For Players, Resignation Is 'Kind of a Shocker' (washingtonpost.com)

Wow. I feel bad for Spurrier. As Kornheiser mentions in his column, he's looked defeated and unhappy these last few weeks. On other other hand, I'm glad because I know that the right coach will undoubtedly be more successful than Spurrier was. But finally, I think the Achilles heel that will keep the Skins from being as good as they possibly can be is Snyder as the owner/GM. Once he learns to hire good football people, let them run the team, and not interfere at all (Cerrato is a kiss-up know-nothing), then the Skins have a chance to do something. Until that happens, the best the Skins can hope for is a disciplined, no-nonsense coach that gets the Skins to maximize their talent and get them to the playoffs. In this day and age, Parcells has shown the power of a good head coach. With the right GM, you can upgrade that talent and go even further, possibly reaching the Super Bowl. For the Skins, they need one step at a time. First, start with a coach that can get them to the playoffs. Then hopefully it's on a consistent basis. Then worry about fine-tuning later.

Some of the names being thrown around early on are encouraging. Mostly, I like the fact that the Skins would pursue Denny Green and Ray Rhodes. On the downside, while I think Denny Green would be great, I think it's his desire to also be GM that would ultimately lead to a falling out and split with Snyder in a handful of years (at most). I'd be most excited about Ray Rhodes, especially as a "fire and brimstone" guy. It's cool to hear that he stayed close to Snyder, even after leaving. He definitely deserves a chance to be the head guy. He had some good years in Philly and one mediocre year in GB. He's got the right tools to succeed and I hope he gets a chance. He knows that the Skins need discipline (he saw some of the same problems as DC under Norv) and can instill it. He had the defense ranked in the top 10.

Tom Coughlin sounds like he'd be another good candidate. I'd be pretty discouraged with any other college coaches being interviewed.

At least this adds intrigue for the Skins as the playoffs unfold and the team out of the dance.

Zombie Ball Coach - The Washington Times: Sports

This pretty accurately sums it up for Spurrier. He doesn't seem like he's having a good time these last two years. I can see him coming back to try to stick it out one more year and I don't blame him for trying that. He deserves to give himself that one more shot. Honestly, do I see him succeeding? No. He's stuck in his ways. It's not to say that he hasn't tried adjusting. But the changes he makes are minor in light of his overall approach to the game. He can't adjust his game plans fast enough and isn't open to positive changes like running the ball more and rollouts to protect the quarterback. Mostly though, he can't go from his leisurely attitude this year to a military approach next year. The players that have been around the last couple years won't buy it. The lack of discipline will be his undoing again in his third and final year.

Arrington is supposedly a lifelong Skin. I feel conflicted about that. On one level, "lifelong" Skin still may not mean much. Stephen Davis was supposed to be a lifelong Skin with his last contract. On Arrington's own level, he has so much talent and I'd hate to see it go to another team. On that same note, though, he often does boneheaded things and doesn't fully utilize his talent when he doesn't play smart. Play smarter, not harder LaVar! If you can play both smart AND hard then that's the best. But if you have to choose one, smart is more important than hard. So exasperating...

McGinnis, Gregg Williams, and Jauron are all available. They would all make fantastic defensive coordinators. Edwards simply was not ready to take the reigns. On the downside, yet another defensive coordinator is tough for a team to take. On the plus side, despite the turnover with coordinators, the defense consistently finished in the top 10 with the exception of this year. Maybe Snyder should let Spurrier do whatever he wants this year and keep Edwards if he chooses to. If he succeeds, great, if he fails then bring in a top Def Coord candidate to re-shape the team like Marvin Lewis did with the Bengals.

Losing Marvin Lewis was huge. He was the heavy dose of discipline that Arrington needed. He was the medicine that Arrington hated but was good for him. And the results between the two seasons speak for themselves. You can see that Lewis is a strong and commanding presence on the sideline. Spurrier isn't.

Well out of playoff contention and possibly facing a losing season, at least the Skins beat the sorrier New York Football Giants. Their last three losses weren't too bad either. They had the lead in all of them but undisciplined defensive and hesitant offensive play yielded fourth-quarter leads to their opponents (Carolina, Miami, and New Orleans). It would be wonderful if the Skins had won all three and were 8-5 instead of 5-8. Sadly, that's not the case.

