What did you enjoy most about yesterday?

There were so many elements to how the game went, I found myself not sure of what I enjoyed most. But here are some of them; which was most enjoyable to you?

1.) A solid win, with barely any time grading our nerves. The last few years, even when we win, the games are stressful; either we lose our lead or come close to it. My friends and I always say, "Can't we finally have a game where we are in control the whole time so we can just enjoy ourselves?" Yesterday came as close to a "no pressure win" as we have had all year, and much of the last few seasons as well. When the Skins came back and score the TD, I thought "We are going to have to score a lot to win this one" and it turned out not to be true. As in the Cinci game, the D gradually tightened it's grip and shut them down (The drops helped, but the D was still pretty solid regardless.)

2.) (Maybe my favorite ;-) Seeing Dwyer prove he can be a force in the league. It's not just that he is getting the yards, it's also the manner in which he is. As the years have gone on with Mendenhall, I have grown increasingly annoyed at his running style. I know it's been discussed, ad nauseum, but it is just refreshing to see JD just find a hole and power his way through it and then give his last tackler a nice shot at the end of his run. That style wears down the opposing D. __AND__ (and this is an underrated factor), it psyches the O line up. They get fired up when they see JD just blasting through and into the D. It is no coincidence that in the last two games - featuring JD getting over 100 yards - our rush blocking has improved over the course of the game.

3.) Seeing our D resemble what we have gotten used to. We still have no Troy, and only about 60% of Harrison, but our D is starting to gel and heat up. There is nothing more depressing, as Steeler fans, to see a soft D, which is what they somewhat resembled until the last few weeks. I find real bliss in watching our D when it is making life miserable for the opposing QB and Os. RG3 was getting all the hype, but our D made his life pretty lousy, for the time being. They were rushing fairly well on us, but as we scored more, it was obvious their rush wouldn't be enough to beat us.

4.) Ben looking sharp, and not getting hit. Has he ever been better? And how nice is it to not have to cringe every other passing play because he is getting smashed? We are starting to resemble how other decent teams look, where their QB isn't getting nailed every other play and I like it.

5.) O line coming together. There is no question that the line is starting to play much better, in both rush and pass blocking, and it's a joy, to be honest. And then what will they look like with DeCastro back? Having Pouncey back is a real pleasure as well.

What else?

Seeing Timmons chase RGIII and knowing RGIII was thinking "I can't shake this big monster, I need to get rid of this damn ball"

Seriously, my favorite was the OL taking it to the Redskins (imagine if DeCastro didn't get hurt) and Dwyer running Like Franco. Yes, in my mind I think he runs more like Franco than Bettis. I guess that just dates me that I remember every game Franco played.

Many things to be somewhat happy about. For me.....I loved the O-line play. Not trying to sell (convince) those who disagree, but I have always thought the Oline (yes...even Colon) had/have potential. They looked good, regardless of the oponent.

I thought Mundy and Allen played well in Clarks abscence.

[QUOTE=Oviedo;530282]Seeing Timmons chase RGIII and knowing RGIII was thinking "I can't shake this big monster, I need to get rid of this damn ball"

Seriously, my favorite was the OL taking it to the Redskins (imagine if DeCastro didn't get hurt) and Dwyer running Like Franco. Yes, in my mind I think he runs more like Franco than Bettis. I guess that just dates me that I remember every game Franco played.[/QUOTE]

Yea, I recall seeing Timmons racing after RG3, and although he was unlikely to catch him, he was fast enough that he stayed right on him and RG had to get rid of the ball. That was impressive. Timmons has been pretty good all year long. Dude has some jets for his size, that's for sure.

As far as JD looking like Franco....some what. He kind of reminds me of Alonzo Highsmith, who used to play for the Oilers. (Not as dated as Franco, but pretty damn obscure reference.) I always thought AH was underrated. He didn't have a very long career, but he was a force running the ball and blocking, for as long as he did last.

I forgot he had a brief boxing career and even fought the boxing fraud, Mark Gastineau. Wow.

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=movtSx1mPYk[/url]

Highsmith was built like a beast. Looking back at his build, I guess JD doesn't remind me so much of him after all.

[QUOTE=8467thekraken;530291]I thought Mundy and Allen played well in Clarks abscence.[/QUOTE]

Not to mention, in Troy's absence as well. I thought when Clark went out we might be in trouble, but those guys played well. Maybe they just needed some reps. IDK.

[QUOTE=virgilbosetti;530288]Many things to be somewhat happy about. For me.....I loved the O-line play. Not trying to sell (convince) those who disagree, but I have always thought the Oline (yes...even Colon) had/have potential. They looked good, regardless of the oponent.[/QUOTE]

I think they are all growing as a unit; I think Adams is coming along, and having Pouncey back really takes the unit up a few notches. And yes, I have to admit that Colon is coming around and his aggression adds to making the unit have a nastier tude, and that is much needed. That, along with JD's punishing rushes, has added to make this unit much better on the nasty tude front.

The best part about yesterday is knowing the game was over before the last play. Its been a while since we've had a convincing win against a half decent opponent.

1. Dwyer was my favorite. Seeing him from the endzone was a treat. He really goes down low to deliver a blow when he's about to get tackled. He's a violent runner.

2. How bout our trio of TD receivers - Pope, Miller, Johnson. BA wishes he could have gotten that creative in the RZ.

3. I'll be anxiously awaiting the fine of DeAngelo Hall. Anyone know what really happened there? He seemed to get mixed up with Sanders from what I could see and then went after the official for some reason. Then one of his teammates came in and pushed the official and they threw him out of the game. I thought #26 was going to get thrown out for running into the official.

