Live Game Thread: Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys
by KevinE on Nov 22, 2009 11:30 AM EST
in Open Threads
29 comments
This is a big game not only for us fans, but for these two coaches. Both owners have done behind-the-scenes coach recruiting for next year, so to say they're on the hot seat is an under-statement.
The Redskins MUST start strong. They've started every game slow and that shows in the stat line being outscored in the 1st quarter 59-17. I'd like to see the Skins go on D first and set the tone with their pass rush.
Contest: Whoever can guess the final score correctly will win the copy of Peter King’s MMQB book we reviewed. Winner is person who picks the winning team and closest total points. Comment below.
Images via Associated Press, upi.com,
29 comments | 0 recs
Redskins vs Cowboys Red Zone Preview
by KevinE on Nov 21, 2009 8:15 AM EST
in Analysis
8 comments
I think it's about time to dish out are apologies to Sherman Lewis. The volunteer bingo caller is 6-9 in the red zone in the 3 games he's called. Sherm Smith certainly gets the assist with his effective play-calling on the ground. It's still hard to say exactly what went wrong those first 6 weeks, but it's obvious that the Joe Gibbs' style of running the ball is working. Did you know the Skins ran the ball FORTY times against the Broncos (with only 27 passing attempts)? Does that sound like a West Coast offense to you? Whatever it is, the Redskins offense is a lot less predictable and it's paying off.
| Redskins Red Zone Statistics 2009 | ||
| Redskins Offense | Opponent's Offense | |
| @Giants | 2-3 | 0-3 |
| Rams | 0-5 | 1-3 |
| @Lions | 1-2 | 1-3 |
| Buccaneers | 1-3 | 1-1 |
| @Panthers | 2-3 | 2-3 |
| Chiefs | 0-1 | 0-2 |
| Eagles | 2-3 | 0-0 |
| BYE | - | - |
| @Falcons | 2-2 | 1-2 |
| Broncos | 2-4 | 0-1 |
| Total | 12-26 | 6-18 |
The Cowboys on the other hand are a mystery. How does one of the best offenses in the NFL have statistically one of the lower red zone percentages? What's ironic is that week 2 when the Boys hosted the Giants, the Cowboys went a perfect 4-4 in the red zone, the Giants went 0-5, and the Giants won 33-31! (Eli had several TD passes in the 22-30 yard range).
Cowboys' Red Zone chart and analysis after the jump...
8 comments | 0 recs
The Revolution - Hogs Haven Interview with Joe Theismann, Legendary Redskins Quarterback (Video)
by Sugar on Nov 19, 2009 8:40 PM EST
in Interviews
26 comments
As I said earlier this week, we can't simply reserve our complaints about the current debacle surrounding our team for weeks when we lose. However, during Dallas Week, we can tone it down slightly so that the focus of the week remains firmly where it should be--on the reviled Cowgirls.
I had a great opportunity to interview Joe Theismann at a recent event at Fed Ex Field. The event was a Health Awareness program for veterans, sponsored in part by GlaxoSmithKline. In the beginning of the interview, I gave Joe a chance to speak about both the event itself as well as how he came to be a part of it. I had the opportunity to mingle around with some of the veterans' groups that had set up booths, and I have to tell you it was great to talk to so many folks who are doing so much to help both our current troops as well as former members of the military. I'd like to say a special thank you to the folks at Cohn & Wolfe for coordinating this interview with Hogs Haven and Joe Theismann. Video after the jump...
26 comments | 0 recs |
Hogs Haven Chats with Cowboys' blog, Blogging The Boys
by KevinE on Nov 19, 2009 3:15 PM EST
in Analysis
83 comments
David Halprin, who is the lead blogger for the Cowboys' SB Nation website, Blogging the Boys, and I had a brief gmail chat talking about the big game.
We talked about what their 2 major injuries mean (Colombo and Hamlin), why they refuse to run the ball, and if the DAL/WAS rivalry is still big in DAL (it's not). I tried throwing in some jabs to rile him up, but he didn't bite:
Kevin: What are your thoughts this Sunday? You have a lot of big injuries. Lets start with Doug Free replacing RT Marc Columbo...is he going to be able to handle [Andre Carter]? He's never started a game before
David: That's the question we all want answered. We've had Free for a few years now but never had the need to start him. Now we do. Free actually played well against the Packers and wasn't one of the problems our offense had in Green Bay. He's got great athleticism and did well in pass protection, we'll just have to see how he measures up this week.
Kevin: Did Witten have to stay in more to help pass block? That would help the Skins out a lot.
David: Not at all, Free was left on his own for most of the game in pass protection and only had a few bad plays in that area. They would probably use a different TE (Bennett or Phillips) or one of the backs if they give him help.
Kevin: What about Hamlin's replacement? I know he's one of the verbal leaders on that D.
David: That's a tough one, Alan Ball will replace him, he was originally a cornerback but he worked at safety most of training camp this season. He's not the biggest guy and not having Hamlin QB'ing the secondary will hurt some. Our safety play has improved a lot this season, but without Hamlin it's a little worrying.
