What We Learned » The Redskins allow too many big plays. Of Dallas’ 375 total yards, 223 came on 10 plays. The Cowboys had seven gains of at least 20 yards, including a 40-yard run. But it wasn’t just this game. In the first three games combined, Washington has allowed 14 plays of 20 yards or more. Want the silver lining? It’s better than the first three games of 2010. Want the bad news? It’s only better by one. Incidentally, those 14 plays this season have accounted for 456 of the 1,014 yards.
» Corner DeAngelo Hall didn’t help himself with his postgame comments regarding the third-and-21 blitz call. It’s obvious that it was a difficult spot to be in (for the second straight week). The quarterback had too much time and Hall had no help. But to second guess the play call publicly? He’s a competitive guy who was highly frustrated. However, this was supposed to be the distraction-free Redskins remember? And Hall is a Pro Bowl player who says he likes the challenge of covering the opposition’s best receiver. Keep in mind that Hall’s defensive boss, Jim Haslett, is an ex-player who didn’t mind last year when Hall popped off about it being his defense.
» Haslett’s aggressive nature is not for everyone. One talent evaluator said he was too “boom or bust” for him, which is why he did not like Haslett calling three consecutive all-out blitzes. Fox analyst Troy Aikman wondered during the season opener if the aggressive strategy late in games would cost them at some point. But former Redskin safety Matt Bowen wrote in the National Football Post that he loves playing for coaches that aggressive. When the Redskins hired Haslett, they knew this was his nature. Fans don’t like the prevent, but is there a balance?
» Kyle Shanahan is equally aggressive. After two runs to open the game in Week 2, nine of the next 10 plays were passes (the last an interception). And in the fourth quarter, trailing by eight, another drive featured nine pass plays out of 13 (capped by a touchdown). Monday night, the Redskins ran 16 plays in the fourth quarter; 14 were pass plays and none led to points. The Redskins entered the final quarter with a four-point lead.
– John Keim
