Ten Yard Fight: Mike Shanahan Prefers Mr. Right Now Over Mr. Right
by Ken Meringolo on Oct 12, 2011 11:28 AM EDT
in Pour Some Sugar On Me
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Print1. We will not run away with this game (not that we have made a habit of doing that lately.) I see this game culminating in the same kind of heart attack-inducing set of plays that we have become accustomed to over the years. I will go all the way out on the limb and suggest that the Eagles will have the ball with a chance to tie the game with a touchdown at the end. So the fact that a field goal can't beat us should make us feel a little better. To put the game away, we will need a play on defense. That is probably the exact thing we should all want.
2. I usually don't play the role of downer around these parts, but I feel the need to point out something that I think will ground us a little bit. In Jim Zorn's first year, we found ourselves at 6-2 and you couldn't have a conversation about the Redskins without talking about the playoffs. If you recall, Jason Campbell was being mentioned as a potential MVP candidate. Our defense was bending without breaking and we had taken down the Cowgirls and Eagles in consecutive weeks. The Redskins at that point in the season had made very few errors. You could even say they were almost error-free to that point. As soon as fit started hitting the shan, we all remember what happened, right? Half of Pittsburgh was kind enough to watch it with us. One difference I will point out right away is that the 2011 Redskins team has already committed the kind of errors that the Jim Zorn-led Redskins proved incapable of overcoming. That said, there is a limit to how many mistakes this team can withstand. Given the secondary that Rex Grossman is facing this Sunday, we could discover that limit.
3. I think that people give Mike Shanahan too much credit when it comes to finding running back talent and not enough credit for having the innate ability to know which one to ride inside of the whistles. This isn't to say he doesn't deserve credit for being good at both, but he turns into part baseball manager on the sidelines. I suppose any good coach tries to ride the hot hand. But indecision, hesitation and ego prevent coaches from succeeding in this otherwise easy task week in and week out. Shanahan not only disposes of preconceived notions he enters the game with, he disposes of any notions conceived in the last five minutes. If he is feeling it with a guy at the moment, he is going to go with that guy, no matter who he is and where he started the day on the depth chart.
A few quick predictions for the game on Sunday:
4. We will not take the Eagles lightly. Previous iterations of this team (under different leadership/management) have displayed wildly inappropriate levels of hubris. I don't think this locker room is buying into anything people are saying about both the Redskins and the Eagles.
5. Each of our three running backs will score a touchdown. Call this more of a hope, but I am looking for somewhere north of 45 rushing attempts in this game. If that is the case, we will see all three guys find the end zone at some point.
6. Fred Davis will lead the team in receiving yards. He should be able to avoid Nnamdi Asomugha, Asante Samuel and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie for most of the day. If that is the case, Rex Grossman should be looking his way as often as possible.
This week's random thoughts:
7. I am not a fan of touting moves up in the rankings after a bye week. Being better is a lot different than being better off. We are better off after losses by Philadelphia and New York, but we are not better. I suppose the shifting rankings are unavoidable, but I take no pride in any post-bye week rankings.
8. Hmmmm...top ten in numerous rankings? Wow...who would have thought that...wait--let's not do this. I can't do this.
9. Whatever happens on Sunday, we can't allow the Eagles to score quickly early. I think they will hit on at least one big play because that is what they do. But we can't give it up on the first play of the game, or even the first series. That is the kind of thing that snowballs out of control...oh God, I just had the worst nightmare that we lost by 30+ points to the Eagles last season. Did that really happen?
10. I hear that LaRon Landry's goal this week is to not get beat downfield...by the ref. If you recall (picture above), the back judge actually looked like he was pacing or even outpacing both DeSean Jackson and LaRon Landry down the field. I would not bet on the ref in a 40-yard dash, but the posterization speaks for itself here.
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Point #6 is the key,
In my opinion, short crossing routes against those soft linebackers is where we should be looking. They should be calling Davis’s number all day (when they aren’t running). If he can have a big day, I like our chances a lot better.
What the shit
the suspense is killlllllllllin me
I rewatched the buff/philly game and I saw a lot of ways to attack philly. Most of which have been beaten to death, but it was nice to see it again.
