This edition of Five Bullets is the first with a new Looking Ahead to Next Week section!
1. Robert Griffin III is Back!
I've been saying this for a while now, give the man until week 8 and we'll start seeing the old RG3 again. Seventy seven rushing yards last week was just a teaser as his passing game didn't match the success of his legs. Things changed this week as RG3 showcased the talent and accuracy that won him Offensive rookie of the year last year. He did have one bad throw where he didn't see Charles Tillman sitting at the end of Hankerson's crossing route but that was about it. He finishing with almost 300 yards with 2 passing touchdowns, coupled with 84 rushing yards on the ground. This is vintage RG3 and something the Redskins need to continue to win games with a porous defense. Looks like RG3 is back and only going to continue getting better from here. The Redskins also controlled RG3's throws with only 29 pass plays compared to 42 rushing attempts. If the success on the ground continues, big things are in store for this offense.
2. Special Teams are the Epitome of Inept
Special teams gave Dallas two touchdowns last week and another this week on a long punt return to Devin Hester. Not only is the punt coverage horrible with sloppy tackling, the return game does nothing either. The Redskins did not field a punt and had three kickoff returns with an average of 17 yards and kept the Redskins inside the 20 on those three returns. Kick coverage wasn't as bad, mostly because Kai Forbath's kicks either went out of the end zone or were squibs. The Redskins didn't have these problems when Danny Smith was here, and I'm sure fans across the country are missing him right now.
3. Jordan Reed is the MAN
Jordan Reed had amazing game with 9 catches on 9 targets for 138 yards and a score. He even came through with clutch 3rd down conversions and is quickly becoming RG3's go to safety blanket. After yesterday's game I think it's clear the Redskins will not be resigning Fred Davis to a long term deal, as he has been outplayed by the 3rd round rookie in pretty much every game this year. A quick comparison:
Jordan Reed: 26 Catches 298 Yds. Avg. 11.5 Yds. and 2 TDs
Fred Davis: 3 Catches 25 Yds. Avg. 8.3 Yds and 0 TDs
Barring a miracle comeback in the 2nd half of the season Fred Davis seems to be out of the Redskins long term plans. Jordan Reed, if he continues to develop, can easily be a Rob Gronkowski or Aaron Hernandez type player on the field.
4. Defense was Inconsistent
The Redskins defense played about six quarters of solid defense, only to fall apart in the 2nd half against the Josh McCown led Bears. After yielding 46 offensive yards in the first half they gave up a whopping 300 in the 2nd, along with 24 points in the 2nd half. They played well enough to win, only because the offensive was on fire with 5 touchdowns. But giving up over 40 points a game is not a recipe for consistent success, especially not against Peyton Manning's Broncos next week, who would've won that game had Ronnie Hillman not fumbled at the goalline.
5.Roy Helu is the perfect complement to Alfred Morris
With 41 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on 11 carries Helu didn't get the workload of a starter, with most of the running done by Alfred Morris, but his speed, quickness and pass catching ability is a perfect complement to Alfred Morris' tough, downhill running. Helu improved as coaches gave him more opportunities on the ground, instead of just utilizing him in passing situations as they did in previous weeks. If Helu can continue being a consistent and reliable runner/catcher out the backfield then the Redskins will have a dangerous and complete rushing attack to supplant a recovered RG3.
Bottomline: RG3's awakening has made Redskins football fun to watch again in D.C. and the defense has been playing well enough to win games. If special teams can get their act together look for the Redskins to make a comeback in the NFC East.
Looking to Next Week: Next week's matchup will be the toughest of the season, especially with Denver coming off it's first loss. Expect Peyton Manning to be firing on all cylinders which should lead to another shoot out for RG3 and company. The offense and defense will be pushed to their limits by a solid 6-1 Denver team and any special teams mistakes will blow any chance, however small, the Redskins have of going on their first winning streak of 2013.
1. Robert Griffin III is Back!
I've been saying this for a while now, give the man until week 8 and we'll start seeing the old RG3 again. Seventy seven rushing yards last week was just a teaser as his passing game didn't match the success of his legs. Things changed this week as RG3 showcased the talent and accuracy that won him Offensive rookie of the year last year. He did have one bad throw where he didn't see Charles Tillman sitting at the end of Hankerson's crossing route but that was about it. He finishing with almost 300 yards with 2 passing touchdowns, coupled with 84 rushing yards on the ground. This is vintage RG3 and something the Redskins need to continue to win games with a porous defense. Looks like RG3 is back and only going to continue getting better from here. The Redskins also controlled RG3's throws with only 29 pass plays compared to 42 rushing attempts. If the success on the ground continues, big things are in store for this offense.
2. Special Teams are the Epitome of Inept
Special teams gave Dallas two touchdowns last week and another this week on a long punt return to Devin Hester. Not only is the punt coverage horrible with sloppy tackling, the return game does nothing either. The Redskins did not field a punt and had three kickoff returns with an average of 17 yards and kept the Redskins inside the 20 on those three returns. Kick coverage wasn't as bad, mostly because Kai Forbath's kicks either went out of the end zone or were squibs. The Redskins didn't have these problems when Danny Smith was here, and I'm sure fans across the country are missing him right now.
3. Jordan Reed is the MAN
Jordan Reed had amazing game with 9 catches on 9 targets for 138 yards and a score. He even came through with clutch 3rd down conversions and is quickly becoming RG3's go to safety blanket. After yesterday's game I think it's clear the Redskins will not be resigning Fred Davis to a long term deal, as he has been outplayed by the 3rd round rookie in pretty much every game this year. A quick comparison:
Jordan Reed: 26 Catches 298 Yds. Avg. 11.5 Yds. and 2 TDs
Fred Davis: 3 Catches 25 Yds. Avg. 8.3 Yds and 0 TDs
Barring a miracle comeback in the 2nd half of the season Fred Davis seems to be out of the Redskins long term plans. Jordan Reed, if he continues to develop, can easily be a Rob Gronkowski or Aaron Hernandez type player on the field.
4. Defense was Inconsistent
The Redskins defense played about six quarters of solid defense, only to fall apart in the 2nd half against the Josh McCown led Bears. After yielding 46 offensive yards in the first half they gave up a whopping 300 in the 2nd, along with 24 points in the 2nd half. They played well enough to win, only because the offensive was on fire with 5 touchdowns. But giving up over 40 points a game is not a recipe for consistent success, especially not against Peyton Manning's Broncos next week, who would've won that game had Ronnie Hillman not fumbled at the goalline.
5.Roy Helu is the perfect complement to Alfred Morris
With 41 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on 11 carries Helu didn't get the workload of a starter, with most of the running done by Alfred Morris, but his speed, quickness and pass catching ability is a perfect complement to Alfred Morris' tough, downhill running. Helu improved as coaches gave him more opportunities on the ground, instead of just utilizing him in passing situations as they did in previous weeks. If Helu can continue being a consistent and reliable runner/catcher out the backfield then the Redskins will have a dangerous and complete rushing attack to supplant a recovered RG3.
Bottomline: RG3's awakening has made Redskins football fun to watch again in D.C. and the defense has been playing well enough to win games. If special teams can get their act together look for the Redskins to make a comeback in the NFC East.
Looking to Next Week: Next week's matchup will be the toughest of the season, especially with Denver coming off it's first loss. Expect Peyton Manning to be firing on all cylinders which should lead to another shoot out for RG3 and company. The offense and defense will be pushed to their limits by a solid 6-1 Denver team and any special teams mistakes will blow any chance, however small, the Redskins have of going on their first winning streak of 2013.
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