Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Cowboys at Redskins)

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Complaining about the kicker kinda feels like complaining about the refs to me.

Can't even compare the two cause the kicker either makes it or he doesn't. If you saw the replay of the Robinson TD Orakpo was held and was almost horse collared but they didn't call it.

[Paintrain]

I didn't read all of the pages but is it sacrelige to give a smackdown to Orakpo? Anyone else tired of seeing him just do bull rush after bull rush and either getting pushed inside or past the QB? He's really starting to give me the impressions that he's very good, not great and far from elite. I can't think of any game changing plays he's made for us. .5 sacks in all of his career games vs. division opponents? I want to see more from him than I've been seeing.

[mlmpetert]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Or maybe if we could just score more TDs rather than having to rely on a 52 yarder to win...

Yep a 52 yard FG is anything but certain. How about we get a little closer next time so that the kicker has a very high percentage kick to make.

[MTK]

I find it kinda odd that Kerrigan and Rak's numbers are very similar across the board. So Kerrigan is ballin' yet Rak isn't?

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I find it kinda odd that Kerrigan and Rak's numbers are very similar across the board. So Kerrigan is ballin' yet Rak isn't?

Rak isn't terrible but he's not a game changer and that's what we need. It's about going to the next level. Plus a comparison to a rookie isn't really what we're looking for in year three, is it? Shouldn't his peers be Ware, Matthews, Allen, etc. not a rookie on a 3-7 team?

[MTK]

I just think we're focusing on the wrong things if we're picking apart Rak's game. We've got bigger problems that need to be addressed.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I just think we're focusing on the wrong things if we're picking apart Rak's game. We've got bigger problems that need to be addressed.

While I would want Rak to have the impact that Matthews or Ware have on their respective teams, if you shut down either of these guys (Matthews/Ware) that team has almost no pass rush. Just look at the game against the Packers last year when Matthews got hurt and we ended up winning (either last year or the year before last, can't remember which one). I think right now we are at a position where if you shut down Rak, Kerrigan steps in (and vice versa).

I'd like to think of our situation more like Harrison and Woodley in Pittsburgh. While I would like for Rak to step up his game, right now there isn't anything ont he defense that I would put as a priority over the improvements needed on offense.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

While I would want Rak to have the impact that Matthews or Ware have on their respective teams, if you shut down either of these guys (Matthews/Ware) that team has almost no pass rush. Just look at the game against the Packers last year when Matthews got hurt and we ended up winning (either last year or the year before last, can't remember which one). I think right now we are at a position where if you shut down Rak, Kerrigan steps in (and vice versa).

I'd like to think of our situation more like Harrison and Woodley in Pittsburgh. While I would like for Rak to step up his game, right now there isn't anything ont he defense that I would put as a priority over the improvements needed on offense.

I agree, we're in a good spot. We have 2 guys capable of recording 10+ sacks each per season for years to come. You won't find me complaining.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Makes no sense to just cut Hall. As frustrating as he is, he is our best CB. So if anything, you see if you can trade him for anything but to just outright cut him makes no sense

Josh Wilson is our best corner, wouldn't you think? I realize that there's a difference in competition faced because the defensive coaches have been hesitant to leave Wilson on an island with the opponents top receivers, but when given the opportunity, Wilson hasn't done any worse and actually has a couple of key pass breakups.

I realize that Josh Wilson doesn't solve the cornerback situation all by himself and he isn't Carlos Rogers, but if you are going to match-up with the opponent, he's the best cover guy on the roster, correct?

I'm actually excited to see more of Byron Westbrook on defense. I know he's made his mark on special teams, but he's a surprisingly good cover guy in limited reps. And he tackles well. I'm not expecting him to be the next Champ Bailey, but Westbrook has earned his reps.

[GTripp0012]

Stephen Bowen, Kedric Golston, and Adam Carriker have combined for 11 sacks this year. How many times do those guys beat the OL cleanly and get to the QB? Never.

