Notes on the Skins-Bengals game

[EvoSkins]

I wasn't able to watch the game on Friday, so I TIVOed it and watched it today. Unfortunately, the TIVO shut off with two minutes left in the game. I have not read any of the game threads or reaction threads. I am saying sorry in advance if any of my opinions sound repetitive to stuff that already been said in other threads.

Ramsey had a decent game. When he does not get set and has happy feet, he overthrows the ball. It seemed that he threw into coverage a lot and probably only once, the deep ball to Patten, actually got it to the reciever. HE looked good in the 2 min offense and it would do him good to throw it a bigger guy like Cooley, McCants, or Dyson in the red zone. Brunell had another good game but he was up against the third stringers. Its still Ramsey's job to lose and he has not done enough to merit him losing his job.

The offensive line looked great once again. I think the only sack the first team OL gave up was when the Bengals blitzed three guys and the Skins were outmanned. This line will do well and Dockery looked great.

The recievers looked good with Moss with his spins and Patten with his toe-touch. I think Moss could have caught the ball on the streak pattern early in the game. As I said before, Gibbs has to use the bigger recievers, taller than 5'11, in the red zone. Cooley was very quiet and could have been explioted in the red zone. McCants/Dyson need to show they can offer something to this team.

Betts looked good. If Portis was not here, Betts could easily be the number one back. Gibbs' system is better suited for a power back and Betts looked like a bruiser. I realize that Portis may have put on 20 lbs, but we saw him for less than one series last week and he was held out in this game for elbow problems.

One of the most interesting battles for the final two preseason games will be for the third RB. Nemo and Rock both put in good games. Both are surprisingly fast, can break tackles, and can catch out of the backfield. I think Nemo may have an edge because he would make a better short yardage back. One question, does Manuel White have a chance to make the team? I only saw him once or twice during the game. THe best he is playing for right now is the practice squad.

The guys on defense who were all over the ball were Washington, Prieleou, Clemons, C. Smith, McCune, and Stoutmire. All of these guys can make the team. Stoutmire has the hardest road with the logjam at safety. Gibbs may have to make a decision on either Smith or McCune to keep on the roster.

The secondary played decently. The Bengals were picking on Rogers and ran the same play with different recievers which Rogers got beat both times. The throw to Hoshmazadeh should have been caught and the on the throw to Kelly Washington, Rogers had nothing left in the tank. Opposing offenses will pick on Rogers all year and he has to be conditioned to not fall off on consecutive plays. Spings played well and he has the biggest smile I have ever seen. Jimoh had a better day and made some good tackles.

LBs were good. Marshall was good directing traffic and getting to the ball. Washington was absolutely everywhere and causing trouble. Smith and McCune played well and Clemons showed speed to get to the ball. Newberry, Campbell, and Keasey look to be practice squad material.

The DL needs to get pressure on the the QB. The SKins still lack a pass rush from the DL and will rely on the LB and secondary to bring pressure. Jones and Boschetti looked good but face an uphill battle to make the roster, most likely will be on the practice squad.

Groom was booming kicks and was most likely trying to play himself onto another team. Brown is fast and does well returning kicks.

All in all, Ramsey was not that bad and just has to settle down and get set. When he was set, he would throw strikes. A big reciever will do him good, especially in the red zone. I am forward to the Nemo-Rock battle in the next couple of weeks. It was a winable game and it came down to too many turnovers.

End rant.

[NoCalMike]

Glad to see I am not the only one that thought Moss could of, if not should have, caught that ball on the streak pattern early in the game. Or at least turned on a second gear to make it a lot closer. It really looked like he pulled up on the route.

[Clinton Portis]

Ramsey is an 80 and up passer when he's on...when he's off, he's a 74.8 passer.

That doesnt seem bad, but 74.8 passers don't do much for you in the post season. I wouldnt count on us being completly based on the run, so Patrick will have to perform.

But this is a good analysis. I'm GLAD you didn't read the post-game threads...way to many Ramsey bashers. :laugh:

[freakofthesouth]

Good post.

Rogers' durability questions will lessen once he get back into the conditionig program. Having just come back off of an injury that had him out for the majority of training camp, and to make an impact INT as he did...I think that is all we can ask of him.

And NoCal...on the Moss incompletion...Gibbs said in his press conference after he studied film that Santana didn't get his head turned around, because tha ball came out early due to pressure.

Had he seen the ball, that was 6.

[bobzmuda]

Nice observations. I'll add some of my own that haven't been beaten to death yet by everyone else.

Arrington needs to get healthy because Holdman appeared to be getting blocked consistently and unable to break free. Hopefully he just had a bad game.

Gibbs is going to keep both Rock and Nemo. They're both simply playing too well to cut or put on the PS, though one will likely be inactive during the season. This will mean that another position will be short a position, but it's better than keeping a lesser talent at another position.

The starting OL played about a quarter with Brunelll. It appeared Gibbs wanted to air it out with Ramsey and recognizing that the OL didn't get enough rushing reps, left them in for Brunell.

The OL is really mashing folks right now. They're playing at as high a level as they have in years. Samuels is outstanding as usual, Dockery is starting to assert himself, and Rabach is the center this team needed.

I'm concerned over the use of the counter-tre. It's become a high-risk/high-reward type run. Many DEs and LBs are immediately crashing to the inside when they feel a lineman is pulling. This typically results in a stumbling lineman/H-back that can't get to his block and leaves a defender a free run at the running back.

Antonio Brown is getting some great returns on some great special teams blocking. If this keeps up AB should have around 2 return TDs this year while consistenly winning the field position game. In addition, he's worked himself into the receiving rotation with some nice crisp routes and some solid hands.

Carlos Rogers looked like a nervous rookie. You could tell he was thinking WAY too much. He lost his feet on a couple of occasions (missed sack on CB blitz, coming up on the WR screen) because he was trying way too hard to make a play.

[MidPennSkin]

Glad to see I am not the only one that thought Moss could of, if not should have, caught that ball on the streak pattern early in the game. Or at least turned on a second gear to make it a lot closer. It really looked like he pulled up on the route.

I think that's the pass that he lost in the lights. For whatever reason, it looked like he never saw the ball.

[Fred Jones]

Nice posts by all. I think Boschetti will make the final roster. I am not worried about our defense. Williams is finding out who can play and who can't. He started replacing players much earlier than the offense did, and I can't wait for Lavar to come back.

I think Rodgers will be fine, and glad that he got beat. The coaches now have visual representation of the speed of the NFL game.

I hope Ramsey takes some more steps next Friday. His accuracy improved some in the second preseason game. All his other faults have already been posted.