How great is it to open the season with a win. Depsite the fact that our prize QB had a poor outing against Miami (0 TD's and 2 INT's), the running game was in fine form and regardless of whether you win in regulation or OT, it's great to have a win.
Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts seemed to coexist pretty well and my biggest concern following the loss is the fact that the Skins may have lost Jon Jansen for the season. In nine NFL seasons Jansen had played in every game except for one year and now it looks like Washington will be dependent on a rookie (former Maryland Terp Stephon Heyer) or a journeyman (Todd Wade) to plug the hole.
It was injuries to key players that cost the Skins last year but it was an injury to Patrick Ramsey the year before that showed us Mark Brunell had one more playoff run in him. Sunday's game against Philly will tell us how much the Jansen injury will affect this season. If Heyer or Wade can fill in well, we could witness a season similar to 2005 and we can truly forget 2006.
Showing posts with label Miami Dolphins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miami Dolphins. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Game 1: Redskins vs. Dolphins
Miami at Washington
1 p.m. at FedEx Field
It's the first week of the season and I'm already having trouble keeping up so this will be a streamlined post.
The games finally count so now we get to see what the Skins look like with guys like Clinton Portis, Marcus Washington, and Chris Samuels returning to the lineup this team looks good on paper. But then again it seems like they always look good on paper so hopefully this team will translate well to the field.
Hail to the Redskins.
1 p.m. at FedEx Field
It's the first week of the season and I'm already having trouble keeping up so this will be a streamlined post.
The games finally count so now we get to see what the Skins look like with guys like Clinton Portis, Marcus Washington, and Chris Samuels returning to the lineup this team looks good on paper. But then again it seems like they always look good on paper so hopefully this team will translate well to the field.
Hail to the Redskins.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Preseason Game 4 recap
It was a tale of 2 halves at Jacksonville on Thursday so similar to the game, I will leave you with 2 thoughts regarding last nights preseason loss.
1. Jason Campbell looked good and the offense seemed to move the ball with him in command. The best part is the offense has had some success this preseason without Clinton Portis playing a single down. So add a healthy Portis to this group and hopefully we have a repeat of 2005. The starting defense has also played well all year and it is obvious that as long as this team is healthy it is a lot better than the 5 win team of last year.
2. Jacksonville's TD at the end of the 1st half really changed the flow of the game and in his only action this preseason Jordan Palmer proved he is no Carson. I don't know what the long term hopes are for him but I would have thought that it would have been better for his development if he actually played when the games don't count. He is destined for the practice squad but if the Skins have decided to get rid of Mark Brunell then there is a very raw No. 3 QB in the wings.
BONUS: Ok, after typing the first two thoughts I remembered I had 1 more - and it has nothing to do with QB's. This team in LOADED at LB. I watched most of the first half and part of the second but the play of guys like Anthony Trucks and HB Blades has really been impressive, which makes it hard to figure who will actually make the final roster. Depending on which LBs are cut you know they will bounce back with another team and it has really been fun watching the defense in general.
The games count starting next week so hopefully all of this will translate into a season opening win against Miami. Hail to the Redskins
1. Jason Campbell looked good and the offense seemed to move the ball with him in command. The best part is the offense has had some success this preseason without Clinton Portis playing a single down. So add a healthy Portis to this group and hopefully we have a repeat of 2005. The starting defense has also played well all year and it is obvious that as long as this team is healthy it is a lot better than the 5 win team of last year.
2. Jacksonville's TD at the end of the 1st half really changed the flow of the game and in his only action this preseason Jordan Palmer proved he is no Carson. I don't know what the long term hopes are for him but I would have thought that it would have been better for his development if he actually played when the games don't count. He is destined for the practice squad but if the Skins have decided to get rid of Mark Brunell then there is a very raw No. 3 QB in the wings.
BONUS: Ok, after typing the first two thoughts I remembered I had 1 more - and it has nothing to do with QB's. This team in LOADED at LB. I watched most of the first half and part of the second but the play of guys like Anthony Trucks and HB Blades has really been impressive, which makes it hard to figure who will actually make the final roster. Depending on which LBs are cut you know they will bounce back with another team and it has really been fun watching the defense in general.
