Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

Washington at New Orleans
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans- TV: FOX; DirecTV: 707

*TV announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa

*Keys to the game: The Redskins have three capable running backs -- rookie Alfred Morris and second-year options Roy Helu and Evan Royster -- and the threat of rookie QB Robert Griffin turning a scramble out of the pocket into a scamper through the Saints' secondary. New Orleans will use more zone defense than in previous seasons hoping to minimize giving up passing yards in large chunks. To make it all work, the front four -- without suspended DE Will Smith this week -- must stay disciplined but aggressive against Griffin. Drew Brees won't have any adjustment period with Aaron Kromer acting as head coach. Pete Carmichael will call plays, and in the 10 games in which he was the primary play-caller last season the Saints averaged 476.1 yards and 26.9 first downs. The Redskins can't defend all of Brees' options in the passing game. RB Darren Sproles, TE Jimmy Graham and WR Marques Colston all present matchup concerns behind Washington's solid front seven.

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Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup - Yahoo! Sports

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

I can live with that :bng:

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

As long as the Saints beat the teams they are supposed to beat, I will be happy!

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

Forty burger for the first game?

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

I hope so- and if for no other reason than Haslet basically saying we were lucky getting to the NFC Champ game in 06.

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

How is their defense? On another not why do I always want to capitalize Defense.

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The only concern for me about this game - well there are two: The play of our O line and keeping their QB from big play scrambles. Keep Drew clean and play solid run D. That's the ticket.

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

I could say that for every game. I must admit I would like to see a little more from our Oline before I am completely comfortable with Drew back there. Im just crossing my fingers about our run defense.

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

Bushrod scares the begeezus out of me. "protecting" Drew's blindside like an alcoholic protects his liver.

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Rookie QB's always come in and play like seasoned vets when we first play them. It's gonna be a scary game.

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

Redskins defense was among the leaders last year and got a bit stronger with one notable weakness... the secondary. The front 7 is very very strong with a lot of depth. Expect to see a lot of Kerrigan and Orakpo hits on the Brees.

But fortunately for you guys, the secondary will give up a lot of big plays unless the pressure is too much for the OL.

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

As a 26 year old Redskins fan I am thrilled to finally hear somebody say they are afraid of something our QB might do. I was too young for the glory days and was 5 when they won the Big Game the last time. Yay!

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

And why was that? G.W. thought more blitzes would rattle the rookie... Spags will have him confused without blitzes 90% of the time, at least that's what I'm hoping...

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

Getting to know our opponent.

PFF: Washington Redskins Team Preview

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

This is going to be like Playing the Eagles/Vick... We are going to have to contain RGIII.

IMO we need to make a statement... besides just a 40 burger. We need to pull out all the stops, full play book, take risks, 3 passing TDs and 3 rushing YTDs... Squib the 1/2 time kick off... Play line Sean is on the sidelines.

That is the only way we will shut the planet up and make people recognize we are the Saints.. and the favorite to take the SB.

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

The Skins have a very good Front 7. Hopefully Carmichael gives our tackles a lot of chip help. Remember all Brees needs is a couple of seconds to get the ball out of his hands but the O-line STILL needs to keep him upright at all times even after he gets the ball out of his hands because with these replacement refs.....I'm really thinking there are going to be liberties taken by the pass rushers when it comes to late hits on the QB. Their going to test these scab refs something fierce. I say Max protect at all times.

I like RG3....but his first game...as a rookie....in the Dome...with what this team and the Who Dat Nation has been thru....uphill battle to say the least. He won't regain his hearing until a week after the game this sunday.

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

This guy looked spooked in the preseason. Alot of open wr's was missed. I say 2 ints and 4 sacks

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To be fair, they basically did not give him anything beyond base packages and vanilla routes.

Shanny worked hard on incorporating Griffs skills into a lot of new looks, formations, and plays, none of which were seen in preseason.

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

I'm hoping the Zone look we give them causes RGIII to take longer than he wants on his reads, allowing us to get to him

The thing that makes me nervous is that if he takes longer in his reads he may have to start making sh*t up, and the dude is freakishly athletic and has WAY more open field speed than we (or just about anybody else) can deal with

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

Definitely, what does the Saints front 7 look like? Skins OL is pretty thin...

