FanPost

Preseason game analysis/Reason #4

Update [2007-8-20 14:20:25 by Skin Patrol]: Promoted from diaries because I want to encourage more reader(s) to post their preseason thoughts. Some of the observations below differed from my own, but overall I agree generally with most said. Also, speaking to the stuff about CP and Santana Moss, it's always good for my optimism to be reminded of the fact that CP and Moss were the two most productive players at their respective positions in the storied history of this great franchise. Santana is totally underrated in Madden as well, which is absolutely nuts. Speaking of Madden, why haven't any of you reviewed it for this site yet? Get her done. Hey everybody. How did we feel about the game this weekend?

I thought we saw a lot of good things, personally. First of all, thank goodness for Jason Campbell being okay after what looked like a Carson Palmer-esque hit. The air went out of that stadium so fast, and no one would have thought he would get up on his own power.

Here's what I liked-
Chris Cooley played an awesome game. This guy is going to be a top 3 tight end this year, without question. He is so dependable and seems to be much more comfortable in the offense. I think he will challenge Gates and Heap at the top of the TE chain this year. The guy can flat out play, and he seems to always know where the first down marker is. And his strength as a blocker has increased vastly over the years.

I also liked the way our defense played, top to bottom. Rocky McIntosh, LaRon Landry, Andre Carter, Carlos Rogers all made good plays. I think Carter's success this year will be a huge indication of how well our defense plays -- he will lead the team in sacks. If he can get over 10, that would be a huge help to the defense. We stopped Willie Parker, limited Hines Ward, and put pressure on a scrambling Ben Roethlisberger all night. I liked it a lot.

Worries-
Kicking and Punting. UGH! Frost had 2 shanks and Suisham looked like he was struggling to put kickoffs past the 5, despite having a nice FG. Why can't we figure this out? We haven't been reliable at P or K in years, since Matt Turk or Chip Lohmiller. Ask the Colts, Patriots, Bears, Eagles, Broncos, etc -- you need a reliable kicker (and holder -- way to go Tony Romo!) to go deep in the playoffs. Punting can cost a team a game easily as well -- giving a team a short field after a shank or after punting where the coverage isn't can be dangerous.

Also, our backup line looked pretty bad, namely against the run. The Steelers didn't blitz much, but when they did, our QB's got punished. Much of that can be attributed to inexperience, but it is worrysome all the same.

Sadness for Mike Espy, who really had gotten attention over the last year. He's a tough player, but I don't think he's a legit NFL player yet. Regardless, it was sad to see him go down.

Also, before the game the Jumbotron revealed that Justin Skaggs has died (in addition to the much more publicized Kevin Mitchell death). Prayers to both families.

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But moving on to the much-anticipated reason #4 why the Redskins are going to take the NFC East.

Reason #4 -- Because the Redskins "studs" are being slept on.

Alright- so that may sound like a ridiculous reason. But consider this --

2 years ago, Clinton Portis and Santana Moss had the best seasons, in terms of sheer production, in the 75 year history of the Redskins at their respective positions. Last year, Moss was not himself and Portis was MIA for most of the season. Many people blamed the underperformance of the offense on the new system or confusion.

What about the fact that the Skins lost Clinton Portis after only a few games? Of course, Ladell had a great second half, but when you lose a stud, an emotional leader, after only a few games, you suffer. Clinton Portis now enters the season as potentially the most underrated player in the league. This is a guy who has never gotten less than 1300 yards in a full season in his career, with a career avg. of about 5 yards a carry. Everyone knows Ladell Betts is a tremendous runner, including Clinton Portis. But to think that Portis isn't the workhorse of this offense is fallacy. The Redskins traded Champ Bailey, who was already being hailed as one of the best players of our generation after only a few years, for this guy. Believe me, we want to get our mileage out of this 25 year old.

And what about Santana Moss? 2 years ago, this guy AVERAGED 93 yards a game. Wow! Last year, it's been revealed he had a bit of a hamstring injury, which is unfortunately the type of injury that lingers for an entire season. Remember when Santana Moss was drawing double and triple coverage -- and still had 1400 yards? No one can think this guy is done yet. He's 28 and has only played 81 career games. He's got tons of time left, and is still one of the fastest and most agile receivers in the league. I remember someone saying (maybe John Madden?) that he has the best ball adjustment skills he's seen in years. You chuck a ball to Santana, he comes down with it. One TD catch against Atlanta last year proved that-- remember that one? And as a lot of teams in 2005 knew, Santana can take one step and be on his way to an untouched TD.

Santana was impacted the most out of all the receivers last year, I believe, from the switch of Brunell to Campbell. Moss had pretty formidable chemistry with Brunell (Dallas MNF 2005 anyone?) Now, after a half a season with JC and an entire offseason of working together, they'll have some familiarity and confidence. Get ready, Santana Moss will be back.

If you add the two guys who had more yards in a season than any other Redskin in history back to an offense with a solid offensive line, a premiere co-ordinator, and tie that together with a revamped defense -- sounds good to me.

Until next time, Hogs Haven. Leave me some love.