Redskins look good, still some concerns:

[Daseal]

I'm as impressed with the Redskins as much as anyone else, but I think it's important we look at what needs improvement still.

First of all, why does it seem our defense takes forever to setup at times. More importantly, why hasn't the other team put quick snaps into their playbook to take advantage of our defensive players that seem to be lost for a majority of the play clock. Has anyone else noticed this or am I alone?

Secondly, I feel like we've dominated our last three games for the most part. There have been times when we let the opponent play some ball, but for the most part we've been in control. However, all three games were very close. We need to do a better job of putting people down. A win is a win, but if we keep playing like that we will lose a game or two to an inferior opponent. Right now our point differential is only +5. We need to finish drives in TDs.

Lastly, I'm a bit worried about a run defense. Maybe it's because we've played three heavy passing attacks in a row. But Deuce, Edge, and MB3 the like two times he got the ball, got okay yards on us. While I'm still unsure of the run defense, this is something that potentially worries me. I think we'll have a better understanding once we stop playing such pass-heavy offenses to see what we have.

This week will be a big test for JC. That blitzing defense will put a lot of pressure on the young guy, but give us the opportunity for a lot of big plays. I'm curious to see how he handles it.

[RMSkins]

I am concerned with our red zone offense. It seems like every time we get down there we're settling for field goals. We need to start punching those in.

[SouperMeister]

Originally Posted by Daseal

...
This week will be a big test for JC. That blitzing defense will put a lot of pressure on the young guy, but give us the opportunity for a lot of big plays. I'm curious to see how he handles it.

I believe this is the story of the game. If Campbell shows poise and hits big plays against Philly's blitz-happy bunch, then he may be on his way to a Pro Bowl year and a deep playoff run.

I'm less concerned about our run defense. We have played the toughest schedule through 4 games against 4 outstanding offenses. The only time we got pounded by the running game was early against the Giants.

[53Fan]

At this point , I'm not to worried about our run defense. Dallas did'nt do to well against us but as I pointed out before the game, they don't seem to have the mentality or patience to stick with it. As long as we keep scoring points, offenses are going to have to pass to a certain degree. As far as the redzone is concerned, I believe the more we play the more we will improve. I agree with you that if we don't, we will lose some games we should'nt, but I think we will score more as the season goes on. We are only 4 games in and this offense will get even better.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Daseal

I'm as impressed with the Redskins as much as anyone else, but I think it's important we look at what needs improvement still.

First of all, why does it seem our defense takes forever to setup at times. More importantly, why hasn't the other team put quick snaps into their playbook to take advantage of our defensive players that seem to be lost for a majority of the play clock. Has anyone else noticed this or am I alone?

I honestly haven't noticed. It could be the scheme though, it might look like disorder but it's probably on purpose to disguise coverages. If you watch Landry he's always all over the place before the snap.

Secondly, I feel like we've dominated our last three games for the most part. There have been times when we let the opponent play some ball, but for the most part we've been in control. However, all three games were very close. We need to do a better job of putting people down. A win is a win, but if we keep playing like that we will lose a game or two to an inferior opponent. Right now our point differential is only +5. We need to finish drives in TDs.

We've had a few TD's called back on sketchy penalties that could have led to some bigger margins of victory. But it's also worth noting that the combined records of our opponents so far is 10-5. We've played some good teams with some very high powered offenses, you're simply not going to blow out teams like Dallas, New Orleans, etc.

Lastly, I'm a bit worried about a run defense. Maybe it's because we've played three heavy passing attacks in a row. But Deuce, Edge, and MB3 the like two times he got the ball, got okay yards on us. While I'm still unsure of the run defense, this is something that potentially worries me. I think we'll have a better understanding once we stop playing such pass-heavy offenses to see what we have.

MB averaged 3.3 per carry, he wasn't a factor. Deuce had 2 carries for 10 yards. Edge did have a good game but I think that was due to the gameplan, Blache pretty much said he was going to give them the run all day.

This week will be a big test for JC. That blitzing defense will put a lot of pressure on the young guy, but give us the opportunity for a lot of big plays. I'm curious to see how he handles it.

I agree, Philly's D will be a big test.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Daseal

This week will be a big test for JC. That blitzing defense will put a lot of pressure on the young guy, but give us the opportunity for a lot of big plays. I'm curious to see how he handles it.

JC went into Philly on a MNF game in week 2 last season and led us to victory. Remember that awesome TD throw to Cooley in the corner of the endzone right before halftime? And in week 10 against Philly in FedEx he was 23-34 for 215 yds and 3 TDs, with a rating of 114.2. So really he's handled Philly before. So I'm not curious if he can handle it, I'm curious to see if he can repeat his previous handling of it.

