I would like to see a higher completion rate from JC. I hope that comes with experience.

Very good stuff Jasno and Andrew. Now that Baseball is over, can we stop mentioning it for a while?

I stopped being a Bmore fan until they get pitching and it is hard enough while that boring season drags on for 8 months... but to hear during offseason sux... just sayin is all

I think this shows that young QB's are pretty much the same and how they are handled goes a long way toward their development.

I'm not sure what to make of JC and the way he's being handled. Are they protecting his psyche by not allowing him to throw after mistakes or are they hancuffing him? Only time will tell.

One thing of note is the fact that he sat for 1.5 years.

Eli was .5
Farve was 1 and 1 game (Majkowski went down in the first game I think)
Smith was a starter from game 1 or 2
Romo sat for 2.5 years??

If my memory serves me, which it usually doesnt... oh well.

CBT, i agree that a higher completion percentage is good, but really, I want consistency. I want him to stop over thorwing WR's so bad and hitting the long ball.

If his reciveres drop the ball or he throws it away from coverage drags down that completion %... so I dont like to look at that stat as too important.

If he is hitting open recievers and his TD to INT ration gets better, he will be our starter for many years.

That's not a coincidence. It's Gibbs paranoia. It's also what will keep this team out of the playoffs unfortunately.

Also, I am beginning to think our draft should be focused on Oline. We need young good talent.

The run game and pass game are so intrinsically linked to the oline.

We should pick up CB depth as well, maybe an established vet.

Dline is fine in the middle. Cater is 28... wilson seems to be coming along.

LBs seem fine

Safety is great

Wr's need one tall possession Wr

RB's are fine

TE needs a second blocker and pass catcher

DRAFT OLINE

(Flag on me for mentioning draft 1.2 way through the season_)

I think JC will have a good game this weekend. Philly will push to stop the run. Cooley will be key if you ask me.

The comparisons of J-CAM with Ramsey are irrelevant and here's why. Ramsey didn't prgress further because an idiot named Spurrier almost got him killed. With "Ball Coach's" incompetent blocking schemes, P-Ram got hit more than a Bayonne Bleeder in the Ali fight.

Campbell has been protected and is more mobile within the pocket than Ramsey ever was and should continue to progress.

Ramsey never had a chance and by the time he left he was a shell of the QB he might have become.

Campbell's mobility should make his improvements continue.

As for Romo. He was more like Trent Greene. He held the clipboad for a few years, learned the game and was ready to go when the time came.

Interesting stuff. Thanks, guys.

It's pretty clear to me that Joe Gibbs only trusts QB's over the age of 78 (have all that experience UP HERE) or QB's named Mark Boonell.

Turnovers happen, Gibby. Remember Boonell fumbling the ball away all the time? Well why was it okay to keep trusting Brunell when he did it, but not Campbell? It's BS. Campbell is what? 25? He's a man. He's poised. Take the training wheels off and let him go.

I think JC would hit more long balls if they start to let him throw more. When you're only throwing 1 or 2 a game, it's hard to get a touch for it.

Noticed they took Jasno's picture/blog box off the 'Skins front page (used to be above Maske's). Has registration really taken that much away from the blog to where it's buried now?

JLC I got a question for you. When the skins are in the huddel on the field, if 17 the "leader" of the team or is 17 still just the guy with the plays straped to the arm? Who is the Offenceive Field general right now. Every time I see a pic of Campbell on the field he looks very quite.

Steve Spurrier ruined Patrick Ramsey's career. How many times can a young quarterback get knocked to the groud time and time again. That was a terrible a coaching move. I was so happy to see him go.

Skins by 40!

If the skins win it will be by 2-3.

Ok, so I was just on extreme-skins, and I know that you can't believe everything you read on the internet, but someone posted that on the Riggins show yesterday, he stated that the reason Lloyd missed the meeting was that he was asleep at his locker. Don't quite know what to make about this, if its true.

Anyway, I think that you can't stop passing when an interception happens. Not to use him as an example, but look at Romo versus the Bills. You've got to let them learn to dig out of the self-created hole they made.

With "Ball Coach's" incompetent blocking schemes, P-Ram got hit more than a Bayonne Bleeder in the Ali fight

LMGO! C you are telling your age with that one my friend.

Skins by 40! - is a mantra or a prayer not a prediction.

ok good prayer/mantra

SKINS BY 40!!!!

"It's pretty clear to me that Joe Gibbs only trusts QB's over the age of 78 (have all that experience UP HERE) or QB's named Mark Boonell"

Exactly. Brunell blew chunks, totally awful. But he was "super smart." See, supertsmart was a genius for locking on to Moss every passing play, and when he wasn't open rolling left to the sideline and throwing the ball in the stands.

Remember also how many fumbles Brunell had returned for touchdowns? Pathetic. Gibbs just can't bear watching a mistake by a young QB but is dismissive of them as long as they are a "veteran" (or they have their own church like Brunell).

Gibbs needs to go back to the NASCAR.

X,

Skins by 40!

Just heard Mike and Mike, those guys are impossible to listen to. Only nugget I got was that if Dallas wins this weekend they have the division wrapped up because they have two games and the tie break on the giants.

What an idiot. I don't care if you think they are the best two teams in the div. that's fine. But don't act like the skins are the JV team.

Ahhh the viscous bile of the mornin' RI crowd.

How y'all doin? Everyone stewin' in Soup taday?

Room for improvement, plenty of potential. Me Likey.

'Skins by 40!!

Redskins 16 Eagles 14.

Summary- Redskins jump out to 16-0 lead in first half (1 TD, 3 FG's). Eagles make halftime adjustment and comeback within two with 5 minutes left.

Redskins have a bunch of 3 and outs on offense and Eagles get so many chances in the last 5 minutes that they get a rhythm and get a 45 yd fg attempt on the last play.

Little Prick Danny turns on his hidden massive fan that blows the ball wide left.
Gibbs says after the game that there is no other bunch of guys that he would rather be in a fight with. That they have more "character" than anyone he has ever known.He wipes his sweaty brow, exhales and says "every game is just a real fight."

Epilogue-

Fans finally have had enough of LPD (little prick danny) and his abusive behavior. We quit going to games and LPD's revenues crash. LPD panics and tries to sell the team. He can't and the Redskin debt owners oust LPD and hold fire sale. Redskins sold to highest bidder.

LPD last see living in Hyattsville 1 bedroom apartment.

I don't know why but I feel like our O will come to play this weekend but big plays against our D will keep it close.

X_1967,
You forgot.

'Skins by 40

O might come to play, but are Gibbs and Saunders ready to let it.

'Skins by 40

Balance!

beep boop boop.

I don't see big plays against the D - did you watch the Iggles-Cowpatties game?

McNabb is not very inspiring. And I think their D is getting tired.

'Skins by 40!!

Mike & Mike are merely pointing out the obvious right now; don't jump on them.

As of right now, the 4 division leaders are Dallas, Seattle, Green Bay and Tampa Bay. Breathing down their necks are the Giants, Lions, 'Skins, and Panthers. Giants have essentially a two-game edge on us 'cause of our melt-down at home; Lions a one-game edge. So for us to get the last wildcard spot right now, we have have to keep pace with the Lions. Note if Green Bay flip-flops with Detroit, it's still the same scenario (thanks Santana).

Even though we have the 5th-best record in the conference tight now, we'd hold the last spot, 'cause Tampa is leading their division.

This 2nd half is huge! At the halfway point, we're still running near the top. But it would be a monumental blow to lose a home game against an inferior division opponent. Especially with the 'Boys and the Jints banging heads this weekend. If we're going to make a move, it absolutely has to start Sunday. A stumble here could end up being the heart-lung shot for this team. But a win opens up a variety of good possibilities.

If Coach Joe is smart he will go for the bomb to B Llyod the first play of the game. No one would be looking for it.

x1967,

that was hilarious.

this is must win. we are not gonna win at Dallas so we can either be 6-4 going into Tampa or 5-5. I like 6-4 better.

I don't see how it's that "obvious". He didn't say it like it was a good chance. He said it like it's fait accompli, done deal. Considering that the skins still control there own destiny at this point in the division I don't think it's framed like that.

As I said, I understand that the skins have been winning ugly but to totally dismiss it is ridiculous.

Why won't we win at Dalla$$?!

Did you say the same thing last year when they came to DC?

I think we can beat the Cowpatties twice this year. As long as we don't curl up in a ball, like against NE, we have a chance to beat any NFC East team - including Dalla$$.

I agree with you SeanTizzy2DaHizzy. The Titians have been winning ugly. Not like they are putting up big numbers on offense.

If Coach Joe is smart he will go for the bomb to B Llyod the first play of the game. No one would be looking for it.

Posted by: jm220 | November 8, 2007 09:14 AM

didn't we try a deep pass to him in another game? It did not work out well. I say try it with Caldwell or McC. Can anyone tell me who Campbell was getting the ball too the most at Aubern?

Yep, would be nice to toss more than one deep ball against this Iggles D.

I predict our D continues its stellar play and our O finally holds up their end of the bargain, pounding the rock, taking some shots downfield, and getting TDs instead of FGs. Oh, and some kind of a "home field advantage" in effect against these division rivals (the winged unicorns stamping their hooves on the concourse will be awfully noisy!).

I see the Skins winning this one going away, something like 24-10. Agreed with RB and others that this amounts to a "must win," because if we don't win games like this one, well, we're going to be effed.

With that said, Skins by 40!

I know the mantra is Skins by 40 but I would bet it would be more like skins by 7 we don't play dirty and run up the score like the pats.

Naate! pass tha Kool-aid, bruther!

Skins by 40!

Thanks for keeping the chant going.

Skins by 40!

Why would the Eagles bench McNabb? That is the biggest non-story. BTW...

Skins by 40!

The whole mcnabb benching thing is the stupid eagles fans just being mad at their team. I would like to see us pass a little more, but the eagles have a decent secondary, depending on who is injured, I see us running a whole lot.
Skins by 40

I don't see this game as a must win. However, the Dallas game is a must win - win or lose this week. To what degree all depends on the outcome of this game.

So far the 'skins have managed to beat the teams they should - by the skin of their teeth.

Skins by 40!

We won't be able to run against these guys like we did the Jets. I believe it will be back to normal this week. That said

'Skins by 40

Skins will be running - not that there is anything wrong with that. Ok, passing is whats in. Thats why the Lions are high on everyone's rankings and the Vikings aren't.

I would like to see Portis break one for say about...forty.

Skins by 40!

I don't mind the comparison of JC to Ramsey. I actually think Ramsey would have been a serviceable NFL starter if Spurrier hadn't ruined him. Make no mistake, that is exactly what Spurrier did. Campbell will be better than Ramsey could have been because he already sees the field and reads coverages better than Ramsey could and he has more mobility in and out of the pocket. They both have big arms and Campbell will catch up with Ramsey in terms of accuracy once he gets a little more experience.

Oh...and Skins by 40.

The game in Dallas is not a must win. Obviously I want them to sweep the Cowgirls, but a split would be fine.

Memo to the blog...

What to watch for in the season's second half
By Pat Kirwan | NFL.com

Is the NFL simply running out of QBs?

During Week 9 we saw 11 quarterbacks start who were really backups at some point in the season. We have already seen 67 quarterbacks throw a pass in the league this year. I talked with two head coaches who are both working out quarterbacks this late into the season trying to have enough guys in uniform to finish a game if need be. By the end of the season, there will close to 80 quarterbacks who have taken a snap and thrown a pass for 32 teams. We have officially run out of choices at quarterback if a team needs one.

It is because the 'skins will between one and three games behind the Cowboys for the division lead when we play in Dallas. The home game may not mean anything but have possible seeding implications.

Skins by 40!

F Mike & Mike always, and forever....

They are all must win games, every week, every opponent...only way to view it...

In JC I trust, What would JC do?, JC is the savior, I have faith in JC

JM220 is right a bomb to B-LL (or whoever)in the first 3 plays would be very smart, whether its complete or not....we need to loosen teams up a bit....u cant tell every one "were gonna run" we might do that but make them think, 8 men in the box for most teams is gonna slow us down, the Jets are not a good barometer for that...

Washington Redskins (5-3)
Right answers: The defense is much improved from last season. Every level of the defense is drastically better. Jason Campbell is coming along well, and Washington finally has its franchise quarterback. The rushing attack -- led by Clinton Portis, who is coming off a 196-yard effort -- is coming along well. The Redskins are ranked ninth in the league in rushing, averaging 128.9 yards a game.

Wrong answers: The loss to the Packers was a winnable game and could haunt the Redskins down the line. Injuries on the right side of the offensive line have mounted and crippled this offense at times.

What's next? The Redskins still have two games left against the Cowboys, which could make or break their position in the NFC East. It took an overtime victory against the lowly Jets to improve to 5-3, and with a difficult schedule looming, Washington very well could be on the outside looking in at the playoffs.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/news/story?id=3095890&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnfl%2finsider%2fnews%2fstory%3fid%3d3095890

Smack from previous

I think its a good thing we don't have to make that decision yet on Jason, I think next year is decision time on his contract.... the next year plus games he plays will determine the $ he gets...a playoff run certainly would help his bank account in the future...daggar breaking down the game film...i get the same feeling ie we are running the intermediate/deeper stuff but either not getting open, not getting protection or not trusting what he (JC ) is seeing....in other words we are of of snyc....but we are not out of snyc with a washed up QB.... and that is the big difference.

For me - Dalla$$ is always a must win. I've said it befo - Redskins can be 2 & 14 every season as long as those two are against DALLA$$.

I'll settle for 6 and 10 if we can sweep the division! lol.

Skins by 40

"Obviously I want them to sweep the Cowgirls, but a split would be fine."

Liberal Mike, wha? I may be simpatico with you in politics but in football, and especially Dallas v Wash take that bleeding hart commie talk somewhere else!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Split would be fine????? SMASH AND SMACK (pun intended) those dueche bags twice a year, no mercy no quarter, they are all must win!

Did someone really attempt to spell Auburn Aubern. I can understand some spelling mistakes here and there but that is an incredible lack of a basic understanding of our language.

It will be interesting to see how Williams calls the D this week. When pressured, Mcnabb doesn't seem to make the greatest decisions, so will Landry get to blitz alot like last week? Mcnabb knows the system and hot reads very well, but just isn't very accurate. I think they were surpised by how accurate Clemmens was last week getting rid of the ball quickly. I just don't see Mcnabb reacting to a safety blitz as well as the Jets did. On the other hand, since Mcnabb isn't very accurate, do we sit back in cover 2 all day and give up the short dumps? Only problem with that is that the dumps would probably put the ball in Westbrook's hands, and he seems to kill us each time we play them. We need to stick to excellent tackling if we stay in cover 2, sack Mcnabb by the d-line, or at least keep him in the pocket and pressured. I say send the kitchen sink after him and let him throw the grounders he's getting famous for.
On offense, run established or not, we need to throw deep early and often. Their secondary is banged up; Dawkins is playing hurt and their other starter Considine is now out for the year. And if JC fumbles or throws a pick, keep the offense balanced (with more mid range or deep throws) in staed of running 90%........Skins 24-14.

67 QB's have playd this season, the skins have played 1. Thats a good thing.

Obviously, from a player's perspective, you HAVE to treat every game as a "must win." That is what Mike & Mike were talking about, I think.

I agree, as a fan, the Cowboys games are always the most important of the year. I was just saying that from a standpoint of making the playoffs, the one in Dallas isn't a must win. The way I see it, to make the playoffs, they need to win their four remaining home games and at least 1 on the road. Preferably Dallas, but New York, Tampa Bay, or Minnesota would do as well. Might have to win 2 of those, if Detroit wins the North because we cannot end in a tie with Green Bay. May need to be 11-5 to make the playoffs.

As discussion turns to filling key needs etc. I always look at the cap #s and get depressed.

For 2008 they are as follows for top 20 players by pay:
CP $8.9 MM
Jansen 8.8
R. Thomas 8.8
C. Samuels 8.2
S. Springs 7.4
M. Brunell 6.5
M. Washington 6.5
C. Griffin 6.1
S. Moss 5.8
A. Carter 4.9
ARE 3.7
P. Daniels 3.7
C. Rabach 3.6
L. Fletcher 3.4
Todd Wade 3.0
F. Smoot 2.4
C. Rogers 2.3
S. Taylor 1.9
P. Kendall 1.8
J. Campbell 1.6

Top 20 are projected at a staggering $108 MM. This versus a cap that will be in the mid $120s.

Of course some will/should leave (think Brunell). But in general the cap hits will be close to the pay because the contracts have been restructured so many times. At this point restructuring Jansens contract yet again for example doesn't really help much because of the huge deferred signing bonus/guaranteed money that still has to be accounted for.

Plus there are players that we will have to re-up even though contract is not yet over (J. Campbell).

Hard to imagine how we can attract talent (let alone pay next years draftees, special teamers, 2nd string, 3rd string, etc.).

I'd be really suprised to see Detroit win the North. They are a game behind and have a tougher schedule than the Pack. The pack have really good Corners to match up with Detroit throwing the ball.

What would be really nice is to win all 4 of our remaining division games or at least go 4-2. Going .500 in the division and getting into the playoffs will be tough.

Let's not start talking next years cap just yet. It's too early in the season.

Not to mention that none of really have any clue what we are talking about. So many times I've heard the sky is falling, we're in lockdown, gonna get punished by the league only to find us picking up FA's.

If there is one thing in which this FO and owner excede in it's managing the cap. Too bad they don't pick the right players with that skill.

I think that some of those cap #s are off. I thought old no 8 renegotieated his cap number down to 1.7 or so.

If there is one thing in which this FO and owner excede in it's managing the cap. Too bad they don't pick the right players with that skill.

Posted by: SeanTizzy2DaHizzy | November 8, 2007 10:23 AM

That is the truth. They do know how to mannage the cap better then anyone.

F November cap talk

Here are a couple of really good sites with Redskins salary cap info for those who are interested.

http://www.skinsfans.com/pcinoz/Salaries%20Pages%20Summary.html

http://www.redskinswarpath.com/WarpathRedskinsCap.htm

Skins by 40!?!?!? Who put the acid in the fruit flavored drink?

This weekend will be what typical NFC East football used to be ... Portis v. Westbrook, with an occasional opportunity for a burped pass breaking long. Both secondaries are missing one key guy (Rogers and Considine), but neither teams' QB or WRs has been discovered a way to make fire. Each team has a guy with an accurate arm and one reliable deep receiver (Randel-El and Curtis).

Difference maker in this game will be special teams' play. I'm thinking three weeks of the Frosting we've seen is starting to become a trend, if not a slump. I still maintain that the guy is mentally unstable (I will find the article from last year that makes me think that). Suisham has mojo back. Sav Rocca is punting well. Akers too. Hopefully, they push Akers to his limits and Sean Taylor gets ANOTHER missed FG return, but this time for a TD.

Low score ... all game long. BIG risks of more injuries to linemen (both sides) at the line of scrimmage.

Just like a three and out after a defensive turnover the momentum for the mantra has come to crashing halt. Seriously, some folks love the off-season more than the real season.

Skins by 40!

From our boy Dr. Z.

And now we come to Art Monk.

I'm tired of being a negative. I'm tired of all the impassioned letters asking me what did he ever do to me. I've been thinking long and hard about this. OK, he caught a lot of short passes but he also bought a lot of first downs, and he was a terrific team guy, well-respected and a pleasure from whom to borrow money. Why must I continue to pound a shoe on the table?

"Because the heel is falling off," says The Flaming Redhead. Hey, can't you see this is serious? What's the matter with you?

Where was I? Oh yeah, Art Monk. OK. He's got my vote. D.C. e-mailers can mail their contributions to me, care of the office.

I do not think that the runs after the picks were "symbolic of a larger issue" unless he meant the issue of winning. In the jets game the run was working beautifully, so going to the pass wouldn't have made sense. In the arz game I think most people would agree that we got too conservative, but the D was playing very well and they figured the ancient one-armed qb wouldn't play as well as he did at the end with the D playing so well that day. But we won both games. That is all that matters. But hey, why not take any opportunity to question the play calling?

Detroit's 2nd half sked is brutal:

@arz, nyg, gb, @min, dal, @sd, kc, @gb

I just don't see them finishing better than 9-7.

Skins by 40.

"According to the NFLPA, releasing Lloyd today wouldn't result in a salary cap hit in 2007, but the hit would accelerate to $7.1 million in 2008 instead of $4.2 million in 2008 and $2.9 in 2009."

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071108/SPORTS01/111080092/1005/SPORTS&template=nextpage

Fish - I thought someone already did the 'most advantageous release of BLloyd' posting and it worked out to sometime in the offseason, after a particular date (forget which) and before another particular date (also forget which).

And I'll limit my already miniscule cap scrutinization to : Hire Charley Casserly!

'Skins by 40!!

HAIL!

..."Maps", such as.

Mornin' gang.

I don't see the problem in talking salary cap, draft, or FA in the middle of the season. I know a lot can change between now and March but, how many times can you talk about the Eagles game?
As far as Mike and Mike go, why is it a surprise that no one talks about the Redskins? Thats nothing new. I think the rest of the country just sees them as an average team that wins the offseason championship every year. If the skins want to be nationally known, then its simple.

Beat the living snot out of your opponents, by scoring 40 ppg. Throw on a 4th and 4 in the 4th quarter with less than 4 mins left to play, although you're up by 48. And finish the season with only four losses.

Oh, and skins by 40.

Couple things:

Screw Paul Zimmerman. He's a complete moron. The whole idea of Art just catching 8 yard passes show's what hatred he holds for this franchise, and shows how uninformed he is.

I'm pretty sure that Brunnell/Daniels/Lloyd will not be on the team next year, so not sure what the savings will be. I'm not worried about the cap at this point however.

I'm just posting something I read that comes from the NFLPA so it must be true.

The best time to release Lloyd would be after June 1st next year. We wouldn't save any money on him in '08 but we would save 2 1/2 mil on him in '09 and a butt load of money after that.

I don't know why we are talking about the cap with 8 games remaining. However, I agree we know how to work the cap better than any team. Every year we get who we want and don't have to blow up the team even though the expect say ever year we are in cap hell. Double G should blitz this weekend.

On JC missing the long ball every game...
I wonder if it's because they don't try it enough or practice it enough, or if he needs to readjust his timing to a bunch of injured receivers??

"Quarterback Jason Campbell has thrown downfield only nine times in the Redskins' last four games.

This season, in throws that traveled 30 or more yards, Campbell is 5-for-18 for 235 yards, two interceptions and no touchdowns.

In the opener, Campbell hit deep-shots of 35 and 49 yards and a 54-yard Hail Mary pass. He completed passes of 48 and 49 yards the next two games."

For me - Dalla$$ is always a must win. I've said it befo - Redskins can be 2 & 14 every season as long as those two are against DALLA$$.

Aim low, fail anyway.

The Redskins could beat the Eagles by 40 points and they would still get no respect. I can just hear the talking heads now saying how bad the Eagles are and how their season is over instead of mentioning anything about how good the Redskins are.

I believe you are so right, bigfish.

'skins by 40

Bigfish you know that's what they are going to say. Take the Lions after we gave them the beat down. They called the Lions frauds and now all of sudden they good team but we still don't get any respect. F all of them.

F the Cap, and F the Cap talk in season, the season is 16 beautiful weeks I like to enjoy it and let the cap/draft/hot stove stuff keep me warm in off season...just me...

F getting respect, who needs it...

And F mike & mike, whether they talk/like the skins or not...skins bashing is only reason #122 to dislike those tools...

"... Double G should blitz this weekend."

Posted by: jm220 | November 8, 2007 10:47 AM

No way, McNabb cannot be trusted. The four man rush is working -- hurrying the pass, sometimes a sack -- and should do OK through the revolving door playing LT for Philly, Winston Justice.

Important that McNabb throws ... and gets picked. While I'd love to jump on the "Skins by 40" bandwagon -- I believe that a critical mass has been reached now to call it a bandwagon -- the only way that happens is defensive TDs.

SMACK(1),

"Quoth the Raven, neverscore"

Priceless. Should be a t-shirt or something....cracked me the sjk up when I read it tuesday.

"F getting respect, who needs it..."

Posted by: chrislarry | November 8, 2007 11:00 AM

Tom Brady, apparently, and thus, it will be denied. F the Pats. F Belichek. And for crying out loud -- F chRIs Larry!

[I feel good now.]

yeah - y'know CL was buckin' around for that, sween. lmgo.

did anyone see the quotes from Shula re: Belicheat? would love to hear RedCoat's reaction.

Re: cap talk, the draft, etc.

Isn't now the time of year when it is OK to talk about it? Seems like the idea is to win in December, when everyone cares. The early part of the season is about avoiding injuries and get a good enough record that November isn't so important. Not so good on the former, but good enough on the latter. Now is the time of year to just enjoy the games.

Being a Skins fan is so much about griping the recent past (and moaning about the lost glory of the distant past), and worrying about the future, I almost forgot that the RIGHT NOW -- the middle middle of the regular season -- is why this is fun in the first place. THESE are the games that are what tailgating is all about!

In the opener, Campbell hit deep-shots of 35 and 49 yards and a 54-yard Hail Mary pass. He completed passes of 48 and 49 yards the next two games."

Posted by: bigfish | November 8, 2007 10:53 AM

You shouldn't skew JC's stats with the 54 yard Hail Mary against Miami. It was landing harmlessly 2-3 yards in front of ARE when Jason Taylor had a total brainf@rt and decided to bat it out of the end zone right back into his hands!

I saw that Dik. Shula's got no love for the Pats so it doesn't surprise me.

What did surprise me was Bruschi having a hissy fit about "questioning the integrity of the team I've played for my whole career". Er Tedi, would that be because you were caught cheating? I think in that case people are actually allowed to question the integrity of the organization because it is plainly faulty. What a muppet.

Greg(Boston) mentioned this above, which was reported in the other paper, but I have a physics question about this point:

"... A team source said Lloyd fell asleep at his locker Friday and was late for a position meeting ...."

How does this happen physically? Aren't lockers vertical structures? Do they have installed, fold out cots nowadays? Is the ground in front of a locker that comfortable? Just curious.

The playoffs. Cowboys, Giants, and Skins get in from the East. The Pack wins the North, Saints win the South (fantasticly easy schedule), and Seahawks win the West.

So the Skins competition for the final wild card are the Lions, Bucs, Eagles and Panthers. Skins can take care of business. 9-7 with the tiebreakers or 10-6 will get a spot.

Finish off the Eagles, surprise Dallas, take care of the Bucs, Bills and Vikes and its playoffs. Under the radar all the way.

Skins by 40!

Happens when you're stoned. Then you can sleep anywhere.

'skins by 40

RC, thats the part that I struggle with. Um...you were caught cheating. Were people supposed to just sweep this under the rug, and NOT question your success?? You got caught cheating moron.

Then the NFL destroy's the evidence, so there is no chance of closure as far as what was really on those tapes.

They should be mad at the coach, he's the one who sullied their reputations. And as far as people questioning them, like Dungy and Shula did, the pats brought this on themselves. They deserve to be questioned.

How does this happen physically? Aren't lockers vertical structures? Do they have installed, fold out cots nowadays? Is the ground in front of a locker that comfortable? Just curious.

Posted by: dcsween | November 8, 2007 11:16 AM

The first thing that came to mind for me is aren't there other players in the locker room that would nudge him and say "Hey dude. Meeting time".

bigfish ... nudge ... kick to kidneys ... whateves ... assuming it was physically possible that no one notices the closed eyes, snoring and/or drooling, you'd at least think someone might have taken out a permanent magic marker.

Also, correction. It doesn't appear to be a bandwagon as much as a mantrawagon. So far, I think I count eight who are chanting Skins by 40.

from WaTimes: "This season, in throws that traveled 30 or more yards, Campbell is 5-for-18 for 235 yards, two interceptions and no touchdowns."

As I posted last night, all but one of JC's first eight passes was designed to go long, but in each case he decided to check down (or scramble). With stats like that floating around in his head, I'm not sure I blame him.

The first thing that came to mind for me is aren't there other players in the locker room that would nudge him and say "Hey dude. Meeting time".

Posted by: bigfish | November 8, 2007 11:25 AM

I agree, makes you wonder if the team has given up on him too.
Skins by 40

I wasn't aware that the NFL destroyed the evidence. What is to be gained by doing that, except to speed the "carpet, the sweeping under of" process.

I'd always thought the Krafts were a pretty classy act before, but their unwillingness to act on this - in fact to give Bialystock a PAY RISE immediately afterwards stank of "just make sure you don't get caught next time" to me.

Anyway, I think that both the "nothing to lose by then" Ravens and the Steelers will stick it to the Pats this year. The wheels will come off for them in December and January when teams are out of contention but can still impact the season's outcome by "making plays" on Brady et al.

Lloyd should know that you sleep at the meeting, not before it!

Mike Vrabel's comments about Shula (and Shula's team) just confirmed that the Patriots have no class. Belichick was caught cheating...plain and simple. Shula was ASKED about this during an interview and he simply gave his opinion. He did not bring it up. Of course, the media jumped all over it like Shula just made this comment out of the blue - which was not the case at all.

What makes it worse is that the Pats gave up their #1 pick but still have the one from the 49ers which will most likely be a top 10 pick. That'll learn em.

Greg, I finally understand your loathing for Pats fans...

This is a comment posted by a Pats fan under Vrabel's pathetic response to a question on Shula.

"Sorry any Dolphin fans, Shula may have had Bill's respect, but now they need a beatdown, 52-3 nothing personal Jason Taylor, but the old coach needs to learn some respect

posted November 6, 2007 10:36 PM"

The implication being that if all don't fall down and uncritically worship at the altar of King Billy they must be whupped until they do.

Truly pathetic.

"I can just hear the talking heads now saying how bad the Eagles are and how their season is over"

The truth hurts and it sucks that my new blog name (argh) is way, way too accurate.

Bitter fans unite. F everyone except Redcoat.

Adam

Sorry for the deiversion. We return you to your normal blogging ...Skins by 40.... ...JC throws long.... ...blah blah... That is all.

Adam, I'm not bitter. For me there was always a fair chance the year would unfold this way for the Fins.

Now for YOU, this must be soul-destroying.... With all the expectations set by last years' late run to the playoffs... Ouch. Tee hee.

Actually maybe we could just make it "fans of teams who suck, unite" and then I'm right there in the front row with you!

Lysdexics untie!

My predictions for the Eagles game;

-Jason Cambell will connect on at least one pass of over 30 yards.

-At least one WR will catch a TD pass.

-Cooley will catch a TD pass.

-Portis will break 100 yards again.

-Sean Taylor will have an INT (he's due).

-Receiver, The will have at least one catch.

-Skins will be kneeling down and running out the clock with a big lead at the end of the game.

Skins by 4!

hi jasno

what about a comparison with mcnabb through his first games ? as i recall, he ran around a lot, but had some rough outings

shally

My predictions for the Miami - Buffalo game:

-Cleo Lemon will connect on at least one pass of over -3 yards.

-At least one WR will drop a pass.

-David Martin will drop a TD pass, twice.

-Chatman will break 10 yards again.

-Jason Taylor will NOT have an INT (he's due). Or a sack.

-Ginn Jr, Ted will have at least one catch, but sadly it will be from a punt.

-Buffalo will be trying to think of what to do not to run up the score at the end of the game. Eventually they will run trick plays where the punter throws flea flickers to the Long Snapper. Unfortunately Miami can't cover the Snapper (too fast) so these
will all go for TDs too.

bigfish, I was told the mantra was skins by 40. If you're going to make changes let us at least be civil.

'skins by maybe 3

I would like to get to a point where I don't get a pit in my stomach every time the Skins are on offense.

It is damn near impossible to string a drive together that is completely dependent on 3rd down conversions. Even if the Skins run at 4 yards a pop, this is a problem.

I would like to see Gibbs trust JC enough to start achieveing first downs on 1st and 2nd downs.

I would like to get to a point where I don't get a pit in my stomach every time the Skins are on offense.

It is damn near impossible to string a drive together that is completely dependent on 3rd down conversions. Even if the Skins run at 4 yards a pop, this is a problem.

I would like to see Gibbs trust JC enough to start achieveing first downs on 1st and 2nd downs.

Hey 5-11, you're forecasting you're name to become redundant this week!

RC, my loathing of the pats, and their fans knows no boundaries. The worst part of it is that, had the Jets been caught cheating, or the Dolphins had been caught cheating, Pats fans would be SCREAMING for blood.

How could you come to ANY other conclusion that the hastily made decision to destroy the evidence, was due to what they found on the tapes, and not wanting ANYONE to see what they saw?

Someone asked earlier who Soup was throwing to at Auburn.

NAME REC YDS YPR LONG TD
Courtney Taylor 43 737 17.1 56 6
Devin Aromashodu 24 513 21.4 67(TD) 4
Ben Obomanu 25 359 14.4 43(TD) 7
Ronnie Brown 34 313 9.2 38 1
Cooper Wallace 19 302 15.9 36 0
Anthony Mix 19 294 15.5 58(TD) 3
Silas Daniels 9 169 18.8 87(TD) 1
Carnell Williams 21 152 7.2 57 1
Carl Stewart 6 99 16.5 35 0
Lee Guess 4 77 19.3 37 0
Jamoga Ramsey 4 61 15.3 26 1
Cole Bennett 1 6 6.0 6 0
Jerald Watson 1 3 3.0 3 0
Maurice Anderson 1 1 1.0 1(TD) 1
Totals 211 3086 14.6 87 25

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/teamstats?teamId=2&year=2004

Notice how much noise the Pats made this week about the Colts supposedly pumping in fake crowd noise. Turns out it was a technical glitch by CBS that was only heard on TV. F'en crybabies.

Redcoat, I'm forcasting it to be non relevent. But that's because I would really love the skins to win more than 5, I just won't believe it till I see it.

'skins maybe.

-Skins will be kneeling down and running out the clock with a big lead at the end of the game.
Posted by: bigfish | November 8, 2007 11:54 AM

Skins by 4!
Posted by: bigfish | November 8, 2007 11:56 AM

Hmm, consistency being the hobgoblin of little minds...

4 points is a big lead up here.

Not to continue on the anti-pats rant, but two things pissed me off that I saw Brady do.

1. When they were up by 40 something points against the Redskins, Campbell threw deep to either ARE, or someone else, and Brady was ALL OVER the ref to call offensive pass interference. Total dick-head move.

2. When they were taking a knee this past weekend versus the Colts, Brady began BERATING on of the refs at the end of the game.

He can't get drilled in the coconut soon enough for me.

hey, let's save the 'hope the QB get's drilled' talk for Romo, Manning, and Garcia.

fish - but with a 4 point margin, we wouldn't kneel, just run a series of fighting-our-guts-out 3-and-outs.

They got caught and are paying the price, not like it hurt them except out of pocket. Beating the snot out of other teams is, in my opinion, the proper response, but not in such a thumb your nose at everyone else fashion. Did they expect nobody to talk about it? There's no need to fire back at Shula.....it's not like he called a press conference to berate the Pats.....just answered a question. If they go undefeated and win the bowl, good for them; looks like they will. The cheating has stopped, so in my book, just get on with it. Should they win undefeatedly (is that a word?), it might be pretty nice to see Csonka and those other tools shut the f up for once and keep their champagne bottled up. Sorry Redcoat. The players and Belicheat need to stop crying everytime someone brings it up, but I don't think it warrants an asterisk.

By end of the game I meant after the 2 minute warning while Philly has no timeouts. Someone mentioned earlier this week That for once they would like to see the Skins win by kneeling down on the ball for a change.

That implies a type of clock management savvy that has been heretofore unexposed.

I heard about the Teddy B comments out of New England.

What did Mike Vrabel have to say? Judging from the responses here, it must have been nasty...

Whether anyone here believes it deserves an asterix or not is entirely irrelevant. The fact of the matter is - there IS an asterix. You will not be talking about this season without mentioning the scandal. That there's just the way it is. Our opinions are immaterial.

I didn't hear Shula's comments directly, but I would tend to believe he meant them that way - there is an asterix. period. Now, he probably believes there should be, too... that's debateable fo sho.

First of all F the Pats!

but

"The Dolphins were nailed by the league for tampering in connection with the hiring of Shula to be their head coach in 1970. The penalty was a first-round draft pick. So if the head coach of the team that went 17-0 two years later was hired through improper means, shouldn't the team's accomplishments with said coach carry an asterisk, too?"

Big, I was unaware of that, however:

Tampering to hire a head coach

Versus

Taping opponents in order to gain a competetive advantage.

Tampering is a much lesser crime in my mind.

That implies a type of clock management savvy that has been heretofore unexposed.

Posted by: daggar | November 8, 2007 12:26 PM

You could say similar for half of the other predictions that I made. I guess in all I am predicting that this game will be the one that we've all been asking for. A complete game that ends in a non-gut-wrenching victory. However I fully expect that we will still find something to complain about and people will still want to fire Joe Gibbs for something.

how many receptions would brandon lloyd have to wrangle for everyone to stop hating?

i say 3 catches and 1 TD.

or 7 catches and 88 yards.

as much as his attitude sucks, they should give him a shot. santana and ARE are hurt. at least lloyd is healthy (physically, anyway) and athletic.

give him a chance. touchdowns are way to rare right now to be picking and choosing. maybe he and campbell could get something going and it would help other aspects of the passing game.

skins by 40.

hail!

greg, those aren't my words. That was from an article on pft.com. Just wanted to throw it out there for arguement sake. You know, just starting a little trouble.

When I just read someone type asterix instead of asterisk I got blown out of the water.

"A FOOLISH consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

(Topical football comment - Persistently calling running plays, resulting in "3 and out, 3 and out, 3 and out", certainly qualifies as "a foolish consistency".)

"how many receptions would brandon lloyd have to wrangle for everyone to stop hating?"

I'd say somewhere around 60 for 800 or so yards and 6 TD's. Even that may not be enough for how much money he's making.

Big, I figured they weren't your words, but I still think that what the pats did was the more aggregious of the two.

Vrabel's response: "I think that we try to go out there and play hard every week. And I don't think that guys are going to draw on an old retired coach and old washed up players to pump us up. We play hard. We try to go out there and play hard. That's our job every week is to go out there and play hard. To play for our team, my teammates, my coaches, the respect factor, that's what I try to go out and play for, and I think everybody else on our team does the same thing."

And dlhaze no offence taken on the '72 team and their 'champagne celebration'. I think that's pathetic of them too.

Always... from the comments on the blog (and even from Jasno), I expected to see really poor passing design in the Jets game.
What I saw was a lot of well-executed play action passing setup followed by JC looking deep then throwing short. Neither Gibbs nor Saunders can make JC throw to the primary target. It's entirely possible that the WRs didn't get any separation, so I'm not trying to criticize JC or his choices. But to claim that they're not calling deep routes doesn't hold up...

if you can't take Emerson and twist his words to your own nefarious ends, then what the hell good is he?

b lloyd for 60 catches for 800 yards?

that's doable. especially since it sounds like he's well-rested.

if that did really happen, everybody would be hating gibbs for abandoning last week's run game.

Cool new Guinness ad.

'Skins by kneeldown!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/11/08/nadvert108.xml

Personally I never thought Emerson was ever as good again once he split with Lake and Palmer.

Still the best Guinness ad for me...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69MpLiYhsXw

Just wondering Jasno, why you would think that 3 rings would put someones's HOF credentials over the top?

Best wishes

Art Monk

At least the dan does one thing well...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0710/nfl.cheerleaders.redskins/content.28.html

Yo Samss3 lighten up dude, we have a blaw on not being the spelling/grammar police up here...

Dudes be hidin their bloggin and such from bosses, wives...u name it so they got a type and minamize......dig?

CL don't forget the FCC and USAC. LOL

My prediction....
Skins 23 Eagles 13.

So Smoot and Marcus Washington are resting hammys that are just now feeling "okay".

Redskins trainer Bubba Tyer says once a hammy feels "okay", the player really needs one more week of rest before the hammy is free of risk of aggivating the original injury.

From today's Post:

Time is a key component of the healing process, but that's a luxury. "My thought about hamstrings is that once you think they're ready, give 'em another week and they will be ready," Tyer said. "But what happens in the NFL is, once you think they're ready, we need the guy to play."

And yet Smoot and Washington expect to play this Sunday.

Isn't that attempting to win the battle but greatly increasing the chances of losing the war? Why not force Smoot and Washington to rest against Philly, and have them at 100% for Dallas and the rest of the season?

If the hammy can be re-aggrivated week by week without proper rest, why keep throwing these guys out there?

I know the Redskins would like to have the best talent on the field, but playing Smoot and Washington ths week seems short-sighted. Let the backups step up for one week and then have Smoot and Washington be themselves against Dallas.

Ok let me preface this by saying:

I know i've been harping on the no respect thing.

I know it doesn't matter.

I know being under the radar is a good thing.

Having said all that:
http://www.nbcsports.com/portal/site/nbcsports/menuitem.26521619de8457ec32288a6f8a3c2d04/?vgnextoid=af1c7e8491615110VgnVCM10000082c3d240RCRD&vgnextfmt=default

They rank us 21st in the league.

A team that we beat by 31 points is 13 spots ahead of us. LOL, I mean come on. Things like this make me sad in my pants.

Asterix, Obelix, Getafix, Dogmatix, Cacofonix, Vitalstatistix, whatevs...

SeanTizzy2DaHizzy I said it last week that it's a shame that they judge the team base on their dislike for The Dan.

All I had to do is see the ranking for the Browns, Ravens, Eagles and Texans (among others) to come to the conclusion that those rankings are the worst ever. ITA!

The Bills! WTF!!!!!!!

I thought Roderick Kingsley was the Hobgoblin...

or was it Jason Phillip Macendale??

This link was posted for the "Bog". I don't think i saw it posted here. It's pretty funny stuff.

http://wheelhouse.blogspot.com/2007/11/gibbs-to-english-dictionary.html

obviously this guy is as bitter as us. My personal fav.

"greatest fans in the league": The really bitter people sitting with obstructed views behind huge cement pillars or sitting next to 5 empty seats in the club level drinking a $7 Bud Light and munching on $15 chicken fingers while their team loses to the Falcons.

sad but true...
A "true Redskin": Aging journeyman skill position player who wouldn't make the roster of most "good" teams and lacks any discernible above average skills. And he loves Jesus. See "Thrash, James."

I'm quitting my job and creating an acrobatic slam dunk traveling squad...

school assemblies weren't cool when I was a kid

SKINS BY 40!!!

(joining the mantra squad a little late...)

ST2DH,

I wouldn't put much emphasis on rankings from Homers like Costas, Collingsworth, Barber and the crew.

F NBC

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d2/Spidermanep11.jpg

Portis back in costume today.

Where is Gibbs?

CP has one good game in a year and half and he trots out this foolishness.

This is a clear indication that this team has lost focus and more importantly discipline.

Disagree...wait and see.

Forrest I don't let it beat me up but when there are 12 teams in the NFL with winning records and you are ranked 21st when 2 games over .500 it makes me laugh, then get really angry, then laugh again, then get....you get the point.

What's wrong with Clinton's costumes? Was it Southeast Jerome or Coach Janky Spanky?

gdennie he didn't when they made their last big push towards the playoff. Maybe he is just tryng to keep things light around the park. I don't have a problem with and think it's a good idea. Nothing wrong with having fun and I believe he will take care of business this weekend and the rest of the season.

jm220,

Re: CP

You may be right - however, I think it goes too far.

Something about it just doesn't sit right with me. IMO, it's just too silly and way off-topic. I don't recall this kind of thing anywhere else...

We'll see.

Yeah, lighten up with the Clinton bashing on the costumes he puts on. I'd rather they were loose, and enjoying playing than all uptight.

Say hello to Choo-Choo:

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2007/11/clinton_portis_is_back.html

Where do you see in Clinton in costume?

Anyone got a link on the Portis costume?? That man getz dangerous when he's havin' fun!!!

gdennie you have to remember we are not in the lockeroom and don't have the feel of the players. Some don't handle pressure well and maybe that is the energy he is feeling coming from some players. That the pressure of the next 8 weeks and making the playoff may get to them. Keep it light and just have fun man. We know what we can do so don't think about it.

Right on time Cindy. I love it! Nothing wrong with Portis being Portis. Has absolutely nothing to do with losing focus or discipline.

arrgh - can't get photobucket & forgetwebsense.com isn't runnin here either....

curses. foiled again!

dik, try redskins.com

I don't know about anyone else but that's got me fired up. Bring on the freakin eagles!!

Portis talks the talk, and walks the walk.

I cant pull up the pic up at work, but the last time he dressed up was in 05 and we went on a winning streak, hopefully the same happens again.

LMGO! Up here you got to know how to have fun. This is the reason I love CP and Chad Johnson. These kats know how to have fun. Would love to see Chad here next year and hell yes I would gave up # 1 pick

Portis can update his website now with ChooChoo.

http://www.clintonportis.com/characters.html

CP is back! THANK GAWD!!! Are you seriously complaining about him being the loose, fun, funny character we all LOVE!!! Part of his problem is he hasnt been that guy..

Let me check, last time he acted this way WE ROCKED!!!!!

People its football, not geopolitics!!!!!! Its suppossed to be fun, entertainment. I am sick of these over serious, hairshirt wearing negative nancies!!!!!

Welcome back South East Jerome ITS BEEN TO G-DAMN LONG!

His website hasn't been updated since 2005... come to think of it, has he really done anything since 2005?

ohhhhhhhhhhh

I am with you CL. Lighten up and have some fun man.

Im excited now, its about time portis returns to form.
Skins by 40
HAIL

And another thing check out what he had to say...."teach CP, santana, ARE how to dance" he is saying to the skill guys on offense we need to step up our game, have fun, get exciting, make plays......there is a message there...

This is exactly what we needed. I'm sure that everyone was stressing over how the offense has been playing. Bingo, nicely done CP. Everyone relaxes, and suddenly football is fun to everyone again.

CL, South East Jerome died on a trip to New York. I think the Redskins also got pounded that week 36-0.

Hopefully Choo-Choo won't share SEJ's fate. He better help Clinton Portis come up with a better endzone celebration that what he's been doing. I like this though... if "Choo-Choo" is teaching Moss, ARE and "CP" how to dance, maybe they're getting hyped for some serious endzone celebration... I'm talking UGA scoring a TD over Florida celebrating. Like the 15 yard variety.

BEEP BEEP!

omfg! that's hilarious.

Now that we have CP doing what he does, maybe gibbs can get a swingin soul thrown in there and I would almost guarantee a w this week

Remember the Irving Friar "Any Given Sunday" grenade toss? Get the whole team involved.

Asterix, Obelix, Getafix, Dogmatix, Cacofonix, Vitalstatistix, whatevs...

Posted by: NateinthePDX | November 8, 2007 01:51 PM

By Toutatis you've forgotten Fulliautomatix, Unhygenix and Boneywasawarriorwayayix (aka Boneywasawarriorpomtiddlypom) :)

I always liked Ramsey. Still do. I thought he really got the shaft from Joe Gibbs here, losing his starting job after being shaken up after a closeline tackle. Then we got stuck with Brunnel instead of developing Ramsey. I hope he shines in Denver.