It's the Orakpo/Kerrigan rush effect that's creating those opportunities.

[Bucket]

Hall is better then Wilson in some aspects, and not in others..If only we could combine the two into one person!!!!

[NC_Skins]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I find it kinda odd that Kerrigan and Rak's numbers are very similar across the board. So Kerrigan is ballin' yet Rak isn't?

**** you and your logic pal!! LET US HATTERS HAT!!

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by Bucket

Hall is better then Wilson in some aspects, and not in others..If only we could combine the two into one person!!!!

I hate the inconsistency of our secondary play, but in comparison to the issues in the offense, this only becomes a nuisance. I would bet money that if Hall wasn't involved in this discussion (i.e. he wasn't on our roster), people wouldn't be complaining much about the secondary.

[sportscurmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Bucket

This just proves that you are a D.Hall "hatter"

Didn't run Whitten down when he had a 15 yard head start and basically out ran the other two guys who were closer to Whitten?

Didn't stop Murray when Murray already had the first down? Oh, you mean the CB didn't smash the RB in the face stone cold? The 230lbs running back? I get it now. The defensive line is suppose to clog the holes so the CB's can tackle the RB, not the LB's right? That's how the 3-4 works!!! Man, I was so wrong.

D. Hall was expecting Safety help with the TD... If you watch the film you will notice that Romo looks to the middle of the field which causes Otagwe to stutter and wasn't able to give the help over top. Although, Hall should of done a better job in coverage because he did have to do a speed turn instead of keeping his body square...

The 3rd and 15 play was just a good play by Romo.. Hall had Dez covered and then Romo extended the play and allowed Dez to get open.. Romo was in the backfield with the ball for almost 5 seconds. I'm sorry, but no CB in the league is going to cover Dez Bryant for 5 seconds..

Hall is not an Elite CB by any means, but all of you blaming him for some of these things is totally absurd. He made some great plays yesterday too... I don't see a "I hate Fletcher" post when he forced that fumble yesterday and started celebrating instead of going for the recovery. Shit happens.

Dez Bryant is a stud and he's going to be catching footballs against us for another decade so get used to it. He's caught passes against Revis, and many others this year for long yards and TD's...

Never did I say the Redskins should cut DeAngelo Hall. For the record, they would be crazy to cut him because he is, in fact, the best CB they have.

I do not "hat" - - or hate - - DeAngelo Hall any more than I "hat" the guy at the local Starbucks who takes my order. "Hatting" is reserved for people that I personally know are evil or for people I do not kno who do really heinous things like molest children.

You can defend Hall's play yesterday; he was the best CB the Skins had on the field. The fact is that the important plays that I outlined in my post all involved him and all involved him being unsuccessful. That fact does not change even if you go and watch the game a second or a third time.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

Never did I say the Redskins should cut DeAngelo Hall. For the record, they would be crazy to cut him because he is, in fact, the best CB they have.

I do not "hat" - - or hate - - DeAngelo Hall any more than I "hat" the guy at the local Starbucks who takes my order. "Hatting" is reserved for people that I personally know are evil or for people I do not kno who do really heinous things like molest children.

You can defend Hall's play yesterday; he was the best CB the Skins had on the field. The fact is that the important plays that I outlined in my post all involved him and all involved him being unsuccessful. That fact does not change even if you go and watch the game a second or a third time.

I think you made some good points, although I think EVERYONE f*cked up in that Witten TD. And you are giving Hall a lot of credit, there was no way in hell he or any DB stops Witten.

My only issue with the Hall criticism is that:

a.) People act like he is the only thing wrong with the team (a.k.a. the Jason Campbell effect)

b.) A lot of the people that complain about him, do so because they don't "like" him (which is pretty childish if you ask me)

As I've said before, any issue with the defense is minor compared to the leaps and bounds that this team has to do on to fix the offense. Even yesterday when the offense played well, they still were very inept during the first quarter and failed miserably at putting the team in a better position to kick the field goal in OT.