UNLEASHED/Beltway Gridlock

Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn talks to quarterback Jason Campbell (17) against the St. Louis Rams during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 in Landover, Md. The Rams won 19-17. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)" width="500" height="379" />

Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn talks to quarterback Jason Campbell (17) against the St. Louis Rams during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 in Landover, Md. The Rams won 19-17. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Dawgfather at the ESPN Zone in D.C.

Browns Backers,

urgency - ” The quality or condition of being urgent; pressing importance”

With only two and a half weeks till Election Day it is only fitting that Jim Zorn has the Redskins playing like a surprise contender that has come out of nowhere this year, much like Barack Obama he is a freshman coach who offers the promise of a new era and wishes to challenge the stuffy, crusty old guards of the “establishment” in Philly and Dallas whom resemble John McCain in terms of living off of past glory and with the exception of the Giants haven’t done much other than keep the status quo.

In D.C. football and politics go together like peanut butter and jelly and the passion of the “Skins” runs rampant from College Park to Georgetown and from Chevy Chase to Silver Spring you will find passionate and very knowledgeable fans reading their beloved Washington Post to check out the Skins on the front page it is the one and only unifying factor that D.C. area Republicans and Democrats can agree on even though “Joe The Plumber” says he can’t afford the Redskins and their expensive free agent spending any more.

With the Skins getting a wakeup call thanks to the lowly Rams upsetting them at home, this game means a lot to a hungry and very angry(although ailing) Washington team, and with Nov 4 looming around the corner wouldn’t it be perfectly fitting that a upstart underdog from Ohio screw things up? They certainly have my vote.

Word out of Berea is that Winslow will most likely play, although it is not confirmed he did practice according to both BESPN and Cleveland.com, that would really give the Browns not only another receiver for the Skins to worry about, but with a rejuvenated and confident Browns offense coming down to Landover, the Skins are more than a bit wary of these hungry dawgs, especially after watching MNF’s spanking of fellow NFC East rival, New York. KNOW THAT!

For the Browns to be successful in winning on Sunday, I think the Browns need to continue using Heiden and Jenkins more and splitting Winslow out if he is cleared to play, watch for more Harrison on screen plays to help negate their pass rush, I can also see Edwards having another big game now that Stallworth is on the field taking double-teams off of him, and Anderson isn’t out of the woods yet so he needs another solid and consistent game, as long as he doesn’t get rattled or starts to lock in on Edwards, he should be fine, what I’m also hearing is that Cribbs will be used in a few more “Wildcat” plays.

On defense, I have to say as much as I’ve ribbed and blasted them in the past, they have really stepped it up the last month giving up a respectable 16.2 points and have really become a real ball hawking defense with 9 interceptions which is fourth in the league, the emergence of McDonald and Wright is beginning to remind me of Dixon and Minifield, and with the return of Sean Jones should provide additional help this defense gel in time for the stretch run which brings me to my new favorite Brown in NT Shaun Rogers who is continuing to play out of his mind and becoming a real terror for opposing offensive lines everywhere, with his ability to collapse the pocket along with Corey Williams, Alex Hall and Kam Wimbley(who!!) can have a conference on top of Campbell.

The former Auburn standout looks at home in Zorn’s “West Coast” offense and hasn’t thrown an INT yet, that’s funny didn’t Eli have that same honor before setting foot in Cleveland? I feel that if the Browns continue to play the way they have been the last month by continuing to apply pressure and contain Portis and Cooley then their only concern in my eyes is perennial Browns-killer, WR Antwaan Randel-El(yup..that one!)

They have to be wary of Randel-El and his ability to run and throw as I’ve sure many Browns fans can painfully remember from his days as a Steeler, they really have to watch out for speedy WR Santana Moss who is capable of having a game-breaker at anytime.

One way to stop a West Coast offense is to disrupt the timing of the routes by being physical off the line and to hit the QB as much as possible so that he cannot get into a rhythm with using the short screens to RB’s out of the backfield or the quick slants, Campbell is a average QB at best who hasn’t had to win any big games or carry the Skins by himself, I’m more safe in letting Campbell try to beat us than Cooley or Portis.

The Skins may have gotten a wake-up call by the Rams, but I see the Browns hitting the snooze button on Sunday! Pick: Browns 28 Redskins 21

Dawgfather rocking out!!