The Troy and Chief Show - tonights picks

[TroyF]

Just so we're on record for tonights contest, here is a quick look at tonight's game from the eyes of Troy and Chief Rum.

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New York Jets at Washington

Chief Rum-- The NFL and ESPN did a good job in picking this game to be the opener. Not only is it a good matchup which should be a close game, there's a lot of dislike between the teams over the free agent snatching the Skins did from the Jets in the offseason. The Jets have some very strong defensive players at spots, and I really like their defensive line--talented and deep--but I think the Skins match up well with them. Canidate and the other quick-scamper backs are going to give the slower Jets' linebackers fits on sweeps and screens. I think the Skins will struggle inside, but I dont' expect them to go up the gut much, and their line is good enough to match up with the Jets there. I think Coles has too much speed for Beasley, and the threat of Coles is going to pull the safeties even further away from the line of scrimmage, giving even more room to running backs and tight ends underneath. If Ramsey plays an efficient game, I see the Skins' offense being effective, and I think he will. Expect a solid day from Ramsey, a score from Coles and a couple good breaking runs by Canidate to pad a decent day. The Jets should eb able to establish an inside running game, but problems int he passing game might make them too predictable, which will hurt them over the course of the game. I think Conway and Chrebet will be taken out of the game by Smoot and Bailey, and Moss won't do enought o break that. Vinny will turn to Jordan on screens and Becht underneath, and being a veteran with a good sense of the rush, he will find them. But the lack of a quality outside running game or a deep passing game will doom the Jets in the end. I see the Skins pulling this one out late 27-21.

Troy - I'm not as sold on the Jets defensive line as Chief is. Abraham is solid and a terrific pass rusher. Robertson? I think he's overrated and will never match the hype. Chester M. is worthless. Thomas has a great deal of potential, but so do a lot of other guys in the league. He needs to show it. I think Samuels will control Abraham and the Skins will be able to pick apart the Jets average secondary. The Jets need to establish the run early. I look for Washington to be very aggressive on defense. I expect they'll be run blitzing quite a bit. If the Jets can burn them with a crossing pattern to Moss or Martin can get through the first wave, they'll put the Skins back on their heels a little bit and will be able to attack from there. I don't think the Jets will make enough of those plays. I see Washington winning the game 28-17.

[FrogMan]

God show guys, pretty good previews and commentary!

Can't wait for the game to start.... argh, 9 o'clock can't come soon enough!!!

FM

[Franklinnoble]

Great. You've just jinxed the 'Skins. Thanks.

[Butter]

How would this game be different with Pennington in for the Jets? I didn't really see the Jets much last year to know what kind of QB Pennington is, but seems to be a short-game type who doesn't stretch the field much. But maybe that's a function of the Jets WR corps.

Anyone? Bueller?

[Franklinnoble]

Pennington had the best QB rating in the NFL last year. He basically makes good reads, accurate throws, and rarely commits stupid errors. Testaverde is a fairly solid veteran, but he's 40 years old, and the Jets have nobody backing him up right now.

With Pennington, the Jets are unlikely to beat themselves on offense. Without him, they have to pray that Vinny holds up and can still put a little mustard on his passes. Any floating ducks are going to be easy prey for the Redskins secondary.

[Franklinnoble]

dola...

... that said, Vinny will probably pull a "Boomer Esiason" and throw for 500 yards tonight against the 'Skins.

[Butter]

Well, thank goodness it's not Theismann and Maguire tonight, otherwise it'd be 10 minutes about Chad Pennington after every turnover.

Let alone the incessant Vick talk.

[korme]

hell yeah Boomer Esiason reference

[Franklinnoble]

Originally posted by Shorty3281
hell yeah Boomer Esiason reference

I was referring to the time he was playing for the Cardinals and came to Washington and lit them up like a Christmas tree.

Of course, he was subsequently benched by Arizona so that he wouldn't meet certain statistical levels that would have triggered a performance bonus in his contract... but, hey, that's life on a Cardinals roster.