Can Clinton Carry the Load?

[BDBohnzie]

I think Portis being the Skins #1 back is what pushes people like myself to say he needs to get the rock 25+ times a game. It could be anyone back there, but the bottom line is for this team to be effective, to play Gibbs football, the run game needs to be established. It allows the offense to take some pressure off a young quarterback...

Of course you don't run it so many times if you behind, but in the past, this team has been very successful when the QB has less than 30 attempts, and the RBs get 40+ carries. It usually means the Redskins have controlled the clock and the defense has done their job keeping the opponent's offense off the field. And I think that is the gameplan that Gibbs, Saunders and G-Dub has gone with thus far.

There are other variations that need to be implemented into the offense as well. Jason Campbell needs to be more accurate on his intermediate pass routes. It seems that if it's not chucking deep, or a short (less than 7 yards) dump, he's missing the boat. I mentioned 60% earlier (18 of 30), however in those completions, they cannot all be dinks and dunks. He needs to stretch the field a bit, in order for the run game to be more effective. Defenses have stacked the box and made the Redskins beat them deep. Gibbs 1.0 had that ability. But Gibbs 1.0 also had Art Monk, Charlie Brown, Alvin Garrett, Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders. While Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El are good receivers, they are no Clark and Sanders.

Another guy who has to step up is Mike Sellers. Too many missed assignments and too many drops for a guy who has been a catalyst in this offense in the past...

And the offensive line has had a few weeks together. It's time to put up or shut up. Injuries aside, these guys are professionals. Time to gel and move like one.

Sitting at 5-3, the Redskins are in a good position to make a run during the 2nd half. Last week, they proclaimed the "return of Redskins football". Let's see if they continue the course, or abandon it at the first sign of trouble.