SB Nation User Blog: skinsider

Taylor To be Inducted Into Redskins' Ring of Fame

skinsider — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:44:29 -0000

The Washington Redskins announced today that the late Sean Taylor will be inducted in to the Ring of Fame at FedEx Field on November 30th, before facing the New York Giants at 1 pm.

This is Washington's first game following the one year anniversary of Taylor's death on November 27th, 2007.

Taylor will be the 43rd member of the Redskins elite.

“It’s appropriate that Sean joins our Ring of Fame after a stellar career cut short far too soon,” Redskins owner Daniel M. Snyder said. “His life touched so many of us in such deep and lasting ways. His presence is all around us, in our organization and among our fans.”

Executive Vice President of Football Operations Vinny Cerrato added: “Sean was developing into one of the best to ever play the safety position, as well as becoming a role model to those who knew him. He still touches us every day in some way on and off the field.”

Well deserved.

Hail.

Week 8 Tidbits

skinsider — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 05:46:04 -0000

The Skins have faced a top-10 ranked offense in five of their seven games this season. Washington's defense has held that team to a season-low in yardage on every occasion.
Detroit has been outscored 54-0 in the first quarter through 6 games.
Washington enters week 8 with the leagues 7th ranked offense, and 6th ranked defense.
Sunday breaks a streak of 51 straight Lion sellouts dating back to their final game at the Silverdome. (Today's game will be blacked out in the local Detroit market).
The Redskins set a (team) record last Sunday: they have gone 332 passing attempts without an interception, breaking the Raiders' record of 281 set in 2001. (Collaborative effort from Jason Campbell, Todd Collins, Clinton Portis, and Antwaan Randle El).
Chris Horton ranks 3rd in tackles amongst rookies this season.
The Redskins are one of just six teams with fewer than 10 sacks this season, while the Lions are only one of four teams to allow more than 20.
If Clinton Portis surpasses the 120 yard mark against Detroit, he will become the second player in NFL history to do so in 5 consecutive weeks for the second time in their career. (Joining O.J. Simpson).
A win today would mark Washington's third consecutive road victory, a feat that has not been repeated since 2005.

Washington @ Detroit Preview

skinsider — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:59:44 -0000

‘Tis late October, and the Burgundy Boys are 5-2. I think Redskins fans would all agree that the Z-Man has gone above and beyond the expectations for a rookie head coach in the first half.

Honestly, I’ve spent more time this week analyzing scenarios where Redskins lose to the 0-6 Lions rather than thinking up strategies for a victory. Is it possible that a game against a struggling team could be considered a must win?

I guess it depends on how you look at it.

In a division with caliber the size of the NFC East, you could probably argue that every game is a must win. The Skins have an apparent scheduling advantage down the stretch, so every game is extremely important (especially the games that you’re supposed to win). Remember, this is an NFC game, and these things count at the end of the year, regardless of the opponent.

The Lions come into Week 8 with a defense that ranks dead last in nearly every major statistical category in the NFL. Their two-deep zone coverage forces linebackers to get involved in the pass rush, and with only 2 combined sacks, quarterbacks have had time to pick them apart. Ernie Sims has been a light at the end of a dark tunnel on Detroit’s D. He makes plays all over the field, and his quickness allows him to be in on lots of tackles. This is a guy that number 17 should locate at all times.

I think the only way the Lions have a shot on Sunday is if the game turns into a shootout. Calvin Johnson is an absolute monster receiver, so Carlos Rogers will have his hands full all day. I’d look for LaRon Landry to help cast a shadow over Johnson, eliminating any serious deep threats. (The man had 154 yards on 2, yes 2 catches against Houston last week).

Number 81’s production will depend on former UCONN Husky Quarterback Dan Orlovsky. In two starts he is completing a mere 50.5% of his passes with a 72.9 rating, but I don’t think he has been as bad as the stats show. Orlovsky flashed his deep ball capabilities after launching a 96 yard bomb to Johnson last week. The Redskins front will need to get after him early and often to make things uncomfortable in the pocket.

In 2007, Jason Campbell had one of the best outings in his young career against the Lions at FedEx Field. Jason went 23-for-29 for 248 yards with two TDs, leading the Skins to a 34-3 drubbing. Campbell has been more of a game manager in 2008, but it would not surprise me if he puts up some nice numbers in the Motor City against the league's 31st ranked pass defense.

Look for Antwaan Randle El to have a solid game. He had over 100 yards receiving in the first half against Detroit last season before tweaking his hamstring on what would have been a big TD off of a 3rd down slant. Antwaan consistently puts up 4-7 receptions a game, and occasionally gets in the endzone. (Santana Moss has the ability to explode every Sunday, so don’t sleep on 89).

Clinton Portis is rushing against history this week. Jason La Canfora of Redskins Insider did a piece on this earlier in the week. If CP goes over 120 yards on the ground, he will become the 2nd player in NFL history to do so five consecutive weeks twice in their career. (Joining O.J. Simpson). Unless Jim Zorn decides to give Clinton a lighter load, I think he gets it done. During the election season, Dr. Do-Itch-Big is running a strong campaign for Most Valuable Player.

This game is screaming mismatch, and if it were played on paper, the Skins would blow out the Lions without flinching.

We know better than that. "Any given Sunday". Just ask the Rams.

However, I think the Skins have learned their lesson on overlooking a team.

Prediction: Redskins 27 Lions 13

Is this thing on?

skinsider — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 23:57:14 -0000

via www.churchpa.co.uk

Hello all,

I'm a new author here on Hogs Haven, and I'll be posting under the username skinsider. I bleed Maroon and Black..err..Burgundy and Gold, and I ride and die with the team through the good and the bad.

I've been Video Blogging the Washington Redskins for over a year, so you may see some of my Vlogs on the site occasionally. I also plan to write up weekly previews and recaps throughout the season.

I'd like to thank Skin Patrol for the opportunity to be a part of this blog, and I look forward to getting things rollin'.

Cheers, and Hail to the Redskins.