Smoot Lays the Smackdown (SEPT 28)

[SC Skins Fan]

I had jury duty today and was dismissed early so I had a chance to watch the Redskins-Lions shortcut. A couple of observations after re-watching.

Campbell actually played well in the first half. He was making quick decisions and getting the ball out right at the end of his drop. He played with good timing and rhythm. That completely changed in the 2nd half. Part of that was a product of pressure, but not all. His INT did come when there was a free rusher because Heyer blocked down to help Rinehart, which they started doing more frequently in the 2nd half. Apart from the TD to Moss, Campbell did not make any plays in the 2nd half. He was hurried, his mechanics broke down, and he played with no timing and rhythm whatsoever. He became "Captain Checkdown." It is impossible to see how the routes developed down field without the coaches tape, but he was checking down every play there in the 2nd half. As I said, he actually played well in the first half, but apparently the Lions adjusted and the Redskins did not. The reason I left the game feeling he played so poorly was because he did play so poorly, at least in the 2nd half.

The Defensive Line got completely owned the entire game. You could tell just from watching or looking at the stat sheet that the Lions were able to run the ball, but their line completely dominated the Redskins in both the run and pass games. Considering that one of the big weaknesses of that Lions team was supposed to be their lines, that is completely embarrassing. Complete domination.