Today's expectations

[MTK]

OK, so the Skins are about 10 point underdogs headed in to today's game. We're on the road facing one of the top teams in the league. We should lose this game, I'm not trying to be negative I'm just being realistic.

So why do I know this board will light up after the game if we lose with everyone second guessing the gameplan, the playcalling, the front office, the trainers, the team doctors, the team colors, etc.?

Do we just have unrealistic expectations for every game? I mean, I still see people mentioning playoffs. Or does this eternal optimism just come with being a fan? Always expecting the best no matter the circumstances or the record?

Just curious what your guys thought process is. Are you expecting the team to play like crap at this point, or are you still expecting them to turn on a dime and look like a contender?

[SmootSmack]

9-7, last wild card spot, sweep their way through to the Super Bowl...

Seriously though, I just want to see progress and some consistency. I don't think we're any better than we were week one and it seems like for every step forward we take two steps back.

But yeah, I always expect the best from my sports teams. Ironic, because in real life I'm a glass half-empty, chipped, backwash in the glass kind of guy

[Gmanc711]

I'm with Smootsmack. I just want some progress; especially offensivley. The thing that will p*ss me off, is that if the game is there for our taking; and we mess it up. Were a pro team, so if they give us the opprotunity to win, we better take it.
I want to see a gameplan that allows Ramsey to throw downfeild a little bit. I dont think it has to be fun&gun, but for like every 4 screens we throw, we should take a couple shots downfeild. I also want to see Portis play a bigger role in the game.

**Breaking News btw*** if this wasent posted elsewhere, they inactivated Staley, and Bettis will get the nod.

[Big C]

we need to see if ramsey is the guy for the future, or if we need to bring in drew brees, cuz i sure as hell dont want to draft another QB and start all over there

[MTK]

I just hope we don't get our asses kicked

[dragontat7169]

Playoff chances? even if they do finish with a sweep, do they really deserve to go or do we want them to go? Making the playoffs will hurt next years draft chances.

Ok enough said about that. In all honesty, I hope they score above 20 points. That is all I hope from todays game. Can they do it? It's very doubtful against the top rated D in the league. What I would like to see in todays game is a mistake free game on offense (No turnovers and no stupid penalties). I would like to see a well played game and I don't care if they lose. I just want them to play well. I would like to see the D shut down Big Ben...but I find myself rooting for Big Ben. How can you not like a Rookie like him who is playing so well? But Deep Down I am a Skins fan and I do hope they shut him down.

I played Madden 2005 twice today...once on All-Pro and once on All-Madden. I won both games. (All-Pro won 35-17, Madden 28-21). I know that is just a game...but I hadn't beaten the Steelers all week no matter how many times I tried..LOL. Maybe me winning twice today is a sign of things to come (and no I'm not supersticious (however you spell it). And throughout the season I have played most games on All Madden level and lost..but today was the first time I won..LOL..who knows. Just a little humor for everyone.

Anyways...I don't see the Skins winning but I am still hopeful.

GO SKINS!!!!

[LongTimeSkinsFan]

I was watching the game today in a bar with a bunch of Steeler fans who were friends. When the game was over I got in their faces and said loud and proud, "HA We held your team under 20 points. I claim a moral victory!" and we all got a good laugh out of it.

[Gmanc711]

Originally Posted by LongTimeSkinsFan

I was watching the game today in a bar with a bunch of Steeler fans who were friends. When the game was over I got in their faces and said loud and proud, "HA We held your team under 20 points. I claim a moral victory!" and we all got a good laugh out of it.

lol, you pretty much hang your hat on whatever you can at this point. That thing for all skins fans, is our defense! At least you had a good time though.

[frogprincess]

I remember back to when Joe Gibbs and Joe Bugel had just come back, and Joe Bugel was saying that Ramsey wouldn't have to worry about getting sacked anymore now. He jokingly said that Ramsey would come out of the game with a clean jersey, because their game plan always protected the quarterback. What happened to that?

[NY_Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by frogprincess

I remember back to when Joe Gibbs and Joe Bugel had just come back, and Joe Bugel was saying that Ramsey wouldn't have to worry about getting sacked anymore now. He jokingly said that Ramsey would come out of the game with a clean jersey, because their game plan always protected the quarterback. What happened to that?

It did in 1987...different year different game.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by frogprincess

I remember back to when Joe Gibbs and Joe Bugel had just come back, and Joe Bugel was saying that Ramsey wouldn't have to worry about getting sacked anymore now. He jokingly said that Ramsey would come out of the game with a clean jersey, because their game plan always protected the quarterback. What happened to that?

Injuries have had something to do with it.

I really don't think the pass protection has been all that bad, but the run blocking has been pretty crappy.

[That Guy]

there were some serious breakdowns in pass protection today... the steelers use confusing blitz packages, and some of todays sacks happened when guys were left completely unblocked. Still, i'd rate it as average today.