Humble Pie and New Insights

[Skins4Eva]

Good Evening Fellow Skins Fans

Before I begin I will own up to my apparent shorsightedness regarding Jason Campbell. I gave a highly critical review of his performance as well as his future as a potential elite QB in this league. Several members on the site blasted me as they thought that by me stating my football resume as well as expertise on the offensive side of things that I was somehow trying to use that to construct a a view that could not be argued. This was not my attempt and sincerely apologize if anyone took my post in that way. With that being said, I was just offered the interim position as one of the assistants to the Director of Recruitment for the Shrine Bowl game this year. (I figured that would get a rise out of those who blasted my post last time. Lol) Back to my thoughts:

1. Jason Campbell: He has proven that he can effectively manage and run the WCO. He is making good decisions and has learned to make his reads and work through his progressions. However, it is my opinion that in order to take the next step in his career as well as take this team to the next level, he must win a game without a rushing onslaught from Portis. If you will notice his stats, Portis's best statistical games are also Jason's best games. Easy to run an offense when you have a back like Portis. However, what I observed in the Pittsburgh game is his inability to "take a game over" when the other team has made a concerted effort to stop Portis. He has had flashes on particular plays, but I would love to see him rip a another secondary apart consistently.

2. DeAngelo Hall: I almost fell out of my chair at the repeated references to him as depth. Oakland is and has been for sometime the a graveyard for talent. He is a young two-time pro bowler and one of the more gifted athletes in this league at any position. He has 20 career picks (3 in a "down" year). Carlos Rogers has 5 in 4 years; Fred Smoot has 21 in 8 years; and Shawn Springs has 31 in 12 years. Do the math. The signing of De Angelo Hall was an asbolute steal and brilliant move. Yes, he has been an idiot but to deny or underestimate his talent is insanity. We cannot buy an interception and we have a guy who is an absolute game-changer that will be coming off the bench. The word depth is not only insulting but innaccruate when referring to one of the most productive DB's in this league over the past 5 years. Facts do not support the word "depth" when referring to DeAngelo Hall. If he keeps his mouth shut and ends up signing with us long term; we are set to have one of the more talented and gifted corner duos in the league for years to come with him and a continuously progressing Carlos Rogers.

3. Jim Zorn and offensive staff: Offense is my game. Zorn has done a phenomenal job with this team and this offense, especially Jason Campbell. However, one obvious weakness in our team is the inability to conver in the redzone which has cost us two games this year. The problem is simple...we have no redzone identity. We run a beautiful and effecient Bill Walsh style offense until we get to the twenty and then we are unable to close the deal. Inexplicable when you have a player the caliber of a Chris Cooley who should have atleast 5 to 6 more touchdowns considering the amount of time we have spent in the redzone this year. More obvious in this area is that we simply do not have the right personnel on the field. Moss and ARE are great from 20 to 20 because they are small and have more field in which to use their spedd and athleticism. Howevr, the redzone are is much more congested and much more difficult for smaller recievers to get open much less be seen by the quarterback. Teams are doubling Cooley inside the twenty almost 90% of the time. However, we DO have he personnel to have one of the better redzone offenses in the league. How about a two tight end set with Fred Davis, an absolute physical specimen, and Chris Cooley? Or how about a three wide set with Devin Thomas (or a healthy and freakishly talented big reciever in Malcolm Kelly) as the outside reciever, opposite Moss, with Randle El (an absolute nightmare to cover in the slot) in the slot position? Just dome ideas.

FYI...Look for a an offensive explosion from either Dallas or Washington this week, I have a feeling a lot more points will be scored in this game by both teams. WE WILL WIN...on our way to 7-3. Hail!!!!!