I'm back here at Redskin Park. The typical day-off stuff means not a lot is going on today. The players have to report at 7 a.m. Wednesday for film review and then they'll get into the Green Bay game plan.
The Lions game was probably pretty boring for those at home, but looking at the game from a couple different angles, it was interesting. This is especially true when watching it on the DVR. Gregg Williams and Al Saunders both called smart game plans. Williams never once rushed more than four defenders and the Redskins still got five sacks. He opted to give up everything the Lions wanted to take underneath because he was confident his linebackers could make the tackles. And they did.
Saunders, meanwhile, altered the passing game plan without Santana Moss. Only two of Jason Campbell's 29 attempts traveled further than 20 yards.
The Packers are an interesting team. Obviously Brett Favre is playing well and as Joe Gibbs said on his radio show earlier today, the Pack isn't make much of an effort to run the football. Defensively, they have two solid corners (Al Harris and Charles Woodson) and a prime-time pass rusher (Aaron Kampman).
Let's get to the few questions I've gotten so far. If you have one, send it along to skinsmailbag@washingtontimes.com
From Skinslover in Atlanta:
I'm looking ahead. I think the Cowgirls will lose their next two games first to the Pats, and then to Your Vikes. Will Jackson be back by then for the Vikes and what do you think there chances are to win with or without him?
Ryan O'Halloran:
Glad to start with a question regarding my Vikings, who stink like all get out. Dallas will lose to New England on Sunday in the Game of the Year So Far. But the Cowboys will throttle the Vikings in two weeks. The Cowboys could be 8-1 (although that means they've won at Philly and the Giants) when they host the Redskins in November. If the Vikings have Jackson at QB, they have ZERO chance. Dallas got big-time lucky last night, though.
From Gary in Reston:
Was it me or was Mike Martz out to lunch on Sunday?
Ryan O'Halloran:
No, it wasn't you. It was befuddling how Martz called the Lions' plays. He didn't adjust whatsoever once the Redskins showed they weren't going to be blitzing at all. And for some reason, he didn't use Kevin Jones until the second half. Granted, the Lions had some success with draw plays but the Redskins were giving that up -- sacrifice the 5-yard carry to defend the 15-yard crossing route. And the Lions defensive coaching staff -- they should return their paychecks. They made no effort to pressure Jason Campbell -- he was put on the ground only twice in more than 30 dropbacks.
From Barry in Centerville:
With four games played, how would you grade the following players: Jason Campbell, Clinton Portis, Sean Taylor, Chris Cooley and Shawn Springs?
Ryan O'Halloran:
Jason Campbell -- B: He has four touchdowns, three interceptions, 869 yards passing and an 84.3 rating. He's had some bumps in the road, but that's to be expected. There's no question he's the guy to lead this team.
Clinton Portis -- B: Portis has 66 rushes for 299 yards and three touchdowns. He has also caught 9 passes. He gets a good grade because he didn't have a training camp and yet stepped in right away with 17 carries against Miami. And the guy plays his butt off.
Chris Cooley -- C: He has three touchdowns but only 10 catches for 80 yards in four games. He's been an average player but mostly because of what defenses are doing to cover him.
Sean Taylor -- B: Has two interceptions and isn't missing nearly as many tackles as last year.
Shawn Springs -- Incomplete. I still think they're working him into the lineup.
From Tom in D.C.:
You mentioned the five road games coming up in today's story. What's your prediction on how they come out of his seven-game stretch?
Ryan O'Halloran:
Here goes (subject to change): lose at Green Bay, win over Arizona, lose at NE, win at NYJ, win vs. Philly, lose at Dallas, win at Tampa Bay. ... That would leave the Redskins at 7-4. In the dreadful NFC that would leave them in great position for a wild card berth since Dallas remains the NFC East favorite. The worst case is they go 2-5 during the stretch.
From Bill in Bethesda:
What's surprised you so far in the NFL this season?
Ryan O'Halloran:
In the NFC, New Orleans falling apart (0-4) tops the list. The Saints were bad defensively last year but the offense covered their butts. Now the OL is a turnstile, McAllister is out for the year and the Saints are finished. What this year will show is that Reggie Bush isn't an every-down, between-the-tackles NFL running back.
In the AFC, San Diego's struggles are interesting. But at 2-3, they're only a half-game out of the division lead so I think they might be OK although I said last week they were finished.
Ryan O'Halloran:
Well, that's it for this week. No more questions in the Inbox. See ya next week.
