Football Outsider win predictions

[44Deezel]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I'm thinking we won't see more shotgun than last year, because there's a certain amount of game theory there that suggests that Campbell is effective in part because defenses don't see him there all the time. I do think Zorn will use shotgun situations more when calling passes on traditional rushing downs (1st and 2nd). I think the overall effect on the offense will be positive.

When you really talk about the Redskins on a play-by-play basis, Zorn does an excellent job at making sure he uses his entire gameplan while going back to the plays that worked the best in the fourth quarter. The only thing he needs to do more frequently is throw in a trick play or two designed at attacking downfield. All of Zorn's out of the box plays from last year were more along the "keeping the defense honest" lines rather than making them pay for over-aggression.

And would it kill him to work in a little no-huddle from time to time and perhaps some Wildcat formation now that he's had the off-season to study it I agree that some more trickeration might have been in order, especially if our O-line was really as bad as some say it was, and find a way to make some big plays in the passing game using the running backs and roll cambell out once in a while or even run some intentional running plays for Campbell, especially near the goal-line. JC impressed me with his wheels last year, so much so that I couldn't understand why they didn't roll him out on goal-line plays or run some QB sneaks/draws more often. But I digress. Definitely looking for a little more creativity next year. I think we'll see it.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

They did mention that Campbell goes from an average quarterback from behind center, to a top five quarterback when the shotgun is used, to a historically awesome player when he gets zone blitzed. That I found interesting.

I found the same thing interesting.

If you read the Redskins section, the quarterbacks section, and the receivers section, you see that the FO folks are really, really critical of our receivers. Devin Thomas, please break out this year (despite your FO projection) and shut those guys up!

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

The other thing is: Pythagerous and Jim Zorn are not good friends.

Our close margin of victory in a lot of the early season games makes us look like a worse team than we really were...but again DVOA accounts for this by showing that we won a lot of our early games by bigger margins than the score indicated.

You are correct. Perhaps this year we can blow some folks out, leading to a better Pythagorean score as well as more relaxed, enjoyable fourth quarters for us watchers.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by 44Deezel

Receivers are only as good as their QB. See Roddy White, Wes Welker, DeSean Jackson, the entire Saints receiving corps and all those scrubs Tom Brady made look good (Deion Branch, Troy Brown, etc.) before Moss and Welker got there.

Just felt like pushing buttons this morning

100% agree with you here. Sure WR's help out their QB, but a great WR will not help a qb like a great QB will help a WR.

[jsarno]

I am extremely hesitant to make a prediction on wins this year...this is the first time in a LONG time I haven't done it. If Campbell doesn't improve and we have to rely on Portis again, we're looking at a 7 or 8 win season at best. But if Campbell "gets it" then we could easily see 10-12 wins. He showed progression last year, and at a glance it appears he will improve, but I won't know for sure until I see him play.

[skins89moss]

Originally Posted by 44Deezel

And would it kill him to work in a little no-huddle from time to time and perhaps some Wildcat formation now that he's had the off-season to study it I agree that some more trickeration might have been in order, especially if our O-line was really as bad as some say it was, and find a way to make some big plays in the passing game using the running backs and roll cambell out once in a while or even run some intentional running plays for Campbell, especially near the goal-line. JC impressed me with his wheels last year, so much so that I couldn't understand why they didn't roll him out on goal-line plays or run some QB sneaks/draws more often. But I digress. Definitely looking for a little more creativity next year. I think we'll see it.

I agree 100% with your observation of the offense. We have ARE who could be used for the wild Kat formation especial on short yardage and goaline situations which would give other teams more to prepare for.

[skins89moss]

Originally Posted by 44Deezel

And would it kill him to work in a little no-huddle from time to time and perhaps some Wildcat formation now that he's had the off-season to study it I agree that some more trickeration might have been in order, especially if our O-line was really as bad as some say it was, and find a way to make some big plays in the passing game using the running backs and roll cambell out once in a while or even run some intentional running plays for Campbell, especially near the goal-line. JC impressed me with his wheels last year, so much so that I couldn't understand why they didn't roll him out on goal-line plays or run some QB sneaks/draws more often. But I digress. Definitely looking for a little more creativity next year. I think we'll see it.

I agree 100% with your observation of the offense. We have ARE who could be used for the wild Kat formation especial on short yardage and goaline situations which would give other teams more to prepare for.