We'll get Tuesdays With Tandler going at about 6:00 PM tonight (this being Tuesday and all) on CSNwashington.com. Can they make a playoff run? Do they have a running back they can count on? What about the Redskins' lack of a home field advantage?
Come chat about it. Just go here starting at 6:00
A recurring theme during chats, Twitter conversations and blog comments is that the Redskins would have been much better off is they would have left the 2009 Washington Redskins defense alone. That group was ranked 10th in the NFL in terms of yardage and many fans long for the days of that 4-3 scheme as opposed to the 3-4 unit that has spent most of the year at or near the bottom of the NFL’s yardage heap.
Those who liked the 2009 defense must have loved Sunday’s game against the Vikings. It’s as though they found a Hot Tub Time Machine and transported that ‘09 unit to FedEx Field.
Be sure to check out the mind-boggling stats about the running game later in the article.
I'll be chatting about the game on CSNwashington.com from the press box at FedEx Field starting about 15 minutes before kickoff on Sunday. Drop on by and we'll talk about the proceedings during what I expect to be another down-to-the-wire game for the Washington Redskins as they take on the talented Minnesota Vikings.
Just go here and add a reminder or mark it and come by on Sunday at 12:45.
The Redskins converted half of their third downs against the Titans after converting at just a 22 percent rate on the season leading up to the game. What happened?
Here is a look at each of the Redskins’ successful conversions against the Titans and how many of the plays differed from the approach taken in earlier games this season.
First half3 yards to go at TN 13—They lined up in a bunch formation, something not seen much previously, on the right side. Anthony Armstrong broke out of the group and easily made it to the first down line uncovered. Donovan McNabb’s pass hit him in stride for four yards. It was their first third down conversion in 17 opportunities, going back to the third quarter of the game in Detroit. Two plays later, McNabb threw to Santana Moss for the Redskins’ only touchdown of the game.
A look back at some of this highlights of Clinton Portis' career.
Clinton Portis never was dull.
The trade to bring him to Washington was controversial. His difficulties in engaging the filter between his brain and his mouth frequently led to him saying provocative things.
Some saw him as an overpaid prima donna, always willing to take advantage of owner Daniel Snyder’s open door for star players. Others saw him as a tough as nails player on the field who would sacrifice his body to take out a blitzing linebacker or gain an extra yard or two. Still others recognized both sides of the player and the man.
Update: Per NFL PR, these designs are a hoax, not from Nike or the NFL. Still, interesting concepts.
Nike will be the new official uniform maker of the NFL starting in 2012. For many of the NCAA teams that they sponsor they made special, futuristic-looking uniforms. It looks like they are going to do the same thing for the NFL. Some preliminary designs have leaked out. There's not a whole lot of detail here other than that they have flipped the burgundy jersey and gold pants look that they re-adopted this year. The jersey has some background graphics. Can't see much of the helmet but it appears that the logo may be oval-shaped instead of round. Some of the other designs (Colts, Cowboys) do show helmets in some detail. Again, these are preliminary designs and they are for 2012 or later. But from what you see, what do you think?
Update: Here is another concept found on a different site:
It was 25 years ago today that Joe Theismann had his unfortunate encounter with Lawrence Taylor on Monday night football.
The memories of that game for many end when Theismann was taken off the field on a stretcher. But the game continued and it was a classic in its own right. From the pages of The Redskins Chronicle.
11/18/85
WASHINGTON (6-5) 23, Giants (7-4) 21
53,371
NYG
7
0
14
0
21
Was
7
0
7
9
23
Was
Warren 10 pass from Theismann (Moseley kick)
NYG
Morris 56 run (Schubert kick)
Was
Riggins 1 run (Moseley kick)
NYG
Morris 41 run (Schubert kick)
NYG
Morris 8 run (Schubert kick)
Was
FG Moseley 28
Was
Didier 14 pass from Schroeder (kick failed)
RFK Stadium—Everyone watching on Monday night football will remember the broken leg, the grotesque angle that Joe Theismann’s shin took when Lawrence Taylor took him down from behind, Taylor’s frantic gesture towards to Redskins sideline to get help for the quarterback, and the removal of Theismann in the stretcher. Redskins fans will remember all that, too, but will also recall how an untested quarterback came off the bench to save the season for Washington.
