Washington Redskins Have a BAD practice
by Ken Meringolo on Aug 14, 2009 1:09 PM EDT
in Redskins Recaps
55 comments
Calm down.
It was, after all, just a practice. Sure, it looked like Spurrier Part Deux, but in the end, there were a lot of guys on the field doing things they may or may not be asked to do in the regular season. And that is your special batch of pre-season Kool-Aid. (from here it gets less tasty and refreshing.)
First, what didn't work:
uhhhhh....well, we all watched right? I mean, there were a few plays where I noticed that JC got some time to make a decision, but the lack of timely pass protection (3rd downs and long yardage passing situations) was notable. Jason Campbell did not look terrible, but he failed to change many (or any) minds out there regarding his growth. Fred Davis really shocked me with his inability to hold the ball. SHOCKED. Considering I think we need him to contribute this year, I was rather discouraged by his performance last night.
Malcolm Kelly made a nice grab over the middle and Devin Thomas did not stand out as someone who fouled up like some of his defensive teammates, so all was not a total loss. On offense, we failed to break 200 yards. That is horrendous. We never even made it into a field goal attempt situation, which is rather pathetic.
On defense, I was a little relieved to listen to Greg Blache after the game talk about how they left guys like Justin Tryon and Kevin Barnes on an island on purpose to see how they could/would handle man-to-man coverage. Still, if they had been deserted on an actual island, their performance last night could be compared to resorting to eating your own arms and legs to survive. It was just brutal. Haynesworth and Rogers sat out, but I was a little startled at how easy it seemed for Flacoo to hit up Tryon's man for 10 yard gains.
On special teams, well, the kicker battle RAGES ON doesn't it? Not a single field goal attempt. Amazing. As for punting, well, Hunter Smith kind of scared the crap out of me. I know he will be fine, but was anyone having flashbacks to every punting situation for the last...oh...10 years? Jesus, not only was he not really booming the ball, but our coverage did not seem very solid either. Hunter gets a pass on this one. Mostly because our backup punter right now is Chris Cooley.
Bright spots for me included:
Brian Orakpo - the only thing Joe Theismann said all night that made much sense to me was that Orakpo had a lot of highlights but they pretty much all came with the pass rush. We did not see him doing things after dropping back into coverage that made the highlight reel. I am going to call that good. I mean, how many highlights does a guy have to make in the first game he suits up for without having to hear about how it wasn't enough? For my money, he did enough last night to make me very optimistic he will make an impact this season. He got into the Ravens' backfield a lot, and though he failed to register a sack, he pressured their quarterbacks and drew holding penalties. He is clearly able to get around the corner in this league and will hopefully reap some benefits from having Haynesworth draw attention on the defensive line. I was impressed with Orakpo last night.
Malcolm Kelly - well, he made a sweet catch across the middle...the kind where the ball was up for grabs and he made a play on it. That, plus the fact he made it through the game got me a lot warmer and fuzzier on #12.
Mini bright spot: Kareen Moore. I thought that he played with a lot of energy and spirit. I liked some of the hits he made and I enjoyed seeing him get after it for the whole game. I am simply unsure how well he played his position at this point, but I thought that he stood out a bit with a few hits.
I'll be honest. Those were my two bright spots. I won't insult your intelligence by drumming up positive B.S. about a play here or a play there. We were out-gained in yards 500-196. We failed to score. We continue to be unable to give the QB time. All in all, it was a miserable effort.
The good news is that these games don't count. Both Zorn and Blache afterward in their press conferences exhibited calming and reassuring tones. I doubt they were as cool with the individual players who got made fools of in certain situations, but at least you didn't hear either of them say something like, "You know what, have no idea what happened out there tonight."
While the results don't count in the standings, you still play these games to move the ball, score, and keep the other team out of the end zone. We failed to do all of these things. Therefore, the only grade we can really give here is a D- at best. I simply can't give an F for a first pre-season game. It is not fair. They have to have somewhere to go--up or down--in the second week. But come next week, if there is not significant improvement, the F is coming out.
Finally, like the rest of you, I am simply a couch critic, an armchair quarterback...but there is no mistaking the feeling after last night's affair. It felt like...the same. And that is the last thing we need right now. Here's hoping that they are able to learn some things from the debacle in B-more last night.
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I know a lot of you thought Colt would do more than he did
When he came in, I bet nobody predicted we would still be shut out.
That should hold off the “Bench JC” chants I hope.
