Redskins Week 1: Quick Thoughts

Given that it was yet another loss to the Giants (who really seem to have our number in the past few years), I actually come out of Week 1 somewhat optimistic. Sure, the first offensive touchdown didn't come until there were about 3 minutes left in the game, but a lot of the offense looked good. Let's see...

Jason Campbell: I thought he looked good, especially considering being under constant pressure. Still missing the big play, but it's hard to come by when there's a real limit on how long JC can hang out in the pocket.

O-Line: Dealt fairly well with the Giants pass rush I thought, which is maybe the best in football. Seems to be improved from last year, and I think the danger of a massive break-down in the 2nd half of the season is less than last year because the line is considerably younger, which would optimistically mean that they improve as the season wears on.

Portis: I was actually expecting almost nothing from Portis, but he looks like the same old Portis. CP seems to hold up with physical punishment better than any RB in the league, almost anyone else would be worthless by now.

Moss: Pretty bad game, looked frustrated from the outset. Really one of the only BAD aspects of the season's debut, but we know he's $$$ so I expect him to rebound.

D Line: Maybe not as sick as we all thought, but they were up against one of the best O-Lines in the league. Pretty damn good against the run, but left much to be desired in the pass-rush. Haynesworth looked strong, I was expecting a hell of a lot more disruption from Orakpo though, I think I heard his name uttered just once all game.

Linebackers: Solid.

Secondary: Gave up a lot of middle-range completions, but I owe that up to a great game by Eli Manning. And boy was that a nifty INT and return by Hall, exactly what we want him to do. And Chris Horton looks like the real deal. Overall, pretty good.


All in all, I think the Giants just looked like a very good team, from the top down, the type of team that is more than the sum of their parts. Perhaps a sense of urgency would've helped the Redskins win, but I think the game was decided by a few mistakes, no reason to panic yet. One thing we didn't see however was much of a contribution from Malcolm Kelly or Devin Thomas. That will have to change.

Bringing back the original Tough juice Format...

Ok maybe this blog should be more than a forum for me to bash Jason Campbell. So, let's go back to the pick a topic and give your 2 cents on it for 2 minutes formula.

I'll get it started i guess with last night's kickoff game between the steelers and Titans, ready GO!

Ok, i happen to believe that Big Ben is the best QB in the game right now. Maybe best is the wrong woord, but i worry about Tom Brady getting injured and peyton is more dedication than sheer talent. He buys time better than anymone obviously, and i don't think Big Ben gets enough credit for his accuracy, which is in my mind the best in the leaugue (again, after Brady).

And Kerry Collins can still do it apparently. I doubted him but if they can put up that fight against the Steelers, they can have similar success to last year. unfortunately, he's old, and sometimes old qbs run into trouble in the playoffs, a la last year, I wouldn't expect different this year, when he is yet another nfl season older.

What to Make of Jason Campbell

As if there was some notion by anyone that circumstances had changed, let us confirm for all that Redskins QB Jason Campbell is still very much on the hot seat. One of the most intriguing stories of the NFL preseason was how JC would respond to his own team attempting to trade him not once, but twice, the second time for a rookie QB who had never played an NFL down. If that doesn’t light a fire under a player, then nothing will. Unfortunately, if you’re a Redskins fan, his response in his first two preseason games has not been encouraging: 4 of 13 on passing attempts in five series for 43 yards. Not exactly catastrophic, but catastrophe was never Jason Campbell’s problem. His play has always resulted in more three and outs than interceptions, more of Coach Jim Zorn reluctantly sending out the punting unit, rather than slamming his clipboard to the ground over a costly turnover. He probably won’t do anything to lose the game for you, but he won’t conjure up any heroics to win the game either. It may be unfair to judge JC on five series in the preseason, several of them without his best offensive weapons. But thus far, the Redskins have seen essentially the same results that led them to attempt to trade him in the first place, albeit against the two most feared defenses in the NFL in the Ravens and Steelers (but hey, that’s what you’re up against in this league).
I’m not trying to turn up the heat, but the first pass attempt of the preaseason for Jets Quarterback Mark Sanchez (the aforementioned rookie who Redskins owner Dan Snyder apparently preferred to Campbell enough to attempt to trade for him) resulted in a 48-yard completion, outdoing Jason Campbell’s entire preseason performance in one play. Along with the lack of offensive starters (namely Clinton Portis and Santana Moss), Jason Campbell’s ragtag offensive line is a popular scapegoat for his pedestrian numbers. The lack of a deep and dependable receiver corps is also a legitimate disadvantage JC is facing. But unfortunately for him, Snyder isn’t going to wait around for an ideal situation to develop around the QB position; he wants results now. Typical Dan Snyder impatience: it is perhaps unreasonable, but then again, is it reasonable to believe from what we have seen that Campbell would flourish behind a strong O-line? Maybe it is, but it is a moot point because that scenario is unlikely to unfold during Campbell’s tenure as Redskins QB, he will have to play the cards he has been dealt.
No starting QB in the NFL needs a morale boost like Campbell. Fortunately, he has two more practice games before the real season starts, before every game that falls into the “Loss” column brings him closer to losing his starting job. Maybe the best thing that has happened for Campbell in the preseason has been the lackluster play of most of his backups, leaving the question of who could replace him for a full season with no clear answer. Campbell will not lose the starting job before week 1 of the NFL season, he should enjoy that wiggle-room while he can and play loose against the Patriots on Friday, take some chances downfield, regardless of his deathly fear of interceptions (it’s the preseason JC, take a chance!). A lack of offensive starters, a poor offensive line, another top tier NFL defense to battle against, will we be quoting one or all of these excuses for another forgettable outing by Campbell? Or will we be exhaling as Campbell goes out there and gets it done, regardless of who he is playing with, or against. It isn’t do-or-die time yet, but it’s fast approaching.

