Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

Ripped from the 12thMan Guide to Thread Starting:

Aside from the obvious wins-and no major injuries, here are the five on-the-field changes (or non-changes) I want to see for the rest of the season, in no particular order:

[B]Play Ladell Betts...but Don't Forget Portis[/B]
I always thought Betts would get the early workload this season and Portis the backend of the season. It hasn't worked out that way obviously, but I think it's time (past time) to start working Betts into the offense. Give him more carries, get him in involved in the passing game. Put Betts and Portis out there together. We have two very talented backs, let's not waste that. Between the two of them I'd like to see them touching the ball 25-30 times a game.

[B]Shake-Up at Wide Receiver[/B]
Santana Moss' biggest strength is the separation he can get with his speed. He's not getting that right now and he's playing really tentatively it seems. When your #1 WR is playing scared, it shakes the confidence of your young QB. Campbell needs someone he knows he can count on, and right now I don't think Moss is that guy. Keenan McCardell is. I had mixed feelings about bringing KM in, but it's clear from the games he has played that he still has it and knows what he needs to do. Maybe start El and McCardell, bring Moss off the bench. And the attack the intermediate middle with KM and Cooley, freeing up the outside for El and Moss (and even Lloyd). Give Moss his fair number of plays, but shake things up.

[B]Football is Fun...damental[/B]
I'm hesitant to really "open up" the offense as long as we keep making fundamental mistakes. A lot of our mistakes can be attributed to lack of basics, namely wrapping up on tackles, blocking and holding onto the ball. If we're going to lose, and I don't doubt we will again at least once this year I don't want it to be because we beat ourselves

[B]Leave It On the Field[/B]
I want to see some Jon Jansen playing with two broken thumbs-type attitude. Players are not as self-centered and money-focused as the general public likes to believe, but sometimes fans need a reminder. And it inspires teammates as well if say Fred Smoot, for example, is giving it his all instead of sitting on the sidelines in street clothes.

[B]Improve the Punting Game[/B]
We're ranked near the bottom in the conference. As it is we're putting a lot on the defense to carry us. Let's not make it harder for them with poor field position. I want Frost's punting average to be at least 45 yards per punt, right now it's around 41. These are not net yards by the way.

Bonus: Let's also get a positive turnover ratio

Anyhow, as we move forward into the second half of the season these are the things I want to see us focus on. Nothing too elaborate, pretty basic stuff.

How about you? What are the five things you want to see?

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

Five Things I Wanna See:

1. [B]Consistency[/B]

I would love to see any kind of consistency at all on the offensive side of the ball. We can take 8 drives and score 14 off of 2 of them. I would love to see of O move the ball more effectively. Our run game has been poo-ed this year which leads me too.....

2. [B]Run Game[/B]

Our pithy 3 yards a carry this year is disgusting compared to last year. Even last year when Portis was hurt he still picked up a bunch of yards and 6 TD's He seems to have lost more than a step or two. He has lost the explosivness, speed and he tends to get hit a lot for losses or small gains, whereas before he would pick up more yards. I would LOVE to see a long TD run. Seriously! When's the last time we had one for more than 30-35 yards? 50? Its been a while and I would love to see us get back to running the ball like we KNOW we can.

3. [B]Shining Hope[/B]

It sounds dumb but, I would love to see one of our depth players at CB can man up and become what we need him to be. Its just a hope, but I would still love to see it.

4. [B]Coaching[/B]

I would love to see us FIX the little errors that keep us from being a great team. Bad clock management plagues us like hell. Playcalling is horrible somtimes and great others but a hit or miss offense isnt a champion offense. I would just like to see everything in general about this team tighten up a bit. It seems to me that its all a little sloppy and if we cleaned it up coaching wise, we could be GREAT. A steady, vertical attack, even with a lead, would be nice to see, especially if it works properly. I would just love to see the team as a whole tighten up.

