…LaRon Landry is having a bad game. It’s not just the touchdown he was beaten on; looked like he was expecting him to cut out and was caught flat-footed. But he’s missed a tackle because of a bad angle and was dragged a few yards on another run by Laurence Maroney. I’d like to start seeing him make the big plays they’ve talked about. So far, just haven’t seen enough to say he’ll have a breakout year.
…The Patriots are just beating Washington with a lot of quick throws. Makes you wonder how many teams will use that strategy, to neutralize the threat of the rush. The Pats have spread the field and put themselves in good one-on-one situations — and won. Lots of quick passes wide and crossing patterns underneath. It’s worked. Again, the Redskins are playing off and the Pats are capitalizing.
…Since their touchdown drive, the first string offense went three straight three-and-outs and gained a combined 10 yards.
…Santana Moss dropped the slant pass on third and 3; the ball was definitely behind him, but it was catchable. And on third down, the pass was fine because it would have resulted in a first down.
…Stephon Heyer has had some issues with Ty Warren. Was called for holding in the first quarter and, on the first drive of the second, Warren brushed off his block to tackle Clinton Portis for a 2-yard gain.
…Did you see the way Brian Orakpo played the run on Fred Taylor’s carry midway through the second? Orakpo was at end and quickly read the play, got inside the tackle and his strenght held him off and he made the tackle. Still think it’s wise to keep him at SLB, let him use his athleticism to also blitz. But Orakpo showed excellent technique on this play.
…Jim Zorn is calling an excellent game. The receivers are open and have been most of the game. It’s just a matter of connecting.
…Nobody saw Chris Cooley on his 73-yard run. He was excellent. However, what I liked was Marko Mitchell’s block waaaay downfield. Allowed Cooley to get what seemed like 10 more yards. In college, Mitchell was not known for his blocking.
…Jason Campbell has to do a better job on those fade passes. He threw to Malcolm Kelly’s front shoulder; gotta get it to the outside on that play. That’s where the room was. But the two seemed off on their timing; almost looked like Kelly jumped a bit early.
…Nice athletic play by Campbell on the run. That was a broken, backyard type of play and Campbell did a nice job using his athleticism. Campbell did make a nice easy throw on the pass to Cooley; allowed him to catch and run.
…Would like to see the tight ends get some better blocking; Fred Davis did not do a good job on linebacker Paris Lennon on a Marcus Mason run around the end. That’s why it was a 2-yard run.
…Devin Thomas has played a lot in the second quarter; made a good grab on his first-and-10 catch for 11 yards. On the previous play, he just started to break free down the right side, but Campbell had looked off him to go to Cooley. Just one of those things.
…The Redskins have done a good job getting Campbell in a rhythm. Campbell needs a lot of help with playcalling — most quarterbacks do — and is so much better when he completes a few passes first. Seems like it settles him a little bit, sort of like a shooter getting his rhythm by making a few layups. By the end of the quarter, he was clearly playing with confidence. That is not always the case with him.
… The fade to Kelly had no chance. The corner, Leigh Bodden played it well and Kelly didn’t have a lot of room.
… By the way, on the pass that Justin Tryon defeated… He was beaten off the line by receiver Greg Lewis. What saved him was pressure from Albert Haynesworth. Tom Brady could not step into the throw because he seemed to feel Haynesworth. Brady’s throw lacked zip and Tryon recovered. He gets a pass defense, but Haynesworth deserves the assist.
