Official Game Thread - Week 15 - Commanders @ Saints

[timmysmith]

Someone asked whether the clock stopped with 9 seconds left when it shouldn’t have. It did. Here it is:

Kind of sick of that replay angle. If you could see the whole TV you would clearly see the near side official stopping the clock. The real question in my mind, is why did it restart? Even if an official erroneously stops the clock, it still has to be restarted by the referee and it wasn't. Very shady.

 

[ExoDus84]

Mclaurin was mugged well before the ball got there, the defender never looked back for the ball, and we saw no flag. Don’t tell me about BSJ.

If the refs didn’t bet on the game I’d be shocked.

I disagree on this one. In full speed, the DB did get there just a smidge early, but it was real close. Close enough to be a bang-bang type of play that I wouldn't typically want to see a team get flagged for.

 

[TD_WashingtonRedskins]

I disagree on this one. In full speed, the DB did get there just a smidge early, but it was real close. Close enough to be a bang-bang type of play that I wouldn't typically want to see a team get flagged for.

It was pretty close...clearly a penalty if the ref saw it and flagged it. But also not the type of thing that I'd call egregious.

 

[TD_WashingtonRedskins]

That doesn't surprise me because there is a significant portion of our fanbase that won't spend money on Commanders gear, not necessarily because it sucks (although much of it does) but because their 'not buying Commanders gear' is a personal statement. You see it in microcosm here, where there are a number of members who refuse to even use the 'C' word much less buy logo-ed gear. I think the way the Jason Wright rebrand went down created a lot more hostility because it was clear that the team badly underestimated the microscope their effort would be under and just how important the name change was to fans. It had all the feel of Ron Rivera and Wright sitting in an office and one of them blurting out 'let's go with something military sounding, how about ___________'s?'. They clearly completely ignored all of the results of a year long effort to include the fanbase in selecting a new name, and picked a name that no fan identified with or supported. That added a level of 'pathetic' that was shocking to even the most bitter of our fans.

I guess the open question remaining is (and this is probably why the Harris Group has tread so lightly and been so non-commital on rebranding), will the fanbase be more open to the next proposed name for this team - assuming they go with options that are either somehow meaningful to our franchise history, or that have known broad support already from at least a significant portion of the fanbase? Or will this fanbase continue to reject a new name and brand (both spirtually and via their wallets) no matter what the new name is?

To what extent another rebranding results in massive revenue generation may be closely tied to the answer to that question.

I do think one barrier to generating revenue with swag sales (and part of what is keeping us in the NFL cellar on fan $$ spending) is that a lot of the fanbase is holding their wallets closed in the anticipation that 'Commanders' may not be permanent. Why invest in a bunch of swag when you suspect the name is going away? So swag sales could see a massive spike just because fans accept that whatever a new franchise identity is decided upon, that is who we are going to be for the forseeable future - perhaps forever... Add in a really well thought out, more marketable identity, and you could see us move from the cellar back to the top of the NFL where we historically have been.

Good post.

It felt rushed and it felt rolled out by a group of people with no connection to or understanding of our tradition. A few hired guns, none of whom seemed destined to be here long-term, came up with a generic name and some even more generic branding. Some of the original color scheme still exists and they awkwardly sprinkled in some callbacks to the glory years (a hog mascot, Hail to the Commanders, etc.), but it really was obvious that nobody with any true appreciation for the team's history was involved.

As someone who hates Dan Snyder with a passion for things he's done to my team and even much closer to home, please understand where I'm coming from when I say this...I actually think HE would have done a slightly better job completely on his own than turning this over to Wright, Rivera, his wife, etc.

 

[burgold]

I disagree on this one. In full speed, the DB did get there just a smidge early, but it was real close. Close enough to be a bang-bang type of play that I wouldn't typically want to see a team get flagged for.

Honestly, I disagree with your disagreement especially in light of how quick the refs were to throw a flag in favor of the Saints. They were an incredibly flag-happy, ticky tacky bunch. If they had been a let-them-play group then maybe, but the hit was well before the ball arrived and all the way through the attempted catch. I mean compare the egregiousnes of that non-PI to either of the roughing the passer calls against Fowler and the non roughing the passer calls for worse hits around the head and neck on Daniels.

