Radical Expectectomy

The Redskins had emergency surgery today

Redskins lose to the Colts, 36-22. Sadly, today marked the first time in the 7 years I have been in the same football pool that I...picked against the Redskins.

At the end of tonight's game, Dick Stockton and Troy Aikman vamped for the final minute about how, well, we didn't really learn anything in this game. The Redskins were still unable to put together a complete game, and the Colts were still undefeated. The whole final segment of the broadcast was devoted to how the Redskins need to confront some deficiencies in the bye week, that it starts at QB and then Aikman went on a whole bit about how the Redskins have so many big signings every year, and they never seem to play out. As he was talking about how dollar value does not translate directly to chemistry, camera 1 showed Antwaan Randle El jawing (with a smile on his face I might add) with the receivers, and camera 2 showed Lloyd, appearing to stand alone. Minutes earlier, cameras had captured them arguing on the Redskin sideline, then having to be separated.

What? Oh. Yeah actually we did learn a lot today. La Canfora:

The Skins still can't play decent zone, defend the deep ball or handle runners who make decisive cutbacks. The penalties are ridiculous and a common theme throughout all three seasons. The offense, well, let's just say it's a work in process.

Unless Coach does not step up and make some sort of change proactively, as in by tomorrow morning, expect to see the usual torrent of 'resetting of expectations' pieces written about the team, as well as the first round of Locker Room Drama pieces. Tension between and among players and coaches over personality or performance kind of stuff. This makes three years in a row the Redskins have had a three-game losing streak. Boswell:

If the Redskins think that they are currently an intense football team, it's conceivable that they are incorrect.

Mark Brunell is what he is, and he's going to play hurt all the time and shock you with a great performance now and again. I no longer consider him the right man for the job, if I was unsure before. That Todd Collins or Jason Campbell may not be the answer is beside the point. Where is Jason? How is it possible they could go to Ladell Betts seven times in a row at the end of the game, garbage time, and not give Jason a couple snaps. The CW around here is that if this guy was really worth a first round pick, and is really considered the future of the position, there's no good reason he has not seen some action.

(If it has to do with being the emergency QB and not eligible in unless of injury, then the team rendering him unable to play except in emergency situations expresses seemingly less confidence than having available and not playing him.)

Ok, devil's take: what if it's coaching? Aikman, who always annoys me because he's annoyingly acute, noted as may of us have that with three burner wide receivers, why does the offense never result in more than a 20 yard attempt? If Brunell is Gibbs' guy, then Al Saunders will design the offense that he can execute, short passing and a ton of screens. If so, then it's a case of not matching your strategy to your personnel. If you want to run a control passing game, you need big guy receivers that can use their body in traffic and lay devastating blocks near the line of scrimmage. Santana et al need to be further downfield to be most effective.

'Things started well' is a tempting way to begin a summary, but they really didn't, did they? The Redskins were winning for a while and yet seemed unable to stop the Colts offense consistently. Dono may be hundreds of yards in the lead, but Peyton Manning is praeternatural. If Philip Daniels and Andre Carter had not bout ripped Peyton's head off in the first quarter, (Clean hits, but if there was ever a case for a compulsory penalty for the outcome, that's it. Peyton's back, neck and shoulder were all moved violently to different places.), the Colts surely would have scored. Once the third quarter started, the game was over.

More stupid penalties: Santana headbutting his way to a personal foul in the first, which convieeeeeently moved Novak back to miss the kick, then an excessive celebration after the Randle El punt return. Instead of inviting Big Mo over to their bench, that caused some confusion or pain on the kickoff, causing Derrick Frost to remove his helmet, draw another unsportsmanlike, move the kickoff back to the 5. Roughing Peyton added another 15, then only an incredible goal line stand stopped the Colts from scoring another TD (they managed a FG).

Big plays against the defense. The Colts didn't even pretend to try and test the Redskins run defense. Peyton went with his bread and butter, 25 completions for an average of 13 yards per catch. When Peyton did hand off the ball, Addai was gone. Only 11 carries, but for 85 yards, or a 7.7 yard average.

Was there anything good? Sean Taylor is an irresistable force. His ability to laser-direct his body into exact opposition to the carrier's movement is uncanny. Aside from that, there was little else, as Aikman said, for the Redskins to hang their hat on. I don't know. What do you think?

Duckett Watch: got in the game on the final offensive play, the TD to James Thrash. Did not touch the ball. Season now projecting to 11 carries for 55 yards.

B-Lloyd Blues: caught four balls, three in the first quarter, then was absent until the fourth. Now projecting to 25 catches for 374 yards.

Hogs Haven recap. Stampede Blue recap. Box. Drive charts. Play by play. The Redskin Report rant. Skinsaphrenia recap.

You know, it's funny, I had (have) a post in drafts titled 'Running Through the Keyhole' that I was going to run on the bye week that talked about how the Redskins managed to go 3-0 (I would have promoted it after 2-1 as well) after the Jaguars game and into the bye. It was about the Redskins' good fortune that the Giants, Titans and Colts all were missing a key defender in the week they played the Redskins. The Giants were without Carlos Emmons and the Titans were without Albert Haynesworth. After the Redskins lost both of those games, it was a moot post, like many that never get promoted to the front page, one that will be harvested for material and then deleted forever. Which is why even though I am not for car accidents, I was a little weirded out by pre-game accident Colts DT Montae Reagor got in, causing him to miss the game. Hey Montae, buckle up for safety.

It's a bummer to be a Redskins fan right now. The bleakness is upon us.


Marvin Harrison's second TD: John McDonnell / Washington Post