Can the Skins Stop the Cards Passing Attack?
The Redskins will be looking for win number two this weekend, but they'll be facing a much different opponent this week. While the Giants were more of a balanced offense the Cardinals will look to the air to beat the Redskins. The Skins featured a slightly above average pass defense last week giving up 240 yards, over 8 yards per pass, no touchdowns, and reeled in one interception. While the Giants have solid wide receivers in Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham, the Redskins will have to elevate their game this week.
It's well known that new Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb likes to air it out, after all he is the first QB in NFL history to start his career with two consecutive 300 yard games. Kolb's mentality fits perfectly in the desert where he connected for over 300 yards and two touchdowns in his first game. We all know about Larry Fitzgerald, but it was Early Doucet who shined in the Cards opener. Doucet went for over 100 yards and caught a touchdown. The Cardinals also showed a solid two tight end tandem with Jeff King and Todd Heap on Sunday.
Despite Beanie Wells gaining over 90 yards last week, it's clear that the Redskins prime objective needs to be stopping the pass. So how do we do that? Can DeAngelo Hall or Josh Wilson match up with Fitzgerald? Absolutely not... and the notion of Reed Doughty having to match up with the Cards WRs makes me cringe. What the Redskins can do is generate a pass rush with Kerackpo and the rest of the front seven. Also, Laron Landry is back then the Redskins will have another vital pass rusher and can run some more exotic blitzes.
Also can the Redskins have a bad defensive game and get into a shootout? Can Rex operate in a shootout and not turn over the ball? That has yet to be seen. I'm expecting this game to be very similar to the Week 2 matchup last year with the Texans, although I expect the Redskins to come out on top this time.
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this game will be very one-sided
in favor of the Redskins.Cam freaking Newton threw for 400 yards on them. Carolina’s D isn’t all that great either. Kolb isn’t going for 300 yards this time.
Prediction:
32-17, Redskins on top.
better prediction
24-17. Rex Grossman wont throw for 400 yards. Not that Cam Newton is a much better Quarterback at this stage, but the threat of him tucking and running kept a lot of linebackers and safeties paying him special attention that Rex wont get.
Even if we see Good Rex I don’t expect 400. We will win, but not by 15.
Fear the Turtle!
by HailToTheRedskins on Sep 13, 2011 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah I don't see that happening every week
especially since the Cards got a lot of pressure on Newton, and Grossman doesn’t have the mobility or the offensive line that Newton does.
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by Steve Shoup on Sep 14, 2011 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Getting a pass rush will be vital
I am very concerned about Orakpo’s sprained ankle.
If we can get constant pressure it’ll negate a lot of coverage mistakes, especially if Landry is out.
I'm worried about the beer supply. After this case, and the other case, there's only one case left- Barney Gumble
by CptChaosSidekick on Sep 13, 2011 9:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
If Rak is out
we can get another look at Jackson and/or White. We hae good depth at OLB. If Landry is back we won’t have any concerns.
never thought I'd say this
But I actually think Landry is more vital than Orakpo, at this juncture. Orakpo is a great player, no doubt. But right now, he’s too one dimensional. Until he figures out at least ONE more move, he’s not gonna be the game changed we expect him to be. Landry, on the other hand, probably helped his cause in landing a new contract by sitting out. Now we know what it would be like without him. (Yes, that’s a tongue in cheek statement for all you Rudy Doughty fans out there)
Truthfully, at this juncture, I wouldn’t mind resting Rak. Even if he starts, sub him out a lot. That way we don’t risk the ankle becoming a season long issue, and we get to see what White can do under the big lights. So far, this draft class looks pretty solid. Let’s keep peeling that onion.
by CJHutch on Sep 13, 2011 9:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think Orakpo's other move is going to end up being Ryan Kerrigan, haha.
I think they’ll feed off of each other.
I’m not sure if I want Landry’s first game to be against an aerial attack.
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Yea if he comes back against the Cards we may be doubting him.