Kevin: What's to worry about? Santana Moss never does any damage in Big D!
David: ha
Kevin: Flozell and Kosier going to be OK or gimpy? Haynesworth was still in a boot yesterday but expected to play.
83 comments | 0 recs
Redskins vs Cowboys: Haynesworth & Corner Blitzing are the Keys to Victory
by KevinE on Nov 19, 2009 10:19 AM EST
in Analysis
53 comments
Well, it's Cowboys week and if there's ever a time to stay medium, this is the week. Vegas opened the line with Cowboys as 13 point favorites, which America bold-heartedly disagrees with as the line has moved down to -11. In my weekly routine of combing over the opponent's offensive stats, the Cowboys are damn impressive. They average a 2nd best rushing yards per carry (5.1), but only rank 24th in the league in rushing attempts. Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett has been catching a LOT of heat this week in Big D for abandoning the run, so I expect the Skins D to face a lot of rushes early.
Their passing game is equally as scary with a league leading 11 passing plays that have gone for 40+ yards, while Romo has only given up a measly 6 INTs so far. November is Romo's month, 15-2 for his career, but alas....one of those losses was against the burgundy & gold.
Whichever team runs the ball well is going to win, and looking at the rushing statistics, it's clear Albert Hanyesworth is without doubt the key to this game. He was wearing a protective boot for his sprained ankle yesterday, but is expected to play. Special thanks to HH member PommyLee for putting the following graphs together.
This chart visualizes the power runs, which is the % success rate rushing the ball on 3rd or 4th down with under 2 yards to get the 1st down. Dallas has a 100% success rate running right in short yardage situations while Stephon Heyer and the Redskins have a 0% success rate running the same way:
Even though the Cowboys have a lot of success running right in short yardage situations, their success is running the ball left and up the middle. This next chart shows the number of rushes for each team left, right, and up the middle. Just under half of the Cowgirls' big play rushes are to the left. Phillip Daniels has his work cut out for him as this chart shows:
53 comments | 3 recs |
Getting to Know GM Chris Polian, Who Will Never Be the Redskins GM
I just came across this fantastic write-up from fellow SB Nation blog, Arrowhead Pride, from when they were searching for a GM. A couple of the points that stand out, which make me realize Mr. Snyder has 0% chance of acquiring him:
- How well would Polian draft without his team of scouts?
- Colts are fully (and publicly) committed to keeping him
- If he passed on the 49ers, Chiefs and ATL, why would he come to this mess?
It's a shame because that draft resume is outstanding.
3 days ago
KevinE
9 comments
0 recs
Redskins' Coach Watch: Mike Shanahan in D.C. Likely Means Cerrato Would Stay
by KevinE on Nov 18, 2009 7:15 AM EST
in Analysis
63 comments
In the previous Redskins Coach watch posts, we discovered that Mike Holmgren would not be a good fit in D.C., and Russ Grimm is worth at least a hard look.
Dan Snyder has quite the conundrum now doesn't he? Zorn is building some momentum, and at the same time two premier coaches, Shanahan and Cowher, have publicly rejected their desire to be the ringleader of this circus. We all know Snyder is the ultimate salesman using his wallet to do the talking. As we learned with Joe Gibbs return, there's nothing Snyder can't do in regards to acquiring personnel.
What's disconcerning is that Shanahan and Vinny Cerrato are still really close. Vinny was the Director of College Scouting in San Francisco during Shanahan's three-year stint (1992 to 1994) as the 49ers' offensive coordinator. They still keep in touch with Shanahan recommending RB Anthony Alridge. So, if Shanahan does come aboard, he more likely than not would be OK with Vinny retaining his title and the two working together. EESH!!!
I spoke in length with former Denver Bronco, Karl Mecklenburg, about Shanahan:
Hogs Haven: What are your thoughts on Mike Shanahan as the next coach in D.C.? I know things ended badly in Denver with three straight years of failing to make the playoffs.
63 comments | 1 recs |
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Redskins Schedule
@
New York Giants
|
Sun 09/13 | L 17 - 23 |
|
St. Louis
|
Sun 09/20 | W 9 - 7 |
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@
Detroit
|
Sun 09/27 | L 14 - 19 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
Sun 10/04 | W 16 - 13 |
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@
Carolina
|
Sun 10/11 | L 17 - 20 |
|
Kansas City
|
Sun 10/18 | L 6 - 14 |
|
Philadelphia
|
Mon 10/26 | L 17 - 27 |
|
@
Atlanta
|
Sun 11/08 | L 17 - 31 |
|
Denver
|
Sun 11/15 | W 27 - 17 |
|
@
Dallas
|
Sun 11/22 | 1:00 PM EST |
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@
Philadelphia
|
Sun 11/29 | 1:00 PM EST |
|
New Orleans
|
Sun 12/06 | 1:00 PM EST |
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@
Oakland
|
Sun 12/13 | 4:05 PM EST |
|
New York Giants
|
Mon 12/21 | 8:30 PM EST |
|
Dallas
|
Sun 12/27 | 8:20 PM EST |
|
@
San Diego
|
Sun 01/03 | 4:15 PM EST |
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