Plenty of blame to go around, time to lay some smack down!

[scowan]

I love the Tuesday Morning QB article that Gregg Easterbrook writes for ESPN this week.
I've cut and pasted an interesting view he has on the Redskins defense from this past Sunday..........

On opening day, Redskins' defensive coordinator Jim Haslett called a dozen safety blitzes against Dallas, a high number, and the Skins escaped with a one-point victory on the final snap. On Sunday, Washington held a comfortable 17-point lead over the visiting Texans late in the third quarter. Play straight defense, and victory is likely. Instead, Haslett called 19 blitzes on the 40 Houston remaining snaps; Washington lost in overtime. Houston ran 40 plays from the late third quarter on? That's the sort of thing that happens against a blitz-wacky defense. Blitz, blitz, blitz resulted in 526 yards of offense, 29 first downs and 30 points allowed.

If you were wondering why NFL teams don't blitz constantly -- listening to sportsyak, you'd think the blitz is a magic formula for instant success -- the Washington collapse against Houston is your answer.

The low point came with the Redskins leading 27-20, the Moo Cows facing fourth-and-10 on the Washington 34 just before regulation's two-minute warning. Washington did not need a sack or turnover, just an incompletion. The Skins blitzed, leaving Andre Johnson -- among the league's best players -- single-covered in the end zone by safety Reed Doughty. Johnson out-leapt Doughty for the touchdown that caused overtime, a great catch. Three Skins defensive backs from the nickel package were standing in the center of the field covering no one, as the opposition's best player was single-covered in the end zone. This is the sort of thing that happens when a team blitzes too much.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by scowan

I love the Tuesday Morning QB article that Gregg Easterbrook writes for ESPN this week.
I've cut and pasted an interesting view he has on the Redskins defense from this past Sunday..........

On opening day, Redskins' defensive coordinator Jim Haslett called a dozen safety blitzes against Dallas, a high number, and the Skins escaped with a one-point victory on the final snap. On Sunday, Washington held a comfortable 17-point lead over the visiting Texans late in the third quarter. Play straight defense, and victory is likely. Instead, Haslett called 19 blitzes on the 40 Houston remaining snaps; Washington lost in overtime. Houston ran 40 plays from the late third quarter on? That's the sort of thing that happens against a blitz-wacky defense. Blitz, blitz, blitz resulted in 526 yards of offense, 29 first downs and 30 points allowed.

If you were wondering why NFL teams don't blitz constantly -- listening to sportsyak, you'd think the blitz is a magic formula for instant success -- the Washington collapse against Houston is your answer.

The low point came with the Redskins leading 27-20, the Moo Cows facing fourth-and-10 on the Washington 34 just before regulation's two-minute warning. Washington did not need a sack or turnover, just an incompletion. The Skins blitzed, leaving Andre Johnson -- among the league's best players -- single-covered in the end zone by safety Reed Doughty. Johnson out-leapt Doughty for the touchdown that caused overtime, a great catch. Three Skins defensive backs from the nickel package were standing in the center of the field covering no one, as the opposition's best player was single-covered in the end zone. This is the sort of thing that happens when a team blitzes too much.

Good find. I mentioned something similar in another thread, and GTripp sort of shot down the notion. But honestly it seems pretty simple to me. They've been throwing all over us all day, why not play a little safer with a 17 point lead in the second half by running the ball more and blitzing less? I can appreciate Haslett's aggressiveness, but we have to be smart about it. That kind of blitzing against one of the premier passing attacks in the league is obviously not too smart.

[scowan]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Good find. I mentioned something similar in another thread, and GTripp sort of shot down the notion. But honestly it seems pretty simple to me. They've been throwing all over us all day, why not play a little safer with a 17 point lead in the second half by running the ball more and blitzing less? I can appreciate Haslett's aggressiveness, but we have to be smart about it. That kind of blitzing against one of the premier passing attacks in the league is obviously not too smart.

GMScud, I think what Easterbrook is saying (and he says this a lot because I read his column every week and have for at least 3 years) is that Hasslet and Shannahan for that matter need to manage the clock a little better. I mean if you are up by 17 late in the 3rd Qtr, the other team should not be able to come back on you if you play straight up Defense and make them plod their way down the field. That's not to say you play "prevent", just play normal Defense, rushing 4, and tackling everything, and let the clock run.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Good find. I mentioned something similar in another thread, and GTripp sort of shot down the notion. But honestly it seems pretty simple to me. They've been throwing all over us all day, why not play a little safer with a 17 point lead in the second half by running the ball more and blitzing less? I can appreciate Haslett's aggressiveness, but we have to be smart about it. That kind of blitzing against one of the premier passing attacks in the league is obviously not too smart.

