Chuck 54
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 20,513
- Reaction score
- 12,526
I'm glad to hear about the turmoil among Commanders fans, and especially over at Extremeskins...that is heartwarming, especially for a guy who lives in Richmond, VA. However, what fans think means nothing come Sunday. The fact was proven in preseason...Brunnell outplayed Ramsey by a ton, and I, for one, was actually surprised at how loyal Gibbs was to his word with Ramsey despite his preseason struggles. This decision wasn't made based on his 3 offensive series Sunday, though he did have at least 2 turnovers in that time. It was probably watching the game film and seeing that what transpired in preseason was continuing.
I saw most of the Commanders' preseason games (by default, living in Commanders country), and I can tell you that Brunnell not only looked like he had his young legs again, moving quickly around in the pocket and even taking off running for the occasional first down, but he had all the arm one needs...he had plenty of zip on the ball on the deep outs and skinny posts, but he also had something Ramsey didn't...touch when needed.
I don't fear him, but those who disrespect him may be in for a surprise...imo, this is a definite upgrade to a veteran who has won before...not entirely unlike our resurrecting Drew Bledsoe, folks.
Here are the issues I am most concerned about in this game, in no particular order:
1. Our special teams coverage units, both kickoff and punt...the skins love their speedy return guy, and while good coverage nullifies his effectiveness, we'd better not give him the huge opportunities to speed up the field untouched like we did last Sunday with Sproiles...we mustn't lose the battle for field position on special teams, because I don't expect our units to do much in our own return game...if I'm wrong, it would be a pleasant surprise.
2. Our LB's are not very big or very good...The Skins had a great day rushing the ball against a very stout defense in Chicago. They are better up front than in the past, and Portis has gained 20 lbs of muscle since last season...wow! He's got some serious arms and seemed to actually be seeking out contact on Sunday, almost always moving forward....I like that if we get Roy on him...hehehe...but not our Inside backers who do a great job of dragging guys down, but not a good job of stopping guys in their tracks.
Our biggest weakness last week was off the corner...the 3-4 counts on the OLB and the CB/S to stop that play...it's way too easy to trap the DE inside. Ware killed us off the corner on Sunday...Ogbogu did a better job with outside leverage on one play I saw him, and Ware got better, but when the Skins run that damned "counter-tre" and pull their OG and OT to lead off-tackle, I'm sure hoping they are running it strong-side towards Roy and not weak-side where we could be counting on our OLB/CB to stop that play.
3. On offense, I expect us to move the ball effectively IF we handle the constant blitzes...Arrington and Washington may be two of the better passrushing LB's in the league, and Williams then surprises you with the Safety and even the Corner blitz.
4. What will they do with Shaun Taylor? If they use him to help in the deep patrol, I think this will be a good game for Witten, who can't be covered by their SS or LB's, imo. If they use Taylor on Witten, I think Crayton has another huge game in the slot.
5. We have to run the ball effectively...that is a must this week, imo. The Commanders live defensively off the big plays, blitzing against the pass and the run...they are not a "bend-but-don't-break" defense (that's actually more our philosophy)...If we can run JJ inside against their new MLB, that will bode very well for our offense.
On paper, our defenses are probably pretty equal...theirs is proven...ours is developing, but looked good for 1 game. Our offense should win this game if Bledsoe and company continue to protect the football and not give the Skins any short fields on which to score. I think some of you will really be surprised by Portis' newfound toughness and muscle...he's a dangerous "go the distance" guy, but there's no way they beat us through the air.
6. We must get pressure on the QB, especially on 3rd down. We may have kept our DL fresh last week, but Brees lit us up on 3rd down...The skins are very good in pass protection...as always, 3rd down will be a key for the success of our defense.
I pick the Cowboys over the Commanders by at least 10 points...I'm very confident based on what I saw in both games last Sunday. However, as we all know with professional football, teams seldom look the same two weeks in a row in this league. We cannot give the Commanders field position due to special teams play or turnovers....this game should be in the bag, but I don't believe for a second that it is....This game could just as easily turn into a real BATTLE, imo.
I saw most of the Commanders' preseason games (by default, living in Commanders country), and I can tell you that Brunnell not only looked like he had his young legs again, moving quickly around in the pocket and even taking off running for the occasional first down, but he had all the arm one needs...he had plenty of zip on the ball on the deep outs and skinny posts, but he also had something Ramsey didn't...touch when needed.
I don't fear him, but those who disrespect him may be in for a surprise...imo, this is a definite upgrade to a veteran who has won before...not entirely unlike our resurrecting Drew Bledsoe, folks.
Here are the issues I am most concerned about in this game, in no particular order:
1. Our special teams coverage units, both kickoff and punt...the skins love their speedy return guy, and while good coverage nullifies his effectiveness, we'd better not give him the huge opportunities to speed up the field untouched like we did last Sunday with Sproiles...we mustn't lose the battle for field position on special teams, because I don't expect our units to do much in our own return game...if I'm wrong, it would be a pleasant surprise.
2. Our LB's are not very big or very good...The Skins had a great day rushing the ball against a very stout defense in Chicago. They are better up front than in the past, and Portis has gained 20 lbs of muscle since last season...wow! He's got some serious arms and seemed to actually be seeking out contact on Sunday, almost always moving forward....I like that if we get Roy on him...hehehe...but not our Inside backers who do a great job of dragging guys down, but not a good job of stopping guys in their tracks.
Our biggest weakness last week was off the corner...the 3-4 counts on the OLB and the CB/S to stop that play...it's way too easy to trap the DE inside. Ware killed us off the corner on Sunday...Ogbogu did a better job with outside leverage on one play I saw him, and Ware got better, but when the Skins run that damned "counter-tre" and pull their OG and OT to lead off-tackle, I'm sure hoping they are running it strong-side towards Roy and not weak-side where we could be counting on our OLB/CB to stop that play.
3. On offense, I expect us to move the ball effectively IF we handle the constant blitzes...Arrington and Washington may be two of the better passrushing LB's in the league, and Williams then surprises you with the Safety and even the Corner blitz.
4. What will they do with Shaun Taylor? If they use him to help in the deep patrol, I think this will be a good game for Witten, who can't be covered by their SS or LB's, imo. If they use Taylor on Witten, I think Crayton has another huge game in the slot.
5. We have to run the ball effectively...that is a must this week, imo. The Commanders live defensively off the big plays, blitzing against the pass and the run...they are not a "bend-but-don't-break" defense (that's actually more our philosophy)...If we can run JJ inside against their new MLB, that will bode very well for our offense.
On paper, our defenses are probably pretty equal...theirs is proven...ours is developing, but looked good for 1 game. Our offense should win this game if Bledsoe and company continue to protect the football and not give the Skins any short fields on which to score. I think some of you will really be surprised by Portis' newfound toughness and muscle...he's a dangerous "go the distance" guy, but there's no way they beat us through the air.
6. We must get pressure on the QB, especially on 3rd down. We may have kept our DL fresh last week, but Brees lit us up on 3rd down...The skins are very good in pass protection...as always, 3rd down will be a key for the success of our defense.
I pick the Cowboys over the Commanders by at least 10 points...I'm very confident based on what I saw in both games last Sunday. However, as we all know with professional football, teams seldom look the same two weeks in a row in this league. We cannot give the Commanders field position due to special teams play or turnovers....this game should be in the bag, but I don't believe for a second that it is....This game could just as easily turn into a real BATTLE, imo.