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RGIII is not a running QB. He can, which makes him scary, but when he completes 70% of his passes he makes most of his plays with his arm.

Saints just need to take care of the ball, no turnovers (that means you Ivory).

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

One thing I see helping us out is the slide. I doubt there will even be an opportunity to tackle him if he takes off. He'll get his 5-10 yards and get down or out of bounds.

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

Anybody's guess at this point. On paper.. great, but we've had a lot of underachievement amongst that group in recent years. Hoping spags and his scheme are the difference maker we've been waiting for

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

I think it's safe to say he won't be anywhere near a 70% completion rate.

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If I may temper that.... He is not a running QB that we know of... He has yet to play a down in a NFL regular season game and that brother can change the entire dynamic.


Its not the type of QB that you are, its the type of QB that your offensive line makes you become.

His O-Line is ranked 26th in the league: Run Forrest run!
2012 Offensive Line Rankings - Matchups - Rotoworld.com

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

I fully expect to see him running around and when he's not doing that he will be throwing picks.

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

I tend to agree. I wouldn't be surprised if they hang with us in the first half, only to have us pull away late in the game. I wouldn't be surprised by a 31-23 type game.

Also, is it just me or does Kenny Albert look (and sometimes sound) like he has Downs Syndrome? It kinda freaks me out.

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

Spread is at about 9... just let us cover please :)

Shanny put in a lot of plays specifically for RG3's legs. Obviously they didn't want any film on exactly what kind of role that will be playing. Dude is a world class hurdler though... I guarantee some big plays on the ground.

As a rookie I definitely expect bad plays while he is getting used to the speed of the game. But in Baylor out of 1159 attempts, he only threw 17 interceptions.

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

How was his o-line?

I want him scrambling for his life every play. Shanle can catch him.:bugeyes:

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

Pretty beefy o-line at Baylor. Better at run blocking than pass protection though.

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

Historically we play like crap against Washington - lets break that mold this weekend!!

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

We have not played them since 09' in week 13 and beat them by a fieldgoal.

To be fair we had Mike Bell and Reggie Bush in the back field.
Defense recorded ZERO sacks.

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

Read somewhere Skins have the advantage 8-3 in this match up. Won 3 straight at the Superdome. But obviously different situations last few times we have played.

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

The Historic
Washington Redskins Vs. New Orleans Saints Results - The Football Database


We beat them in 1967 30-14... Has as much relevance as 2009 does on Sunday. They are a different team and we are a different Defense.

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

Not quite sure what that means. The guy played for 3 or 4 years at Baylor and was never really more of a runner than any other pro-style passer. He is a sit in the pocket, sling the rock around kind of guy.

Just because he's a track star and can run, doesn't mean he will. He's too thin to run around taking shots, which is smart (see how much time Vick spends hurt). He's actually almost the antithesis of Vick. He's more like Aaron Rodgers in my opinion... he thinks pass first; in case he needs to run, he can do damage, but this is not his priority.

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The o-lines ability to keep a pocket from collapsing is the focus of my comment.

My point is that Rogers, Vick, etc.... Stay in the pocket until there is no pocket. They they bolt. The Redskins having the 5th to worst o-line in the league means his pocket will collapse very quickly forcing him to either run or throw under duress.... This is in contrast to say Tbow where run plays are designed for him specifically.

Hence.. the offensive line can define a quarter backs play style as much as the receivers.

And hurdle Shanle.

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

That is what makes him dangerous. He is a pocket passer with elite accuracy, great arm strength, and a very quick release.... But he just happens to run a 4.3 and can turn the jets on and run around just about anybody if he needs to.

Re: Week 1: Redskins-Saints matchup
 

He's going to be a good player... but you're setting yourself up for disappointment. What you described sounds better than Rodgers/Brees/Brady. He hasn't taken a single snap yet.

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I was describing what he was in college, as that what was mentioned... his time at Baylor. But that is what he was/is, who knows how those skills that he brings will translate... but his possibilities are there. Rogers/Brees/Brady are 3 of the best to EVER play the game, maybe he will get there in the future, maybe he wont. He is a rookie... I know he will throw his 10+ picks. But with all due respect... no other QB has 4.38 speed.

I think the guy is a solid QB. Great arm strength in college. He played well in preseason. Whether he's an NFL caliber QB is yet to be seen.

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