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Greetings from the international headquarters of BBQ.
Week three is in the books and now we take a look at how the entire team fared against the Giants. It was a see-saw affair that had a lot of great football along with plenty of mistakes, but it became a contest that left fans happy and encouraged. We will try to make some sense of it all as BBQ hands out grades, evaluations and questions. Feel free to offer your own grades, evaluations, questions, and opinions.
Let’s take a look at week three.
Quarterbacks:
Question: Has Kirk Cousins turned a corner with Sunday’s performance?
Answer: Let’s give this a little time. There were a couple of brain fades, but his overall play was certainly improved over the previous two weeks. It took nearly half a season last year. This year???
Grade: B
Running Backs:
Question: Was Sunday’s game an indication that more balance is coming on offense?
Answer: Again, let’s give this a little time, but the stats are encouraging. Look for more passes this coming week as Cleveland is 20th in the league against the pass and 13th against the run. After Sunday’s game, there is still room for improvement.
Grade: B-
Wide Receivers:
Question: Would you agree that this group was on fire last week?
Answer: They were certainly impressive. Pierre Garcon was solid early on and kept the chains moving. You already know about DeSean Jackson and Jamison Crowder. This group could have another fine outing on the second day of October.
Grade: A-
Tight Ends:
Question: The tight ends disappeared a bit against the Giants. What happened?
Answer: Jordan Reed had his usual good day, but the stats are misleading. Blocking from this group was solid and the running and passing was much improved.
Grade: B+
Offensive Line:
Question: Was this the best game yet from this group?
Answer: Without a doubt. Just like last week - it wasn’t perfect, but the running game was improved. Pass protection was very good. Downfield blocking was superb. Moving Trent Williams to guard and Ty Nsekhe to left tackle was a brilliant decision by the coaches.
Grade: A-
Defensive Line:
Question: Ok, who lit a fire under Trent Murphy?
Answer: We’re not sure, but the results are encouraging. While this unit still has struggles, they did have their best game thus far. Key stat: Before Chris Baker’s sack, Eli Manning had a passer rating of 132.9. Rest of the game: A 63.9 rating.
Grade: B
Linebackers:
Question: Again, we must ask. Why isn’t Su’a Cravens starting?
Answer: Same answer. Patience with the rookie is a virtue, but he could be a starter by midseason. This group was bolstered by the play of Cravens, but the rest of this gang (other than the steady play of Mason Foster) needs to step it up. We’re looking at you Preston Smith and Ryan Kerrigan.
Grade: B-
Cornerbacks:
Question: Why didn’t Josh Norman follow the best receiver in previous games?
Answer: We don’t have access to Joe Barry’s phone number or email, but we would like to know. Bashaud Breeland struggled again, but his presence could now be a moot point. Quinton Dunbar did well in spot duty. It will be interesting to see how the Breeland injury situation unfolds.
Grade: B-
Safeties:
Question: Is the DeAngelo Hall injury a blessing in disguise?
Answer: Not really, but some think that Will Blackmon is better suited to the position and he did well after Hall exited. David Bruton had a better game on Sunday, but he was still out of position on some passes and running plays.
Grade: C+
Special Teams:
Question: Just how good was special teams on Sunday?
Answer: The best. Special teams continue to be a strength of the Redskins this season. Great blocking (just ask a wiped out Keenan Robinson). Great punt returns. Five for five on field goals. Quinton Dunbar. Very successful fake punt. Solid kickoffs. If BBQ would be in a nitpicking mood again, then we would point out the negated blocked punt. There is only one grade we can give.
Grade: A+
Coaching:
Question: You were saying something about that hot seat?
Answer: No. BBQ didn’t say a thing about it. Not at all. Ok, ok – we touched on the subject last week. It was a slow start, but the staff stayed true to a game plan of smash 'em football and some semblance of a running game. Yes, the defense could’ve been better, but that unit hung in there and made the plays when desperately needed. Yes, the offense committed a horrible and heinous mistake late in the first half, but they didn’t let it affect them in the second half. The special teams coach deserves a week’s worth of steak dinners at Morton’s. BBQ believes that the adjustments to injuries were the right calls – in fact, brilliant. Getting a road win against an undefeated NFC East opponent automatically elevates the grade by one full mark.
Grade: A-
How would you grade each position and the coaching staff? Should the Redskins start Nsekhe, Williams, Long, Scherff, and Moses along the offensive line this week? Do you think Arie Kouandjio is ready to start at left guard? Are you encouraged by the signing of John Sullivan and when will we see him in the lineup? Is the career of DeAngelo Hall over? Should Josh Doctson be put on injured reserve? On to game four.
See you again next week with grades, evaluations, and questions.
