Offense, Defense, Special Teams

[casmith07]

Here's a small thread idea for game days - what are your concerns? Even if you think we'll have a thumping victory, list one concern on each of our units.

Offense - My chief concern here is the running game. Are we going to be able to get it going? I think our running woes are two fold, one being that our new offensive line has yet to gel and that we've run into some staunch run defenses in Weeks 1 and 2. We've seen moderate success, mostly running outside where our linemen excel in space due to their mobility. Hopefully this week we can get it going between the tackles, which will help to bring defenders into the box and isolate our WRs and Jason Witten in the passing game.

Defense - My main concern with the defense this week is the game against Mike Shanahan's offense and his love of the naked bootleg passes. Rex Grossman running the football is not a concern, but we have gotten burned often by the Skins the last season or so from the bootleg pass - it seems as if our defense would always get fooled, leaving Santana Moss or Chris Cooley wide open on the opposite side of the field for a big gain. Hopefully we don't let that happen this year.

Special Teams - here, my primary concern is simply field position. If we lose the field position battle, the Commanders are good enough that they will score. If we win the field position battle, however, it can be a long day for the Skins.


What are yours?

 

[peplaw06]

Offense -- Is Dez going to be effective? And if not, will Ogletree, Holley, Davis, and/or Robinson step up to take pressure of Witten being the only receiving threat?

Defense -- Stop the run, first and foremost. If they can run the ball, that is going to open up Santana Moss.

Special Teams -- just don't make any dumb mistakes here. No blocked punts or long returns.

 

[wconn1979]

Offense: My main concern is mistakes. We need to sustain drives, take time off the clock and get points on the board. We need to cut out penalties, and missed blocks that kill drives.

Defense: Stop the run and make Gross Rexman go to the air more. We need to get plenty of pressure on the QB and wait for him to self destruct.

Special Teams: Good coverages on returns and win the field position battle.

 

[Doomsday101]

Offense: 1st and foremost protect Romo. One guy who I think will have a big opportunity in this game is Marcellus Bennett and would not be surprised to see him come up big.

Defense: Control the Skins running game and keep them in long situations. If we do that then we can give Grossman a hard time with the rush and force mistakes by him.

Special teams: If Buehler who is dealing with an injury can't go then coverage team needs to step up and make plays

 

[HoosierCowboy]

I'm a broken record, but:

1. no turnovers
2. no big plays
3. no big mistakes (clips, blocked punts, big returns, missed FGs)

the biggest one is turnovers
if we don't turn it over, we win

 

[Doomsday]

Stop the Run
Hit Sexy Rexy
Win Turn Over Battle

 

[Yeagermeister]

Offense: No holding penalties that negate game winning tds

Defense: No last second field goals or tds

ST: No blocked punts or kicks for tds

 

[Zman5]

Offense- Playcalling. No shotgun empty back sets.
Defense - Our safeties against their TE.
St - No more missing gimme FGs.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Offense - Can our interior OL hold up?
Defense - Stop the run. We do that, our pass rush can be successful.
Special Teams - Dont allow Brandon Banks much space on PRs. He's probably as fast as Tedd Ginn.

 

[Jenky]

For offense? It's going to be about pass protection here. They [Commanders] have been all out blitzing in their first two games.

Defense - Fred Davis is probably their biggest weapon. Not even sweating Newman on Moss. Newman has played pretty good against two people throughout his career. Santana Moss and Steve Smith.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Offense - just no more injuries please.

Defense - 3rd downs with Ball and either of the Brooking/James pairing limits our coverage abilities. Can only scheme to cover one or the other most times.

Special teams - I am beginning to the point where I am wondering where DeCammillis got his accolades from. We kept two kickers, McCray, Holley, Ball and use guys like Lee to help out yet on every kick I am fearful of the outcome. Our special teams have not been special despite obvious roster attention.

 

[shockandroll]

Offense -- Is Dez going to be effective? And if not, will Ogletree, Holley, Davis, and/or Robinson step up to take pressure of Witten being the only receiving threat?

Defense -- Stop the run, first and foremost. If they can run the ball, that is going to open up Santana Moss.

Special Teams -- just don't make any dumb mistakes here. No blocked punts or long returns.

I agree with you. I'll add I think the defense needs to get a turnover or two or at least force some 3 and outs. We need to set the tone and not let their offense get rolling. We also need to keep them from scoring so our offense can manage the game and not have to put a bunch of points on the board.