So Spurrier is staying another year. Unless Spurrier runs as much as he did against the Giants, that's probably worse for the Redskins than better. He likes to pass way too much and too often in the fourth quarter the offense sputters with a 3-and-out and the defense tiring. The opposing offense gets on the field with momentum and pushes it down the field.

If the Skins had kept Schottenheimer around, the Skins would have been in the playoffs the next year. That was a guarantee. You could sense it. And that was despite a pathetic uninventive Jimmy Raye-led offense. The Skins have twice as much talent now as they did then but they seem so much farther away.

Why? Discipline. Coaching. A lot of teams are playing at much higher levels this year than in year's past making the league more competitive. There are no more patsies. Arizona played some tough games at home. Atlanta had a bad stretch in the middle there but started off strong and now has Vick back. There are many more 'good' and 'competitive' teams than there are pushovers. Parcells has the Cowboys overachieving. John Fox is coaching the same way - smart football with good defense and a strong run game. These are guys having an immediate impact on their teams. That's why I don't see Spurrier succeeding.

In this era of parity, the aerial-based attacks are not going to succeed. They require too many different variables coming together - a good quarterback, good receivers, the threat of a run game... Up until the early 90s, the dynasties were the teams that did everything well. They had great players across the board and were solid everywhere. In this day and age with salary caps and free agency, there are no great chasms between great teams and horrible teams. A team just needs a simple proven formula to win. Defense and running. It used to take a complete to win the Super Bowl. Not anymore. The simple formula and staying free of the injury bug will get you there.

Redskins' Jackson Interviews at Duke (washingtonpost.com)


That is some very promising news down in the article about hiring an experienced defensive coordinator like Gregg Williams, Dick Jauron, or Dave McGinnis.

George Edwards had seemed like a very logical choice to step up but his guys have been caught out of position too many times. He has not shown that he's ready for the job. The big difference between him and Lewis was that Marvin Lewis required discipline in the system. No doubt that Edwards has talented players but if they're freelancing and abandoning responsibilities, a few key plays hurts them big time.

The first few times you can chalk it up to the players and their own mental mistakes. When it happens repeatedly, that's bad coaching. Before the season started, I was very excited to see how Arrington was going to be used to maximize his talent. Well, the bottom line is that the Skins had a better defense with Lewis, more disciplined, and less likely to be caught out of position. Marvin Lewis also had the advantage of the man-child Daryl Gardener wreaking havoc and this year he's a gaping hole. He obviously is having problems in Denver. I don't know if he's worth bringing back because of the "detrimental conduct" issues. But if the Skins can hire Gregg Williams, Jauron, or McGinnis AND get a big-time defensive tackle, the Skins will go a long way toward addressing their problems on the defensive side of the ball.

Of course this isn't to say there aren't issues on the offensive side either. The games that I didn't see, against the Seahawks and Panthers, supposedly involved designed rollout plays. I didn't see of those in the Miami game. I hope Spurrier brings them back. Obviously protecting the quarterback is still a big issue and it's gotten bigger with Chris Samuels out of action.

Tim Hasselbeck looked pretty darn good, moving around and connecting on some passes. However, Wannstedt made great halftime adjustments. I don't know what he did but Hasselbeck was something like 7 of 10 on his first half throws and then finish 15 of 30. So it was a great first half and a not-so-good second half. I don't have access to the coaching tape so I don't know what they did differently but whatever they did, it worked.

Maybe Betts coming back will add needed toughness to the running game. I think Betts can be a good power and between-the-tackles runner. Canidate is much better suited to traps, draws, and pitch plays! That pitch for the TD run looked like the perfect running play for Canidate. When he's in there, that's what they should run. Morton and Canidate are major burners. Morton's 27 yard run up the middle was a thing of beauty. He had a wonderful ankle breaker move on Brock Marion. They need to implement more power running, which doesn't have to be between the tackles. I think pitches like the Broncos used to do with Terrell Davis would work great also. When you can string out the defense a bit, a burst from Canidate, Morton, or Betts through the hole would allow them to grind out good gains.

