Losing is terrible but we must look at some positives:

[redskins4ever28]

Excuse my typing because I'm doing this from my phone so auto-correct may change some words but after reading all the negativity I have to express some of the joy and hope I saw after watching today's games:

1. We came back after being down by 14 once and then almost did it again had it not been for some terrible officiating. This is something I honestly haven't seen in years. Before when the Redskins were down by double digits the game was over. Now we actually have a QB and other tools that can bring us back in a very short amount of time. It was so refreshing that the announcers actually said "this offense is incredible and could score very quickly do don't go anywhere folks." maybe not verbatim but it's pretty much what they said. It was awesome that I truly felt wven after being down double digits that we had a shot at coming back. We never scored 28 PTs really ye past few years except for just a couple times. We have 3 straight games here we har scored 28 or more. That's incredible for a redskin team!

2. RG3 is still looking spectacular. He hasn't been throwing int's and has been very smart with the ball. Here's a quick tidbit: rg3 has 4 passing tds, 3 rushing for a total of 7 and has only 1 INT. Luck has 5 total tds(all passes) and 4 INT's. Griffin has showed me nothing but promise. I keep waiting for something bad to happen just because I feel like we're cursed but I think just maybe for the first time in so long we really have something here. They need to let him throw more and I think he would run the no huddle supremely but we will wait and see.

3. Kyle Shannahan has really impressed me. Yes his play calling is questionable at times but guys we are STILL the highest scoring team in the NFL. (99 PTs after 3 weeks, ravens are 2nd with 98). That's impressive and Kyle should get alot of credit. He doesn't panic, doesn't abandon the run and lets Grif feel comfortable. Call me crazy but honestly i think he'd make a great head coach with the fire he has.

4. Pierre Garçon is our number 1 WR and has only played 1 quarter so far this year. When he comes back we will have our number 1 WR again and just imagine if we would have had him the past two weeks. Injuries are killing us this year: Garçon, Merriweather, Orakpo, Carriker, and now Trent. It's ridiculous, and obviously it's playing a big part in why we are losing but we will adapt it just takes time.

5. Finally, and the most exciting part for the future for me is I feel like we have such a dynamic, spectacular QB and RB combo that I haven't seen in years. RG3 and Big Al are such a sick combo and they are ROOkiES! Very young and we could have these guys for years and years. Something to really look forward to.

Anyways, I know we're bummed guys but we are young, explosive and injury bitten. We will get better. The only way to go is up!

[Bifflog]

This is exactly why I wasn't torn up about today's game, or last week's. In years past, letting a close game like this go by the wayside felt like letting a Unicorn get away, like we might not ever get another one. RG3 and some of the other offensive components are a Unicorn factory. Sure, we've lost some, but it's fixable in the future. Someone in another thread said as soon as we fixed the QB leak, we find another leak in the defense. I'd say that QB leak was more like a yawning, spewing chasm. It's closed now, and the future is bright. They'll get it straight, and I can say that with more confidence than I ever have since I started seriously following the team years and years ago.

[BleedBNG]

3. Yes, I like Kyle and feel he should stay blah, blah... but he played a poor first half leaving the defense tired. Thank god they could rest a bit at halftime. Might have been a little better if Garcon was playing, but it looked like RGIII couldn't find ANYBODY open. Should have been a clue for Kyle to open up the run a bit in the 2nd, but no... he was trying to play catch up.

[Commander PK]

I think IF the defense could somehow get right the sky is the limit this year IF Robert keeps playing like he has been.

Two BIG ifs there.

[Symbol]

The thing I'm looking at is the defense needs to be able to stop other teams from scoring. For the first time in awhile, as has kind of been stated, we have a fairly dynamic offense that is putting up points in bunches. However, the defense can't stop anyone from scoring. Right now the team is to young to consistently win shootouts on offense. Hopefully either Haslett can figure out how to get better play from the defense or the team next season can find someone who can.

[DaGoonie55]

The sky is not falling. I'm pretty sure I've screamed YEAH BABY!!! TOUCHDOWN!!! more times this year than I have in the last 3. It is frustrating to see games slip out of reach, but it's fun to watch at times. Sucks, and it hurts to watch, but we'll get there. Keep the faith my ES family - HTTR.

