Random Commanders Thoughts

[servumtuum]

I have an unsettled question that's been bugging me. What the hell was I watching during the Eagles game?

I thought I was watching a team that looked like what I would normally be confident in describing as a competent, competitive team that minus a few glaring and destructive football brain farts, could be classified as a typical tough opponent for a team regarded as one of the better teams going at the time-the Eagles-and one that would be a-if you will pardon the cliche-"worthy opponent" for teams on their schedule to take seriously as a potential defeat if they weren't careful.

Then last night happened.

I posted in the chat room as the brutal collapse unfolded hinting that Jaguars fans should be lighting up their forums doing a scorched earth demonization of their team and coaches asking them how in the name of all that's holy could they have lost to a team so apparenty inept.

Was it the Thrusday-night-short-prep-time blues? Or was it the renowned inability of the Redskins to forget the fact that they were on national television and therefore "doomed" to forget everything they knew about good football like a child forgetting their lines in a school play when the parents are there?

Did the cries of those who said "wait until they have tape on Cousins, then watch what happens" summon a demon we had submerged in comforting waves of raised hopes?

Whatever the nature and components of the confluence of "Bad Things That Happen To A Football Team" may have been what was most stunning to me wasn't the fact that we had stumbled into the trough of the wave of football fortunes but the height of the wave-the distance fallen, the sheerness of the cliff, the mind-warping disconnect between what I saw-or, at least thought I saw-against the Eagles, and the debacle of the Giants game.

I did mention something else in chat that Boone alluded to. This team, in my view, is fragile. The Redskins have been "fragile" for some time now.

What do I mean "fragile"? No consistency, no supportive base of confidence in themselves, easily frightened and cowed into the nervous peaks that produce costly mistakes on the field-and then seems to propagate through the team like a new meme gpoing viral online.

I've borne and held on through tough times as a Redskins fan. I'll always root for the Redskins. Always.

That's never in question.

Whiplash inducing tectonic shifts from sugar-to-shit in a matter of days, however? That's tough.

I hope somebody finds workable solutions soon.


I'm getting too old for this.

 

[SkinsFTW]

I've seen it mentioned but I don't buy that its the talent. I just think these guys can't game plan and got schooled by Coughlin and crew. You don't go from looking like the 07 Pats to the 86 Bucs and blame the talent. We didn't play the Jags last week and we played in Philly.

This team was clicking on all cylinders on Offense against the Eagles and despite the refs missing 25 offensive holds by the Eagles, gifting them firsts on 4-5 drives which were phantom calls that we didn't get, not calling Fletcher Cox for slamming Cousins 2 seconds after the whistle which would've given us 1st and goal at the 4. We still would've won if not for the kick return and missed fg. In the end the refs gave Philly 14-17 points and took 6-10 from us but we still should have won.

This team isn't lacking talent. It's lacking good coaching. There's no reason Riley was out there again on passing downs after giving up 2 TD's last week. He shouldn't have been out there last week either. Who didn't know the Giants were going to go right there again? Then they did it again and he still doesn't get in position or put his hands up and then they do it against Merriweather and again on Amerson with some TE that won't have another TD all year. Dont they teach these guys that they can put their hands in the air and defense passes? Do they teach them to look for the ball over their shoulder and put a hand up? If they do then why are they on the field?

I'm not buying that these players have no talent it's just that our coaching has them looking completely lost out there. When 4-5 players on defense are perpetually OUT OF POSITION and receivers are wide open everywhere it's not talent. Not when Bill Belichick or Rex Ryan can throw out any random FA DB or a whole backfield of them and somehow they are pro bowl material the following week just about every time somebody goes down.

The Giants watch tape, they know our offensive and defensive tendencies. They know Cousins take 1.75 seconds or whatever it is and the receiver curls in and the ball goes right to that spot and they know Cousins doesn't hesitate to let it rip. They know that Riley will stand there looking at the QB as he lobs a pass over his head and never move or put his hands up until it's way too late. They know Amerson covers the guy close but never looks over his shoulder and put his hands up to deflect the pass. They know Polumbus is a turnstyle and they know they can blow up Licht and Rib and get easy pressure in the middle. Hell, they probably know what Cooley keeps mentioning about how some of the linemen give away pass or run just by their posture.

The Redskins had some injuries but I just think there was too much going wrong and most of its because the coaching sucks and Gruden has way too much on his plate trying to bring basically 2 rookie QB's up to speed and he's been slacking on the run blocking due to likely 100% practice implementing his offense so now Morris has to fight off 2-3 dudes in the backfield on 1/2 his runs.

