Is Byner the Problem?

[SmootSmack]

Earnest Byner is one of my favorite players of all time. But he is new to coaching (I think) and I'm wondering-do you guys think he might be in over his head? How much responsibility does he have to bear for the team's running woes?

[Daseal]

I'm not seeing the holes. I think Clinton needs to be patient, and I think our O line needs to start zone blocking.

[That Guy]

depends how much you blame the Oline or game planning...

[Hogskin]

Originally Posted by smootsmack

Earnest Byner is one of my favorite players of all time. But he is new to coaching (I think) and I'm wondering-do you guys think he might be in over his head? How much responsibility does he have to bear for the team's running woes?

REAL interesting question. I have wondered that several times myself, but I really lean toward blocking failures and even more toward the way his talents are being utilized. As I said in another thread, I think they need to get him running wide - pitchouts, screens, passes in the flat, designed runs around end. I believe we'll know more of the answer in the next 2-3 games.

[aehs77]

i think its the way he is being used he needs to get on the outside to be affective

[joecrisp]

This is indeed Byner's first coaching job. His role with the Ravens was Director of Player Development, wherein he "oversaw the player programs, administered continuing education, internship and financial planning programs for the team." In other words, he had no coaching duties.

But I don't think the problems with the running game are attributable to Byner or his lack of coaching experience. Byner is there to essentially emphasize the fundamentals and technique required to play the position in Gibbs's offense. The problems Portis is having are primarily a function of a horizontal passing game that doesn't force the defense to back away from the line of scrimmage, and a lack of chemistry and execution on the part of the blockers.

Of course, Portis has put the ball on the ground 3 times now, and it is the runningback coach's responsibility to ensure that his players know how to secure the ball in traffic. I'd also like to see Portis do a better job of selling counters and play-action fakes. But he's doing a great job in pass protection, so kudos to Byner for that.

The running game will improve, but Bugel still has a lot of work to do to get this line where it needs to be in terms of taking an aggressive attitude with their run-blocking assignments. Gibbs needs to take a more aggressive approach to the passing game in order to pull the linebackers and safeties away from the line of scrimmage, and take the pressure off the running game. Receivers need to catch the ball and hold onto it. Brunell needs to put the ball in the receivers' hands, and stop throwing the ball away when there are open receivers downfield.

There's plenty of blame to go around-- Byner needn't bear it all.

[jrocx69]

Amen

[SKINSnCANES]

do you guys think that Portis should be patient and wait for teh holes to develop in Gibbs style of play claling, or do you think that Gibbs should start designing plays that work for portis instead. Portis is hello fast and makes big runs when holes are opened immediatly and he blazes throught them. My opinion is that Gibbs should try some different formations and run less single back.

[Gmanc711]

Originally Posted by SKINSnCANES

do you guys think that Portis should be patient and wait for teh holes to develop in Gibbs style of play claling, or do you think that Gibbs should start designing plays that work for portis instead. Portis is hello fast and makes big runs when holes are opened immediatly and he blazes throught them. My opinion is that Gibbs should try some different formations and run less single back.

I think it has to be a mix of plays. I mean, if we block it right, Gibbs plays would work if I was running the ball. However, Portis is so explosive, that we have to run some plays that help him out too. If we are on the 1 yard line tommarow, can we just toss it to Clinton since hes so fast? I think its things like that, where I feel we need to adapt to Clinton's style. I think it needs to have a blaance, but I would like to see a couple interesting plays put in.

[BIGREDSKINFAN63]

can somebody tell me WTF rock is'nt playing?

[Hogskin]

Originally Posted by SKINSnCANES

do you guys think that Portis should be patient and wait for teh holes to develop in Gibbs style of play claling, or do you think that Gibbs should start designing plays that work for portis instead. Portis is hello fast and makes big runs when holes are opened immediatly and he blazes throught them. My opinion is that Gibbs should try some different formations and run less single back.

For Portis to really utilize his talents, he NEEDS some pitchouts, screens, outside runs, passes in the flat. A constant diet of counter plays is allowing the defense to bunch and close the hole before it develops. Once he breaks a couple nice runs on outside plays in a game, the counters will be MUCH more successful. I expect to see some of this REAL soon - hopefully tonight.

[joecrisp]

Originally Posted by Hogskin

For Portis to really utilize his talents, he NEEDS some pitchouts, screens, outside runs, passes in the flat. A constant diet of counter plays is allowing the defense to bunch and close the hole before it develops. Once he breaks a couple nice runs on outside plays in a game, the counters will be MUCH more successful. I expect to see some of this REAL soon - hopefully tonight.

I agree, Hogskin. They need to get Portis outside before the linebackers get there, and take advantage of the blocking skills of this receiving corps. I'd also like to see him get more involved in the passing game. This guy's too dynamic a player to confine him to three basic running plays. It's time to open up this offense and unleash Portis's full skillset.

[RedskinPete]

What the problem is bad drafts in the past. Line is shit!! Need a center,two tackels and a guard. Jansen and Thomas are the only ones that are worth anything. Lets face facts Samuels is a bust. That was a blown draft. We could have use those two first round picks to get three lineman better then him! Moving up to get him my hunt the Redskins for many years! STOP trading draft picks and also get someone thta knows Talent!

[joecrisp]

The O-line will be fine once they settle into this offense. Jansen's injury hurts, but injuries happen, especially on the O-line. The Skins did the best they could to find adequate replacements in Brown and Jones, but they've both been dealing with their own injuries as well. Samuels had a couple of bad years in Spurrier's system, but he's turning it around this year. He's not a bust. Dockery is steadily improving under Bugel, and he will be a devastating blocker in this offense. Raymer is showing he still has some gas left in the tank, and does a good job getting to the second level.

I really don't see what all the panic is about here. We're only four games into the season. This line will improve. Keep in mind Bugel is grooming a couple of youngsters in Marc Wilson and Jim Molinaro to improve the depth. Both of those guys will be solid starters in the next year or two.

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by RedskinPete

What the problem is bad drafts in the past. Line is shit!! Need a center,two tackels and a guard. Jansen and Thomas are the only ones that are worth anything. Lets face facts Samuels is a bust. That was a blown draft. We could have use those two first round picks to get three lineman better then him! Moving up to get him my hunt the Redskins for many years! STOP trading draft picks and also get someone thta knows Talent!

samuel's a bust??? wow, someone should of told me

seriously, raymers actually pretty decent... the weak points are still dockery and brown/jones... pass protection is fine, but the run blocking is crap right now... drafting an O linemen wouldn't be too bad an idea (DE and SS have higher priority though), but even 1st round picks take time to get into a system.... Olinemen aren't instant starters like WRs TEs and RBs...