So a regional rivalry that wasn't saw both teams win. The Redskins looked sharp on both sides of the ball in carving out a 21-14 halftime lead... and the Ravens reserves rallied their way to a last-minute touchdown and win that nobody will ever forget. The score was 34-31, right? The dress rehearsal went well for the Skins-- and with no OTAs in the offseason one wonders how much the coaching staff feels they need to play the starters next Thursday against Tampa Bay.
Big Play Bang-- all three first half touchdowns came from more than 20 yards out. One running (nice cutback from Tim Hightower)... one passing (a sweet throw by Rex Grossman) and one on defense (DeAngelo Hall getting the Skins on the board with an exclamation point). It seems as though the last couple years have been devoid of the home run ball-- and it's always nice to shorten the field.
Rex & Beck's Battle Royale-- Mr. Grossman completed 8 of 15 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown while John connected on 6 of 10 throws for 108 yards and a score. The duo's difference-- Beck threw an INT. The key stretch for Grossman was late in the first half when he went 6 of 8 for 85 yards and the go-ahead score just before intermission. That drive didn't save his job-- but it keeps #8 in the conversation. Beck's interception may keep the contest alive a little longer... but conventional wisdom has #12 with the upper hand; not only is he going to have to lose the job- Grossman has to emphatically win it.
Ground game keeps lifting me Hightower-- after a 37 yard scamper for a score, Tim Hightower continued to lay claim to the starting runningback job by leading the Skins in rushing (9 carries for 56 yards). And although the Skins were held to just 103 yards rushing, they averaged a robust 4.5 yards a carry. Can Ryan Torrain return before Labor Day to provide a legitimate challenge to the ex-Cardinal?
Ask and Ye Shall Receive-- Terrence Austin caught 5 passes for 71 yards and a touchdown while Santana Moss added 3 grabs for 51 yards and a score. Anthony Armstrong and Jabar Gaffney also got into the act; potentially providing whomever plays at quarterback this fall with more than a few options. Leonard Hankerson remains a peripheral project.
Walking Wounded-- Big blow for the Skins growth into a 3-4 defense as Jarvis Jenkins left the game with a torn ACL-- the rookie defensive lineman is done for the year. Tight end Chris Cooley remains in the land of limbo with a sore knee... how important will his absence be once the games are for real?
Third and Forever-- Despite moving the football again, the offense had issues moving the chains... 3 of 11 not the most inspiring.
Grading the D-- four sacks... two interceptions and a fumble recovery give one reason for optimism. And allowing 13 fourth quarter points doesn't have the ultimate sting because a lot of the players on the field at the end of a preseason game aren't going to be around much longer.
Flying the flag-- eight penalties is not ideal-- although only two resulted in a first down for the Ravens.
Gano gets it done-- the Redskins kicker continues to stay safe by making a 48 yard kick and converting on all four extra points.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Redskins Rehash-- Sizzle and Steak both shine...
During the NFL Preseason, fans are drawn to the sizzle of a quarterback competition while sometimes the substance of the team's rebuilding goes under the radar. That's been the case since the Sonny/Billy days... and although the focus over the past year has been the line of succession from Jason Campbell to Donovan McNabb to Rex Grossman to potentially John Beck, the state of the Skins is much more than that. And although it's only August and these are just preseason games... the feel is this franchise is on the right track. Is this a contending year? Not necessarily-- but it looks to be better than last year's evaluation and housecleaning season. After 2010, transition year never sounded so good.
Rex & Beck's Battle Royale-- Friday's 16-3 victory over Indianapolis saw a tale of two halves; John Beck completed 14 of 17 passes for 140 yards and directed the Skins to four scoring drives- while Rex Grossman had less success: 7-12 with an interception... and no points (Skins gained just 122 of their 415 yards after halftime). Advantage-Beck.
Setting the bar Hightower-- the Skins ran for 215 yards against the Colts... on a clip of 6.1 yards per attempt. Tim Hightower set the early tone again with a 58 yard scamper on the team's first possession and scored the games lone touchdown to wrap up that drive. Tim's tally through two preseason tilts: 114 yards on 16 carries.
Youth served again-- Just like week one against Pittsburgh... Hightower's rookie replacement outgained him. This time it was Roy Helu's turn: 14 carries for 101 yards-- with a 51 yard run setting up a second quarter field goal. He also paced the team with 4 catches. After 2010's ground game ran aground-- it's always nice to have multiple options in the backfield.
