Week 7: Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down

The weekly Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down, week 7.  We give two thumbs up and two thumbs down each week.  These are NOT your stars of the game, these are players that did something that stood out, extra efforts, amazing plays, hard work, etc…and two that well, did something pretty horrendous, bad play, or something boneheaded.   Don’t agree with us?  Well, comment!

First, the positive, the Thumbs Up.

Thumbs Up Number One, RB Clinton Portis. The NFL’s leading rusher put on another impressive performance today, rushing for 175 yards on 27 carries and scoring one TD.  Portis ran hard, absolutely hard today, following his blockers religiously and picking up some serious yardage on second efforts.  He also had three nice runs over 15 yards.  Portis is having his finest season since signing with the Redskins and is thriving in this Jim Zorn offense.  It’s also a great testament to this offensive line.

Honorable Mention:  WR Santana Moss.  Moss had three nice catches which he turned each into bigger plays with yards after the catch, including his 4th TD reception.  Moss finished 4 catches for 75 yards.

Thumbs Up Number Two, LB London Fletcher.  How many nice plays can a guy make in one game.  Fletcher was tremendous today.  He had two tackles for losses in which, just watching him you knew he would make the plays, he read QB Derek Anderson perfectly.  One of those plays came on the goal line stand near the end of the game, dropping a screen pass for a 3 yard loss.  Fletcher’s pursuit, aggressiveness, and speed led the defense today, a defense that for the most part, completely smothered the Browns and kept Derek Anderson off his game.  Fletcher led the Redskins defense with 7 tackles and 5 assists, not surprising.

Honorable Mention:  DT Kedric Golston and CB Carlos Rogers.  Golston had a real nice game today, racking up 5 tackles and an assist, applying nice pressure on Anderson, and getting a critical pass deflection.  Carlos Rogers was the master in the secondary today for most of the game.  Personally, I think Rogers is playing at a pro bowl level and should be receiving some serious consideration.  With Shawn Springs out, and even when Shawn Springs is in, Rogers still provides some of the best play in the Redskins secondary.  He is by far, coming off serious knee surgery, having his finest year as a Redskin.  I know my  partner in crime here at DCPSR (Spence) sings the praises of Springs, rightfully so, but the fact is, from my perspective, Rogers is the best cornerback on this team this season.

Now, the bad.  The Two Thumbs Down.

First Thumbs Down, RB Clinton Portis.  Yes Clinton, we cancel you out by giving a thumbs down.  Why?  Under 5 minutes left in the game, in open field, you protect that football.  The fact you had a turnover that late int he game, earns you this award as well, Sorry Clinton .
Second Thumbs Down, the Kicking Game.  I don’t know if it was the snapper’s fault, the holder’s fault, or entirely Shaun Shuisham’s fault, but missing a field goal is hard to take, missing a 36 yarder is just, well, wrong.  Just damn wrong.   That last field goal attempt by Cleveland would not have mattered if the kicking unit just executes a simply 36 yard field goal.