Giants vs Redskins: Five Questions With the Enemy

Dec 29, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback

(12) drops back to pass against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. The Giants defeated the Redskins 20-6. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

With a Thursday Night Football clash on the horizon, GMENHQ has been discussing the upcoming matchup with Riggo’s Rag — which no matter how that name sounds, is actually a Washington Redskins site on the FanSided Network.

For this post we interacted with site Editor Maurice Barksdale (@FanOnFire_mbark). Wire fans, us included, wonder if he was related to Avon Barksdale… but didn’t include that among the questions.

Nevertheless, we did ask Maurice five questions concerning the team he covers, and you can find both the questions and answers below. (Or click HERE for our Staff Writer – Zac Andrews’ Q&A over at Riggo’s Rag)

Giants vs Redskins Q&A:

1.) Currently, the Washington Redskins rank 4th in YPG allowed (282.7) and 3rd in rushing YPG allowed (64.7). Do you attribute these rankings to strength of opponent and chance, or should the Giants’ rushing attack be legitimately concerned?

The Giants should be legitimately concerned. The Redskins are much better defensively than last year.  Their defensive line is much more active and with the addition of Jason Hatcher and has more talent and depth.  Also they have upgraded at inside linebacker with Keenan Robinson now paired with Perry Riley so they are bigger and more athletic in the front seven. 

2.) Does Kirk Cousins play a lot of read option schemes like Robert Griffin III? Also would the team feel more comfortable if RGIII was starting against the Giants rather than Cousins?

The Redskins won’t be running much read-option with Kirk Cousins.  He’s athletic and has good mobility but not enough to be a consistent threat running the football.  And right now I think the team feels more comfortable with Kirk Cousins as the starter over the injured Robert Griffin III. 

Cousins seems to know the offense better at this stage but I still believe Griffin has more upside because of his athletic ability.  However, for Cousins to remain the starter he has to win football games.  If the team doesn’t win with Cousins then RGIII will be the starter once again. 

3.) What does Jay Gruden bring to this team vs the Mike Shanahan era? And what do people assume about your head coach due to his brother vs the reality of who he is?

Jay Gruden brings a hunger and an energy to the Redskins that Mike Shanahan simply didn’t have any more.  Shanahan had already won two Super Bowls with the Broncos so he didn’t really need to win with the Redskins.  I think Shanahan was less open to compromise than jay Gruden and had a my way or the highway approach.  Especially when it came to the defense.

Also, Gruden’s demeanor is such that he comes off as kind of laid back and humorous but can still crack the whip and lay down the law when he needs to.  I think the team responds much better to that approach.  And I think Jay Gruden is his own man, so I don’t see Redskins fans really doing much comparison of him to Jon Gruden at all.  Jay Gruden seems very comfortable with who he is in relation to his brother.

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4.) With DeAngelo Hall out for the remainder of the season, who’s next in line? And, how will the Redskins play the Giants differently on defense with the new coaching staff, since Jim Haslett is technically still the leader on defense?

DeAngelo Hall was hand picked by Jay Gruden to be one of the leaders of the team.  So from a leadership standpoint it’s a big loss and Hall is still a very good cornerback so it hurts from a talent perspective as well.  The Redskins will more than likely go with rookie Bashaud Breeland in place of Hall for now.

But Breeland has been very good as a rookie so although he’s inexperienced he’s arguably played better than Hall had this season.  The Redskins are a more aggressive team defensively under Jay Gruden.  They are tied for the league lead in sacks with ten so they will definitely be coming after Eli Manning.

Jim Haslett said himself that Mike Shanahan was more conservative defensively and his hands were tied when calling the defense.  But under Gruden, Haslett has more freedom and has vowed to turn his pass rushers loose and that strategy is paying off.

5.) Final score predictions, and what is the NFC East going to do about the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles (besides let them beat themselves)???

Final score:  Redskins – 28, Giants – 24.  And as for the Eagles, the Redskins would have beaten them if not for a kick return for a touchdown by the Eagles which proved to be the difference in the 37-34 game. 

The Redskins had more yards on offense than the Eagles and held them to 54 yards rushing basically limiting the effectiveness of LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles.  But the special teams touchdown and Nick Foles taking a pounding but refusing to lose are what got the Eagles the win.

So the Eagles are definitely beatable and I think the Redskins will take them in the next game.