The Sky is not Falling Thread

[NoCalSkins]

This team just doesn't have the roster to win a lot of games where the QB isn't playing (and succeeding at) hero ball level. I know a lot of us mock Caleb Williams for being a screen pass merchant and attribute that to his improved stats & overall play, but guess what, we try to execute those too and seem to hardly ever hold blocks the few seconds needed for them to work. In fact who on his offense is really taking the ordinary and elevating it to the extrodinary. Last season JD5 had to do it almost weekly and now this season with the defense still being trash bags I don't see anyone offense doing anything above their pay grade. I think Eckler being out is an under the radar loss because he was often times a safety blanket for Jayden when the play broke down.

The sky has fallen on this season, but I want to see to see what happens in the offseason before declaring the overall sky is falling.

 

[Skinfanjon]

In 2024, Peters made a bet out of necessity that he could wring out one more productive year out of a bunch of gray beards. Pretty much all his gambles hit. All the players Peters signed that were generally mocked as hasbeens and washed-up worked out. Wagner, Ertz, and Ekeler proved themselves a significant part of the Championship run. So in 2025, Peters decided to roll the dice again. This time, a bunch of his one year gambles failed either because they just couldn't produce well enough or because they wound up injured.

I think even a bigger factor than that though was that in 2024, everyone was hungry and wanted to prove themselves. 2024 was a team far better than the sum of its parts. Players like OZ and so many others outperformed their career averages and expectations. In 2025, teams were signing here to be a part of something great. I won't say they weren't hungry, but this team never had the edge that last year's team did. For example, Von Miller came here because he thought it gave him a good chance to play in a Super Bowl. He came to be part of something great not to become something great.

He signed those guys in 2024 to set a tone in the locker room and cultivate a certain standard. Then they fucked around and made the NFCCG. It made all the sense in the world to try to take the next step.

It sucks it didn’t work but it was the right approach. If he tried it again next year it’d be very stupid, but he won’t. He will go back to the original plan, which was to build for the long haul.

 

[RedWolf]

We are so fucked, I don't care how you paint it

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

This team just doesn't have the roster to win a lot of games where the QB isn't playing (and succeeding at) hero ball level. I know a lot of us mock Caleb Williams for being a screen pass merchant and attribute that to his improved stats & overall play, but guess what, we try to execute those too and seem to hardly ever hold blocks the few seconds needed for them to work. In fact who on his offense is really taking the ordinary and elevating it to the extrodinary. Last season JD5 had to do it almost weekly and now this season with the defense still being trash bags I don't see anyone offense doing anything above their pay grade. I think Eckler being out is an under the radar loss because he was often times a safety blanket for Jayden when the play broke down.

The sky has fallen on this season, but I want to see to see what happens in the offseason before declaring the overall sky is falling.

Hm, if you watched the game, it was said repeatedly --- here are a few "close to quotes" from the announcers:

"Ben Johnson's offense is primarily a rushing offense..."
"Ben Johnson's running plays are very creative, they make rushing the ball with the running backs much easier..."
"When you can run the ball with this offense, it allows you to..."

It's not even apples and oranges, it's like apples and steak. So, at that point, any comparison of performance between Caleb and Jayden has to be thrown out as well. It's too difficult. I do think Jayden has looked way more shaky this year though. It has been like that most of the year, and I never saw it change. To me, that is always an indictment on the player-coach relationship as much as anything else.

The Sky Is Not Falling as long as we have Josh Harris, and a silver lining to all of this is - we are being very clear on what we are, if we continue like this. It's undeniable. That's not a bad thing, especially with ownership who are motivated to be winners. In some cases, being in a gray area can be a worse thing. Franchises have turned around very quickly in recent times although to me that is usually tied with a head coach change.

 

[NoCalSkins]

Hm, if you watched the game, it was said repeatedly --- here are a few "close to quotes" from the announcers:

"Ben Johnson's offense is primarily a rushing offense..."
"Ben Johnson's running plays are very creative, they make rushing the ball with the running backs much easier..."
"When you can run the ball with this offense, it allows you to..."

It's not even apples and oranges, it's like apples and steak. So, at that point, any comparison of performance between Caleb and Jayden has to be thrown out as well. It's too difficult. I do think Jayden has looked way more shaky this year though. It has been like that most of the year, and I never saw it change. To me, that is always an indictment on the player-coach relationship as much as anything else.

The Sky Is Not Falling as long as we have Josh Harris, and a silver lining to all of this is - we are being very clear on what we are, if we continue like this. It's undeniable. That's not a bad thing, especially with ownership who are motivated to be winners. In some cases, being in a gray area can be a worse thing. Franchises have turned around very quickly in recent times although to me that is usually tied with a head coach change.

I don't think Kliff has been very good at using the run, even when it seems to be working. I also think the use of Deebo has been questionable, however I do recognize his role likely changed some due to injuries to other WRs.

