Wyvern

How about 1* for the Hump?

I still don't feel that all of these defensive woes can be attributed to Del Rio. Perhaps the WFT F.O. and coaches felt they could 'get by' for one more season relying/hoping on Collins to return to his former All-Pro performance level, and on Bostic not losing that extra step to age. I also think the defensive coaches had banked on the WFT D-line generating enough pressure, that it to bail out the back seven, until back-seven gelled as a more organized unit, and developed more experience for working well together. To me, the worst problem, now that Bostic's gone, is Collins -- I'm struggling to see if Landon's done ANYTHING in the way of a standout play, to balance out all his horrible plays. So far I havent. Del Rio needs to decide what to do with Collins, hopefully something to maximize any remaining value this over-priced player has. At a minimum, recognize they made a bad deal for Collins and minimize the damage of having him starting in a key role for the back seven I'm not sure this can be solved by bringing in a new Defensive Coordinator, changing to different play-schemes, or bringing in more new players (who'd then have to learn how to play in a system that was new to them.) IMHO, It's still about finding a way to get the existing core of defensive players, to ramp up the quality of their playing responsibilities, playing, and remembering how as teammates on defense to support each other in a more coordinated fashion. Frankly, the back seven need more players who can be sergeants on the field, because all the cheerleading motivation by the D-linemen in the world, won't help that back seven get into the right position or to know instantly when certain defensive coverage responsibilities are being handed off to them.

I'm not feeling good about this one, due to all the WFT injuries. Here's hoping the Saints players (especially their QB) under-perform, get victimized with bad breaks and bad bounces, and find a way to lose the game. Before the Falcons game, I had hoped the Saints game would be where WFT could re-establish its potential as a playoff caliber team, by "getting well" with a decent "statement-level" of victory against a historically competitive NFL team. But with all the WFT injuries from the last game, I'm now just hoping the Team "survives" this contest --emerging with any kind of Win, and escaping with no more bites from the injury bug. My 💗 says WFT 23, Saints 20. But my head 😐 thinks it's going to be more like WFT 16, Saints 34. I'll stay positive, so ...."Go 💗!! "

Was anything mentioned on how Washington plans to go about about replacing the two players (Bostic, McTyer) who are out for the season? "Next man up" is the traditional answer, but Washington didn't have much depth at either position Unless someone of starting caliber can be brought in quickly, it seems like Washington might have to start relying on the special-teamers to step up into starting roles for the defense. 😑

Not sure what kind of techniques Sam Mills III is teaching the D-line. I saw too many incidents at the snap where the opponent OT got both of his hands in Young's chest and pushed him back. Not a good look, if Washington was planning on quick pressure from that end. I will say, the D-line WAS looking a little better this weekend. Not sure if this was due to D-Line improvement, or to a drop in the quality of opponent's O-Line protection.

Wow! Where do we draw the line on the public's right to know in this kind of issue, especially in the investigative stage? I'm a little concerned about the direction of how these investigation and allegations being aired for public comment before any investigation results were issued. So down the road, do we also need to air any potential civil discrepancies (bad credit ratings, failed investments, declined credit cards?) of all WFT players, coaches, groundskeepers, concession stand employees, TO personnel, etc.? What criteria should we allow the media to use for blasting out WFT-employees' personal information into the public, especially for franchise staff not directly involved in the Team's performance in the field? It's enticing "click-bait" but I'd note how Washington is trying to attract quality professionals to rebuild this franchise's corporate culture. But this kind of free-wheeling media release of very personal information still in the investigative stage, wouldn't give future prospective employees a sense that their personal information (political orientation,etc.) would be safeguarded from a premature release by the media. Also I'm a little curious how a large organization like the Washington Post would hold up to this same level of scrutiny. Or is scrutiny just one way? Maybe this whole thing is better handled as a nice "Tailgate" type of topic? ....Right now, I'm more concerned about Washington's linebackers problems for next week, rather than some potential off-the-field charges against support staff, especially charges that are still under investigation.

Maybe some of Washington's field goal problems is that the kicking unit (with it's new long-snapper, Cheeseman) hasn't gelled yet. I'm not a big Hopkins fan, but I'm not a fan of snap decisions about getting rid of kickers, because there's always a "learning curve" when you bring in the new one. Also, I'm curious what the Washington special teams coach thinks about getting rid of Hopkins. I remember when Washington decided it had to part company with Graham Gano. In hindsight, maybe staying the course might have been the best approach. Evidently, Gano still well-regarded by many in the NFL.

