What's Our Weakness?

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Bill B

I think this is a great point - the Skins only have a couple of days to prepare for the Seahawks. The Skins game with the Cowboys ended around 7pm on Sunday night and I would think from a practice standpoint Gibbs would have to give the players Monday off to recouperate (maybe I am wrong - anyone know if the SKins practiced Monday?). So with that the players could only really practice Tuesday-Thursday and than they have a long flight to Seattle Friday. I guess with the win against the Bears the team showed they can play against anyone with minimal time. The one nice thing about the Saturday game is that if the Skins do win it the get an extra day to prepare for the Cowboys.

To be honest, I'm not terribly worried about the team travelling or this or that. They took a few days after Sean's funeral and kicke the Bears in rear, so they know what that feels like.

I think this team is in a zone right now and the only way Seattle beats them is for them to actually beat them. I don't forsee the Skins caving in, giving up a second half lead, turning the ball over, or giving up untimely penalties. All of this could happen, I'm just not expecting it to happen.

[freddyg12]

Redskins P has a good point; the secondary has been playing great ball, but the safeties are young & both Springs & Smoot are not the most durable corners. PLus, Smoot got burned on a few plays v. Dallas that could've been costly.

Schneed is right too, the pass pro has to continue to give collins time. I've been almost amazed at how long he's had in the pocket these past 4 weeks. This is a pass rushing team, so I expect a no. of screens & draws + plays for Cooley before we air it out a couple times deep.

To answer the question though, I would say our biggest weakness is the same that it's been all year - running right. We can't run right until late in games when we've worn teams down. It limits our run game early & forces us to pass more.

[mheisig]

I'd say overall depth. We're already using backups in so many positions that losing anyone else from here on out is going to be killer.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by mheisig

I'd say overall depth. We're already using backups in so many positions that losing anyone else from here on out is going to be killer.

That's true, good point. When you see the depth perform so well, it feels like there's a bottomless well of talent. But in reality the well runs dry eventually. We need to stay healthy.

[MTK]

Believe it or not Bobby Engram had 94 catches for 1147 yards and 6 scores.

A tad better than your typical #2.

They have a solid and deep WR corps. Our secondary should have it's hands full.

[dgack]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Believe it or not Bobby Engram had 94 catches for 1147 yards and 6 scores.

A tad better than your typical #2.

They have a solid and deep WR corps. Our secondary should have it's hands full.

Take a look at their complete schedule and how they fared against the passing defenses:

Wk 01 - TB (#1 passing D) - 222yd, 1TD, 0INT
Wk 02 - ARI (#28 passing D) - 281yd, 1TD, 0INT
Wk 03 - CIN (#26 passing D) - 248yd, 3TD, 2INT
Wk 04 - SF (#22 passing D) - 281yd, 2TD, 1INT
Wk 05 - PIT (#3 passing D) - 116yd, 0TD, 1INT
Wk 06 - NO (#30 passing D) - 362yd, 2TD, 1INT
Wk 07 - STL (#21 passing D) - 195yd, 2TD, 1INT
Wk 08 - BYE
Wk 09 - CLE (#24 passing D) - 318yd, 2TD, 1INT
Wk 10 - SF (#22 passing D) - 278yd, 2TD, 1INT
Wk 11 - CHI (#27 passing D) - 337yd, 2TD, 0INT
Wk 12 - STL (#21 passing D) - 249yd, 1TD, 1INT
Wk 13 - PHI (#18 passing D) - 187yd, 2TD, 1INT
Wk 14 - ARI (#28 passing D) - 272yd, 4TD, 0INT
Wk 15 - CAR (#17 passing D) - 274yd, 1TD, 0INT
Wk 16 - BAL (#20 passing D) - 199yd, 2TD, 2INT
Wk 17 - ATL (#23 passing D) - 353yd, 3TD, 1INT

The Redskins finished #16 in passing defense (in terms of yardage allowed), and we're actually tied for 8th in passing scores allowed.

Note that the Seagulls faced exactly TWO opponents ranked in the top half of the NFL in passing defense this year. The first was week 1 where they beat a sluggish Tampa team, the second was a shutout beating they took at the hands of the Steelers.