I'm going to watch the game tonight on Tivo...
My guess is that it won’t be good, but it can’t be nearly as bad as yall are asserting.
Though I did not go into it too much
I thought Campbell did just fine while he was in there. Like I said, he was not terrible. He got a few plays under his belt and got out of there healthy. Not enough work to grade him good or bad. Better put, nothing that would give him a bad grade, just not enough to see him light it up.
The overthrow of Haggans was tough, but he was clearly under pressure and it looked like he was unable to employ his full throwing motion on that attempt.
by Ken Meringolo on Aug 14, 2009 1:15 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
yeah
I’ve gotta think any of our top 4 guys would’ve come down with that. Moss probably would have scored.
Doubtful
True, every ball that touches a player’s hands should be caught. But just because a ball touches a player’s fingers doesnt mean it should be caught. Think about it, if a ball is thrown over a player’s head, and the player jumps and the ball touches his fingers, but not his hands, is he expected to catch it? I dont blame JC so much because of the rush, but a better QB might have made a better pass. It is doubtful that any WR the same height and leaping ability of Hagans would have caught that pass.
except that
any WR the same height and leaping ability of Hagans would have caught that pass
This doesn’t fit the profile of any of our top 4. ARE probably has the best vertical of the bunch, though he may be the least likely to have come down with it. Moss catches most balls he can get his hand son. And Thomas and Kelly wouldn’t have had to jump near as high. Hagans was not impressive in the least. I know Portis keeps talking about him having a great camp, but like Blache said, some guys look good in practice, but don’t show up for games.
Sorry I was at the game sitting in the lower level and he should of had that ball easily.
Jason was hit when he threw it and it came out very softly. Hagans clearly missed timed his jump and there was not a defender anywhere near him, you gotta make that play . My brother in law and I looked at each other and said we know at least one player who’s not going make the final 53. There also another ball that was that missed a series or two earlier which was much more troublesome. Our first pick from the 2008 Devin Thomas was going up for a pass as soon he had noticed the defender was closing in he got a severe case of alligator arms. This dude is as soft as the come and he has a lot to prove before I change my mind. I completely expect Malcolm Kelly to be the #2 on opening day.
learning process..
a lot of mistakes this week. Fred Davis and Devin have to watch tape in front of the whole team….let’s see how they respond the next TWO weeks. Lets not make judgments of cut/keep on one game when we dont have to. We all make mistakes at our own jobs…let them learn.
by Kevin Ewoldt on Aug 15, 2009 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree
for the most part. But Hagans was a waste out there. Especially disappointing since Portis keeps saying he’s having the best camp of anyone. It’s obvious to me the guy can’t play under the lights. I also think Tryon has worn out his welcome. He shouldn’t have made the team last year, and he’s still lost out there.
Not so bright-spots
All the times I went to camp, Tryon and Barnes were getting worked over on 1-1 drills. Turned around, jukes…they have a ways to go in man-man coverage. So last night did not surprise me. Colt has not been overly-impressivein camp as well, so the 3 fore-mentioned players have played to what i’ve seen in camp.
That’s why I picked Fred Davis. He’s had a great camp, so this was disappointing. On the one fumble, it was clear he never took the quick second to secure the ball before running up field. He’s holding it like you hold a baby with one arm. They should be able to correct that real easily once he puts his fingers over the front of the ball. As we learned with Tiki Barber, fumblitis is fixable.
Cooley took some antibiotics for fumblitis and got over it…
Maybe he can point Davis out in the right direction of what drugs work the best.
I need to ask Terl if Fred Davis has to carry around a ball all day today
by Kevin Ewoldt on Aug 14, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
What antibiotics?
Cooley fumbled more times than any other tight end in the NFL last year. He had three fumbles. No other starting TE in the NFC east fumbled even once. Brent Celek, Jason Witten, and Kevin Boss combined for zero fumbles. Cooley had three, one in week 15.
COOOOOLEYYYY
still cant block to save his life. Dude is the worst blocker ever
Davis and Barnes
looked bad, but at least Davis showed he is capable, and Barnes gets the rookie pass. Tryon is a different story. Darrell had me convinced he was gonna be a player for us this year. I wasn’t really buying the starter bit, but I thought he’d do more than look like the little kid who can’t keep up with his big brother. Honestly, I’d cut him right now. Everyone knows the reason he made the 53 last year was because he was part of Vinnie’s stellar draft class. Well, the writing is on the wall – he sucks. He looked just as bad last night as he did all last year. He’s way undersized, and he doesn’t know how to make up for it with his speed like Darrell did. He just does not belong, and I’d rather give Westbrook more reps and slide Barnes up the depth chart.
