What's Wrong with the Redskins?

[SouperMeister]

Originally Posted by Skins4Eva

I dont care if I get banned, so ban me then. Jason Campbell sucks, I said it a long time ago, stop with the excuses please, he is too damn slow, Ive said it and I will say it again. How much time do we give this guy? Im saying it...there needs to be an open competition at QB this offseason. Enough with the blind optimism. There is being a fan and being blinded by emotion. When Portis doesnt hand hold the team and carry the team on his back, Campbell does NOTHING to win a game. Zorns playcalling is basic and predictable. We have zero TRUE recievers. We have two great athletes in Moss and Randle El, but they are not true recievers as far as being route runners, hence they always never seem to be open. Before I get blasted for telling the truth and probably banned, why the hell does everyone on this sight seemingly dissapprove of anyone telling the truth as opposed to blind optimism? Everyone talks of stability, and we have stunk offensively for years. Hell with that, im calling for an overhaul. Marcus Washington, Shawn Springs, Jansen, Rabach, Randle El, need to go, and Campbell should be given the rest of the year then challenged by Brennan or bring in someone else. Don't even get me started on Jason Taylor. To hell with this boring ass and ineffective offense. I love the Washington Redskins but I absolutely am disgusted with this current collection of players. I will say, atleast the defense played with some heart. Oh yeah, and I also believe i said the Hall signing was good too. I used to love this site but my god, if you say anything against the team you are some how not knowledgeable or a true fan. Playoffs?! Are you kidding?!

No, if you say something stupid, expect to be called out for a lack of knowledge. To say that Santana Moss isn't a true receiver as far as being able to run routes properly is absolutely ignorant. I said it before, and it bears repeating, put Campbell behind Eli's O-line, which is equally strong at run blocking and pass protecting, and Campbell would flourish. He did not get much help from his receivers today, but the playmakers are good enough if we can just give him time to work through his progressions.

[schndr_tdd]

Jansen couldnt block a baby,Suisam be lucky to kick an extra point,the recievers drop underhand tosses at key times,and they played one of the best teams in football...Start Heyer at least he would have an excuse,sign a kicker,work on catching drills all week for the WR's...

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

This team is suffering from a LOT of problems.

The Front Office

The front office has done a very good job of acquiring talent in the defensive secondary and at the skill positions on offense. Unfortunately, the front office has not acquired young talent along the lines. The defensive line can't get pressure on opposing QBs (Carter and Taylor have combined for just 5 sacks this season). The offensive line can't stop 6 and 5 man blitzes or even 4 man rushes.

What's more, the lines lack depth and are old. True, we have guys like Rob Jackson and Chad Rinehart on the roster, but Rinehart has yet to dress for a single game this season (not great news for a 3rd round pick) and Rob Jackson has to do anything noteworthy. To my knowledge, we don't have a single young backup along the offensive or defensive line who will likely be a starter in a year or two. In short, if everything starts up front, we're in trouble.

The Coaching Staff

Zorn looks like a promising rookie head coach, but I have three reservations about him. First, our offense has gone from dynamic to predictable and stagnant over the past few weeks. We run, run, throw a 5 yard curl, run, run, throw a 5 yard screen pass and so on. I understand that the running game is our bread and butter and the West Coast offense emphasizes the short and intermediate passing game, but this offense needs to be revamped. We are failing to force opposing defenses to defend the entire field. Until we re-establish our ability to hurt teams deep, our offense is going to struggle.

My second problem with the offensive playcalling is that it does not appear to make adjustments based on the time left on the clock or the scoreboard. I don't get the feeling that our offense senses any urgency when we're down by a few scores in the 4th quarter. I thought as much after our week 1 loss to the Giants and I feel the same way today.

Finally, the players bear a lot of responsibility for missed tackles, blown blocking assignments, etc., but so does the coaching staff. The players' "football fundamentals" look suspect. Receivers (i.e., the guys who catch footballs) are dropping balls they shouldn't drop. Defensive players (i.e., the guys who tackle other guys) are failing to wrap up and bring guys to the ground. Say what you want about Gibbs' offensive playcalling, but, his players' football fundamentals were solid. I can't say the same for our current team's football fundamentals.

[TheSmurfs22]

Did anyone truly think at the beginning of the year we would even be 7-5? I think we got spoiled by the great start.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by TheSmurfs22

Did anyone truly think at the beginning of the year we would even be 7-5? I think we got spoiled by the great start.

I think that has a lot to do with it and I think the FO should have a good idea of where we need help now.

[A10sROCK]

The best teams have few flaws. We're good but will need to make changes to get to the next level. Both the DL and OL are average at best and getting older.

I'm happy we're above .500 and think Zorn has got this team to play to it's top capability. However, we need more talent to go higher.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by A10sROCK

The best teams have few flaws. We're good but will need to make changes to get to the next level. Both the DL and OL are average at best and getting older.

I'm happy we're above .500 and think Zorn has got this team to play to it's top capability. However, we need more talent to go higher.

