Well, need we no longer dwell on Saturday night’s embarrassing performance. Does it really get worse than that? Did it invoked horrific memories of the Patriots crushing 52-7 win over the Redskins last year? Well, it should, because it was just as bad.
Are there or should there be lingering concerns from Saturday? It was just a pre-season game. So who cares? Not so fast. Have you ever seen the Redskins offensive line dominated so badly? Wasn’t a healthy offensive line suppose to be a strong suit in 2008? I still think it was an aberration, but I must admit, these guys were tossed around like little teddy bears and they should be thoroughly embarrassed, and humiliated. Now, there is one legit concern I have. It is a grave concern because it makes two consecutive weeks this occurred —- poor tackling. I would not be too concerned if, like the offensive line, it was just a bad week. BUT, this is the second week in a row this defense completely failed to execute basic fundamental tackling. The defensive lien got owned and the Linebackers played poorly. Basic fundamentals fellas, basic fundamentals go along way.
Onward to the news wire …
As we reported yesterday, Jason Taylor’s MRI had good news, is just a sprain, however, he will likely miss 10-14 days, perhaps the season opener and snapping his 130 game consecutive streak. It is not certain yet, just how long Taylor will be out, but the Redskins and Taylor dodged a huge bullet, because the injury looked worse than it was.
Two rookies made huge impacts this summer and were rewarded. Looks like both mid-round picks, Safeties Kareem Moore and Chris Horton have made the roster. Veteran Vernon Fox was released, along with DE Dorian Smith and DT Babatunde Oshinowo. Fox’s release signals confidence in the rookies both on the field and on special teams.
Jim Zorn is fitting in very well and the marriage of the Skins and Zorn seems to be working out just fine. Some evidence of the differences in former Redskins coach Joe Gibbs and Zorn;
Casey Rabach said. “He wanted everything perfect, always so focused on the goal. Not saying that Coach Z isn’t as competitive or intense, but he’s got a different way of going about it. He can make a joke, he can keep it a little bit light, and people aren’t on pins and needles around him.”
Evidence that maybe part of the problem of the Gibbs II era is the players were so uptight trying to do what Gibbs wanted.
No one wants to bash a departed icon, but, as receiver James Thrash put it: “Change is good at times.” Even those who were close to Gibbs admit that Zorn’s optimism is wonderfully infectious.
More evidence. It is more than just these quotes, but quotes from other players in earlier articles. Generally, the players are taking more to Zorn than they did with Gibbs. The style is more player friendly. Now, the players just have to learn to play in the system.
“He’s done a great job with this team attitude-wise. I think the guys are responding. I think the guys are enjoying it. They’re having fun at practice. He generates a great optimism.”
Good. Now, the new task, how about getting players optimistic about executing the fundamentals of tackling and blocking, that would be a great start!
As for injuries, Gary Fitzgerald reports that Matt Sinclair is back from back spasms and Jon Jansen will be out just a few days with a foot sprain.
If the starters are thinking they will get off light on Thursday, well, they may just have to forget it.
Typically, veteran starters don’t play in a team’s final preseason game.
“That’s something I’m going to discuss,” he said. “I’m open to it. I may have to do that just based on what we did [against Carolina].
Certainly, at least for one quarter, this offense needs to get on the same page and the offensive line needs to reestablish control. After at 47-3 bombing, I would put the starters in, period. But it is a delicate balance that only Zorn can ponder.
Zorn, however, must balance his desire for a strong performance from the top players against the potential for injury in another meaningless preseason game. Washington’s outing against the Carolina stunned Zorn, and he would rather begin the season on a positive note
Few things in regards to what we know so far on who plays Thursday, who does not. Looks like Malcolm Kelly and Matt Sinclair are a go, Laron Landry is likely not. That means Landry enters week one without a single quarter of pre-season under him.
Rick Snider chimes in on whether to push that little panic button yet. I agree with what Rick is saying. No need to depress the button just yet, but it is ok to at least rest your finger tip on it. Why? I just don’t like what I am seeing on both defensive fronts. The blocking on the OLine has been mediocre at best, awful at times. The defensive line is getting shredded and they seem to have forgotten the days of high school and college where they were drilled the importance of wrapping players up and making tackles. Again, this has nothing to do with ‘just that one game’ this is now two consecutive games with some very suspect performances.
By the way, if you missed or did not have a chance to see Zorn’s presser, post game, go tot Matt Terl’s official Redskins blog, he’ll fill you in. I was glad to see Zorn lay the criticism where it belonged, on the pathetic play of the offensive line. Article after article above, I read that Jason Campbell has to learn not to hold on to the ball so long. Sorry if I missed it or failed to pick it up, but I just do not concur. JC had NO TIME to hold on to the ball.
Hey, Chris Cooley was about as honest as you get.
It was like we brought out our JV team to play the state championship. 47-3! I just don’t think any excuse is going to cut it this week.Nothing to say other than they kicked our asses all over the field. The 10 year old girl who sang the National Anthem could have taken my place in the post game interviews to explain how bad the Redskins looked. For that matter, she could have gotten some of her friends together and put on the Burgundies.
A colorful Cooley. Cooley also gives insight, as a player, on how the players will look at this and move on.
Of course much concern will invade the Redskins after this week, but hopefully there is compensation in our trial. A confident 3-0 team has been humbled with more than enough time to inventory our problems. It seems unlikely, but everyone has something to learn from a loss like the one we just took. We will also have a new motivation to improve as a team. There is no question in my mind whether or not this team will show up to Redskins Park ready to work. This loss will do nothing inside the locker room besides renew vigor – and for the first time in the past couple weeks I can’t wait to get back to practice.
Good attitude by Mr. Cooley. I can only hope guys like Chris Samuels, Pete Kendall, Randy Thomas, Casey Rabach, Anthony Montgomery, Andre Carter, London Fletcher, Rocky McIntosh and more come in with that same kick ass attitude that Cooley writes here.
Ok, onward we go.
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