Week 2 keys to victory

[Mike Bass]

Although we have discussed Campbell's shaky start a lot and I think that he is going to have to improve his timing starting yesterday, I am not going to list him having a huge game as a key to beating the Saints Sunday....Mine would be...

1a. A LOT of Portis and Betts ( Graham averaged over 9 yards per carry (10 for 91 yds) against the Saints and Dunn averaged 6  (9 for 54 yds) so I think that we should see if their run D is indeed that vunerable)

1b. Great O-line blocking!!!

2. Pressure on Brees ( If we do not get up in a QB of his caliber's face, he is going to pick us a part)

3. Double up on Colston ( he did not have a big game Sunday but I am sure that film will show that we had problems with Buress and with Colston being the same type of receiver, they will try to exploit us again in this area)

4.Watch Bush out of the backfield ( I think that we will stop their  running game but he is capable of breaking one huge play out of the backfield that may kill us in a close game)

5. Campbell being consistent and reading the defense correctly ( I do not think that we need him to throw 30 times , I would like to see 15-20 throws from him, but when he does throw I would like to see better decisions made)

These are my keys and I know that my fellow RH'ers may have different and probably better views so I would like to hear what we have to offer.

[LuvDaSkins]

Convert 3rd downs(don't come up a yard short )
Get Cooley involved early and often
Pressure from the front on D
Stop the run

[HOGWILD21]

All I have to say is pressure Drew Brees and protect our Quarterback.Jason needs to learn not to hang on to the ball and our offensive line needs to open holes for CP and Betts.Plus get Cooley involved more this time.

[Mike Bass]

I agree about getting Cooley involved but  "often" is probably not going to happen a lot this year. Cooley even in his pro bowl year averaged only 4 catches a game. It's more of what he does after he gets the ball than how many times he get the ball... IMO.

If we can  get it to him 4 times Sunday, I am sure that one of those times he will make a big play.

[Drumlinboy]

I agree that Cooley is not going to catch over 5 balls every game but i do think we need to get him beyond the line so that teams do not forget about him and give JC another target.

Personaly i think the key against the saints is establishing our passing game. By doing so holes will open up for Portis. The Saints have improved their secondary but i would still not class it in teh good catagory.

[Simone]

1. Yes involve Cooley
2. Without Daniels we really need to buckle up against Bush
3. Blitz, Blitz, Blitz and Sack Brees 6 times
4. Don't forget Shockey
5. Jason Campbell in shotgun

[Mike Bass]

1. Yes involve Cooley
2. Without Daniels we really need to buckle up against Bush
3. Blitz, Blitz, Blitz and Sack Brees 6 times
4. Don't forget Shockey
5. Jason Campbell in shotgun

Indeed don't forget Shockey, Simmy!!!!

one question about "Blitz, Blitz, Blitz" though...If we blitz too much don't you think that dump offs to Bush and/or Shockey will be imminent?... I hope that we can get pressure from the front four mainly, maybe a LB a time or two but if we move up our SS as we have been we may get killed on that blitz.

Like someone said in a blog earlier this week, Chris Wilson looked like a beast when he was moved to DT on passing downs so with Taylor a week healthier maybe he, Wilson, Griff and Carter can get us that pressure we need on Drewski (the other Drewski not our RH Drewski).

[Mike Bass]

Convert 3rd downs(don't come up a yard short )
Get Cooley involved early and often
Pressure from the front on D
Stop the run

For sure about the 3rd downs Bex...I think that the team agrees with you per this article...

http://www.prosportsdaily.com/comments/third-down-is-a-priority-for-redskins-09-10-2008.html

quote from the article...

"Through a variety of reasons Thursday, the Washington Redskins proved it's as difficult to convert a third-and-1 as it is a third-and-15.

A route cut off short of the first-down marker. A missed blocking assignment up front. A bad throw. A dose of bad luck. Nearly everything bad imaginable happened for the Redskins in their 16-7 loss to the New York Giants, a setback that saw them go 3-for-13 on third down.

When they needed 15 yards, they got 9. When they needed a yard, they got nothing.

As the Redskins start preparations for Sunday's home opener against New Orleans, they are aware that staying on the field is paramount, primarily because the defense will have trouble enough stopping the Saints' efficient offense without having to trudge back on the field after a three-and-out.

"We just need to execute," center Casey Rabach said. "We've been put in good situations, and when our number is called, we need to complete the pass, get to the first-down [marker] on third-and-short and find ways to stay on the field and make first downs."

[Mike Bass]

one of my keys to victory took care of itself...

Colston out 4-6 weeks with thumb injury

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80ab1303&template=with-video&confirm=true

NEW ORLEANS -- Marques Colston, the New Orleans Saints' top receiver during the past two seasons, had surgery on his left thumb and will miss four to six weeks.

A person with direct knowledge of the injury told The Associated Press on Wednesday morning that Colston had a torn ligament resulting from a play on Sunday in which the receiver reached forward in an attempt to make a catch while taking a helmet-first hit to his hands.

The person did not want to be identified because the Saints' official injury report had not been released.

[RedskinsFanaticalChick]

Colston out 4-6 weeks with thumb injury

SWEET

HTTR ~

[Simone]

Yes great news about Colston. We need all the help we can get. With the Blitzing I ment our front 4 and now that may be possible. I really hope that Jason Taylor can master the NFC East beasts, I think we need to put him in and out so he can stay healthy for 16 games. We also need to take advantage of Saints CB David something this weekend.

[Yellow31]

Play good defense and establish the run.  Only three things can happen when you pass and two of them are bad.  Relying on the big play will cause great disappointment.

[Skins12th]

Convert 3rd downs(don't come up a yard short )
Get Cooley involved early and often
Pressure from the front on D
Stop the run

EXACTLY with a double ditto on the Cooley part!--just one slight adjustment--tighten up the o-line and don't let them collapse our pocket. Can I get an 'Amen" on the pass protection??!!

[Mike Bass]

I agree that Cooley is not going to catch over 5 balls every game but i do think we need to get him beyond the line so that teams do not forget about him and give JC another target.

Personaly i think the key against the saints is establishing our passing game. By doing so holes will open up for Portis. The Saints have improved their secondary but i would still not class it in teh good catagory.

I think that in a situation like ours "establishing the passing game" is not like a more pass worthy offense would be until we get everything established as far as player personel. Right now the QB's abilities is still a question mark, he and his top receiver has never clicked and we have rookies having to step up in major roles in the WCO. We are not going to be able to "establish our passing game" as say a Colts would be able to do.

I say we, as far as the passing game is concerned,  right now limit it to more surer passes and not a game full of them until we get everything in rhythm. This way we can get Cooley his receptions as well as open up the running game . Moss and ARE should probably get a few deep attempts but not many because once Campbell gets out of rhythm he usually stays there.

Confidence in our passing game is going to have to happen gradually.

[redskin_ty]

I think we will be alright on D if we just tackle better we tend to make the hit but just fail to wrap up!!!!  Just filter Bush back to the crowd and do not miss him in the open field.  He tends to go down on contact but we just need to hit him hard!!!
Has for our O we need to make the run stick and then play action them to death.  They are going to stack the box and force Jason to beat them.  If we start him off with some short passes and then mix it up and no become so one dimensional.  I hope no 1 and 2nd down runs and then throw on 3rd.