I would imagine that most of us feel the same way about Sunday’s game, and I don’t think I was alone in needing a day or so to let everything simmer before I started putting my thoughts on paper. My emotions have calmed a bit now, though, so it’s time to get to some observations from the Loss at Lambeau.
01. I’m probably the 500th person to say it, but something is wrong with Santana Moss. I love the guy -- I have two jerseys... his and Doug Williams’s -- but he had one of the worst receiving performances I’ve ever seen on Sunday. The fumble was inexcusable, the deep ball that hit his face mask should have been caught and his play -- or lack thereof -- was a very big part of the Redskins losing.
I feel bad for Number 89, because I know he’s more upset than anyone at the way he played, and taking the blame for the loss has to be one of the hardest things an athlete can do. He has shown flashes of brilliance as a Redskin, and I absolutely believe he still has it in him, but he just plain stunk up Lambeau Field. I like the fact that he chose to take himself out (or so he says), as it was the right move to give Keenan McCardell and Brandon Lloyd their shots at making things happen.
02. Speaking of Brandon Lloyd, he was about 2 inches away from becoming the hero on Sunday after Campbell aired it out just a bit too far. If BL caught that pass, he would’ve gone from locker-room scapegoat to total stud faster than you can say “free agent bust.”
03. I know I’m beginning to sound like a broken record, but where the fudge was Mike Sellers on 4th and short late in the game? Chris Cooley did everything he could to give the Redskins a decent shot at getting the first down -- that spot was horrific, by the way -- and the Redskins did what most teams would do and called a timeout. The FOX cameras even located Mike Sellers during the break, as if everyone in the entire stadium and those watching on TV knew what would happen: he’d get the ball, run someone over and the Skins would get a new set of downs.
So what does Al Gibbs, Associate Play Caller do? He calls a 1-yard pass to Ladell Betts, short of the first down. Why?! If it’s 4th and a short 2 and you opt to pass -- which is questionable to begin with, considering receivers had trouble catching all day -- wouldn’t you at least throw it further than the first down marker? Why put someone in position to have to make a play after the catch?
Bollocks.
04. Speaking of that time-out, did anyone notice how many people were huddled around the coaches trying to offer their two cents? Holy jebus. “Too many cooks in the kitchen,” I say. Let Gibbs and Saunders talk it out, as that’s what they’re paid to do. Even if they don’t come up with the right play for the circumstances, it’s best to minimize any and all confusion on the sidelines. Having multiple receivers, backs, offensive linemen and Joe Ball-dryer standing there in the most crucial of situations is asking for trouble.
05. Was I seeing things, or was one of Green Bay’s defensive lineman ridiculously offsides on 3rd or 4th down late in the game? What the hell was that about? A replay showed it pretty clearly, I thought, but not a mention was made by Troy Aikman, Joe Buck or any of the other 38 people FOX had working the game.
06. Sean Taylor (and the rest of the defense, for that matter) continues to step it up. Sure, he should’ve had more than two interceptions, but you really can’t ask for a whole lot more from those guys. It’s a shame both sides of the ball can’t gel at the same time -- if that were the case, this team would be a lot more intimidating than it has been so far this season (with the exception of the Detroit game).
07. In the past year, the Redskins have lost games 6 of the 9 times they’ve had the lead at halftime. What does this say about the personnel? Are guys becoming complacent in the locker room? Is it the play calling? Injuries definitely do not help the situation, but the fire that this team has during the first half of games needs to carry over for the remaining 30 minutes... period.
08. Packers coach Mike McCarthy said the Redskins “were the best team Green Bay has played so far,” but at the end of the day, a loss is still a loss. I realize that, as a Redskins fan, I pay more attention to what goes on here than in other cities, but is there a more painful team to watch?
When the opening game against Miami went down to the wire, I said that if all the games were that close, I don’t think I’d survive the season. Sunday’s game did not help the situation. There were more blown chances in the second half than any fan should have to endure, and until some consistency is shown, sitting in front of the TV on Sundays will continue to be a heart-wrenching experience.
09. At 3-2, the Redskins are still very much alive in the relatively-open NFC. If holes can be patched on the offensive line and guys can get their heads out of their asses when the ball is thrown their way, this team still has the potential, I think, to be a playoff contender.
Tim Rattay and the Cardinals come to FedEx on Sunday, which is a great opportunity to get the train back on track. I strongly believe that the pieces of the puzzle are here. Whether or not they can capitalize on every opportunity they’re given is a different story, and ultimately, that will determine if this group is heading in the right direction or due for another disappointing season...
