I will reserve most of my thoughts for this week's podcast, but I think it's difficult to take much from this game, and we would probably be foolish to try.
It's only one game and I don't know the predictive history of winning an opener in terms of success over the course of the season, but I doubt it's much of a predictor, especially when you are dealing with so many unknowns and change in a single offseason. However, I think anyone (like me) who fantasized that this team could sneak into the playoffs in 2024, probably is rethinking that position after today.
Those who were filled with feelings of 'nothings changed', 'more of the same mess we've seen for years', and 'same old Redskins' got plenty of ammo to support those sentiments. Those who expected little, and watched with the future in mind will probably focus on Jayden Daniel's clear potential and poise.
It was a weird game from the outset. The officiating was weird, in terms of what they called and what they didn't call (especially the strange use of replay to overturn a huge penalty on the Bucs - apparently as part of a new rule allowing it). Whether they got it right or not, that new option is going to cause a lot of heartburn over the course of this season. Surprise surprise that the NFL decided getting their officiating crews even more involved in determining game outcomes was a great idea.
Quick takeaways:
1. We need a new kicker - like tomorrow.
2. Austin Ekeler is a very dangerous weapon.
3. The Bucs offense is intimidating
4. Our pass rush was anemic for the most part tonight, and even when they were able to get in the backfield, could do little more than disrupt and annoy Mayfield .
5. The offensive gameplan was very odd. Terry Mclaurin was barely involved. Tons of designed runs for Daniels. One of the worst trick play attempts in recent memory. I have no more inkling of what Kliff Kingsbury plans to do on offense after this one than I did coming in.
6. Forbes is just bad guys. Like 'turn in your playbook and good luck in your future endeavors' bad. Sometimes, you just have to admit you (they) made a big mistake and move on. The rest of the secondary, particularly Quan Martin, did not look much like an NFL level unit, but to be fair, we were playing against a very good offense and QB. We can't blame high school coaches anymore for that.
There's a lot more to talk about. I expected a lot more from this squad in this opener in terms of fire and energy. It was kind of a lackluster affair by any account and that disappointed me. But the big 'lesson' if there is one is that our fanbase is going to have to survive some more lumps along the way to hopefully a better future, especially in 2024. We won't like taking that medicine, as we're sick of having to do so. But I doubt we can avoid having to do so.
