1. Wow » You can’t overreact to one game, good or bad. But this should end all talk of being a playoff contender. The Redskins simply have a long ways to go to consistently win games, especially against better teams like the Eagles. They need more playmakers on offense, for starters. But they also need to build a defense that doesn’t have to alternate strategies to generate pressure or stop the run. They have good parts on this defense; but they are hurt because they don’t get enough pressure out of the front seven in the 3-4 base. Makes it tough. And the lack of legitimate playmakers on offense is glaring when watching the Eagles and even the Giants. Yes, teams have bad games. New York had one Sunday. The defense will play better, but is the team improving overall? Hard to say that tonight. Also, I dismiss the 28 points by the offense; they did zippity do da when the game mattered.
2. The receivers got off the line too easily » In the first meeting, the Redskins made a big deal out of being physical with the Eagles’ wideouts. But they did not do a good job slowing them off the line tonight. DeAngelo Hall appeared to try, and fail, to jam DeSean Jackson and he easily sped past LaRon Landry on a post – as Landry was playing him to the outside. Jackson did a good job avoiding attempted jams by linebackers; first by lining up off the line and then by running away from the defender. Noticed more guys in the slot or off the ball. Either that or I just don’t remember how many times they did that in the first meeting. Still, it was different and it did matter.
3. The Eagles also did a nice job of getting the Redskins defense to over-commit to one side of the field, then hitting them back the other way » It opened up the reverse to Jeremy Maclin for 11 yards. It’s why Michael Vick could roll left, then run back right as nobody stayed home – and he gained 21 yards. And, except for a few plays, they could not generate pressure on Vick with only four rushers. A couple times the rush got upfield almost too far and opened up running lanes for Vick. What a problem he poses for defensive coaches. You absolutely have to roll with him, but it leaves you vulnerable on the backside. On the first play of the game he rolled to his left and Landry thought he was safe on the backside vs. Jackson. Then Jackson sped up and Landry was cooked. Landry admitted his mistake, but you have to know that, with Vick’s arm, you are never safe. Then the Eagles spread the field and run a shovel pass against a nickel defense for a touchdown.
4. The Eagles look efficient; the Redskins do not » Philadelphia operates like a team that’s been in one offense for quite a while. Which, of course, the Eagles have been. They have more explosive talent, no doubt and that makes the Redskins defend the entire field. But the Eagles were smooth tonight; they ran whatever they wanted and when they wanted. They were crisp. The Redskins, when the game still mattered, looked like a team still trying to find itself in a new system. There are few times when they look crisp; they hit on big plays, but they are not driving with efficiency at this point. When the Redskins needed to move the ball – during the first quarter; after it was 35-14 – they could not. Again, it goes back to talent and this being the first year of a new system. It’s a bad combo and will take another year or two to correct. Where will Donovan McNabb be then? Will he still be an effective player? It’s not all on him, but …
5. The Redskins failed to respond as a team » They had two weeks to prepare for this game; endured controversy after a loss to Detroit and talked about regrouping for the second half. And this is what they do? It’s why several players, Hall in particular, wore ticked-off looks in the locker room. Hall appeared like he was going to explode. There was a numbed look to many players. But this was an all-around effort, from the head coach on down. By the way, why only two running backs active? When Ryan Torain was hurt – in pre-game – that left Keiland Williams as the lone back. He played hard, but that was a risky move. A guy has a hamstring issue, is fine for a couple days and you only keep two running backs active? Man. Defensively they could never solve what the Eagles were doing, though a lot of it just seemed to be about talent, specifically Vick’s talent. And McNabb, despite throwing for 295 yards, failed to quiet anyone with his game. When it mattered, he missed on key third down throws – throwing too hard and skipping a pass off Santana Moss’ hands for an interception. He threw high to Chris Cooley on the next series on a third down. And his passing is a major reason why the Redskins have converted only four of the last 37 third downs; they were 0 for 10 in this game. Yikes. That comes back to the quarterback. For that, $40 million guaranteed.
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