This is my first draft but I don't have the time to proof it today so bear with the mistakes, they'll be gone tomorrow.
1. Kyle Shanahan had a Horrible 2nd Half
RG3 ran for 7 yards the whole game. Why? Because Alfred Morris nearly had 100 yards in the first half. The offense got a couple first downs but failed to finish drives until a Broncos punt gave the Redskins the ball at their own 5. One sustained drive later the Redskins had the game tied at 7. Two turnovers later the Redskins are sitting pretty at 21-7. Inexplicably, at this point Kyle Shanahan decides to abandon the team's most productive offensive player as Alfred Morris got maybe one or two carries in the entire 2nd half. This lead to quick, successive punts which put a tired defense out against the absolute best quarterback in the league this year. The play calling abandoned what worked in the 1st half. Combine that with RG3's poor decision making and inaccuracy lead to some 38 unanswered points by Denver and another loss on the record books.
2. Robert Griffin III Needs to Improve His Vision
There were many times in the game where one of two things happened. Either receivers were wide open on a play and RG3 just didn't see it, despite ample time in the pocket. Or he found them but threw it late, or made a horrible throw. He finished the game with a 50% completion percentage, less than 150 yards passing and 1 touchdown compared to two interceptions. He needs to get the ball out quicker, and see the field better. Vision is a hard thing to coach and it's usually one of those things where if you have it you have it and if you don't you don't. Last year I was impressed by his ability to go through his progressions but he just isn't doing that this year. I don't know what it is but he has got to fix it. And he lost another fumble this week. Not even close to the amazing player we saw last year. Lets see how he responds in Week 8, the original deadline I had set for 2012 RG3 to return.
3. The Defense Played a Winnable Game
Jim Hasslet's group, starting without their top two safeties, were faced with the enormous task of fending off the record shattering Bronco's offense. Everyone predicted a massive shootout but through sound tackling and a little luck, the defense only gave up 7 points in the first half. Holding Peyton Manning 13' to a single score in two quarters is an amazing win for any defense. To top it off they got two turnovers, returning one for a touchdown and setting up the other one close enough for the offense to finish up the job. The defense made this a 21-7 game and needed some rest. The offense failed to match the defense's tremendous effort.
4. Special Teams Played a Winnable Game
I've been ripping on Keith Burns and the Redskins special teams over the past few games and expected a train wreck against Trindon Holliday. I was happily proved wrong as he was held to a mere two returns. One punt return and one kick off return. He got 10 on the punt and 30 on the kick off. Nothing too bad. There was one mishap as Sav Rocca shanked a punt for 15 yards giving the Broncos the ball inside their own 30. That wouldn't have happened if the offense could just do their job.
5. The Redskins are an Interesting Bad Team
Our record indicates we suck. The tape also indicates we suck. However, this team's success is directly proportional to RG3's success. If he plays well, we're always in the running to win games. If he sucks, we're probably going to lose. Our 2-5 record this year is solid evidence of that. These past three games have all been winnable, unlike the first few games. If RG3 can pick up his game then this team can easily turn around and finish the season 8-8. The receivers also need to catch the few good balls that come their way. Drops are not the best way to help a struggling quarterback. But our success really depends on one player who has the potential to be a superstar. If he turns it around, so does the team.
Bottomline: No one really expected the Redskins to win this game but when games are in reach they need to finish and win. Many are already looking to next season, with another draft and an extra 18 million in salary cap this team can really build what is an already a pretty solid roster. Unlike other bad teams we don't need to rebuild, a key player here and there can transform this team. That is the benefit of sticking with Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen these past few years. Look alive Redskins fans!
Looking Ahead to Next Week: The formula is pretty much the same as Phillip Rivers has been playing great and is coming off a bye. The Charger's 6th ranked passing offense is going to be a challenge but the defense and especially DeAngelo Hall continue playing at the level they have any game is winnable. It simply depends on if the offense is going to show up or not.
1. Kyle Shanahan had a Horrible 2nd Half
RG3 ran for 7 yards the whole game. Why? Because Alfred Morris nearly had 100 yards in the first half. The offense got a couple first downs but failed to finish drives until a Broncos punt gave the Redskins the ball at their own 5. One sustained drive later the Redskins had the game tied at 7. Two turnovers later the Redskins are sitting pretty at 21-7. Inexplicably, at this point Kyle Shanahan decides to abandon the team's most productive offensive player as Alfred Morris got maybe one or two carries in the entire 2nd half. This lead to quick, successive punts which put a tired defense out against the absolute best quarterback in the league this year. The play calling abandoned what worked in the 1st half. Combine that with RG3's poor decision making and inaccuracy lead to some 38 unanswered points by Denver and another loss on the record books.
2. Robert Griffin III Needs to Improve His Vision
There were many times in the game where one of two things happened. Either receivers were wide open on a play and RG3 just didn't see it, despite ample time in the pocket. Or he found them but threw it late, or made a horrible throw. He finished the game with a 50% completion percentage, less than 150 yards passing and 1 touchdown compared to two interceptions. He needs to get the ball out quicker, and see the field better. Vision is a hard thing to coach and it's usually one of those things where if you have it you have it and if you don't you don't. Last year I was impressed by his ability to go through his progressions but he just isn't doing that this year. I don't know what it is but he has got to fix it. And he lost another fumble this week. Not even close to the amazing player we saw last year. Lets see how he responds in Week 8, the original deadline I had set for 2012 RG3 to return.
3. The Defense Played a Winnable Game
Jim Hasslet's group, starting without their top two safeties, were faced with the enormous task of fending off the record shattering Bronco's offense. Everyone predicted a massive shootout but through sound tackling and a little luck, the defense only gave up 7 points in the first half. Holding Peyton Manning 13' to a single score in two quarters is an amazing win for any defense. To top it off they got two turnovers, returning one for a touchdown and setting up the other one close enough for the offense to finish up the job. The defense made this a 21-7 game and needed some rest. The offense failed to match the defense's tremendous effort.
4. Special Teams Played a Winnable Game
I've been ripping on Keith Burns and the Redskins special teams over the past few games and expected a train wreck against Trindon Holliday. I was happily proved wrong as he was held to a mere two returns. One punt return and one kick off return. He got 10 on the punt and 30 on the kick off. Nothing too bad. There was one mishap as Sav Rocca shanked a punt for 15 yards giving the Broncos the ball inside their own 30. That wouldn't have happened if the offense could just do their job.
5. The Redskins are an Interesting Bad Team
Our record indicates we suck. The tape also indicates we suck. However, this team's success is directly proportional to RG3's success. If he plays well, we're always in the running to win games. If he sucks, we're probably going to lose. Our 2-5 record this year is solid evidence of that. These past three games have all been winnable, unlike the first few games. If RG3 can pick up his game then this team can easily turn around and finish the season 8-8. The receivers also need to catch the few good balls that come their way. Drops are not the best way to help a struggling quarterback. But our success really depends on one player who has the potential to be a superstar. If he turns it around, so does the team.
Bottomline: No one really expected the Redskins to win this game but when games are in reach they need to finish and win. Many are already looking to next season, with another draft and an extra 18 million in salary cap this team can really build what is an already a pretty solid roster. Unlike other bad teams we don't need to rebuild, a key player here and there can transform this team. That is the benefit of sticking with Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen these past few years. Look alive Redskins fans!
Looking Ahead to Next Week: The formula is pretty much the same as Phillip Rivers has been playing great and is coming off a bye. The Charger's 6th ranked passing offense is going to be a challenge but the defense and especially DeAngelo Hall continue playing at the level they have any game is winnable. It simply depends on if the offense is going to show up or not.
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