Official Game Thread - Week 1 - Giants @ Commanders

[RandyHolt]

Quinn said weeks ago that Chris Rodriguez Jr. would be used in short-yardage situations, which was not true. When... in practice?

So what changed. Or was it a smoke screen to confuse the Giants... weeks before the game? Maybe Merritt was still non contact then.

I am still stunned we used Ekeler as a 3rd down back to start the season with his injury history. Lean on the vets early, kids late... seems a decent strategy for coaches.

I think a big thing for our defense specifically our run D was that we didn't coach scared like decades past. We attacked at the LOS vs read react and get run over.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I don't think there is going to be a huge difference between week 1 and week 2 for Terry because it's a Thursday night game. Otherwise, I'd say there would be some chance he could get some good work in, but I don't know if they'll even have a real practice before the game.

I was grumpy about the missed practice time for Terry. Even Brady said that practice matters. And I trust Brady on that. He did it at the highest level for so long. And his comment was a good one: there are only 17 games. Unlike Baseball with 162, and Basketball/Hockey with 82. You can't get better from just playing in the games. You have to improve in practice.

Yeah. And like I've said Burrow mentioned him not having Chase in camp and preseason hurt their chemistry early in the season last year and that struck me considering their chemistry goes as far back as college.

 

[Faithful Fan]

The end of the half reminded me of Kirk Cousins. I still can't believe Jayden made that mistake with the intentional grounding play.

The grounding was bad, but the bigger mistake was trying to scramble up the middle with the clock running and no timeouts.

Clock management in general is an area to improve. We also burned our second half timeouts early.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I fault the play before. I don't know if JD5 called his own number on that draw or not, but I doubt it being so far out. I know some QBs have the leeway to silent call a QB draw and walk it in if the seas part. I seem to remember Cousins calling his own number one time. I hope one of you lurking reporters asks Kliff about that draw call.

But the fateful final first half play was obviously rushed. Maybe Ertz or someone else was supposed to break outside. A miscommunication. We had NO ONE on the left side of the endzone which means the other half was a cluster eff - seems OCs wouldnt do that. The grounding call was kinda lame IMO #Homer because we see QBs toss balls out of the back of the endzone NOT rushed quite often. What difference does it make if a defender appears. The clock was our enemy as much as the pass rusher, for we couldn't take a sack because time would run out.

It was clear to me that Jayden audibiled to that QB draw. I had no problem with it, they had time to run another play and then kick. Nobody was open so the play is to throw it over everyone's head. They rarely call grounding on that play, this one they had no choice.

 

[RandyHolt]

Newton - 26 snaps, lowest among the 7 DL.

Ewwww. He did fine but coaches clearly like the others more. I didn't like the pick at the time drafting into what was a perceived strength. Nothing against the player of course. Maybe we need a contract year heh.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

The grounding was bad, but the bigger mistake was trying to scramble up the middle with the clock running and no timeouts.

Clock management in general is an area to improve. We also burned our second half timeouts early.

Yes, that was the play that doomed that drive. It was a called QB draw. That was the play from Kingsbury. The issue is that you have to have a concrete plan for the next play if you don’t score. It looks like they did not. But any play that doesn’t get out of bounds or into the endzone, you have to be ready becuase the clock will run out. They looked unprepared for that situation. If that is the case, then just take 2 shots at the end zone via pass plays and kick the FG if you don’t score a TD. Very poor coaching and also poor player execution there as well.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Talk about a reach for a silver lining

 

[skinsinparadise]

Newton - 26 snaps, lowest among the 7 DL.

Ewwww. He did fine but coaches clearly like the others more. I didn't like the pick at the time drafting into what was a perceived strength. Nothing against the player of course. Maybe we need a contract year heh.

He had though 5 pressures not a bad start

 

[skinsinparadise]

McCaffrey for his faults, is a good kick returner and good blocker. And for the 100th pick in the draft -- a pick or so away from being a 4th rounder, that would make him a good pick. Most 3rd round picks statistically speaking bust.

I know we want more. I want more. But if we get the next the James Thrash out of him, the pick is more hit than miss.

 

[ExoDus84]

"Let's just watch John Bates go about his business. He's a master."

I know what you're trying to do, Baldy. You're not fooling anyone with those shenanigans.

 

[Chris 44]

He had though 5 pressures not a bad start

The best block for me was the one he didn't make. The second clip where he allows #8 a free run was great. You can tell that Bates is aware of 8 but also realizes 8 is going to go too far up field to get to the runner. Bates then crashes inside and blocks the LB. Textbook recognition and technique.

 

[RandyHolt]

Shades of Zo

 

[Emir of Schmo]

 

[Die Hard]

Can someone remind me… on the intentional grounding play/penalty…. what down was that?

 

[DWinzit]

Talk about a reach for a silver lining

Adebo was one of the FA corners I was intrigued with for us. He is a good and underrated player. That said, I'd question I'd Terry is really up to snuff to where he would be if he had been available through the preseason with speed, plays and relation with JD. Not that they don't have a good relation but they didn't build on it where it sounds Daniels feels with Deebo currently

 

[RandyHolt]

Can someone remind me… on the intentional grounding play/penalty…. what down was that?

3rd. The QB Run/Draw on was 2nd down.

 

[Die Hard]

3rd. QB Run/Draw on 2nd down.

That’s what I thought. Because I’ve been wondering why I haven't heard/read anyone asking why he simply didn’t spike the ball yet. Why rush it? Give the coaches an opportunity make a decision on 4th.

Especially so if they were going to call a run play knowing the clock was ticking.

 

[Enforcer]

I know Baldy covers the entire league, but going back to last year, he seems to genuinely enjoy breaking down key plays for our team!

 

[RandyHolt]

That’s what I thought. Because I’ve been wondering why I haven't heard/read anyone asking why he simply didn’t spike the ball yet. Why rush it? Give the coaches an opportunity make a decision on 4th.

Especially so if they were going to call a run play knowing the clock was ticking.

I think since we run a TON of hurry up they thought they could get all their ducks lined up in a row and then kick it on 4th. I presume with a 2nd down run and no timeouts, I ASSume we had 2 plays called. Or a red zone GTG hot play of the day at the ready to be audibled too.

The 2nd down run has me scratching my head. Hated the call (because JD didnt score from 13 yards out)

I would be curious to hear what JD had to say about that. Truthfully, since he won't call anyone out. I am thinking Ertz or someone else was supposed to break out vs in... how would a ref know? JD already in motion that way throws it out of bounds.

 

[RandyHolt]

Scroll back to the Baldy Bates documastery and watch Connerly on Bill's TD. Start at :48 seconds

He takes out 2 guys with nary a mention from anyone. I bet Baldy will showcase that later in the week when he gets off his Bates euphoric high and pours through film a 2nd time around.