10. Is it wrong that I sat watching the Patriots / Cowboys game on Sunday and secretly wished the stadium would implode? Just curious.Hail.
01. I’m probably the 500th person to say it, but something is wrong with Santana Moss. I love the guy -- I have two jerseys... his and Doug Williams’s -- but he had one of the worst receiving performances I’ve ever seen on Sunday. The fumble was inexcusable, the deep ball that hit his face mask should have been caught and his play -- or lack thereof -- was a very big part of the Redskins losing.
I feel bad for Number 89, because I know he’s more upset than anyone at the way he played, and taking the blame for the loss has to be one of the hardest things an athlete can do. He has shown flashes of brilliance as a Redskin, and I absolutely believe he still has it in him, but he just plain stunk up Lambeau Field. I like the fact that he chose to take himself out (or so he says), as it was the right move to give Keenan McCardell and Brandon Lloyd their shots at making things happen.
02. Speaking of Brandon Lloyd, he was about 2 inches away from becoming the hero on Sunday after Campbell aired it out just a bit too far. If BL caught that pass, he would’ve gone from locker-room scapegoat to total stud faster than you can say “free agent bust.”
03. I know I’m beginning to sound like a broken record, but where the fudge was Mike Sellers on 4th and short late in the game? Chris Cooley did everything he could to give the Redskins a decent shot at getting the first down -- that spot was horrific, by the way -- and the Redskins did what most teams would do and called a timeout. The FOX cameras even located Mike Sellers during the break, as if everyone in the entire stadium and those watching on TV knew what would happen: he’d get the ball, run someone over and the Skins would get a new set of downs.
So what does Al Gibbs, Associate Play Caller do? He calls a 1-yard pass to Ladell Betts, short of the first down. Why?! If it’s 4th and a short 2 and you opt to pass -- which is questionable to begin with, considering receivers had trouble catching all day -- wouldn’t you at least throw it further than the first down marker? Why put someone in position to have to make a play after the catch?
Bollocks.
04. Speaking of that time-out, did anyone notice how many people were huddled around the coaches trying to offer their two cents? Holy jebus. “Too many cooks in the kitchen,” I say. Let Gibbs and Saunders talk it out, as that’s what they’re paid to do. Even if they don’t come up with the right play for the circumstances, it’s best to minimize any and all confusion on the sidelines. Having multiple receivers, backs, offensive linemen and Joe Ball-dryer standing there in the most crucial of situations is asking for trouble.
05. Was I seeing things, or was one of Green Bay’s defensive lineman ridiculously offsides on 3rd or 4th down late in the game? What the hell was that about? A replay showed it pretty clearly, I thought, but not a mention was made by Troy Aikman, Joe Buck or any of the other 38 people FOX had working the game.
06. Sean Taylor (and the rest of the defense, for that matter) continues to step it up. Sure, he should’ve had more than two interceptions, but you really can’t ask for a whole lot more from those guys. It’s a shame both sides of the ball can’t gel at the same time -- if that were the case, this team would be a lot more intimidating than it has been so far this season (with the exception of the Detroit game).
07. In the past year, the Redskins have lost games 6 of the 9 times they’ve had the lead at halftime. What does this say about the personnel? Are guys becoming complacent in the locker room? Is it the play calling? Injuries definitely do not help the situation, but the fire that this team has during the first half of games needs to carry over for the remaining 30 minutes... period.
08. Packers coach Mike McCarthy said the Redskins “were the best team Green Bay has played so far,” but at the end of the day, a loss is still a loss. I realize that, as a Redskins fan, I pay more attention to what goes on here than in other cities, but is there a more painful team to watch?
When the opening game against Miami went down to the wire, I said that if all the games were that close, I don’t think I’d survive the season. Sunday’s game did not help the situation. There were more blown chances in the second half than any fan should have to endure, and until some consistency is shown, sitting in front of the TV on Sundays will continue to be a heart-wrenching experience.
09. At 3-2, the Redskins are still very much alive in the relatively-open NFC. If holes can be patched on the offensive line and guys can get their heads out of their asses when the ball is thrown their way, this team still has the potential, I think, to be a playoff contender.
Tim Rattay and the Cardinals come to FedEx on Sunday, which is a great opportunity to get the train back on track. I strongly believe that the pieces of the puzzle are here. Whether or not they can capitalize on every opportunity they’re given is a different story, and ultimately, that will determine if this group is heading in the right direction or due for another disappointing season...
10. Is it wrong that I sat watching the Patriots / Cowboys game on Sunday and secretly wished the stadium would implode? Just curious.Hail.
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