My Little League football coach used to always say to us, "It's not what you do right; it's what you DON'T do wrong..."
After a preseason in which John Hall did nothing to gain our trust, he misses a 48-yard field goal to cement our doubt about his ability to make the critical kicks the Redskins may need to make a run at the playoffs (Didn't I just write about this?). With 12 seconds on the clock and after driving to around the 30-yard-line with an offense getting there in less than a minute, John Hall hooked his kick, badly, and the Redskins are off to a bad start of the season.
Former Redskins Brad Johnson (16 of 30 for 223 yards and a TD) and Fred Smoot (six solo tackles, several were critical) both had solid games as the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Redskins 19-16 in front of the country on a Monday Night in which they were remembering the victims of 9/11 on its 5th year anniversary.
Chris Cooley wasn't a factor (2 catches for -3 yards). Brandon Lloyd wasn't a factor (1 catch for 23 yards). Clinton Portis wasn't a factor (10 rushes for 39 yards, but he did get a TD). The special teams gave up some big returns (a critical 44 yard return late in the game). Mark Brunell threw away so many passes that Al Saunders should've just called running plays. Sean Taylor -- were the officials trippin' over last year's spitting incident or was Taylor just a bit out of control (a couple of crippling penalties late in the game for 15 yards each)?
Joe Gibbs was in attendance, but it made no difference. Al Saunders' play calling was decent, but nothing worth $2 million a year. I mean, the reverse that Antwaan Randle El finally got was immediately after two fakes to him. It fooled no one. I even called it before the snap. And the two runs prior didn't do that much damage to get the defense eying on our RBs!
Tom Cruise was in attendance with his wife (no baby, though). But who cares? Jamie Foxx talked about himself his time in the booth, but I sure did prefer listening to him than our man Joey T. Can we get Mike Tirico in the booth by himself?
The questions from the preseason don't seem to have found answers. The Redskins were 1 for 4 in the red zone, settling for very short John Hall FGs. But when a FG was absolutely needed to have a chance to win the game, Hall looked like he was a kicker recovering from two years of injuries who had no competition in the offseason and just couldn't get the job done.
Hey, it's just one game out of 16. We have Dallas next weekend. With a win against Dallas and we'll be back on track. That is, if we can get a kicker that can, well, kick.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-11-2006 @ 11:32PM
Bob said...
Well, it wasn't the offensive disaster of the pre-season, but it sure wasn't anything to get excited about, either. The ball went vertical twice the entire game (both were completed, fellahs, you might have wanted to try it a few more times), they dinked and danked and sometimes moved the ball, sometimes not; Lloyd was barely there, Brunell looked shaky at times...but the DEFENSE...my goodness, that was a pitiful performance. Flexing your muscles after stopping running plays in the first 2-plus quarters didn't help you down the stretch, did it, guys? And no one was covered all night...if that Viking wideout doesn't let a couple of balls slip through his hands, this game is a 2-touchdown loss.
special teams. Hmm. Can the Skins hire a $2M Special Team Coach? Heaven knows they've been so bad at them for so long now.
That was one unimpressive opener...now they have to win next week in Dallas, or they have dug a hole before they even get out of September.
Very disappointing.
Shift all you want, Al...that was a sorry offensive performance, when it's all said and done.
Reply
9-11-2006 @ 11:38PM
adam said...
no kidding, you nailed it. how can we depend on a kicker that leaves us on the edge of our seats on a 20yrd. line FG attempt? Fire him, soooooorrrrrrryyyyy!!! hall.
Reply
9-12-2006 @ 12:35AM
Stan said...
It is still a little early in the season to get bent. Things can pan out. The only concern I have now is the defense and the lack of a pass rush.
Reply
9-12-2006 @ 1:52AM
Mike Wood said...
David Gaines cannot tell the difference between dog poo and silly putty. And so does the rest of the so-called "redskins fans" who think very highly of the preseason. Sorry boys, back to the school yard with you. John Hall is a quality kicker, plus he likes to hit. He is not a wuss. How about a positive look at the game. No critical injuries. No consistant false starts. We had the game won. We held back. Let Brad Johnson and espn have their moment in the sun. We are going to the show. Espn does not carry the super bowl and they are jealous becuase that is where the Washington Redskins are going. So go ahead Mr. Gaines-nothing-of-his-life: Talk about how the redskins did a bad job. It will be you who will be hiding in the corner sucking your thumb when we capture Mr. Lombardi's trophy once more.
Reply
9-12-2006 @ 7:28AM
David Gaines said...
