...he is simply not there.
After all, the Titans were the worst run defense in the league. So running the ball only 19 times between Clinton, Ladell and Mike Sellers, that has to be a strategy, right? The old fakerooski? They know we know they're the worst run defense in the league, so if they know we know that then they must know we know they know that we know they know so we can't run because they think we'll run so we won't run all that much we'll be diverse. Op. cit. playbook pp. 656-659.
Whacked. Just terrible. Let Tennessee totally control the game. Boswell and Carpenter are both Glum the Lilliputian. I don't actually think this was one of Joe Gibbs' worst five losses (or worst ten for that matter) anymore than I think the Jaguars was one of the best games ever at Redskins Stadium. Worse losses always come later, with higher expectations. It's better wins that come late, with lower expectations.
In the beginning, it looked good. The Redskins scored on their first two drives, both of 70 yards or more. But even then the playcalling was more pass than run. Still trying to figure that one out. Does Clinton have to go all TO on Coach to get what he wants? I guess maybe he does. Parcells put TO first last Sunday, so maybe if Clinton accidentally overdoses on Cristal and bitches this week, Coach will give him the ball against the new worst run defense in the league.
Speaking of that, anyone see a pattern forming here? Imaginary bulletin board in Indianapolis:
Play the Redskins, get better against the run
And then once again, a weak passing defense sealed the deal. No, I don't blame the defensive line and the rooks forced in there, I blame the pass coverage. I don't blame the linebackers because all the softness on defense starts with a slutty secondary (forget the foreplay, just go for it early, they seem to enjoy it).
Doesn't get any easier either. Thus the whole 'expectations' thing. As in time to lower them. The WaPo ran a story toady about the Colts' defense, but look again. Run 32nd, pass 5th. With that strange dichotomy, WTF do you think the Colts will plan on defense? Hrmm, perhaps drop back they will and force Mark Brunell to beat them with his arm they will? (thanks, Yoda)
The Redskins are becoming so Meat that Brunell is speaking in strange aphorisms, talking about how Sunday is a 'must-win,' but that it's not a challenge, that he's not upping the stakes, just stating fact.
Hey dummy. They're all must-wins, so thanks for the blinding flash of the obvious.
And the news gets worse. Carlos Rogers, already beaten like a VC Andrews stepchild all season, now will miss this game with his broken thumb. Dang, now he won't get as many interceptions (career total: 2 in 18 games). But yay, we've got Troy Vincent. Him, Kenny Wright and $30 buys me a handle of Jim Beam Green (that is not an endorsement).
Fantasy football good news: Clinton should feast on a weak run defense against the Colts. I say again, should.
Fantasy football bad news: Peyton is rested, coming off a bye week and ready to tear it up.
Duckett Watch: active, but never got in the game. This, while Clinton carried the ball a total of 14 times against the (then) worst run defense in the game. Wilbon gets it right this week, proving even a blind Bear fan catches a trout every now and again:
They continue to make terrible personnel decisions, like trading a third-round pick, which should become a starter in the NFL, for T.J. Duckett, a perfectly healthy and capable back they don't play a lick... They've got four studly running backs (Clinton Portis, Ladell Betts, 275-pound Mike Sellers and Duckett) and don't know how to use them.
Right on, man.
B-Lloyd Blues: one circus catch, very timely on a TD drive. Season now projecting to 18.6 catches and 338 yards. That's in the Alvin Harper universe.
Brandon is conducting our 5 Questions feature this week with Colts blogger Brad at Stampede Blue. This should be amusing. For Colts fans.
Clinton Portis and friends: John McDonnell / Washington Post
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