This weekend's game is huge for the Skins and NFC East. With both other NFC East teams having games the should win (Dallas at home to Cincy, the Giants hosting Seattle) a loss could put Philly in a pretty big hole to start the year. Whether or not Westbrook plays (and plays effectively) will determine how well the Eagles play.

All that being said, this is also an important game for the Skins. Despite the fact that Springs and Taylor are most likely out, the team that has been showing up of late should be able to pull out a win against a banged up Eagles offense. From there, the Skins have 3 extremely winable games (home for St. Louis and Cleveland, then at Detroit.) A 6-2 (7-1 would be too optimistic) record at the end of this stretch could help the Skins post-season chances before some much tougher games (Hosting Pittsburgh, the bye week and then home for Dallas, at Seattle and home for New York.) The road is only going to get much tougher, so the Skins need to win all the games they should (especially outside the division) if they have any shot at the playoffs.

Anyway, that's about all I got. Here's a link for the most recent injury news. ([Note by TexSkins, 10/03/08 4:40 PM CDT ] Here's the more recent than that recent news.) Everyone seems sold on Westbrook playing. I'm not so sure... and I have to make a decision as to play him or not in fantasy. Damn ankles are so hard to predict.

Now for the good stuff. Blogger Deathsport picks, lines (as always) courtesy of Yahoo! Sports:

Sunday

BUF @ ARZ (-1)

KC @ CAR (-9.5)

CHI (-3.5) @ DET

CIN @ DAL (off the board = straight up even)

TB @ DEN (-3)

ATL @ GB (off the board = straight up even)

IND (-3) @ HOU

PIT @ JAX (-4)

NE (-3) @ SF

SEA @ NYG (-7)

WAS @ PHI (-5.5)

SD (-6.5) @ MIA

TEN (-3) @ BAL

Monday

MIN @ NO (-3)

Score: 28-24, home team. No 2 point conversions.

Other than, you know, supporting your local Ewoks.

Anyway, here's what I view as some keys to winning this game. Keep in mind I am no expert, scout, or even former player (beyond the high school level.) Don't take these things as gospel (hell, I don't even do that.) Onward and forward, but most just downway.

Key #1 - Get Pressure to Romo in the Pocket

via www.ctclark.com

This is pretty much key one for every defensive coordinator's game plan, ever. Get pressure to the QB. But with Romo, it is imperative because when he has time, he finds receivers and they make big plays. The Dallas offense is predicated on big plays and pounding Marion Barber. OC Jason Garrett is no dummy (he went to Princeton, yo) so he'll expect this.

Which is why I think the defense need to get pressure up the middle, to keep the edge rushers for containment. With Jason Taylor's 133-games played streak coming to an end, and Erasmus James being a virtual no show (remember that time when we here at HH thought James could be a big addition... that is, before the Taylor trade) it seems unlikely that any pressure is going to come off the edge against perennial Pro Bowler OT Flozell Adams and the steady Marc Colombo. If this can happen rushing 4, that'd be great. If Blache has to start blitzing, it could be a long afternoon.

Which is why the pressure needs to come up the middle. Starting G Kyle Kosier is out and the other G, former T and big free agent pickup from a year ago, Leonard Davis had an off night last week. The Packers have some pretty good pass rushers (KGB, Kampman) that got nowhere. For the record, Kampman did have 1.5 sacks. But most of that came from pressure coming up the middle in the form of one Cullen Jenkins. Griffin, Golston and company have to provide that this weekend.

And I specifically said pressure "in the pocket" because I happen to think that Romo is at his best when he breaks the pocket, creates with his legs to find receivers down field. Not saying he can't throw from the pocket (he can and will) but he makes his money for what he does when things break down.

Key #2 - Take away Owens or Witten

via i.cdn.turner.com

This one is self-explanatory. You can't take away both. The Packers took Owens out of that game (2 catches, 17 yards) but it kept Witten running open in the middle and sprung Miles Austin for that big gain down the middle to set up a TD.

That is the big reason why getting pressure with 4 (or, rather, as few defenders as possible) is key: you need as many guys in coverage as possible to stop the big play ability of this offense. Springs, at this stage of his career, is not Charles Woodson but he has done a pretty good job against Owens.

The thing is to understand that Owens is going to get his catches. Tackling him immediately and not letting him run after the catch, where he is most dangerous, is crucial. Witten is Romo's favorite target, especially when he needs a play. Keeping him from running wild in the middle of the defense is also crucial. Keeping this team away from big plays will help to control the crowd. Its a tough task, but it can be done.