I feel a little better knowing the skins have had 2 weeks to prepare and go over the numerous ways to attack philly. Of course they still have to go out and execute.
The Beat Box aka skins secondary.
I rewatched the buff/philly game and I saw a lot of ways to attack philly
“A lot” being give the ball to Fred Jackson and catch the ball when vick throws it.
by TheDeepBall on Oct 12, 2011 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
DeepBall
Can you put together a post for HH fantasy league #1 this week? I’m swamped, and I have class tonight after work and then a final exam tomorrow night.
If not, we may just have to go a week without it- unless we can get a Parks or Shvd to put one together.
Landry
Should play a lot better with his Achilles bein healed, well as long as he doesn’t pull his hammy
by BmoreRedskin on Oct 12, 2011 12:15 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Good post, thanks for keeping us grounded.
It still seems like we’ve been playing down to our opponents this year? that’s something that we’ve not been able to overcome in a few seasons.
HTTR!
On number 2......you know that is ridiculous, right?
Trust me, I am not taking this game lightly. If certain things happen we can win, that’s the way football works.
But, I digress. You just can’t use Zorn’s first year as a head coach, with that particular roster, to what we have going on right now. You know that Ken, shame on you.
Those first 8 games he was still running Joe’s offense. Portis was getting noticed because he was getting the carries, and getting it done. I believe it was about that time that Jim felt confident enough to try to start running his own ideas, I think Portis got the rock 14 times against Dallas, I was pissed.
"Please don't dominate the rap, Jack, if you got nothin' new to say."-Robert Hunter
I suppose I should grant you that
Though my point is mostly to say that a team can look good when it commits no errors, but a real test comes when it is time to start overcoming mistakes. That team under Zorn couldn’t overcome even one big mistake. We have already seen this team—with help from the opponent—come back from potentially game-breaking mistakes.
That is a good sign. There is no comparison between Shanny and Zorn. But as far as the evolution of the team goes, we can compare stages under different coaches…even if it seems silly to do so. I mean, look at Parks. The guy has no business even contemplating a serious relationship with an actual real girl, yet he gets after it nonetheless. I respect that.
by Ken Meringolo on Oct 12, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I knew what you wre getting at.....
just thought it was terrible vehicle to deliver it in.
On Parks, well you know that’s why he is such an uppity prick sometimes. He has a woman that is waaaay too god for him, so he acts like he is much cooler than he actually is.
"Please don't dominate the rap, Jack, if you got nothin' new to say."-Robert Hunter
"Even a blind pig finds a truffle sometimes".
Applies to both Parks and Vinny Cerato.
No Danny, Nooooooo - Tom Landry, 1982., and Washington Redskins fans, 1999-
Couple things here...
1) Bill, you’re a dusty old fart from the 757 and who doesn’t use the squirrel saying in this situation.
2) MagicHat, I like you but stop stalking my fiance on facebook.
3) Ken, two words… yo mama!
Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions
Yes I am, and proud of it.
My youngest (the 11 year old) wore one of my vintage 1986 Redskins sweatshirts to her school today.
My 22 year old son was wearing one of my Redskins T-shirts on Saturday.
My wife wore one of my Redskins shirts to her work on Monday.
Only my 20 year old daughter hasn’t worn some of my Redskins clothing this week (to my knowledge…)
Yes I am an old fart… raising the next generation of Redskins fans.
No Danny, Nooooooo - Tom Landry, 1982., and Washington Redskins fans, 1999-
by BillWard on Oct 12, 2011 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm proud of you, but stop being such a cheap bastard and get some of those kids their own Skins clothing
Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions
They steal the stuff out of my wardrobe.
I mean, I bought stuff for the 11 year old last year, and she then went into my stuff to accessorize.
My bandana (I shaved my head a few years back in solidarity for my mom and a neighbor and friend’s 13 year old daughter (who was also like a second big sister for my own now 11 year old) being diagnosed within 48 hours of each other, and had the Redskins bandana for when I had to work outside). My oldest Redskin hat. My SB 26 blue sweatshirt. My ’86 vintage logo sweatshirt. My T-shirt with the ’88 SB WaPo front page. All disapeared into her hands.
