Redskins Postgame Thoughts
After dealing with an unruly web hosting company, working on my kitchen cabinets over the weekend and a visit from the in-laws, we’re back up and running somewhat close to normal again. We hope that the lack of your usual dealer and supply for Jets-laced crack didn’t send you into too bad of a withdrawal. For now, know that we are on a rock solid server, helped by people who take pride in their work should issues again arise. We’re actually riding piggyback with Matt Cerrone’s Metsblog … thanks Matt!
Here’s some thoughts I had postgame that were lost (with a few others, now that I’ve had to chew on it a bit). More coming today as well in specific posts.
Conspicuous Absences: Two regular starters were withheld from the game. WR Laveranues Coles missed the game due to a leg injury and wasn’t didn’t play, as well as DE Shaun Ellis who broke his hand a few weeks back. In their places, Brad Smith (indication to the #3?) and Mike DeVito started.
Favre’s Sack: From watching the play, it wasn’t the line’s fault, it was the running back. On a flood to the right side of the line, which was breaking down quickly all the same, it was the outside linebacker taking on the running back (who whiffed) and who got the sack. I can’t be sure it was Leon (70%) who blew the coverage, allowing Marcus Washington to wrap up Favre.
Clowney’s Injury: David Clowney had another great game, but unfortunately left the game due to an injury .. and could be out a while. Clowney has been a welcome surprise this summer, coming on strong in practice and games. The Jets are now faced with the unenviable position of shelving him, cutting him, or holding a roster spot for a player who can’t contribute indefinitely. My thought is that they will IR him.
Battle of the Backups: Clemens seems to continually be victimized by drops. Who’s fault is it? It’s not often that backup QBs get the chance to take snaps, and rookie Erik Ainge watched it all play out from the sideline. While Ratliff again outshone Clemens during the game, it seems that Mangini is very interested in working out the second slotting (as he should be) first, and then will let the third quarterback take care of itself. The fact that Ainge didn’t play at all only makes me think moreso that they are going to try and limit his exposure to other teams and sneak him onto the Injured Reserve … a tricky proposition for rookies as they pass through waivers to do so.
Depth at DE: DE Kenwin Cummings (who is more of a OLB or 4-3 DE) shone during the game with five tackles and an assist. Kareem Brown also played well, with four tackles and two assists of his own. Although DeVito started, Brown has a higher upside due to his athleticism and could propel him to more work over time with this team.
Dwight Swipe: Dwight keeps impressing, and is lobbying for more and more playing time. Continue to watch his preseason to see whether or not he might be able to start opposite Revis. Lowery had five tackles and was seen quickly during the game … on the Jets’ second defensive series.
Jesse Chatman Shines: Musa Smith had a good game two weeks ago, and this week was Chatham’s who ran 11 times for 45 yards. Whoever the Jets go with, the team will have a decent depth at running back going into the season should they need to call on a player down the roster. Look to see who contributes more on special teams the next two weeks.
Keller’s TD: This is exactly what we had hoped for and envisioned in adding Keller — a serious receving threat with versatility to complement another TE and create mismatches and confusion in the defensive secondary. The defenses will be on their heels, quite literally. With Franks lined up right and Keller lined up left in a Double-TE set from the four yard line. Franks pushed forward on his man to the right making the play look like a run (but from which he could have detangled and found an opening in the zone) and Keller make a quick cut left in the end zone, creating space from the safety and the linebacker for Favre to find him. Mixing and matching the Tight Ends strengths will be a key to making this offense better.
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About the sack — not sure who said it last night on SNY, but it looked like the play was designed to be a screen to Leon, but he wasn’t able to break out into the flat. So it wasn’t so much that he whiffed on the block, but that he couldn’t get away from the block.
Agree- totally looked like a busted screen, you could see the line had some good blocks going and then released after a couple seconds- One of the linebackers read it and held Leon up so he couldn’t release
One thing I would have added
Wallace Wright on Special Teams
On a punt he ran past the returner but turned around and caught him from behind after a 5yd gain,
Then on a kickoff he flew past the wall and tackled the returner at the 20yd line.
jerry matt and thurdeye, thanks for the thoughts!!
Why would you IR Clowney and eliminate him for the entire season? From what I’ve heard, worst -case scenario, he broke his collar bone and would miss several weeks. That would make him available for most of the season.
As it is, I think they are going to keep 6 WRs on the roster (including Clowney) but not have more than 5 active for each game.
Did anyone else think that Vernon was loafing on most plays? He really needs to intensify his game….
I agree with Matt and Jerry, the offensive line seemed to be moving backward initially on that play. Even if it wasn’t a screen, I don’t think Leon whiffed he just went with the inside rusher, which is what he’s supposed to do in that situation giving the QB the chance to step up in the pocket. Unfortunately, there were way too many free rushers to do so.
DCMike….
I was chatting with a friend over the weekend, who made the comment that Gholston looked lost and slow, and asked if I was worried. And honestly, I am not.
Keep in mind that right now, the coaching staff is throwing everything at him…the whole kitchen sink. So naturally, he’s lost. He’s out there thinking about where he should be, what his coverage responsibilities are in which defense, instead of just reacting. We’ve heard this story about a billion times about rookies, which is why I am not surprised nor worried about the fact that he looks “lost” or “slow” out there. I certainly haven’t seen any signs of him “not trying” or “loafing”. He just looks slow, like a guy who is thinking way too much.