[Bifflog]

I think IF the defense could somehow get right the sky is the limit this year IF Robert keeps playing like he has been.

Two BIG ifs there.

The second if isn't big. It just isn't. He moves the ball, protects the ball, and in the face of score deficit he delivers, even when those around him don't. He does what so many good and great Qb's have done to us over the years. Seriously, we'll get it straight. When we start asking him for 24 to 28 instead of 32 to 36, we'll get it done. And I actually want to point out that his young teammates are rallying to his play. Alfred Morris would not be doing as well as he is now if we had Grossman under center, and I imagine it wouldn't even be close.

[End2round2sanders]

I was extremely impressed with the way this team battled after Cincy would put pts on the board. Griffen looked great when he had to, the coaching staff held him back in the passing game till late and we almost pulled it out.

We might have reinvented the wheel with the triple option being a threat in the NFL, I mean cmon over 200 yard rushing and that average per carry??? That will be Griffins best friend as he grows. Though I'm worried about him getting hit so much. Its a tall order to ask of someone of his size to get hit that many times in a game not to mention the hits he'll take in the pocket.

The injury bug is killing me though, I can't take many more of these injuries to key components of the team. Injuries happen, and the depth will be tested.

I'm not upset with the 1-2 start by any means, but the D will have to step up. 34 pts per game allowed is insane. The team has a bright future though.

[flock53]

We need to scrap some of that option BS....why run it to the short side of the field?

---------- Post added September-24th-2012 at 12:51 AM ----------

Punt to end 3rd Q landed out at 15 seconds and they ran the clock down to 4.......wth

---------- Post added September-24th-2012 at 01:00 AM ----------

2 TOs on early drive and stupid challenge wiped out all time outs w/ 13 minutes left

---------- Post added September-24th-2012 at 01:03 AM ----------

I didnt see any face mask on Green

[Burgold]

3. Yes, I like Kyle and feel he should stay blah, blah... but he played a poor first half leaving the defense tired. Thank god they could rest a bit at halftime. Might have been a little better if Garcon was playing, but it looked like RGIII couldn't find ANYBODY open. Should have been a clue for Kyle to open up the run a bit in the 2nd, but no... he was trying to play catch up.

Two sides to this coin. Defense is allowed to force a punt and a three and out of their own. They don't have to escort the other team down the field. The defense is paid to make stops. If the offense is floundering that does hurt the d, but it doesn't mean we can't have a defensive showdown. Defense is paid to play too and they haven't been. Play has been terrible. Scheme has been worse.

[DieselPwr44]

The defense did force the Law Firm into his first career fumble, giving the offense prime field position and the offense did nothing with it.

Next Bengals possession, held them to a three and out and gave the O prime position again and the offense did nothing with it.

We had our chances yesterday.

[RedskinsFan44]

Haven't seen it mentioned anywhere but I did not see Grossman on the sidelines. Cousins being considered worthy to be a backup is a positive, though I hope we don't see him unless we are up by 28 in the fourth quarter.

Four touchdowns a game three games in a row is a nice change.

[Murphs56]

All i know is this defense better play some ball against the Bucs. If they can't play good to decent against the Bucs and AT LEAST gain some confidence, they might as well not even show up for the Atlanta game because it will be one of the biggest blood bath's we've ever seen.

[skins island connection]

The big positive is RGIII, bar none. A QB who can throw accurately and doesn't give it away all the time is refreshing.

But the glaring problem is on defense; its been 3 years, and Haslett hasn't gotten anything going on his wonderful 3-4. Judging by the overall performance and image of the defense, it looks like the defense is built to mostly compete in the NFCE, but speed is still a big problem; any fast or tall receivers will have big days against this 3-4, just look at the previous 3 games, and the size and speed of players running wild through the secondary.

The offense needs some speed, and size; Davis looks like he lumbers down the field, at times half-assed running routes; selling your route is one of the big issues with the team, if they know they're not getting the ball, their route running is half-hearted.

Only other thing that irritates me is the amount of showboating; god, score the TD, give em a hi-5 or slap on the butt and get to the sideline.

I am somewhat impressed with the offense, but the defense fell as much as the offense picked up, and thats coaching...

