2019 Pre-Game Thread: Week 5 at Washington

SeoulSoxFan

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I watched all four of the Washington Potatoes game highlights.

The secondary is a legit dump truck and I don't mean that in a complimentary way. Not just talent-wise but the number of big-plays given up due to players being out-of-position put the blame squarely on the coaching staff.

Speaking of, they never seemed to adjust after taking the lead in the first two games, blowing fairly decent sized advantages.

Keenum, of course, fumbled his way onto 3 of those and Haskins just looked flat-out lost in their most recent whopper against the Giants throwing 3 picks of his own. Thanks to the duo, Washington currently sits at #25 in the TO margins rankings with a -0.8 differential (not surprisingly, NE and Bears lead the pack with a +1.5):

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/turnover-margin-per-game
Otherwise, the Potatoes have a big issue running the ball. It ranked #30 in DVOA after week 3. Can't imagine going up any higher after generating mere 55 yards on 17 carries (although they were chasing the Giants from the get-go).

Gruden, obviously sitting on the hottest seat right now, said after the NYG game that he'll put whoever will give the team "the best chance to win". This means Haskins may not play this Sunday and we may see Keenum again.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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With McLaurin out yesterday, the best "weapon" the Redskins had was basically Chris Thompson dump-offs. The Pats D should feast at every level against this team.
 

thurin68

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Is anyone else from NE going to the game Sunday? I’ve read a lot of criticism online about the facility there?
 

Jnai

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Yes. Any good tips for game day in DC, especially with a little guy in tow?
 

DJnVa

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Redskin is a type of potato
Because some folks don't like the Native American connotation with the actual name.

Not sure if it was Simmons or Bill Barnwell. He used to call the Titans the "Flaming Thumbtacks"
 

Bowhemian

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Because some folks don't like the Native American connotation with the actual name.

Not sure if it was Simmons or Bill Barnwell. He used to call the Titans the "Flaming Thumbtacks"
I get it...I was explaining it to instaface who asked the question.
 

InstaFace

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I get it...I was explaining it to instaface who asked the question.
Yeah thanks, only potato brandname I'd recognize on sight would be Yukon Gold.

As for the Flaming Thumbtacks, I believe T4W is right that its origin is the same as the Flying Elvii: Gregg Easterbrook and TMQ. His name for Washington was the Potomac Drainage Basin Indigenous Persons though.
 

lexrageorge

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I thought Chris Berman used the term Flying Elvii as well. But I don't know if that pre-dated Easterbrook's usage.
 

loshjott

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Yes. Any good tips for game day in DC, especially with a little guy in tow?
Stay away and watch on a big screen TV somewhere.

Seriously, it’s a lousy venue nowhere near the city, almost impossible to get to via transit, traffic is horrible and parking an arm and a leg.

So I guess basically like Gillette.
 

ernieshore

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Stay away and watch on a big screen TV somewhere.

Seriously, it’s a lousy venue nowhere near the city, almost impossible to get to via transit, traffic is horrible and parking an arm and a leg.
Yeah - I second this. I went back in 2011 and it was a pretty miserable experience (besides Gronk's dominance that game). We even had Club level seats and there were fights and arguments all around us. A lot of the jerks were Pats fans too, so it was a bad vibe everywhere. I can't imagine it's gotten better since then. I had a much better experience at the Pats/Ravens game in 2012 (somewhat surprisingly).
 

dcmissle

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Yeah - I second this. I went back in 2011 and it was a pretty miserable experience (besides Gronk's dominance that game). We even had Club level seats and there were fights and arguments all around us. A lot of the jerks were Pats fans too, so it was a bad vibe everywhere. I can't imagine it's gotten better since then. I had a much better experience at the Pats/Ravens game in 2012 (somewhat surprisingly).
If you are in the area and have a choice, go to Pats@Ravens this year for all the reasons mentioned above. No it won’t feel like a Patriots home game like @Wa will, but overall it is a superior experience.

And security at M and T is taken seriously. They identity quickly and respond with overwhelming force to any incident in the stands. Troublemakers are promptly tossed.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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Sorry if this misplaced. Are the crowds, conflicts generally more aggressive at NFL games than MLB games?
Conditions are more optimized for drunker crowds at football games. There are only 8 of them at home so each one is an event. Tailgating is far more common in football. Games are on the weekend instead of soon after work. Bigger crowds so more people in general will equal more fights.

edit: I don't have data on any of the above. Could just be my NYC-area bias where you drive to football and never to baseball.
 

PseuFighter

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Have never been, but would really be surprised if Sunday's game didn't feel like a Pats home game. My point of reference might be a bad one, as I'm comparing it to Baltimore crowds that come out to support the Red Sox. That said, the Skins are just awful; the 0-4 start can't have people exactly rushing to these games. I'd think any STH would sell this one to make anything back on the year.
 

bigq

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Jay Gruden when asked what the QB plan is for Sunday: "We don't have one right now."
That made me laugh. Thanks for sharing. He’s pulling a play out of Belichick’s book and refusing to share information. Or maybe he’s being brutally honest. In either case it’s a great answer to the question.
 

vadertime

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Every year the Pats have 1-2 games where they flat out lay an egg. I'm starting to get the feeling this may be that game. No one thing in particular, but I'm not as confinent as everyone else.
 

DJnVa

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Every year the Pats have 1-2 games where they flat out lay an egg. I'm starting to get the feeling this may be that game. No one thing in particular, but I'm not as confinent as everyone else.
The Redskins absolutely suck.
 

DJnVa

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Let's also not forget that while I have no doubt a lot of players have dings, BB loves to tweak the NFL with his injury lists.
 

SeoulSoxFan

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Colt McCoy named starter for Sunday.
That was pretty much expected. He's healthy (vs Keenum) and won't be completely lost (vs Haskins).

McCoy played one game vs Pats in 2010, his rookie year. That 34-14 win was a big upset for a then 2-5 Mangini-led Browns. I remember Peyton Hillis going crazy, rushing for 184 yards and 2 TDs.

Of course, that was almost a decade ago. McCoy hasn't been a full-time starter after the 2011 season:
  • 3 games in 2012 (Browns)
  • 4 games in 2013 (Niners)
  • 5 games in 2014 (Potatoes)
  • 1 game in 2015 & 2017 while missing all of 2016 (Potatoes)
  • 3 games in 2018 (Potatoes)
Even with McLaurin's return, not sure how he can be effective against the #1 defense in the league.
 

BigSoxFan

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Looks like McLaurin is a game-time decision so he’s clearly still hobbled from the hamstring injury.
 

PedroKsBambino

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Who did BB talk up this week?

"Washington, that's a historic franchise. Brings back memories of Joe Gibbs, many battles with him back in the day. They are a tough team, well-coached, good players in all three phases. Lot to prepare for. Chris Thompson is a really tough back in the passing game. Lot of things that defense can do, we're going to need a good game Sunday. I'm just trying to coach better than last week, make sure we're ready for all Washington can do"
 

lexrageorge

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Does that mean he's getting cut? Or do they get another week to decide.
They have until Monday to lift the roster exemption. It's a bit strange, however. He missed a day of practice on Wednesday. We do know he got a concussion during one of the preseason games. It may be he couldn't do much in terms of getting into playing shape because of the concussion. Or it could be that he has nothing left. But we will probably not know much more until Monday.