What Is RIGHT with the Redskins?

[GTripp0012]

-Antwaan Randle El as a valuable underneath target.

-Chris Cooley as a valuable target in the middle of the field

-Pete Kendall's leadership and impressive blocking ability

-Jason Campbell's pocket presence, field vision, and most importantly, his toughness

-Santana Moss' ability to set up blocks on WR screens.

-MIKE SELLERS

-Anthony Montgomery's ability to collapse the center when necessary

-Rocky and Fletch in coverage

-Demetric Evans coming out of nowhere to be a key contributor

-Corneilus Griffin against the run.

-Andre Carter against the run, and the pass.

-London Fletcher's tackling range.

-The fact that we can look at Mason's double move on Rogers, and suggest that it was actually out of character for him.

-Chris Horton's unbelievable closing speed.

-DeAngelo Hall hasn't cost us a game yet.

[Hog1]

No doubt!
I would not want to be the 215 pound safety between him and the end zone

[maroonandblack30]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Your whole post was lost when you said CP is overrated. CP comes to every game giving it all he has and don't care if he never takes a snape in practice. Sence when did we start judging players by how they practice and not what they do every Sunday.

I'm not saying CP isn't good.... he is. But he gets a pass for not practicing. I was comparing him to Plax because Plax hates practice and never wanted to practice and was always saying he is hurt.

CP plays hard but how much is he leaving out there by not being 100% on point with schemes and adjustments? Just my opinion.

[Twilbert07]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I think Portis would practice if he wasn't nursing multiple injuries each week. CP is the least of our worries.

Yes, take away Portis this year, and we would be 4-9 or so. He practically single-handedly won at least three games for us.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by maroonandblack30

I'm not saying CP isn't good.... he is. But he gets a pass for not practicing. I was comparing him to Plax because Plax hates practice and never wanted to practice and was always saying he is hurt.

CP plays hard but how much is he leaving out there by not being 100% on point with schemes and adjustments? Just my opinion.

YouTube - Iverson Practice!

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I know that we wouldn't really be Redskins fans if we didn't act like we haven't won a game in 35 years and the team is comprised of Oompa Loompas. I'm not blind to the team's struggles, I'm just as upset as anyone else over our sloppy performance the past two weeks and I know there certainly are areas that need improving (go figure, every team can say the same thing). Three that stand out for me are improved special teams play, giving the young guys more playing time on offense (particularly the linemen) to build their confidence and the coaches' confidence in them, and a more stout run defense from our linebackers.

But let's step back for a minute and look at what's right with the Redskins. Perhaps better said, what we can build on. Because there actually do exists positives on this team, this team that currently holds a winning record, that has been to the playoffs two of the last three years with a win.

I know it will be damn near impossible for some of you to try to look at some positives (and without being sarcastic), but they do exist.


-A young QB that several thought was a top MVP candidate at the midpoint of the season. Given time and protection, he has shown he can lead the team to victories, even comeback victories

-Colt "The Truth" Brennan waiting in the wings

-One of the most complete running backs in the game in Clinton Portis

-A steady, reliable young pass catching tight end

-One of the best LT's in the game in Chris Samuels

-A playmaker in Santana Moss, along with two young stud receivers who just need the time and opportunities in Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly (if you've already given up on them, I feel sorry for you)

-Arguably the most underrated player in the game in London Fletcher (although, to be fair, I want to start seeing more consistency out of Blades sooner than later)

-A top 5 defense

-Young playmakers in the secondary-ball hawk DeAngelo Hall, lock down corner Carlos Rogers, freak of nature Laron Landry, 7th round steal Chris Horton

-Young depth on the interior of the defensive line with Golston, Montgomery, and Alexander

-An owner wiling to do whatever it takes for his team

-A young developing OT in Stephon Heyer who should have the starting RT spot locked down for years to come by this summer, if not sooner

Goldston, Montgomery, Heyer, Alexander, Horton, Landry, JC, Moss, Hall, Kelly and Thomas are all average to below average players. Some of them can be stars but none of them are right now.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by SUNRA

1. Zorn's inability to adjust to exotic defensive schemes which leads to three and outs rather than more points and first downs.