Theismann, in the midst of one of his worst seasons, started slowly, able to complete just a couple of short passes on the Redskins’ opening drive. On fourth and two at the Washington 43, punter Steve Cox threw to Raphel Cherry for 11 yards and a first down in New York territory. After misfiring on a long pass to Monk, Theismann settled in and completed three passes for 36 yards to finish the drive, including a 10-yard TD pass to tight end Don Warren to give his team a 7-0 lead.
It didn’t take long for the Giants to come back. Two series later, running back Joe Morris got loose on a run off left tackle and couldn’t be caught, going 56 yards for the tying touchdown.
On first down at the Washington 46, the play call was “50 Gut Pitchback,” which asked John Riggins to take a handoff up the middle, stop and pitch back to Theismann. The maneuver was designed to delay the Giants’ pass rush long enough for Theismann to find an open receiver downfield.
The Giants weren’t fooled. Linebacker Harry Carson and tackle Jim Burt pushed Theismann to his left, where Taylor was waiting. Taylor dragged the quarterback down from behind, falling on Theismann’s right leg in the process. The television replays caught the moment where the leg suddenly gave out, bending in mid-shin in a manner that made even the strongest viewers cringe. Those fainter of heart had a much stronger reaction.
A stretcher took Theismann off the field to a thunderous ovation, and the game resumed. It took just two plays for Jay Schroeder to evoke an ovation of his own. The second-year quarterback, who had thrown just eight NFL passes, zipped a 44-yard completion to Art Monk for a first down at the New York 13. Riggins fumbled the ball away three plays later to kill the scoring threat, but things did not seem quite as bleak as they had when Theismann was lying on the turf. The score remained tied at seven at the half.
Apparently, Joe Gibbs was anxious to see what Schroeder could do after halftime, so he called for an onside kick to start the half. Cox executed it to perfection and recovered the ball himself. Schroeder went back to Monk, this time for 50 yards to the New York four. Riggins scored from a yard out three plays later and the Redskins had a 14-7 lead.
Another long Morris touchdown run—this one of 41 yards—soon had the game tied again. Then George Rogers fumbled the ball back to the Giants at the Washington 23. With a shorter field to work with, Morris only had to run eight yards for his third touchdown and a 21-14 New York lead.
With the game getting away from them, the Redskins responded. They drove 65 yards to a 28-yard Mark Moseley field goal with 11:25 left to play. Gibbs called for another onside kick and it worked as well, with Greg Williams making the recovery at the New York 46. Five plays later, cornerback Elvis Patterson tipped Schroeder’s pass, but Clint Didier snared it for a 14-yard touchdown. Although Moseley missed the point after, the Redskins held a 23-21 lead with 8:52 left to play.
The Giants were unable to cross midfield after that and Washington had an improbable win. On the day, against the NFC top-ranked defense, Schroeder was 13 for 20 for 221 yards.
You wanted them, you now have them.
After half a season of running post-game chats, the folks at CSN Washington and I decided to go with a chat during the Philly game on Monday night. And while the results on the field were less than stellar, the chat was a great success.
So, using that sophisticated decision making process known as "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", we have come to the conclusion that in-game chats are the way to go.
Log on to CSNwashington.com, keyword Chat, about 15 minutes before kickoff this Sunday and every game day the rest of the season to dissect, analyze, complain, cheer, and otherwise discuss the game as it unfolds.
As usual, I might throw in a cogent thought or two during the proceedings.
See you Sunday!
Nike will be the new official uniform maker of the NFL starting in 2012. For many of the NCAA teams that they sponsor they made special, futuristic-looking uniforms. It looks like they are going to do the same thing for the NFL. Some preliminary designs have leaked out. There's not a whole lot of detail here other than that they have flipped the burgundy jersey and gold pants look that they re-adopted this year. The jersey has some background graphics. Can't see much of the helmet but it appears that the logo may be oval-shaped instead of round. Some of the other designs (Colts, Cowboys) do show helmets in some detail. Again, these are preliminary designs and they are for 2012 or later. But from what you see, what do you think?
Update: Here is another concept found on a different site:
