Back with another batch of thoughts about the Washington 'skins. This week's defeat brought to you by the Seattle Seahawks (generally) and Russell Wilson (specifically).
- First off, Russell Wilson just carved the 'skins to pieces in the first half. It was as dominant a performance as any I've ever seen from a legitimate combo QB. But what is less obvious about Wilson's success tonight (and elsewhere) is how unrelentingly cerebral it is. I'm a longtime rider of the Wilson bandwagon (grew up pulling for N.C. State and have continued to do so unfailingly despite some pretty thin years--sound familiar?), but what's becoming increasingly clear is that his level of preparation should draw comparisons to another QB (the one whose preparation often seems cybernetically enhanced).
That's right, I'm talking about Peyton Manning. Wilson's game is very, very different, but his painstakingly-earned knowledge has given him an eerily similar comfort level. Only developing a vast familiarity with the playbook and opposing scouting reports(enough so to make the act of playing football entirely second-nature) can lead to plays like the 3rd-down conversion around the 3-minute mark that ultimately doomed the 'skins. To sum up, watching Wilson play makes me imagine watching Steph Curry play football. And yes, I went ahead and bulked up Curry to a sufficiently un-injurable level for that trip through the alterverse.
Anyway, here's to Russell "Oh-look-you-think-you've-got-me-caught-10-yards-behind-the-line-of-scrimmage-haha-that's-funny-here-you-go-Marshawn" Wilson, folks.
-As for the 'skins, a loss is a loss. No, it wasn't devastating, but now they're 1-4. They'll need 9-2 to sniff the playoffs. Sorry to drop the hammer, but I have better odds of waking up tomorrow with a 4-book publishing deal. And I haven't even sent letters out yet.
-My first inclination was to feel pretty good about the game, because the 'skins were competitive, they had a chance late, and the Seahawks are good. But then I got pissed, because that just reminded me of how easily I accept moral victories as a 'skins fan. No more. It was a home loss, and those are always buckets of shit. But I'll start with some positives anyway:
The good:
-Cousins showed pluck, especially with the last TD drive.
-The DJax throws were superstar-caliber.
-DJax did what he was brought in to do, and did it against the Seahawks.
-The D tightened up nicely after the 'hawks went up 17-0.
-Kerrigan, NFL sack leader. (And generally, there were some nice hits on RW)
-Saw Bob Griffin walking around pretty smoothly.
The bad:
-D on the first Seahawks drive. Positively abominable.
-Orakpo's contain.
-Riley's injury. (But at least it's just an MCL sprain)
-Offensive inconsistency: great big plays, but way too many punts.
-The Field Goal. When you're down 10 to last year's champs and you're 1-3, don't kick on 4th and 1 in the red zone, you schmucks. That being said...
-The run game. Sorry Mr. A. Mo. Bentley, because I love you. But it wasn't a good night. Which leads to...
The ugly:
-Niles Paul's run blocking.
-Niles Paul's blocking.
-Niles Paul's run blocking.
-Niles Paul's effort while blocking.
Sorry Niles. It was what it was.
All right. Enough wallowing. Let's go to Arizona and pound a Cardinals team still reeling from the relentless assault of a certain 6'5" 230 lb. quarterback's laser-rocket arm.
Until next week, sports fans.
- First off, Russell Wilson just carved the 'skins to pieces in the first half. It was as dominant a performance as any I've ever seen from a legitimate combo QB. But what is less obvious about Wilson's success tonight (and elsewhere) is how unrelentingly cerebral it is. I'm a longtime rider of the Wilson bandwagon (grew up pulling for N.C. State and have continued to do so unfailingly despite some pretty thin years--sound familiar?), but what's becoming increasingly clear is that his level of preparation should draw comparisons to another QB (the one whose preparation often seems cybernetically enhanced).
That's right, I'm talking about Peyton Manning. Wilson's game is very, very different, but his painstakingly-earned knowledge has given him an eerily similar comfort level. Only developing a vast familiarity with the playbook and opposing scouting reports(enough so to make the act of playing football entirely second-nature) can lead to plays like the 3rd-down conversion around the 3-minute mark that ultimately doomed the 'skins. To sum up, watching Wilson play makes me imagine watching Steph Curry play football. And yes, I went ahead and bulked up Curry to a sufficiently un-injurable level for that trip through the alterverse.
Anyway, here's to Russell "Oh-look-you-think-you've-got-me-caught-10-yards-behind-the-line-of-scrimmage-haha-that's-funny-here-you-go-Marshawn" Wilson, folks.
-As for the 'skins, a loss is a loss. No, it wasn't devastating, but now they're 1-4. They'll need 9-2 to sniff the playoffs. Sorry to drop the hammer, but I have better odds of waking up tomorrow with a 4-book publishing deal. And I haven't even sent letters out yet.
-My first inclination was to feel pretty good about the game, because the 'skins were competitive, they had a chance late, and the Seahawks are good. But then I got pissed, because that just reminded me of how easily I accept moral victories as a 'skins fan. No more. It was a home loss, and those are always buckets of shit. But I'll start with some positives anyway:
The good:
-Cousins showed pluck, especially with the last TD drive.
-The DJax throws were superstar-caliber.
-DJax did what he was brought in to do, and did it against the Seahawks.
-The D tightened up nicely after the 'hawks went up 17-0.
-Kerrigan, NFL sack leader. (And generally, there were some nice hits on RW)
-Saw Bob Griffin walking around pretty smoothly.
The bad:
-D on the first Seahawks drive. Positively abominable.
-Orakpo's contain.
-Riley's injury. (But at least it's just an MCL sprain)
-Offensive inconsistency: great big plays, but way too many punts.
-The Field Goal. When you're down 10 to last year's champs and you're 1-3, don't kick on 4th and 1 in the red zone, you schmucks. That being said...
-The run game. Sorry Mr. A. Mo. Bentley, because I love you. But it wasn't a good night. Which leads to...
The ugly:
-Niles Paul's run blocking.
-Niles Paul's blocking.
-Niles Paul's run blocking.
-Niles Paul's effort while blocking.
Sorry Niles. It was what it was.
All right. Enough wallowing. Let's go to Arizona and pound a Cardinals team still reeling from the relentless assault of a certain 6'5" 230 lb. quarterback's laser-rocket arm.
Until next week, sports fans.
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