Bleacher Report - Articles by Nik Scalise

Washington Redskins Better Do It Now!

Nik Scalise — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:43:45 -0500

The Redskins find themselves, at 8 PM on Sunday night, in a huge make-or-break game. This game resembles the feeling of all the must wins of the past two seasons, having to win out to make the playoffs.

Even though the Redskins are 6-3 and could afford a loss, there is so much fan and media expectations for this team that has accomplished so much this season.

In the recent past, fans, coaches and management would be ecstatic about 6-3 record into a bye with Dallas on deck at home. However, this year, the Redskins, have shown that they can step up and play with the best of them.

They have proven to themselves, the fans and the media that they finally may be breaking a 20-year hangover and back to a more consistent elite NFL team.

Through the first five games of the season, obviously including the Giants home opener, the 'Skins offense produced 21.8 Pts/G while the defense allowed 19.6. Certainly ranked in top of the NFL. Since then, starting with the miserable Rams loss, the 'Skins are scoring 15.5 Pts/G and playing better defense allowing 17.5 Pts/G.

The big discrepancy with these stats is the schedule. The past four games have been against the Rams, Browns, Lions, and Steelers. Clearly, we are doing the right things on the defensive side of the ball.

Fortunately, we are dead solid, and the acquisition of Hall will prove to tighten up nuts and bolts in the secondary. Offensively, it makes no sense, how can the 'Skins drop nearly a touchdown in scoring while playing teams that have been getting torched.

Plus, we had a punt return against Detroit, so in reality, the offense itself is truly producing less. Have NFL teams caught up with Skins tactics, is it injuries, is Zorn putting the reigns back on Campbell, is the O-line crumbling?

Unfortunately, I think it is all of the above and it needs to be fixed now. Sunday Night, without Portis, will be a great example of the heart, desire, coaching, and strength of this team.

People can say all they want about how the Cowboys are on a downhill spiral, but they can easily blowout any team in the NFL on any day. This game will define the morale of the team. Players, fans, and coaches have had high expectations for this team and this game will set the precedent throughout the NFL and media outlets.

If the 'Skins win

The Redskins know how to overcome adversity and injuries. Coaching staff knows how to prepare and game plan. The 'Skins will be 3-1 in the toughest division in football. Morale will be lifted significantly, given the tough road the past four weeks. 'Skins are real playoff contenders, watch out!

If the 'Skins lose

No one will believe that the Skins are for real anymore, even with a 6-4 record. The past five weeks, they would prove that the league has caught up, and that the 'Skins are NOT a new face in the NFL.

The road to the playoffs gets that much tougher given the NFC South tight race. Still have to play the Eagles, Giants, and Baltimore, all with great defenses. Team morale will be a season low. Not good.

Case in point, this is the biggest game of the season thus far; the Redskins BETTER show up Sunday night and stuff a hungry Dallas team in the face like they did Week Four.

Go 'Skins!

NFL: Confidence and Motivation Equal Wins

Nik Scalise — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:04:09 -0400

It is incredible what can happen in the NFL when you find a team that believes in themselves and is completely motivated to win.

In week six, the Colts, Jaguars, Saints, Chargers and Browns all proved that belief and motivation are the keys to winning any game against any opponent.

They combined 1,483 passing yards and 20 TDs. WOW!

Last night, the Giants vs. Browns was such a perfect demonstration. You had the Giants who were 4-0, who were considered the most prolific offense, and who are arguably the best team in the NFL. Then, you had the Browns that were dead last in the NFL in nearly every offensive category, and most importantly had 11.5 points per game.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Browns had high expectations this season. Due to injuries early on, they had looked like a semi-pro team. With their back against the wall, in an early season must-win situation, they beat the mighty Giants in every aspect of the game.

In my opinion, this is what motivation can do to a team that believes in themselves and is confident about their capabilities. The Giants had no answer for the motivational support and emotions that the Browns showed last night.

Coaches who can get this kind of confidence and inspiration out of their players week-in and week-out will always be in a position to win the game. Unfortunately, there are times when no matter how well you coach, or how well you play, it becomes nearly impossible to match and defeat a team who are collectively in this motivational ZONE.

Look out for these situations; I see Lions at Texans and Broncos at Patriots as possible inspiration mismatches. Texans and Patriots should be highly motivated at home against the Lions who are looking at 0-16 and Denver who are struggling on the road this year.

Got to love the NFL, any given Sunday.

Commish.

Two Elite NFL Teams For 2008

Nik Scalise — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:37:44 -0400

After watching the first Sunday in the NFL I think there are some glaring signs of NFL Elite teams. I know people always like to say that it is early but there is no question that the following teams will be contending for the Superbowl in 2009.

Dallas Cowboys

Cleveland is nothing to write home about and their defense is still miserable. But this is an NFL team and the manner in which the Cowboys marched down the field was impressive. Besides the Eagles and Pitt, Dallas pretty much performed to perfection on week 1, both sides of the ball. Cleveland may be horrific on defense but they had a very dynamic offense last year and supposedly for year as well.

Dallas has a much better one-two punch with Felix Jones and the defense looked amazing. Although they are in the NFC East I see no reason they do not win the NFC East or capture the Wild Card.

Pittsburgh Steelers

I could care less about the pre-season hardest schedule discussions. Pittsburgh will always be a contender in a lackluster division. Cincinnati is awful, just awful. New management and new coaching is needed asap. Baltimore, while they always have a great schedule and play Pitt well consistently, I do not think they are ready to compete for the division title like Pittsburgh can this year. And Cleveland, well you know that story from above. No one will want to play the Steelers with that outstanding defense come Playoffs. This week could not have been better for Pitt; Brady goes down, Colts lose, Chargers lose, Cinci loses, Browns lose and Pitt Dominates.