Key #3 - Contain Barber

via www.marionbarber.info

Again, tough to do. He can't pick up first down after first down if the Skins expect to win. He is a tough runner who eats up yards, defenders and the clock. He's going to get his yards... but when he breaks tackles and does his little jumping dace thing, the home crowd and his team responds by upping their energy. If there is such thing as an on-field emotional leader (SP, make note to ask your professor buddies about their theories on this) Marion Barber III is that guy for Dallas. As he goes, so does this offense.

Keeping him in check early is also key to keeping him from wearing down the defense later. Dallas loves to get off to a fast start, put up points, put pressure on the opposing offense, and grind out the clock in the 4th by feeding Barber the rock. This is the absolute worst thing that can happen to an opponent.

Keep in mind that rookie RB Felix Jones, who has up to this point been a minimal part of the offense, has the ability to take it to the house in any situation. he is the perfect complement for Barber with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Oh, and he's wicked fast.

I know it sounds like I'm making the Cowboys out to be a really good offensive team... but that's only because they are. Don't take my word for it: (3rd in total offense at 32.0 points per game, 4th in passing offense at 297.3 yards per game, 9th in rushing offense at 150.7 per game, and 1st in combined offense. Pretty impressive.

Key #4 - Win the "little things"

To win, the Skins need to win on special teams (that means you grow a damn mustache, kick the ball good, and hold it right, Mr. Brooks), they need to win the turnover battle, and they need to win the field position game. That means punting on 4th and short in certain situations and going for it in others.

Dallas commits penalties (tied for 1st with 28) and Dallas will turn the ball over (Romo has 3 picks and 1 fumble, Barber has a fumble) so these things need to be capitalized in order to win. This also means no stupid penalties that keep drives alive. (Mr. Heyer and Mr Smoot, I'm talking to you guys.)

The Redskins are, straight up, not good enough to beat the Cowboys if they play bad football and do dumb things like turn the ball over and get penalized. They need to play flawless football and capitalize on any and all mistakes. That means 6 points, not 3.

Final Key - Third Down

The Cowboys offense is at the top of the league on 3rd down at 60% (that percentage is way high and will come back to the mean eventually... hopefully this Sunday) while the Redskins are near the bottom at 31.4%. That 30 percent swing can be deadly.

On defense, Dallas gives up 34.3%, good for 10th while the Redskins are again at the bottom (tied for 23rd) at 42.9%. Combine that with the offensive stats, and things don't look good. JC and this new "rhythm offense" needs to get that going and stay on the field. The defense needs to close the deal and get off the field on 3rd down. Giving Romo extra opportunities at points is not a good idea.

That's all I got for now. Back to work for me, but first... my Week 4 Blogger Deathsport picks. Check out last week's results over at The Curly R. Ben is so good to me.

Sunday

BUF (-8) @ STL

ATL @ CAR (-7)

PHI @ CHI (off the board = straight up even)

CLE @ CIN (-3.5)

WAS @ DAL (-11.5)

DEN (-9) @ KC

HOU (-7.5) @ JAX

SF @ NO (-6)

ARZ @ NYJ (-2.5)

SD (-7.5) @ OAK

GB @ TB (-1)

MIN @ TEN (-3)

Monday

BAL @ PIT (off the board = straight up even) PIT wins close at home... 20-17.

Enjoy the rest of Dallas Week.

ESPN'S Chris Mortenson is reporting on SportsCenter that Jason Taylor is going to be out for Sunday's game against the Cowboys after under going a "knee procedure." I'm looking for internet sources now.

[Note by TexSkins, 09/22/08 12:01 PM CDT ] Leave it up to JaLaCa over at Redskins Insider to have the scoop. Here's what he says:

Defensive end Jason Taylor will be out for this week's Dallas game after having blood released from his left calf muscle, Coach Jim Zorn said.

Taylor was kicked in the calf during the second quarter in yesterday's 24-17 victory over Arizona, but returned to play the entire game. He did not realize he had a problem until last night, Zorn said, when blood began to pool in the leg.

It was reported that he woke up with pain in the knee and team doctors advised he undergo this procedure to avoid "permanent nerve damage." Apparently, there was swelling in the shin area and doctors wanted to make an incision to alleviate it... I dunno.

