Breaking News - Caldwell: Volume 2, Issue 5

According to the Post's Jason LaCanfora the Skins have signed veteran WR Reche Caldwell. Caldwell could be penciled in as the Skins number three wide receiver within a couple of weeks. Caldwell, who comes off a years in which he caught 61 catches for 760 yards and 4TD's in 14 starts, found himself without a job once the Patriots were comfortable with Randy Moss and Wes Welker in their lineup. Caldwell, who doesn't fit the Santana Moss and Antwan Randle El smurf mold (he's 6"0), could be the possession receiver the Skins have been looking for to compliment their deep ball threats. Details of the deal will be reported later today.

 

 

 

I hope to get a real Skins Serv out before the holiday.

Will It Get Better Than This?: Volume 2, Issue 4

Sons of Washington 

It is with great excitement and anticipation that I wish each of you a Happy New Football Year. As I am sure the rest of you can attest, this has been one of the most stirring and anxiety-filled weeks of the year, and thankfully now, kickoff is less than 72 hours away.

As my family wraps up our opening game tailgate each season and heads into FedEx amongst thousands of other drunk and delirious Redskins fans, it has become tradition to say "It doesn't get any better than this." With each new season, comes new hopes and new dreams, and for that one sweet moment before the ball is placed on the tee, we all believe that our beloved Skins can conquer the football world. Everyone in the NFL, just like our Skins, is 0-0. No one is better, no one is worse. They all must prove themselves on the field.

And with most seasons I can remember, the Redskins eventually shatter those dreams. They turn out to not be the Goliaths we convince ourselves they are and within a month (or two, if we're lucky) the harsh reality of mediocrity (or worse) sets in, leaving us to dream big about the next campaign.

So that brings me to my initial question: can it get better than week 1? Will the 2007 Redskins give us something to build upon our dream (as opposed to last year when we knew they stunk by halftime of week 1)? Will our hope be realized for 60 minutes this Sunday, enabling us to dream even bigger while we sit our desks waiting for Philly in week 2? Can the dream continue till week 8? 16? Super Bowl Sunday?

Thank goodness we finally get to find out.

In a special week 1 edition of Skins Serv (get ready – it's huge), I will not only walk you through Sunday's battle with the Fins, but I will give you my humble predictions for how I see this year transpiring. And if you don't believe me, I'll give you some solid brainwashing material so that by Sunday at 1PM you will.

Lastly, a hearty Skins Serv mazal tov to Gadi Rozmaryn on the birth of a little baby tight end.

Kol Tuv,

 

Saadman

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 Why They'll Be Better - Defense

 1) It's the Secondary, Stupid - It's all starting to add up for me. Gregg Williams couldn't give two hoots about a front four. He made the playoffs two years ago and had a top 10 defense in 2 of his 3 Redskins campaigns with Renaldo Wynn and Joe Salavea up front. With all due respect to those two, they were, at best, average NFL d-lineman. Williams defensive success came from corner blitzes and his CB's abilities to shut down opposing WRs. To prove the theory, Williams's ignored his front four in the off-season and acquired 4 new secondary specialists instead (Smoot, Landry, Macklin and Torrence - he came in 12/06). Was this a case of hubris, or did Williams go back to '04 and '05 game film and realize what set us back last year? I'll go with the latter. The Skins were depleted at corner and safety in 2006. Some weeks they were starting Kenny Wright and Mike Rumph alongside Vernon Fox at safety - the former two should have hung up their cleats after college. Never mind asking them to spot blitz, they couldn't keep any receivers in front of them. So the Skins kept Springs (who's now fully healthy) and brought back Smoot as a nice insurance policy and great nickel guy. With the corners settled, the safeties won't be nearly as exposed as they were last year, enabling Landry to sneak up on the run Taylor to roam around and look to knock some heads off. The corner depth will also allow Springs and Landry to do more blitzing (as they did in the preseason), because Williams now trusts the guys covering behind him. (Side note on Landry: It seems the entire league has crowned this guy defensive rookie of the year already. He's fast, he's a heavy hitter and he'll blitz a lot. This guy is going to hurt many QBs). The focus on secondary personnel will create two things: more turnovers and more third down stops, thus creating shorter fields for the offense to work with (something they never got last year). The Skins rushed three and played soft on third down last year leading to the worst third down defense in the league (see below Slate article). That won't happen again - Williams will bring the house this year and make QBs get rid of the ball a lot quicker.