Hail to the Redskins!
Week three is in the books and now we take a look at how the entire team fared against the Giants. It was a see-saw affair that had a lot of great football along with plenty of mistakes, but it became a contest that left fans happy and encouraged. We will try to make some sense of it all as BBQ hands out grades, evaluations and questions. Feel free to offer your own grades, evaluations, questions, and opinions.
Let’s take a look at week three.
Quarterbacks:
Question: Has Kirk Cousins turned a corner with Sunday’s performance?
Answer: Let’s give this a little time. There were a couple of brain fades, but his overall play was certainly improved over the previous two weeks. It took nearly half a season last year. This year???
Grade: B
Running Backs:
Question: Was Sunday’s game an indication that more balance is coming on offense?
Answer: Again, let’s give this a little time, but the stats are encouraging. Look for more passes this coming week as Cleveland is 20th in the league against the pass and 13th against the run. After Sunday’s game, there is still room for improvement.
Grade: B-
Wide Receivers:
Question: Would you agree that this group was on fire last week?
Answer: They were certainly impressive. Pierre Garcon was solid early on and kept the chains moving. You already know about DeSean Jackson and Jamison Crowder. This group could have another fine outing on the second day of October.
Grade: A-
Tight Ends:
Question: The tight ends disappeared a bit against the Giants. What happened?
Answer: Jordan Reed had his usual good day, but the stats are misleading. Blocking from this group was solid and the running and passing was much improved.
Grade: B+
Offensive Line:
Question: Was this the best game yet from this group?
Answer: Without a doubt. Just like last week - it wasn’t perfect, but the running game was improved. Pass protection was very good. Downfield blocking was superb. Moving Trent Williams to guard and Ty Nsekhe to left tackle was a brilliant decision by the coaches.
Grade: A-
Defensive Line:
Question: Ok, who lit a fire under Trent Murphy?
Answer: We’re not sure, but the results are encouraging. While this unit still has struggles, they did have their best game thus far. Key stat: Before Chris Baker’s sack, Eli Manning had a passer rating of 132.9. Rest of the game: A 63.9 rating.
Grade: B
Linebackers:
Question: Again, we must ask. Why isn’t Su’a Cravens starting?
Answer: Same answer. Patience with the rookie is a virtue, but he could be a starter by midseason. This group was bolstered by the play of Cravens, but the rest of this gang (other than the steady play of Mason Foster) needs to step it up. We’re looking at you Preston Smith and Ryan Kerrigan.
Grade: B-
Cornerbacks:
Question: Why didn’t Josh Norman follow the best receiver in previous games?
Answer: We don’t have access to Joe Barry’s phone number or email, but we would like to know. Bashaud Breeland struggled again, but his presence could now be a moot point. Quinton Dunbar did well in spot duty. It will be interesting to see how the Breeland injury situation unfolds.
Grade: B-
Safeties:
Question: Is the DeAngelo Hall injury a blessing in disguise?
Answer: Not really, but some think that Will Blackmon is better suited to the position and he did well after Hall exited. David Bruton had a better game on Sunday, but he was still out of position on some passes and running plays.
Grade: C+
Special Teams:
Question: Just how good was special teams on Sunday?
Answer: The best. Special teams continue to be a strength of the Redskins this season. Great blocking (just ask a wiped out Keenan Robinson). Great punt returns. Five for five on field goals. Quinton Dunbar. Very successful fake punt. Solid kickoffs. If BBQ would be in a nitpicking mood again, then we would point out the negated blocked punt. There is only one grade we can give.
Grade: A+
Coaching:
Question: You were saying something about that hot seat?
Answer: No. BBQ didn’t say a thing about it. Not at all. Ok, ok – we touched on the subject last week. It was a slow start, but the staff stayed true to a game plan of smash 'em football and some semblance of a running game. Yes, the defense could’ve been better, but that unit hung in there and made the plays when desperately needed. Yes, the offense committed a horrible and heinous mistake late in the first half, but they didn’t let it affect them in the second half. The special teams coach deserves a week’s worth of steak dinners at Morton’s. BBQ believes that the adjustments to injuries were the right calls – in fact, brilliant. Getting a road win against an undefeated NFC East opponent automatically elevates the grade by one full mark.
Grade: A-
How would you grade each position and the coaching staff? Should the Redskins start Nsekhe, Williams, Long, Scherff, and Moses along the offensive line this week? Do you think Arie Kouandjio is ready to start at left guard? Are you encouraged by the signing of John Sullivan and when will we see him in the lineup? Is the career of DeAngelo Hall over? Should Josh Doctson be put on injured reserve? On to game four.
See you again next week with grades, evaluations, and questions.
Hail to the Redskins!