I'm going to post this and then continue to look for source material. Not good news for the Skins's chances against a tough Cowboys team. It was said he would only miss 1 week. Updates as I know more.

I won week 2 of Blogger Deathsport. Skin Patrol won week 1. What does that mean? It means that although we might not have our posting fancy pictures on the side skills, we are the most degenerate gamblers of the whole bloggerdom and if you have the capital that we do not, you should lay your money down and get rich and share with us, your pick 'em masters of blogsville. You might not read the most footbally informative blog 60 times a day... but you are in good hands. Good hands that would sell you out for the right odds.

I will have a brag post up soon, sharing with all of blogdom (read: like 6 other blogs) my superiority of degeneratism.

But enough about me. Here are my week's picks, lines courtesy of Yahoo! (by way of Curly Ben via email.) Enjoy:

Sunday

KC @ ATL (-5.5)

CLE @ BAL (-2)

OAK @ BUF (-9.5)

TB @ CHI (-3)

DAL (-3) @ GB

NO @ DEN (-5.5)

JAX @ IND (-5.5)

CAR @ MIN (-3.5)

MIA @ NE (-12.5)

CIN @ NYG (-13.5)... That is a lot of points.

PIT @ PHI (-3)

DET @ SF (-4)

STL @ SEA (-9.5)

HOU @ TEN (-5)

ARZ @ WAS (-3)

Monday

NYJ @ SD (-9) SD (under Norval) rights the ship, but not by 10. SD 31 - NYJ 24. No 2 point conversions.

Expect SP's picks soon. We, like the NFC East, only lose against each other.

First off, big won for the team on Sunday. Zorn got in the win column, and the Skins will stay withing a game of the NFC East leaders. The Giants are 2-0 and whoever wins tonight's big Eagles-Cowboys game will be as well.

Consider this your Monday night open thread.

Also, feel free to post anything from the NFL this weekend. So, I guess consider this your one big open thread for all things NFL.

Two things before I get ready for Bocephus and Co. One, this story is pretty funny. Everyone favorite Redskin blogger, Chris Cooley, posted a picture on his website prior to Sunday's game. I can't think of any better way to introduce it than to steal a bit of the article:

Cooley wanted to show the readers of his popular blog some of the study materials the players were given by coach Jim Zorn.

Cooley, however, was studying in the nude, and he didn’t examine his photo closely before posting it.

Read Cooley's response here. The title of the post: "We're Dumb." Classic.

Also, there was a controversial call in the DEN-SD game. For those of you who didn't see the game (or the 9,000 replays on ESPN and other such channels), DEN QB Jay Cutler, while attempting to throw a pass, fumbled the ball. It was a classic example of the now infamous "empty hand" rule (kissing cousins of the "tuck" rule) but Referee Ed Hochuli blew the play dead before the fumble was recovered. Now, he will apparently get "graded down," whatever that means. I really like Hochuli (in related news, so does my girlfriend, but for different reasons... like tight fitting referee jerseys) and hate to see him punished because the NFL has a fascination with protecting the quarterback. He was even man enough to admit his mistake to head coach Norval Turner during the game. Mistakes happen, it just sucks that one of the NFL's best referees will suffer the consequences.

P.S. earlier in the game, there was a replay malfunction that went against the Chargers. Norval did not have a good day.

Comments on these issues and all theings NFL welcome. Other than that, get ready for a good ol' fashioned barn burner down here in Texas. Anyone else hoping for a 59-59 tie?

After a surprising win, the season is all up for grabs. No, I'm not talking about Carolina or Da Bears. I'm talking our very own Skin Patrol, who managed to go an astonishing 13-3 this week in Blogger Deathsport. I know, right? This week, and all season long, Ben over at the Squiggly Letter Between Q and S will recap the week's action and declare a winner. (Also, check out PostGamesHeroes for the same type of action.) And with Mr. Patrol himself showing up to play this season, along with the additions of 5 more Deathsporters, this season should be tough.

Anyway, I think I have enough words for a post...

Sunday

MIA @ ARZ (-6.5)

CHI @ CAR (-3)

TEN @ CIN (-1.5)

GB (-3) @ DET

BAL @ HOU (-4.5)

IND (-2) @ MIN

BUF @ JAX (-6)

OAK @ KC (-4)

NYG (-8.5) @ STL

NE @ NYJ (-2)

PIT (-6) @ CLE

SD (-2.5) @ DEN

SF @ SEA (-8)

ATL @ TB (-8)

NO @ WAS (even)

Monday

PHI @ DAL (-6.5) DAL 35, PHI 31

Expect SP's magical picks soon. I know I can't wait.