However, if they are gonna keep Tryon, why not put him at PR? I remember him hootin’ and hollerin last year about how great he was at it, so why haven’t we given him a Try? Maybe he could prove his worth there. And if he gets hurt, who really cares?
by CJHutch on Aug 14, 2009 1:56 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Sugar...
You said you couldnt give the team an F because “It is not fair.” Please define fair.
Therefore, the only grade we can really give here is a D- at best. I simply can’t give an F for a first pre-season game. It is not fair. They have to have somewhere to go—up or down—in the second week. But come next week, if there is not significant improvement, the F is coming out.
he pretty much says that there were only a few bright spots during this first game: the two: orakpo and kelly, so that’s why he gave the first performance a D-
that’s why if there’s no improvement for next game, the F will come out.
As bad as they were...
I believe it could have been worse, if even only slightly. I want to be able to say they either got worse or better next week. The “fair” comment has more to do with today being August 14 and not September 14.
I guess you could say “D-” is like filling in your name right on the SAT’s. You get a few points for that right? (do you still get points for that anymore?)
by Ken Meringolo on Aug 14, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Remember...
D- is a passing grade. It is the lowest possible passing grade, but it is still passing. That is all i am saying. SAT scoring is from 600 to 2400. It is pretty much impossible to get below a 600. So basically 600 is like getting a 0.
Kareem Moore
I wasn’t impressed. He played pretty much the entire game and let up a handful of deep plays. He tracked some dude down to save a touchdown towards the end but other than that didn’t disrupt the offense at all. I would temper all enthusiasm about him for now.
especially if you’d like your lungs to stay in your chest
by TheOverLordMarshl on Aug 15, 2009 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Another disappontment was that new RB - Bettis
RAK EM UP!
by VA_Skin on Aug 14, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
LMAO
On defense, I was a little relieved to listen to Greg Blache after the game talk about how they left guys like Justin Tryon and Kevin Barnes on an island on purpose to see how they could/would handle man-to-man coverage. Still, if they had been deserted on an actual island, their performance last night could be compared to resorting to eating your own arms and legs to survive. It was just brutal.
RAK EM UP!
So, how many still believe the Skins are better on paper than the Cowboys.
Sure the Cowboys lost 10-31, and to the Raiders of all teams, but the first team defense and offense looked like they should, and the 2nd and 3rd teams looked as you would expect considering the number of rookies on the field at the same time.
I wouldn’t worry about the first pre-season game… I still have the Skins being a very capable team.
Nothing's changed
Our biggest impact players didn’t even play (Portis, Moss, Samuels, Haynesworth, Rogers, etc.). Some of our backups and rookies stepped up (Orakpo, Rinehart, M. Williams, Jarmon, Kelly, etc.), and some looked lost (Tryon, Hackett, Eloi, etc.).
RAK EM UP!
We talkin' bout practice????
My opinions:
Tryon – Looked slow footed, slow to adjust and slow to react. Certainly doesn’t look like a contributor right now.
Barnes – Looked like a rookie CB in his first game, I’ll reserve judgement til the preseason is over, he has some big adjusting to make and don’t forget the guy was hurt most of last year as well.
Moore – Give him credit for being around the ball a lot. The guy was getting in position to make tackles and hits, if he can make contributions on special teams he looks like he could work into that backup safety spot.
Orakpo – Looked like the guy we drafted him to be. As a speed rusher on the end he was downright explosive. People are not going to want to deal with him very soon.
Henson – Another guy mostly in the right place, give him time he doesn’t show any bad signs yet.
Blades – Year after year I can’t help but feel like this guy looks like he can be a starter. He is short but we of all teams know that short middle LB can still be dominant. He at least looks good enough to warrant playing time right now in my eyes at least to spell London depending on situations. Certainly he isn’t on London’s level yet.
Fred Davis – I don’t get upset at the fumbles in a preseason game, hopefully he is the type of person who takes this as a big lesson and makes holding on to the ball a focus this preseason. He got open and made catches including in traffic.
Kelly – Now THOSE are the hands I watched play in college. I remember his hands being what impressed me when I had seen him play with OU. This is the positive sign we never saw last year.
D Thomas – Still inconsistent, had a bad drop to go with a nice catch where he fought back to the ball to help out the QB.
