Regional Talk > Washington & Baltimore > Bye week over

Bye week over

I watched the Eagles play this past week, Redskins have a decent chance of beating them but they have to score first and keep the lead. Eagles seem to be so out of sync that I think adding frustration to the mix is the key to beating them. Vick isn't playing as well as he was last year, I think he's changed his attitude from needing to prove he can still play to one where he knows it and that isn't right for him. I still think he needs to prove himself.

Yes, I watched the Jets/NE game and I still am not happy with the Pats defense. They allow too many third down conversions and don't get enough pressure on the opposing team's QB. Jets have a decent run game if their front line stays healthy but they are weak when it comes to passing and that is the coaches fault.

The Ravens are surprisingly good after all the losses they suffered in the pre-season. I still hate them. Defense is good and I prefer a strong defense no matter who the team is, but I think Joe needs some help on his offense. I haven't watched enough to say exactly where. I think they have a very good chance of making the playoffs, unfortunately that division must go through New England. I think the primary concern for Baltimore is keeping their key players healthy.

Just my two cents!

PS Who's the SOB that chose Detroit to go 5-0 in the pool?
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»www.jrslaterphotography.com/

reply to Rxdoxx
30-1 on Buffalo is looking kind of tempting.
If a person were of speculative mind, that person might consider that given, for example, $1000 to wager, $900 on Green Bay and $100 on Buffalo could possibly be a good two-way split.
If either team makes it, profits are to be had, and if both go, it's high clover time. (Obviously, there's a severe down-side should neither make it. "Bet with your head, not over it", as the signs in the casinos say. Or, "just plain don't bet at all", as those of nervous disposition would say.)

I'd be more than willing to lay the 12 against Pittsburgh, too. And a lay bet against the Giants is going to be about as close to a 'lock' as it gets-- if you can stomach risking 25 just to win 1. Some can and some can't.

With the kind of troubles Philadelphia is having right now, this home game for a rested and refreshed Washington team should be an emphatic victory. There's also a 'revenge factor' over last year's Monday night drubbing.
However-- Rex Grossman is the quarterback. There's just no getting around that. Nor is the jury completely in yet over exactly how improved this year's version of the Redskins is over last year's.

A Washington victory helps their cause in so many ways.
Well, we'll see.

reply to Rxdoxx
Eagles are hurt, desperate, in disarray....'Skins are well-rested and at home.
So naturally the 'Skins will struggle, fight tooth-and-nail, suffer a Rex interception/fumble here or there and will be lucky to eke out a win.

reply to JRSlater
LOL, Detroit 5-0 first time since 1956.... that D looks special and they got Fairley back in the lineup.

Ravens losses in the pre-season can be attributed to 2 things.
First the O-line was shambles. Starting center Birk had knee surgery.
Rookie playing at RT (Jah Reid), Yanda moving back inside to RG from RT. Then Gurode signed along with Brandon McKinnie for LT who signed very late, Oher shifted back to RT.
Then season starts and Grubbs, the only one who played his position in the pre-season goes down, replaced first by LeVoir (meh) and then Gurode learning LG when he was a pro-bowl center.

Secondly new D-coordinator Chuck Pagano didn't show a whole lot of what he was going to scheme in pre-season. He was more seeing what he had and what they could do. Kruger dropped weight and started playing more LB, Cody dropped weight and has quickness at NT. 5th round draft choice Pernell McPhee not only made the team but is getting playing time on the D-Line. Cornerbacks was an adventure with 2 coming back from knee surgery (Webb and Foxworth-now moved to IR) Josh Wilson gone to the Skins, Fabian Washington just Gone.

So you may be surprised by how the Ravens look compared to preseason, but this was a funky preseason where the team was assembled as opposed to practiced. Remember Safety Bernard Pollard was also signed on August 4th. I think a lot of people just assumed when the Ravens cut Derek Mason, Todd Heap, Willis Mcgahee, Kelly Gregg, coupled with losing Dawan Landry, Josh Wilson, LeRon McClain, Fabian Washington, Marc Bugler, TJ Houshmandzadah, Jared Gaither, Tony Moll, and also to the Redskins Chris Chester and Donte Stallworth. That is a lot of NFL talent to subtract from a team, and form a team out of new peices with only normal preseason, no offseason teaching. So, yes I can understand your surprise. I watched it closely and didn't feel comfortable until McKinnie/Gurode were added, but was more than fine with the D, as long as Pagano was more like Rex Ryan and not like Greg Mattison, which happily turns out to be the case.

Anyway off my Ravens soapbox.

Pats spoiled their fans with really decent LBs, Willie McG, Brew-ski , Vrabel, even getting Adalius. Now they are good but not great like past units have been and a big ouch with Mayo for the next 6 weeks, and you are seeing it.
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Was a Cruise Fanatic, one cruise on Princess cured me. Bleah

It's always interesting to watch Baltimore, and I always look forward to when the Pats play them. No other team knows how to play a full four quarters like the Ravens. At least up till this year. At this point and going into week five, it's still anyone's game. I don't recall a season ever being like this. Usually you know by the fifth week who the leaders are. I am still not sure how to take the Colts predicaments. I think everyone knew Payton was the glue to that team, but I don't think anyone knew just how much.

This is going to be a very interesting season for football. Once that is over, maybe I'll get back to following hockey. I hear the Caps are doing well this season.
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»www.jrslaterphotography.com/

reply to RockCake

I think someone spiked our recievers' Postum again.

I hate it when I smell the stench.

quote:

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(need the good Rex, but winable game

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I didn't catch any games yesterday, except the last 3 minutes of the Pats/Cowboys game. Sounds like that was a stinker of a game too. I don't think the Pats have made that many turnovers in a single game in a very long time. They got very lucky with that game if you ask me. I love a good defensive, low scoring game but hate it when the turnovers are so high.
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»www.jrslaterphotography.com/

reply to Rxdoxx