Do we rest the wounded to heal this week?

[Chief X_Phackter]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

What would be ideal is if we could just blow the Cards out in the first half and then start to pull guys in the 2nd half.

But I don't think we can rest guys if they are able to play. Playing through injuries is part of the game.

I'll agree with that, but we haven't been the type of team that blows anybody out, vice Detroit.

Understand that playing through injuries is part of the game. I just think we're deep enough at a couple positions that it is possible to let guys rest nagging injuries so as to not aggravate them to where they worsen or linger longer than necessary. Probably doesn't apply to the O-line though.

[GTripp0012]

I wouldn't rest key players coming off a loss.

It's not a bad strategy off a win in a game that isn't all that imporant, and easily winnable (such as the Jets), but we need this game too much to not play our best team.

[Chief X_Phackter]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I wouldn't rest key players coming off a loss.

It's not a bad strategy off a win in a game that isn't all that imporant, and easily winnable (such as the Jets), but we need this game too much to not play our best team.

You're assuming our best team includes someone who is battling a groin injury and thinking he's hurting the team when he's playing.

And others on defense who aren't 100% who have fully capable backups to handle the daunting Cardinals offense.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Chief X_Phackter

You're assuming our best team includes someone who is battling a groin injury and thinking he's hurting the team when he's playing.

And others on defense who aren't 100% who have fully capable backups to handle the daunting Cardinals offense.

Great point, actually. And not one I overlooked either, just a great illustration of something important about my statement.

The best team does not include Santana Moss if his groin injury is preventing him from making decent cuts.

[paulskinsfan]

Speaking of, why in the world did we have ARE returning punts with a bad hammy? I mean, I know he's our best PR, but that's when he's healthy. Aren't ya just asking to aggravate that injury?

[Rajmahal33]

Call me crazy but i think this coddling of our players is what is leading to injuries...we didn't want to risk losing them for the regular season so we didn't play them in the preseason (Outcome: a truckload of pulled groins and hamstrings b/c they weren't/aren't in condition)...we didn't want them to "aggravate" their injuries and lose them for the rest of the season so we gave them the bye week off (Outcome: more hamstring and groin pulls symptomatic of tightening due to the layoff).

They are pro athletes and at some point we gotta stop holding their hands and let the players play. If they get hurt we have to deal with it and move on, but its a lose-lose situation if we get tentative. It messes with continuity and chemistry!

[Coff]

Originally Posted by paulskinsfan

Ok, I know this is a strange idea, but Im just throwing it out for discussion. We face the Cardinals this week, with Tim Rattay (sp?). Our defense is relatively healthy (knock on wood) and they should easily be able to handle the Cards offense. That being said, should we sit Moss, ARE, and the injured o-lineman and go with backups just to give those guys time to heal? I mean hammy injuries need rest, and an aggravation of those injuries could set the recovery time way back. Since we are facing such a weak opponent, should we try and heal up and hope the defense carries the day? I mean, can't we at least get into field goal range running to the left and dinking and dunking the ball to Cooley, Thrash, McCardell and the RBs? What do you guys think?

We should rest all the starters in the second half, not so much to rest them, but to prevent them from blowing another lead!

[Chief X_Phackter]

Originally Posted by Coff

We should rest all the starters in the second half, not so much to rest them, but to prevent them from blowing another lead!

Good one...you may be on to something there.

[BrunellMVP?]

we've just lost 2 in a row, dallas is 5-1 and the giants have won 4 in a row...hardly bargaining from a position of power...play everyone that can play...(unless its detrimental to their health). moss needs to re-learn how to catch.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by BrunellMVP?

we've just lost 2 in a row, dallas is 5-1 and the giants have won 4 in a row...hardly bargaining from a position of power...play everyone that can play...(unless its detrimental to their health). moss needs to re-learn how to catch.

They've lost 2 out of 3, they dominated a "good team" in between the losses to the Giants and Pack.

Unfortunately, they outplayed the other team in both of their losses this season. That's why you need to be at full strength this weekend.

[kdogg3270]

the above poster beat me to it....WHEN did we lose 2 in a row?

[jdlea]

I don't think the Redskins are playing well enough to take any game for granted. While I'm thinking this thing should be a walk as much as anyone else, this is a game they NEED to win. At 3-2 they don't need to drop to 3-3, they need to get to 4-2 and get some momentum.

Also, I think, as much as anything, Santana was a little rusty on Sunday and needs to be out there. I haven't seen where he and Jason are on the same page, so I'd like to see them get it going for a change and then light it up next weekend.

[chrisl4064]

the answer to this thread is NO!

[HOLTRON2277]

I think we should rest the starters and let the others play. cuz we are going to need all the help we can get going into N.E.

[Crazyhorse1]

Originally Posted by HOLTRON2277

I think we should rest the starters and let the others play. cuz we are going to need all the help we can get going into N.E.

Playing injured starters as policy would be a mistake as would the opposite. An injured Moss may be better than a healthy Thrash or maybe not. If an injured player risks further injury, sit him. If he doesn't, pick the best guy, factoring in the starter's injury.

Whether we play injured guys or their substitutes, however, our OL will be helpless in the running game against the cards. I'd like to see us run about ten plays on the ground, primarily quick openers for Sellers and traps or trick plays. Betts and Portis (if he plays at all) should be in there to catch passes only and we should throw virtually every play, concentrating on short and medium passes that don't require the OL to hold blocks any length of time. We should also send four and five receivers and RBs out at a time and use Lloyd at run a couple of DB's deep at every opportunity.

Moss should probably sit, and not only because he's hurt. He's been terrible all year and was only an average receiver last year (check the stats). We need to throw to guys who won't drop the ball: Cooley, Thrash, McCardell, Betts, and ARE, but only if he's fit.

The Cards are a better team than people here think and we'll have one of the worse OL's out there in Redskin history. If we try to run the ball, we'll not only lose, but lose an RB. I promise.