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2017 NFC EAST PRE-DRAFT PREDICTION

Posted by The BEAST on 2017/04/14
Posted in: Conversations, Crazy Talk, Defense, NFL, Offense, Players, Preview, Rivals, Roster, Special Teams, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

Keep in mind, when these predictions come out, no one knows who will be drafted, and by which team. This is an assessment of the teams as they are staffed by veteran players with track records. Rookies don’t usually shake up the NFC East division, so there’s a pretty good chance that what you see here, will be how it shakes out for the year.

division shield.jpg

Yikes! Last year showed a couple exceptions to the general rule cited in the above Preamble. The first example was the Dallas Cowboys. They powered their way to the top of the division behind the play of two rookies, one of which was a QB forced to make 16 starts, when the long-time incumbent pulled up lame. (Again.) The Philadelphia Eagles were the second exception. They thought so much of their rookie QB that they traded away their Starter, and let the rook do his thing all year long. While that may have cost them a game or two last year, it was clear to fans, media and Free Agents alike, that the Eagles may be onto something.

Now we separate the men from the boys:

Strongest Offense: DALLAS

While Dallas is returning all of their skill position Starters, they suffered a couple of hits to their offensive line. Those hits are simple enough to patch over, but where those hits will show up is in depth. Last season when La’el Collins went down, there was a player of Ron Leary‘s caliber to step in for him. This year they have no such luxury.

Will the Cowboys be who they were last year? No they won’t. Teams have film on them now, and the system they run is so simple, it shouldn’t take much to slow them down. That said, each of Dallas’s rivals have some issue that keeps their own offenses from being complete, let alone scary. The Cowboys are the only team in the division who are not suffering from a key deficiency.

Weakest Offense: WASHINGTON

I can tell you firsthand that the loss of WR DeSean Jackson changes the way teams play against your offense. It also takes away a number of easy underneath options that a QB comes to think of as their’s for the taking. Jackson was on the roster when Kirk Cousins became the Starter, so he is coming into a completely new reality in 2017. (Assuming that his mind is on 2017, and not on preserving his body for a long-term contract in San Francisco next year.) Washington’s one-dimensional run game won’t be of much help either, since most of it is derived from what the offensive line creates, instead of what the RB creates when the line gives him an opening.

While they have a good offensive line and a TE situation worthy of envy, they don’t have the glue to hold it all together. Their losses on defense will require them to throw more, and may yield more yards and touchdowns, but if you look under the surface at the end of 2017, you will see a clearly less effective and diminished offense on this team.

Strongest Defense: PHILADELPHIA

Dallas’s junior GM, Stephen Jones is on record agreeing that his team is worse off since Free Agency. Washington was already in the toilet before they lost DE Chris Baker. New York losing DT Johnathan Hankins and not being settled at MLB, puts a hole right down the center of their run defense (ranked #3 in 2016). Also, nothing so far has been done to bolster their 23rd ranked pass defense. Philadelphia on the other hand has added depth up front, but still hasn’t clearly addressed their Secondary concerns. However, their 2016 pass defense was ranked 13th not 23rd. (Note: There isn’t a team in this division that doesn’t have issues with it’s Secondary)

This isn’t a question of the strongest of the weak. There is no doubt about the Eagles strength at every level of their defense. Particularly on the Defensive Line. Better still, they have depth in most places. Last year the Eagles weakness was at CB, and so both starters are no longer on the roster. Patrick Robinson was to added to play slot CB, not as an outside starter. The remaining CB’s aren’t household names, but given the way Jalen Mills played in 2016 (his rookie season), he might become one soon.

Weakest Defense: DALLAS

They literally have problems at every level of their defense, and in every facet of it. Talent, depth, experience, and even health coming into OTA’s. Everything is wrong here. This defense is going to allow too many games to turn into shootouts, and force their offense away from the run just to keep up. Barring every other team in NFC East suffering a rash of injuries, this team has no shot at 12-4 again. The GM responsible for creating this mess should be fi– oh wait… Never mind.

Strongest Special Teams: PHILADELPHIA

This isn’t even close. Kicking, Punting, Returns and limiting return yards, The Eagles are the only team in the division that is good in all of these areas. Not just okay, or passable. Legitimately good. They are proficient across the board, where the other three teams have at least one deficiency.

Weakest Special Teams: NEW YORK

Playing musical Kickers as you habitually post lackluster numbers, while also making no attempt to improve neither your personnel nor your coaching staff… That says in plain language that the organization doesn’t give a damn about this facet of the game.

