motife
01-01-2008, 01:25 AM
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Features/Scouts+Eye/2007/eye123107.htm
Redskins carry momentum, purpose into playoffs
By Nolan Nawrocki
Dec. 31, 2007
Having rattled off consecutive wins over the Bears, Giants, Vikings and Cowboys, primarily with their backup quarterback at the helm and Pro Bowl S Sean Taylor at rest, the Redskins suddenly have the look of the Steelers in 2005.
After finishing the third quarter of the season without a win, capped by Joe Gibbs’ foolish decision to call back-to-back timeouts in a Week 13 loss to Buffalo, the Redskins’ playoff hopes looked dim. A 5-7 record with a tough schedule ahead made it appear as if the Skins once again would be home in January. The Steelers, who dropped three consecutive games to even their record at 6-6 in ’05, had their backs against the wall in much the same way. They rallied to beat the Bears, Vikings, Browns and Lions and did so convincingly with a power-running game and an inspired defense that had taken on the personality of its fiery head coach.
With a 27-6 victory over the NFC’s top-seeded Cowboys, Washington made a major statement, not only for lost teammate Sean Taylor, whose number, 21, was also the difference in the Redskins’ victory, but to the NFC. In January, it does not matter how you got there. It’s what you do when you arrive. And now that they've arrived, the Redskins appear hell-bent on winning.
Despite resting some of their starters and pulling others early, the Redskins were firmly in control vs. the NFC’s best and have peaked with Todd Collins under center. He is making good reads, taking strikes down the field to keep defenses off balance and in turn opening up the ground game. For as big as the strides were that Jason Campbell made this season, he was not as crisp or efficient as Collins has been since entering the lineup in Week 14, having yet to throw an interception and masterfully running Al Saunders’ offense.
Like a trademark Gibbs championship team, the Redskins are controlling the clock, pounding the football and swarming to the ball on defense. They are playing with a lot of emotion and exerting their will on the field. If they continue to play Gibbs’ brand of smashmouth football, they could match up with anyone in the NFC. After dismantling the Cowboys, destiny seems to be on their side as they seek to make their own. It could make for an exciting matchup of destiny in the postseason, as the Patriots have run the table playing for one of their own, Marquise Hill, who drowned this past offseason.
Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner showed as much creativity in his play-calling vs. the Saints as he has all season. He spread the ball around, found ways to get the ball to both Greg Olsen and Devin Hester, the Bears’ two most athletic offensive playmakers, and he caught the Saints off-guard with a halfback-option pass from Adrian Peterson to a wide-open Bernard Berrian for a touchdown.
Saints head coach Sean Payton, who was largely responsible for the development of Eastern Illinois' Tony Romo when the two were in Dallas, may have discovered another good find from the state of Illinois. Undrafted rookie RB Pierre Thomas, who earned a roster spot over fourth-round pick Antonio Pittman, had a better all-purpose day (226 yards) than last year’s second overall pick, Reggie Bush, has yet to put together in the pros, gaining more than 100 yards both rushing and receiving. In contrast, Bush did not cross the 100-yard mark in either category once this season, when he was expected to emerge. Thomas, who played at the University of Illinois, has good vision to follow his blocks and balance to stay on his feet. But most impressive was the ease with which he caught the ball and the alertness he showed picking up blitzing linebackers.
The Bears should take a lesson from the Packers and return DE Mark Anderson to a third-down pass-rush specialist role next season, much as Green Bay utilizes Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. With Anderson in the starting lineup, the Bears’ front four was as small as any unit in the league and vulnerable against the run. With Alex Brown in the lineup late in the season, the Bears were 2-0 and more disruptive up front.
If the Cardinals could amp up their running game and continue to bolster an improved offensive line, their offense could be strong next season, but it will be interesting to see how Ken Whisenhunt handles his QB situation, with Kurt Warner possessing the toughness and experience he desires, but Matt Leinart returning from season-ending injury and expecting to play. With 62 different quarterbacks having started games this season, having two has become a requirement, not a luxury, but something tells me Leinart will not be happy entering the season.
Broncos WR Brandon Marshall made an exceptional adjustment on an underthrown ball by Jay Cutler in the final minutes to keep a Broncos drive alive. The 2006 WR class is turning out to be a very good one, with Marshall, Packers WR Greg Jennings, Bears WR Devin Hester and Saints WR Marques Colston all emerging as impact players. None, it should be noted, was drafted in the first round.