 

[RedWolf]

The sky has fallen

 

[Riggo44]

I don't think Kliff has been very good at using the run, even when it seems to be working.

This is one of the things that needs to change moving forward--that game screamed "run the ball." I understand we got down early because our defense is about as capable of stopping the worst QBs in the league (Smith, McCarthy, Penix all put up season-best games), but we were at the two and went 4 straight incompletions. Daniels was getting blitzed out the wazoo and he did nothing to slow that down. They should have been pounding the ball with C-Rod and Bill early and often.

 

[skinsinparadise]

lol, this is a tough theme for a thread on a day like this.

Just listening to Grant and Danny just now, Grant does a good rehash of how arrogant the team came off in the off season as to how they conducted themselves. He goes yeah they go you didn't think we'd be this good last season and you were wrong -- we got this, just wait.

It's not that I think it was the main reason why they fell apart but i used the Rocky 3 analogy to death this off season -- felt they needed to get knocked down to regain their edge. And lol boy did they get knocked down. I do think some humuliation at a minimum will help restore the hunger and sense of urgency that felt lacking.

And I get its just a guess. There is no way to know. But that's how it felt to me and I expressed it back then. It was interesting to hear it also from someone who covers the team.

And while this seems like a shot, I actually see it as positive moving forward. This season has gone so off the rails that they have no choice but to refind their edge and sense of urgency.

 

[CuredFromBatteredFanSyndrome]

lol, this is a tough theme for a thread on a day like this.

Just listening to Grant and Danny just now, Grant does a good rehash of how arrogant the team came off in the off season as to how they conducted themselves. He goes yeah they go you didn't think we'd be this good last season and you were wrong -- we got this, just wait.

It's not that I think it was the main reason why they fell apart but i used the Rocky 3 analogy to death this off season -- felt they needed to get knocked down to regain their edge. And lol boy did they get knocked down. I do think some humuliation at a minimum will help restore the hunger and sense of urgency that felt lacking.

And I get its just a guess. There is no way to know. But that's how it felt to me and I expressed it back then. It was interesting to hear it also from someone who covers the team.

And while this seems like a shot, I actually see it as positive moving forward. This season has gone so off the rails that they have no choice but to refind their edge and sense of urgency.

I agree with you regarding this epic failure likely being fuel for the offseason fire.

I will say though, I’m more “Quinn is not the guy to deliver a championship” than ever. One too many epic beatdowns have been handed to this team under his watch, dating back to the NFCCG.

I expect the team to be better, and likely a playoff team, next season. Easier schedule, healthy, all that. But it’s real hard for me to put much belief in the leadership that has allowed their team to get the absolute brakes beat off them so many times. There’s something amiss here and it’s not just talent.

 

[Riggo44]

But it’s real hard for me to put much belief in the leadership that has allowed their team to get the absolute brakes beat off them so many times. There’s something amiss here and it’s not just talent.

This is what I've been struggling with. It's obviously not one thing--and I have no idea how to fix this mess, really.

 

[Gooseneck]

I think we find out a lot about some younger players who can provide us with good depth for next year. Some good news; I bought some thumbtacks and tacked the sky back to its' rightful place.

 

[Riggo44]

I think we find out a lot about some younger players who can provide us with good depth for next year. Some good news; I bought some thumbtacks and tacked the sky back to its' rightful place.

Duct tape and Gorilla glue, if necessary.

 

[Riggo44]

In the Things Can Always Be Worse category

 

[Faithful Fan]

In the Things Can Always Be Worse category

I hope the old man kicks ass, that would be a great story.

But seriously, Rivers is 44 and hasn’t played in years, there must be better options. They’ve got a guy they drafted late and Mark Rypien’s nephew there. Ryan Tannehill just announced his retirement like two weeks ago, maybe look at him if you want experience. Of course you know I would give the Legend of Taylor Heinicke a call.

 

[ArtMonkWasMyHero]

I hope the old man kicks ass, that would be a great story.

But seriously, Rivers is 44 and hasn’t played in years, there must be better options. They’ve got a guy they drafted late and Mark Rypien’s nephew there. Ryan Tannehill just announced his retirement like two weeks ago, maybe look at him if you want experience. Of course you know I would give the Legend of Taylor Heinicke a call.

Tim Tebow is 38 years young.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I agree with you regarding this epic failure likely being fuel for the offseason fire.

I will say though, I’m more “Quinn is not the guy to deliver a championship” than ever. One too many epic beatdowns have been handed to this team under his watch, dating back to the NFCCG.

I expect the team to be better, and likely a playoff team, next season. Easier schedule, healthy, all that. But it’s real hard for me to put much belief in the leadership that has allowed their team to get the absolute brakes beat off them so many times. There’s something amiss here and it’s not just talent.