First off, I should be back more on a semi-regular basis. Football season is here... which also means school is here... which means I'm at my computer more. Skin Patrol should be around more as well.. so hopefully, there will be more content. So tell all your friends. And have them tell their friends. And so on. Then we might have double digit readers.

Secondly, I only saw bits and pieces of the game last night. I was in the midst of travelling (2 hours in the air, 4 on the ground) so it was hard to sit and watch the game for long periods of time. But I did see enough to come up with 5 burning questions for the now-underway season. So, here we go:

1. Can Jason Taylor (the one big addition) help the pass rush and, therefore, the defense improve in 2008?

Short answer: I don't think so. And I say that because last season's defense was 8th in overall defense, 11th in scoring defense and 6th in the league in 3rd down percentage. But they were near the bottom in the league with only 24 takeaways and only 33 sacks, 2 areas where even an aging Jason Taylor should help. I don't see them jumping into the elite 2 or 3 defenses in the league, which is why I say I can't see the addition of a proven pass rusher improving the 2008 defense.

2. The offense... wtf?

and

3. Is Jason Campbell the real deal?

After last night, there is no other way of putting it. Yes, it is a new offensive system. Yes, JC is still a (relatively) young starting NFL QB. And yes, the offense looked just as bad as it did in 2006 and for large chunks of 2007.

Realize, it will take a while for the West Coast Offense to get settled in. Most so-called "experts" say 2 to 3 years. But with the running game remaining almost entirely intact from a season ago, it should lessen the time it takes for the offense to take hold. And despite the offense system, there should be a moment where the light comes on for JC. Something that even the most casual fan can recognize... which, as Jules said, is "what alcoholics refer to as a 'moment of clarity.'"

4. What can we expect from Jim Zorn the head coach?

This is a real wild card question... mostly because no one (including Jim Zorn himself) has any idea. He has never been a head coach... on any level. The things that head coaches live and die by are the suttle in game decisions: Punt or go for it? When to use the timeouts? To challenge a call or not? This is a learning process for Zorn... and for us as we watch to see if he makes the right decisions in the right spots or not. I have no answer... and anyone says they have one is a liar or crazy.

5. Jim Zorn, the offensive play-caller?

Again, another unknown. This is the logical step for any offensive assistant: position to offensive coordinator to head coach. Zorn is taking on the last 2 steps all at once. A lot of what I said above applies here. The most interesting part of this for me is that his play calling as offensive coordinator will determine a lot of the decisions he has to make as head coach. I think this will be a much easier transition for the former NFL QB. That an learning under Holmgren has a pretty good track record.

Feel free to weigh in. What's your question? Or which one of these intrigues you most?

- - -

And, as part of an ongoing tradition around these parts, I bring you my official picks for the Second Annual Blogger Deathsport. Expect Skin Patrol's soon and, as always, lines courtesy of Yahoo!:

WAS @ NYG (-3.5)

Sun

ARZ (2.5) @ SF

SEA @ BUF (-1)

CIN (-1) @ BAL

DAL (-5.5) @ CLE

DET (-3) @ ATL

CHI @ IND (-9.5)

JAX (-3) @ TEN

KC @ NE (NL)

TB @ NO (-3)

NYJ (-3) @ MIA

STL @ PHI (-7.5)

HOU @ PIT (-6.5)

CAR @ SD (-9)

Mon

DEN (-3) @ OAK

MIN @ GB (-2.5) MIN 20 - GB 17

My fingers hurt. I need to get back into football (blogging) shape.

Okay, okay. Even I'm not going to go there. But it is always better to win these games than lose them. New Head Coach Jim Zorn went out there with a game plan... and it worked.

Gimme a J... (Image from here.)

Okay, you got me again. Its the preseason. The 30-16 win over the Colts means little. What matters is there were no injuries. (QB Colt Brennan and OT Stephon Heyer were both limping around at different points... but if that's all the injuries, count this as a victory.)

I'm not even going to go as far as, say, Yahoo! Sports who said that Colt Brennan, "the record-breaking quarterback out of Hawaii" was able to "change the game." Wow.

Now, some people might say I'm just using the name Colt Brennan to get hits... but I don't get any less money for doing that. Or more money. Or any money. I'm using the name Colt Brennan simply because the kid showed up to play. Using stats (John Madden be damned), we see that Colt Brennan had himself a day: 9 of 10, 123 yards, 2 TDs. He got sacked once (for 1 yard because he held the ball too long) but he played pretty well. Surprisingly well.