4. RG3 does a great job handing off and creating confusion. It was hard to follow the ball a number of time. He's got an identical motion when he keeps it or when he hands it off. RG3 was pretty accurate and had a lot of balls hit guys in the hands. And when he went out for a pass and got called for PI, he was flying. I was shocked Ike didn't get called for PI. I didn't watch the broadcast yet, but it was right in front of us and you could tell Ike had no idea where the ball was and just ran into RG3. That call helped us out.

5. I couldn't see the hold on the PR by Brown. It looked like Brown was past everyone before the hold could have occurred. Again, I need to see the replay.

RGIII pushed Ike out of the way......good call. Just glad Clark didn't get called for a hit on a defenseless Rec.

[QUOTE=flippy;530300]1. Dwyer was my favorite. Seeing him from the endzone was a treat. He really goes down low to deliver a blow when he's about to get tackled. He's a violent runner.

2. How bout our trio of TD receivers - Pope, Miller, Johnson. BA wishes he could have gotten that creative in the RZ.

3. I'll be anxiously awaiting the fine of DeAngelo Hall. Anyone know what really happened there? He seemed to get mixed up with Sanders from what I could see and then went after the official for some reason. Then one of his teammates came in and pushed the official and they threw him out of the game. I thought #26 was going to get thrown out for running into the official.

4. RG3 does a great job handing off and creating confusion. It was hard to follow the ball a number of time. He's got an identical motion when he keeps it or when he hands it off. RG3 was pretty accurate and had a lot of balls hit guys in the hands. And when he went out for a pass and got called for PI, he was flying. I was shocked Ike didn't get called for PI. I didn't watch the broadcast yet, but it was right in front of us and you could tell Ike had no idea where the ball was and just ran into RG3. That call helped us out.

5. I couldn't see the hold on the PR by Brown. It looked like Brown was past everyone before the hold could have occurred. Again, I need to see the replay.[/QUOTE]

How many flags have ruined a TD return by Brown in the pre-season and season? It seems like every other game. At some point, could we actually benefit from one of his returns some day? And you are right: RG3 is smooth with his ball handling and he is accurate, not to mention, he's not an immature punk. That dude is going to make his mark in the league.

And yes, JD runs with violence. That's one reason why I was excited about him; he is kind of the polar opposite of SpinderHall.

[QUOTE=lloydroid;530311]How many fags have ruined a TD return by Brown in the pre-season and season? [/QUOTE]

I don't know, how many? :D

Derailing the hype train of RG3. I like the kid, but I hate all the hype attached to ANY ROOKIE with only seven games under their belt.

[QUOTE=Shoe;530319]Derailing the hype train of RG3. I like the kid, but I hate all the hype attached to ANY ROOKIE with only seven games under their belt.[/QUOTE]

Hype will bear itself out to be just that. RGIII has handled the spotlight very well so far. I'm impressed and I'll admit it.

The play of Larry Foote. I was a little worried earlier in the season at his play. He is the captain and leadership icon in this defense right now. And his play is showing it. He was all over the field. He now leads the team in tackles and sacks.

[QUOTE=flippy;530300]I was shocked Ike didn't get called for PI. I didn't watch the broadcast yet, but it was right in front of us and you could tell Ike had no idea where the ball was and just ran into RG3. That call helped us out.

5. I couldn't see the hold on the PR by Brown. It looked like Brown was past everyone before the hold could have occurred. Again, I need to see the replay.[/QUOTE]

On TV you will see that the OPI was an easy call. They were both looking up and RGIII pushed off extending his arms. He is not a seasoned enough receiver to know how to do it without getting caught.

On the PR it was on the first man down and it was a good call. Funny thing is that it looked like Brown could have gotten by him anyway but we will never know.

[QUOTE=steeler_fan_in_t.o.;530365]On TV you will see that the OPI was an easy call. They were both looking up and RGIII pushed off extending his arms. He is not a seasoned enough receiver to know how to do it without getting caught.

On the PR it was on the first man down and it was a good call. Funny thing is that it looked like Brown could have gotten by him anyway but we will never know.[/QUOTE]

Thanks all. From where I was sitting Ike was between me and RG3 and I didn't see the push until I watched the replay. Good thing the ref was on the other side and could see the push.

On the Brown play, he wasn't getting hit. I could see Brown's complete body and the lane between him and the endzone. Before he caught the punt, I told people he was running this one back.

I think we're getting so many flags, the refs plan to throw flags against us before the game.

[QUOTE=Sugar;530337]Hype will bear itself out to be just that. RGIII has handled the spotlight very well so far. I'm impressed and I'll admit it.[/QUOTE]

Within the next 3 years, barring injury, RGIII will be one of the Top5 QBs in the NFL. Totally impressed with everything I have seen from the young man. He obviously benefits from being an "Army Brat" and has his head on right versus far to many players who would be "punks" with his success.

[QUOTE=feltdizz;530297]The best part about yesterday is knowing the game was over before the last play. Its been a while since we've had a convincing win against a half decent opponent.[/QUOTE]

The best part of the game yesterday was the Redskins in the victory formation for the last play ... and knowing they lost. Priceless!!

Living in the DC area I couldn't wait to go to work on Monday. Alas, Sandy had other plans for me.

[QUOTE=skyhawk;530359]The play of Larry Foote. I was a little worried earlier in the season at his play. He is the captain and leadership icon in this defense right now. And his play is showing it. He was all over the field. He now leads the team in tackles and sacks.[/QUOTE]

That is surprising. He has been viewed fairly lowly by most. And now he has become one of our best players. Who'd of thunk it?

Someone should mention the play of Keenan Lewis. He leads the team with 12 passes defensed. He is also tackling well in run support. He might soon assume the mantle as being the defense's best cover corner.