End of 1st: Redskins 10, Saints 0
1st Qtr | 2nd Qtr | 3rd Qtr | 4th Qtr
» The Redskins are using LaRon Landry closer to the line of scrimmage than I anticipated, considering the downfield firepower the Saints possess. He’ll drop back at times, but early on he was lining up 10-12 yards off the ball, sometimes closer.
» After Darren Sharper drilled Devin Thomas on a third and seven pass (Thomas gained a first down), someone from the Redskins’ sideline must have yelled at Sharper. The Saints safety clearly was looking over there and, we’re guessing, was saying something in return. What we saw was fiery special teams coach Danny Smith signaling a first down with gusto.
» Liked the cutback run by Rock Cartwright, the 16-yard run to the 5-yard line. The knock on New Orleans is that its linebackers overpursue, leaving cutback lanes available. On the play, the linebackers sprinted to their right, going with the flow of the line. But Cartwright pressed the hole well and the cutback lane was rather large.
» New Orleans is not blitzing all that much, probably anticipating more pressure from its front four. It’s not happening, so look for Gregg Williams to start calling more. He might have to.
» Nice job by Lorenzo Alexander and Rocky McIntosh staying home on the end around. By the way, the Saints have run four plays to their left – two screens, a pass to the tight end and the end around.
» Anyone who wonders about Albert Haynesworth’s importance needed to watch the third and 1 run by New Orleans. His penetration clogged the backfield and was a key reason the play gained no yards.
» The Redskins are destroying this defense so far. On their second possession, they faced only one third down en route to a nine-play field goal march. They had first-down gains of 12, 13 and 15 yards on first down on this possession.
» The kick coverage has been excellent in the first quarter.
» The Saints continue to test the right side of the Redskins’ defense. Washington has made them horizontal and that’s a good sign.
» Kevin Barnes did an excellent job coming off the block of Devery Henderson to make the tackle on Reggie Bush. Very nice job.