Washington Redskins

Spurrier says that they're trying something different with pass protections. I wonder if that means rollouts? That would be great to see because rollouts usually buy time for quarterbacks.

I think it's a shame that the Skins stuck with McCullough over Kenny Watson because I think he would have made a huge difference picking up the various blitzes. Not to overpraise him but I've never seen a group of RBs miss blitz pick-ups as poorly as the Skins backs have done this year.

It's good to hear Spurrier say that he wants to get the ball in Coles' hands more. As to whether or not he'll actually be able to accomplish that, who knows...

At 3-5 and with a rough schedule ahead, it's hard to see much happening for the Skins this season. They just have to take one game at a time and see what happens.

Looking ahead to next year, it would be great if Russell panned out and re-signed to repay the chance the Skins took with him. Then in the draft or via free agency, the team would need to go hard after a young pass-rushing DE as good as Suggs or Freeney.

GOOD: Bailey shut down Galloway and has been consistently shutting down the opposition's top receiver. He's having a very good, although unspectacular, year.
BAD: He's in the final year of his contract and will be tough to re-sign.

GOOD: Smoot turned in a gutsy performance, playing injured when his team needed him. That deserves high praise. Terrell wasn't bad as the third corner. I always thought he played pretty well there.
BAD: Smoot still gets picked on and victimized. Terry Glenn had a very good day.

GOOD: Coles scored. He is the best playmaker the Skins have on the offensive side of the ball.
BAD: His stats after the first three games are horrible. The offense is stifled. If Ramsey doesn't have time to throw, Coles doesn't have a chance to make plays.

GOOD: Arrington is making big plays and is stepping up as a team leader this year. He gives 100%. He's calling out his teammates.
BAD: He gambles and makes mistakes. His 100% effort might as well be 0% when his mistake costs the Redskins because he abandons his coverage responsbility or gap and an uncovered receiver sneaks out for a TD score. He doesn't value the discipline in a scheme.

GOOD: The defense played well, forcing four turnovers and limiting Dallas' opportunities. Allowing 200 yards rushing wasn't a bright spot, though.
BAD: The offense and special teams played horribly (with the exception of Bryan Barker).

GOOD: Ramsey is a good young quarterback with more upside. He could be the franchise quarterback for the next decade.
BAD: In this offense, it doesn't look like Ramsey will last that long. Assuming protection doesn't change, he won't even make it through the season.

GOOD: The Skins have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball.
BAD: They look poorly coached, showing up in lack of discipline, penalties, and poor execution. The poor coaching and execution effectively neutralizes the top-shelf talent.

BAD: Spurrier can't handle the blitz. His MAX PROTECTION looks like NO PROTECTION. Either His RBs and TEs have no clue and are not executing correctly or his coaching staff doesn't know how to coach them to do so.
WORSE: Every team is going to blitz fast and furious until the Skins prove they can burn their opponents. Spurrier shuns rollouts and I don't know why. Sitting in the pocket obviously isn't working.

BAD: Snyder confuses his fan knowledge for actual football knowledge.
WORSE: It hurts and haunts the team. By going against Spurrier at the beginning of the season on personnel, the Skins now have two strikes against them that could have benefited the team -- 1) Kenny Watson was cut, who was supposed to be a better blocker; If he had picked up even half the blitzes in the early games, then it may never have snowballed as much as it has, and 2) Wuerffel was cut, who provided intimate knowledge of Spurrier's offense and was the most effective backup for this offense. He could also have tutored Ramsey more.

Bugel Pays Redskins A Visit (washingtonpost.com)

I was excited about the prospect of Bugel rejoining the Skins but was disappointed when I read in the article that it was only one day of watching film. It doesn't sounds like Bugel will be joining the team on a regular basis.

I think the solution is, and it might be too simplistic, but use MAX PROTECTION. If they blitz, leave your backs and tight ends in to block! Gardner, Coles, and McCants are talented enough to find holes and catch balls if Ramsey has enough time to get it there.

Spurrier's approach seems to welcome the blitz and take the chance for the big play. More often than not, it fails, either through a hurried incompletion or an interception or a sack and possible fumble.

Mike Martz in St. Louis has started protecting Bulger with Max Protect and Bulger is looking very good. Norv Turner and Gibbs would often use Max Protect to give their QBs the time they needed.

