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None of us wants to talk about the 'good stuff' we saw today after a loss, myself included. But it's important to note the small steps that are occurring amidst the losses and inevitable growing pains.
Here's what I saw, on the 'plus side' today:
1) The team doesn't care about the prognosticators. We were supposed to be trucked today from the outset. We couldn't compete with a juggernaut Miami team, darling of the mediots. Yes, they prevailed. But it was hardly a sure thing, and for much of the game, it was Dolphins fans that were worried, not us. I like that. It means the guys on this squad don't care about how good or bad they are 'supposed to be'. They came out strong and put the game result in question from the outset.
2) The team rebounded from tough plays. I lost count of how many times the team stumbled today, found itself in a predicament, yet somehow managed to extricate itself - but there were numerous examples of it. I liked seeing that resiliency. I think it bodes well for the future. We were never out of this game. And when things looked most dire, the guys stepped up and made plays. That's a big difference from many of the losses last year.
3) Kirk Cousins can play. Yeah, I know. He threw two picks. But beyond that, he made lots of great throws and great decisions. He got rid of the ball (mostly) on time against a DL that was supposed to eat him for lunch. They didn't. Cousins needs help - specifically from his WRs (I'm talking to you Andre Roberts) and OL (what's with the back to back holding penalties guys?) - but he is good enough to win. What I didn't see today was a QB over his head, or overwhelmed by the pressure. I saw a pretty steady, capable guy back there.
4) We have a running game. We may even have one hell of a running game. And it's only going to get better with time. Almo is a beast, Jones is a helluva speller, and Chris Thompson ain't half bad either. The Redskins, for brief moments today, reminded some of the Gibbs power rushing attack. That too bodes well for the future.
5) The Redskins D ain't bad folks. Color me generally impressed with Joe Barry's new defense. Our secondary entered today's game barely competent. With Breeland out for a one game suspension, Duke out with an injury, and DHall questionable health-wise, I was really, really worried about whether or not our DBs could hold up. For most of the game they did. Yeah, I know. Amerson is a liability (that remains to be seen). And when DHall went out, we gave up big plays. But overall, our defense pulled the Redskins chestnuts out of the fire again and again. I was very, very encouraged by what I saw today.
We lost today. We lost a tough game I thought, for 3 of 4 quarters, we would win. We didn't. But you know what? I am not depressed. I am encouraged. We need to remember (as I've said elsewhere) this is a rebuilding team. Progress will come in fits and starts and there will be some pain. There always is in rebirth. But I think there is more good than bad that we saw today. And I'll go on record predicting that we are going to kick the Rams ass next Sunday.
What did you see today?
Here's what I saw, on the 'plus side' today:
1) The team doesn't care about the prognosticators. We were supposed to be trucked today from the outset. We couldn't compete with a juggernaut Miami team, darling of the mediots. Yes, they prevailed. But it was hardly a sure thing, and for much of the game, it was Dolphins fans that were worried, not us. I like that. It means the guys on this squad don't care about how good or bad they are 'supposed to be'. They came out strong and put the game result in question from the outset.
2) The team rebounded from tough plays. I lost count of how many times the team stumbled today, found itself in a predicament, yet somehow managed to extricate itself - but there were numerous examples of it. I liked seeing that resiliency. I think it bodes well for the future. We were never out of this game. And when things looked most dire, the guys stepped up and made plays. That's a big difference from many of the losses last year.
3) Kirk Cousins can play. Yeah, I know. He threw two picks. But beyond that, he made lots of great throws and great decisions. He got rid of the ball (mostly) on time against a DL that was supposed to eat him for lunch. They didn't. Cousins needs help - specifically from his WRs (I'm talking to you Andre Roberts) and OL (what's with the back to back holding penalties guys?) - but he is good enough to win. What I didn't see today was a QB over his head, or overwhelmed by the pressure. I saw a pretty steady, capable guy back there.
4) We have a running game. We may even have one hell of a running game. And it's only going to get better with time. Almo is a beast, Jones is a helluva speller, and Chris Thompson ain't half bad either. The Redskins, for brief moments today, reminded some of the Gibbs power rushing attack. That too bodes well for the future.
5) The Redskins D ain't bad folks. Color me generally impressed with Joe Barry's new defense. Our secondary entered today's game barely competent. With Breeland out for a one game suspension, Duke out with an injury, and DHall questionable health-wise, I was really, really worried about whether or not our DBs could hold up. For most of the game they did. Yeah, I know. Amerson is a liability (that remains to be seen). And when DHall went out, we gave up big plays. But overall, our defense pulled the Redskins chestnuts out of the fire again and again. I was very, very encouraged by what I saw today.
We lost today. We lost a tough game I thought, for 3 of 4 quarters, we would win. We didn't. But you know what? I am not depressed. I am encouraged. We need to remember (as I've said elsewhere) this is a rebuilding team. Progress will come in fits and starts and there will be some pain. There always is in rebirth. But I think there is more good than bad that we saw today. And I'll go on record predicting that we are going to kick the Rams ass next Sunday.
What did you see today?
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