On a side note, I look for Cooley to have his first real big game of the year. Because Philly blitzes so much, TE's seem to have success against them. Randy McMichael had 86yds vs. Philly in week 1, in week 2 Jason Witten had 7 cathces for 110 yards, week 3 Heath Miller had 63 yards despite and awful offensive showing for Pitt, and last week Olsen had a nice TD catch for the Bears. And Cooley is a better player than 3 out of those 4.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by GMScud

JC went into Philly on a MNF game in week 2 last season and led us to victory. Remember that awesome TD throw to Cooley in the corner of the endzone right before halftime? And in week 10 against Philly in FedEx he was 23-34 for 215 yds and 3 TDs, with a rating of 114.2. So really he's handled Philly before. So I'm not curious if he can handle it, I'm curious to see if he can repeat his previous handling of it.

On a side note, I look for Cooley to have his first real big game of the year. Because Philly blitzes so much, TE's seem to have success against them. Randy McMichael had 86yds vs. Philly in week 1, in week 2 Jason Witten had 7 cathces for 110 yards, week 3 Heath Miller had 63 yards despite and awful offensive showing for Pitt, and last week Olsen had a nice TD catch for the Bears. And Cooley is a better player than 3 out of those 4.

Very good point in bold... and a good point about Cooley too.

[backrow]

In another forum, M. Washington's performance has been brought up. Is he tailing off or is it the injury? Do we have a replacement in house?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by backrow

In another forum, M. Washington's performance has been brought up. Is he tailing off or is it the injury? Do we have a replacement in house?

H.B. Blades is already good enough to handle Marcus' role in the defense. I'm not advocating a change in the short-term, just that we consider in the offseason that Marcus isn't the player he once was for us.

I see Blades starting alongside Fletch and McIntosh next season, but given Fletch's age, LB is a position we will have to address in the draft next year.

[jbcjr14]

Originally Posted by backrow

In another forum, M. Washington's performance has been brought up. Is he tailing off or is it the injury? Do we have a replacement in house?

I am pretty sure that MW's performance this season is strictly injury related. You could tell last week that the hammy was still bothering him. MW will hopefully heal up and get back to form. As others have indicated Blades is a good fill in with the current scheme and will continue to get better with the reps.

[doughtydoubter]

i think my biggest concern is definitely on our lbs. I am with you guys on marcus. I love the guy, but hes slowed down and i really think next yer linebacker will be a priority for us in the draft or free agency. We are pretty much set at most of the offensive positions, even on the line with geisinger and rhinehart in the wings. But i would like to see a intense physical lb on the edges.

[53Fan]

When Marcus is healthy, he's one of the better backers in the league. He has been used a little differently this year. JT has pointed him out as being one of the guys who does alot of the good things that does'nt get noticed. I read an article where the linebackers coach said that when H.B. is in there, they want him to just be H.B., because there are alot of things Marcus does that others can't. He gets a lot of praise from his fellow backers. I think he's going to be fine if he can just get his hammy healed. On the td pass to Witten, Horton was suppose to go over the top and did'nt, leaving Marcus one on one with and all-pro tight end. Hard to do with a bad hamstring. I'd like to see him 100%. I was looking forward to him having a great year.

[Beemnseven]

With regard to the run defense, I also wonder what would happen if we faced a team that truly committed to the run, and pounded it at us 25-30 times. That won't happen against the Eagles though -- Andy Reid doesn't seem to have the patience for that type of attack.

While we far, far better at getting turnovers, at some point I think we're going to have to see some contributions from special teams and defense at getting into the endzone.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

With regard to the run defense, I also wonder what would happen if we faced a team that truly committed to the run, and pounded it at us 25-30 times. That won't happen against the Eagles though -- Andy Reid doesn't seem to have the patience for that type of attack.

While we far, far better at getting turnovers, at some point I think we're going to have to see some contributions from special teams and defense at getting into the endzone.

I agree. That would certainly make us more of a force to be reckoned with.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

When Marcus is healthy, he's one of the better backers in the league. He has been used a little differently this year. JT has pointed him out as being one of the guys who does alot of the good things that does'nt get noticed. I read an article where the linebackers coach said that when H.B. is in there, they want him to just be H.B., because there are alot of things Marcus does that others can't. He gets a lot of praise from his fellow backers. I think he's going to be fine if he can just get his hammy healed. On the td pass to Witten, Horton was suppose to go over the top and did'nt, leaving Marcus one on one with and all-pro tight end. Hard to do with a bad hamstring. I'd like to see him 100%. I was looking forward to him having a great year.

I love Marcus' motor, attitude, character, etc... But I think he's lost a step, and the dude just can't stay healthy. It's one thing after another, but usually the hip and hammy. You're right that Horton blew coverage on that Witten TD, but make no mistake, Marcus could be 110% and he wouldn't be able to cover him. There are few if any LB's who can stay with Witten in one-on-one.

It's a bummer about Marcus' injuries again this year. He came into camp healthier than he's been in years, but it just seems that when the contact starts, so do his hip and hammy problems.