 

[SkinsFTW]

The whole game was a ref job on us. Right from the start on the personal foul when I really didn't see Baker hit Manning on the head. There was just too many "non-calls" and outright intentional bad calls.

I hear ya and I rewatched the Philly game a few times and was so disgusted that I'm not going to do it again this week.

On the post game radio show i was listening to somebody mention that on the play where Cousins got sack/fumbled he'd have passed the ball but Roberts was basically mugged/tackled on his route with no call so if that was going on the whole game, which i have no idea, that would be a perfect explanation for how Cousins was throwing those picks expecting a receiver to be in a spot when they weren't.

Of course that doesn't excuse how Gruden kept calling the plays expecting a different outcome or how Cousins never stopped slinging it in there when no Redskin was where he was throwing it as if he's a pc program set on a timer.

After watching the Eagles OL, seriously, tackle, lay down on, headlock from behind at least one of Kerrigan, Hatcher, or Orakpo on most pass downs I wouldn't be surprised.

Maybe this is the league giving Snyder the hint about the name change. Thats really all I can believe now after seeing so many non calls and so many BS calls for the Eagles in that game.

 

[Boone]

There's no question we got outcoached. It happens. And I haven't seen anyone say we don't have talent - in SOME places - but we don't have anywhere near the talent or depth we need at some positions to be competitive. When DHall went down, all of sudden we could not stop anyone in the secondary. We have some young talent there, but we lack the leadership DHall provided, and the young guys that do have talent simply aren't ready to step up yet. Amerson is the closest thing to a starting CB we have currently healthy and he's still learning. We lack talent and depth at DB (and don't even get me started on the safety spot - we only have one decent one and Clark has all the heart in the world, but his best years are behind him). Our OL is damn near bereft of starting caliber talent - setting aside TW. Seriously - would any of our other OL even be starters on the vast majority of teams? And our ST talent, outside of the kickers who I think are fine, is seriously sub-par. Those are some pretty critical areas of talent deficit.

You can't point to one successful game and say 'Look! See all that talent!'. Certain teams present matchup problems and we were that for the Jaguars. They are a terrible team and we just had one of those games where almost everything went our way.

On the coaching end, Haslett is what Haslett is, and the ST coach probably deserves to lose his job and we're only 4 games into the season. Gruden does not 'suck' but he a) can't overcome a lack of talent at key positions, b) massive injuries so we can't even start our best talent (such as it is), and c) a culture of inconsistency and lack of accountability all overnight.

 

[SkinsFTW]

One thing I forgot to mention.

If you want some good laughs, grab a beer and maybe some popcorn, forget youre a redskin fan for a while and just watch the last game but only focus on Polumbus. Actually, just pick out any game and it's likely the same thing.

Why is that dude still on the team?

Seriously, watch just him. He does some things that don't even make sense. Sometimes he will just leave his guy and go stand by the RG letting the defender run straight at the QB, sometimes he takes a few steps and then just stops letting the defender run past untouched, sometimes when there are 2 rushing he just watches them both go by on each side then Young picks one up and the 2nd is of course free.

I don't know how much intelligence it takes to be a coach in the NFL but I do know that there has to be somebody they could find on a couch somewhere in America that can play that position better than Polumbus and I guarantee that if I was coaching this dude I'd be laughing on the sidelines by now.

 

[ntotoro]

Chris Cooley swears Polumbus isn't as bad as we make him out to be.

I'm starting to question Cooley's knowledge of football.

Nick

 

[DieselPwr44]

Chris Cooley swears Polumbus isn't as bad as we make him out to be.

I'm starting to question Cooley's knowledge of football.

Nick

John Keim says the same thing too.

Wonder if Tyler has some pics of Cooley and Keim with some clowns and farm animals?

 

[Miles Monroe]

Oh and its about time more players are cut. I don't give a rats ass if we lose all games, get rid of guys that hurt your team. That includes Paulson and Polumbus. Get rid of them I dont' care if we don't have anymore tight ends, there are plenty on NFL practice squads..

Really ? I have no problem cutting a player like Polumbus, he doesn't belong on a pro team. Paulson is a completely different story. He's an old school blocking TE, that is generally dependable in pass pro, and not to shabby catching the ball when pressed into service. He runs like a truck horse, but is a big boy that does his job well. I guess if Morris coughed it up last night, you would want to cut him too ? You'd rather have a PS guy that couldn't crack a 53 man roster over a vet that knows the system, and has served the team well ?

I aint thrilled with what I saw last night, but I'm not looking to chop off heads because I'm so desperate to see my team win. The quick fix doesn't work. We signed a vet safety, and it took two weeks to get him on the field. Cut Paulson and get a PS guy, and it will take 4 to 5 weeks to get him up to speed. Who on the roster are ya gonna fill that spot with.

