Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Cowboys at Redskins)

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

Let me clarify where I'm coming from w/Rak; I'm not saying he's one of our main problems, not saying he's playing poorly even.

I am saying that I'm disappointed w/his progress to this point. I don't think his pass rushing is as good as last year when he was getting held all over the place. When watching him rush he seems to lack a counter move. Kerrigan has mainly gotten coverage sacks, it's not that he's gotten to the qb quickly that often. Rak hasn't gotten there quickly much either.

Also, v. the run I find it hard to say that one of the OLBs didn't contain the edge, as we never know the call. But some teams have definitely run his way w/success. Take a look at the wash. examiner 10 observations article about the game, John Klein said that a dallas source said there plan was to run at Rak & Bowen. They didn't have success at it, but its interesting that they wanted to go to that side.

No way I want to see Rak traded next year, just want to see him become an elite OLB. Right now I don't see that.

He made the probowl two years in a row. He isn't going to make the damn thing every year. I just find it hard to throw Rak under the bus when the whole team is shitty. Rak and Kerrigan are one of the bright spots of this organization.
Rak still gets pressure, but lets remember that there is now two years of game tape on him vs when he was a rookie and 2nd year player. Teams game plan for him now and olineman have film to study. So as he plays another year or two he will come into his own. Lets not forget he is relatively still a very young player, 3rd year. Next year should be a coming out year. Plus, we are putting players around him that he hasn't played with before, guys that have not played in a 3/4 and they are adjusting as well. Much like offensive lineman, it takes a year to form a group that works in tandem.