And to CJHutch’s point I think Orakpo is just as Vital. Kerrigan won’t have a second GREAT game if he’s receiving all the attention.
Fear the Turtle!
by HailToTheRedskins on Sep 13, 2011 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I want landry back to allow atogwe to focus solely on the passing game, Kolb is dying to give a few picks away
Landry is the best player on this team, and was the best strong safety in football last season pre injury
by alwaysremember21 on Sep 14, 2011 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree...
I think too many people are drinking the Kool Aid and taking the Cardinals lightly. They can talk about the Panthers all they want but that was one game and this is the NFL. If we were playing the Chiefs next week would people not be worried about Bowe, Charles, etc.?
IMO the Cardinals strength is our weakness and I really expect a Houston type game. Hopefully Atogwe helps. I think A LOT hinges on Rex Grossman and the Redskins ability to slow the game down, dominate time of possession and play some smash mouth football.
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I disagree
I think that our strength is our secondary this year, Hall, Wilson & Atogwe are all very good against the pass. I wish that Buchanon was available & hope that Landry plays but I think we will get a lot of pressure on Kolb & be able to effectively limit Fitz & company.
I think too many people are drinking the Kool Aid and taking the Cardinals lightlyTotally agree with this statement. I had no problem predicting a win in a game that most non Redskin fans were predicting a loss but now that we are favored I am worried about a letdown in a game that we should win. Have fun on Sunday
I'm not sold on the secondary.
I love Atogwe, but I just don’t feel good about DHall or Wilson matching up against Fitz. I didn’t hear Wilson’s name that often last week and I think that’s a good thing. I think our secondary is better, but teams with legit deep threats scare me.
For all who are interested the Cards-Panthers game is on NFLN right now. A little scouting action.. haha
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Double teams on Fitz are going to be vital.
something like Hall/Atogwe would work fine if we play Doughty closer to the line to help stop the run and Wilson can effectively cover Doucet.
by TheDeepBall on Sep 14, 2011 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions
I think what is missing as well
is that what analyst stated last season is that Kolb like to check down more to his RB’s if his receivers are covered or if he couldn’t throw the tight passes. I feel the Skins pressure will have him do the same thing as well and just have the team be satisfied with him tossing out 3-5 yrd swing passes.
Can the Skins Stop the Cards Passing Attack?
Does the Pope shit in the woods?
@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.
Of course.
Kolb won’t have time to throw. Skins 34-14 over Cardinals.
"That's what she said!"
by iH8dallas on Sep 13, 2011 9:30 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I like the team this year...but...really? Their skill players are too good to only put up 14.
If we had LaRon back there maybe…but for now we still have Reed.
he seemed to have plenty of time against the Panthers
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
by Steve Shoup on Sep 14, 2011 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Orakpo's ankle is what has me worried
I think we can get a real rush on Kolb, and we’ve seen him crumble under pressure. When he has time, he can get shit done, but under duress, it seems like he rarely burns you.
We beat a Giants team that’s had our number, that’s great, that was week 1. Arizona is a whole new animal, and my pick to win their division. Don’t look at this team as “the lowly cardinals”. I’m as worried going into this game as I was last week. Their performance against Carolina defensively might not give us an outlook on how they’ll be overall this season. Maybe they pick Grossman off twice and look great…
So while I have confidence in our defense to step up and keep the pressure on, helping our secondary, I’m still not taking this as a definite 2-0 start. If we win, I won’t be shocked, if we lose, I’ll be bitter but not surprised.
This playoff team of 2 years ago does still have that same coaching staff, they know how to win, despite last year. I think we’ll need 24+ to win this one.
by Dammit Cerrato... on Sep 13, 2011 9:37 PM EDT reply actions
Agree with everything you said.
While I want to see Orakpo play, I don’t want to see him rushed back. I’d rather have him at full strength for Dallas.
If he’s not 100% but still relatively healthy, I’d be inclined to maybe play him at DE and use him more as a decoy. This way he doesn’t risk his ankle in coverage.