I think Max Protect definitely favors the offense because it clogs up pass-rushing lanes for the defense. It's not as easy to go around or toss someone aside because there are so many bodies alongside each other.

Spurrier -- Use MAX PROTECT! Please! Ramsey needs it.

Washington Redskins

The Redskins could not have landed a better receiver than Laveranues Coles. This article epitomizes why he is one of the best receivers in the league. He hasn't done year in and year out yet but he will. It's the drive to succeed and constantly prove to others that he belongs. The drive for perfection, to constantly improve one's game, to find flaws when there are few, are the traits that separate great players from great talents.

The only thing that can derail him is a devastating injury that leaves him at less than 100%. Even if he suffered one (knock on wood), his drive is such that he would might back at 80% of his physical ability but give 120% in courage to make up for it. His drive comes across as so strong that he would be a successful post-injury player.

Ramsey should be very glad that he can count on throwing to Coles for several more years.

Arrington to Sapp: Don't Tread on Us (washingtonpost.com)

How ironic that this article comes out only a day after I'm shredding the Skins for lack of intensity. I love reading articles like this but for now, it's only talk. We have yet to see the Skins show concentration and intensity week in and week out, performing at a high level because they want to, because they expect to, and because they can.

It's one thing to be intense and talk a good game. It's another thing to show it game-time. Let's see no penalties out of LA. No unsportsmanlike conducts. Keeping teammates in line. That's the kind of leadership he needs to show.

It Seems Like They're Only P(l)aying for Keeps (washingtonpost.com)

This article points out perfectly what's wrong with this year's team and why they won't go far in the playoffs, if they even get there at all. You can see in it how the defense picks up opposing players upon conclusion of the play. You can see it in penalty after penalty. There's no consistent serious intensity that carries throughout the game.

"Attitude reflects leadership," says Julius to Bertier in Remember the Titans. For all the great things LaVar Arrington has going for him, he is a leader on the team. He has fun playing football and it shows. For the die-hard fan, he doesn't take it seriously enough. When Boswell mentions some players joking after the game, it's not hard for me to imagine that LaVar was one of them.

Now is the time for the experienced leaders like Bruce Smith and Armstead to step forward and make a speech about how to achieve excellence, how it takes discipline, seriousness and dedication. And fun comes along with it -- but that's not the focus.

The team is more disciplined than when Norv was at the helm. No doubt about that. But less so than when Marty was around. Edwards is an example of that. He trusts his players a bit too much for my tastes and watching them play out this year, I can see myself writhing in agony at each blown assignment due to freelancing. As much as I hope it's not true, I feel that the abandoned responsibilities will keep the defense from maximizing it's potential. It's the typical case of a team with a lot of talent underachieving.

So some reporters write that the Skins have been competitive in every game, they can use this as a moral victory, blah blah blah. That's baloney. When an opportunity arises (like this, with the best collection of talent and no-injuries that the Skins have had in years), you have to take full advantage. Too much changes year to year to "wait 'til next year."

Next year, Bailey could be gone. Ramsey and/or Coles could get injured. Any number of things could happen that rip apart the cohesiveness and talent nucleus that they share this year, here and now. And because they don't have the discipline to see it through, they're losing out on a golden opportunity. Another contract year for so many talented players will play itself out and the Skins could easily have nothing to show for it.

Frustrating is a word tossed around often these days around Redskin Park. That doesn't even begin to describe it.

I'm really pissed about the last call the officials screwed up. It was obviously a catch by Coles with both feet inbounds. He clearly had possession of the ball the entire time. I don't know how the idiotic zebras missed that call AND they didn't reverse the obvious mistake in instant replay! I was in a sports bar watching and didn't hear the audio explanation. I find it incomprehensible that it wasn't overturned. It sure seemed to me that the replay was an irrefutable catch.

I was almost positive that was going to be the end of the Redskins and that Brady was going to drive the Pats down for a game-tying FG. It just seemed like that's been the pattern with these Skins games this year. The Skins, esp. Samuels, had just going backwards with penalties again. For a welcome surprise, though, the Skins D held tight for four and out.