 2) Youth Movement - One thing you hear all the time in the NFL is that speed makes the difference. For the first time in a while, the Skins are making a commitment to getting young legs on defense - opting for quickness and athleticism over experience. I liked Marshall, Wynn and Big Joe, they were character guys, but seeing them go in favor of players like Golston, Montgomery, McIntosh and Blades means the Skins will be faster to the ball and better down the road. The buzz on McIntosh has been amazing this off-season with many (including those outside DC circles) saying he could play at an all-pro level. I can't tell much you about Golston and Montgomery other than that if Griffin can stay healthy, these guys will have fine years. With Griffin always taking so much of the offensive lines attention, any kind of burst from the other two will be an upgrade from Big Joe.

 3) The Linebackers - The Linebackers have a huge role in this defense as well. They're asked to help with the run on first and second down and fade into coverage on third. These guys need to know where to be and have to be able to be quick to the ball and tackle like crazy. So far, so good. I know it's only the preseason, but Rocky and London Fletcher seem to always know where to be. Both guys are fast, smart and have an acute awareness of this system. Washington will be great as well, and could be a help to the pass rush when he moves to all fours in nickel situations. I can say confidently that this is the best middle three the Skins have had in a bunch of years. They're smarter (no more Lavar over pursuing), they're better in coverage (Holdman and Marshall were a disaster last year), and they can stop the run (no more missing tackles).

 4) Slate - Everyone's been talking about it. I'll let you read the article and draw your own conclusions. Whether or not the third down defense makes them a super bowl contender remains to be seen, for now, it at least makes your mouth water a bit. http://www.slate.com/id/2173233/entry/2173269/. And while I'm throwing some fodder at you, why don't you try this article on for size: http://www.pfcritics.com/news101/Thisseasonssurpriseteamtha.php

Why They'll Be Better - The Offense

1) They'll Have the Ball - The most frustrating part of last year was how little the Skins were on the field. Of course, you need to convert a first down to keep playing, but time and again, the Skins defense gave up sustained drives that kept the O off the field for huge chunks of time. Whatever momentum and continuity the offense could get going they would lose after sitting on the bench for half a quarter to a full quarter. I remember one game last year where the Skins offense wasn't on the field for 70 minutes in real time - that's absurd, and something we'll see a lot less of this year.

 2) QB Stability - Let's face it, Brunell's career ended when he injured his knee in week 16 of 2005 against the Giants. His knee wasn't right against Philly, TB or Seattle and he never gave them a chance to win in any game he started last year. Yes Campbell is young and inexperienced, but his great arm poses as a legit deep ball threat. As opposed to when Brunell was flicking 4 yarders to Sellars every play, defenses will not know how to play us. Campbell's deep play potential will spread the field, push the corners back, give Cooley room to roam the middle and keep extra players out of the box so Portis and Betts can get going with the run. The big concern a young QB's tendency to make bad decisions - hopefully that will lessen with some more game experience. Regardless, I think Campbell right now gives them a better chance to win than Brunell did when he was behind center (even in 2005).

3) The Running Game - I still have a modicum of reality in these bones and understand that our receiving corps won't make us a winner this year. The Skins will have to rely on their two horses to move the chains and keep the clock ticking. The combo of Portis and Betts is a top three tandem in the league. I don't care what people say - Portis is healthy. He could have practiced in August and could have played in games, but the Skins got smart and rested him hoping he'd be a little fresher in November, December and January. Portis is only a year separated from 1500 yards and 11 td's. Don't close the book on his career just yet - even in an injured shortened season last year, Portis scored 7 tds in just 7 games started. Betts gives them a great compliment and a great change of pace – it's possible they'll both rush for 1000 yards. Once the coaches figure out who will carry the ball when, we will really see this thing blossom. Lastly, once the Skins establish their ground game, the pressure will cease on Campbell and maybe the air game will take flight. 