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I will say this though
Kolb’s 2 TDs against Carolina… Kinda underwhelming on his end, not like they blew me away.
They definitely weren’t Grossman giving Armstrong a little Rexual healing with that touch pass from 6 yards out…
by Dammit Cerrato... on Sep 13, 2011 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Cards stats are kind of strange from this past week.
Wells has 18 carries and Stephens-Howling only had 3. I would of expected higher numbers from Kolb rather than 18 for 27.
LS-H kind of scares me on the screen. A poor man’s Darren Sproles.
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Kolb looked pretty fearless going after that fumble
that was the type of play that almost ended Brees career
I just wanted an excuse to use "Rexual Healing" in a comment
by Dammit Cerrato... on Sep 13, 2011 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
haha
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by Parks Smith on Sep 13, 2011 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions
18 for 27 is really good, that is 66% completion percentage
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by Steve Shoup on Sep 14, 2011 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I was speaking more towards attempts.
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gotcha
part of the reason is the big plays. Kolb’s yards per attempt were the highest in the league, and the fact that there were two long TD’s probably cut down on the number of attempts.
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
Kolb had a really good game...not sure how it was underwhelming
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
by Steve Shoup on Sep 14, 2011 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Watch his 2 TDs
They weren’t great touch throws or anything, they were wide open receivers who broke tackles and ran after the catch. That’s how they’re underwhelming on Kolb’s end.
by Dammit Cerrato... on Sep 14, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
disagree both were excellent plays by the quarterback in the face of major blitzes
the King one, Kolb had to buy a lot of time as 7 guys rushed the QB and only Beanie Wells stayed into block. Sure King might not have gotten a TD if not for the busted coverage, but it was a great job by Kolb who threw off his back foot while on the move and delivered a strike that was right too him.
On the 2nd one the Panthers blitzed 6, and Kolb was under heavy pressure. He made the right read and again threw a ball that was pretty well on target, considering he was hopping backwards and avoiding the rush. Doucet might have done the work after the catch, but again it was a blitz play and Kolb pretty much hit Doucet in stride. If he made him jump for it, or go to the ground, Doucet doesn’t get a TD and the Cards don’t tie the game there.
Both were great reads, and Kolb made something despite having at least one rusher coming free.
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
You proved my point right in your comment:
“Sure King might not have gotten a TD if not for the busted coverage”
“Doucet might have done the work after the catch”
To me, something like what Rex gave Armstrong for his score was more impressive, or his throw to Gaffney. I’m not docking Kolb for his heads up awareness. But from a “Wow, Kolb just threw a great TD PASS,” standpoint, I couldn’t say that.
by Dammit Cerrato... on Sep 14, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
But they were great passes
Both were 100% on target and the perfect read for the situation. On the King pass Kolb bought time that led to King being wide open. You are penalizing Kolb for his players turning great catches into great touchdowns.
These weren’t garbage plays and Kolb executed them perfectly.
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
They were passes I would expect from anybody starting in this league.
by Dammit Cerrato... on Sep 14, 2011 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions
here's the thing though most quarterbacks don't make those throws
Look when Grossman was pressured he threw the ball high multiple times. Still better than taking a sack or missing the target like we are used to with Campbell/McNabb, but it limited YAC. Kolb hit both players in stride and really right on target.
Now I’m speaking favorably of him and I thought his performance deserved it, but it might very well be a fluke. All I’m saying is I was impressed, with his throws and there was nothing that I saw that I could really knock.
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
One thing is for sure... It'll be a close game
I’m going to the game this weekend and the last 7 games I’ve been to in person have been one score games. Three of those games went into OT.
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im going to have to ask you to stay away from Fedex then Parks....
Hail to 'Em
by SkinsaneAsylum on Sep 14, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
haha they only lost 2 of those games
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by the way
when was the last time we had a 2 game winning streak at home? I’m guessing early Zorn? I remember us being pretty bad at home last year
by CJHutch on Sep 13, 2011 9:44 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Week 2 and 3 in '08
Beat the Saints and wait for it…wait for it…. the ARIZONA CARDINALS!
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I don't know if anyone has been following the dicussions between Vonnie Holliday and myself on twitter
It’s pretty funny, I’ve nicknamed this game the Bamboozled Bowl
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It will be tough
Pressure will be key since the DBs can only cover there recievers for so long even with the upgrades made. Would like to see Landry and Orakpo but only healthy.
Lost in the Cam Newton parade and love fest is...
The cards won the game and Kolb finished with 300+, 2TDs, and a QB rtg of 130.. Their D also had 4 sacks on a guy that is just a tad more mobile than Rex.
This is “one of those game”. It’s a must win.
@Callahan_9 on the twitter machine.
Very true
The Cards are dangerous with Kolb tossing it and the oline was letting a lot of people through last game.
by The Red End on Sep 13, 2011 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions
SO MUCH HAPPINESS
I don’t know. I’m still nervous about predicting two touchdown wins. It doesn’t feel right! I hear people predict 31 points and lots of pressure on the QB and I’m like… this is the Redskins. We never do anything like were supposed to. No way we repeat a good performance. Then I’m like wait… we freaking destroyed the Giants. LETS GO! 50-2 Redskins on top.
by Andrew DeFrank on Sep 13, 2011 10:32 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
ha there is no way it ends up 50-2....
do you really think we will give up a safety? come on now….
"Please don't dominate the rap, Jack, if you got nothin' new to say."-Robert Hunter
Cards passing numbers very skewed
They had 2 long passing TDs on blown coverages. Obviously it goes without saying that we need to prevent those. For the most part Kolb was nothing special, tossing for about 150 yards without 2 f ups by a 2nd year 6th round safety. Fitz was also completely shut down except for one awesome 30 yard catch late in the 4th.
On defense they were loading up against the run and blitzing Cam often. This got them 4 sacks and lots of pressure but they also got burned time and time again on long pass plays. Two rookies starting at corner.. Moss and Rex need to school them.
Prevent huge mistakes and we should keep their O in check.
27-21 Skins.
I don't understand how that is skewed? How else do you get high passing numbers? Stuff like that happens...
They had 2 long passing TDs on blown coverages.
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Converting on 3rd down, taking what the D gives you, setting corners up for double moves, beating blitzes with the right read, etc.
Rex threw for 300 and he didn’t have 150 gimme yards. Brady threw for 500 and he earned them all, same with Henne.
It’s skewed because teams aren’t going to NOT play defense twice a game for Kolb the rest of the season. He didn’t really have to do anything on those plays other than throw it into a 12 foot window.
Their offense was very underwhelming. They ran the ball really well but got away from it for whatever reason. Beanie led the team in receptions with 4 and he only had 12 yards. No one else had more than 3 receptions. They just weren’t very consistent, then Carolina screwed the pooch twice and the overall numbers look like Kolb had a great day when it was really pretty average. We wouldn’t worry about Trent Dilfer coming to town if he was coming off a 300 yard game, would we?
Brady earned the 99 yard pass??
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
and both of Kolb's passes were well placed as well
he hit King and Doucet basically in stride. If Kolb threw the ball high, low or behind them, they were open enough to still catch the ball, but it wouldn’t have ended up a TD. That shows touch, something that Kolb had consistently throughout the game.
And the Welker play is the same because like both of Kolb’s TD’s, Brady took advantage of the Dolphins bringing an overload blitz. He knew he’d have one on one coverage and made a perfect pass. But if Welker doesn’t make that stiff arm, or the Dolphins had some other safety back, it would be a great 23-25 yard pass. Just like if Doucet didn’t make that move on the safety it would have been a great 15-17 yard pass.
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
yeah Brady had a 99 yard pass I don't think we should wash that away.
That also shows that even with Boldin and Breaston gone, they have some other talented receivers.