My son, he only steals three specific Tees, and he ALWAYS flaunts when he’s done that… however, the kid makes VERY good money at his side job (11/hour, while he’s a full time student). And he’s started his own game development company. Wife knows that “What’s mine is hers, and what’s hers is hers” so she has no compunction taking one of my shirts, though no one DARES tough my old jacket with the SB pins, or my “mini-Doug”, a little hanging bear wearing a Redskins #17 that dates from Christmas, 1988 that I almost always have on my person in the winter time (because it stays in the pocket of my coat). OTOH, I know that my wife would make me sleep on the sofa if she saw me wearing her Art Monk jersey, even if she swims in it.
The kids know that I’m just pleased their ’Skins fans too. And even the 20 year old complained and ended up dropping one of her boyfriends when she found out he was a Cowboys fan.
No Danny, Nooooooo - Tom Landry, 1982., and Washington Redskins fans, 1999-
You and Tiller are officially the only two people in HH with a "wardrobe"
Cool stories though, I commend you sir.
Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions
glad I am not the only one who picked up on that
"Please don't dominate the rap, Jack, if you got nothin' new to say."-Robert Hunter
No way that's your fiance bro......
she is way to fine for you, and besides she really likes me…….she just hasn’t realized it yet.
oh wait, you were joking, huh?
"Please don't dominate the rap, Jack, if you got nothin' new to say."-Robert Hunter
#9 is spot on.
Most of it is spot on. Not sure about who gets the most receiving yards though.
"Please don't dominate the rap, Jack, if you got nothin' new to say."-Robert Hunter
I had not been to a game in over ten years.
The thought of spending a ton of money to possibly see my team lose, or being too drunk by the first quarter to remember made my decision easy. Last year my buddy called and said he had an extra ticket to see the Skins-Eagles game on Mon night. I went. I sat in the cold misty air in the nosebleeds next to a drunk belligerent Eagles fan (who’s gf was way hotter than mine) and remembered every last min of it. It will probably be another 10 years.
by Chris Joireman on Oct 12, 2011 12:46 PM EDT reply actions
I had a shirt that the Redskins ALMOST never lost when I wore it.
Redskin shirt, purchased back in 84-85, IIRC. When I wore it, from start to finish in a game, we NEVER lost, not even into the 2000s. But as it got more ragged, I could wear it less and less….. So blame me for the Redskins losses over the last decade, I guess (and the fact I put on weight didn’t help…. the shirt fits, but only barely, now).
Oh, and the Redskins have NEVER won a game that I have attended in person, regular season or preseason, home or away. After we lost 10-7 to the Ravens a few years back on a game where I was in attendance at FedEx, I realized perhaps the best seat at the stadium was my sofa.
No Danny, Nooooooo - Tom Landry, 1982., and Washington Redskins fans, 1999-
I'm hearing a lot of people say this is going to be a game of offense
I disagree, outside of last year’s Monday Nightmare, they’ve been defensive battles until the end. As of late, they’ve been better than us, but we’ve been good also at splitting with them by stealing one a year.
Our defensive personnel is improved, I expect we try to keep Vick in the pocket. If we do a good job of stopping the run and Reid gets pass happy as he so often does, I like our chances of hanging with them. To me it’s about our offense. Will we be able to finish when we get into the red zone? That to me will be the difference in this gaem. FGs won’t beat the Eagles. I think we need 24 points minimum. Our defense can score one, I don’t care. But being able to control the clock and running the god. damn. ball. will be as good a defense against Vick as our actual unit out there.
Plus we could use a few of those breaks the Eagles have been giving everyone else they’ve played, that’d be nice. I’m butt nervous about this game simply because we know how every divisional game we play usually ends, prepare yourselves to have your heart pounding for 3 hours.
by Dammit Cerrato... on Oct 12, 2011 1:04 PM EDT reply actions
I hope it's not a game of offense.
Ours hasn’t been putting up any points.
"By far the worst performers on the (Redskins) are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
If the Skins can hold the Eagles to their season defensive average of 15.8 per game, then it won't need to be a game
of offense. (Dreaming, but still a possibility if Vick gets knocked out in the first quarter.)
by Jefferson1935 on Oct 13, 2011 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Accidentally scheduled myself to work this music festival on Sunday and can't back out
Might have to miss the second half and the thought is killing me. Only Skins game I have missed in the last 3 years was the Eagles MNF game last year.
in regards to the only game you've missed in the last 3 years..
Lucky you.
by Dammit Cerrato... on Oct 12, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I usually pretend since I didn't see it, it didn't happen.
Probably wasn’t my fault but I still feel guilty for that abortion.
by BayAreaBullet on Oct 12, 2011 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't like it
You miss one game and we get raped by the eagles… now we’re playing the eagles again and you might miss the second half? If we get blown out in the second I know who to blame!
what festival are you working?
"Please don't dominate the rap, Jack, if you got nothin' new to say."-Robert Hunter
Nobody knows music...
like pirates know music.
by Ken Meringolo on Oct 12, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
aaaargh!!!
different Treasure Island.
"Please don't dominate the rap, Jack, if you got nothin' new to say."-Robert Hunter
If that's San Francisco's Treasure Island
Were also talking about a different type of booty. NTTIAWWT, though it’s not my cup of tea, if you get my drift.
No Danny, Nooooooo - Tom Landry, 1982., and Washington Redskins fans, 1999-
by BillWard on Oct 13, 2011 6:41 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I don't like
How everyone is on our bandwagon all of a sudden. Now Marshall Faulk says he had us picked to win the East back in preseason. Every time I turn on ESPN or NFL Network, I hear people “believing in us” (Really Deion?). I don’t like it. It’s funny too, because for years I’ve been bitching about us not getting the play other teams get. The problem I have is that all this talk didn’t start until THIS week when we didn’t even play. That tells me it’s more about what the other teams are doing (or not doing) than what we are. Which means they’ll all be right back off the wagon the first time we slip.
I don’t like it.
Where do they teach you to talk like this? In some Panama City "Sailor wanna hump-hump" bar, or is it getaway day and your last shot at his whiskey? Sell crazy someplace else, we're all stocked up here.
I Feel The Same Way
I feel like all the positive energy can somehow serve to jinx the progress this team has made. The is not a team of world-beaters. We are still rebuilding and will probably finish around the 8-8 mark this season….gotta be realistic.
But if this team plays like they have so far this season (ie controlling the ball and committing few penalties and playing solid defense), then we have a very good chance of beating a talented Eagles team.
I feel that y'all putting these thoughts out into the universe is what's going to make us mess up.
So shut up…
Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions
Huh?
We aren’t being negative about the Skins. We are being real and saying that it makes us nervous to see all the fair-weather fans jumping on board, that’s all.
So we won’t shut up
It was a joke.
Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions
Stephan...Parks
Parks…Stephan
Parks has the warm, soft, gentle nature of a Category 5 hurricane. But we love him for his consistency and for his Eagles/Cowgirls/Giants hating ways.
He has always been a kind of bouncer around here. Not so much a comedian it seems.
by Ken Meringolo on Oct 12, 2011 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
You seen Parks?
Him trying to bounce some of the bigger guys, like CJ or Tiller would be comedy. Think Pee Wee Herman bouncing Hulk Hogan.
No Danny, Nooooooo - Tom Landry, 1982., and Washington Redskins fans, 1999-
by BillWard on Oct 13, 2011 6:44 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Doesn't make me nervous
It just pisses me off, cuz I know the “respect” we’re getting isn’t real.
This may date me, but it reminds me of a movie my 8th grade girlfriend tied me up and made me watch called ’Can’t Buy Me Love’. It’s like all the “cool kids” just started hanging with us, but as soon as we lose a game, we’ll be right back at that table Parks used to sit at.
Where do they teach you to talk like this? In some Panama City "Sailor wanna hump-hump" bar, or is it getaway day and your last shot at his whiskey? Sell crazy someplace else, we're all stocked up here.
I'm still sitting there.
Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions
I'd be more concerned that CJ is letting hours girlfriends tie him up
He had the freak going on back then it seems
No Danny, Nooooooo - Tom Landry, 1982., and Washington Redskins fans, 1999-
by BillWard on Oct 13, 2011 6:47 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I understand your point but isn't that in a sense how respect should work?
You get praised when you win and dismissed when you lose.
by BayAreaBullet on Oct 13, 2011 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
At least their talking about the Redskins
I didn’t hear too much about, or anything, about the Rams and the Browns.
The reason everyone is jumping on the bandwagon is they aren't paying attention.
Look at the schedules going forward, and I’m really concerned… it’s one of the reasons I won’t hop on until we get to 7 wins prior to week 12.
We do that, we’re ok… we don’t, and we’re going to be an 8-8 team. I’ve checked the schedule… and the Eagles are also likely EVEN NOW, a 7-9 or 8-8 team….. so are the Giants. Only the Cowboys (BLECH!) look good, because they’ve played 4 of the 6 hardest games on their schedule that aren’t NFCE games. They win this weekend, I see them going 10-6. That’s depressing.
No Danny, Nooooooo - Tom Landry, 1982., and Washington Redskins fans, 1999-
And if we get clobbered by Philly - watch all the experts run for cover
Suddenly they will all be saying how they “always knew we were a flash in the pan”. We’ll be back at 25 in the power rankings. Oh well – we got our 15 minutes of fame. Fickle.
I am confident the Skins will win
I have that calm assurance I did before the Boys game. I can’t be wrong twice.
Until I see a few seasons of winning, I’m never confident. We’ve squeaked by a few mediocre teams. Philly has good stats, and can burst the strong play. I think we can win, but I am never exuding confidence.
And by “we,” I mean the Redskins.
:)
"One of the most difficult things everyone has to learn is that for your entire life you must keep fighting and adjusting if you hope to survive." -George Allen
Hopefully
Me being extremely nervous about this game is a good thing. I’m going to the game this year and I missed last years onslaught, so maybe I can act as a lucky charm.
You don't frighten us, Canadian pig dogs. Go and boil your bottoms, you sons of a silly person. I blow my nose at you, so-called "Harper Minister," you and all your silly Canadian "Mo-un-ties"
by Chaz-Capapalooza on Oct 12, 2011 3:51 PM EDT reply actions
Steinberg is great
I just read this and all I can think is how awed we will obiously be when the Incredibly Talented Eagles deign to grant us the privilege of being defeated by their obviously vastly superior and more talented team this weekend.
No Danny, Nooooooo - Tom Landry, 1982., and Washington Redskins fans, 1999-
My favorite part
And if the Eagles decide to be self-defeating, then the Eagles will defeat the Eagles and the Eagles will have to go home, wondering yet again why the Eagles weren’t talented enough to beat the Eagles.
Funny stuff..
Next years draft...
Just watched espn do a special on Justin Blackmon. Since were not going to get a top tier qb, I’d absolutely love this guy. He not only is a fantastic wr but also a great guy. He has a relationship with a 9 year old girl with cancer, just an amazing story. He’s the kind of high character high potential guys that’d be great in this locker room.
What do you all think?
by jbh1190 on Oct 12, 2011 9:02 PM EDT via iPhone app reply actions
Wouldnt be surprised with a playmaking receiver.
Prob not Blackmon.
West Springfield Spartans OUTSIDE LB #47
HTTR
by SpartanFS47 on Oct 12, 2011 9:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Blackmon will be a top 10 pick
I don’t see us having a chance to draft him. It would be nice to have him tho
No WRs until we address the OL.
"By far the worst performers on the (Redskins) are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
On point number 3
I wonder if most of the credit should go to Shanahan or to Bobby Turner. I think Shanahan trusts him on both drafting and coaching these guys and deciding who to go with long term.
Time for Redskin fans to give Bobby some love.
having armstrong back will help us alot
this will free up the tight ends alot imo. they havent done much since he got hurt. i look for armstrong to burn the eagles deep at least once in this game. due to the fact that they might overlook him coming off a injury
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