Interesting Quotes

After the game was over today, I came across (and saw) some pretty interesting comments. I thought I'd share what I read/heard and add my thoughts...

Fred Davis on the boos: "We lost 4 in a row, we deserve it."
Probably the most honest quote I've seen. Especially from a guy who came back from injury... whom I'm still not certain was 100%. Didn't look too comfortable with that ankle if you ask me. 

LaRon Landry: "With the offense not coming around we don't have any margin for error.. We've just got to be perfect."
Well, damn. That's a pretty condemning comment from Landry. People can say what they want about the defense, but they only allowed the Niners in the end zone once and had two MAJOR stops on 3rd down in the red zone. Can't really complain about those guys. Offense just didn't take advantage of opportunities (as usual). But it does sort of appear he threw them under the bus... hell, someone needs to.

Sean Locklear said it is "not good when u give up a sack," but "I feel more comfortable" on the right side.
Umm, Sean, you have have been saying that since they signed you over the summer. They don't get it yet? Or is this more of Kyle's Square Peg in Round Hole decision making??? If they knew this, why in the hell would they put Locklear in at left tackle to defend the QBs blind side if he's more comfortable on the right??? The first few snaps didn't give it away the past two weeks? He's more comfortable on the right side and it showed today when Jammal Brown went down. Dude did a good job at RT. Get a clue, Shanford And Son.

Mike Shanahan: "[Will Montgomery] is a much better center than a guard."
Then can you explain to all of Redskins Nation WHY when Kory went down you moved the best center on your team to LG then? That position is way too important to move. And for the past two games, we've seen what life without Will in the middle is like. Sort of like having Casey back in the middle. It's not the same. Your center is like the QB of your OLine. You don't bench your Aaron Rodgers for Curtis Painter. Just sayin. 

Gaffney: "[I was] kind of open out there today. For whatever reason, John goes through his reads and a lot of times he didn’t come to me."
As long as he holds on to the ball during pass plays, he has to see Gaffney, or Hank... or anyone at least once. I still wonder if he's being programmed to play the way he does. Way too many plays I saw today was one of these wideouts flagging down Beck emphatically to pass to them. And to think, Hank is 6'3" and has long arms and huge hands. How do you not notice all that? Something else is happening here.


Shanahan on moving forward and the blame Beck is taking "Sometimes it looks like it's all the Quarterback and that's understandable. When you lose a few pieces of the puzzle, the Quarterback is going to look pretty average, and we are playing pretty average as a group. We need to get better. We can't make those mistakes that we made during the game."
Mike, the only reason you guys look average as a group is because your defense and special teams keeps you "average." If your performance was purely based on offensive production, you would be so far below you couldn't look up and see average. Unless you had a set of binoculars, that is. But judging by LaRon's comment, it seems like that group of guys is getting pretty tired too. So you gotta think of something. 

Put Kyle in timeout. I like his plays... but his execution instructions/guidance... I don't know.


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Dear Kyle...

"Dear Kyle,

I'm feeling a bit better this morning from yesterday's loss and just thought I'd write you a letter.

First of all, I just want to tell you how happy I am that you believe in me so much! I was kinda worried at first, waiting the entire free agency period after the lockout for a contract only to find that no one called. My wife and I were worried I wouldn't have a job! But then Brucey gave me a ring and Got me back at Redskins Park again.

Secondly, I'd like to say that I don't care what anyone else says, your play calling is the best play calling in the history of the NFL!! I mean, when you're up by nearly 20 points going into the second half, who cares about clock management??? That stuff's for whoosies. I say take a few shots deep like Vick, Brady, and Aaron Rodgers all the other greats do. I can do that too! Why not?

You just give me so many opportunities to show my skills. Even when I mess up, like the Prodigal Son you invite me back home and offer me the best you have. For instance, that one time last year when you finally got what you wanted when your dad benched Donovan, and I came in and the first thing I did was get sacked, you still let me try to finish out that two-minute drill. In fact, your dad was even so confident in me that he told the media that I was the best on the team to do it even though neither Donovan or I had practiced it in six weeks before that game! Kyle you're my best friend in the whole wide world... I should get your initials tattooed on my ankle (no homo).

