That will do it for today ...

Thanks everyone for joining us today for another installment of Ken Harvey's 'At the Game' blog. We will return, as always, next week at 1:00 p.m. when the Redskins host the Eagles in what amounts to a potential third-place game in what was supposed to be a taut four-game race...

By Dan Hargett | December 3, 2006; 7:02 PM ET | Comments (2)

Whose it gonna be, the Giants or the Cowboys?

I think the Cowboys are the best team left in the division. I thought T.O. was a major distraction, and he was, earlier in the season, but they are simply better than the Giants, who are dividing into factions, have too many people pointing fingers, too many individuals. When they...

By Ken Harvey | December 3, 2006; 6:55 PM ET | Email a Comment

Question for Ken: With the Redskins (and the Eagles) figuratively, if not technically, out of contention in the NFC East, who do you like to take the division,the Giants or Cowboys?

By Dan Hargett | December 3, 2006; 6:51 PM ET | Email a Comment

Is Betts, who ran for 155 yards today, the real deal?

I didn't think he was that good at first, but the more I see him play, the better he gets. I think he has the tools to be a legitimate No. 1 back in this league. The question is whether he could be the No. 1 back in Washington, long-term....

By Ken Harvey | December 3, 2006; 6:35 PM ET | Comments (1)

Question for Ken: Is running back Ladell Betts the real deal? Does he possess the tools to be the long-term No. 1 back for the Redskins?

By Dan Hargett | December 3, 2006; 6:32 PM ET | Email a Comment

Ken is back ...

Ken rejoins us after his gig with Comcast to wrap up today's loss to the struggling Falcons ......

By Dan Hargett | December 3, 2006; 6:21 PM ET | Email a Comment

A step back, or part of the learning curve?

I don't think he went backwards, but he did show he was a young QB. The Falcons had a smart game plan, and made him look like a rookie. I've noticed that Campbell has to get down real low to receive the snap from Rabach, and that might be something...

By Ken Harvey | December 3, 2006; 4:03 PM ET | Comments (14)

Question for Ken: Did Jason Campbell take a step backwards today?

By Dan Hargett | December 3, 2006; 3:54 PM ET | Comments (4)

Running the ball can be nice ...

You know what, that is what happens when you stick with the running game (with a little under six minutes to go in the fourth quarter, the Falcons have 250 yards rushing. Egads)....

By Ken Harvey | December 3, 2006; 3:38 PM ET | Comments (1)

Question for Ken: What does Jerious Norwood's 69-yard touchdown tell you about this game?

By Dan Hargett | December 3, 2006; 3:32 PM ET | Comments (1)

Andre Carter, it's about time ...

He has had his best game by far, but come on, we're ten games into the season. And the Falcons offensive line has soft and slow tackles on the edges and he is just out-quicking his man. He also looks like he's trying some new moves, not just relying on...

By Ken Harvey | December 3, 2006; 3:27 PM ET | Email a Comment

Question for Ken: Have you been watching Andre Carter? How good has he looked today?

By Dan Hargett | December 3, 2006; 3:15 PM ET | Email a Comment

Blocking in the back is okay, but only when it's not ...

Back when I played, that was the rule as well. I think they allow the offense the leeway to block in the back in the tackle box because a lot of offense is misdirection, and when a defensive player tries to reverse field, you just don't have time to wait...

By Ken Harvey | December 3, 2006; 3:10 PM ET | Email a Comment

Question for Ken: Do you understand the announcer's explanation of blocking the back? They said as long as you're in the tackle box, you can block in the back all day long ...

By Dan Hargett | December 3, 2006; 3:07 PM ET | Email a Comment

Miss it ... Miss it ...

Oh, without a doubt. The man is trying to take his job. You know, you want him to make it but you also want him to miss it. Those sentiments compete for your loyalty. But deep down Novak wants him to miss. Get Novak on camera and he'll say he...

By Ken Harvey | December 3, 2006; 2:53 PM ET | Email a Comment

Miss it ... Miss it ...

Oh, without a doubt. The man is trying to take his job. You know, you want him to make it but you also want him to miss it. Those sentiments compete for your loyalty. But deep down Novak wants him to miss. Get Novak on camera and he'll say he...

By Ken Harvey | December 3, 2006; 2:53 PM ET | Comments (1)

Do you secretly think Nick Novak was rooting for Shaun Suisham to miss that field goal late in the first half?

By Dan Hargett | December 3, 2006; 2:51 PM ET | Email a Comment

Which unit is winning this game?

I think they are playing pretty well, but not as well as last week, when they were exceptional. I think they have a real shot if they can hold Atlanta to 17 points or fewer. But I think the offense, especially with Shawn Springs out, will ultimately have to win...

By Ken Harvey | December 3, 2006; 2:46 PM ET | Email a Comment

Question for Ken: Can the Redskins defense play much better than they did in the first half?

By Dan Hargett | December 3, 2006; 2:44 PM ET | Email a Comment

Please, just run the ball ...

Part of it is just the ebb and flow of the game, but a majority of it stems from the fact that they got away from the running game in the second quarter. The Redskins defense has been good, but not great. Maybe Al Saunders and the offense were trying...

By Ken Harvey | December 3, 2006; 2:42 PM ET | Email a Comment

Question for Ken: It sure appeared that the Redskins were well on their way to dominating this game, but now all of a sudden it's a close game. What happened?

By Dan Hargett | December 3, 2006; 2:38 PM ET | Email a Comment

See Vick run ... see Vick fall ...

Another factor with Michael Vick and his spectacular ability, the more he chooses to run, the more he will begin to wear down. If they can stay on him, he will make more mistakes....

By Ken Harvey | December 3, 2006; 1:57 PM ET | Comments (2)

Now who's playing with passion?

Passion is having belief in what you can do, and the Redskins are finally executing. It shows ... they believe ... in the quarterback, in their ability to win. The Falcons, on the other hand, continually destroy themselves, miss tackles, drop balls. Two guys could have and probably should have...

By Ken Harvey | December 3, 2006; 1:53 PM ET | Comments (1)

Question for Ken: One team playing with passion out there today, one isn't. It's not hard to pick out which one, is it?

By Dan Hargett | December 3, 2006; 1:41 PM ET | Email a Comment

Jason Campbell, he's the man ...

I think the Redskins offense will get on track and put up some real points today. With Campbell in there, with his strong arm and Cool Hand Luke attitude, the entire team gets a lift because they believe in him and believe they can win. It's like the whole team...

By Ken Harvey | December 3, 2006; 1:34 PM ET | Comments (1)

Question for Ken: What kind of game do you foresee today? Will offense or defense dominate?

By Dan Hargett | December 3, 2006; 1:30 PM ET | Email a Comment

On Buddy Ryan, bounties and gambling ...

Anyone out there remember when then-Eagles coach Buddy Ryan got in a tub full of trouble for putting bounties out on other team's players? I'm not sure how that became public knowlege at the time, but I seem to recall an incident in the early 1990's in which the Eagles...

By Dan Hargett | December 3, 2006; 1:28 PM ET | Email a Comment

Wagering, among friends and teammates ...

Back when I was younger and playing in Phoenix, we used to do that kind of thing. I remember me and Freddie Joe Nunn would bet on who would get to the quarterback first, who would get the most hits on him during a game. It helps foster a personal...

By Ken Harvey | December 3, 2006; 1:22 PM ET | Email a Comment

Question for Ken: Do you think the Redskins will, or maybe should, create some inner-unit competition today by putting money into a pot and doling it out for big hits on Vick?

By Dan Hargett | December 3, 2006; 1:13 PM ET | Comments (1)

Keeping Vick in check ...

He's one of the best running quarterbacks I've ever faced, and that includes Steve Young and Randall Cunningham. And lets not forget John Elway, who gave me fits as a player. The thing is, I think the Redskins have enough team speed on defense to keep Vick in check, but...

By Ken Harvey | December 3, 2006; 1:09 PM ET | Email a Comment

Question for Ken: What is your advice to the Redskins on how to play Falcons quarterback Michael Vick?

By Dan Hargett | December 3, 2006; 1:06 PM ET | Email a Comment

Welcome to this week's battle against Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons ...

Welcome back everybody for another installment of Ken Harvey's 'At the Game' blog, where we will tackle today's game at FedEx Field against arguably the most dangerous quarterback in the league, Michael Vick....

By Ken Harvey | December 3, 2006; 12:59 PM ET | Email a Comment