But, again, its the preseason. The top 3 players for the Redskins: RB Marcus Mason, S Chris Horton and Colt Brennan. Which of those 3 will score the winning points on Opening Day? I thought so.

It was an exciting game. I have S Chris Horton as my Player of the Game, a slight edge over Colt Brennan only because Horton played in both halves and made plays on defense and special teams. (Member the opening kick?)

It was a good way to start the year. But it doesn't mean anything... except that football is coming. And that, my friends, is always something to talk about.

First off, sorry for my absence. I work. A lot. But, like General MacArthur said and Arnold paraphrased, I shall be back. Err, something like that.

Anyway, Training Camp is the place where we finally get to see the team that was put together in the offseason. Draft picks, veteran signings and trade-brought players (word up, Jason Taylor) alike will be together. And, hopefully, everyone remembered their alarm clocks.

So, without further ado... the three biggest camp battles as I see them:

#3. The Cornerback Position. This is going to be interesting. Springs and Smoot are set. Rogers is out for a while. Leigh Torrence filled in pretty well last year (as long as he wasn't covering Randy Moss... apparently that's a bad matchup.) Rookie Justin Tryon is in a great position to step in a be the #3 guy. This could be an important position, especially with Jason Taylor putting pressure on the opposing QB, because there might be more than a few balls thrown early and up for grabs. Tryon is younger and more athletic, Torrence has no learning curve.

Advantage: Torrence early, Tryon before the end of the year.

via media.scout.com

via cache.daylife.com

#2. The Wide Reciever Position. This seems kinda weird to be in the top 3, but the new West Coast offense, especially the variety that new Head Pooba Jim Zorn came from in Seattle, employs 3 and 4 WR sets frequently. If heathy, Moss and ARE are #1 and #2... for now. The interesting part come after those two. Rookies Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas are both the prototypical WR bodies that NFL GMs drool over. They are fighting for the 3rd and 4th spots. Anthony Mix has the 5th spot locked up so no need to even discuss the others (sorry Burl Toler, Billy McMullen, Maurice Mann, Horace Gant, and (regretfully) James Thrash.) James Thrash was a Gibbs guy, through and through. I just don't see him being a Zorn guy.

Advantage: Thomas over Kelly, Mix over the others, Thrash as the #6 guy, if Zorn keeps 6.

via www.nfldraftdog.com

via cache.viewimages.com

#1. The Safety Position. Newcomer Stuart Schweigert and old hand (despite going into his 3rd year) Reed Doughty are fighting it out to see who gets to line up next to LaRon Landry. Schweigert was a part of some very good Oakland defenses under Rex Ryan and has plenty of experience. Doughty stepped up big last year after the death of Sean Taylor and became a fan favorite... at least around these parts.

Advantage: Doughty.

via media3.washingtonpost.com

As I stated in SP's earlier post, the punting "competition" isn't a battle at all. Durant Brooks is the new punter. Get used to it (and better field position.)

As always, hit up the comments. What's your biggest position battle?

Yahoo! Sports has a weekly rundown on all the NFL teams, and the report for your Washington Redskins came out today. Inside it is all sorts of fun information, like how Buges is defending Jansen and Thomas against calls of their untimely demise and how Zorn says that Alexander might have to go both ways... again.

But the best part of the article is the closing quote, from special teams coach Danny Smith regarding Cooley:

"He’s a knucklehead. He messes with me all the time. He’ll say, ‘Do you want to see it? Do you want to see it?’ I say, ‘No, we’ll work it tomorrow’ and he’ll snap three perfect ones, laugh his butt off and go. The kid can do anything."—Special teams coach Danny Smith on Pro Bowl tight end Chris Cooley being one of his emergency long snappers along with right tackle Jon Jansen.

Yes, Cooley is Ethan Albright's backup. Yes, that is Ethan "I'm the worst fucking player on Madden" Albright. This is an interesting part of the depth chart that I didn't know. I wonder who, between Cooley and Jansen, is 2nd string and who is really, really the emergency backup long snapper.

Think it is a concidence he's talking to the kicker? (Image from here.)

Anyways, that's your Redskins news for now. I've got to go get ready for apartment hunting and then work. Oh, and Danny Smith, yes Cooley can do anything.