The games count starting next week so hopefully all of this will translate into a season opening win against Miami. Hail to the Redskins
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
2007 Previews: Miami Dolphins
Note: This is a team-by-team look previewing the 2007 season. These are my official thoughts on how I think things will play out.
Last year: 6-10 (fourth in AFC East)
Best additions: Joey Porter (LB, Steelers) and Trent Green (QB, Chiefs)
Key personnel loss: Wes Welker (WR, Patriots)
2007 outlook: Say what you will about Porter's last year in Pittsburgh and his lack of production, but any defense that boasts Porter, Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas is a defense I would not want to face, even if most of the guys are on the downside of their careers. That trio, along with a decent supporting cast, would have Dolphins fans thinking playoffs if the offense wasn't in such a mess.
Other than Ronnie Brown and Chris Chambers (both of whom have their own struggles from time to time), the Dolphins have no other consistent weapons on offense, meaning this team will struggle to stay out of the AFC East cellar again this year. Now I am a John Beck fan and think he is an NFL-caliber QB based on his body of work at BYU, but I think he may be a year away from actually contributing something consistently. And with the Daunte Culpepper experiment lasting only one season and the Green era now underway, hopefully Beck will get that much needed year of learning on the sideline to adjust to the NFL.
Key to success: This season will ride entirely on the offense. If Green can somehow get steady production out of guys like Brown, Chambers and TE Randy McMichael, the Phins may actually be okay. The playoffs may still be a year away, but any progress towards a good season has to be encouraging for Phins fans.
Against Washington: The Skins will look to erase the disaster that was the 2006 season by posting a convincing win against the visiting Dolphins in the season opener. Of course Miami will be looking to do the same, so whichever team comes out on top may set the tone for a good season.
Fantasy sleeper: John Beck. Green is no spring chicken and after last year's horrific accident in which he missed most of the season, one has to wonder how long he can stay healthy this year. And with top level QB's always at a premium in fantasy play, Beck could provide a much anticipated boost if he is needed to come in at some point. And if the Dolphins 2007 begins to mirror 2006, look for them to get Beck some playing time so he can be ready to lead them to a winning season in 2008.
Last year: 6-10 (fourth in AFC East)
Best additions: Joey Porter (LB, Steelers) and Trent Green (QB, Chiefs)
Key personnel loss: Wes Welker (WR, Patriots)
2007 outlook: Say what you will about Porter's last year in Pittsburgh and his lack of production, but any defense that boasts Porter, Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas is a defense I would not want to face, even if most of the guys are on the downside of their careers. That trio, along with a decent supporting cast, would have Dolphins fans thinking playoffs if the offense wasn't in such a mess.
Other than Ronnie Brown and Chris Chambers (both of whom have their own struggles from time to time), the Dolphins have no other consistent weapons on offense, meaning this team will struggle to stay out of the AFC East cellar again this year. Now I am a John Beck fan and think he is an NFL-caliber QB based on his body of work at BYU, but I think he may be a year away from actually contributing something consistently. And with the Daunte Culpepper experiment lasting only one season and the Green era now underway, hopefully Beck will get that much needed year of learning on the sideline to adjust to the NFL.
Key to success: This season will ride entirely on the offense. If Green can somehow get steady production out of guys like Brown, Chambers and TE Randy McMichael, the Phins may actually be okay. The playoffs may still be a year away, but any progress towards a good season has to be encouraging for Phins fans.
Against Washington: The Skins will look to erase the disaster that was the 2006 season by posting a convincing win against the visiting Dolphins in the season opener. Of course Miami will be looking to do the same, so whichever team comes out on top may set the tone for a good season.
Fantasy sleeper: John Beck. Green is no spring chicken and after last year's horrific accident in which he missed most of the season, one has to wonder how long he can stay healthy this year. And with top level QB's always at a premium in fantasy play, Beck could provide a much anticipated boost if he is needed to come in at some point. And if the Dolphins 2007 begins to mirror 2006, look for them to get Beck some playing time so he can be ready to lead them to a winning season in 2008.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Think McFly, think
Did Joe Gibbs pay attention to his team last year or to who he was bringing back this season? The one GLARING, OBVIOUS (insert choice of adjective here) need on this team was to bolster the pass rush. And after not addressing the situation in free agency, it was obvious the Redskins would draft some defensive linemen here, wasn't it?