Catch as catch can-- does one focus on what was or what wasn't? Leonard Hankerson tallied 3 catches for 46 yards but had a drop. That's been an issue this preseason. Meanwhile, Mike Sellars continues his adjustment to the tight end position with a pair of catches.
D earns an A-- Okay... Peyton Manning didn't suit up. Austin Collie did not play. But the Skins defense went out and shut down the opposition for the second straight week- limiting the Colts to 1 yard rushing in the first half and 12 of 27 passing (one week after holding Pittsburgh to 11 of 27) with an interception for the game. Darrion Scott notched two tackles, three assists and a sack. Kedrick Golston added two tackles plus two assists. On the night the defense allowed just 150 yards- and with a unit that ranked 31st in the league last year, back to back outings of under 200 yards allowed has to be somewhat encouraging.
Rex & Beck's Battle Royale-- Friday's 16-3 victory over Indianapolis saw a tale of two halves; John Beck completed 14 of 17 passes for 140 yards and directed the Skins to four scoring drives- while Rex Grossman had less success: 7-12 with an interception... and no points (Skins gained just 122 of their 415 yards after halftime). Advantage-Beck.
Setting the bar Hightower-- the Skins ran for 215 yards against the Colts... on a clip of 6.1 yards per attempt. Tim Hightower set the early tone again with a 58 yard scamper on the team's first possession and scored the games lone touchdown to wrap up that drive. Tim's tally through two preseason tilts: 114 yards on 16 carries.
Youth served again-- Just like week one against Pittsburgh... Hightower's rookie replacement outgained him. This time it was Roy Helu's turn: 14 carries for 101 yards-- with a 51 yard run setting up a second quarter field goal. He also paced the team with 4 catches. After 2010's ground game ran aground-- it's always nice to have multiple options in the backfield.
Catch as catch can-- does one focus on what was or what wasn't? Leonard Hankerson tallied 3 catches for 46 yards but had a drop. That's been an issue this preseason. Meanwhile, Mike Sellars continues his adjustment to the tight end position with a pair of catches.
D earns an A-- Okay... Peyton Manning didn't suit up. Austin Collie did not play. But the Skins defense went out and shut down the opposition for the second straight week- limiting the Colts to 1 yard rushing in the first half and 12 of 27 passing (one week after holding Pittsburgh to 11 of 27) with an interception for the game. Darrion Scott notched two tackles, three assists and a sack. Kedrick Golston added two tackles plus two assists. On the night the defense allowed just 150 yards- and with a unit that ranked 31st in the league last year, back to back outings of under 200 yards allowed has to be somewhat encouraging.
Friday, August 19, 2011
College Football Corner-- Malibu Stacy has a NEW HAT!
One of my favorite episodes of The Simpsons is when Lisa designs a doll to compete with her "talking Malibu Stacy" that says enlightening things like "don't ask me--I'm just a girl" and "let's make cookies for the boys". The bigshots at Malibu Stacy learn about "Lisa Lionheart" and decide to remake their doll-- an all-nighter that yields a new hat that creates a stampede which leaves "Lisa Lionheart" in the dust. Making one wonder- do cosmetic changes really change things deep down inside? And why couldn't the creator of Malibu Stacy, Stacy Lovell (voiced by Kathleen Turner) find true love (her string of broken marriages included Ken, cowboy Johnny, army Joe and Doctor Colossus).
August is all about optimism in college football. Everybody's unbeaten and with 35 bowl games, everyone thinks they have a legitimate shot at a bowl game (sadly, that's true-- 70 of 119, aka 59% of schools make the postseason). While most schools are either trumpeting a new regime (24 FBS schools in such a situation) or building off a successful season, Maryland gets to do both- with the added wrinkle of new uniforms.
Randy Edsall begins his first season at the helm having revamped the culture and structure of the program. Which has been interesting because under coach Ralph Friedgen the Terps definitely didn't have the reputation as a collection of renegade. Additional discipline in short hair, no names on the uniforms and no jewelry has given the squad a clean-cut look.
