5:05:00 PM EST
Hearing Calexico and Iron & Wine
Game Notes: Redskins-Eagles for Nothing at All
Considering that this year's model of the Redskins was primed for a Super Bowl run just three months ago, it's been bitterly disappointing to watch the train as it completely comes off the tracks to the dissonant tune of 4-9. That said, I just spent the past three hours on my couch dutifully glued to the tube as the Burgundy & Gold lost at home to Philly. These are my game notes...
• Top-10 pick Carlos Rogers may have the worst hands I've ever seen on a corner. The first play of the game was a deep ball from Jeff Garcia intended for Reggie Brown and Rogers absolutely butchered it. The ball hit him in stride and it looked like he was holding a brick in each hand. But at least the man can dance.
• Brian Baldinger called this game and he's horrible. He said something to the effect of Sean Taylor is one of the best tackling safeties in the league, if not THE best. That just tells me this guy didn't watch much video, because Taylor misses a lot of tackles for failure to wrap up.
• Jason Campbell threw a bad pick early on but played solidly otherwise. His decision making is decent, his arm is strong and accurate, he's tall as hell and has more foot speed than I thought. He hasn't been Tony Romo for the Skins, but he hasn't been Jay Cutler either.
• I'm not sure why Fox sticks sideline reporter Jay Glazer on the Baldinger-Kenny Albert crew on a B-list matchup like this, but I'm glad they did. The guy always brings excellent insight. For example, the Redskins used a practice team cornerback I've never heard of this week to emulate the offensive stylings of Brian Westbrook.
• Baldinger (or "Baldy") says Ladell Betts is a better fit for this offense than Clinton Portis. Betts is having good run in Janky Spanky's absence, but that's a bit extreme. Portis is a legit 1,500-yard back whose superb play down the stretch last year led Washington to the playoffs. That said, Betts has an amazing 430 yards over the past three games and is headed for his first 1,000-yard season, so good for him.
• The biggest play of the game was Michael Lewis' interception return for a TD, and it was set up by a moronic play call by Al Saunders. Washington was facing 3rd-and-9 at the Philly 20 and the call was for a two-yard slant to Chris Cooley that got deflected into Lewis' hands. The play had no chance of picking up nine yards and ended up going 80 the other way. Painful.
• Fox catches an Eagles fan in the stands who wears a Brian Westbrook jersey when Philly is on offense and a Brian Dawkins jersey when they're on defense. This man is a huge dork, and the camera loves him. It also seems that the only jerseys Eagles fans wear are those of Westbrook, Dawkins and McNabb. I'd go for Mike Quick.
• I could have started Jeff Garcia and his two passing touchdowns in my fantasy football playoffs this week but went with Marc Bulger vs. Chicago instead due to my rule of never starting anyone on the Eagles, Cowboys and Giants. Predictably, this will cost me money.
• Here's the answer to an excellent trivia question: Garcia, Dave Krieg and Mike Tomczak are the only quarterbacks to start for four different teams in four consecutive seasons.
• Fox clearly showed a Skins fan in one of those F#CK PHILLY t-shirts they sell in the parking lot at FedEx Field. That stadium is definitely not a place for women and children.
• Antwaan Randle El completed an option pass well downfield to Brandon Lloyd. It was his first completion of the season and only his second pass as a Redskin. It was a beautiful ball, and he's now 15 for 18 on his career. My wife is also in love with him.
Head over to Redskins FanHouse and Eagles FanHouse for more fun and comprehensive coverage from Kogod and Campitelli. And if you need to feel better about yourself as a Redskins fan, just pay a visit to Jon Amo's YouTube page. The Eagles may be 7-6 and sitting pretty for the playoffs, but that guy is still an insufferable douchebag.
Written by dcsportsguy Blog about this entry