----------------------------

The Season: The Official Prediction (Hold me to it)

 The defense will get this team rolling early and the offense will arrive as well. Campbell and Co. have a year of the offense under their belts and will actually find themselves in the end zone like most other NFL teams. Barring injuries, there's no reason the Skins can't get off to a fast start with a relatively light schedule. If they can roll off some early wins, then Campbell will continue building confidence and we might see some winning football later in the year.

 I see the young QB being solid (but not spectacular) with Portis and Betts doing the grunt work and giving the defense time to breath. The turnovers will come pouring in this year and all will be forgotten about last year's misery - Williams's defense will find itself right back in the top five.

 The Skins 07-08 run will be promising and something to build on (unlike 2005) and will set up a year five for Gibbs that we all envisioned when he started.

Week 1, 9/9, Miami (W, 17-7)

Week 2, 9/17, @ Philadelphia (L, 24-21)

Week 3, 9/23, New York (W, 31-17)

Week 4, Bye

Week 5, 10/7, Detroit (W, 35-10)

Week 6, 10/14, @ Green Bay (L, 13-10)

Week 7, 10/21, Cardinals (W, 28-21)

Week 8, 10/28, @ Patriots (L, 24-14)

Week 9, 11/4,  @ New York Jets (L, 9-6)

Week 10, 11/11, Philadelphia (W, 28-20)

Week 11, 11/18,  @ Dallas (L, 27-9)

Week 12, 11/25,  @ Tampa Bay (W, 30-13)

Week 13, 12/2, Buffalo (W, 21-20)

Week 14, 12/6, Chicago (L, 12-6)

Week 15, 12/15, @ New York (W, 19-17)

Week 16, 12/23, @Minnesota (W, 22-14)

Week 17, 12/30, Dallas (W, 33-21)

 

10-6, Wild Card Berth

I've come full circle...yet again.

Just get on the bandwagon now, peeps. Might as well.

 --------------------------------

 The Miami Game - All Defense

 1) Trent Green - Cam Cameron brings in a new offense and the last time we saw Trent Green play he was still feeling the jitters of that horrible week one hit to the head last year. Green comes in with no great receiving threats (don't sell me on Ted Ginn) and a running game that couldn't establish itself last year. This offense will be very rusty and Green, if pressure is applied, will make mistakes early and often. Even in 2006 the Skins could sack Drew Bledsoe and Green is of the same mold. He's butt will be hitting the ground all day.

 2) The Miami Defense - This game, as all opening day games go, will be a struggle. Miami has a fantastic front four and they added Joey Porter behind it. I don't see the Skins having much luck running the ball and we'll probably see a lot of Campbell scrambling and throwing to check downs because of a heavy rush due to Samuels and Kendall's rust factor. This shouldn't concern you as a long term problem; it is just that they are up against a mighty defensive foe this week. Is Jason Taylor more good looking or scary?

 3) Turnovers and Defensive Touchdowns - I am convinced this will be the difference in the game and I'd be surprised if we saw a single offensive TD. The Skins, who have spent all off-season figuring out a way to make a turnover, will get a few - two of which they'll take back to the house themselves. I could see Campbell getting sloppy and maybe throwing a pick himself, but I don't think it will make a difference. The Skins defense is going to establish itself early and Green, who wouldn't dare leave the pocket, is going to throw some go-fer balls up there (hopefully Carlos will catch one)

 4) One Player to Watch – Santana Moss – I think Cooley will get his balls and I think Portis and Betts won't average more than 3 YPC. They guy who I see do helping the Skins move the chains is Santana Moss. Santana is always good at home and he goes up against a guy who he absolutely tore to bits in 2005: Will Allen. If you recall, Will Allen was last seen on the ground after Santana shoved him out of the way en route to his third TD in the Skins Christmas day massacre of the Giants in 2005. Allen wants revenge and I sure don't see him getting it this week.