 

Projected Winner: PHILADELPHIA (10-6)

After being 0-2 these last 2 years picking the Eagles, it scares the hell out me to be picking them again after a second 7-9 season. I kept going over this to make sure I wasn’t overlooking something, or missing something, because I have no interest in wearing 0-3. However, the fact is, right now, before the Draft, as these teams are staffed today, the Eagles are the team best equipped to survive the 17 week meat grinder known as an NFL season.

The Eagles are the only team in the NFC East that didn’t get worse in some regard, during this offseason. While it has yet to be proven that they fixed their 2016 offensive problems, those problems weren’t ignored (like the giants pass defense for example). The Eagles attempted to fix their problems, and so they run the risk of actually improving in 2017.

The same cannot be said for the defenses of the Cowboys, Redskins and giants. Dallas’s defense is so bad that their Front Office is already making excuses. Now that they have definitely lost Hankins at DT, New York’s run defense (ranked 3rd) is likely to fall steeply. Their pass defense was already an issue in 2016, and so far, they‘ve done nothing to fix or even upgrade it. Washington’s defense was already crap in 2016, and now they have offense to match it. In fact, their offense (both in the long and short term), have football pundits shaking their heads from coast to coast.

team

Look Out For: DALLAS

I don’t think they stand a chance in Hell, of upsetting the Eagles, but it would h ave been tacky to write “NOBODY” as the team to look out for. Since the Pokes won the division last, I figured they were owed the respect of a write-in.

2017 WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Posted by The BEAST on 2017/04/11
Posted in: Coaching, Defense, NFL, Offense, Players, Preview, Rivals, Roster. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Redskins_logo_by_junkfunkio-d4po4ge

LAST year…The Redskins finished 8-7-1 overall, and 3-3 against the division, while allowing a division worst 383 points. The original idea was to build on winning the division in 2015 behind their 9-7 record. Instead, 2016 saw the ‘skins hit a number of bumps in the road. Many of those problems were self-inflicted wounds from a team that bought into their own hype.

That was last year. The following is how the team looks today, prior to the Draft….

OFFENSE

QB:
Good news ‘skins fans! Kirk Cousins didn’t go to San Francisco, and you leased him for another year! That means that the ‘skins have a reliable QB. At least for the 2017 season. This is more than some teams (like San Francisco) can currently boast right now. Who knows who the 49ers may sign next year, right? So at least in this regard the ‘skins are okay. In 2017 at least. The concern comes in the form of Cousins’ chemistry with his revamped receiving corps, and whether he’s even interested in developing such a thing with new players on this team. For reasons that will unfold as you keep reading, he may spend 2017 thinking about his next team in San Fr- As far as depth, Colt McCoy is a proven, veteran back-up. (+)

RB:
Matt Jones began the season as the Starter, then he got hurt in Week 7, missed Weeks 8 and 9, was deactivated Week 10, and then demoted to 3rd string. He would never play another down for the remainder of 2016. The guy who took over for him is Rob Kelley, who came on with fresh legs, and he played like gangbusters. For a couple of weeks, that is. Then he came back down to Earth as the one dimensional, downhill runner that he is. They also have Chris Thompson who used to be the 3rd string, but now is ahead of Jones, who used to be the Starter. They have no idea what they’re doing there. (-)

WR:
Last year the ‘skins boasted two WR’s (Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson) who went over 1,000 yards. Today both players are on other rosters. Bright spot Jamison Crowder did grab nearly 70 balls for over 800 yards in 2016. Of course some of that had to do with the room created by teams respecting Jackson’s deep speed. Crowder may find 2017 more…crowded. This year’s bunch also includes second year man Josh Doctson, QB-turned-WR Terrelle Pryor, and former Ram Brian Quick. Pryor himself caught 77 balls for over 1,000 yards last year, in Cleveland. There is some talent here, but this group won’t scare anybody. (-)

Terrelle Pryor

TE:
This team is set at this position. Jordan Reed is more of a receiver than a blocker, but his prowess as a receiver keeps teams from loading the box. That means Washington is able to run the ball, regardless of whether or not he’s on the field. (Yes, you did detect a note of envy.) Behind him the team has Vernon Davis, who found the Fountain of Youth last season. This team has no worries here. (+)