Let's see how the season turns out but I am going to keep my eyes on Dallas and Pittsburgh!

Redskins @ Giants 2008 Kick-Off Analysis

Nik Scalise — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:27:14 -0400

As a DC native, I am excited about this matchup tomorrow night.

Much has changed for the Giants since their upset of the previously unbeaten Patriots. Most of the changes come from the defensive side of the ball. Five defensive starters who opened Super Bowl XLII will not suit up on Thursday - ends Michael Strahan (retired) and Osi Umenyiora (out for season, injured), linebackers Kawika Mitchell (free agent, Bills) and Reggie Torbor (free agent, Dolphins), and free safety Gibril Wilson (free agent, Raiders).

Things have also changed for the Redskins, who will begin the era of new head coach Jim Zorn.

The 55-year-old Zorn, who started 100 games as a member of the Seahawks from 1976 through 1983, inherits a Washington team that went 9-7 and made its second playoff appearance in three years last season.

The Redskins won their final four regular season games in 2007, with career backup quarterback Todd Collins exhibiting strong play in place of the injured Jason Campbell (knee).

REDSKINS OFFENSE:

The Redskins' fortunes in 2008 could rest heavily on whether Zorn's west- coast-style offensive scheme takes root quickly. For Campbell (2700 passing yards, 12 TD, 11 INT in 2007), it will be his seventh offensive system in eight seasons, dating back to his time at Auburn. Top wideouts Santana Moss (61 receptions, 3 TD) and Antwaan Randle El (51 receptions, 1 TD) both return, as does tight end Chris Cooley (66 receptions, 8 TD), though Randle El has been nursing a hand injury of late. The former Indiana star is expected to play against the Giants. In the backfield, Clinton Portis (1,262 rushing yards, 11 TD, 47 receptions) will continue to carry the load, with Ladell Betts (335 rushing yards, 21 receptions, 2 TD) occasionally sprinkled in as well. Portis has gone over 1,200 yards in three of his four years with Washington.

The work of the Giants' front four, particularly their pass rush, was given much of the credit for the team's playoff success a year ago. But with Strahan and Umenyiora gone along with their 22 combined sacks from 2007, new starting ends Justin Tuck (65 tackles, 10 sacks) and Mathias Kiwanuka (46 tackles, 4.5 sacks) will have to prove they can deliver the goods. Kiwanuka, making the switch from outside linebacker back to his former end spot, returns after missing the final six games of 2007 with a broken leg. Ex-Redskin Antonio Pierce (103 tackles) is back at middle linebacker, and will be flanked by holdover Gerris Wilkinson (14 tackles) and journeyman Danny Clark (51 tackles with Houston). The new face in the starting secondary is free safety Michael Johnson (25 tackles), though the second-year pro could see first-round rookie Kenny Phillips (Miami-Florida) cut into his playing time.

GIANTS OFFENSE:

Manning (3336 passing yards, 23 TD, 20 INT in regular season) was nothing short of magnificent in the 2007 postseason, throwing six touchdown passes, just one interception, and compiling a 95.7 passer rating that was more than 20 points better than his regular season mark. His supporting cast remains largely intact, with Plaxico Burress (70 receptions, 12 TD) and Amani Toomer (59 receptions, 3 TD) heading up a deep receiving corps, bruising Brandon Jacobs (1009 rushing yards, 23 receptions, 6 TD) getting the first crack in the backfield, and tight end Kevin Boss (9 receptions, 2 TD) trying to build on a strong showing in the playoffs while replacing Shockey full-time. Derrick Ward (602 rushing yards, 26 receptions, 4 TD), who saw a promising 2007 season end prematurely due to an ankle injury, will be back on the field Thursday night and is listed as Jacobs' primary backup.

When Manning drops back to throw, his greatest worry could come from defensive end and six-time Pro Bowler Jason Taylor (56 tackles, 11 sacks with Miami). Taylor was dealt from the Dolphins to the Redskins earlier in training camp, and will make his formal debut with the team on Thursday unless a persistent knee injury keeps him on the shelf. Taylor, who last missed a game in 1999, was considered doubtful as of Monday. Other leaders for the Washington "D" include middle linebacker and leading 2007 tackler London Fletcher (128 tackles, 3 INT), veteran cornerback Shawn Springs (62 tackles, 4 INT), and second-year strong safety LaRon Landry (95 tackles). Landry was nursing a hamstring injury during the preseason, but should be available on Thursday. The Skins were No. 4 in the league against the run, and 16th against the pass, in 2007.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

I am truly confused about this matchup. The Reskins have struggled that past few pre-seaon games but clearly have not played the complete roster together. Portis/Betts combo will be strong as the Redskins have not changed the running game tactics amidst the new Zorn West Coast offense. If Campbell can handle the pressure I do like the quick throws but that also keeps the Giants on the line of scrimmage and may hurt the running game. Defensively, I just do not think the Giants have the ahtletes to push the talented Redskins defense around. I think the Jacobs and the Giants running game could give the Redskins issues with their undersized Defensive line.

The Giants on the other hand, should be a bit concerned by Redskins attack. You cannot replace the losses that they have incurred on the Defensive line but have relplaced personnel in the secondary well which has always been an issue. Eli and his post SuperBowl confidence will be tough to harness at Home in front a very, very happy crowd.

I see a tight game that goes to wire. 17-14, 20-17 kind of game where a mistake will turn the game around. I hope it comes from the Giants!

Cheers to NFL Season!

Commish