Jarmon – Clearly an NFL player and looks like a guy who will take a starting spot in the near future, very impressed for a first look in the NFL.
My most important takeaway from last night is the sinking feeling in my stomach that we haven’t done a thing to improve the offense. The backups on the line looked downright terrible last night, especially the interior lineman and this is against backups on the D. It isn’t fair to judge the first team yet, but we all know that by week 8 several of these backups ARE the first team due to injury and our line is so thin that one injury will pretty much seal the Skins fate. It is clear to me that we will get better performances from the receivers which should help, but the line is pretty much the end all be all of NFL football and we have among the shakiest in the league. It would be an upset if this team makes the playoffs. If I were Campbell I would be counting my days to free agency and a chance to play behind a line that doesn’t put me in constant peril.
by Mixmy1200s on Aug 14, 2009 4:52 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
PS
Despite the above post looking pretty negative, I am not terribly put off by last night’s game. All I really look at in preseason when I watch is the individual matchups and we have plenty to be happy about in that regard as well. The defense when everyone is healthy will be fun to watch and will continue to win games for the Skins.
pretty spot on assesment
The Oline does look better though…probably because we haven’t seen them play healthy in the last 11 months.
by Kevin Ewoldt on Aug 14, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
PassPro was alrght...but...
…no Suggs makes a big difference in grading their play. Heyer against Suggs is a lot different than Heyer vs Mr. 2nd team backup. Still you can’t put them down for what was generally not bad pass protection in the first two series. I didn’t want to comment too much on the run blocking because no one has good run blocking against Bmore. They didn’t create any push even at the 2nd team level and this a concern.
what is dissapointing is
even though most of us are rational human beings, all we’ve had to look forward to for the last 8 months is this game. The new drafted guys, the FA signings, the aww shucks stories and those looking to come back from injury and battle their own inconsistency have been awaited by each of us with baited breath awaiting the time when the ref blows the whistle and the ball gets in the air and all hope springs eternal. Then our favorite team goes out there and lays a gross stinking turd of a performance out there.
While being a rational, understanding fan, I can accept this but I also have to acknowledge the squeaky wheel inside of me that wants to shout, the other guy is also only a 2nd year coach with a 2nd year qb and he was a FREAKING special teams coach and their team came out and outclassed us in every aspect of the game and I want someone to be PISSED OFF and show a little concern and apologize for making us watch that suck ass performance and finally give this fan base a little more optimism than to watch you go out there and be B’more’s bitch for three hours, got me?
But then I tell that voice to be quiet, sip some kool aid and wait in hope that next week will be different. After all, it’s only the preseason and it’s more about evaluating personnel than it is actually executing a game plan.
I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused....
Wow
Couldn’t have said it better. I’m continually amazed at the excuses when other teams with similar challenges somehow shine. I fear we have no “heart”…That’s what an owner who creates the atmosphere of “getting paid” over winning – for real he’s about selling jerseys not winning games.
I wouldn't go that far...
Give the kid (and everyone for that matter) a chance to learn from their mistakes.
by Kevin Ewoldt on Aug 14, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
it looked like Spurrier Part Deux
Didn’t the team score a ton of points in preseason when Spurrier was coach? That didn’t work out well.
Glad there were no major injuries and the first team O-line did pretty good with pass protection… not as good with run blocking, though.
Orakpo and Jarmon looked like can’t-miss talents. I don’t remember the last time we got instant gratification from two draft picks in one year.
1988 when we draft ed Chip Lohmiller in the 2nd round?
by Kevin Ewoldt on Aug 14, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah
they’re turd sandwiches. but so are the crap-it-more gay-vens.
by TheOverLordMarshl on Aug 15, 2009 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions
I was away all weekend, so I'm not reading the other posts.
But I agree with your assessment. Orakpo and Kelly were the the two bright spots. The good news for the skins is that those two players are on the fence as players we NEED to step up to make a strong run this year.
JT getting beat does not bother me as much as Davis fumbling twice. JT did not play much and was playing against first and second string wideouts in man coverage. As a tight end, Davis is relied on as a possession receiver. Fumbles are the worst thing he can do.
The biggest worry I have from the game is that we didn’t score any points. Each series ended on mistakes from certain players and units, but the inability to even put up a field goal in a game reflects poorly on our offensive playcalling. Something I really hope we solve before September.
And for the QB doomsayers, JC only had six throws. He made half. Not great, but not bad. And that’s without Santana and Clinton.
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