 

[ExoDus84]

Honestly, I disagree with your disagreement especially in light of how quick the refs were to throw a flag in favor of the Saints. They were an incredibly flag-happy, ticky tacky bunch. If they had been a let-them-play group then maybe, but the hit was well before the ball arrived and all the way through the attempted catch. I mean compare the egregiousnes of that non-PI to either of the roughing the passer calls against Fowler and the non roughing the passer calls for worse hits around the head and neck on Daniels.

Oh, the officiating was terrible yesterday, no doubt. The bullshit RTP calls were infuriating.

In a vacuum though, I don't feel like the potential PI on Terry was egregious enough. If I was watching a random game that didn't involve our team, I wouldn't have seen that play and thought it deserved a penalty. I'm really not a fan of how often teams get huge chunk plays because of minor PI calls. I think it waters down the game and puts the outcome into the referees hands instead of the players.

Call the really obvious ones. Otherwise, let the players play.

 

[burgold]

It was really obvious. The hit came at least four steps before the ball arrived. The DB restricted him, arm barred him, and never looked back for the ball.

And nothing should be judged in a vacuum. Refs need to be consistent in game. BSJ's hands to the face was barely a touch. This was a thousand times more egregious. As I said, I disagree. In fact, I'd be shocked if the refs didn't cash in after the game.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Yeah I don't see how anyone can see that replay and not see that it was an obvious PI penalty. His arms were hit way before the ball arrived.

However I've looked at the clock stopping play all day. All you have to do is count down from 9, you will get to 6 by the time the clock is started and is at 8. The game clock and play clock are not in sequence so you can't use that. It was still a horrible move by officials who are not held accountable but it didn't prevent the Saints from getting another play off, they would have had 1 second.

 

[burgold]

Yeah I don't see how anyone can see that replay and not see that it was an obvious PI penalty. His arms were hit way before the ball arrived.

However I've looked at the clock stopping play all day. All you have to do is count down from 9, you will get to 6 by the time the clock is started and is at 8. The game clock and play clock are not in sequence so you can't use that. It was still a horrible move by officials who are not held accountable but it didn't prevent the Saints from getting another play off, they would have had 1 second.

The only quibble I have with this is if it the clock did not stop they might have been slightly more panicked and maybe that leads to worse play. Regardless, the clock should never have stopped the fact that the refs gave them one last favor was crazy. The refs were trying so damn hard.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

The only quibble I have with this is if it the clock did not stop they might have been slightly more panicked and maybe that leads to worse play. Regardless, the clock should never have stopped the fact that the refs gave them one last favor was crazy. The refs were trying so damn hard.

To hear their coach cry after the game about the officials was pretty rich.

I looked it up and was shocked to learn that there are not more flags today than in the past. Boy it sure does not feel that way. After every big play now I literally have to hold my breath, 4 seconds to determine if the play will stand. That seems to be enough as the lame ass TV coverage at times are late to see the flag. The roughing the passer penalties are just so so hard to accept. I get why they are doing it but clearly they are really bad at determining what exactly is a penalty. With a defense that I assume will be more aggressive in the future this will become a bigger problem than in the past when we didn't really get near the QB often.

 

[burgold]

My only hope is that if we become viewed as a "good" team we may finally get some benefit of the doubt. I have noticed that the good teams get much more ref leeway than other teams. This may not be true, but it sthftw.

 

[method man]

some frustrations from yesterday.
1. Yes, a win is a win.
2. The constant bunched near the OL formations aren't helping. When your OL is struggling, get your receivers spread out there. Pull the defense out of the box.
3. Yes, taking snaps and running from shotgun is way more common this year, but because we only have JD under center a few times this year, we're losing the opportunity to make the defense have to adjust more. And yeah, I know our center was out.
4. That 50+ yard FG attempt was a terrible idea. Giving them near midfield immediately after a miss? No, pin the way deep if you can.
5. 100% agree with Method Man on wiffing on Gilmore.
6. I thought Ben Sinnott was viewed as more of a HB while listed as TE. So, why can't he get back there to block from that HB/FB spot?
7. 9 wins is awesome in year one of a new front office and coaching staff. We're seeing the weaknesses they couldn't fix along with everything else on display as the season goes on. Need another CB, need another safety. Still need to decide if you can upgrade a tackle. Really need a #1 TE.


Still, a win is a win is a win. Not sure where win #10 comes from. Maybe Atlanta is cooked in a few weeks and playing different guys on the road in some terrible weather? Next week with Philly is a yikes. Dallas to close the season is too unless Jerry is starting all backups because they're eliminated already.