After what was undoubtedly one of his worst games as a pro, Bailey turned in a very good performance with two turnovers -- an INT and a forced fumble. Not his best game because that had the be the game against the Cards a few years ago when he picked off Plummer thrice and returned one of them for a TD.

Ohalete had a solid game with some good stops, a key pick in the end zone and breaking up the Pats' fourth-down play.

Was it just me or did Arrington look slow out there? Was he hurt? He was awfully quiet. I think he only made one tackle. I wonder if it was Charlie Weis (the Pats OC) game-planning specifically for LaVar.

Not only did Bailey make a "statement" game but so did the entire defense with their turnovers. Canidate's fumble really could have killed them but the Skins were so lucky that Gardner was there to fall on the ball.

The bottom line is that the Skins walked away with a victory. But when are they going to be able to put a team away? These nail-biters are going to give me ulcers. And these three victories have all been "tainted" - the Jets without Pennington and the Jetskins providing insight into the Jets playbook, the Vick-less Falcons, and now these majorly banged up Patriots.

HUGE game next week against the Eagles. Another real test for the Skins. They failed last week against the Giants. We'll see how they fare against the rebounding Birds.

Patrick Ramsey.

The "kid" is the real deal. I put that in quotes because I'm only four years older than him. He's the same age as my brother. Ramsey's courage in the pocket, accuracy, and strong arm are going to keep him playing in the league a long time, assuming he stays healthy. On top of that, he's a smart guy. That will keep him playing even longer.

He's humble and not presumptuous yet willing to take on the role of a leader. He inspires his teammates and already (on only 8 starts) he's shown them that they can rally around him.

I was so wrong about him. After last year's draft, I was lamenting the fact that they chose Ramsey instead of choosing the top OG available (Andre Gurode). Well, I'm definitely not complaining now. I don't know anything about Gurode except that he's the starting RG with the Cowboys. Certainly, there's not as much hype about him as there is about Ramsey.

If, and this is a big if, Ramsey, Coles, Gardner, and Betts or Canidate can stick together for a long time, that is a great offensive nucleus to build around with each successive year. Actually Gardner's optional. He's a good receiver but other receivers can be just as good in the #2 spot. Betts and Canidate are optional as well. Neither of them has proven themselves as a star yet although I think they both have the potential. Maybe it'll be Sultan McCullough. Would love to see one of them shine.

Then on the OL, you've got Jansen re-signed for a few more years and new RG Randy Thomas. That is really a good foundation.

On the flip side, you see players that have a breakout second year but then regress in their third year. I think the only way that would happen is if Spurrier leaves but I don't see him leaving so soon. Spurrier should coach out his contract, and if he's tired of the NFL after his five years are up, then he can leave. In the meantime, hopefully, George Edwards will have matured as a defensive coordinator (he should still push the scheme more than he's doing -- witness the LaVar's lapse against Jim Finn's catch and run in OT). If Edwards is as established and respected as I would hope him to be, he could take over as head coach and leave the playcalling duties to Hue Jackson.

Anyway, back to Ramsey. He's got a lot of things going for him besides his own attributes that would make it doubtful that he would regress. He's a got a supportive wife so that he won't get into trouble, he's got a playmaker like Coles to throw to, he's got Jansen and Thomas protecting him for the next few years, and he's got a coach that is adapting to NFL speed and calling better and better games. It's still early but assuming things continue to go well and no freak injury (knock on wood!) occurs, Ramsey can be this team's franchise quarterback for the next 8-10 years. That would be a welcome change for DC and all Redskins fans. In the last 15 or so years, we have seen Jay Schroeder, Doug Williams, Rypien, Cary Conklin, Rutledge, Gannon, Humphries, Friesz, Shuler, Frerotte, Hostetler, Trent Green (doh!), Brad Johnson (a good one we let get away -- smart but weaker arm), Peete, George, Banks, Rosenfels, Matthews, and Wuerffel. Peete, Conklin, and Rosenfels don't really count but it's obviously a long list. To have someone be as durable and reliable as Favre or Manning would be a wonderful blessing.

May Ramsey's star continue to shine! And shine brighter with each game!

The Patriots are up next. I have a bad feeling about this game. Even more so since the Pats picked up Wilbert Brown off the waiver wire and are undoubtedly picking his brain about the Skins offense.