SIC

[Audible_Red40]

RG3 and Big Al are such a sick combo and they are ROOkiES! Very young and we could have these guys for years and years.

Please refrain from calling Mr. Morris, "Big Al". Thank you.

[PortisBetts]

Two sides to this coin. Defense is allowed to force a punt and a three and out of their own. They don't have to escort the other team down the field. The defense is paid to make stops. If the offense is floundering that does hurt the d, but it doesn't mean we can't have a defensive showdown. Defense is paid to play too and they haven't been. Play has been terrible. Scheme has been worse.

How can you defend this defense? They are averaging 33.7ppg. Are you kidding me? Our offense is averaging 31.7. Its pretty obvious who is at fault here. God forbid we ever put it all together. The way this team goes, now for the next 10 years, we will have a top 10 offense, and the 25th or worse defense.

[bonesbr549]

Ya, know I was totally bummed about it but lets be real. When is the last time we've had a QB that you can actually believe will get it down down and come back. RGIII is amazing. lets be honest here, New management is systematically building us a team and it takes time to clean up a mess. Lets face it, we have been a mess for a very long time. Shanny and Allen had to mortgage the farm for the offense this year, and with the defense injury's lets face it. It's going to be tough. Next year with lower rounds it will still be tough, but we can get there, but can't blame the offense on these. We are allowing over 30 pts a game. Not going to win like that too many times. It sucks to have lost the last two like we have, but I still think we are going to get there. If we get our deffense in the top 10 even we can be a serious contender again. God it would be nice to say that again.

[Burgold]

How can you defend this defense? They are averaging 33.7ppg. Are you kidding me? Our offense is averaging 31.7. Its pretty obvious who is at fault here. God forbid we ever put it all together. The way this team goes, now for the next 10 years, we will have a top 10 offense, and the 25th or worse defense.

I thought I was going the opposite way. The person I was responding too said that the O should have eaten some TOP in the first half. I said, the defense should have forced some punts to give it back to the O

[MariusVT]

The offense has been simply impressive so far through 3 games. It's just a shame that in that shame time the defense has been so inept at stopping passing. Could we play some man coverage? this 10 yard cushion that we always seem to play (through multiple DC's now) is horrendous.

[PortisBetts]

I thought I was going the opposite way. The person I was responding too said that the O should have eaten some TOP in the first half. I said, the defense should have forced some punts to give it back to the O

I quoted the wrong person. Sorry about that. I completely agree with what you were saying. I meant to quote the same one you quoted.

[Bang]

I'll even lay some positives on some defenders.

DHall had some really nice plays in the run game, and had some very nice tackles out in the passing game.

AJ Green beat the redskins entire defense, but in some ways the defenses shown put the secondary in very bad positions. The 8 man front was ridiculous. Josh wilson is catching some hell for that, but really.. they put him on an island. Instant advantage to the offense.

Rob Jackson played like a BEAST. i was worried about him, was not impressed with his work in preseason. But yesterday, wow... very smart player, hustled, made plays. Big time kudos for Jackson stepping in for Orakpo.

Stephen Bowen played his ass off too. Our d got trashed in pass yards, but the run game went nowhere. Nowhere. GreenEllis was getting stuffed, and lost the first fumble of his entire career.

If Kerrgan isn't held every play, he has 4 sacks. Played well. Hard to beat the refs while you're trying to beat your man, who is cheating.

The special teams finally had a flawless game. Really, really good game. Clean, good hitting. Very sharp. (For some reason, the Bengals didn't come after a single punt. Anyone's guess as to why)

However, the fact that a mistake-free day on ST is something to celebrate furthers my overall point about Smith.

~Bang

[newday]

We lost three of our top #1 players in key positions: Rak, Garcon, Trent.

How the heck is a team supposed to make intermediate or deep passes without a LT.

And keep Dalton from throwing without a crazy scary pass rush?

And when RG3 does throw, he's mostly throwing sideways, not vertically. Robinson dropped a key deep ball in the last game, and there wasn't much time to throw in this game.

Things will get better if and when our key positions are strong again. We're not deep like the Giants where they can plug players in when injuries hit.