So no, I am not terribly scared of Bobby Engram. Or Deion Branch, or DJ Hackett or Nate Burleson. Even against extremely poor teams, Hasselhoff is good for at least one pick. Hell, he's only had a single game this year where he didn't throw at least one. I think he can be bullied into making a lot of mistakes.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by dgack

Take a look at their complete schedule and how they fared against the passing defenses:

Wk 01 - TB (#1 passing D) - 222yd, 1TD, 0INT
Wk 02 - ARI (#28 passing D) - 281yd, 1TD, 0INT
Wk 03 - CIN (#26 passing D) - 248yd, 3TD, 2INT
Wk 04 - SF (#22 passing D) - 281yd, 2TD, 1INT
Wk 05 - PIT (#3 passing D) - 116yd, 0TD, 1INT
Wk 06 - NO (#30 passing D) - 362yd, 2TD, 1INT
Wk 07 - STL (#21 passing D) - 195yd, 2TD, 1INT
Wk 08 - BYE
Wk 09 - CLE (#24 passing D) - 318yd, 2TD, 1INT
Wk 10 - SF (#22 passing D) - 278yd, 2TD, 1INT
Wk 11 - CHI (#27 passing D) - 337yd, 2TD, 0INT
Wk 12 - STL (#21 passing D) - 249yd, 1TD, 1INT
Wk 13 - PHI (#18 passing D) - 187yd, 2TD, 1INT
Wk 14 - ARI (#28 passing D) - 272yd, 4TD, 0INT
Wk 15 - CAR (#17 passing D) - 274yd, 1TD, 0INT
Wk 16 - BAL (#20 passing D) - 199yd, 2TD, 2INT
Wk 17 - ATL (#23 passing D) - 353yd, 3TD, 1INT

The Redskins finished #16 in passing defense (in terms of yardage allowed), and we're actually tied for 8th in passing scores allowed.

Note that the Seagulls faced exactly TWO opponents ranked in the top half of the NFL in passing defense this year. The first was week 1 where they beat a sluggish Tampa team, the second was a shutout beating they took at the hands of the Steelers.

So no, I am not terribly scared of Bobby Engram. Or Deion Branch, or DJ Hackett or Nate Burleson. Even against extremely poor teams, Hasselhoff is good for at least one pick. Hell, he's only had a single game this year where he didn't throw at least one. I think he can be bullied into making a lot of mistakes.

These metrics back up what you are saying here.

The adjustment in pass defense for quality Redskin opponents is +0.1%, or virtually nil. The adjustment in pass defense for quality of Seattle opponents is +10.0%, or a monsterous difference.

Seattle faced some really really crappy quarterbacks this year. Basically...they played the 49ers twice.

[skinsnut]

Originally Posted by dgack

Take a look at their complete schedule and how they fared against the passing defenses:

Wk 01 - TB (#1 passing D) - 222yd, 1TD, 0INT
Wk 02 - ARI (#28 passing D) - 281yd, 1TD, 0INT
Wk 03 - CIN (#26 passing D) - 248yd, 3TD, 2INT
Wk 04 - SF (#22 passing D) - 281yd, 2TD, 1INT
Wk 05 - PIT (#3 passing D) - 116yd, 0TD, 1INT
Wk 06 - NO (#30 passing D) - 362yd, 2TD, 1INT
Wk 07 - STL (#21 passing D) - 195yd, 2TD, 1INT
Wk 08 - BYE
Wk 09 - CLE (#24 passing D) - 318yd, 2TD, 1INT
Wk 10 - SF (#22 passing D) - 278yd, 2TD, 1INT
Wk 11 - CHI (#27 passing D) - 337yd, 2TD, 0INT
Wk 12 - STL (#21 passing D) - 249yd, 1TD, 1INT
Wk 13 - PHI (#18 passing D) - 187yd, 2TD, 1INT
Wk 14 - ARI (#28 passing D) - 272yd, 4TD, 0INT
Wk 15 - CAR (#17 passing D) - 274yd, 1TD, 0INT
Wk 16 - BAL (#20 passing D) - 199yd, 2TD, 2INT
Wk 17 - ATL (#23 passing D) - 353yd, 3TD, 1INT

The Redskins finished #16 in passing defense (in terms of yardage allowed), and we're actually tied for 8th in passing scores allowed.