 Redskins 17, Dolphins 7

 It's getting closer and closer. I can't wait to enjoy an amazing season of Redskins football with you all.

HTTR

 

 

 

PS – If you need some pump up videos to get you amped up for Sunday try this guy's Redskins video library. He's pretty much got everything: http://redskins.torresa.com/videos/  

Worth Another Email:Volume 2, Issue 3

1) Breaking News - Skins made a big move today to shore up the offensive line. They have traded a future fourth or fifth rounder for interior lineman Pete Kendall from the Jets. Kendall will replace Todd Wade at Left Tackle, but can play all three interior positions. With a healthy Samuels, the Skins now have the luxury of having Wade and Heyer coming off the bench - providing more depth to the line than they've had in quite some time. Kendall is a dependable 12-year veteran who wanted out of New York because of hostilities with management. According to JLC, the Skins gave him a million dollar raise and will probably ship a 2009 4th or 5th rounder for the Kendall. The bottom line is that the Skins O-line is set and it is good: (from right to left): Jansen, Thomas, Rabach, Kendall, and Samuels.

 

Mazal Tov

Butterflies: Volume 2, Issue 2

Sons and Daughters of Chief Zee:

I am sorry for the three-week lag time between updates. Have been caught between work, summer travel and watching this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJweC3zeiuM . Yes, that's right, it's now just over 2 weeks until the opener and Positive Peter is sneaking back into my persona. If you're not feeling what I'm feeling and the loins aren't turning upside down over the upcoming campaign, then I recommend this course of action: watch the above video about 6 times, pretend last year never happened, and read the middle two paragraph's of this blog written by our good buddy JLC:

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/2007/08/what_we_learned.html

JLC has been down on the B&G for quite some time, so my feeling is that if he is starting to come around on them, then there's no reason why all of us shouldn't do the same. Remember - he's embedded, he knows.

I'd like to give a shout out to Dan Siesser for reminding me to throw something together this week and I'd also like to wish a Skins Serv happy birthday to my brother Rog, who turned 30 this week. Kiddush.

Kol Tuv,

Scottie

 

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1) Good Bye Lemar - This cut makes me feel really good about the direction of the defense. Everyone's saying they're playing at warp speed so far in the preseason and that there's more depth in the back seven then there has been in years, I think letting Marshall hit the road is proof that there might be something to this type of prognostication. Marshall had been a linchpin of the defense, was a starter over the last two years, and was considered one of the most athletic defenders on the team - if he's expendable, that means younger players like Rocky and rookie HB Blades are coming along quicker than expected. The Skins are always that team that picks up old, washed up training camp cuts because the young kids on the roster aren't getting it done. This year they didn't try making a move for Simeon Rice or Michael Strahan (classic Skins targets) and instead let someone like Marshall go. That's so healthy.

2) The O-line - I spent the entire off-season believing that the front four would pose as the biggest problem this year. It looks like I might have been wrong - it is the O-line that is giving everyone at Redskins Park serious headaches. I am not so much worried about them filling in for Samuels - if he's not healthy by 9/9 then we got serious tzurus, but for now, left guard is the real problem. They let Dock go, which I didn't lose any sleep over because 66 was good for 2 false starts a game and Todd Wade showed signs last year as a filler. But Wade, who has been battling injuries throughout camp, hasn't shown anything thus far. It looks like he might not give JC the same kind of protection, or create the same running lanes for CP, that Dock did last year. Remember, Dock was younger and more agile than Wade, and Bugs and Co ask these guys to pull a lot - don't know if Wade's going to get it done. Also, pray that Campbell sits the rest of preseason. If the Skins throw him out there again without the full compliment, and instead protect him with names like Heyer and Fabini, then the kid is not gonna make it.

