Extended Time.

[flraven]

Hey, we think we have it bad? The Deadskins just got hammered 41-0 by the Patriots, they are 0-3 in the preseason and the starting offense has yet to score a TD. Their defense has also looked pretty suspect.

Exactly!

It would be good for the first units to play a little bit longer than a couple of series against the Deadskins, some good drives for the offense and for the defense to throw some three-and-outs would help to build team confidence.

[Mobtown]

Hey, we think we have it bad? The Deadskins just got hammered 41-0 by the Patriots, they are 0-3 in the preseason and the starting offense has yet to score a TD. Their defense has also looked pretty suspect.

that would make me feel much better...if DC was in our division or if this was the SB.

[BaltimoreRon]

The skins have sucked so far in the preseason. Even if we look good against them, would it really prove anything?

[Greg]

On a side note, Boller had a hotroute pass that was excellent. I don't think he was into his second step before he hit the big rook TE (I can't remember his name, ends with a -SKI and am too lazy to look it up) for an 8 yard gain. I know that he's been going against the 2nd string D's but he's looked pretty good this preseason with a line that is freaken atrocious.

He has made good reads and shown better accuracy, though at times still lacking. The fact that he is doing it against 2nd stringers isn't important, he is making the reads, finding the open man and making good decisions. The level of play of the opposition isn't important RIGHT NOW in that regard. Now when the skill level goes up and things happen a tad faster we'll see if he can make the adjustment. The thing is, he has never had this chance to build confidence against players with slightly less skills and speed.

I think the starters should play until the end of the first half or until they look competent, which ever happens first. If we have 2 drives where we get 3-4 first downs each and stall after that and then they sit, I won't sweat that. But if they look crappy they need to be back out until they show some ability to move the ball and gain confidence.

[AZRAVEN]

I never was able to catch the replay of our game on NFL network so I don't know exactly how sucky we were but based on the way it sounds if I were the head coach the first string offense would play the first half. The first string OL would play the whole game and then would have to run behind the bus (in formation) all the way back to Baltimore. There has to be some penalty for the miserable way they are performing.
It's close enough to regular season now that they should have to play more. Injuries can happen anytime, you can't wrap them in bubble wrap to protect them.

[highwater]

Injuries can happen anytime, you can't wrap them in bubble wrap to protect them.

That's true, of course, but that's no reason to risk injury in a preseason game. Besides, how much confidence would they gain from having some success against the Redskins backups? The Redskins have looked terrible but I"m quite certain they are not playing their starters for more than the first half, probably not even that long, so what do we gain by playing any of our starters in the second half?

I'd be fine with some of the starters playing the entire first half, but not vets like McNair, Mason, Ray, and Rolle, and I don't think any of the starters should play much in the second half, if at all. We don't need to lose anyone in a preseason game. Give them some playing time, yes, but not more than one half. We need to be healthy when we go to Tampa.

[BlackSunday]

Take offensive skill players out after the first series - leave the first string O-line in the entire first half.

If they continue to play the way they did last week, they need some time getting used working with Boller.

BS