Midseason Report Card

[Daseal]

Well, they're not even split. I'm the opposite. Joe Gibbs still has a lot to prove in this era. The team is playing GREAT, except for one area. Come on joe, see the light!

I think he'll turn it around. I prefer sooner than later.

[wolfeskins]

does anyone remember an ex-skins player named fred stokes? i met and got his autograph today but i don't realy remember him. he said he played for 11 years and i saw his superbowl ring, in his picture he's wearing # 60 on his jersey. sorry to get off topic but i don't know how to start a new thread.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by wolfeskins

does anyone remember an ex-skins player named fred stokes? i met and got his autograph today but i don't realy remember him. he said he played for 11 years and i saw his superbowl ring, in his picture he's wearing # 60 on his jersey. sorry to get off topic but i don't know how to start a new thread.

Yeah I remember Stokes, solid player. If you go to the "locker room" forum, or any other one and click on "New Thread" you'll be good to go

[wolfeskins]

thanks smootsmack

[MTK]

What I don't understand is the backlash at Brunell's quote, he says the offense isn't getting it done and it all falls on the QB.

Sounds like he's admitting that the offensive struggles start with him. What more does he need to say?

I think Brunell is the most hated Skins QB ever, even if he turns it around I don't think he'll ever win everyone over. There will always be someone calling for his head with every incompletion or blasting him for quotes. I know he's struggling, I just don't understand why people are going after him so strongly.

[LongTimeSkinsFan]

Matty, concerning the quote, I read it as him saying that the offense as a unit is not getting the job done and the blame is placed on the quarterback. It may be a semantic thing but it sounded like he was distributing the blame instead of accepting it fully. It could also be that I don't have enough coffee in me yet!:cheeky-sm I would think that the biggest reason that people are going after him so much is they expected more out of him than what they are seeing. People have come to equate big contracts with big performance and rightfully so. Everywhere we look in sports, the better players get the biggest salaries and I think overall, they perform to fans expectations. The ones that don't catch a ton of flak as a result.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by LongTimeSkinsFan

Matty, concerning the quote, I read it as him saying that the offense as a unit is not getting the job done and the blame is placed on the quarterback. It may be a semantic thing but it sounded like he was distributing the blame instead of accepting it fully. It could also be that I don't have enough coffee in me yet!:cheeky-sm I would think that the biggest reason that people are going after him so much is they expected more out of him than what they are seeing. People have come to equate big contracts with big performance and rightfully so. Everywhere we look in sports, the better players get the biggest salaries and I think overall, they perform to fans expectations. The ones that don't catch a ton of flak as a result.

Maybe it's just my perception but I don't think that's what he meant at all. I've seen other instances where he's taken the blame for the offense not playing well and people still rip him.

To me his quote says the offense is struggling and those struggles start with him. Brunell has been in the league for 11 years now, he knows his role as a QB and that role involves shouldering the blame. He's not a Jeff George type who has no understanding of what leadership means at the QB position.

He's always been a standup guy in this league, I don't see why that would change now.

[SkinsRock]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Maybe it's just my perception but I don't think that's what he meant at all. I've seen other instances where he's taken the blame for the offense not playing well and people still rip him.

To me his quote says the offense is struggling and those struggles start with him. Brunell has been in the league for 11 years now, he knows his role as a QB and that role involves shouldering the blame. He's not a Jeff George type who has no understanding of what leadership means at the QB position.

He's always been a standup guy in this league, I don't see why that would change now.

I took it as the QB gets the blame, but one thing I have noticed is that Brunell is a pro at always saying the right thing...being politically correct instead of just being honest....or maybe he's just in denial. Either way, what does everyone expect? Him to say "yeah, I suck"? No NFL player will do that. If he admitted to losing his confidence he would be giving opposing defenses that much more fuel to tee off on him, not to mention putting Gibbs in a very bad position.

[djnemo65]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I think Brunell is the most hated Skins QB ever, even if he turns it around I don't think he'll ever win everyone over. There will always be someone calling for his head with every incompletion or blasting him for quotes. I know he's struggling, I just don't understand why people are going after him so strongly.

Well I can't speak for everyone, I can promise you that the minute Brunell gets it together and starts looking like a legit winning NFL qb, i will shut up real quick. I am ready and willing to jump on the bandwagon. However, the fact remains that he's playing arguably as bad as any qb I've ever seen in my entire life. I mean, four games under a 100 at midpoint? I've never seen that from a rookie. Dilfer didn't do that. Not even Josh McCown or kyle Boller have been that bad. So I'm sure I speak for some people when I say, its nothing personal against the guy. He's just playing really really terrible right now.

Moreover, does anyone think he's gonna suddenly get good. I keep hoping he will, ready to bite my toungue and say Gibbs you were right, but its just tough for me, based on my humble observations, to imagine that happening.

[LongTimeSkinsFan]

OK, I can honestly say I haven't followed Brunell well enough to know his psychological make-up, but if you say he's not a Jeff George I'll defer to your knowledge of the guy. I DO remember Jeff George and what an immature prima donna he was and how he overvalued his ability. Hell, at least someone thought George was great, even if it was only himself

[djnemo65]

Originally Posted by LongTimeSkinsFan

OK, I can honestly say I haven't followed Brunell well enough to know his psychological make-up, but if you say he's not a Jeff George I'll defer to your knowledge of the guy. I DO remember Jeff George and what an immature prima donna he was and how he overvalued his ability. Hell, at least someone thought George was great, even if it was only himself

Don't forget Danny Boy Skins fan, haha. That makes two.