[B]AND FINALLY....[/B]


[COLOR="DarkOrange"]JASON CAMPBELL[/COLOR]


I would love to see JC become the quarterback we all know he can be. I would love to see us down in the 4th quarter of a game and win it for us. I want to see him throw for 300 yds, 3 TD's and 90 rushing yds and a TD, but thats because I play too much Madden.

I would LOVE to see JC step up into the the leader role of this team. He is the face of the future and well, the future is now. He will do all of these things in time I guess, I would just love to see them sooner than later.

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

[QUOTE=SmootSmack;372182]
[B]Shake-Up at Wide Receiver[/B]
Santana Moss' biggest strength is the separation he can get with his speed. He's not getting that right now and he's playing really tentatively it seems. When your #1 WR is playing scared, it shakes the confidence of your young QB. Campbell needs someone he knows he can count on, and right now I don't think Moss is that guy. Keenan McCardell is. I had mixed feelings about bringing KM in, but it's clear from the games he has played that he still has it and knows what he needs to do. Maybe start El and McCardell, bring Moss off the bench. And the attack the intermediate middle with KM and Cooley, freeing up the outside for El and Moss (and even Lloyd). Give Moss his fair number of plays, but shake things up.[/QUOTE]

Excellent point regarding Moss and his confidence. His lack of production and the mistakes he's making certainly goes a long way in destroying the chemistry between Campbell and Moss.

Maybe I'm seeing things, but I seem to recall earlier in the season that maybe once or twice a game Campbell would air one out to Moss if he was in single coverage. It seemed like Campbell trusted him, basically saying "Hey, if you're 30 yards downfield in single coverage, I'm throwing it your way because I believe you'll make a good play and we've got a good chance of making it."

I don't recall seeing that much in recent games. Campbell seems a lot more conservative, and honestly I think his deep ball is his real talent. He seems to get more accurate the farther he throws. His intermediate and stuff is the dangerous stuff and what's getting picked off.

I wonder how damaging the Green Bay game was where Moss dropped everything thrown his way. Seems like their chemistry hasn't been the same since.

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

[B]1. Execution[/B]

I want to see the players catch catchable balls, not fumble, and not whiff on blocks. Those simple things make all the difference.

[B]2. Trust JC
[/B]
I know JC is young, but I don't think our run-blocking is good enough just yet. I would prefer to put the ball in JC's hands, than to rely on the running game.

[B]3. Give Betts the Ball
[/B]
I haven't changed my position with regard to Portis one iota. I love the guy, but I have also been saying that Betts needs to get the ball more. I think we should let Betts stay in on an entire series, then go to Portis for two, then go to Betts, etc.

[B]4. Use Cooley More As a Receiver
[/B]
I understand that our O-line is banged up, but Cooley needs to be running routes. Cooley is far more valuable to this team as a receiving threat than a blocker. He can occupy one defender in a blocking role or take up one or two defenders in a receiving role. Let him chip guys and then go out on his routes. He's the best receiver we've got right now.

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

[B]1. Trust JC to run the offense[/B]

It seems that Al and Joe are extremely hesitant to loosen the reign of JC but if we dont do it now then he could end up the next Rex Grossman or Byron Leftwich. Let him take more shots early in the game. Bring back the Moss screen of 2005.

[B]2. The 2 back system[/B]

We have 2 talented backs but it seems like neither one is going to have 20 carries this season the closest we got was in week one when they both had 17. Use them both in the backfield at the same time more that would really confuse the defense.

[B]3. Consistency[/B]

Smootsmack pointed out about our punting average. I am saying the O-line needs some consistency with protection and not commiting stupid penalties that prohibit JC from having managable down and distance to move the sticks. Also dropped balls are killing us get Moss, El, Lloyd, and McCardell together with JC after practice and just throw the ball around.

[B]4. Use Chris Cooley[/B]

The guy has had over 700 yards in each of the past 2 seasons and for some reason we have forgotten that he is on the team get him down the seams in the middle like we used to do and let him work his magic. Remember last year against the Panthers. Use him and keep using him.

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

[B]1) Stop it with the 3 WR/4 WR sets[/B]

We just don't have the personnel to run them. Sure we have had some success by splitting Cooley into the slot, and letting Campbell work from the gun on third down, but this is getting bad. Don't sacrifice good protection for one more scrub receiver in a route.

[B]2) Use Todd Yoder in passing situations[/B]

So it turns out that Sellers can't really pass block because he lacks athleticism. So ya know what? Don't leave him in to pass protect. Let Yoder play and help Wade or Heyer on the right side. Then Cooley isn't forced to do this role...at least every pass. You still want to mix it up.

[B]3) Replace Wade[/B]

Just do it already.

[B]4) Let Ladell Betts get the start[/B]

He should see about 20 carries. Mix in Portis too, but use him more in passing routes to get him in space. We seem to prefer to keep Clinton in as a blocker, but he lunges too much. I love seeing him stick people, but he gives up way too many sacks.

[B]5) Throw on first down, run on third[/B]

We've been very predictable in that if we need a first down, Saunders freaks and throws the football. But once he gets that first down, we like to come out and run it. The run/pass ratio has been good, but the timing has been backwards. You want to throw when you are farther from the line to gain, and run more when you are close to it.

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

hahaha...nice thread Smoot.

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

I'd like to see...

Moss or ARE run some plays from the slot, on the same side of the field as McCardell. Crossing patterns to open up the middle of the field...and get the ball to McCardell more. He's a great possession receiver, and the presence we need in the middle of the field.

Mike Sellers get the ball more on short yardage and some 3rd downs. If you are going to have someone throw a block before setting up a screen, might as well be a 280lb MFer.

the coaching staff put pressure on the fill-ins flanking the right side of the line. Rotate if need be, but between Wade, Puccillo, Heyer, Fabini, DeMulling, there is a combination that will work. If not, just put the fresh guys out there. I think defenses are stacking the left side of the line knowing the Skins wont do much running right

more 1st down play-action. Take a shot downfield, then run it down the throat. Should open up the intermediate pass as well.

the offense go back to the basics. There's a reason Gibbs 1.0 was successful...there was a certain attitude to go along with the schemes and game play. This team needs to find that attitude and flaunt it.

Bonus: I'd love to get my hands on one of Cartwright's t-shirts...

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

[QUOTE=GTripp0012;372257]
[B]3) Replace Wade[/B]

Just do it already.[/QUOTE]

Can someone fill me in on why Wade is so bad? Maybe I haven't been paying attention or I'm not smart enough, but I'd like to be clued in on what he's screwing up on a regular basis.

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

[quote=mheisig;372266]Can someone fill me in on why Wade is so bad? Maybe I haven't been paying attention or I'm not smart enough, but I'd like to be clued in on what he's screwing up on a regular basis.[/quote]

Wade has no awareness. He is slow to recognize blitzes. His footwork is lousy. He allows the outside rush go unabated. A serious liability for the passing game. He tends to run block well.

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Wade got no help from Sellers last week, that's for sure. Sellers got flat out abused by Vrabel and Harrison. Not like Sellers at all.

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[QUOTE=SmootSmack;372270]Wade got no help from Sellers last week, that's for sure. Sellers got flat out abused by Vrabel and Harrison. Not like Sellers at all.[/QUOTE]

I love Sellers as a receiver, running back, and run-blocker. But, defenders have blown past the guy in pass protection on more than one Sunday. I don't know what it is, maybe he's just not agile enough?

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

[QUOTE=SmootSmack;372270]Wade got no help from Sellers last week, that's for sure. Sellers got flat out abused by Vrabel and Harrison. Not like Sellers at all.[/QUOTE]

Oh man I saw that too, the Harrison spin move. I think Beli-cheat spiked the Redskin Kool-Aid with Doubt Juice, replaced Mike Sellers with his more docile twin brother and obviously had someone work on Santana's groin the night before the game...

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

Betts lovers, Betts has a lower ypc avg than Portis. He is also not a very good pass blocker.

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[B]1) Throw more intermediate routes.[/B]

The Redskins have fallen in love with the wide receiver hitches and the running back dump offs and it was obvious in the Patriot game that teams are wise to that strategy. They were purposely jumping those routes. The Skins were lucky that none were intercepted for touchdowns. The intermediate area is open (10-20 yards). I would like to see this area exploited.

[B]2) Mix in a few different looks and blitzes on defense.[/B]

Ignoring last week, the defense has been great this year but the Skins are showing the same Deep Cover 2 look on every down. I've seen very few blitzes and the front four is having a hard time getting to the quarterback. Mix it up a little bit and get after the quarterback.

[B]3) I want to see Clinton Portis run hard![/B]

It seems to me that Portis has ceased to hit the hole hard and give second effort. Shaun Alexander does the same thing. Portis runs to the assigned hole and looks for a place to fall down. He is also putting the ball on the ground too often. I expect more out of a premier back.

[B]4) A want to see a more prepared team.[/B]

You look at a Indianapolis Colts or New England Patriot game and it is obvious that these teams are well prepared for most situations. The hurry-up offense, the red zone execution is smooth. The Redskins on the other hand looked confused, hurried and indecisive. Our coaching staff has to do a better job of getting our team prepared.

[B]5) The Redskin organization needs to re-examine it's strength and conditioning program.[/B]

Too many injuries, year after year. Too many of the same type of injuries (hamstrings, groin, ...) Some injuries are unavoidable but they need to make sure that these rash of injuries are no a result of poor conditioning or workout regime.

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

good thread idea smoot smack and nice ideas from everyone . . .

1. G Williams NEEDS TO BLITZ/BRING MORE PRESSURE

in the preseason our 1st string D unit looked canibalistic with the way they attacked the line of scrimmage and really got after the ball. Last year the consensus was that GW couldnt blitz like he wanted to b/c our secondary wasnt were we wanted it to be to feel comfortable bringing the extra guys in the box. well begining of the season when our secondary was healthy he didnt blitz like he did in preseason and save for the lions game where our front 4 dominated we havent got much consistent pressure on the QB. this is been one of my biggest disappointments for years now. With smoot hampered and rogers out now our secondary is again thin.

2. MORE INTERMEDIATE TO LONG PASS PLAYS DOWN THE MIDDLE

watching our O do all these conservative sideline routes (either short or long) really diasppoints when you watch teams like Green Bay killing defense with slant routes and over the middles taking advantage of all the grass between the numbers/hash marks

3. PLAY AND TREAT SHAWN SPRINGS LIKE THE #1 CB HE IS

i really think that it was a mistake to treat springs like he wasnt needed and ink him in as our nickel back for the season opener. it could only add to his dis-interest with our team which was already a brewing point over the offseason. Now with injuries he will be our #1 corner, albeit less enthused and team oriented.

gotta go so i cant finish but i could go well past 5

go skins!!!

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

[quote=mheisig;372266]Can someone fill me in on why Wade is so bad? Maybe I haven't been paying attention or I'm not smart enough, but I'd like to be clued in on what he's screwing up on a regular basis.[/quote]In pass pro he's got bad footwork. So what happens is he never really gets his body on the speed rushers, and he's playing off balance so the stronger ends just drive him back into the quarterback.

We've tried to give him help, but then he just gets confused and blocks no one.

The backs sucked in blocking against the Pats, but that's because we don't effectively use our TEs to change the alignment of the defense on passing downs. We spread em out and then we don't block, a la Spurrier.

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

1. I'd like to see guys getting a little more upset on the sidelines after three and outs. Seems like they just remove their helmets and wait for the next possesion.

2. I'd like to see Joe Gibbs a tad bit more animated. I know, I know it's not his style. But I can't remember him going over a signal, a formation, or anything on a clipboard on the sidelines with players. You know, I don't see the one on ones. I think that communicates that you're engaged and you want the players to be too.

3. I'd like to see Portis get 25 carries in a game this year - once.

4. I'd like to see a few more late hits on quarterbacks. I know that sounds bad, but you asked me.

5. I'd like to see more of London Fletcher grabbing this defense by the lapels like he did during the Arizona game.

I'll leave you with David Ortiz words to his teammates after the Red Sox were down 1-2 to Cleveland. "The reason you're wearing this uniform is because you're a bad ass motherf**ker."

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

THE ONE THING I WANT TO SEE:

Stop coaching scared so the team can finish a damn game after a strong start. Dare I say, run up the score a little before throttling down. The Skins let 3 teams (NY, GB, Arizona) off the hook with timid 2nd half efforts. But for Neil Rackers miss, all three would have been losses.

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

[B]1.[/B] Win.

[B]2.[/B] Win.

[B]3.[/B] Win.

[B]4.[/B] Win.

[B]5.[/B] Win.

Feel free to comment.

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

[QUOTE=SouperMeister;372319]THE ONE THING I WANT TO SEE:

Stop coaching scared so the team can finish a damn game after a strong start. Dare I say, run up the score a little before throttling down. The Skins let 3 teams (NY, GB, Arizona) off the hook with timid 2nd half efforts. But for Neil Rackers miss, all three would have been losses.[/QUOTE]

We won the Arizona game, "almosts" don't put an asterix next to a "W." With regard to the GB game, I didn't see the coaches screw things up or get timid. The players screwed that one up royally. Moss dropping a 50+ yard bomb in the 2nd half, or fumbling one for a TD on a reverse, cost us that game and neither play was conservative.

[I]The coaches definitely could get more aggressive[/I], but I don't think conservative coaching is to blame for more than 1 loss. They could have coached the best game of their lives against New England and we still would have gotten beaten. They could have coached the NYG game differently, but that's the only game where the coaching arguably cost us a game.

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1: Pass to open up the run. Our O-line is decimated, they can't block, especially with 8 in the box. We need to use quick throws to get the defense on their heels a bit allowing us to effectively rush the ball. We seem to be slamming our head into a brick wall over and over again.

2: Let Campbell play. Will he make mistakes? Sure. Will he make big plays, yep. I feel sheltering him too much will destroy his confidence. I'm sure he wasn't the first one in and last one out all offseason just so he could be handcuffed. Let him play.

3: Mix up the defense. While I'm fine with Cover 2 being our base defense, it seems like we very rarely bring any extra pressure. I've been very impressed with our front four this year, but mix it up. I'd like to see Landry coming up the gut, from what I understand he was great at picking his way through traffic and getting to the QB at LSU.

4: Stop coaching scared. We need to a certain extent, throw caution to the wind. You can throw and be aggressive without being reckless. High percentage passes, try using the middle of the field, use more WRs. Lloyd made a good grab and made a great move in NE, and he didnt get another look the rest of the game. I don't care who steps up, but ARE seems to be gimpy and Moss has been terrible.

5: Mix and match running backs. Something seems wrong with Portis. I'm not sure if it's injuries catching up to him, hard running starting to affect his performance and thus his career, etc. I love how physical Portis is, but we all know in the NFL running backs don't exactly have a long shelf life. Betts seems to be better at running down hill, but has problems blocking and fumbling. Portis is great at blocking, etc. I would like to see them share more snaps, even if its just to help Portis heal up for a bit.

6. Consistency. As I've said over and over. We play up AND DOWN to our competition typically. Not a good sign. We should play regularly consistent, not up and down. We don't know what our team is, because every week it's a new team. This is something the coaching staff must fix if we want to go to the playoffs.

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[QUOTE=Daseal;372326]3: Mix up the defense. While I'm fine with Cover 2 being our base defense, it seems like we very rarely bring any extra pressure. I've been very impressed with our front four this year, but mix it up. I'd like to see Landry coming up the gut, from what I understand he was great at picking his way through traffic and getting to the QB at LSU.[/QUOTE]

It's hard to complain about the defense, but I agree. We seem to be playing the prevent defense this year....in every game. I'd like to see a little less predictability. But, if the defense doesn't have another NE game, I don't care what kind of scheme they play in.

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yeah SGG. All in all, I'm pretty happy with the D, but I really don't trust our D line to get consistent pressure vs decent Olines.

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[QUOTE=Daseal;372331]yeah SGG. All in all, I'm pretty happy with the D, but I really don't trust our D line to get consistent pressure vs decent Olines.[/QUOTE]

Neither do I. As I said, [U]it's very hard to complain about the state of our defense[/U]. I'm just not sure that we will be able to employ this deep cover 2 scheme in all of the remaining games. I'd like to see us mix it up and add an element of unpredictability. Besides, if a team is going to score, I'd rather have them do it in a play or two than to chew up the clock and keep our defense on the field.

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1) Try an [I]occasional[/I] special teams play (example: Direct snap to Cartwright in a punt formation, run right. B Mitchell was good for 20 yards every time during Gibbs 1)

2) Bring S Taylor closer to the line of scrimmage. 15+ yards over the top of R Moss every play! Just switch it up already. Put him 8 yards off line, at snap Springs blitzes from blind side, and Taylor meets R Moss (er.. the opposing WR) at the 4 yard mark and knocks his block off! (I hope that's legal within the 5 yard contact zone?)

3) Run more JC from shotgun. If cb plays off our wr, quick slant. If cb is pressing, pump and go. Next play, inside handoff to Portis (Dallas & NY have used this play effectively against us for years!)

4) Use middle of field with wr's more. We run all our deep passes on the sideline, and JC isn't accurate enough to make the play consistently. If our wr is one on one, have JC put a little air under the ball where the wr has some room to run under it.

5) Show more emotion on the sideline. Get the guys pumped up and excited to make a play. Our kick off return team seems to do this (I was there Sunday against the Pats and saw a million of them) but for the most part we fail to add the little extra juice.

Far and away the most signicant is my #1 item. In four years of Gibbs 2, how many times have we faked a special teams play, tried a surprise on-sides kick, used an athletic QB for a draw or bootleg, etc? Let's start playing to WIN the game!!!

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

[QUOTE=jsnyder03;372339]1) Try an [I]occasional[/I] special teams play (example: Direct snap to Cartwright in a punt formation, run right. B Mitchell was good for 20 yards every time during Gibbs 1)

2) Bring S Taylor closer to the line of scrimmage. 15+ yards over the top of R Moss every play! Just switch it up already. Put him 8 yards off line, at snap Springs blitzes from blind side, and Taylor meets R Moss (er.. the opposing WR) at the 4 yard mark and knocks his block off! (I hope that's legal within the 5 yard contact zone?)

3) Run more JC from shotgun. If cb plays off our wr, quick slant. If cb is pressing, pump and go. Next play, inside handoff to Portis (Dallas & NY have used this play effectively against us for years!)

4) Use middle of field with wr's more. We run all our deep passes on the sideline, and JC isn't accurate enough to make the play consistently. If our wr is one on one, have JC put a little air under the ball where the wr has some room to run under it.

5) Show more emotion on the sideline. Get the guys pumped up and excited to make a play. Our kick off return team seems to do this (I was there Sunday against the Pats and saw a million of them) but for the most part we fail to add the little extra juice.

Far and away the most signicant is my #1 item. In four years of Gibbs 2, how many times have we faked a special teams play, tried a surprise on-sides kick, used an athletic QB for a draw or bootleg, etc? Let's start playing to WIN the game!!![/QUOTE]

You play a lot of Madden, don't you?

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One thing Iwould like to see is Mike Sellers actually make a decent lead block. Or any kind of block for that matter. If he's going to whiff like he has been, we're better off with Yoder in the game.

I would also like to see more disguises and variations from the defense. You can't do the same thing 60 times a game all year long.

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[quote=mheisig;372346]You play a lot of Madden, don't you?[/quote]

Never played Madden, but I am passionate about the Redskins. Like most on this site, I'm a little too fanatical.

As a side note, being a CT guy, I rarely get to see a Redskins game live. From a friend, I got tickets 6 rows off the field, right behind the Redskins bench, 2 years in a row. Great view and well worth it, but the two games were preseason #3 last year (41 - 0) and game 7 this year (52 - 7). Talk about going from pre-game elation, to post-game denial.

Now, back to reality (work)

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

My list is a lot like the others.

1) Fundamentals. The fumbles, missed blocking assignments, and overall lack of enthusiasm and exceution on offense is downright pathetic. For a Gibbs coached team to be making these kind of mistakes all the time is pretty awful. This must be first and foremost. We'd at least be 5-2 if not for miscues, maybe 6-1.

2) Get WRs involved. Between Lloyd, Moss, and Randle El, how much money do we have tied into our WRs? And they have ZERO tds? It's a joke. My two best friends are Giants/Eagles fans and they rub this in my face all the time. It's embarassing. I say give McCardell and Caldwell a chance. They have better size than our current unproductive midgets, and plenty of experience to boot.

3) Blitz a little. At least on 3rd down. I know with the exception of the NE debacle our D has been great. But this weekend against a bad Jets offense and a brand new QB, I think we could have have some success with a few good blitz packages.

4) Find ways to mix things up with Portis and Betts more. Ladell was great last season. We've got to find ways to get him involved (screen passes anyone? I haven't seen a good screen since the Philly game). I refuse to believe a guy who had 1000+ yards in 9 starts last year has suddenly turned into a dud.

5) Finish. Again, if we could close out games we'd be 6-1. This to me is a combination of coaching, fudamentals, and the 5 inches between our players' ears. I don't know exactly how to solve this one, but our $10M/yr coaching staff better figure it out.

I'm really pleased with the defense thus far, but frankly I've had it with the offense. Gibbs has clearly lost his touch. We're midway through season 4 and he can't get it together. Offense used to be his forte.

Sorry if this seems negative, but I've really had it with our continuous offensive struggles.

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1. TD
2. TD
3. TD
4. TD
5. TD
with two from the WR's

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

Good thread--agree with lots that's been said.

1. Run for a decent average
2. Convert on 3rd down, especially 3rd and short.
3. Explosive run for more than 30 yards
4. Pass TD to WR of more than 20 yards
5. Fire, for the WHOLE GAME, from the whole team.

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

[quote=Daseal;372326]Mix up the defense. While I'm fine with Cover 2 being our base defense, it seems like we very rarely bring any extra pressure. I've been very impressed with our front four this year, but mix it up. I'd like to see Landry coming up the gut, from what I understand he was great at picking his way through traffic and getting to the QB at LSU.[/quote]Problem is, we just lost our main starting CB for the year. If anything, I would want to see more three man rushes.

A blitz every once in awhile won't hurt, but it probably wouldn't make enough of a difference.

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

[QUOTE=GTripp0012;372495]Problem is, we just lost our main starting CB for the year. If anything, I would want to see more three man rushes.

A blitz every once in awhile won't hurt, but it probably wouldn't make enough of a difference.[/QUOTE]

We drafted Landry, got Pierson back, and picked up Macklin. While none of those guys are bona fide stars, neither was Rogers. I see your point GTripp, but I think the best defenses are the least predictable ones. I'll obviously defer to Williams because I don't know what I am talking and he does, but I've got to think that he's going to start mixing things up and bringing more blitzes.

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

I'm confident we'll see more blitzing this week--for the first time in a while we're not playing a top-ranked passing team. So we can take a few more risks with our coverage.

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

[quote=hail_2_da_skins;372281][B]1) Throw more intermediate routes.[/B]

The Redskins have fallen in love with the wide receiver hitches and the running back dump offs and it was obvious in the Patriot game that teams are wise to that strategy. They were purposely jumping those routes. The Skins were lucky that none were intercepted for touchdowns. The intermediate area is open (10-20 yards). I would like to see this area exploited.

[B]2) Mix in a few different looks and blitzes on defense.[/B]

Ignoring last week, the defense has been great this year but the Skins are showing the same Deep Cover 2 look on every down. I've seen very few blitzes and the front four is having a hard time getting to the quarterback. Mix it up a little bit and get after the quarterback.

[B]3) I want to see Clinton Portis run hard![/B]

It seems to me that Portis has ceased to hit the hole hard and give second effort. Shaun Alexander does the same thing. Portis runs to the assigned hole and looks for a place to fall down. He is also putting the ball on the ground too often. I expect more out of a premier back.

[B]4) A want to see a more prepared team.[/B]

You look at a Indianapolis Colts or New England Patriot game and it is obvious that these teams are well prepared for most situations. The hurry-up offense, the red zone execution is smooth. The Redskins on the other hand looked confused, hurried and indecisive. Our coaching staff has to do a better job of getting our team prepared.

[B]5) The Redskin organization needs to re-examine it's strength and conditioning program.[/B]

Too many injuries, year after year. Too many of the same type of injuries (hamstrings, groin, ...) Some injuries are unavoidable but they need to make sure that these rash of injuries are no a result of poor conditioning or workout regime.[/quote]

This is an excellent post. I especially would love the Skins to focus on #1 - stop throwing to the sideline so much and look towards the middle - one problem is most of our wide recievers don't like to go over the middle or are not big enough to take the pounding that comes with going over the middle. The one receiver who does this well is McCardell and I say put him in a lot more than they are now. We need a possesion reciever more than anything - more than a deep bomb threat - someone with good hands who can move the chains and KM does this really well. Passes to the sideline give the defense an advantage as there is less ground to cover and the sideline is the defenders best friend. Also it is so frustrating on a 3rd and 8 that the Skins use a play that gains 6 yards - this does no good at all. I can live with an incomplete pass that would have been for 8 yards - but stop with the field position mentality.

Also your post on #4 is right on the money - and it not only applies to this year but ever since Gibbs took over in the 2nd stint. At home games the Skins should never have a delay of game and I think the team is using timeouts at ill advised times. Replay challenges have gotten better.

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

If James Thrash plays I say we use him McCardell and Caldwell to go over the middle. Thrash knows how to take a beating and has done it for a while. Why not send him over the middle? It's not like we are going to lose anything huge.

Re: Five Things I Want to See the Redskins Do
 

my five things

1. Quit playing cover 2, its a gay defense and good teams pick you apart. It is a defense designed to not give up the big plays. however teams take your will when you are out there the whole game and they complete pass after pass on you. When Gibbs is gone, i pray to god in heaven that greg williams is too. that guy is to stubborn in his ways to be a good head coach or head coach of defense. the patriots ( f-them) had kids calling plays and whooped his ass.

2. Change up the right side of that line. Fabini isnt getting it done, i am sure a change is in order. get someone in the game that can at least run block, run blocking is retardedly easy. yes there are techniques but the bottom line is you know the snap count he doesnt so come off the ball maul his ass. its a tough and will too more than technique and right now they dont have it.

3. Laron Landry in the box, playing run and short passes. get him matched up on some running backs. get him in the backfield where he played his entire carrer at lsu making plays. the guy is so instinctive at the line of scrimmage or in the box that its a shame we dont use him more there, or its bad coaching by my main man greg f-ing williams.

4. Do what has worked....i dont care if you go three and out on the first 12 plays of the game...RUN THE GOD DAMN BALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!! two reasons are we dont have the recievers or the quarterback to open it up. j campbell will never throw 30 touchdowns but he could still be good if they just ran the football.

5. Apologize to Marky B. Yup the OL' 8 car. the stand up man that he is. he never played as bad as we made it out to be. i dont care if its JC's 1st game or 100th game, our offense has never looked worse than it did against the Pats. lots of contributors to that i know (no run game, blocking sucked, maybe some scheme) but mark brunell never let our offense look that bad no matter who we played.......Maybe, just f-ing maybe the guy who lead us to the playoffs by blowing out dallas, giants, and beating the eagles at the end of 05....was not as bad as we all said. i am and was a fan of Mark Brunell, and at the very least you should acknowledge that he wasnt the problem.