3) Why the Front Four Might Become Irrelevant - Remember how good the Skins defense was in 04 and 05? Do you also remember that the front four was totally crappy then too? They couldn't get push or a pass rush in those years also, and that was without Andre Carter. My point is that the Gregg Williams scheme flourishes when they can man up on the sides and blitz one of the corners or safeties (usually Springs). With Carlos and Smootsie complimenting Springs, and Taylor roaming the outfield like a Vick dog, they'll be able to start going back to what made them awesome. Springs was hurt all of last year which made the Skins vulnerable in man coverage and kept them from blitzing. This year Springs is in good health (poo poo poo), Landry is going to really help the run stopping defense, and McIntosh and Fletcher seem to be everywhere (and that's w/o a healthy Washington). I think they can be a top five defense again with Daniels and Carter having mediocre seasons, they're just that good behind them.

4) Campbell - His knee will be fine. The fact that they're still considering starting him Saturday shows the injury isn't significant. How about that throw to Cooley? Forget the hit he took - I think that play is what we're going to be seeing all year from the offense. 'Tana and Lloyd will occupy the corners and safeties on the outsides and Captain Chaos will abuse opposing LBs by sprinting 20 yards up the middle seam for big gains. Green to Gonzalez. Green to Gonzalez.

5) Washington - He's playing in the opener. Nothing else you need to know about that.

6) Lloyd - Did you know Lloyd scored his first TD as a Redskin this past Saturday night? The good thing about 85 is that it can't get any worse than last year (it's statistically impossible, unless he plays in a wheel chair). I see the guy bouncing back a bit and lightning the load on 'Tana. Even if he doesn't catch 50 balls; as long as he balances the field and keeps defenses away from doubling, it'll make things easier for the offense.

7) Brunell - Why not trade this guy for a 6th rounder? The Falcons are desperate for some stability behind Harrington. The trade makes sense, but i'm just not sure Gibbs will part with his boy. If Brunell does go, I see them bringing back Bramlett for the number 3 spot. Jordan Palmer's got zero experience and will not be put on the active roster under any circumstance.

8) Business - Many of you have indicated you will be attending the opener on 9/9. I encourage everyone to be there. The Dolphins might be one of the worst in football this year and pending another opening night debacle, I think 9/9 will be a celebration of 75 years of Redskins football. If you do come out, please let me know - we'd love to have you at our tailgate.

9) Personal Plug - Here are links to two articles I recently wrote on Redskins rookies Alex Buzbee and Pete Schmitt (Schmitt's gonna make the team). http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007708170358

http://www.newspubinc.com/main.asp?SectionID=12&SubSectionID=78&ArticleID=4928&TM=40143.13

10) The NFC - Continuing on the optimistic tone of this email, I'd like to point out that the NFC is a weak sister conference this year. Every team has plenty of questions and nobody stands out. It's anybody's year.

 

HTTR

A View Inside the Ropes: Volume 2, Issue 1

To My Fans of the Beltway Heroes:

Welcome back to Skins Serv! I hope you like the changes we at Skins Serv have brought you this year. If you haven't noticed anything different, then I'll point it out for you. I have placed the date, volume and issue on the right-hand margin of the email, and placed the title of the report (in bold) at the center of the email. These variations should enhance your Skins Serv reading experience by limiting the amount of text on your subject line. I will do my best to keep you updated and informed of all the goings-on in Danny's World throughout the next seven months (I"YH): expect a couple more of these updates before kickoff 2008 (only 37 days away), and then hopefully one a week once the season commences. May it be a football year of great health, happiness, and joy for all sons and daughters of the Potomac Warriors (and of course, the players as well).

Kol Tuv,

Saadman

 

---------------------------------

 

1) Sunday Wash - My most sincere apologies to those who came out for Skins Serv's first annual training camp tailgate on Sunday. Unfortunately, mother nature got the better of the burgundy and gold, and after one round of sausages on the barby, it was time to pack it up and head home. Leshanah Habah b'Ashburn.