Again, cut Polumbus and start the rookie, as it can't get any worse. Nobody else really jumps out as deserving to be cut. I guess we could cut Cousins, with his 4 pic night being that would fall under that "hurt the team" catagory.

 

[Burgundy Burner]

Wade Phillips was at the game last night - in Redskins attire. Yes, his son is an assistant on the staff. Sure is an interesting side note. Also, he did yell "Hail To The Redskins".

Interesting.

Very interesting.

 

[Miles Monroe]

Wade Phillips was at the game last night - in Redskins attire. Yes, his son is an assistant on the staff. Sure is an interesting side note. Also, he did yell "Hail To The Redskins".

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Don't tease me dam it !

 

[micks113]

Really ? I have no problem cutting a player like Polumbus, he doesn't belong on a pro team. Paulson is a completely different story. He's an old school blocking TE, that is generally dependable in pass pro, and not to shabby catching the ball when pressed into service. He runs like a truck horse, but is a big boy that does his job well. I guess if Morris coughed it up last night, you would want to cut him too ? You'd rather have a PS guy that couldn't crack a 53 man roster over a vet that knows the system, and has served the team well ?

I aint thrilled with what I saw last night, but I'm not looking to chop off heads because I'm so desperate to see my team win. The quick fix doesn't work. We signed a vet safety, and it took two weeks to get him on the field. Cut Paulson and get a PS guy, and it will take 4 to 5 weeks to get him up to speed. Who on the roster are ya gonna fill that spot with.

Again, cut Polumbus and start the rookie, as it can't get any worst. Nobody else really jumps out as deserving to be cut. I guess we could cut Cousins, with his 4 pic night being that would fall under that "hurt the team" catagory.

Here's the difference. Morris is a RB carrying the ball on the run, get it? Paulson gave up the ball standing still knowing what was going on and knowing the guy wasn't even trying to tackle him. Hey running backs fumble while making a play. usually the ball comes out as a result of a tackle and the ball gets hit versus a strip. Paulson's was more just plain mental. Standing right there waiting for the strip. And....the ref was standing there just waiting for the strip. Come on....can't you see the difference. Plus, Paulson is totally expendable. Morris is not.

Polumbus can't pass block. Any of those poor slobs the Cowboys pull off the couch are better. Are you really trying to tell me we can't find serviceable tackles for Polumbus? Polumbus also expendable.

In this league, identify your players that are expendable and make them earn their roster spot. The time has come, coach needs to make examples of guys so that the rest of the locker room knows he means business. Rambo was expendable due to Merriweather. I think that got him waived moreso than poor play, but poor play certainly sealed the deal.

 

[micks113]

There's no question we got outcoached. It happens. And I haven't seen anyone say we don't have talent - in SOME places - but we don't have anywhere near the talent or depth we need at some positions to be competitive. When DHall went down, all of sudden we could not stop anyone in the secondary. We have some young talent there, but we lack the leadership DHall provided, and the young guys that do have talent simply aren't ready to step up yet. Amerson is the closest thing to a starting CB we have currently healthy and he's still learning. We lack talent and depth at DB (and don't even get me started on the safety spot - we only have one decent one and Clark has all the heart in the world, but his best years are behind him). Our OL is damn near bereft of starting caliber talent - setting aside TW. Seriously - would any of our other OL even be starters on the vast majority of teams? And our ST talent, outside of the kickers who I think are fine, is seriously sub-par. Those are some pretty critical areas of talent deficit.

You can't point to one successful game and say 'Look! See all that talent!'. Certain teams present matchup problems and we were that for the Jaguars. They are a terrible team and we just had one of those games where almost everything went our way.

On the coaching end, Haslett is what Haslett is, and the ST coach probably deserves to lose his job and we're only 4 games into the season. Gruden does not 'suck' but he a) can't overcome a lack of talent at key positions, b) massive injuries so we can't even start our best talent (such as it is), and c) a culture of inconsistency and lack of accountability all overnight.

Good observations. We didn't measure up to the match ups. That includes coaches. They have the veteran experience head coach and veteran experienced 2 time SB QB. We have the rookie head coach and rookie QB (yes until Kirk has 16 games, he will be a rookie). At the big picture level, its obvious we wouldn't measure up. Or at least should have been obvious after the results were in. In retrospect, maybe it wasn't all that bad given the mistakes. Gruden is on the learning curve, and seems he has made two glaring errors on the red flag calls. But he will learn, and we must accept his honeymoon period. While we're at it, play all the young guys more, this was a rebuild year anyways. We had overhauled the roster more so than any year I can remember. we need to take it to the next level of rebuild. So let's break it down, in order to build it back up. that's my philosophy here. Break it down, get rid of the dead wood, keep the over achievers and those that show the ability to have upside in learning on the job. If Gruden can't get the players to quit the penalties and mistakes, sorry but they have to go. And that includes coaches, which Gruden has acknowledged. I would make those teams and defense coaching changes now, send the message. I know results won't be immediate, but let's get it on the right track for crying out loud.