OL:
The ‘skins return all five Starters from a unit that allowed only 23 sacks and managed to carve out 4.5 yards per rush, from a stable of underwhelming RB’s. I’d give this unit two pluses if it wouldn’t be a violation of protocol. (+)

In a nutshell:

Man, oh man. What none of these positional breakdowns can tell you is, this franchise is drowning in dysfunction. They fired their GM on the doorstep of Free Agency ‘s beginning, and given their player losses, it’s clear that his firing has had a negative impact already. What remains is a mixed bag. On offense they have a really good offensive line, protecting a QB who is likely eying the door. Cousins must be thrilled about losing two 1,000 yard receivers, and having them replaced with question marks, (in what for him, is yet another contract year). Had he known that was going to happen, he may not have agreed to let Washington rent his body for another year. Their decision to keep a RB on the roster that they demoted, and then made a healthy scratch for over half the season was priceless. An absolute stroke of genius. Or maybe just the result of a stroke. This unit is clearly less than it was a year ago. Barring brain damage, even the most devout ‘skins fan would have to admit that. Nice TE’s though. (-)

DEFENSE

DE:
This position is a mess. The loss of Chris Baker has left the cupboard bare at DE. Ziggy Hood is the anchor right now at this position, which has to be depressing for anyone who genuinely cares about this team. Former Temple Owl Matt Ioannidis, (barring a draft pick here), has to be the guy in line to step into the void left by Baker, even though Ionaiddis is more of a DT. There’s also a guy named Anthony Lanier, who can now be glad that something (this article) comes up when he Googles his name. (-)

DT/NT:
So many bodies at this position and– Hey! Wanna hear a joke? Phil Taylor is on this roster. Phil Taylor…Yeah, him. The former Brown who can’t stay healthy and hasn’t played a down since 2014. That guy. Washington is giving him money for some reason. They also poached(?) Terrell McClain from the Cowboys, and Stacy McGee from the Raiders. Between the two, they recorded 24 starts, 57 tackles and 5 sacks last year. (Shrug.) There is also A.J. Francis who seems to specialize in getting cut from teams. Odds are strong that all of these guys will see time being moved around between NT and DE, to see who gives the team the lowest failure rate in each position, along the ‘skins three man defensive line. (-)

OLB:
I like Ryan Kerrigan. I wish he could be a very good DE in a 4-3, instead of being a one-dimensional OLB in a 3-4. He of course was the model of reliability with his 6th straight year of 16 starts, while tossing in 11 sacks for good measure. On the other side, second year man Preston Smith also started 16 games but notched just 4.5 sacks. Trent Murphy didn’t log a start all year, but notched 9 sacks, which was 3 more than his prior career total of 6. What’s disturbing is that not one of these players reached 50 tackles, and in a combined 48 starts, there were only 6 pass break-ups, and 1 interception between them. This position is staffed by players who are more like DE’s and less like true OLB’s, ultimately trading effectiveness for statistics (i.e. sacks). It is this position’s one-dimensional nature that is really keying the ‘skins slide. (-)

M/ILB:
Mason Foster was a tackling machine last year, pulling down a career high 124. Will Compton added 106 stops of his own. If the stops are there to make, you have to give the players credit for making them. (Though it does raise the question of why so few stops get made by the line.) They also added Free Agent Zach Brown, so I’m guessing that Compton will now serve as depth or play situationally on the outside. Rookie Su’a Cravens filled in for three starts missed by Foster last season, and came nowhere close to filling his shoes out there (thus the addition of Brown). Cravens’ small frame may be ill-suited for finding a starting role in the defensive scheme currently favored by this team. His best days may be a coaching staff away. (+)

S:
This may be the worst Safety corps in the NFL. While Duke Ihenacho and Donte Whitner weren’t great, losing them without replacing them leaves the ‘skins relying on a bunch of question marks and whatever is left of CB turned FS, DeAngelo Hall. If you’re a giants, Cowboys, or Eagles fan, this is great! If you root for the ‘skins… you have to be hoping for a Safety in the first round. (-)

CB:
Between Josh Norman being moved around to protect him from having to cover #1 wideouts, and with Bashaud Breeland being beat like a dusty rug, it seems easy to give this position a failing mark. Funny thing is, other sports outlets (PPF, Fox Sports, etc.) seem to view them favorably. This only seems funnier when you realize it’s a steep amount of praise for two players who keyed a 25th ranked pass defense. (But what do I know, right?) Kendall Fuller looks like he’ll be the Nickel again. Unless he’s unseated by Tharold Simon or Quinton Dunbar. (Yeah, me neither.) In my heart of hearts, I think this is a subpar unit. However, as gesture of humility, I won’t post my (-). Instead I will post the grade set by “professional evaluators”. However, it’ll be interesting to see whom fans think was right, at the conclusion of the 2017 season. (+)

beat rug.JPG

In a nutshell:

This was a bad unit that was made worse through key losses. It would be different if veterans were jettisoned to make way for promising youth, or if the Redskins had a bunch of early round draft picks, but that isn’t the situation. This situation is so bad that I just posted someone else’s ranking of a position, because it won’t mean dick to the overall unit’s outcome. It’s a one-dimensional group of sack hunters, that can be had easily on the edges. Without a ball control offense to hide behind, Washington’s defense is going to get skinned in 2017. (-)

SPECIAL TEAMS

P:
Tress Way regressed for the second straight year in a row. Average punt, longest punt, net average… all of these came down again for him. Luckily, he only needed to punt 49 times last year (vs 70 times in 2015, and 77 in 2014). What was alarming however is the percentage of his punts that were returned last year. 49 punts vs 27 returns (55%), vs 2015’s 70 punts and 30 returns (42%). The more opportunities he provides opponents, the more likely it could cost the ‘skins. (-)

K:
Dustin Hopkins saw his FG accuracy tumble by more than 8 points (89.3 to 81.0), and missed 3 extra points on the year. Novice fans would say that he’s just a Kicker, but those kicks win and lose games. Their loss last year to the Lions and their tie with the Bengals are two examples that very thing. (-)

RS:
This is where it gets a little weird. Jamison Crowder would seem to have a lock on the PR spot, but that’s only if they screw him over at #1 WR, a spot which he earned last year. Trying to make him do both will only grind him into dust. As for KR, five guys across 16 games got a shot at the job, and as a team they amassed a meager 570 yards. Not a dangerous unit. (-)

In a nutshell:

Special Teams across the board took a tumble for this team. This all but screams a lack of emphasis by the coaching staff. Seeing as there was no competition brought in at either K or P, you have to assume that the ‘skins have decided to live with what they have. This is not the way you inspire improvement. (-)

Bottom Line:

There is far more wrong with this team, than there is right with it. Had they let Cousins leave, they’d at least be able to claim that they were rebuilding. Instead, Washington remains a team with high external expectations, that is rotting internally. Expect them to be a 6 win team this year.

THE EAGLES 2016 SCHEDULE

Posted by The BEAST on 2016/04/15
Posted in: Conversations, NFL, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , . 3 Comments

 

THERE is so much to hate about this schedule that I hardly know where to start. It seems almost as if it was designed to trip the team up, regardless of how well we’re doing at any point in the year. I have to say the schedule makers showed true artistry and absolute mastery in subtly, yet thoroughly, fucking us over this year. I almost have to stand back and admire the job they’ve done.

2016 article schedule

Right at the top of the schedule is a home game on 9/11. Granted, most teams are playing on that day as well, but we open at home that day. So basically you can throw out the purely celebratory vibe that would normally accompany a home opener. Nothing throws an air of triviality onto watching sports like a national day of mourning. Thanks NFL!!

After three games (two non-conference), we get a Bye Week for some reason. I hate early Bye Weeks. They occur before the real wear and tear sets in enough for that week off to mean something. Also it means that in the event that we do win the division, we have to do it on a 12 week dead-run, with no chance to get a breath along the way.

Even more fun is not getting to play back to back home games until the last two weeks of the season. The traveling we do during weeks 5 through 9 would be enough to fatigue some teams. Add to that that 3 of those 5 games are road games against division opponents, and you get an idea of how a simple thing like scheduling can de-rail a season, or at least put it in jeopardy early on. See what I mean by subtle artistry?

Since half of our division games are in the last 4 weeks, there is no way for us to run away with the NFC East unless we head into Week 14 undefeated; and with a Seattle, Green Bay, Cincinnati sandwich (Weeks 11-13), that’s not at all likely to happen. So even if the Eagles are 8 – 4 heading into Week 14, the division will still likely be very much up in the air. That means that Head Coach Doug Pederson likely has to run the team into the ground in order to secure a playoff spot.

Look, I expected that the schedule makers wouldn’t do us any favors, but this is almost like they put a contract out on us. That’s not to say that we can’t win the division. We can, we should and we likely will. Especially since our opponents themselves (excepting our recent history vs Seattle and Green Bay) all look very beatable. But gall dang! This year’s schedule is of no help to us whatsoever.

