Paul Woody: the MATCHUPS Minnesota at Washington

[bubba9497]

the MATCHUPS

Minnesota at Washington

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Sunday, January 2, 2005

OFFENSE . . .

What we have here is similar to comparing a sports car to a clunker, a sailboat to a row boat that is taking on water. The Vikings have one of the best offenses in the NFL. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper has 37 touchdown passes and completes 69.9 percent of his passes. Wide receiver Randy Moss will not be at full speed because of a hamstring problem. Culpepper has been fighting flu this week.

The Redskins have a V-8 motor, but half the cylinders are weak. Quarterback Patrick Ramsey looks good one week, weak the next. Running back Clinton Portis is out (torn pectoral muscle). Ladell Betts takes over at running back, and he can be a surprisingly effective inside runner. ADVANTAGE: Minnesota

DEFENSE . . .

Reverse what is stated above about the offenses. No one has had much success against the Redskins defense. The front four is active and aggressive, the linebackers fast and smart, and the secondary solid. However, cornerback Fred Smoot says he will not play because of injuries, and linebacker Marcus Washington has a bad knee. Several young defensive backs will be challenged by the Vikings receivers.

Stat of the day: Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs leads the team in interceptions (5) and is tied for the lead in sacks (5).

The Vikings defense gives up an average of 126 yards rushing per game and 245 passing. Antoine Winfield, their best cornerback, has been hobbled by a sprained ankle, but is expected to play today. ADVANTAGE: Washington

SPECIAL TEAMS . . .

Fans of antiques will be happy to see Vikings kicker Morten Andersen, 44, who has played in more NFL games than any other player in history (353 and counting). He also has scored in an NFL-record 332 consecutive games. Old though he may be, Andersen has made all 44 extra point attempts this season and has missed just four of 21 field goal attempts. The Vikings' punt coverage team is average, their kickoff coverage decent and their kickoff returns below par.

The Redskins seem to make a mistake each week on special teams. Punter Tom Tupa averages 44.5 yards per punt, but teams average 10 yards per return. ADVANTAGE: Minnesota

COACHING . . .

Redskins coach Joe Gibbs coached Vikings coach Mike Tice for a season before cutting him. Earlier this year, Tice called Gibbs to offer support and advice when the Redskins were struggling. Tice knows how to get a team ready for the beginning of the season. He needs to prove he can do the same in the second half of the season.

Gibbs' offense has struggled all season. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has had an outstanding year. ADVANTAGE: Even

INTANGIBLES . . .

The Vikings started last season 6-0, then failed to make the playoffs, watching their chances disappear on a last-second touchdown by Arizona in the last game of the season. The Vikings started this season 5-1, are now 8-7 and need to win today, or have several other teams lose, to make the playoffs this season. That should be plenty of motivation.

The Redskins say the game is important to them, and they have played hard all year. But this game means nothing to them except the possibility of winning six games instead of five. ADVANTAGE: Minnesota

- Paul Woody

This story can be found at: http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031779973400&path=%21sports%21redskins&s=1045855935462

[Skins4SB]

Stat of the day: Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs leads the team in interceptions (5) and is tied for the lead in sacks (5).

That's the reason we need a pass rushing DE that'll get double digit sacks every year..

[feeshta]

Originally posted by Skins4SB

That's the reason we need a pass rushing DE that'll get double digit sacks every year..

Who gives a crap about a double digit sack DE? Do you think Greg Williams does? Hint, the answer begins with "N" and ends with "O".

The thing many of you seem to be unable to comprehend is that this defense has been spectacular all season without your precious DE. Why is that? Maybe it's because Williams just uses his line differently than other coaches. He asks the line to worry about the run first, and the QB second.

We could use better play from the ends yes, but it will not have any effect on the wins and losses column unless we drastically improve that offense. Is that so hard to understand?

[dfbovey]

Originally posted by Skins4SB

That's the reason we need a pass rushing DE that'll get double digit sacks every year..

Lavar Arrington would have had double digit sacks this year had he been healthy. And even without him the Skins will have 40 or so sacks this season. This system doesn't exactly require a stud DE. It would be nice... but it's a luxury. Our defense would still be top five without one next season.

[BG]

Originally posted by feeshta

Who gives a crap about a double digit sack DE? Do you think Greg Williams does? Hint, the answer begins with "N" and ends with "O".

The thing many of you seem to be unable to comprehend is that this defense has been spectacular all season without your precious DE. Why is that? Maybe it's because Williams just uses his line differently than other coaches. He asks the line to worry about the run first, and the QB second.

We could use better play from the ends yes, but it will not have any effect on the wins and losses column unless we drastically improve that offense. Is that so hard to understand?

Easy with the tone there dude. I dunno what you could be so bothered about especially if you have been a fan of this team for more than five years and watched us ignore the defensive line needs in the draft EVERY year.

I do not think that there is anyone worth picking high at defense compared to offense. I am a Heath Miller fan through and throuigh, but to assume that all of our defensive woes are solved is flat out wrong.