2.Zorn's reluctance to change or ad gadgets plays that were not in the first four games they won in.

Welcome to the site, Mr. Madden.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Goldston, Montgomery, Heyer, Alexander, Horton, Landry, JC, Moss, Hall, Kelly and Thomas are all average to below average players. Some of them can be stars but none of them are right now.

Guys like Landry and Moss especially are far from "average to below average"

Guys like Thomas and Kelly clearly have talent, it's simply stupid to just quit on them so suddenly.

Ditto for Chris Horton

Botttom line, we have several solid young players that (so long as the organization doesn't panic the way the fans do) we can build something with.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by SUNRA

Now our record says exactly who we are because of whats wrong with the team.

1. Zorn's inability to adjust to exotic defensive schemes which leads to three and outs rather than more points and first downs.

2.Zorn's reluctance to change or ad gadgets plays that were not in the first four games they won in.

3.Zorn's lack of knowledge of player personal and their strengths. Cooley, Betts, Fred Davis and Devin Thomas have been grossly underused in critical situations. Davis has been inactive as Todd Yoder contributes nothing.

4.If the offensive line is beat up, where is the 2-step drop passes. Where is the dump off screen, and God forbide a reverse-half back option. Once every three games will not get it done.

5.Lastly, If Jason Campbell finishes this year with a losing record, there has to be an opportunity for Colt Brennan to play for his job. Jason is looking worse every week and has absolutely no clue about his progressions anymore. His release takes forever and he's still locking in on players which is causing alot of batted balls.

1. Zorn is the one making the OL blitz calls on the field, correct? Zorn is the one diving at DL's knees or reaching at them as they fly by them, correct? If you want to call out a coach, call out Buges. He's responsible for the OL protections / schemes.

2. Gadget plays take time to run in practice. If you have basic timing issues and OL issues to address, gadet plays go down the totem pole of important things to do during practice pretty quickly. If we're basing our success on the use of gadet plays we've got much bigger issues.

3. I'm sure defenses haven't been keying on Cooley after the year he had last year and the lack of a major WR threat? Betts, his production has been pedestrian at best and whenever we are in a situation where the worst thing that could happen is a RB to fumble, count on Betts to cough it up. Davis/Thomas, I'm pretty sure everyone in the FO and on the coaching staff wants them to succeed desperately, so if they aren't in, there's probably a good reason.

4. I didn't know there was such a thing as a 2-step drop, wouldn't the QB be throwing off the wrong foot? As far as a 1 or 3 step drop, you can only throw so many slants and WR screens. Wasn't that the complaint everyone had with Brunell? Zorn has called screens and draws in key situations, that have been successful.

5. You must be kidding, right. JC is the furthest thing from the problem right now. Colt needs to stay right where he is, and wait for next pre-season to light it up against 3rd & 4th stringers and when JC throws an INT folks can clamor for Colt again.
You complain about locking on to a receiver, what's the QB supposed to do on a 1-3 step drop. He's supposed to pre-read the D, take his steps, set and release. No time to go through more than the 2nd progression. If the OL can't pass-pro the D knows it will see a bunch of quick stuff, they'll do as they're taught: "if you can't get to the QB, get your hands up".
I don't care if you put P. Manning behind our OL right now, he'd struggle too.

At the end of the day we'll finish at 8-8 or 9-7, right where most on this site predicted we'd finish in the pre-season. We've got a good base of players / coaches to build on. Just like most teams in the NFL, we've got some holes to fill.

[jamf]

Originally Posted by Buster

Welcome to the site, Mr. Madden.

Nice call!
If I ever meet Madden, I'm going to beat his face in with a brick while saying "this is a tackle overload to your big ass head"

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Guys like Landry and Moss especially are far from "average to below average"

Guys like Thomas and Kelly clearly have talent, it's simply stupid to just quit on them so suddenly.

Ditto for Chris Horton

Botttom line, we have several solid young players that (so long as the organization doesn't panic the way the fans do) we can build something with.