SCHEDULE

EAGLE/REDSKINS PREVIEW

Posted by The BEAST on 2015/10/02
Posted in: Defense, Offense, Players, Preview. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

WAS (A)

 

SUNDAY        1:00                 FedEx Field    Landover, MD

EAGLES fans, we’re about to find out a lot about our team this weekend. This is not the same pushover, “see them on the schedule and write two wins down in ink” Redskins from the last few years. These Redskins plays with a bit of a chip on their shoulder on both sides of the ball. This game will serve as an early season measuring stick for our Eagles.

 

EAGLES  

Defense

It’s the same as the last two years. We’re fine against the run (7th), but we still rank among the bottom feeders against the pass (24th). Our defense gets turnovers, but they play too many minutes. (And yes I said minutes, not snaps.)

This week we get an opponent that relies heavily on the run, so unless they decide to give us a big dose of their passing game, or our guys get gassed out there, stopping the opponent should be right in our wheelhouse this week

Offense

Guess who the ranks dead last in the NFL in yard per game? That’s right, the Rams (274.3 yards per game). And who is just above them? Us (285.3 yards per game). We are 30th in the NFL at rushing yards per game, and so far we have a 2.7 yards per carry average. Our passing attack is ranked 23rd.

Some blame QB Sam Bradford, some blame our WR’s for the 10-15 drops so far. The truth is it’s the Offensive Line. Specifically the Guards. Notice how last week the O-line played better and we still won, despite a pedestrian 50%, 118 yard performance from our QB? When we committed to a basic power running approach (keeping it simple for our Guards) early on, it set a tone and allowed us to dictate the action. It’ll be interesting to see if we try that again this week or if we try to go back to what wasn’t working two weeks ago.

 

Redskins

Defense

Keep in mind that while the ‘skins are ranked high across the board, they also have played three offenses that rank very low or have consistency issues. That having been said, this is a feisty bunch. If you were in a bar fight and the Redskins defense had your back, you’d be in good company. Whatever we get from this team we’ll have to take, because they will not give us anything. They have a 69.4% stop rate on 3rd down, and in three games have only given up 4 first downs due to penalty. (We’ve given up 8). 

Offense

The Redskins have allowed more QB hits (63) than any team in the NFL (even though the Steelers and Ravens have each played one more game). QB Kirk Cousins is nothing special, but he’s a low level starter/high level back-up who can manage a game. Just don’t ask him to put a team on his back. The bread and butter of this unit is the run game. That 4th place run game is no mirage.

 

BOTTOM LINE

This game will be a fight. Two 1-2 teams, who are division rivals looking to avoid the basement. Two QB’s trying to legitimize themselves as starters. Two coaches trying to prove that their way is the right way. Ascension in the division and pride are on the line. However, on the road, in nasty weather…Bad weather doesn’t favor fast paced offenses. In fact it tends to magnify miscues. (Remember how bad we looked for ¾ of the Snow Bowl? Thank god we were facing a dome team!) I think Mother Nature teams up with D.C. this weekend.

PREDICTION

Redskins 23 – Eagles 18

 

ROBERT GRIFFIN THE EAGLE

Posted by The BEAST on 2015/09/01
Posted in: Conspiracy Corner, Fans, NFL, Offense, Players, Roster. Tagged: , , , , . 6 Comments

at FedExField on August 25, 2012 in Landover, Maryland.

WHEN the Redskins cut QB Robert Griffin III the Eagles should sign him immediately. Not only does that mean we can move on from the Tim Tebow fiasco, but maybe Matt Barkley and Mark Sanchez as well. (Although I would seek to package Sanchez with a draft pick and trade him to a QB needy team like Houston, or as an insurance policy to a win now team like Arizona.)

Griffin as an Eagle gives the front office leverage in keeping QB Sam Bradford’s asking price reasonable. Though Griffin is no longer the runner he once was, he still has more than enough wheels to give the team the two-point conversion weapon the head coach craves in Tebow, while not sacrificing having a legit QB on the field. After all we aren’t talking about replacing Bradford here. We’re talking about replacing Tebow, Barkley and maybe Sanchez. The signing would be a no-lose scenario.

The only drawback would be for fans to get used to rooting for a guy they’re used to rooting against and mocking. All the best Redskins memes on social media and on this site, would have to stop. Then again if it makes this team deeper and more dangerous, I’m more than willing to learn to mock Cuddin’ Kirk and his head coach Fatty Jay.