I don't really think so after this game. Our defense is great, which is a testament to Blache IMO because he does not have an elite front 7 to work with. But our offense is truly one of the very worst in football now as the numbers prove. The two units together don't equal a good team. The equation seems to mean we cannot win against very good teams and may win or lose against very shitty teams like Seattle/St. Louis depending on things like luck (a unnecessary bad pass from Hasselbeck for instance).

We're not a truly bad team either... i don't know what the hell we are. Maybe it's all semantics...

[A10sROCK]

Originally Posted by The Goat

I don't really think so after this game. Our defense is great, which is a testament to Blache IMO because he does not have an elite front 7 to work with. But our offense is truly one of the very worst in football now as the numbers prove. The two units together don't equal a good team. The equation seems to mean we cannot win against very good teams and may win or lose against very shitty teams like Seattle/St. Louis depending on things like luck (a unnecessary bad pass from Hasselbeck for instance).

We're not a truly bad team either... i don't know what the hell we are. Maybe it's all semantics...

To me - "Good" = above average for our record. I think we'll be 9-7 this season or perhaps 10-6. Probably not a playoff team but it's still a possibility.

The Defense is carrying this team, as it has for the last few years. Clearly the offense is struggling. Basically teams know that Clinton Portis is the best weapon we have. Stop him and you stop this team offensively. Although many will contest this, I do not think Jason Campbell can carry this team. Throwing into triple coverage today? Holding the ball too long on multiple plays for sacks? Why so many dropped balls - every single game? His numbers are simply elevated today because the Giants played soft for the last 8 minutes - giving him short passes and runs. Still we got no points. Jason Campbell is good but I wonder if he can be the long-term franchise for this team. If the team adds a veteran QB this off-season it tells me they're hedging the bet. If JC is given a long-term extension then Zorn is definetly betting his Redskin's career on Campbell. I hope Jason is the future but I'm wondering more and more whether he is the one - even with a better OL.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by TheSmurfs22

Did anyone truly think at the beginning of the year we would even be 7-5? I think we got spoiled by the great start.

I think we did get spoiled. This team looked like a 12-4 team after the first few weeks. The defense was pretty dominant and the offense was exciting, productive and dynamic. Since week 5, our defense has been pretty good and consistent, but our offense has been dreadful. Our offense has averaged something like 16 points per game over the past 6 weeks. That's not just bad, that's Spurrier bad. I think there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic, but there are also an awful lot of reasons to be upset with the state and direction of our team.

[GTripp0012]

Campbell's problems to me are not anything inherent, but that he's screwing up simple plays when stuff around him starts to go wrong. I think Zorn should toss out the three step drop crap altogether, but when Campbell looks to one and looks to two, and both are covered, he's got to throw the ball in a spot where only his receiver can make the catch.

I hate three step drops because our QB is mobile and moves well in the pocket, and we're putting him at the mercy of the receivers with all the quick throw stuff. I understand the perception is that the line can't protect, but they've been much better since the bye week, and quite frankly, I'd rather put Campbell's fate in the hands of the OL right now than in the hands of the WRs.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Campbell's problems to me are not anything inherent, but that he's screwing up simple plays when stuff around him starts to go wrong. I think Zorn should toss out the three step drop crap altogether, but when Campbell looks to one and looks to two, and both are covered, he's got to throw the ball in a spot where only his receiver can make the catch.

I hate three step drops because our QB is mobile and moves well in the pocket, and we're putting him at the mercy of the receivers with all the quick throw stuff. I understand the perception is that the line can't protect, but they've been much better since the bye week, and quite frankly, I'd rather put Campbell's fate in the hands of the OL right now than in the hands of the WRs.

Just an observation....JC is not Matt Hasselback. One of the things Zorn needs to do is start either putting JC back in shotgun more or calling more 7 step max protect pass plays in the 15-25 yard range. Three step drop passes is not what JC does best so why do we keep doing it?? Not that it mattered today but Zorn needs to start adjusting to what his QB does best.

[GTripp0012]

Also, while we nitpick on offense, we ignore just how terrible the special teams have been all season.

[RMSkins]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Also, while we nitpick on offense, we ignore just how terrible the special teams have been all season.

You're absolutely right. I've been trying to figure out why Danny Smith gets so much praise. Under his regime we have not had a solid kicker or punter, are coverage units are inconsistent, Rock is a decent returner but he's not a gamechanger, and we have never had a solid PR either, the only constant for our special teams has been Ethan Albright and I can't even contribute his success to Danny Smith because Albright's been around longer than Danny.

[SouperMeister]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Also, while we nitpick on offense, we ignore just how terrible the special teams have been all season.

Indeed. It's difficult to win when 2 out of the 3 phases of the game have been subpar all season.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by SouperMeister

Indeed. It's difficult to win when 2 out of the 3 phases of the game have been subpar all season.

Yup. I feel bad for our defense. 4 of the last 5 seasons we've fielded a damn good defense, and given them no help.