 

2) The Email Title - As most of you know, I'm doing some freelance sports writing and am covering three Skins rookies for their hometown papers (Buzbee, Schmitt and Palmer). Because of the new gig, I have all-access to camp this year (pretty freakin' sweet).This week I was able to make it to a closed practice Wed. night and catch the end of open practice yesterday while trying to chase down players and coaches for interviews in between. Based on the Wednesday practice, the email title was supposed to be "A View Inside the Ropes: And it Ain't Pretty." But because we are going to keep things positive up here for a little longer, I decided to keep the second half of the title out.

 

3) The Problem - My biggest issue with Wednesday's practice was what I didn't see: intensity. I was told that Wed. night (the second of a two-a-day) was going to be the fiercest of camp so far. I was looking for hard-hitting, trash talking, and maybe some fighting. Instead what I saw was a lot of walking around, water breaks, dummie defense and a general lack of urgency from players on both sides of the ball. You hear tales of training camp and the energy of a closed NFL practice - I didn't see any of it. And it wasn't too hot either, so they had no excuse. Unfortunately, it seems like the players are winning on this one and Coach Joe's getting soft. In speaking to Jason LaCanfora at practice, he agreed that it was an extremely disconcerting subplot to camp thus far. Today on his blog he discusses the issue at some length. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/2007/08/afternoon_update_1.html

 

4) The Bright Side - I don't want to get too excited about what my eyes tell me from practice, especially after I was convinced Brandon Lloyd was a instant All-Pro after watching last year's camp, but I need to report that Jason Campbell looks amazing. The guy is throwing lasers and has such tremendous pocket presence. He is getting the ball out there faster and quicker and hitting guys over the middle and on the sideline routes (which was a big cause for concern after last year). And I don't need to speak to his deep ball ability - that was something very evident last year. One of the writers was keeping tabs of Campbell in 11-on-11 drills and he said JC was 8 of 13. Not sure what that means, but its good to throw in fabricated stats once in a while.

 

5) CP - Don't know what to make of my kid Bro Sweets. There are two prevailing theories coming out of Ashburn. One is that CP's inflamed tendinitis is an injury of convenience. The guy doesn't like camp, doesn't like practicing and will do anything to not put pads on until 9/9. The Skins, who saw their stud back break down last year, don't want a repeat. Coach Joe and his henchman may have finally capitulated to DollaBill's liberal summer rituals. The other theory round the Park is that CP's knee could be something that lingers throughout the entire campaign. The tendinitis was something that popped up during OTA's and only subsided with a lot of rest. It then re-inflamed after three days of contact drills - something pretty scary to the casual freelance writer. It's possible this thing could lead to scopes, fluid draining and missed games, or it could be CP's dream scenario: only putting on pads one day a week all year.

 

6) Samuels and Thomas - Timing seems to be everything with these injuries. My sense is that Thomas will be perfectly fine and that Samuels got injured early enough that he won't be a problem for the opener either. Lets just hope Campbell won't get killed by then.

 

7) The Trick Play - LaCanfora says that the whole close practice notion in BS (they only allow DC reporters). He says Gibbs and co. are paranoid and that no outside beat writers are going to steal plays. That being said, I did see something awesome I had to report. The Skins ran an halfback option to Betts, and instead of going upfield to a receiver, he went back the other way to a streaking Campbell up the sideline. Campbell went up over a smaller DB and hauled the pass in before going hard to the floor. It was pretty amazing to see. I wonder if they'll break that out during the regular season.

 

8) Misc - The secondary looks good. Healthy, fast, and forcing turnovers in practice. They are just so deep back there this year, lets hope they can compensate for a lousy front four...Its good to see Cooley running deeper routes and going over the middle more. I saw a couple of drops sprinkled in there, but i sense he's getting more comfortable with the Tony G type role...I got frustrated by all the "in the flat" passing during last year's camp. Seems like the coaches trust Campbell's arm and decision making more, as they appear to be going away from that.

 

That's all I got for now. I'll be back in Ashburn n Wednesday and will give you a report after that.