I thought so too on #6. I thought Peters made some Jusczyck comps to Sinnott. I guess KK doesn’t really use a FB or HB much (outside the 2 RB in the backfield set)

I think we definitely need tackle help in the offseason. While not a disaster, Coleman has shown me he still has a ways to go to become even an average LT. With the cap room we have, I’d rather go sign a proven starting LT like Alaric Jackson, Bolles, Cam Robinson or Walker Little (knowing at least 2 out of these 4 are unlikely to actually hit the market).

 

[Chris]

I’m pretty sure that the team spent the night in New Orleans. During my Uber ride to the airport this morning we were following 3 luxury buses led by a 4 motorcycle police escort that pulled into the private/charter area. I can’t think of any other possibility for that.

Then there was no Monday zoom with Quinn and the beat reporters as usual that I could find.

 

[ExoDus84]

Here's a clip of the three Terry bombs that didn't connect. In my opinion:

1. First one was 6 inches too long;
2. Was catchable by Terry. Hit him in his outstretched hands. Terry did pause on his route momentarily which may have affected the timing of it, but I feel like this still should have been caught
3. Underthrown by about a yard which allowed the DB to catch up. Maybe PI, but it was a real close bang-bang play. Terry almost caught the deflection, which adds even more pain to the missed opportunity.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

I’m pretty sure that the team spent the night in New Orleans. During my Uber ride to the airport this morning we were following 3 luxury buses led by a 4 motorcycle police escort that pulled into the private/charter area. I can’t think of any other possibility for that.

Then there was no Monday zoom with Quinn and the beat reporters as usual that I could find.

Interesting. You may be right. You’d think someone would say something if they did.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

One thing I think everybody needs to keep in mind: the commanders weee down possibly their best OL (Cosmi might have something to say about that but Biadacz is playing at an extremely high level, plus they were without their #2, 3 and 4 weapons for much of the game.

If you don’t think that affects what you can call on offense or how the execution works or the effect on a QB you’re truly missing something.

Did the offense stall a bit in the second half? Yes. Should it have? No. Is it somewhat explainable given the circumstances? I think yes.

This isn’t a deep team. Our #2 WR was cut by the Texans because he couldn’t make the squad as a #6 WR.

Our starting slot rookie WR has played WR for 2 years. Diyami Brown had bust written all over him.

Losing Brown, Ekler and in this game, Ertz, was huge. Not having Biadacz is huge because the drop off from him to Deiter is huge.

The difference between this team, and this QB and this coaching staff is instead of turtling, going “woe is me” and losing a Jay special, they statistically dominated the game. They found ways to move the ball, and Kliff called 3 plays which got Terry open deep, and they just missed them.

This is a very different team than the teams of Jay and Ron.

Oh, and I’m not a bitch about the refs guy. But that was a bigger screw job than you’ll find anywhere on pornhub.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

The only quibble I have with this is if it the clock did not stop they might have been slightly more panicked and maybe that leads to worse play. Regardless, the clock should never have stopped the fact that the refs gave them one last favor was crazy. The refs were trying so damn hard.

Didn’t they spike the ball? I think if they snap it with 1 second, the spike takes a second and game over.

You need at least 2 seconds to spike the ball.

I think they would have had to have run a play instead of killing the clock and that would have been a significant advantage.

I’m also not entirely sure if the clock didn’t stop they would have gotten it off. Maybe. But they would have had to have moved faster and they might have also panicked a bit.

Regardless, it was an awful job by the refs. Just horrible. They should not be allowed to work a few games for that atrocity.

 

[Ashburn Dave]

I still think the ref's almost cost us the game at the end.

 

[burgold]

The refs almost cost us the game several times. If they had called the PI: the game is over. If they don't call the roughing calls, the game is probably over. If they don't play shenanigans with the clock, if they don't penalize BSJ for brushing his hands against a facemask, if they calling roughing when the Saints hit Daniels around the head and neck... if they didn't close their eyes to several egregious Saints' holds...

That's the thing about this game. You could pick more than a dozen screwy moments where the refs did a hell of a lot worse than putting their thumb on the scale. Honestly, that crew ought to face suspensions.

 

[Cloudy Jurgensen]

One thing Terry can add to his repertoire is to sell it when there’s DPI. It can work on officials’ calls.