I was listening to some sports show over the weekend, and the one analyst reminded everyone that this is what training camp is for (to throw everything at these guys). But that once the regular season starts, at least early in the season, Gholston’s only responsibility is going to be to pin his ears back and go get the QB. That’s it. No worries about pass coverage, who to cover, etc.. As the season goes on and he starts to “get it”, he’ll be given more responsibility, and thus, more regular playing time.
About Gholston, Chris Samuels said “He didn’t get by me in the passing game, but every time I blocked him I felt his power. He’s definitely going to have a good season.”
This is just the beginning no need to worry yet. Maybe after a few more weeks.
And that screen pass, I watched a few times, Leon actually took an inside trying to scrape one of the 3 pass rushers and that was a mistake. Not only that he was held it seems because he tried to duck and pull away from the lineman but couldn’t get free. if he had taken the outside he should have been loose.
What was up with Nugent missing two field goals?? this is not acceptable play from him
you 4got to mention our bad rush D bassett
i hope ratliff is the real deal
Gholston looked better than he did in his first debut. He made a few tackles in open space. He should continue to improve and he has great upside. You cant expect much from a rookie who missed spring training.
Did anyone see the block that Faneca had on the Dustin Keller TD play?? The DE was engaged with D’Brick and Faneca charged at him and pumbled him to the ground. It was awsome. That shows me that the guy is nasty and tough.
Favre looked really good and he was putting everything behind those passes. It was rockets coming off his right arm.
Calvin Pace looked pretty good too. He generated good pressure on one play where they injured the Qb from the redskins.
David Harris is making the pro bowl this year.. He his quick, fast and tough and dishes out punishment every play. I love this guy. He is going to be awsome this year and make everyone forget about Vilma.
First teams for the Jets on both sides of the ball looked pretty good. I am totally pumped for this year now that I am starting to see these guys play. I am starting to believe that we, at the very least, will be a very competetive team throught out the season…
GO JETS!!!!!
Smith starting for Coles may be an indication that he is in fact NOT the #3 reciever. He may be the second Y reciever rather than the first Z or slot. To me the fact that they kept Stuckey at the Z indicates he may be the starting slot. Make sense?
And Bassett– kitchen cabinets? Obviously you show no loyalty to your readership (click my name to see why).
Gholston looked lost on a number of play. That said, I think when the season starts he’s coming in just to rush the passer. The coaches are just putting him out there to get some experience in the system. Pace and Thomas will hold the fort until the light bulb goes on.
Anthony nice plug for company … I’ll give you a call when I’m ready to do my kitchen, any discounts for the loyal readers?
Well, imagine my chagrin to find out my hated 58 was not Kassel who recently went on IR but Chatham. It may be an evil thought but the wrong dude got hurt. The good news is that Cummings, Bowens, and others may make it possible to get rid of this poor excuse of a LB.
In the first quarter, I was singularly unimpressed with Kenyon Coleman
and BLT (he really does deserve the diminutive).
OTOH, it was great to see Favre sling it, Keller and Cotch catch it,
Smith do something not wrong.
I think Barrett is gone; Lowery plays and Miller looked OK as did Drew Coleman.
I liked what I saw from Pace. If Gholston ever develops, LB could be a position of strength as it should in a 3-4.
I don’t think Wallace Wright will ever be a starting WR for my team. But G-D damn! That man can play specials. I like to see him make tackles. He would be on my roster and Ball and Stuckey would be competing with Smith for the WR spots on my team. Clowney, even hurt would make my roster because I think he will be the #3 WR. The kid can play.
It is not his fault…that Huggies was the byproduct of the moronic trade for TE Doug Jolley… But unless Huggies kicks a SB winning kick or at least the kick that gives us the division championship over the Pats, for me, he will always blow dead rats. Another Bradway gift. In fact, I would not mind at all if they brought Feeley in or just cut Huggies! I am sick and tired of his short KO and his missed FG.
I sure hope James Ihedigbo is cut. Football smarts is what it is. Giving up the decisive play in the game is, in my mind, sufficient justification to cut him. Paul Raymond too. He had his chance and he muffed it.
I hope Eric gives Ratliff the chance to show his stuff with the first or second team against an opponent’s first or second team. before he makes his final decision. I suspect that Ratliff may actually be better than Clemens
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I’m happy Brett was sacked. He’s been given a free pass at times in camp and needs to get into game shape in all aspects. That sack hopefully started that.
Harlan - Agree with u on 2 main points- Get rid of Barrett and Nugent! Barrett is a soft CB, Lowery is really stepping up and hope he starts opposite Revis. Miller and Coleman are descent backups, and we also have Poteat who i thought held his own last year.
Nugent- If he stays on our team, he will be our weekest position, that might cost us our season by missing a key field goal or extra point in one or two close deciding games. He is my biggest fear on this team right now! He has been inconsistent over the last few years he has been on the team. Bring in Feeley or maybe even Vanderjack former kicker of the Colts who i believe is playing in an arena league or canada- but he has like the highest FG % just missed a couple of big FG for the colts in the playoffs; that scares me but at least he is solid in the regular season to at least get us to the playoffs.
Kenwin Cummings is a STUD and one of the leading tacklers on the team. We need him signed!