 

HTTR,

Scooter

Training Camp Tailgate Party

It has been 221 days since my last Skins Serv email - I figured seven and a half months was enough recovery time from last year's debacle. If you want to check the archives, my last missive was dated December 1, 2006. I'll jog your memory - the Skins were 4-7 and going into a homer against the Falcons with JC behind center. Here's what I wrote " That's right boys and girls, if the Skins win on Sunday and the Giants lose then then the B&G most likely will sit one game out of the playoffs with four weeks to go."

And you never heard from me again...until now.

 

For those newbies to the Skins Serv, welcome! This is an email forum where I spew nonsense about our mediocre team. Some of the time it is very upbeat, positive nonsense, and most of the time it is post-loss suicide notes. I'll throw in some really good factoids and pre-game notes from Jason's blog (thanks Jason), but mostly its just email ramblings about our favorite team so all of us can avoid paying extra money for therapy.

 

And now to the point of the email. I am throwing a training camp tailgate party. I have been looking forward to doing this all winter long and now we're only 2 + weeks away. I hope you can all make it - we'll eat, drink, and then go watch our boys look really good in practice so we can go home and tell everyone we saw the probable super bowl champ.

 

If you were ever wondering where my blind, eternal optimism comes from, try Ashburn, VA on a scorching July afternoon. Have you ever seen Jason Campbell tear apart a sucky Skins secondary playing dummie defense? Have you ever seen Brandon Llloyd make acrobatic, one-handed catches on the other end of Campbell's laser-guided missiles? Have you ever seen Ladell Betts break one for 60 plus? Have you ever seen the Skins front four break through an offensive line? Or better yet, have you ever seen Carlos Rogers catch a football?

 

It's as close to heaven as you'll ever be.

 

The deets:

Sunday July 29, 2007

1:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Redskins Park

Ashburn, VA

Training Camp Day #3

(Practice at 4PM)

 

Can't wait to see you there.

 

Please RSVP ASAP.

Week 13 - Dream Big (Issue 18)

Instead of discussing the re-emergence of the Redskins defense and the big-play ability of the offense with Campbell behind center, I would like to show you where my head is at right now, this Friday before the Skins week 13 home tussle versus the dirty bird and his Falcons:

 

NFC Standings Through Week 13 (Yes, After Sunday)

1) Chicago (10-2)

2) New Orleans (8-4)

3) Dallas (8-4)

4) Seattle (7-5)

 

5) Carolina (7-5)

6) New York (6-6)

 

7) St. Louis (6-6)

8) Minnesota (5-7)

9) Philadelphia (5-7)

10) San Francisco (5-7)

11) Washington (5-7)

12) Atlanta (5-7)

 

Here's how it happens:

Redskins over Falcons (????)

Cowboys over Giants (????)

Bears over Vikings (Likely)

Panthers over Eagles (Root for the Eagles)

Rams over Cardinals (Root for Cards)

Saints over Niners (Likely)

 

That's right boys and girls, if the Skins win on Sunday and the Giants lose then then the B&G most likely will sit one game out of the playoffs with four weeks to go. Of course, because of losses to the Giants, Vikings, Cowboys, Eagles and Bucs, they aren't so hot on the tie-breakers. But then again - the Skins have plenty of opportunity to make up ground on their conference opponents and they get another shot at both the Eagles and Giants at home. Of the teams ahead of them, the Vikings and Niners have very tough roads ahead and the Eagles and Rams seem to be slipping as the Redskins get their footing (and we play both those teams). That leaves the G-Men. The Big Blue must continue to spiral. If they do, it opens the door for us. If they manage to put the breaks on this slide, re-stick a fork in us.

 

My short term prayer is that the Skins/Saints game on 12/17 will mean something (b/c I will be there), my long term prayer is the Skins finale against the Giants on 12/30 will be for the playoffs.

 

I know I am going off the deep end here, but it feels great to prognosticate over a potential playoff run.

I assume the Skins will break my heart on Sunday and then we can really call it a season.

If somehow they win, then they are 5-7 and looking at a home date with the Jeff Garcia-led Eagles.

 

Who's with me????