Note that the Seagulls faced exactly TWO opponents ranked in the top half of the NFL in passing defense this year. The first was week 1 where they beat a sluggish Tampa team, the second was a shutout beating they took at the hands of the Steelers.

So no, I am not terribly scared of Bobby Engram. Or Deion Branch, or DJ Hackett or Nate Burleson. Even against extremely poor teams, Hasselhoff is good for at least one pick. Hell, he's only had a single game this year where he didn't throw at least one. I think he can be bullied into making a lot of mistakes.

Excellent Research!!
Thanks!

[12thMan]

I'm not too worried about the secondary or the defense. Realistically, we've been shutting teams down. I don't know how much longer we can expect to put up the type of numbers we have defensely.

But to Schneed's point, if there is a weakness, I would say Collins' lack of mobility. My main concern is that giving up turnovers and sacks on the road allows the crowd into the game and gives the other team momentum. It's just a tough thing to overcome when playing on the road. But is there anything this team can't overcome?

[MTK]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

I'm not too worried about the secondary or the defense. Realistically, we've been shutting teams down. I don't know how much longer we can expect to put up the type of numbers we have defensely.

But to Schneed's point, if there is a weakness, I would say Collins' lack of mobility. My main concern is that giving up turnovers and sacks on the road allows the crowd into the game and gives the other team momentum. It's just a tough thing to overcome when playing on the road. But is there anything this team can't overcome?

Good point, right now it's tough to say yes to that.

Whenever something doesn't go their way, they just keep their heads up and keep plugging away until things do go their way.

This team just doesn't get flustered.

[jamf]

Depth and Consistency.

We can't afford to lose Olinemen, DB's or Linebackers.

Also, We need to be consistent with overall play. Seattle is going to dink and dunk all day. We need to find a way to get off the field on 3rd downs on defense and convert 3rd downs on offense.

[FRPLG]

I don't know that we have any glaring deficiencies. I would agree that our secondary is exploitable with the right matchups and that Collins needs protection which may or may not be an issue again depedning on matchup. I'd say as good as our running game has gotten it isn't all the way there. We seem to get stuffed a little more than I'd like. I think we have lost some playmaking ogf defense which hurts. These are all minor quibbles and rely on really good coaching and matchups to exploit.

The one thing I am worried about is our ability as a team to simply lay an egg. We seem to have trouble with success for a while now and I guess I am jaded enough to keep waiting for it to happen. We need to stay motivated and focused. We alos need to stay confident. Confidence is a key. We have it and have to simply believe in waht we are doing in the face of anything and believe that we are better than the guys across the line.

[BDBohnzie]

Not wanting to repeat anything previously mentioned (I agree with secondary and depth being major factors...Collins being part of depth, as if he goes down, the Skins are totally screwed), I'd have to say a weakness is waiting for the bubble to burst.

This has been an amazing 4 game run for this team as they've played their way into the playoffs. However, I just can't imagine another 4 game run like they've had. Granted, it's quite possible the Skins run the table from here on out, but the probability of it happening is incredible, especially with everything they've been through emotionally and physically.

Here's to me being wrong...

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

Not wanting to repeat anything previously mentioned (I agree with secondary and depth being major factors...Collins being part of depth, as if he goes down, the Skins are totally screwed), I'd have to say a weakness is waiting for the bubble to burst.

This has been an amazing 4 game run for this team as they've played their way into the playoffs. However, I just can't imagine another 4 game run like they've had. Granted, it's quite possible the Skins run the table from here on out, but the probability of it happening is incredible, especially with everything they've been through emotionally and physically.

Here's to me being wrong...

I think everyone is standing with bated breath on this one.

[dmek25]

2 things worry me. one is being on an emotional high for over a month now. and the other thing is the play calling. over the 4 game winning streak, the play calling has been superb. lots of passing on first down. i hope coach doesn't go back to the " you have to run the ball in the playoffs" mind set. that's probably how Seattle beat us in 2005. later in that game, when Brunell started to open it up. the skins started to have some success