If they cut RGnumber, or even (oh I don’t know) ask for say a 4th or 5th rounder, I say jump at it. I mean seriously what are we losing in that gamble? Look at our draft picks after round 3 for the last 3 years. Even a trade of a 4 or a 5 would be like stealing the guy; and who among you wouldn’t like to see us fleece the Redskins?

2015 NFC EAST PRE-DRAFT PREDICTION

Posted by The BEAST on 2015/04/18
Posted in: Defense, Draft, NFL, Offense, Preview, Reviews, Special Teams, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 6 Comments

NFC EAST

YOU’VE read the reviews. Nothing left to do but make pick and tell you why. 

Last year’s pick: PHILADELPHIA —– Last year’s WINNER: DALLAS —–  My Record: 0-1

NOTE: Rookies don’t usually shake up this division, so there’s a pretty good chance that what you see here will be how it shakes out for the year.

 

Strongest Offense: DALLAS

Like the Giants they tick 3/5 boxes as far as positions being strong. However, unlike the Giants the Cowboys have an offensive line.

Weakest Offense: PHILADELPHIA

I know! I know! But we’re an offensive team! We’ve set records! Yeah, yeah, yeah. We’re also remodeling our Offensive Line, our QB situation is a toss-up, and we have ZERO explosive players at WR.

 

Strongest Defense: WASHINGTON

They have a nice front seven up there, but the secondary is an issue, However Secondary is a problem for every team in the division right now, so this was a pretty easy pick.

Weakest Defense: DALLAS

Greg Hardy may help this team, but there is a real lack of playmakers on this side of the ball.

 

Strongest Special Teams: PHILADELPHIA

Everyone has a decent Punter, and while I gave everyone but Philadelphia a passing grade at Kicker, it was by a razor thin margin and mostly on a technicality. On the other hand Philadelphia has a much better return game, and kick/punt coverage than any of our rivals

Weakest Special Teams: DALLAS

This was a toss-up between Washington and Dallas, but Dallas has lost their KR to New York, so they risk having some of their ST tenets stolen by a division rival.

  

Projected Winner: WASHINGTON

Bottom Line: While they still have offensive line issues, so do 3 out of 4 teams in the division. They also had issues in their Secondary, but so does every other team in the division. When you look at the parts that actually do work among the four teams, Washington can play defense as well as any team in the division right now. They can also run the ball, which is something that a couple teams in this division may have trouble doing themselves, given their offensive line issues and/or lackluster RB’s.

Philadelphia continues (so far) to hemorrhage more talent than we bring in, and Dallas has thrown away the straw that stirred their drink. As a result, both of these teams stand as weaker today than they were when their seasons ended. While New York has a downright scary looking offense returning, they’re doing it without an offensive line they can trust and a run game that’s more rumor than reality.

Heads up:

Philadelphia is rumored to be about to make some moves regarding not just the Draft, but the roster in general. If someone is to take the division from Washington, Philly is the team.

 

 

 

2015 REDSKINS PRE-DRAFT PREVIEW

Posted by The BEAST on 2015/04/15
Posted in: Draft, Players, Preview, Reviews, Roster. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

Redskins_logo_by_junkfunkio-d4po4ge

LAST season the ‘skins went 2-4 in the division and 4-12 overall. That fourth win represents one more than this team had in 2013, so I guess fans can be comforted knowing that they got better. The sad part is that they finished on the floor of the division again.

Even sadder is the QB controversy that waged at season’s opening about whether the team should go with Kirk Cousins over Robert Griffin, was only made worse after Griffin was (gasp!) injured again. Cousins came in was unspectacular and was benched. This set the stage for the highpoint of the Redskins year, when 3rd string, journeyman Colt McCoy put down the Dallas Cowboys 20-17, in their own home, during a nationally televised game. Ultimately this added a third name to the ever raging QB controversy and the question of whether or not the ‘skins gave up too much for Griffin.

 This is where they were at seasons end. What follows is where they are as of 4/15/15.

 

OFFENSE

QB: I’m tickled that the Redskins have made their QB situation into a problem. In reality the only problem is Griffin’s inability to stay healthy. Last year between 3 QB’s, they maintained a team completion percentage of 66.5, and threw a combined 18 interceptions. While that number is a little high for a 15-16 game starter, with as much switching out of QB’s as Washington had, that number is actually pretty low. If they would settle on a clear #2 and stick to that, their QB situation would be one worth envying. (-)

RB: For the second straight year Alfred Morris has seen his carries, rushing yards, yards per carry and yards from scrimmage decline. It’s a frightening trend considering that Roy Helu is now in Oakland, leaving Silas Redd as the most dangerous option behind Morris. To his credit Morris has never missed a game, so a vote against this position would be weird, but understand: this vote does come with reservations. (+)

WR: Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson, and Andre Roberts should have been more dangerous last year, but the Redskins gave themselves QB problems, which affected the passing games chemistry. Despite that, this trio put up 2,300 yards and grabbed 160 receptions, with Jackson tearing the lid off of coverages with a whopping 20.9 per catch average. That same group comes back this year, and if the QB play is any better, this group will be a problem. (+)

TE: Wanna hear a joke? Jordan Reed is the talented one, but he plays the least because he’s brittle. Niles Paul is the most dependable one, but he’s considered undersized at just an inch shorter than Reed. Logan Paulsen is the least talented TE (possibly in the division), but he gets the starts. (-)

OL: 58 sacks allowed. 33 alone on franchise QB Griffin. It was this way the year before as well. So far no moves were made to significantly upgrade this unit. At this point there’s no reason to believe it won’t be a liability again. (-)

In a nutshell: This offense has the pieces, but the coaching staff seems hell bent to work against itself. The idea that 58 sacks were allowed last year, but only ONE O-line starter was replaced is a farce. That sort of thinking is part and parcel of why this team keeps failing.(-)

DEFENSE

DE: Jason Hatcher wasn’t bad for the ‘skins last year but he did trail off towards the end. Kenrick Golston was completely underwhelming. That may be why Terrance Knighton and Stephen Paea (both listed as DT’s) were brought in. Many 3-4 lines are satisfied if their linemen eat up blockers, but the Redskins seem to want theirs to actually make plays. Well now the ‘skins have the horse that can do it. (+)

NT: Chris Baker owns this spot. And he’s almost as good at playing nose tackle as he is at doling out cheap shots on QB’s. (+)

OLB: The ‘skins decided they’d had enough of oft injured Brian Orakpo (Titans). While it leaves them less explosive on the edge, it would be a mistake to say that their now less dangerous. Ryan Kerrigan is still the best OLB in the division and Trent Murphy was solid as a rookie playing in relief of Orakpo. Jackson Jeffcoat (son of Jim) was added for depth and could be an intriguing option as a relief player. (+) 

ILB: While the Redskins don’t seem to have any bonafide playmakers on the inside, what they have is a trio of guys who know the system and are used to working with each other. At the very least that’s stability. (+)

S: This position was a liability last year so the ‘skins ran out and grabbed Dashon Goldson and Jeron Johnson. It’s unclear how that’s supposed to help with Johnson not having much experience; Goldson making fewer plays against the pass each year for the last three; and both of them thrown into a new system with only Ryan Clark as a mentor despite being himself a washed-up, failed experiment as a Redskin. (-)

CB: It’s time to shake the hands of DeAngelo Hall and Tracy Porter, give them each a gold watch and send them on their way. Perhaps that’s what the brass was thinking when they grabbed Chris Culliver. Last year we found out that David Amerson is just a guy. Given the weakened state of the safeties, I think the corners here will struggle for another year. (-)

In a nutshell: Same as last year. Good front seven, spotty secondary. In a passing league that’s the kiss of death. (-)

SPECIAL TEAMS

P: Tress Way boasted a 40 yard net last year on punts that averaged 47. Not bad for a rookie. (+)

K: Kai Forbath is a decent option here. His leg isn’t a cannon, but he’s accurate. (+)

RS: Andre Roberts got stuck as the PR/KR guy last year and the results were sad. (-)

Bottom Line: This team has the parts, but as is often the problem with offense-minded Head Coaches, the team is locked into one way of looking at things and so only one way can be the right way, even if it keeps being proven wrong on the scoreboard and in the W/L column. This is a team that could easily win the division, but they’ll probably talk themselves out of it again.

WISHING HTTR (HELL TO THE REDSKINS)

Posted by The BEAST on 2015/03/15
Posted in: Draft, NFL, Players, Roster. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

mariota confetti

RUMOR has it that the Washington Redskins will take Draft Prospect QB Marcus Mariota if he’s available at number 5. That would be AWESOME! It would be the biggest joke in sports history next to the Buffalo Bills “4-peat of Shame”. Quite frankly, I wish there were something I could do to help this happen.

First, I don’t want Marcus Mariota to be an Eagle. I feel like he’d be pretty good under Charles Kelly’s system, but the second Kelly packs up and heads back to coaching college, we’ll be stuck with a QB who doesn’t really play NFL QB. My guess is that we’d be stuck with Mariota well beyond Kelly’s tenure as head coach

Second, Washington traded away their 1st round picks in 2012, 2013, and 2014. If they select Mariota in 2015, they will have spent 4 straight years, spending 4 straight 1st round picks, on just TWO quarterbacks, while never patching their other obvious holes.

After watching how brilliantly former Spread system QB Robert Griffin performed in the offense they ran there last year, of course the thing the ‘skins need the most in the world is another Spread QB. I would consider it a personal favor to me if the ‘skins could show that level of stupidity on April 30th. I’m even willing to write a check for $100, to chip in towards Mariota’s signing bonus. Anything that contributes to the continued mediocrity of a division rival is fine by me, because there are three ways the Eagles could win the East this year:

  1. Being better than our rival
  2. Being not as bad as our rivals
  3. Some combination of the previous two

I’d be happy with any one of those. And I think Mariota becoming a Redskin is a step in the right direction for our franchise.

EAGLES/REDSKINS PREVIEW

Posted by The BEAST on 2014/12/18
Posted in: Coaching, Defense, Offense, Preview. Tagged: , , , , , . 5 Comments

12.21.14-Wk16

SATURDAY 4:30 FedEx Field – Landover, Maryland

 

PUMP THE BRAKES

SEATTLE should have been competitive, but it should have been a win. Dallas should have been a breeze. I mean seriously, we even came back from being down 21-0. But in both games the Offense just stalled out, and the defense had a single problem that it couldn’t solve all game long (Russell Wilson’s running vs SEA; and covering Dez Bryant vs DAL.) At this point I have no idea who is showing up in our uniforms on game day.

 

EAGLES

Defense

Due to an under-comittment to defending the pass, we’re pretty solid at defending the run. And when we aren’t being ripped for easy completions, we get good pressure on QB’s. So there’s that.

Let me say this: While CB Bradley Fletcher did look bad out there, stranding him out there like that was total bullshit and horrible coaching. I was glad to see Brian Dawkins weigh in and say the same thing. Before I had this website, (some of you may recall) I wrote when we first signed him, that Fletcher was a kitted-up Safety. WHAT A SURPRISE, I WAS RIGHT AGAIN!

That said, our Secondary is an open fucking wound. Everyone knows that we can be had on shallow crossing routes and now they know that our Defensive Coordinator Bill Davis will strand our CB’s even when they are over-matched. This week I hope to see us play some Cover Two. The last time we played this team we didn’t and it was a shootout. Be nice to see if Davis is capable of learning.

Offense

Remember throwing the ball deep? Remember Jordan Matthews catching multiple Bubble-screens in game? Remember Jordan Matthews? Where the hell did all that go? Mark Sanchez was never really as in synch with Jeremy Maclin as Nick Foles was; but jeez, I’d rather see Sanchez forcing the ball to Maclin than to Riley Cooper.

I’m not even going to harp on our run game. It’s been up and down all year, and right now it’s down again. We all know why that is, but this week especially is not the time to get on that again.

Even without Foles there’s enough firepower here to shell our opponent. But it all depends on which EAGLES Offense decides to show up.

 

REDSKINS

Defense

What can you say about this unit? It has a talented pass rusher in OLB Ryan Kerrigan, and it doesn’t give up a ton of yardage. On the other hand, they have just 4 picks all year long and they allow more points than all but 6 teams. It’s a perfectly “meh” level unit. They should be an ideal “get our confidence back” type of opponent as we work some shit out. 

Offense

Hey look! RB Alfred Morris is about to rush for 1,000 yards again. In that plodding, one dimensional style of his. Despite the QB’s drawing straws every week to see who starts, WR DeSean Jackson has put up nearly 1,000 yards on just 50 grabs this year, and some of you may recall that he is one hell of deep threat. Maybe some Cover Two would be nice?

 

BOTTOM LINE

If we don’t win this game, we should start Matt Barkley next week. This is an absurdly winnable game for us and it pains me that even though I still think we’ll win, I don’t feel confident that we’ll show up looking to handle business.

PREDICTION

EAGLES 24 – 20