Apparently not. Already working with a depleted talent pool to select from in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, Washington added two linebackers, a quarterback and a tight end to go with yesterday's only choice - LaRon Landry.
Nothing against Bennie Blades linebacker son H.B. Blades or Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer's brother Jordan Palmer - but WE NEED LINEMEN. Blades may actually be of some benefit as he can provide depth for a potential problem spot at inside linebacker, but did we really need to take a QB we will never use over a lineman who may have had a shot at the team?
I said yesterday that I don't want to question Gibbs, especially since he three Super Bowl titles should give him a free pass at judgment with moves this time of the year, but I sure hope he knows something we don't otherwise our LBs and DBs will be in for a REALLY long season.
I think the only team who was more confused than the Skins this weekend was the Miami Dolphins - who passes on Brady Quinn in Round 1 for Ted Ginn in Round 1 and John Beck in Round 2? In fact I think Mel Kiper summed up Miami's first day perfectly:
"The Miami Dolphins taking Ted Ginn Jr. was ridiculous. Not only did they have QB Quinn staring them in the face, but they weren't going to have to trade up to get him. I understand Miami took QB John Beck in the second round, but Beck is not better than Quinn. Those two QBs will be measured against one another as time goes on."
Since I am too frustrated to talk about this mockery of a draft, here is Sports Illustrated's breakdown on the Skins thought process. And here are Kiper's grades for each team, and what he specifically said about the Skins:
"GRADE: C-
Washington had only one pick in the first four rounds and made the most of it, getting Laron Landry. (You could argue Landry was the best defensive player in the draft). Drafting Landry will allow Sean Taylor to play center field and roam the middle of the field. Landry will be in the box, and that will negate his weakness, which is playing judging the deep ball. In the fifth round, the Redskins took an average linebacker in Dallas Sartz; linebacker HB Blades was decent sixth-round pick although a bit undersized; and QB Jordan Palmer never really emerged as potential starter."
Apparently not. Already working with a depleted talent pool to select from in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, Washington added two linebackers, a quarterback and a tight end to go with yesterday's only choice - LaRon Landry.
Nothing against Bennie Blades linebacker son H.B. Blades or Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer's brother Jordan Palmer - but WE NEED LINEMEN. Blades may actually be of some benefit as he can provide depth for a potential problem spot at inside linebacker, but did we really need to take a QB we will never use over a lineman who may have had a shot at the team?
I said yesterday that I don't want to question Gibbs, especially since he three Super Bowl titles should give him a free pass at judgment with moves this time of the year, but I sure hope he knows something we don't otherwise our LBs and DBs will be in for a REALLY long season.
I think the only team who was more confused than the Skins this weekend was the Miami Dolphins - who passes on Brady Quinn in Round 1 for Ted Ginn in Round 1 and John Beck in Round 2? In fact I think Mel Kiper summed up Miami's first day perfectly:
"The Miami Dolphins taking Ted Ginn Jr. was ridiculous. Not only did they have QB Quinn staring them in the face, but they weren't going to have to trade up to get him. I understand Miami took QB John Beck in the second round, but Beck is not better than Quinn. Those two QBs will be measured against one another as time goes on."
Since I am too frustrated to talk about this mockery of a draft, here is Sports Illustrated's breakdown on the Skins thought process. And here are Kiper's grades for each team, and what he specifically said about the Skins:
"GRADE: C-
Washington had only one pick in the first four rounds and made the most of it, getting Laron Landry. (You could argue Landry was the best defensive player in the draft). Drafting Landry will allow Sean Taylor to play center field and roam the middle of the field. Landry will be in the box, and that will negate his weakness, which is playing judging the deep ball. In the fifth round, the Redskins took an average linebacker in Dallas Sartz; linebacker HB Blades was decent sixth-round pick although a bit undersized; and QB Jordan Palmer never really emerged as potential starter."
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