We certainly have good players. But right now there is no one on either side of the ball that can take over a game and dominate and that's why we're an average football team. On offense, hopefully in the near future Kelly and Thomas can be those types of players. But there is no one on the front 7 and you can't be a dominating defense with just a strong secondary.

[maroonandblack30]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

YouTube - Iverson Practice!

How many championships does AI have?

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by maroonandblack30

How many championships does AI have?

I'm joking dude. Everybody seems a little uptight.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I know that we wouldn't really be Redskins fans if we didn't act like we haven't won a game in 35 years and the team is comprised of Oompa Loompas. I'm not blind to the team's struggles, I'm just as upset as anyone else over our sloppy performance the past two weeks and I know there certainly are areas that need improving (go figure, every team can say the same thing). Three that stand out for me are improved special teams play, giving the young guys more playing time on offense (particularly the linemen) to build their confidence and the coaches' confidence in them, and a more stout run defense from our linebackers.

But let's step back for a minute and look at what's right with the Redskins. Perhaps better said, what we can build on. Because there actually do exists positives on this team, this team that currently holds a winning record, that has been to the playoffs two of the last three years with a win.

I know it will be damn near impossible for some of you to try to look at some positives (and without being sarcastic), but they do exist.


-A young QB that several thought was a top MVP candidate at the midpoint of the season. Given time and protection, he has shown he can lead the team to victories, even comeback victories

-Colt "The Truth" Brennan waiting in the wings

-One of the most complete running backs in the game in Clinton Portis

-A steady, reliable young pass catching tight end

-One of the best LT's in the game in Chris Samuels

-A playmaker in Santana Moss, along with two young stud receivers who just need the time and opportunities in Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly (if you've already given up on them, I feel sorry for you)

-Arguably the most underrated player in the game in London Fletcher (although, to be fair, I want to start seeing more consistency out of Blades sooner than later)

-A top 5 defense

-Young playmakers in the secondary-ball hawk DeAngelo Hall, lock down corner Carlos Rogers, freak of nature Laron Landry, 7th round steal Chris Horton

-Young depth on the interior of the defensive line with Golston, Montgomery, and Alexander

-An owner wiling to do whatever it takes for his team

-A young developing OT in Stephon Heyer who should have the starting RT spot locked down for years to come by this summer, if not sooner

I have just a few bones to pick here...

-- Chris Samuels when healthy is among the best offensive tackles in the game no doubt. But that's like making the same statement about Jim Lachey in 1991 -- sure he's at the top, but for how much longer? And there's no one, NO ONE waiting in the wings to take his place. Ditto for London Fletcher.

-- The "playmaker" Santana Moss? When was the last time he actually made a game changing play? Against Detroit? Yeah, he's our best playmaker. And that's not saying much. Because he's had that title ever since he got here, and the Redskins have been mediocre offensively.

-- Cooley. Yes, he can catch. And everybody loves calling out his name whenever the ball reaches his hands. But is that it? He's caugh one touchdown this year, and that was from a trick play back in week 5. He just doesn't find the endzone enough.

-- Laron Landry. He's hardly been a 'freak of nature' this season. He makes up one of the best secondaries in the league, no question. But as an individual, he's not exactly scaring the pants off of anyone. In fact, the one highlight reel he's famous for in the 2008 season is getting jacked up by Brandon Jacobs.

-- Golston, Montgomery, and Alexander at DT. Okay, solid pickups late in the draft when we never expected it, but still, no blue-chip difference makers here. Look at the best teams in the league right now -- all of them have a monster somewhere at the D-line. We've got nobody close to that label here. And there's nobody in the pipeline either.

So I hate to piss all over this positive thread, but while some of the things you've mentioned here make good arguments for looking to the bright side, none of this changes the fact that we are a franchise that just can't seem to escape from the middle of the pack.

[Hog1]

All good points Beem.
Somebody, or a group of them in "7 figure" salary range is going to have to figure out the formula to break out of the pack............soon, I hope