And then yesterday, I wasn't having the greatest day but you let me get up to four interceptions before removing me from the game. I mean, most reasonable coaches would have stopped it at two picks... especially since I kept trying to thread the needle in double and triple coverage all afternoon (I've been practicing that... can you tell? :-). Although, I must admit, I was a little bummed when John ran that touchdown in. I wish I could move that fast, but I haven't shed those pesky 5-6 lbs (still working on that). I'm not jealous or bitter... I'm just saying.

I hope Trent is okay for next week because it's pretty scary to have defensive ends breathing down your neck and I don't like throwing on the run. Also, I talked to Will after the game, he says he's much more comfortable playing center instead of LG. Honestly, I'm more comfortable with him playing center too... he calls better blocking schemes to give me time to throw it deep :-) Also, since Kory is going to be out the rest of the year, you think you could move Chester to LG and put Locklear in at RG? I got the idea from a fan who says it's probably a better idea. Who knows, it just may work!!

I'll call a team meeting with just the offensive guys to talk about their receiving skills. I mean, c'mon, Fred shoulda had that catch I don't care what anyone says. And Jabar? Dude, you get your hands underneath it, you should catch the ball, right?  I'll also talk to Ryan and get him on a Jugs Machine real soon. I guess the defense played pretty well other than containing the run and DeAngelo allowing way too much space in between him and the receivers. He gambles a lot and people take advantage of him (kinda reminds me of myself).

Well anyway, I'm going to wrap this letter up, but I did want to tell you that I appreciate everything you've been doing for me and I just know you'll give me another shot to have a game with zero interceptions or fumbles. It is a rare occurrence in my world but you and I can keep trying over and over until we get there! I just know Wednesday will bring me good news and I'll be starting down in Charlotte!

Sincerely,

Rex

P.S. - Is it too early to talk about a contract extension? Donovan got one and a raise around this time last year. Plus Bruce only signed me for a year and I'm not sure if it's enough time for me to display my skills."

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Making The Dream Team

No matter who your team is, Skins or Gentiles, we all know how massively talented a team lies in Philadelphia. The thing we can't seem to wrap our minds around is, why they can't seem to get it together right now.

One idea people are kicking around is that it's all Andy Reid's fault. Play calling. Coaching changes. All of it. In my opinion, if he doesn't do something with this group of super friends this year, he will be in the unemployment line himself.

Another idea people seem to have is that the fault is with star quarterback Michael Vick. He's the on the field leader, so he has to lead... right? Besides no one can catch the guy... well, unless your front five doesn't block for you (Need proof? Go find Jason Campbell or Donovan McNabb).

A third excuse is the hype surrounding the team sent over the moon after backup quarterback Vince Young's statement calling the organization "The Dream Team." After the team's fourth loss, Michael Vick allegedly cancelled the radio show appearances he had in Philly... seemingly to avoid exposure.

My assessment? Lack of chemistry.

On defense, there are only four returning starters; not to mention all but four players in the entire secondary (including bench players) are new. 7 out of 11 guys being new... that's a lot of change.

On offense, the story remains the same. There's just one guy on the offensive line who started last year that is starting this year at the same position (Dunlap). Herremans started last year as a guard and has moved to tackle (more change). Thus making room for two new guards (one of which is a rookie -- more change), and a new rookie center -- the guy who calls the blocking schemes (now if that's not a crap load of change in one position, I don't know what is). 60% change from last year.

I'm not saying that the players they have in the positions they're playing won't work. I'm just saying it requires time. Time that they didn't have. Time that no team had because there was no offseason. When you don't have time to allow your players to gel together as a unit (as important as it is on an offensive or defensive line), it could potentially create a problem. It's like these guys playing Mario Brothers, losing their last man on level 9 and then having to hit the reset button and start over at level 1.

Conversely, you do have a shot in this with no time if the guy who is stockpiling your talent chooses players who fit your scheme. Smart guys who know how to pull it together at the flip of a switch for the good of the organization. Guys who work really hard and go the extra mile to pull out the win even after giving up a lead or giving away points. These guys find a way to build chemistry. They find a way to work together.

For years, we ask the same puzzling question in Washington: "Why do all the players we pick leave town and play better someplace else??!"

The answer is, they just didn't fit here. Whether the disconnect was with the other players, or the with the coaching staff, there just wasn't enough chemistry for that person to excel and help our team win.

Now the adverse has happened with the same result: A bunch of great players leaving their teams and coming together and playing below average.

No chemistry.

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