[DaSkinzBaby]

Excuse my typing because I'm doing this from my phone so auto-correct may change some words but after reading all the negativity I have to express some of the joy and hope I saw after watching today's games:

1. We came back after being down by 14 once and then almost did it again had it not been for some terrible officiating. This is something I honestly haven't seen in years. Before when the Redskins were down by double digits the game was over. Now we actually have a QB and other tools that can bring us back in a very short amount of time. It was so refreshing that the announcers actually said "this offense is incredible and could score very quickly do don't go anywhere folks." maybe not verbatim but it's pretty much what they said. It was awesome that I truly felt wven after being down double digits that we had a shot at coming back. We never scored 28 PTs really ye past few years except for just a couple times. We have 3 straight games here we har scored 28 or more. That's incredible for a redskin team!

2. RG3 is still looking spectacular. He hasn't been throwing int's and has been very smart with the ball. Here's a quick tidbit: rg3 has 4 passing tds, 3 rushing for a total of 7 and has only 1 INT. Luck has 5 total tds(all passes) and 4 INT's. Griffin has showed me nothing but promise. I keep waiting for something bad to happen just because I feel like we're cursed but I think just maybe for the first time in so long we really have something here. They need to let him throw more and I think he would run the no huddle supremely but we will wait and see.

3. Kyle Shannahan has really impressed me. Yes his play calling is questionable at times but guys we are STILL the highest scoring team in the NFL. (99 PTs after 3 weeks, ravens are 2nd with 98). That's impressive and Kyle should get alot of credit. He doesn't panic, doesn't abandon the run and lets Grif feel comfortable. Call me crazy but honestly i think he'd make a great head coach with the fire he has.

4. Pierre Garçon is our number 1 WR and has only played 1 quarter so far this year. When he comes back we will have our number 1 WR again and just imagine if we would have had him the past two weeks. Injuries are killing us this year: Garçon, Merriweather, Orakpo, Carriker, and now Trent. It's ridiculous, and obviously it's playing a big part in why we are losing but we will adapt it just takes time.

5. Finally, and the most exciting part for the future for me is I feel like we have such a dynamic, spectacular QB and RB combo that I haven't seen in years. RG3 and Big Al are such a sick combo and they are ROOkiES! Very young and we could have these guys for years and years. Something to really look forward to.

Anyways, I know we're bummed guys but we are young, explosive and injury bitten. We will get better. The only way to go is up!

Dude there is no positives. The reality is this defense is offensive, and as it looked yesterday RG3 isn't going to continue taking them hits, he will get hurt and get hurt badly. The offensive line also stinks Polumbus and Black simply stink, Polumbo needs to be ashamed of himself, 6'8 and he gets thrown around like a rag doll. Black he was retired and should have stayed there. Maurice Hurt plays tackle better then both of them. Every year it's the same thing, some reason for us to be excited, for us to have faith, only to have it crushed by the reality that this organization is TOTALLY BROKEN and although we have progressed in SOME area's we haven't progressed not nearly where we should be and lastly I think it's really time to ask the question was Shanahan the right man for this job.............

[Momma There Goes That Man]

The defense did force the Law Firm into his first career fumble, giving the offense prime field position and the offense did nothing with it.

Next Bengals possession, held them to a three and out and gave the O prime position again and the offense did nothing with it.

We had our chances yesterday.

True and honestly I didnt see Wilson tagged down after he gained possession of the fumble and it should have been a touchdown. The only Bengal over there to touch him would have been BenJarvis and he was under a pile of like 3 other Redskins. Horrible call imo.

Though the offense has to punch those in when you get a chance like that in a game where stops were few and far between for our offense. Why I think we should have gone for it on 4th and 1 too.

[#98QBKiller]

Great thread OP. I have to say I was obviously unhappy that we lost yesterday but seriously, when was the last time the Redskins offense looked this good? 1992?

For the first time in forever we have a team capable of putting up big numbers on offense and a lot of hope for the future. We have some injury problems on defense and some questionable defensive coaching, along with a weak secondary but these are all things that can be fixed in the course of an offseason. We have a great group for our front seven and one of the best starting LB corps in the league IMO.

RG3 is a rookie. Did anyone really expect him to come in to this team and lead us to a division title in his first year? He's doing fantastic for a rookie QB. Imagine what he's going to look like in 2013 and 2014 as we iron out some of our problems.