keep coming up short -- they will be no pushovers. Then we have games @ New Orleans, @ St. Louis, and a home game against Atlanta (who runs the ball very well - and that's something we haven't been too good at stopping yet.)

That's a brutal schedule no matter how you look at it. They'd have to be undefeated with the rest of the NFC, and then still may have to depend on someone else to lose in order to squeak into the playoffs.