some perspective on the season so far

MTK · 10-09-2006, 11:39 AM

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:

Quote:

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 · 10-09-2006, 11:54 AM

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.

hail_2_da_skins · 10-09-2006, 11:58 AM

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 · 10-09-2006, 12:08 PM

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 · 10-09-2006, 12:10 PM

Quote:

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 · 10-09-2006, 12:31 PM

Quote:

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.

dmek25 · 10-09-2006, 12:38 PM

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

Schneed10 · 10-09-2006, 12:54 PM

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!).

Misterbillysells · 10-09-2006, 12:54 PM

One thing we might also want to keep in mind is that for the first time in a long time this is not an all or nothing season. We have developed a core group of young players and the window for winning isnt all on this one season like it has been since Synder took over. Id love the skins to win and go all the way to the super bowl as much as the next guy, but whats probably more important at this time, with a new offense and an injury depleted secondary, is improvement. This game in no way was nearly as bad as last year and we have shown improvement thus far in the season, we just need to be more consistant week to week. This team is built to last and this loss will prove to be meaningless when all is said and done. We need to separate ourselves from that old mentality and look at the big picture

Paintrain · 10-09-2006, 01:15 PM

Matty, excellent points as usual.. Fans (myself included) are so funny, after the Cowboys game we all were calling for Brunell to be benched, let's scrap the season and see what Campbell can do.. After beating Jax we were all saying this is the year, the offense is great, let's run the table. We are probably where we should be either 2-3 or 3-2 at this point in the season.

The key games, once again, will come at home and in October and November. We need to win 6 of the next 8 to get to 8-5 going into the last few weeks. There are more viable players this year for playoff spots (Philly, N.O., Atlanta, St. Louis, Minn.) than last year but some of those will fade and we play all but Minnesota later in the season so we have to take care of our business.

I still find it hard to beleive that Shawn Springs means THAT much to our defense that we are scared to blitz without him but his return should be a major boost if that is the case. With no new major injuries, a better understanding of the offense and the stability that Gibbs brings (although I could have choked him for not going for that 4th down yesterday!) the glass case around the panic button should be intact for a little while longer.

illdefined · 10-09-2006, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmek25

no adjustments, and no sense of urgency

NONE!

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 10-09-2006, 01:19 PM

I agree with the general nature of this thread...the world is not coming to an end.

But, I see that Vikings loss being the difference between making or missing the playoffs. We should have won that hands down, even if the offense was unfamiliar with the offense and the Vikings are better than people expected.

dall-assblows · 10-09-2006, 01:40 PM

i'm so tired of this big swing in playing. one week we look like we could be undefeated, and the next week they look like they could be winless. i'm just so tired of it!

JWsleep · 10-09-2006, 01:43 PM

Great post, Matty. I agree. And as bad as we looked in our losses, we know we can play well, and especially on D, that we can play better.

TheMalcolmConnection · 10-09-2006, 01:47 PM

Also, as bad as our defense looked yesterday, we still only gave up 19 points. We have to do something against the long ball, but 19 points SHOULD have been low enough for our offense to do something with.

10-09-2006, 11:54 AM	#2
724Skinsfan Playmaker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 3,508	Re: some perspective on the season so far 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. __________________ "I hope I'm getting better. I hope you haven't seen my best." - Jim Zorn

10-09-2006, 11:58 AM	#3
hail_2_da_skins Impact Rookie Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO Age: 69 Posts: 868	Re: some perspective on the season so far 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. __________________ "HAIL TO THE SKINS"

10-09-2006, 12:08 PM	#4
Southpaw The Starter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: So. MD Age: 47 Posts: 1,319	Re: some perspective on the season so far 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.

10-09-2006, 12:38 PM	#7
dmek25 MVP Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: lancaster,pa Age: 63 Posts: 10,672	Re: some perspective on the season so far 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 __________________ "It's better to be quiet and thought a fool than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt." courtesy of 53fan

10-09-2006, 12:54 PM	#8
Schneed10 A Dude Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Newtown Square, PA Age: 46 Posts: 12,458	Re: some perspective on the season so far 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!). __________________ God made certain people to play football. He was one of them.

10-09-2006, 12:54 PM	#9
Misterbillysells Camp Scrub Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 80	Re: some perspective on the season so far One thing we might also want to keep in mind is that for the first time in a long time this is not an all or nothing season. We have developed a core group of young players and the window for winning isnt all on this one season like it has been since Synder took over. Id love the skins to win and go all the way to the super bowl as much as the next guy, but whats probably more important at this time, with a new offense and an injury depleted secondary, is improvement. This game in no way was nearly as bad as last year and we have shown improvement thus far in the season, we just need to be more consistant week to week. This team is built to last and this loss will prove to be meaningless when all is said and done. We need to separate ourselves from that old mentality and look at the big picture

10-09-2006, 01:15 PM	#10
Paintrain Pro Bowl Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Age: 54 Posts: 5,006	Re: some perspective on the season so far Matty, excellent points as usual.. Fans (myself included) are so funny, after the Cowboys game we all were calling for Brunell to be benched, let's scrap the season and see what Campbell can do.. After beating Jax we were all saying this is the year, the offense is great, let's run the table. We are probably where we should be either 2-3 or 3-2 at this point in the season. The key games, once again, will come at home and in October and November. We need to win 6 of the next 8 to get to 8-5 going into the last few weeks. There are more viable players this year for playoff spots (Philly, N.O., Atlanta, St. Louis, Minn.) than last year but some of those will fade and we play all but Minnesota later in the season so we have to take care of our business. I still find it hard to beleive that Shawn Springs means THAT much to our defense that we are scared to blitz without him but his return should be a major boost if that is the case. With no new major injuries, a better understanding of the offense and the stability that Gibbs brings (although I could have choked him for not going for that 4th down yesterday!) the glass case around the panic button should be intact for a little while longer. __________________ Paintrain's Redskins Fandom 1981-2014 I'm not dead but this team is dead to me...but now that McCloughan is here they may have new life! Jay Gruden = Zorny McSpurrier Kirk Cousins = Next Grossman

10-09-2006, 01:19 PM	#12
Sheriff Gonna Getcha Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 46 Posts: 8,317	Re: some perspective on the season so far I agree with the general nature of this thread...the world is not coming to an end. But, I see that Vikings loss being the difference between making or missing the playoffs. We should have won that hands down, even if the offense was unfamiliar with the offense and the Vikings are better than people expected.

10-09-2006, 01:40 PM	#13
dall-assblows The Starter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: round the way Age: 42 Posts: 2,211	Re: some perspective on the season so far i'm so tired of this big swing in playing. one week we look like we could be undefeated, and the next week they look like they could be winless. i'm just so tired of it!

10-09-2006, 01:43 PM	#14
JWsleep Propane and propane accessories Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Houston, TX Age: 56 Posts: 4,719	Re: some perspective on the season so far Great post, Matty. I agree. And as bad as we looked in our losses, we know we can play well, and especially on D, that we can play better. __________________ Hail from Houston!

10-09-2006, 01:47 PM	#15
TheMalcolmConnection I like big (_\|_)s. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia Age: 43 Posts: 19,264	Re: some perspective on the season so far Also, as bad as our defense looked yesterday, we still only gave up 19 points. We have to do something against the long ball, but 19 points SHOULD have been low enough for our offense to do something with. __________________ Regret nothing. At one time it was exactly what you wanted.

some perspective on the season so far

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