Spurrier should throw Belichick off guard by coming out running the ball straight down their throats non-stop. If they can keep churning out first downs, they should keep running it. Even on third and long, they should run draws. Belichick will undoubtedly try to smother Coles and blitz confusingly and relentlessly with the good 3-4 scheme they have set up.

What would be also be interesting is to see Ramsey avoid Coles completely and throw solely to Gardner and McCants in one-on-one coverage. I would love to see them win those battles against smaller corners. Coles can draw the safety running decoy routes out on the wing and Gardner and McCants should do their best to take advantage on the other side. I can see a pump fake to Coles on the left sideline and then go the other way to Gardner on the right sideline.

What I used to love about Gibbs were his rollouts that gave the WRs time to develop their routes. It was a great way to make up for inadequate protection. Of course, it tends to limit the amount of the field the QB can throw to, but I think it would still be effective. Ramsey has a strong enough arm to make any throw, even across the field. Unfortunately, I don't think the rollout is in Spurrier's playbook. I also would love to see Spurrier bust out all the gadget plays in this game -- option passes, fake reverses, double reverses, flea flickers, you name it.

This is going to be a huge chess match with two coaches with good schemes going at it. I would just hate to see Spurrier feel that his pride is on the line and feel that he can force the passing game no matter what Belichick might throw at him. Smash-mouth running might be a great way to mix it up initially. Or even start off with no-huddle. It'll be interesting to see how creative (hopefully) Spurrier can get.

Smoot played. He ended up killing them.

Bailey too. Not only is Ike Hilliard a capable receiver but he caught 2 TD passes. Bailey surrendered 2. Argh. That was amazingly frustrating. Bailey is supposed to be a shutdown corner but when he surrenders TDs like that, he shows he is not the top cover corner in the league. He's one of the better ones but the best, in my opinion, is someone who won't give up 2 TDs in the same game. He doesn't have the leverage to be asking to be the highest paid CB in the league anymore, not after a game like that.

The Skins deserved to lose that game. The ridiculous penalties, over and over again. And I was just thinking on that 3rd and 24 play -- the only way the Giants can get a 1st down is that the Skins have some boneheaded personal foul penalty that keeps their drive alive, because it had happened in other games. And then it happened in the Giants game. Trotter is such an idiot. All those penalties are a matter of keeping cool, maintaining discipline and thinking about the best interests of the team.

Even the previous heros had bad days. Hall missed two FGs but that's excusable because they were very long. Coles was even dropping passes! And this came only a week after Spurrier was praising him for all balls sticking to his hands.

Although the Skins deserved to lose, losing a divisional game is the worst kind. There are only 6 divisional games now and they are all critical. The Skins do not have an easy schedule in front of them, with games against the Pats, the Seahawks, the Bucs, and the Bills. Parcells has made the Cowboys into worthy contenders so they are no pushover either. The Skins have the talent to go 10-6 but if they play as stupidly and undisciplined as they did against the Giants, they will finish 6-10.

A loss like that is just so painful to relive. We'll see how they fare against the supremely well-coached Patriots. If any opponent is paying attention, the players should be pulling Dennis Rodman routines and goading the Skins into stupid penalties that will be difference makers.

Smoot is out.

Wow, that's huge news. Bailey can blanket Amani Toomer but Ike Hilliard is a very capable #2 receiver. Losing Smoot hurts big time, no matter how much criticism he received. He's looked good so far this year and there's a significant dropoff when you put in 5'8" Rashad Bauman. Even worse, the fourth corner is Ade Jimoh and he's the one that easily surrendered the last-minute TD to the Falcons. In a 2 WR, TE set, Bauman is going to need coverage help on every play, which opens up the middle of the field for Shockey. Edwards may prefer to play more zone but I think you have to keep Champ on the opponent's best receiver to take him out of the game.

David Terrell was a decent CB and I'd prefer to see him out there rather than Jimoh. The question is, how much have his CB skills eroded by not playing that position regularly over the last two years? Can he still cover one-on-one?

If the Skins win this one without Smoot, the victory will be so much sweeter. It'll really legitimize the team as a force to be reckoned with.