Pro Bowl Redskins

For the first time ever, EVER, there will be a lot of Redskins making the Pro Bowl.  It's about bloody time.  Obviously the best part of Zorn getting the most out of our highly-talented roster is the winning record, but it will be nice to see a lot of our ProBowl caliber players get recognition.  Here are my predictions:

DEFINITELY making the Pro Bowl

-Carlos Rogers

-Clinton Portis (even tho he 100 yard games streak might end vs the Steelers)

-Chris Cooley

Most Certainly making the Pro Bowl

-Chris Samuels (He makes it every year and probably deserves more than ever before right now, just the last game he missed troubles me)

-Santana Moss (There's a lotta good receivers around, but I'd be shocked if he didn't make it)

Maybe making it

-Jason Campbell (it's possible)

-London Fletcher (I think he might get the 'well he really deserves it' nod, but he's having a pro bowl year nonetheless)

-Mike Sellers (Same deal as Fletcher I guess, especially when you're blocking for the leading rusher in the league right now)

-Chris Horton (this spot is always reserved for that idiot Roy Williams of the Cowboys, but he's out and I don't recall this being a terribly deep position, so HEY, if he adds another pick or fumble recovery before voting ends then why not??)

Roy Williams and Sarah Palin

I just realized that Roy Williams is the Sarah Palin of the Dallas Cowboys.  It's the exact same scenario:  A sinking ship (Dallas Cowboys/GOP) is losing ground to a hip, cool up-and-coming rival (Washington Redskins, or the whole NFL or NFC East anyway/Barack Obama) and things are generally looking disastrous.  So, in a panicky all-or-nothing move, each of them go after a partner that nobody expected (Roy Williams/Sarah Palin) to shake things up and distract everybody from the bad.  The media and fans were initially won over by the sheer shock  and excitement of the move, but not long after, reality set in and both newly-acquired stars were clearly not up to the job they are gunning for (being VP/being TO).  And all of this tomfoolery because an old man whose best days are behind him says he will do anything to win, but he just can't keep a level head (Jerry Jones/John McCain).  And come January, neither will be anywhere in sight...

It's about to get worse for the Cowboys

...That's hard to believe after getting smashed by the revived St. Louis Rams in Texas Stadium, but this coming Sunday should be even more depressing for the Cowboys.  They will face the Bucs, one of the toughest teams in the league, and a coach who knows Brad Johnson's style as well as anyone does.  Brad Johnson is so  terrible by now that this really is just unfair, Jon Gruden is going to destroy him.  I'm predicting 2 picks thrown by Johnson at the very least and probably  (definitely) more, something around 4-5 sacks and throw in a few fumbles too.  We all know that crazy look that Jon Gruden gets in his eye and somehow I feel like he's got it in for the QB that won him a Superbowl.  This game would be a statement, saying "Brad Johnson filled in at the position to allow us win the big game, but it was my Defense that won everything", which we all already know, but what better way to prove it than smashing BJ into the ground A LOT this Sunday.  I happen to be the biggest opponent of playing OLD Quarterbacks (old is anything over 36) in the world.  Obviously prolific passers such as Favre and Kurt Warner are an exception, but think about this: Jon Gruden benched Brad Johnson's sorry ass in 2004, when he knew he couldn't cut it anymore.  That was four years ago, imagine how unafraid Gruden is right now of Johnson's arm.

So one of two things will happen, or likely both: Brad Johnson has a horrible, ghastly 0.0 QB rating sorta-game OR he will be injured by the menacing Buccaneers.  Like I said, I can see both these happening...actually, possibility 1 is a sure thing, so the only question is will he be injured?  My question is what can the Cowboys possibly do when they realize they can't win a game with him?  I have no idea, and if I was a Dallas fan, I think I'd even be beyond the point of denial by now.  With the Giants and Redskins leading the NFC East and the Eagles giving everyone trouble as well, their season could be over. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

In the below entry I said that the Bills and Titans were the teams to beat in the AFC.  Completely forgot about the Steelers.  I think Big Ben and crew could beat both of these teams back to back.  Unfortunately, the Steelers especially violent brand of football seems to backfire on them and every single game is a dogfight.  Somehow I just don't see them two and a half months from now without some serious injuries.  Then again, I'm surprised they've lasted this long so maybe they'll prove me wrong.