Washington RedskinsFinally!!! The always anticipated NFL season is here baby! It's time to move on from what always seems to be a never ending preseason filled with journey men, rookies, and undrafted free agents clawing and scratching for a job. Don't get me wrong now...those guys (in the words of ol' Gibbs) played their guts out but it's time for the big boys to get it on. Enough of the Skins tickets talk, if you really want tickets go on Stubhub and pick a game. Enough talk about Colt Brennan banging Jessica Simpson, he's on the I.R. now.
The boys in Burgundy-&-Gold travel up to North New Jersey to play in the dump they call the Meadowlands. With the G-men set to move into their New Stadium in 2010 this will be the last time the Redskins play at Giants Stadium which holds 80,212. The game will be televised on Fox at 4:15 ET. with their big dog commentators Joe Buck and Troy Aikman calling the game.
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The Offense
The Giants....in New York....week 1....again?
There were several "first time" aspects to last years matchup. Zorn coached his first game, called plays for the first time, and it was Jason's first time running Zorn's west coast offense. New York was coming off a Super Bowl win all hyped up, with Strahan hoisting the trophy in pre-game introductions on a Thursday Night nationally televised opener. The Skins couldn't have played in a more hostile environment than that.
This year Jason will be more comfortable in the scheme and vice versa with Zorn calling the plays. Jason will have options to throw to other than toddler size receivers with the 6'4'' Malcolm Kelley being named the number 2 WR. I look for Malcolm to be that much needed 3rd down possession receiver that will come through in the clutch. He can be the go to guy inside the 25 yard line running fade routes to the corner of the end zone especially against Giants cornerback Cory Webster who is mediocre at best.
The Giants D-line, whom I consider the best in the business, will be foaming at the mouth Sunday. All Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck want is to get up field. Zorn has to neutralize that rush by calling short-to-intermediate routes, 3 to 4 step drops, 5 yard slants, hitch passes and screens will keep those ferocious pass rushers off balance and off Jason's back initially. Trust me...I want Jason to throw bombs down field just like everyone else but Zorn has to be careful calling slow developing plays because they often lead to sacks against NY. Long sweeps from sideline to sideline with Clinton will tire out any defense especially with this being game 1. Make Antonio Peirce and the rest of those slow LBs chase down CP.
The Key Match up- Stephon Heyer vs. Justin Tuck
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Defense
It's Simple....
There's no secret what Greg Blache's 4th ranked defense should do here; Put 8 in the box to stop Jacobs, Carlos and DeAngelo on the outside and Landry deep. Simple Right? It's not brain surgery. Let's see who's been in the weight room, and let's see who can create a new line of scrimmage every play. This is where Haynesworth earns his millions. I'd make a Plaxico-less Eli Manning beat me with his no-name wide receivers, and his under 60% completion rating, against three veteran CBs in Rodgers, Hall, and Smoot. Eli doesn't fare-well with pressure in his face, he loves to throw the ball up for grabs and turn his head the other way. He was able to do that with Plax but now Plax is picking up the soap unfortunately. We MUST pay close attention to TE Kevin Boss, he will become Eli's favorite target and he has some speed to him. The stud rookie Orakpo has shown his ability to consistently rush the passer but how is he going to perform in pass coverage?
Key Match up: Haynesworth vs Jacobs
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Prediction: Low scoring game but the Skins WILL prevail.......SKINS 17 GIANTS 13
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