Redskins carry momentum, purpose into playoffs
By Nolan Nawrocki
Dec. 31, 2007
Having rattled off consecutive wins over the Bears, Giants, Vikings and Cowboys, primarily with their backup quarterback at the helm and Pro Bowl S Sean Taylor at rest, the Redskins suddenly have the look of the Steelers in 2005.
After finishing the third quarter of the season without a win, capped by Joe Gibbs’ foolish decision to call back-to-back timeouts in a Week 13 loss to Buffalo, the Redskins’ playoff hopes looked dim. A 5-7 record with a tough schedule ahead made it appear as if the Skins once again would be home in January. The Steelers, who dropped three consecutive games to even their record at 6-6 in ’05, had their backs against the wall in much the same way. They rallied to beat the Bears, Vikings, Browns and Lions and did so convincingly with a power-running game and an inspired defense that had taken on the personality of its fiery head coach.
With a 27-6 victory over the NFC’s top-seeded Cowboys, Washington made a major statement, not only for lost teammate Sean Taylor, whose number, 21, was also the difference in the Redskins’ victory, but to the NFC. In January, it does not matter how you got there. It’s what you do when you arrive. And now that they've arrived, the Redskins appear hell-bent on winning.
Despite resting some of their starters and pulling others early, the Redskins were firmly in control vs. the NFC’s best and have peaked with Todd Collins under center. He is making good reads, taking strikes down the field to keep defenses off balance and in turn opening up the ground game. For as big as the strides were that Jason Campbell made this season, he was not as crisp or efficient as Collins has been since entering the lineup in Week 14, having yet to throw an interception and masterfully running Al Saunders’ offense.
Like a trademark Gibbs championship team, the Redskins are controlling the clock, pounding the football and swarming to the ball on defense. They are playing with a lot of emotion and exerting their will on the field. If they continue to play Gibbs’ brand of smashmouth football, they could match up with anyone in the NFC. After dismantling the Cowboys, destiny seems to be on their side as they seek to make their own. It could make for an exciting matchup of destiny in the postseason, as the Patriots have run the table playing for one of their own, Marquise Hill, who drowned this past offseason.
Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner showed as much creativity in his play-calling vs. the Saints as he has all season. He spread the ball around, found ways to get the ball to both Greg Olsen and Devin Hester, the Bears’ two most athletic offensive playmakers, and he caught the Saints off-guard with a halfback-option pass from Adrian Peterson to a wide-open Bernard Berrian for a touchdown.
Saints head coach Sean Payton, who was largely responsible for the development of Eastern Illinois' Tony Romo when the two were in Dallas, may have discovered another good find from the state of Illinois. Undrafted rookie RB Pierre Thomas, who earned a roster spot over fourth-round pick Antonio Pittman, had a better all-purpose day (226 yards) than last year’s second overall pick, Reggie Bush, has yet to put together in the pros, gaining more than 100 yards both rushing and receiving. In contrast, Bush did not cross the 100-yard mark in either category once this season, when he was expected to emerge. Thomas, who played at the University of Illinois, has good vision to follow his blocks and balance to stay on his feet. But most impressive was the ease with which he caught the ball and the alertness he showed picking up blitzing linebackers.
The Bears should take a lesson from the Packers and return DE Mark Anderson to a third-down pass-rush specialist role next season, much as Green Bay utilizes Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. With Anderson in the starting lineup, the Bears’ front four was as small as any unit in the league and vulnerable against the run. With Alex Brown in the lineup late in the season, the Bears were 2-0 and more disruptive up front.
If the Cardinals could amp up their running game and continue to bolster an improved offensive line, their offense could be strong next season, but it will be interesting to see how Ken Whisenhunt handles his QB situation, with Kurt Warner possessing the toughness and experience he desires, but Matt Leinart returning from season-ending injury and expecting to play. With 62 different quarterbacks having started games this season, having two has become a requirement, not a luxury, but something tells me Leinart will not be happy entering the season.
Broncos WR Brandon Marshall made an exceptional adjustment on an underthrown ball by Jay Cutler in the final minutes to keep a Broncos drive alive. The 2006 WR class is turning out to be a very good one, with Marshall, Packers WR Greg Jennings, Bears WR Devin Hester and Saints WR Marques Colston all emerging as impact players. None, it should be noted, was drafted in the first round.