My apologies for not blogging on Sunday right after the game. It was a busy week in DC sports, and the Nationals took priority. This post, I will give my opinion on the game against Atlanta and talk about the upcoming week and the future of this Redskins franchise.
So, as you all know, our beloved Redskins fell to the undefeated Atlanta Falcons on Sunday by the score of 24-17. On paper, you would be proud of the Redskins. Wow, keeping it within 7 against the NFC leading Falcons? Impressive! Right? No. But, lets be real, am I ever impressed with this team? Well, like always there were positives and negatives. To be honest, there were some very positive points in this game until about the end of the 3rd quarter. One thing that shouldn't be overlooked is the Redskins defense putting points on the board. The Redskins have scored 3 defensive touchdowns this season...and it's week 5. This is something that really throws me for a loop, looking at how mediocre the roster is. I know I've said this before, but really, this defense is so weak that it makes the Redskins special teams unit look half decent. That's saying something.
You have to cut the defense a little slack this week because of the high powered weapons that the Falcons feature on offense. From Roddy White to Julio Jones to Tony Gonzalez to Michael Turner, this offense is so versatile and so dangerous. It was clear on Sunday why Matt Ryan is a successful fantasy quarterback. If you watch how the Falcons play for one series, you can see the confusion in the defense. From the first series the Falcons had, if Ryan hadn't overthrown Jones and Gonzalez, the game would have gotten out of hand relatively fast. Thankfully, Ryan was a little cold to start the game. A positive note about the defense: Josh Wilson. Josh Wilson has had his ups and downs this season, but on Sunday, Wilson proved that he could play CB in this league. He was good in coverage without drawing any penalties. Maybe one day Wilson will develop into a corner that a defense can build around. Cross your fingers.
Again, I feel like this is a weekly occurrence, let's talk about Alfred Morris. Could he possibly be Shanahan's next 1,000 yard rusher? There was a graphic during the FOX broadcast of the game on Sunday, that compared Morris to all-time great Terrell Davis. Both were 6th round picks of Shanahan, and have similar stats through the same timeframe. I wouldn't complain at all if Morris turned out like Davis. Shanahan obviously has a history with running backs and it's good to see that this running back carousel that has been spinning for 3 years, might be coming to a stop with Morris. The thing that amazes me is his strength. He cannot be brought down by one defender. On all of his runs, it takes multiple attempts to bring this back down. That is one quality that is nautral and cannot be developed. Lucky for us, he has it.
And now, the most serious/scary/heartbreaking/nervewracking/crazy moment. Robert Griffin III was hit viciously in between two Atlanta defenders during a run into the red zone on Sunday. I know I am not alone when I say that my heart stopped for a second. Seeing him on the ground made me cringe. Was the future of the Redskins done? Just like that? Then, he got up. Thank goodness. However, he was diagnosed with a mild concussion. He was listed as "shaken up" with a questionable return. He didn't return to the game. After tests today, Griffin was cleared to practice on Wednesday. Great news for Redskins fans and for Griffin. Griffin says he will play on Sunday, while Shanahan isn't as sure. They're going to let this week at practice play out to see whether or not Griffin will start Sunday against the Vikings. Let this be a lesson to Griffin. There are some plays and runs, where he needs to realize that it's too much. He can't do it all on every play. Protecting your body and your future is ten times more important than stretching for that extra yard. Props to Griffin for his hustle and effort, but he has to be safe. This leaves Kirk Cousins and Rex Grossman anticipating an opportunity to start this week. Cousins proved he can find a wide open receiver and also wide open defenders this week. A below average performance for him. Grossman has never proved anything except inconsistency. To say the least, we need RG3.
A big change happened at Redskins Park today, Billy Cundiff, our glorified kicker, has been cut. WHAT?!?! WHY? He might be the most consistent kicker in the league...and did such a great job for us this season. Okay, but in all seriousness, this move was necessary. You cannot miss two 31 yard field goals in two weeks and keep a job in the NFL. Sorry Billy, but keep the ball straight. You have one job: Kick it straight. You just couldn't do it. Wish him the best of luck, but I'd start digging up that college degree. Now kicking for the Skins will be Kai Forbath, a UCLA standout kicker. Forbath was on the Bucs roster during training camp and was released before the regular season started. It'll be good to have a young kid kicking the ball. Give him a chance and we'll see what happens.
All in all, this will be a telling week for the Redskins. Depending on whether or not RG3 is cleared to play, Sunday against the Vikings could get ugly.
Hail.
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