Washington Football Team Vs. New Orleans Saints – Studs and Duds

It’s really hard being a fan of this football team right now. Heck, it’s been a rough past 20+ years!

Just when you think Washington is getting ready to turn the corner and right this ship, the pirates show up and sink the vessel. Today, the pirates came in many different disguises. Some were dressed as the opposing team, while others mascaraed as Football Team players and coaches.

Regardless of any off-season optimism that may have been prematurely stirred into your Kool-Aid, it looks like that was all a façade. The REAL team is the one we are currently witnessing and that is NOT a pretty picture right now.

Anyway, on to draft season, ugh…I mean Studs and Duds, followed by some notes.

Studs:

Antonio Gibson – Gibson scored Washington’s only two touchdowns on the afternoon, while chipping in 60 yards on the ground and 12 receiving yards on two receptions against a stingy Saints defense.

Chase Young – Young got his first sack of the season, and it was a strip-sack which Daron Payne recovered.

Daron Payne – Payne collected three tackles (one for a loss), a sack and a fumble recovery. He generated multiple pressures on the afternoon.

Kam Curl – I think Curl is Washington’s best defensive player at this point. I know many of you won’t think this means too much given the state of our defense, but the youngster is playing really good football, and has picked up where he left off last season. Too bad his secondary mates can’t do their jobs as well.

Dustin Hopkins – Hopkins was perfect on his field goal attempts, going 3/3 with a long of 45, and hit his lone extra point. Progress people…progress.

Duds:

Taylor Heinicke – The inaccuracies, weak arm, poor decision making, missing wide open receivers and inability to get off his first read too often were on display again Sunday, but unlike last week, Father Luck was NOT on his side.

Heinicke was a poor 20-41 for 248 yards and two interceptions. He had a QBR of 25.1 and was sacked twice. I charted him with three turnover-worthy plays, after having four last week.

He had some good moments; make no doubt about that, but the bad outweighed the good. Fans need and deserve better.

Landon Collins – I have long since voiced my desire to move Landon Collins to linebacker – much like we saw with Mark Barron and now with Keanu Neal. Yet, the staff keeps putting him in positions that requires him to cover too much green against guys way faster than him at safety. That came back to bite us again Sunday, as Collins was torched deep by a streaking Harris…and Winston didn’t miss him!

To make matters worse, Collins was one of THREE defenders who decided NOT to jump on the Hail Mary to end the half – then came out in a presser and “attempted” to defend that decision!!!

I’ve seen enough of him in deep coverage!

Ron Rivera – I don’t know who is responsible for guys consistently being out of position and missing assignments – but the blame ultimately has to fall on the head coach.

Notes:

– DeAndre Carter had a really nice game, catching four passes for 62 yards – non bigger than the huge fourth down conversion in the middle of the field. He also had a nice jet sweep where he showed off his speed.

– Adam Humphries just seems to know how to get open. I don’t know why he’s not targeted more in this offensive game plan.

– It feels like the offense didn’t miss a beat at tight end with Logan Thomas out, thanks to a solid performance from Ricky Seals-Jones, who caught five passes for 41 yards and blocked pretty well on the afternoon.

– Cole Holcomb had a nice interception in the first quarter with a 24 yard return to boot; but he did struggle a bit in coverage – both to running backs (he’s lucky Kamara dropped the ball down the right sideline) and the TE (Troutman).

– Kendall Fuller played a LOT better in coverage Sunday afternoon. It was the first time all season he wasn’t consistently abused.

– It’s becoming a bit concerning that Jamin Davis still isn’t seeing the field with regularity.

– Did y’all see Khaleke Hudson out there? I know Kamara did!

– Bobby McCain continues to miss tackles. He was the one with a shot on Kamara’s touchdown up the gut…and he whiffed.

– If anyone likes to watch offensive line play – watch the difference in pressures allowed when Sam Cosmi left the game. Yeah folks, there was a reason this staff made getting two new offensive tackles this offseason a priority.