A crazy but very exhilirating win by the Skins over the Vick-less Falcons. I was having nightmares of last year's Saints game all over again. The 3-4 obviously with linebackers coming from all directions obviously threw the Skins OL off.

Despite that comedy of errors, I thought it was amazing that, at 17-0, the Skins could drive down to score when the team was seemingly on its heels. Better yet, they were able to cut the lead down to a touchdown by halftime on that awesome FG by Hall. What a stud. I guess any reliable kicker is a stud compared to the carousel of players that have been in and out of that position.

Better yet, Spurrier made excellent adjustments in playcalling and the protection scheme with an extra body staying in to block. I'm surprised that they only called one HB screen. I guess WR screens are just as effective if you can block the CB and the defense's LBs take themselves out of position to make the tackle when they blitz. I found the adjustments VERY encouraging.

The upside is that the Skins came back and looked on a roll in the second half. They had the resilience to bounce back and not count themselves out. The downside is that the Falcons were without Vick and Finneran, and their secondary is very average. The Skins will have a much tougher going against a REAL team with all components in place and operating on a playoff level, like the Giants.

Well, the Giants lost to the Cowboys, but given four rematches, the Giants would beat the Cowboys all four times. Plus, the Giants will be pretty pissed about losing to the lowly Cowboys and "couldn't" suffer another divisional defeat. It will be a real test to see how far the Skins have progressed.

ESPN.com: NFL - Redskins: Second time around

The analysis by ESPN comes across as skeptical. It's still early in the season but I would change the grades thusly:

QB : C+ to B- (Ramsey will make mistakes but he's much better than an average QB.)

RB : C to B- (ESPN evidently didn't see the power Betts runs with but it's understandable that they underrate the position.)

WR : B to B

OL : B to B (They're a strong group but they didn't look as stellar against the likes of John Abraham.)

DL : D to C (So far so good with the no-name DTs.)

LB : B+ to A- (Arrington and Trotter looked great but this grade could go back down if they both start freelancing too much and get victimized.)

DB : B to B (Bailey is impeccable. Smoot is good but still makes mistakes. Bowen brings a strong physical presence. Ohalete still needs to be battle-tested.)

ST : C to B- (Hall looked great. Barker looks average and Morton is capable with the occasional home-run threat.)

Coaching : Not graded by ESPN. I give it a B so far. Edwards made the right defensive calls and gave his guys some freedom. Spurrier didn't let his ego get in the way to pound the ball in the second half. The concern, though, is that he wasn't able to counter the Jets' defensive adjustments with effective mix-it-up playcalling after the half.

In Week 2, the Skins face off against a Michael Vick-less Atlanta Falcons. How winnable is this game? On the downside, they have to face a pretty good defense. They also travel to play Atlanta in their home stadium. Finally, they face a team that feels confident that they can hold down the fort until Vick gets back. Alge Crumpler is a weapon and the Skins need the right way to contain him.

On the upside, Vick is out, of course. That makes the biggest difference because Doug Johnson doesn't threaten the same kind of athletic mismatch with his feet. Second, Warrick Dunn doesn't scare anyone. Finneran, their most consistent receiver last year, is out. Bailey should be more than enough of a match for Peerless Price. I don't enough about their defense. I think they are good but largely anonymous with the exception of LB Keith Brooking. I'm hoping the Skins exploit weaknesses like a suspect D-line.

I rushed home well in advance of the 6pm PT kickoff for the first game of the 2003 NFL season. The first half started wonderfully. Patrick Ramsey looked sharp and Coles was a beast. He was seemingly open on every play.

I was a bit worried in the second half when the offense sputtered big time. Cottrell, the Jets DC, must have made some great adjustments in the locker room. It made me worried about the ability of Spurrier to adjust to the other DC's adjustments. I guess he did so by running the ball more.

The good news is that our wonderful defense held up. Granted, Vinny really limited their offense. It would have been a completely different story if Pennington was in there. Those times when Trotter and Arrington stuffed Martin could easily have been huge first downs on bootlegs or play-action passes with Pennington at the helm. The Jets D-line is ferocious and probably not mentioned often enough as one of the best in the league. They really did a great job against a very good O-line in Samuels, Fiore, Moore, Thomas, and Jansen.

How sweet it is to have a kicker like Hall that was able to seal the deal against his former team.