Offensively the Terps return 2011's ACC Rookie of the Year at quarterback; Danny O'Brien has a new coordinator in the form of ex-BYU and Louisiana Tech coach Gary Crowton. They've been working on the sophomore's form-- footwork, coming quicker out of center, release points, etc... Davin Meggett was part of last year's triple tailback attack and is expected to carry the bulk of the workload while DJ Adams continues to be the short yardage/goal line specialist. Will a wide receiver step up to fill the void of Torrey Smith? It seems as though every year somebody makes the leap from contributor to top target.
Defensively the team will be playing under its third system in four years. Todd Bradford looks to install an aggressive mindset and places All-ACC safety Kenny Tate closer to the line by moving the senior to outside linebacker; even as a defensive back in 2010 Tate lined up an awful lot in the box. How much will they miss the leadership of Alex Wujciak?
The team begins the 2011 campaign against Miami-- and that matchup has taken a different turn in the last week with the allegations of 72 players taking improper benefits over the last decade. What happens next? The term "death penalty" has been thrown out there-- and if that doesn't happen one would think the Hurricane program will be brought within an inch of its life. NCAA sanctions take a different feel at a private university (walk-ons can more easily afford in-state tuition at a public school). Virginia Tech's path to a Coastal Division title gets a little easier (especially with North Carolina also in the land of limbo). Moving forward-- there should be legislation attacking overzealous boosters. If you go after the money source, it'll be more likely to dry up.
August is all about optimism in college football. Everybody's unbeaten and with 35 bowl games, everyone thinks they have a legitimate shot at a bowl game (sadly, that's true-- 70 of 119, aka 59% of schools make the postseason). While most schools are either trumpeting a new regime (24 FBS schools in such a situation) or building off a successful season, Maryland gets to do both- with the added wrinkle of new uniforms.
Randy Edsall begins his first season at the helm having revamped the culture and structure of the program. Which has been interesting because under coach Ralph Friedgen the Terps definitely didn't have the reputation as a collection of renegade. Additional discipline in short hair, no names on the uniforms and no jewelry has given the squad a clean-cut look.
Offensively the Terps return 2011's ACC Rookie of the Year at quarterback; Danny O'Brien has a new coordinator in the form of ex-BYU and Louisiana Tech coach Gary Crowton. They've been working on the sophomore's form-- footwork, coming quicker out of center, release points, etc... Davin Meggett was part of last year's triple tailback attack and is expected to carry the bulk of the workload while DJ Adams continues to be the short yardage/goal line specialist. Will a wide receiver step up to fill the void of Torrey Smith? It seems as though every year somebody makes the leap from contributor to top target.
Defensively the team will be playing under its third system in four years. Todd Bradford looks to install an aggressive mindset and places All-ACC safety Kenny Tate closer to the line by moving the senior to outside linebacker; even as a defensive back in 2010 Tate lined up an awful lot in the box. How much will they miss the leadership of Alex Wujciak?
The team begins the 2011 campaign against Miami-- and that matchup has taken a different turn in the last week with the allegations of 72 players taking improper benefits over the last decade. What happens next? The term "death penalty" has been thrown out there-- and if that doesn't happen one would think the Hurricane program will be brought within an inch of its life. NCAA sanctions take a different feel at a private university (walk-ons can more easily afford in-state tuition at a public school). Virginia Tech's path to a Coastal Division title gets a little easier (especially with North Carolina also in the land of limbo). Moving forward-- there should be legislation attacking overzealous boosters. If you go after the money source, it'll be more likely to dry up.
Monday, August 15, 2011
College Football Corner-- the Conference Carousel...
The College Football season usually begins with a bang on Labor Day weekend with a huge game involving ranked powers. As a sign of the times... the college athletics calendar kicks off with a move that wasn't-- and the dominoes remain standing.
Texas A&M apparently was packing its bags to leave the Big XII (a league with twelve in its title but ten in its membership) for the Southeastern Conference. Problem was the SEC met Sunday and decided not to expand-- leaving the Aggies in the land of AWKWARD as the school deals with its conference brethren. But the chance of expansion is the elephant in the room that's not going anyhere soon.
Does the Big XII need to get back to a full dozen to be viable? And which schools should they target? Memphis may be in Tennessee, but is popularly known as the capital of both Arkansas and Mississippi-- and with Fed Ex money the Tigers would be a decent addition to the Big XII North. Maybe take Houston as well from Conference USA? The Cougars have a history with the Texas schools having competed in the Southwest Conference from 1976-94.
As for the SEC expanding further, why mess with the perfect product? It's not like you're the NCAA looking to ruin my precious basketball tournament. Twelve seems to be the maximum workable number for an FBS conference... setting up interdivisional play better than 7 or 8 team divisions would. Bigger isn't better in college athletics. Ask the ACC going to a dozen so it could have a championship game nobody attends. Look at misguided attempts by the WAC and MAC in the '90s. Although the SEC could do just about anything and still make a lot of money.
Texas A&M apparently was packing its bags to leave the Big XII (a league with twelve in its title but ten in its membership) for the Southeastern Conference. Problem was the SEC met Sunday and decided not to expand-- leaving the Aggies in the land of AWKWARD as the school deals with its conference brethren. But the chance of expansion is the elephant in the room that's not going anyhere soon.
Does the Big XII need to get back to a full dozen to be viable? And which schools should they target? Memphis may be in Tennessee, but is popularly known as the capital of both Arkansas and Mississippi-- and with Fed Ex money the Tigers would be a decent addition to the Big XII North. Maybe take Houston as well from Conference USA? The Cougars have a history with the Texas schools having competed in the Southwest Conference from 1976-94.
As for the SEC expanding further, why mess with the perfect product? It's not like you're the NCAA looking to ruin my precious basketball tournament. Twelve seems to be the maximum workable number for an FBS conference... setting up interdivisional play better than 7 or 8 team divisions would. Bigger isn't better in college athletics. Ask the ACC going to a dozen so it could have a championship game nobody attends. Look at misguided attempts by the WAC and MAC in the '90s. Although the SEC could do just about anything and still make a lot of money.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Redskins Rehash-- make your reservations for Indy!
Because, of course, that's where the Redskins second preseason game will be played. You don't think I was looking forward to February, did you? August is the month of Football Fools' Gold as 4-0 teams in preseason go belly-up after Labor Day (Detroit followed an unbeaten preseason with a winless 2008)... and the reverse is often the case as well (Chicago and Indianapolis both won division titles after winless Augusts). But there are seasons that are seemingly lost with unproductive preseasons- 2006 saw the Skins go winless... and more importantly, seem listless and woefully unprepared for the regular season with a banged up offensive meal ticket (Clinton Portis) and a defensive toy that didn't fit (Adam Archuletta) the grand scheme. So even though Friday's preseason game didn't count in the standings... it wasn't meaningless.
Rex & Beck's Battle Royale-- with a groin injury sidelining John Beck... Rex Grossman completed 19 of 26 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown. Lost in the shuffle was a drive from the Skins 1 to the Steeler 10 in the first quarter that ended with a missed field goal. The job wasn't necessarily won Friday night-- but against a Steeler defense that won the AFC last year Grossman definitely had a chance to lose it. The longer Beck's on the bench-- the more established with the first team Rex becomes.
Ground Control to Major Tim? The Skins were able to pound out 140 yards on the ground and control the clock for 39 minutes... with recent acquisition Tim Hightower tallying 44 yards on 10 first half carries. With an offensive line stronger and better built for the Shanahan running game-- Hightower may be more than a preseason mirage.
Rise of the Rookies-- not unnoticed in the rersurgence of the running game was the debut of Evan Royster; the Penn State product provided 15 carries for 66 yards. Also making fine first impressions: linebacker Ryan Kerrigan tallied three tackles... while wide receivers Niles Paul and Leonard Hankerson each caught a pass.
Grading the D-- last year's unit ranked near the bottom of the league... and the first stringers came out strong against the Steelers starting unit-- notching two first quarter sacks and holding Pittsburgh to 32 yards on 12 first quarter plays. For the game they held the Steelers to 2 of 11 on third down... 41% passing on the night and 186 total yards of offense. Granted, Ben Roethlisberger only played one series-- but after being rated in the 31st last season, allowing under 200 yards is a little encouraging.
Father Flanagan in Foxborough? Absent from the defensive discussion was Albert Haynesworth-- and the former Skins malcontent didn't play in New England's preseason win over Jacksonville. Neither did Chad Ochocinco. Brandon Merriweather has been accused of shooting two former high school classmates. I'm waiting for Mickey Rooney to be signed up.
Kicking the Competition-- Graham Gano connected on attempts from 32, 34 and 45 yards while Shane Graham missed from 29 and 49 yards. Advantage Gano-- although they don't have to make a move at this moment.
Rex & Beck's Battle Royale-- with a groin injury sidelining John Beck... Rex Grossman completed 19 of 26 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown. Lost in the shuffle was a drive from the Skins 1 to the Steeler 10 in the first quarter that ended with a missed field goal. The job wasn't necessarily won Friday night-- but against a Steeler defense that won the AFC last year Grossman definitely had a chance to lose it. The longer Beck's on the bench-- the more established with the first team Rex becomes.
Ground Control to Major Tim? The Skins were able to pound out 140 yards on the ground and control the clock for 39 minutes... with recent acquisition Tim Hightower tallying 44 yards on 10 first half carries. With an offensive line stronger and better built for the Shanahan running game-- Hightower may be more than a preseason mirage.
Rise of the Rookies-- not unnoticed in the rersurgence of the running game was the debut of Evan Royster; the Penn State product provided 15 carries for 66 yards. Also making fine first impressions: linebacker Ryan Kerrigan tallied three tackles... while wide receivers Niles Paul and Leonard Hankerson each caught a pass.
Grading the D-- last year's unit ranked near the bottom of the league... and the first stringers came out strong against the Steelers starting unit-- notching two first quarter sacks and holding Pittsburgh to 32 yards on 12 first quarter plays. For the game they held the Steelers to 2 of 11 on third down... 41% passing on the night and 186 total yards of offense. Granted, Ben Roethlisberger only played one series-- but after being rated in the 31st last season, allowing under 200 yards is a little encouraging.
Father Flanagan in Foxborough? Absent from the defensive discussion was Albert Haynesworth-- and the former Skins malcontent didn't play in New England's preseason win over Jacksonville. Neither did Chad Ochocinco. Brandon Merriweather has been accused of shooting two former high school classmates. I'm waiting for Mickey Rooney to be signed up.
Kicking the Competition-- Graham Gano connected on attempts from 32, 34 and 45 yards while Shane Graham missed from 29 and 49 yards. Advantage Gano-- although they don't have to make a move at this moment.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Hall Passes... Skinsationalism... and other forgettable musings.
Are you ready for some football? This week the NFL goes from 15 miles an hour to 35 with the first batch of preseason games (don't call them exhibitions)... and with the limited offseason workouts (just one week of training camp and no OTAs) there will be a different sense of urgency this August. Already the quarterback competition has taken its first turn- with a tweaked groin sidelining John Beck for the time being. More important to me was the continuing absence of Ryan Kerrigan-- anytime you have a first round pick with minimal workouts trying to learn a new position, it's not ideal. Imagine this year's rookies as all having protracted holdouts... and the delay has retarded the growth of the class of 2011 league-wide. Good for the Skins that Kerrigan practiced today.
Sayonara, Cha-Cha... recently Annette Charles... the woman who portrayed "Cha Cha Degregorio" passed away at the age of 63. Just two months after Jeff Conaway (Kenickie) left us. All I'm saying is if I'm Didi Conn (Frenchie)... I'm not going sky-diving anytime soon.
Traffic torment-- this Friday the Skins play Pittsburgh at Fed Ex Field... 7:30 kickoff. This only happens once a year-- the perfect storm of late afternoon traffic, Ocean City travelers, Redskins pre-gamers... be prepared for a hot mess of a stretch of I-495. If you're planning on going to Landover, leave now.
College Football Corner-- Maryland and the rest of the ACC begin practice... with North Carolina firing coach Butch Davis right before the start of practice. The former Miami mentor tried to bring the Hurricanes' culture to Chapel Hill; unfortunately he brought more U baggage than wins. Good luck, UNC... as your sleeping giant tenure continues to slumber. Virginia Tech, your road to the BCS just got a little easier. Virginia-- never mind.
Baseball beat-- the Nationals traded Jason Marquis to Arizona and Jerry Hairston for prospects... as the future is still not quite now. Best August news? The road to rehabilitation for Stephen Strasburg... started in Class A Harrisburg yesterday.
Sayonara, Cha-Cha... recently Annette Charles... the woman who portrayed "Cha Cha Degregorio" passed away at the age of 63. Just two months after Jeff Conaway (Kenickie) left us. All I'm saying is if I'm Didi Conn (Frenchie)... I'm not going sky-diving anytime soon.
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