Great Win, Just 1 Question Though

[JWsleep]

Lost in all this is the way the skins were able to move the ball on the iggles-- by the INTERMEDIATE pass. They keyed on the run and the deep ball, and we went over the middle and to the medium dumpoff. I love watching us use the whole playbook. And we did stick to the run. And they had a big run or two called back on, to my mind, rather dubious holding penalties. Rabach held? No way.

As for CP, I'd like to see him get outside a bit more, either directly or by cut-back. They only tossed it to him once, and it was a nice gainer. I'd like to see more mixture there. But that TD run was sweet--great block by Rabach, striaght up the gut and in their face, and then CP gives the ball to his mom. And CP had some nice catches--that sideline play for example--and I thought Brunell missed him a few times when he was open. And he is a better blocker than Betts--he picks up every blitz well, and even handles pretty big guys. That's why the "max protect" works. Finally, running down the fumble was pure heart. You love to see that from your stars--hustle even when things go wrong.

So, of course, I'd love to get more production out of CP. But I am totally happy with having him on our team. And did you hear his comment about how psyched he was that Lavar was out there making plays? That's great--team unity and team leadership. And I like that he dresses up as a maniac every week--he has fun as a player.

But it's wins that matter, not personal stats. If he continues to help this team, in multiple ways, to win games, I will be completely satisfied with Mr. Portis.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by JWsleep

Lost in all this is the way the skins were able to move the ball on the iggles-- by the INTERMEDIATE pass. They keyed on the run and the deep ball, and we went over the middle and to the medium dumpoff. I love watching us use the whole playbook. And we did stick to the run.

That's an excellent point. Last night's game was the first time I can ever remember that Joe Gibbs utilized intermediate range passing as much as he did. Cooley, in particular ate Philly's defense alive. With Gibbs' offense, it seems that the passes are either deep to Moss, or wideout screens -- rarely, until yesterday's game, do you see passes in the 5 to 15 yard range over the middle to the TE's and H-backs. The game films must have showed a weak spot in Philly's defense, and Gibbs certainly exposed it.

Now if they can just figure out a way to get David Patten more involved. You'd think that teams are eventually going to start keying in on Moss and Cooley, which at some point will give Patten an opportunity to have a monster game. Don't know what the problem is there.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Now if they can just figure out a way to get David Patten more involved. You'd think that teams are eventually going to start keying in on Moss and Cooley, which at some point will give Patten an opportunity to have a monster game. Don't know what the problem is there.

Every week I keep thinking this is the week that Moss will be double teamed, but it seems he never is. Is it that a.) he's still not respected, b.) he's just blowing by the double coverage, or c.) Patten and the other receivers are doing just enough to keep double coverage away from Moss

Maybe the key to Patten is to get him the ball early, maybe start the Tampa game with some passes to him.

[JWsleep]

Sellars running over Dawkins was classic. I want to get some video of that!

[Kope]

Originally Posted by JWsleep

Sellars running over Dawkins was classic. I want to get some video of that!

Ditto

[56FAN]

Portis is really showing me something, not just running but catching, blocking,and tackling.this line needs to continue to grow together, that's all that's left for them to do.were the individuals become the unit or line

[Longtimefan]

Jim Brown told Paul Brown & Blanton Collier, you pay me to run, not block. I never saw Jim Brown throw a block and I watched his entire career from 1956 to 1965. While Portis is a good and serviceable running back who will block and do all the little things it takes to win games, I'm still not convinced he's a good back to run against NFC East teams. It's not always easy to run outside all the time as some has suggested, and in close games when you're trying to protect a one possession lead it becomes neccessary to run the ball inside which is not Clinton's strongest suite. I do however like the one-two combination of he and Betts providing the latter can stay healthy long enough to continue making significant contributions.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

Jim Brown told Paul Brown & Blanton Collier, you pay me to run, not block. I never saw Jim Brown throw a block and I watched his entire career from 1956 to 1965. While Portis is a good and serviceable running back who will block and do all the little things it takes to win games, I'm still not convinced he's a good back to run against NFC East teams. It's not always easy to run outside all the time as some has suggested, and in close games when you're trying to protect a one possession lead it becomes neccessary to run the ball inside which is not Clinton's strongest suite. I do however like the one-two combination of he and Betts providing the latter can stay healthy long enough to continue making significant contributions.

The other problem with Betts is his tendency to fumble the ball.

I agree about the blocking. Every player on the team at some point has to throw a block, that's a part of the game that cannot be avoided. So while it's good that Portis has proven to be a effective blocker, that's supposed to be a bonus, not his reason for being in a Washington uniform. Same goes for wide receivers. Yes you want them to block effectively. But that's secondary to their overall purpose on the team.

A back of Portis supposed talent was to get big time yardage. He hasn't done that. I've lost faith in the "they're not calling the right running plays" argument. At one time, I thought that could have been a factor, but come on. He didn't avoid the middle in Denver. They weren't all toss sweeps that Shanahan was calling. Another part of it is that this offensive line, while improving steadily, isn't quite at a powerhouse, Top Five level quite yet.

[Dirtbag]

We absolutely have to run more sweeps to Portis. He's so dangerous on those plays.

We also need to get David Patten involved more. He had zero catches again yesterday.

[skinsguy]

We do go to David Patten, he's just got to make the most of the opportunities when they're thrown his way. So far, guys like Cooley and Sellers are making the most of the opportunities presented to them. I can definitely see Sellers becoming more involved in the passing attack.

[VishsSkins]

As long as we keep running the ball, we will be ok. Just the fact that we run is good enough because it makes defenses have to respect that part of the offense instead of dropping 7 or 8 guys in coverage. I forgot where I read this stat but we actually run up the middle on a fewer percentage of our running plays than anyone else in the league (i think its 38%).