 

[Miles Monroe]

Come on now, there's no difference once the ball is cought, and the receiver is running. Running backs get stripped all the time while the D has stood them up stopping forward progress. That's what is taught from PeeWee on up. Paulson picked up YAC, then got held up by one player, and stripped by another. You're over simplifying it, to the point the guy just stoped, and stood still while a guy just took the ball with no fight. Watch the play again, held by one, and a few second tugging match before he looses grip. Try it some time... it aint so easy to hold on.

Again, I'm not arguing Polumbus. Paulson isn't expendable. You use the example of Rambo being cut, because of Meriweather returning, but you fail to include it also tied into the signing of Nacho. Had we not signed Nacho, Rambo would still be on the roster. It's called having depth..... even if it's not the best. Knowing the system is so important, but you seem to just blow that off as if this is a plug and play audio system, and we can just pick up a player anywhere. We haven't a clue how long Niles will be out being he's under the league protocol for concussions. We don't know when Reed will return, as hammy injuries can often be a real bitch to beat, yet you insist our only TE on the roster should be cut due to one screw up. If you asked me prior to the season what the knock was with Paulson, I'd tell ya he normally got flagged once a game for holding. Pretty sure there's a few guys on the squad that have more holding call then him thus far, so he's even improved his play. I'm not sure if he has any in 4 games to be honest.

You say hes expendable because of his loss of the ball deep in giants territory, but it seems more like he's not enough of a name brand, so how much use can he really be worth on the field. It's the blue collar guys that you hear little about that make this work... well, on a normally functioning team. He's one of the unsung hero's so common to the sport.

He's not even close to being expendable unless you can come up with two TE's that have played in a system so close to what Gruden runs.

Leave the lumber Jack alone

 

[Gulf Coast Redskin]

Chris Cooley swears Polumbus isn't as bad as we make him out to be.

I'm starting to question Cooley's knowledge of football.

Nick

I like Cooley, but I'm not certain he's watching the same things we are. Polumbus is easily the worst OLman in the entire League. I can't see another team putting him on their starting lineup without resorting to depth due to injuries so deep they are literally reaching into the PS for players. He spent the whole night chasing the guy he was supposed to be blocking & they really weren't do much to get past him. It was pathetic. I don't know what Cooley or Keim is talking about.

 

[Gulf Coast Redskin]

Paulson is totally expendable. Morris is not.

I don't know that I agree with this. With Jordan Reid out & now Niles Paul, Logan Paulson is needed right now. I didn't see the play in question so I won't comment on that.

Polumbus can't pass block. Any of those poor slobs the Cowboys pull off the couch are better. Are you really trying to tell me we can't find serviceable tackles for Polumbus? Polumbus also expendable.

Like I've said, Polumbus doesn't belong on a starting lineup & I can't imagine any team in the League would consider him a starter either.

In this league, identify your players that are expendable and make them earn their roster spot. The time has come, coach needs to make examples of guys so that the rest of the locker room knows he means business. Rambo was expendable due to Merriweather. I think that got him waived moreso than poor play, but poor play certainly sealed the deal.

I'm not much of a fan of Merriweather either. He seems to be in the wrong place too many times & still leads with his head to make tackles which means it's only a matter of time before he's suspended or even banned for life.

 

[Beans]

Pain Train derailed. Game over man. Game over. And it's only September...

 

[Beans]

I'm usually one of the last to give up, but the annual letdown is wearing on me.

 

[CounterTrey]

This season is a 1st for me, normally I can find a way to be optimistic and drum up even some false hope. Not this season, my positive Skins outlook is officially gone bust and aint comin back until I see some serious tangible changes i.e. Haslett shown the door. Honestly it can't get much worse, give someone else a shot, we've seen this show before.

 

[SC_RedskinsFan]

I have had time to calm down and digest what happened the other night. I won't get into that now, but I just want to remind everybody that we are 1-3, we just had to play 2 divisional games in a 4 day stretch with a rookie head coach. The season is still young. I remember a certain coach who started out 0-5. It is not the end of the world, or the end of the season.

 

[DieselPwr44]

Redskins have a new fight song: