So what do we take out of this?

[feeshta]

Things I take out of this game, in no particular order.

1. The fieldgoal unit needs work, and I'm not talking about Novak. They allowed a second blocked field goal in two weeks, and it was once again on the line not the kicker. If the line does their job on that kick it goes through the uprights. all they had to do was get into the opposing line and keep them honest, and they didn't do it. At least three denver players got an unimpeded jump with both hands up on that ball and that is not acceptable. Believe me when I say coach Gibbs will recognise this and work to fix it. Also the false start negated another 3 points. Overall they cost us 6 points today, and most likely the win.

2. The O-line is truely getting there. Read post game comments from Trevor price of the Broncos and it's obvious they did their job well today.

3. Coach made the right call on Brunnell v Ramsey. While I still believe it could have been handled a lot better, it was the right decision. I can forgive Coach for procrastinating a little too long on that. Let's just hope Ramsey can as well.

4. Warrick Holdman may be assignment sound and trustworthy, but he is ineffective as a blitzer. Coach W gave him a lot of chances to get after the QB today and he was almost totally inneffective. If I'm Coach W, I'm giving serious thought to rotating Lavar into the game in pass rushing situations. It is clear he is the superior player in that aspect of the game. Lavar may well be a liability, but he can still play an effective role in this defense just as many other role players can when put in the right situation. Coach W prides himself on presenting his players the best opportunity to succeed. He can do the same for Lavar as he has done for others. I think the sooner this is realised and worked towards, the better for this defense overall. We are playing solid D no doubt, but a dash of Lavar may be just the spice they need to push it over the top in certain situations, and hopefully down the road that will lead to more situations as Lavar becomes more comfortable with his role. Coach W has stated that that is the end goal, I think now is the time to start pursueing it in ernest.

5. Carlos Rodgers is the real deal, and Ade Jimoh deserves a hearty apology from skins fans everywhere. Ade's first name is officially no longer "toast" in my book. They both played great, and the TD on Jimoh was a push off. Both also played very well overall in run support. Jimoh can hit a guy, that's for sure.

6. Ryan Clark is our starting Strong Safety. He replaced Bowen in the lineup after Bowen just plain wiffed on Bell's 55 yard TD. Bowen had Bell dead-to-rights and just blew it. Number 25 is our man with number 20 being second in my book. Bowen needs to sit until he learns what angles to take. This is a recurring problem with him as some of you may remember, just like Lavar's tendancy to gamble.

7. The NFL rulebooks need to be ammended. That tuck rule call was just plain attrocious, even if it was the correct call, which I personally don't buy, it was clearly outside the intent of the rule, and that needs to be fixed. It most likely cost us the game today, and it should not be allowed to cost another team a rightfull turnover in the future, unless it's the Cowboys, Giants or Eagles.

Well...that's all for now. What do you guys think? Anything I missed?

[Art]

Sorry, Feeshta, but, the block was on the kicker, not the line. Watct the replay. They didn't get inside at all. That was just a bad kick.

[Epistopheles]

7. The NFL rulebooks need to be ammended. That tuck rule call was just plain attrocious, even if it was the correct call, which I personally don't buy, it was clearly outside the intent of the rule, and that needs to be fixed. It most likely cost us the game today, and it should not be allowed to cost another team a rightfull turnover in the future, unless it's the Cowboys, Giants or Eagles.

Well...that's all for now. What do you guys think? Anything I missed?

I agree on that. Also, IMHO, the tuck rule shouldn't apply in this case, because even if it, by rule, is considered a "pass," it went backward and therefore is a live ball.

Maybe we had to pay back some karma to the football gods for last week. We should be even now.

[mad4comp]

Sorry, Feeshta, but, the block was on the kicker, not the line. Watct the replay. They didn't get inside at all. That was just a bad kick.

I agree, i just went back and watched it and it was on Novak. He seems to be able to launch High and short kickoffs, but cant seem to get FG's above a Defensive Lineman?

[feeshta]

Sorry, Feeshta, but, the block was on the kicker, not the line. Watct the replay. They didn't get inside at all. That was just a bad kick.

Watch the replay agian Art, the line simply stands there and does not get into the opposing lines legs as they are supposed to. That is failure in execution and it is the line's fault. If you watch enough field goals, it becomes obvious that there is often someone on the D line with a hand high enough to get the ball if it were in just the right place. Usually it is not because of simple odds. Well on the play in question the Broncos had at least three guys who got their hands up high enough. The reason for that was that the Oline did not get into them at all. This is the same technique they teach to keep Dlineman from batting down too many passes at the line. Get into him and he can't jump, and or won't be able to get his hands up. They didn't do their job, and we as a team paid the price. You will not convince me otherwise on this one, and I would be willing to bet that it will be mentioned in practice this week, and quite possibly in the media.

[Mooka]

67. The NFL rulebooks need to be ammended. That tuck rule call was just plain attrocious, even if it was the correct call, which I personally don't buy, it was clearly outside the intent of the rule, and that needs to be fixed. It most likely cost us the game today, and it should not be allowed to cost another team a rightfull turnover in the future, unless it's the Cowboys, Giants or Eagles.

Agreed. Its hard for me to understand how the tuck rule comes into effect if the QB is not hit. If the QB miffs a throw so badly himself that the ball doesn't go forward it should be a fumble.

[FranklinNoble]

We got jobbed on that "tuck rule" crap. That's for sure. That cost us the game. But we still could have won it, and we just didn't execute as well as the Broncos. The fact is, we only got close at the end because Denver made two really stupid penalties on our final drive. So, really, just as many calls could have gone for them as they could have for us.

What we needed to do was contain the running game, and we didn't do that today. It sucks, but those are the facts.

[Bang]

We take our place atop the division and get to work on the Chiefs.

Time to go 4-1

~Bang

[NoCalMike]

The fact that this type of game against a solid opponent ON THE ROAD, in one of the toughest places to play came so early in the season is a good thing.

Even in a loss I think the lockerroom can look at themselves in the mirror from now on and realize that they can compete with any team in this league and if they can eliminate the few mistakes they make, they can beat any team on any week.

[Hollywood2k3]

Well what I take from this game is that, if we do what we're suppose to do, meaning TACKLE, don't turn the ball over and force more turnovers we can be a force to be reckoned with! Even with all the bad call's and the blocked FG and the turnover, we really only gave up two big play's, in which both we the chance to make the tackle and didn't.

But we really need to focus on generating more turnovers. This is REALLY starting to worry me! As good as our D is, we should definately force more turnovers than we do. Somethings gotta give, and soon!! Our Offense is gettin' really confident and the more chance's our D can give them and the more times we can shorten the field for them is gonna result in more points.

[PREDICTOR]

Things I take out of this game, in no particular order.

1. The fieldgoal unit needs work, and I'm not talking about Novak. They allowed a second blocked field goal in two weeks, and it was once again on the line not the kicker. If the line does their job on that kick it goes through the uprights. all they had to do was get into the opposing line and keep them honest, and they didn't do it. At least three denver players got an unimpeded jump with both hands up on that ball and that is not acceptable. Believe me when I say coach Gibbs will recognise this and work to fix it. Also the false start negated another 3 points. Overall they cost us 6 points today, and most likely the win.

2. The O-line is truely getting there. Read post game comments from Trevor price of the Broncos and it's obvious they did their job well today.

3. Coach made the right call on Brunnell v Ramsey. While I still believe it could have been handled a lot better, it was the right decision. I can forgive Coach for procrastinating a little too long on that. Let's just hope Ramsey can as well.

4. Warrick Holdman may be assignment sound and trustworthy, but he is ineffective as a blitzer. Coach W gave him a lot of chances to get after the QB today and he was almost totally inneffective. If I'm Coach W, I'm giving serious thought to rotating Lavar into the game in pass rushing situations. It is clear he is the superior player in that aspect of the game. Lavar may well be a liability, but he can still play an effective role in this defense just as many other role players can when put in the right situation. Coach W prides himself on presenting his players the best opportunity to succeed. He can do the same for Lavar as he has done for others. I think the sooner this is realised and worked towards, the better for this defense overall. We are playing solid D no doubt, but a dash of Lavar may be just the spice they need to push it over the top in certain situations, and hopefully down the road that will lead to more situations as Lavar becomes more comfortable with his role. Coach W has stated that that is the end goal, I think now is the time to start pursueing it in ernest.

5. Carlos Rodgers is the real deal, and Ade Jimoh deserves a hearty apology from skins fans everywhere. Ade's first name is officially no longer "toast" in my book. They both played great, and the TD on Jimoh was a push off. Both also played very well overall in run support. Jimoh can hit a guy, that's for sure.

6. Ryan Clark is our starting Strong Safety. He replaced Bowen in the lineup after Bowen just plain wiffed on Bell's 55 yard TD. Bowen had Bell dead-to-rights and just blew it. Number 25 is our man with number 20 being second in my book. Bowen needs to sit until he learns what angles to take. This is a recurring problem with him as some of you may remember, just like Lavar's tendancy to gamble.

7. The NFL rulebooks need to be ammended. That tuck rule call was just plain attrocious, even if it was the correct call, which I personally don't buy, it was clearly outside the intent of the rule, and that needs to be fixed. It most likely cost us the game today, and it should not be allowed to cost another team a rightfull turnover in the future, unless it's the Cowboys, Giants or Eagles.

Well...that's all for now. What do you guys think? Anything I missed?

Carlos Rogers was getting toasted all night long on big 3rd down plays. And speaking of toast...Jimoh was beaten for a touchtown and Leliegh dropped another TD pass that he had beaten Jimoh on. Just pathetic cornerbacks, especially when you consider that not one of these corners has made a pro bowl, and Springs is making megabucks and can't stay on the field. All the negatives about him being injury prone have been true since he joined the Skins.

Don't blame the rule book on the loss. The Skins beat themselves in part with the turnover and penalties....and they also got their asses whipped and outplayed as well as outcoached. Shanahan is a frikken genius. Snyder should offer him a ownership deal to get him to the Skins as their GENERAL MANAGER. He can pick talent and he KNOWS the zone blocking better than anybody on the Redskins.

Gibbs running style has RUINED Portis. Portis can't keep his feet for slowing down to wait for blockers, while Denvers no name backfiield is running past the Redskins tacklers. Christ. That is one hell of a blocking scheme Shanahan has developed. Beats the hell out of counter trey...wait for blockers to develope and lets pound out another 3 yard gain.

Also....Gibbs STILL hasn't understood that you have to throw the ball DOWNFIELD and take your shots if you don't want 10 men in the box. Was I the only one besides the announcers who saw 9 and 10 men in the box on some plays. Thats unheard of....except against teams that try to force 3-5 yard passes all the time....and thats what the Skins do.

Basically the Broncos said.."we're gonna stop your run game. You're not going to have any long runs or rushing TD's against us. We dare Brunell to beat us."

And of course Brunell could not. Thanks in part to Gibbs play calling.

[feeshta]

Carlos Rogers was getting toasted all night long on big 3rd down plays. And speaking of toast...Jimoh was beaten for a touchtown and Leliegh dropped another TD pass that he had beaten Jimoh on. Just pathetic cornerbacks, especially when you consider that not one of these corners has made a pro bowl, and Springs is making megabucks and can't stay on the field. All the negatives about him being injury prone have been true since he joined the Skins.

Don't blame the rule book on the loss. The Skins beat themselves in part with the turnover and penalties....and they also got their asses whipped and outplayed as well as outcoached. Shanahan is a frikken genius. Snyder should offer him a ownership deal to get him to the Skins as their GENERAL MANAGER. He can pick talent and he KNOWS the zone blocking better than anybody on the Redskins.

Gibbs running style has RUINED Portis. Portis can't keep his feet for slowing down to wait for blockers, while Denvers no name backfiield is running past the Redskins tacklers. Christ. That is one hell of a blocking scheme Shanahan has developed. Beats the hell out of counter trey...wait for blockers to develope and lets pound out another 3 yard gain.

Also....Gibbs STILL hasn't understood that you have to throw the ball DOWNFIELD and take your shots if you don't want 10 men in the box. Was I the only one besides the announcers who saw 9 and 10 men in the box on some plays. Thats unheard of....except against teams that try to force 3-5 yard passes all the time....and thats what the Skins do.

Basically the Broncos said.."we're gonna stop your run game. You're not going to have any long runs or rushing TD's against us. We dare Brunell to beat us."

And of course Brunell could not. Thanks in part to Gibbs play calling.

If you honestly believe what you just said then you have earned youself a new nickname. I won't say it here but it starts with an M, ends with an N, and theres an R in the middle.

Seriously man did you even watch the game? The only valid point you made in all that mess what that we can't blame the loss entirely on the bad call on the safety. The rest of that crap was exactly that. You are like that guy in the fedex commercial.

Springs has now missed two games in his redskins career, one after a really questionable helmet to helmet hit gave him a serious concussion, and you are labeling him injury prone?

Lelie pushed off on the first TD, and Jimoh made a great play and BROKE UP the second possible TD to Lelie. He got his hand in and swatted the ball away, what more do you freaking want?

Portis had some trouble with the slippery turf yesterday, but that has always been a problem for him, had nothing to do with Gibbs "ruining" him. That was just a plain ignorant statement.

Denver's blocking scheme apparantly calls for illegal blocks, and that 55 yard TD should have been called back for at least two different clips and a hold to boot. We still missed some tackles which is unacceptable, but Bell had a little help form the refs and his dirty teamates on that run.

Gibb's did take his shots downfield, if you had paid attention you would have noticed that. The Patten TD is a good example, and ther was also at least one deep ball to Moss that was pulled down by the wind apparently. Overall I thought the coaches did a great job of taking what was there, although I'd like to see a little better red zone play selection. On the 9 ten men in the box thing, the best course is the short to intermediate pass. When they blitz that many you don't usually get enough time to throw the ball deep. We beat them in that look nearly all night and you are pissed?

Go somewhere else man, you are obviously not a true Redskins fan. Either that or don't try to post after 15 beers and a couple of Jager-bombs.

[Oldfan]

The good news: The pass protection scheme has improved remarkably. The play calling is much smarter. Given these two improved areas, Brunell can be productive and, if he goes down, Ramsey will also look like a much better QB in replacing him.

The bad news: Teams around the league have learned how to deal with blitzing defenses. Both Seattle and Denver would have put 30+ points on the board if our offense hadn't controlled the ball as well as it did.

And we need a healthy John Hall.

Overall, after Denver, I like this team's playoff chances much better now than I did when we were 3-0 going in. We aren't a solid football team, but I don't see any of those in the league right now.

[feeshta]

Sorry, Feeshta, but, the block was on the kicker, not the line. Watct the replay. They didn't get inside at all. That was just a bad kick.

Oh Art, by the way Coach Gibbs mentioned the problem with the blocking of the place kicking unit today in his media interview. He said that they were working on it by spending some extra time on it after practice and looking at swapping some personnel on that unit. Said Danny Smith was sorking hard on getting it fixed, which I assume he would not be doing if there was not a problem with it.

Hate to say it, but I told you so.

Had to do that, it's not too often that I really disagree with you, and even less often that I disagree for the right reasons.

[TNSkinsFan]

I took out of the game that between the 20's, we are one of the best offenses in football. We don't have an identity in the red zone. We aren't going to pound it down the other team's throat, and we don't have a big guy to catch TD's except Cooley.

Rogers played OK, I think he'll be a good one in the long run. We need Springs and Harris back next week though.

We have one good pass rusher right now, Cornelius Griffin. We have got to get to the QB, and soon. We can't keep winning playing 7 back in coverage, teams can run on you that way, and we lost because of a couple of blown tackles.

All in all, it showed we are for real, and without a couple of stupid penalties and yet another blocked FG, we would have pulled it out in one of the toughest places to play in the NFL.

[Art]

Feesh,

Someone will have to put the video of that up here, but, as I remember, the line didn't give up any penetration at all and the kick was blocked from guys standing on the line of scrimmage. That's a kicker issue. I did hear what Gibbs said though and to be honest, I haven't watched this play a ton, so, I'll try to go back and take a peek.

[feeshta]

You are right that they didn't get much penetration. The thing is you don't need to get into the backfield to be able to get your hands on a kick. Especially when you are as talk and athletic as those guys are, all they need is to be allowed to simply jump with both hands up, which they were allowed to do. The o-line did not attack them at all, and they simply jumped up and got it. As an o-lineman on a field goal unit, your job is two things. One, make sure no one gets through which is the obvious one. Two, occupy the defender so he can't get his hands up, especially the guys right along the line because they are pretty close to where the ball is kicked from. All they had to do was get into the defenders and they can't get their hands up and jump like that. They did not do it. 95 times out of a hundred that same kick goes through the uprights because the defenders can only get maybe one hand high enough and they can't see the ball to make a play so they miss blindly. Once in a while they get lucky though. When I say one hand, I mean one on the whole team, not per man by the way.

[incrediblemojo]

I am trying to figure out why Jimoh is even on the team. He is called toast by everyone who sees him. Is he that good on special teams?

I also believe the kick appeared low. This line had been blocking well enough for Hall.

[Titaw]

On the whole blocked kick thing. If you have the video look at the defenders on the line where they blocked the kick (I believe it was over Dockery), it wasn't the line or the Kicker's it was the ineptness of the officials once again. There was illegal hands to the face there which stood Dockery up and rendered him ineffective. After watching the game again, I have grown to despise the Broncos on so many different levels. They cheat and get away with it, clipping, holding, chop blocks, hands to the face, and too many men on the field. I believe it was in the 3rd quarter when they had 12 men on the field and did not get called for it. I ain't trying to yell conspiracy here but if you closely scrutinize that game it spells it out!!!

[Doctorfro]

There's lots to take away from this game but I disagree wholeheartedly on one thing; Ade Jimoh stinks. If he turns his head and watches when he's so close on that play he could make a play on the ball. He blew it and gave up SIX points. Game. I don't care about all the other good plays he made. He blew it in the crunch.

[RunByDesign]

2. The O-line is truely getting there. Read post game comments from Trevor price of the Broncos and it's obvious they did their job well today.

Granted, I will give you the fact that they performed well, however, I would like to point out that IMO, they were given a very large margin-for-error by the referees.

I seen Trevor hooked on several plays that were no-calls.

[Titaw]

Granted, I will give you the fact that they performed well, however, I would like to point out that IMO, they were given a very large margin-for-error by the referees.

I seen Trevor hooked on several plays that were no-calls.

Please dude, your team does more chop blocks, clipps, and holds more than any other team I really don't wanna hear anything from you, saying the "officials" gave them a large margin for error. Give me a break.