I want to clarify that I was speaking in general terms about the rushing four, dropping seven stunts. I might find soon that we actually ended up unnecessarily aggressive vs. the Texans when we needed to make them throw underneath. Still have to watch the second half to know for sure.

If you're rushing 6 in 3rd and 13, that's Blache level stuff. Just because Haslett is someone new wouldn't make it defensible. Just play coverage and go make the tackle.

[Alvin Walton]

Apparently we will live and die by the blitz this year.
We're gonna need to create more pressure up the middle to make that work.

[MTK]

We've got Peyton Manning on the schedule, I shudder to think what he will do to us if we continue to blitz all day. At some point you have to mix things up a bit.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

We've got Peyton Manning on the schedule, I shudder to think what he will do to us if we continue to blitz all day. At some point you have to mix things up a bit.

100% correct. Any NFL OC with a solid QB will destroy any predictable defense.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

100% correct. Any NFL OC with a solid QB will destroy any predictable defense.

The way you beat Peyton Manning is by getting pressure with just four guys and dropping everyone back into coverage. Obviously it's easier said then done. The Texans are designed to do this and look where it got there passing defense. Then again we blitzed a lot and look where it got our defense.

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

We've got Peyton Manning on the schedule, I shudder to think what he will do to us if we continue to blitz all day. At some point you have to mix things up a bit.

I'm in harmony with your fear. If we blitz Manning consistently and don't get there, he'll surely make us pay.

Plus that zone defense we play 90% of the time is an open invitation for a great QB like Manning, he'll methodically pick a zone defense apart.

[scowan]

If Doughty and Horton are in the secondary when the Skins play the Colts or the Packers, we will lose. I think with the Rams this week, the only way the Skins WON"T lose is if they just play strait up Defense. I don't think the Rams can consistently move the ball down the field. If the Skins blitz however they will have an opportunity to hit the big one on occcasion. Don't Blitz! Just rush 4 and cover. Stop Steven Jackson and they win.

[Coff]

I know this is the smackdown thread, but in defense of Haslett and the running game... While predictable, the defense is still learning a new scheme, an entirely new scheme; to prevent predictability, the defense needs to disguise itself, and this is the most complicated part of learning a defense, as well as the last thing to be mastered. Give it time, we're not that bad. As far as the running game, quite frankly, I'm excited. Yes, it was awful, but the offense too is learning a new scheme, and Shanahan's zone-blocking run game has ALWAYS been succesful. Our line? Not so good, sure. But once they get the hang of things, the run game will improve. Combine that with McNabb's abilities, and we've got an offensive threat.
Last but not least, the Texans might very well be a damn good team.
Just sayin'...

[GTripp0012]

On Fred Davis field goal block: he's not responsible for blocking (or even chipping) Pollard, who blocked the FG. I don't think he blocked particularly well in the gap he was responsible for on that play, but that's neither here nor there. That ball was held for a long time. The timing between Gano and the snapper/holder just wasn't adequate.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

On Fred Davis field goal block: he's not responsible for blocking (or even chipping) Pollard, who blocked the FG. I don't think he blocked particularly well in the gap he was responsible for on that play, but that's neither here nor there. That ball was held for a long time. The timing between Gano and the snapper/holder just wasn't adequate.

Agreed... FD was left with two guys.. jumped out a bit realizing nobody was going to get to Pollard, and went back inside to his guy

he had a solid block on the play to Moss to the 1 after the Galloway catch, looked stout.. fell asleep watching the replay though so didn't get to watch much more

[MTK]

D.C. Sports Bog - Fred Davis and the blocked field goal

[Dread-Skin]

After reading this I can see the blame shouldnt be put on FDavis. In fact, it really seems like gano was SLOW to step up and chip it. Their special teams just had the right call- load up one side and Pollard is just an awesome safety- I see now he has added special teams value.

What a heart breaker it was. I was in 221 just dumbfounded. Haven't witnessed a blocked FG since the Terps at home blocked Florida State years back to seal their win as time expired.