Just so there isn't a misunderstanding: I still predict the Redskins to take it deep in the playoffs. It's only going to be nailbiters getting there depending on John Hall or a little more comfortable with a kicker who can make kicks from anywhere on the field.
If Brunell threw for 400 yards, what difference does it make it the defense gives up 401, more points than the offense scored and we lose by a FG? I saw many positives, but if you read how the post begins, it's not what you do right that wins games. It's what you don't do wrong, like miss game-tying FGs for just 47-yards which is nothing for a so-called "quality kicker."
And I don't think there was anything I mentioned that wasn't supported with why. Not saying the team is overhyped, like Cooley and Lloyd. I'm just saying they were underutilized.
Anyway, let's see what Gibbs has to say today and get ready for the Cowboys game.
Reply
9-12-2006 @ 8:41AM
Skeezix said...
I'm not a John Hall fan, but in his defense he scored over 50% of the points last night. The problem is the it should have never come down to him. The offense couldn't convert 3rd downs (I think the startegy is to run a play on 3rd down and hope for the personal foul) let alone fully exploit some of the opportunities they had to score.
You have to wonder what Synder is thinking. $2MM for what? Why pay all this money when you have a broken down QB? Hopefully Synder will become preoccupied with saving Tom Cruise's career.
I guess Redskins fans will have to be ready for another "transistion" year.
Reply
9-12-2006 @ 10:41AM
William Sykes said...
Dear Skins,
I am 37 and been a fan of the skins since birth, however I have seen players come and go. The biggest thing that puzzles me about this year is just how all the way around we are getting beat to death. In years past we've had either a good defense or good offense very rarely has it been both at the same time. This year we should be dominating the game because of the quality of players that we have gotten over the off season. However its clear that even the best players cant get it done when there is a clear brakedown on both sides of the ball. I dont know the answer to the problem but one thing is clear, we need to put more heart into the game because its clear that is thing we are lacking this year. There is no reason in the world why we lost last night when we have the quality of players on both sides of the ball. Also John Hall trade him, Mark Brunell time to retire. We have Jason Campbell and he needs to be in the game as far as the kicker get someone and soon because Hall has had it, period. If something is not done soon we are going to be 0-16 and I really dont want to go through another pitiful season like years past. Gibbs has the knowhow and Synder has the money so its time to make some changes and NOW!!!!!!!! Well that about sums up my point for the moment so its time to play ball.
Reply
9-12-2006 @ 1:04PM
Jacquelyn said...
What happened to just watching a football game? Who cares to watch celebrity spin. Every time I saw Tom Cruse dragging around that young girl I wanted to puke. Who cares about their flaky lifestyle/beliefs?
Reply
9-12-2006 @ 1:22PM
Jacquelyn said...
What happened to just watching a football game? Who cares to watch celebrity spin. Every time I saw Tom Cruse dragging around that young girl I wanted to puke. Who cares about their flaky lifestyle/beliefs?
Reply
9-12-2006 @ 2:51PM
RICKY TOLERI said...
TOM CRUISE IS A DUMB JERK
HE FIT RIGHT IN WITH THE WAY THE REDSKINS PLAYED LAST NIGHT
Reply
9-13-2006 @ 1:43AM
david tedla said...
skins they not going to win with synder owner ship. i wish the skins go back to the old owner ship!
Reply
9-13-2006 @ 11:41AM
tony said...
Let's face it. The Vikings are not very good. What is
Brad Johnson, 56 years old? And we still can't get any pressure on him. Oh, and have the Redskins ever
defended a screen pass in the history of the franchise?
Bob Brunell, now you're really makin' me laugh.
we have a quarterback that can't run, can't shake off
a 5 year old. Can only throw when he has great
protection--- and we give him no protection at all.
We haven't protected the Quarterback in years.
And let's see, we can't pull anyone down much less
tackle when it means something. We have an ancient
Quarterback in our grasp and can't bring him down.
He casually switches hands and almost completes the
pass. And what is Taylor's IQ? 53?
I'm am not watching that trash. The sheepskins will
have to win 3 in a row or I'm not tuning in again.
Reply
9-14-2006 @ 12:10AM
KEITH BOONE said...
LETS BE MINDFUL OF THE TIME WE CUT A GOOD KICKER, AND WENT THROUGH FIVE IN ONE SEASON; TO REPLACE HIM. I WAS UPSET MYSELF.
BUT JOHN HAS BEEN GOOD AND THE ONE TIME HE IS OFF,WE SHOULD NOT CALL FOR HIS HEAD. A LITTLE CLOSER WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE. MR. SAUNDERS...
Reply