Big Mo
OK, let’s just say before I get too carried away that this game doesn’t mean much in the long run. The Colts clearly played the 2nd half like they didn’t really care if they won or lost, and we were blitzing which is rare in preseason. But hey, the goal of the preseason is to keep everyone healthy and build some momentum.
And that we did! 30-16 is a nice healthy score and Jason Campbell’s 6 for 6 performance has me ecstatic. Campbell only hesitated on one throw, the TD pass to Randle El and I believe that was because he was going to throw underneath and saw the open ARE open up. Campbell threw in rhythm, dropped back fast and low just like JZ has been preaching and looked like he was in midseason form. I recognize this was against a defense with no Dwight Freeney and no Mathis or Sanders and no blitzing. But the key here, as I said is momentum and confidence. I’m not saying Campbell is going to throw a perfect game when the real season starts. Just that this is going to help him if he can carry it through the preseason into the regular season.
You’ve got to like the offense Zorn threw out there today, period. Lots of quick passes, TEs and RBs open underneath but with deeper options down the field. The progressions looked easy and quick and were very QB friendly. The only QB that looked lost out there was Collins and you can forgive him a game or two since he’s been in another offense for so long.
And while we’re on great QB perforances, how about Colt Brennan? 9 for 10 and two TD’s. He was very accurate, especially on two deep throws, and my only complaints were that he had happy feet in the pocket and his decisions were a tad slow. I feel like in a year or two we’ve got a real find here. Let’s hope by then Campbell has a couple of Super Bowl rings so there is no controversy.
The o-line had a few breakdowns, particularly in the 2nd quarter. Jason Fabini’s chop block was inexcusable, and I’m sorry to say that Jansen and Samuels both looked like bull fighters on the play that Campbell was sacked. Ole! That play killed a drive.
I couldn’t believe Mason. He had tons of accelaration and hit the holes very well. For a little guy he ran with power. In fact, he reminded me of Clinton Portis. Rock Cartwright had a great game too, and it makes me think we’re in good shape even if CP goes down.
On defense, we were a bit shaky at first, but there were some stand out perforamces. Although he forgot his name, Darrell Green annointed Justin Tryon as the real deal. Tryon had a few big passes defensed and a big hit.
The real standout was Chris Horton. The 7th round pick safety alertly recovered the opening game onside kick as well as sacking Colts QBs twice. The most impressive may have been two huge hits including one where he knocked the helmet right off a Colts RB. Here’s hoping Horton can work on his coverage skills and climb up the depth chart because I’d love another big hitting safety back there.
All in all, an excellent start. Like I said, it was clear this game meant more to us than it did to the Colts. It means nothing to the regular season except, as I’ve said, for confidence and momentum. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I’m really pleased with this start. Looking forward to Buffalo! Hail Skins!
-DW
i like brennan…..wow, i know it’s just preseason, and it’s against third string and then some, but he’s got something. that’s how romo got started for us too. you know he kinda reminds me of romo a little too.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:50 pmThanks for the compliment. I like Brennan, too. The reason I wouldn’t go so far as to see he reminds me of Romo is that his arm is weak because of mechanical issues. Coach Zorn has said that he plans on rebuilding Brennan from his feet up which is smart because right now he’s throwing almost exlusively with his arms. If Brennan can learn to maintain his mechanics while moving in the pocket, Romo is a very good comparison.
What I did like was the swashbuckling attitude. He showed no fear and threw the ball into tight coverage. Now, obviously, if those were first string d-backs he was throwing on he’d have had an INT or two. But as he improves, I think he can be the real deal. A little more zip and slightly quicker decisions will turn those INTs back into TDs.
-DW
August 5th, 2008 at 12:30 amColt b. was on fire. If i was coaching i would move him up in the rotation. ( I dought that will happan but its a nice thought) Your redskins d dident do as good as i thought you would. Maybe its just that payton wasent there but i thought you would never lose the lead. I guess well see when they(colts) play my team carolina next week. Friday. Its goin to be great!!
I think teams like carolina are looking at him for a trade what do you think his value is?
August 5th, 2008 at 2:07 pmBrennan should leapfrog old Tod Collins should he continue to impress and Collins continue to age like they have been in practice. I was at Redskins’ two a days for a while (I was covering it for the newspaper I work at, I’d never be there by choice) and Collins is looking awful. Expect the Panthers to make an offer within the week.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:27 pmTryon looked ok, he did have that big completion against him where he let the guy catch the ball and got a pass interference called against him.
Horton did look good. The only gripe I’d have about his big play where he knocked Mike Hart’s helmet off is that Hart was 9 yards downfield when it happened. Gotta react a little quicker if you really want to turn heads.
That being said, I think you’re dead on. The skins did look pretty good. In preseason.
Thanks for the comments. Coach Zorn said in his press conference that there is no way Brennan is going to pass Collins in the near future. Collins was in the worst situation of our 4 QBs this weekend. He had no starters to help him and he was playing Colts second stringers. I’d like to think our second string is as good as the Colt’s, but frankly it isn’t. They’ve been consistently winning 10-13 games a year despite having the most games lost to injury of any team in the NFL over that 3 year span. That speaks volumes about how well they draft.
Let’s give Collins some time to adjust as we play a few more teams. But what I would like to see at some point is Brennan getting some action as the 2nd string QB in preseason. Let’s see how he does with real NFL players (albiet backups) on both sides of the ball.
I agree with JZ that he was a little risky with the ball, and I think we’ll see better players make him pay. If I’m wrong, then I’m on the bandwagon for good.
-DW
August 5th, 2008 at 11:30 pmIve been a panther fan long enough to know that if its going to happen it going to be after his next game because J.Fox is on the hot seat and stupid disition will get him fired.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:32 pm