The Chat Resumes....

Numero uno...1st

Hi Jason,

Randy Thomas is the emotional leader of this team, yes? How big of an impact will he have on the psyche of the team, just having him back in uniform?

Here's the link for the chat. Either it hasn't restarted yet or nobody has asked Jasno a question!

Oops! And now with the link...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2007/11/29/DI2007112901736.html

Zebra from the last thread, I wrote that list. The Skins actually had some depth in the areas they got hit.

Every one of the top 4 WRs has been hurt and only ARE has actually played at a level reasonably expected level.

The DBs have also had to reach deep into the depth chart. The Skins started with 5 DBs that were good. Taylor and Springs fell into the very good category -- and tragedy struck both of them. In a normal year, that is reasonable depth. What we wouldn't give for a normal year.

The o-line is the one area that had real depth issues. Just one decent backup (Wade) for all 5 positions. I thought we should have drafted mostly o-linemen this past draft because it takes some time to develop them and depth was a big issue. Pete Kendall was a terrific signing and saved us in a big way. So the Skins gambled on one guy being adequate depth ... and clearly it didn't work out.

Wade has not shown me much this season either. When he gets beat, he gets beat bad (ly).

Considering the ongoing software problems of both the blog and the chat, is it possible that someone at the Washington Post purchased the actual software packages from some guy down at the bus stop on L Street?

The chat is running now guys.

Wade played well in the Saints game last year, but since then I haven't been overly impressed with his play. I have seen he and Fabini get consistently handled, or blow assignments.

Kendall's getting older, Jansen has an injury that may take longer than the offseason to fully heal.

So, we need to be looking at a left guard and right tackle.

What do you think?

p.s. yes, i made the analogy that fairweather fans who blame gibbs are similar to those who blame bush for the war. Doesn't matter what your politics are, the point I am making is that it's the same kind of person, the type that wants to put all the blame in the world on one individual. These types of people simply don't have the intelligence to see just how wrong they are.

Posted by: Barno | December 6, 2007 02:53 PM

Barno,

THIS analogy is dead on!...There ARE similarities between Bush and Gibbs. They ARE THE LEADERS and therefore, their decisions, ultimately, do play a part, a major frickin' part in the outcome!!! And their decisions can be scrutinized!

Whether it's a game...or a war, these men are given the the largest amount of latitude and discretion on what direction their organization, team, or country is going to do. It's a given that that they should make these important decisions because they have the most information, knowledge, and intelligence at their disposal. The fact that, as leaders, that they have the most control and the most information coupled with the ability to continue to make decisions on the direction of their team, their organization, or their country CERTAINLY allows one to question those decisions! It comes with the job...and blind faith will not cut it! I love JG and am 'old school' (senior year of HS when we won our 1st SB under Gibbs) but the questioning is certainly warranted.

As far as Bush and the war...that damn fool put us there under highly questionable circumstances as we found out at a much later time...his 'leadership' during this time has been pathetic, bordering on criminal....and the only person who doesn't "have the intelligence to see just how wrong they are"...is you.

Posted by: seanc | December 6, 2007 04:01 PM

Nice my question made the chat1 New Bomb Turks baby!

I am a very political cat, but don't like it on RI much, Butt...Um Barno, are you blaming Iraq on the troops? I thought your crowd was all "support the troops" sounds like you just threw them under the bus....

Barno,
I agree. It's so unfair! Some people do hold the people in power accountable for the decisions they make. I can't figure out why. The world would be a much better place if everyone just blamed everything on the Redskins beat writer.

How long will it take for some people to figure out that Guest Blogs ARE NOT written by Jason LaCanfora?

Do they teach reading comprehension in school anymore? Sheesh.

You must be a favourite cL. I asked one before the chat started and didn't make it. :-(

It's hard being a Fins fan on a Skins blog sometimes, the discrimination is appalling.

* please note: tongue is now firmly in cheek *

Great point CL.
Barno please explain why you hate our troops and the freedom they protect.

Redcoat -- isn't it hard being a Fins fan anywhere???

True ZC;

They do have some depth. I guess my main point which was lost in that stream of consciouseness rant was that we dont have the most players on IR, and we have some depth, but I dont think its a secret that our depth is very lacking none the less.

You know, trading draft picks for older vets and all.

And Barno, I did support the war in Iraq, and our troops, and no it is not all the presidents fault... but when you sign your name on the line, make sure you dont have a bunch of monkeys making decisions about intelligence behind you that have your stamp of approval on it, et all.

Just like when a cook F's up, ultimately the managers is on the line to fix it and take care of it as the GM will be looking for answers if that customer complains. Do you get the parallel I am making here or do I have to spell it out?

Considering the ongoing software problems of both the blog and the chat, is it possible that someone at the Washington Post purchased the actual software packages from some guy down at the bus stop on L Street?

Posted by: tafka | December 6, 2007 03:51 PM

No, not likely. You can bet that someone massively overpaid for state-of-the-art software which is being maintained by a bunch of people who don't know how to work it. They're probably former linotype operators who are being retrained due to a union agreement. It's a new media thing being done by old media types.

Well, we'll see how Thomas does tonight.
We'll see if the OL has been just one factor out of many, or perhaps THE factor.

Zebra, I thought at the start to the year, the Skins had actually done a pretty good job with the roster. They had decent starters at some depth at most positions, which is about the best most teams can do in NFL 2007. Pete Kendall filled a huge hole.

I figured a 2007 playoff run would come down to a two factors. The health of Griffin on the d-line and the ability of Campbell to play above his experience level on offense. Griffin has been pretty healthy, especially given his past, and the defense has been good. Campbell has been mixed. A lot to like but he has not delivered with the game on the line. Which has been a significant part of several very tough losses.

Of course, a season begins with unknowns and predictions fall by the wayside. But its clearly been a much more difficult season due in part to multiple injuries in specific places, even before Sean's murder.

But I agree with a key point. Developing talent thru the draft serves two purposes. You pay less for the athlete and their athletic peak is still in front of them. Free agents and high profile trades are much more expensive and carry different risks. Including long term contracts if they go bust. That has been very costly to this team and there will be a hangover for 2-3 years, best case.