My biggest problem with Sanchez was how he kept bumping his head into the mic and dropping his notes. 😜

I'm approaching this upcoming game with more of a long-run perspective, rather than "we need this win to keep competitive for a playoff spot this season." I'll grant that it's a big game ... almost "must win." But what I'm feeling is that this game is more like a "must improve" game -- because this young team is still developing its identity. There are a lot of new players being introduced into this team, who will eventually become upgrades at positions Washington needed to improve/develop for the future. They need to get really comfortable --almost instinctual -- with their roles, and keep feeling that they're on a winning team that's going places. Developing confidence that they're winners in a team that's going to win even more in the future. Let's not pass final judgement on everything based on one away game Washington "should" win. Good teams routinely get screwed by home-town ref calls or some freak play that get them tagged with a loss. To be clear, I like what I'm seeing in the rebuild of this franchise under Rivera -- and I want the team to see enough improvement to keep hope and to know that they're still in the process of gelling into perennial winners. The Washington fan base needs to be patient and not over-react to each win and/or loss -- because the team is still at least a year away from sorting out all the problems created by Gruden/Allen/Snyder management of this team. I like what I've seen from the decision-making in rebuilding this team; but people should not let last year's "playoff run" blind them to the fact Washington was in essentially "year-1" of a significant rebuild that's still coping with the aftermath of a lot of bad Allen/Snyderisms. Washington is still on the road to establishing itself, and it's facing a much harder schedule this year. So I'm hoping the Team continues to improve against top-tier competition and grows in experience and confidence for the success of their play as a team. I think they'll take advantage of this game vs. Atlanta to realize just how good they can be, and grow in confidence in their system, coaches, and teammates. I don't see a need to blow everything up yet again, and certainly not based of the win-loss record of this tough-schedule season. I think Rivera & Co. have shown they know how to build a winner, given enough time. Let's give them that time.

During the game, it has not about giving another "Rah-Rah" speech. It's about talking to your team-mates about how you want to adjust your attack/ play-scheme against their O-line to put immediate pressure on their QB and maybe even sack him. It's not bellowing some platitude like "we need to focus!"

Maybe Washington needs to bring in Jim Tomsula as an defensive line "advisor." He was decent in developing D-linemen talent in their formative years. He's available. I wonder if this is one of Sam Mills III's "down years" for getting good results from his D-line. When I read he was the one helping Rivera with clock management, "game management"and calling for replays ... I was less enthused about his performance in those areas. Maybe he'd benefit by having Tomsula work with Washington's D-linemen on planning out/choreographing their pressure moves.

I think Washington dominates. Pitts may have a good game (thanks to Bostic), but the defensive front 4 will feast on the Falcon's QB. The Washington offense will leverage the defensive stops and rack up easy points. (Also, I didn't see that much from Atlanta's defense, in their game against the Giants.)

Okay.... I'll be the lightning-rod. Bottom line: Del Rio needs to press his defensive charges to either deliver, or be prepared to sit down. It's been such sloppy play -- maybe too much emotion for a conservative defense. So, maybe gamble more and get really aggressive, until the teams learns to play a high-pressure but organized system defense. For now, Del Rio needs to call more tight defenses, more press man, and more blitzes -- that's seems to be the Team's basic nature. With a more aggressive, tight defensive game vs. the short pass over the middle, , the defensive front 4 will improve -- they are that good, that they can respond to a wake-up call. Especially Chase Young who can definitely improve his game, and since he knows it's time to do so. Collins and Bostic are liabilities but they know they're fighting for their jobs. Collins may not be able to hold out against the Coaches redefining his role to the run-stopping quasi- pass coverage linebacker which is the optimum role he's regressed to. (What a waste of cap space!) As for Bostic, he knows he's on the clock, playing-time wise, and I wouldn't be surprised if he winds up a back-up by the mid-season bye. Biggest weak-spot in the defense, so someone's got to show up -- I think Davis might be able to fill the role. Fuller's got about 2 weeks to show he's still starter material -- or he's "history" or at least moved to special teams. This guy was good once, so, properly motivated, maybe he can hold off some PS-er from taking his job. The other DBs seem to be as expected. Biggest issue is free safety -- here again moving Collins may help clarify things for the FS. We need one or two defensive captains, especially in the back-field, who understand the DB coverage play-scheme. (Not sure Chase is the right guy for Captain.) Prediction -- Washington is going to devastate Atlanta -- and this board will be fun to visit again.