Maybe. To me this coming season is everything. They were given a blueprint of everything that could go wrong. No ambiguity. Just within my own work or back when I was a student, when I've had periods where everything seems to go my way, it's hard for it not to go to my head and not lose my edge. And I am not an arrogant guy by nature but when I've had good stretches lol it almost always comes down in some way and my best work comes after things go south. And I think that's natural for most people. If I thought Quinn and Peters weren't that competitive or they were lazy I'd be much more concerned. But from what I've heard they work their asses off especially Peters. Bram who has been around the team forever said Peters is the most competitive guy he's ever been around. So while I am not counting on a succesfull comeback I do think these guys feel the pain as much if not more than we do and all hands are on deck for this offseason.

Comparing it to Rivera. Rivera didn't strike me a hard worker and always had a ready excuse for everything. Watching Quinn's press conferences (and I don't think he's a bullshitter driven by image like Rivera) he's not giving excuses, he comes off as a dude who really feels the pain. He exudes it. Rivera would cite injuries or whatever in a case like this. Quinn says these are lessons to work in the off season so it never happens again and said he and Peters are already in off season mode as to deep discussions about fixing this. I know that doesn't make anyone feel better. It doesn't make me feel better. But there are plenty of coaches who would make me feel worse in this context where you wonder if they get it. I got no doubt Quinn gets it. Peters gets it. That's 50% of the battle. But can they competently fix this? My thought is likely yes. But I won't know until I know of course.

Going back to my corny Rocky 3 analogy, you got your ass kicked by Mr. T -- now what? My disappointment in the season is these dudes fell into the cliche of an upstart team crashing down. Peters IMO left big holes on the roster. WR was a ticking time bomb and edge too and they both blew up. Quinn seemed to treat camp as a glorified walk through to ensure the team is rested for the playoffs. They were a walking, talking cliche IMO of an organization that got full of themselves after the series of articles and stories about Peters overhauling a roster in one season and taking them one game from the SB and Dan Quinn is a cross between Tony Robbins and Bill Belichick.

I think this off season is going to be fascinating both as to Peters and Quinn. Even though I disagreed with their approach -- its not a foreign one for an upstart team to suck the next season in part because they think they've arrived and forgot that edge that got them there.

Still though My positive feelings are much more about Jayden than Quinn or Peters -- he's competitive as heck, this season will drive him nuts. I forgot on what show I heard it but on one it was mentioned that they heard that its driving Jayden crazy that fumble against the Bears. Jayden himself talked in NO before the SB that he is struggiling to get over the loss to Philly. I think we will get Jayden on a mission in 2026.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Mistakes made by Quinn and Peters and I have posted a lot about it. But I don't share any doom or gloom takes about the future.

O line continues to get better. And its deep, too. PFF currently ranks it 7. Special teams both as to punt returns, kickoffs and defending them are good.

And of course you got a franchise QB.

Yes they need a bunch of upgrades. But if all that happens is Jayden stays healthy and they add a stud WR and a stud pass rusher IMO they are back in the playoffs. Granted they will do more than just that but I don't think this team is far off from its 2024 success.

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-offensive-line-rankings-week-16-2025

7. Washington Commanders (No change)​

Projected Week 16 starters:​

LT Laremy Tunsil
LG Chris Paul
C Tyler Biadasz
RG Sam Cosmi
RT Josh Conerly Jr.

Washington’s offensive line helped set the tone in a Week 15 win over the Giants. Across 26 dropbacks, the Commanders yielded four pressures — including just one sack — on their way a 90.4 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating, ranking eighth in the NFL.

It was not all good news for the Commanders' offensive line, though. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil departed in Week 15 with an oblique injury. However, his replacement, Brandon Coleman, gave up no pressure on 14 dropbacks and earned a team-high 86.4 PFF pass-blocking grade.

Best player: Laremy Tunsil​

Tunsil, who surrendered no pressure against the Giants, is uncertain to play in Week 16.

 

[Die Hard]

Weird that Tunsil's injury is listed as an oblique. He was pointing to and the trainer's were working underneath his shoulder pads on his L shoulder (deltoid area). Then he came back into play.

Perhaps this is another injury he sustained.

From what I watched of Coleman when Tunsil went out... he was dominant.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Weird that Tunsil's injury is listed as an oblique. He was pointing to and the trainer's were working underneath his shoulder pads on his L shoulder (deltoid area). Then he came back into play.

Perhaps this is another injury he sustained.

From what I watched of Coleman when Tunsil went out... he was dominant.

Yeah Suter who does Sheehan's film reviews keeps insisting they should start Coleman at RT.

The O line right now ranked 7th by PFF. I agree with this:

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

Yeah Suter who does Sheehan's film reviews keeps insisting they should start Coleman at RT.

The O line right now ranked 7th by PFF. I agree with this:

Definitely true, but one caveat is if we end up being very predictable on playcalling -- even great OL cannot withstand that very well. It depends on what kind of rush structure there is, but generally (especially against PHI style) if they know what you are going to do, you are toast. OL can't stop it in that case. Especially with those DBs (in passing situations).