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
by Steve Shoup on Sep 14, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
No, it shows the Panthers secondary has some work to do
Welker’s TD wasn’t a blown coverage; it was a great throw and a nice stiff arm by Wes.
both of Kolb's passes were great throws as well. I really don't understand the basis of your argument?
Kolb’s numbers were impressive across the board. If you take away Kolb’s 118 yards (not 150) from the two TD’s, and Grossman’s two top catches (39 and 28), Kolb still had a higher yards per attempt than Grossman.
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
It boils down to I watched the game and Kolb wasn’t very impressive. They did not move the ball consistently enough that we should be afraid. The OP is basing a lot of it on his week 1 numbers which are an outlier due to two broken plays. I’m not sure what Rex’s numbers have to do with it either, he had a very good week but no one is accusing the Skins of having some dynamic passing game just yet either.
And this is where I disagree
Kolb and the Cards moved the ball pretty well throughout the game I thought. They had 6 drives of 40 or more yards (not counting the PR for a TD). They got TD’s on 3 of them, had a missed FG, a fumble, and a punt on those drives. But the Cards showed that they had some big play ability and could move the ball effectively. The Panthers tried taking away Fitzgerald and Kolb made them pay, by completing 66% of his passes.
As for the Grossman comparison, I think it gives a good baseline, but I used it also because you brought up how Grossman had 300 yards and he did it without the ‘150 gimme yards’ which again is really only 118. So I was just refuting your claim that Kolb’s numbers look so good b/c of 2 passes.
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Call me crazy, but I just don’t think that Arizona is a very good football team this year. They aren’t going to amount to much, IMO.
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by BillWard on Sep 14, 2011 6:35 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think we dominate the trenches
Our DL is better than Carolina’s. We practically rode them to victory last week, and I think we saddle up those horses again this Sunday. This is 2011 Redskins football, gentlemen, we are in the year of the big ugly with the nasty attitude. I hope Kolb’s life insurance is paid up.
Carolina has Charles Johnson who is one of the best pass rushers in the game
And Greg Hardy is an extremely underrated player. They combined for just 2 sacks and 8 pressures. Carolina’s defense is a lot better than people give them credit for.
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
by Steve Shoup on Sep 14, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
well given the different systems we are talking about front 7's here
Charles Johnson and Beason (who played about 2/3 the game) are studs, and better than Orakpo and Fletcher our two studs.
James Anderson is a very talented WLB, and there is obviously no direct comparison with the Skins, but he is far better than McIntosh ever was playing WLB. And Thomas Davis is a pretty good SLB.
That is 4 high level players in their front 7, and Greg Hardy who as I said before is a potential star. Hardy isn’t great against the rush, but he is an excellent pass rusher.
Their two DT’s are both rookies with upside, and from the looks of it both played pretty solid.
The Redskins are more of known quality as in addition to Fletch and Orakpo, Bowen and Cofield are good players (I’d put them on the Thomas Davis level), and Kerrigan is looking really good and could be a stud. In both cases you have 5 quality players, the Panthers are slightly better among those 5, but the Redskins probably have the advantage among the other two. So it really comes down too, better quality stars or better players at all 7 positions. Anyway you look at it if we are better it isn’t by much.
Steveospeak - Content Manager of Fanspeak.com
They have no DTs
starting two rookies who make mistakes and get pushed around quite a lot. It’s a work in progress.
play action is gonna be key in this game
who ever gets dooped into it the most loses… they are gonna key the run big time since we have their old back… and we get killed on play action alot… if they can stop the run without having to bringing up help we are in big trouble imo. i see the game at 24-16 us:)
I see a heavy dose or Hightower
We’ll control the lines and the ball. Rex throws for 200 yds on less than 20 attempts.
HTTR!
We need hightower to step up this game
And i think he does. He’ll be extra motivated to do well this game (although that shouldn’t be an excuse). If we control the clock, we give less chances for Kolb and Fitz to hook up for scores and if we add pressure, we’ll make it hard for Kolb to get into a rhythm against our defense.
by Nobetterthenbob on Sep 14, 2011 9:54 AM EDT reply actions

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