Frankly, If Washington could tighten up the play of those at middle linebacker, strong safety, and the DB covering the slot, I think we'd see the D-line play pick up a lot . It's hard for the D-LIne to get to the QB when he's always got a quick short-medium pass open over the middle. After a while of giving up the 3rd down pass for another conversion, the D-line wears down, and loses their motivation, and the problem gets even worse. I'm still looking mainly at Bostic and Collins who should be helping to center the defensive effort in this weak-spot area, but they're not getting the job done. There are others also responxible, but those two were the veteran starting duo expected to step up to the task.

I chose an example of dysfunction in the Washington franchise, I though no one would challenge. Hey, for those of us who've been watching Washington Football over the last 20+ years, there have been some real low-points in how the franchise has been run. In a way, even with its current challenges, this current version of the franchise/organization seems very promising, and I think it's been inspiring some hope for Washington's success in the near future. These days, at least the Team is actually competitive and no longer considered a walkover.

The Bill have a very good run defense. Washington is going to need to set up the short-medium passing attack to loosen up the Bills' run defense. Bottom Line: Washington's defense and special teams are going to have to create a bunch of opportunities for easy points, which I think the offense could convert into enough to win. Footnote: I'm really enjoying the fact that we now have a team that can be competitive against playoff-caliber opponents. There's no way we'd have this much realistic hope with those Steve Spurrier led teams.

I'm trying to think positively about Washington's chances to beat Buffalo, but I'm having trouble looking past the Team's "less-than-stellar" defensive performance of the first two games. I'm not sure if the Bills defense is as good as the pundits claim, but I'm not certain we can expect Washington's offense to put up 30+ points on them. So for WFT to win against the Bills, Washington's defense has to really show up and shut Buffalo's offense down. So far, the first two performances of Washington's "D" weren't very inspiring.

Like everything Dallas, those pro-Cowboy refs-calls in the Chargers game really smelled. The way those refs called that game was a disgrace. It was so way over the top, I really am wondering if there was something going on behind the scenes on that game.

I don't know how Collins can look at the Daniel Jones TD* scamper around the edge he was coming in from and not acknowledge how that was mainly on him. He was so focussed on getting the sack, that he took an angle too close to the D-lineman, giving containment on the edge and Jones took advantage of that. TD* = because Jones' TD run got called back. I didn't like what I saw of Collins on the field, nor how he handled his interview.

"Deserve" is an odd word to use for this kind of situation. It's like saying a kicker deserves to miss one kick since he'd already made 3 others that game. Or that deserves to to get a second chance because he's a strict vegan. I think the only thing one can say is that Hopkins should be very grateful for the second chance -- and per Hopkin's presser, it's clear that he really was. I think every player on the Washington Football Team was. (And It makes no sense trying to decide which of them actually "deserved" Washington having a second chance for the winning kick.)

For years, the refs have been giving the Giants advantages with ticky-tack calls and ignoring blatant fouls the Giants commit.

We need this win, so I plan to break out my old Redskins logo blanket for tonight's game. It needs to be dry-cleaned, but it's had a decent track-record for "bringing in" a Washington victory, whenever I remember to have it draped out appropriately. ...Well, at least it has one that's better than all these prime-time Washington Win-Loss stats I'm seeing tossed around.

I keep wondering why Washington didn't try to sign K.J.Wright (former Seahawk). Did Washington really have that much confidence in Bostic? Bostic had an embarrassingly bad game yesterday -- it hurt to watch how badly he was playing --i.e., guessing wrong, lost in space, couldn't cover, missed tackles, etc. 😕

Kyle Shurmer, huh? Actually, when I checked into who was available on the PS of other teams, I thought Washington might try to sign Webb Davis from the Bills practice squad. Evidently, no deal could be worked out for Steve Montez.

Hindsight aside, Washington picking Young was the no-brainer at that time. It would have been hard to explain passing on a "generational-quality" DE, in order to pick up ANOTHER QB in the first round, after having picked Haskins in the 1st round of the previous year, and also still having Alex Smith on the roster. And It had not yet been determined that Haskins was a bust for Washington. And as I recall, there were evaluators who had been pointing to potential "gaps" in Herbert's game for successfully transitioning to the NFL and questioning how well he might cope with NFL defenses' speed and complexity. .... However, in hindsight, Herbert, has looked good with the Chargers, especially with that solid O-line. Still, despite today's game, Young is going to be a great DE for Washington and a force to be reckoned with.