Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Rams)

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by irish

You should read Boswell's article in today's Wash Post. He basically says the O wasnt good at scoring under Gibbs and now with essentially the same guys they arent good at scoring under Zorn. Its the players, not the coaching. Think about it, the Moss & ARE are midgets so they get lost in the RZ. They only have 1 RB that's a threat so he's easily keyed on and stopped. JC throws a hard ball at close range which creates problems. Cooley as the only receiving threat is then double teamed and neutralized. The O can move up the field fine but just doesnt have the horses to be successful in the RZ.

But Boswell also said...

"Once again, just as in '08, Zorn's biggest problem is the inability of his offensive coordinator to design plays, then call them appropriately, to score inside the 20-yard line. But Zorn is essentially his own final word on all offensive matters. So why yell at his team until he finishes berating himself?"

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by irish

You should read Boswell's article in today's Wash Post. He basically says the O wasnt good at scoring under Gibbs and now with essentially the same guys they arent good at scoring under Zorn. Its the players, not the coaching. Think about it, the Moss & ARE are midgets so they get lost in the RZ. They only have 1 RB that's a threat so he's easily keyed on and stopped. JC throws a hard ball at close range which creates problems. Cooley as the only receiving threat is then double teamed and neutralized. The O can move up the field fine but just doesnt have the horses to be successful in the RZ.

Well everyone knew that we were running jumbo under Gibbs too, he was very predictable

[CRedskinsRule]

Wow JGal... That is so bold it is hurt my eyes when i looked at it. could you tone it down next time, thanks

edit: thanks

[MTK]

Guess we need to ban large fonts now huh?

[SmootSmack]

Someone here made a good point that I hadn't really though of until watching the game again this morning. Why do we wait until we get in the red zone to go for the end zone?

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Someone here made a good point that I hadn't really though of until watching the game again this morning. Why do we wait until we get in the red zone to go for the end zone?

During the preseason, especially against the Patriots, it seemed like we were previewing that type of offensive philosophy. But, so far in the regular season, we haven't really seen the Redskins try for a home run shot down field. I think that might be the answer. Heck, Zorn needs to have this philosophy: if I'm going to go down in flames, I'm going to at least open things up...live by the sword, die by the sword.

Who knows? Maybe trying more huge passes down field will open up a better red zone offense, running attack, etc.... it couldn't hurt.

[SC Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Someone here made a good point that I hadn't really though of until watching the game again this morning. Why do we wait until we get in the red zone to go for the end zone?

I say this without having watched any coaches tape, so some of it might come out of ignorance. But there is zero verticality to this offense. Everything is 12 yard crossing routes. They took shots to Kelly (should have gone, bad throw) and Thomas (bad route). But I'm not saying you throw bombs that have a low success rate, but how about some 20 yard digs or something. It is a very compressed offense. And they blame that on teams taking away Moss, but I think it is a lack of imagination on the offensive staff. Or maybe just stubbornness and desire to run some pure WC passing tree. It is possible to have verticality in a WC scheme, though, just look at the Eagles under Reid.

[dmvskinzfan08]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Someone here made a good point that I hadn't really though of until watching the game again this morning. Why do we wait until we get in the red zone to go for the end zone?

I thought of that the other day. Why not try for the endzone when you get in field goal range. That was if you miss your target you atleast are still in field goal range. We have too many field goals in the redzone. So I would feel more comfortable taking those shots in the endzone. I just dont get the playcalling.

[skinsguy]

Why is it that each and every year, the Redskins tend to be the most talented, under achieving team in the league? Come on, we have one of the league's top running backs, decently talented wide receivers, a solid offensive line (well before Thomas went down,) and a smart quarterback who can lead the team up and down the field. Oh, and let's not forget one of the top defenses in the league. I just don't get it!

I do think Zorn is trying to be positive for the team. He realizes things are wrong in the red zone and they need to be corrected. He is right in looking at the positives and realizing that the offense can move the ball up and down the field without any problems. But, I'm just wondering if Zorn is losing any respect amongst his players? For the first time yesterday, I saw Campbell visually upset and frustrated on the field. Usually, Campbell is quite stoic and won't show much emotion.

I don't know what the answer is, but I just feel something has to change. Not so much with the players, as I feel we have the talent. I don't really like the thoughts of a coaching change after such a short time, but with the decision making, red zone play calling, and game management of Jim Zorn, I just don't see how we can improve. And now, with Thomas possibly out for the season, that is just going to make matters a lot harder.

The upside is, the Redskins play the Lions next week.

[redsk1]

First post after the game:

My main problems w/ the game was the playcalling on our RZ offense. I think we ran on all of the 1st downs. 4 I think. 1 down is one that defenses aren't real sure what you are going to run. You've got to run some routes in the end zone.

The Portis Throw was a horrible call. It wasn't even disguised well. It's like we are coming up w/ BS plays b/c we know we can't score w/ our normal offense.

The D came to play and gave up 7 pts. Yes, it wasn't pretty all day but effective. I don't care what anyone sais AH had another great game.

[CRedskinsRule]

I do think JC probably struggles with the fade. Chase, Collins, and the other guy have all shown some ability at it. JC is a very line of sight type passer. Soooo if that's the case, maybe he needs a little bit of coaching on that. I wonder who works the most with the qb's.

I will defend the Portis throw to the end, especially since JC's ankle was hurt. Portis has thrown that before, and nearly hit it. A shot is a shot, and if JZ doesnt think Campbell can throw the touch, give it to someone who can. My biggest gripe is the last CP stretch run, not because the formation was bad but I think the defense was so anxious to over run it that a fake would have left Cooley wide open in the opposite direction.

[DBUCHANON101]

Bottomline, we should have won by 20+ pts yesterday. We have stalled in the RZ and have not shown any homerun ability from outside the 20 thusfar. Something has to change or we are in for a long season when we play the upper tier teams. I could expect a game like that against the Steelers or the Ravens but this was the Rams. The same team that Seattle blew up last week. Whatever the problem or problemS are, Zorn better figure it out or his seat will get hot really quick

[redsk1]

Zorn didn't even hire his own coaches barring a couple. Let's not pretend this is Zorn's team. Not berating the guy, but our FO put together this team. I'm sure Zorn has input but i don't see him being the decision maker when it comes to personel.

Regardless, it's concerning we put up 9 pts and they know it. Hopefully it will get better. It's got to.

[SC Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by redsk1

Zorn didn't even hire his own coaches barring a couple. Let's not pretend this is Zorn's team. Not berating the guy, but our FO put together this team. I'm sure Zorn has input but i don't see him being the decision maker when it comes to personel.

Regardless, it's concerning we put up 9 pts and they know it. Hopefully it will get better. It's got to.

I agree that all roads lead back to Redskins Park, but that does not mean that Zorn is not a liability at this point. It just means that Vinny and Dan were the ones that made him the coach.

[BDBohnzie]

Zorn needs to work on the Red Zone calling and personnel. He's trying to be too fancy and it's biting him in the ass.

It's hard for me to believe that the Rams were able to take Cooley out of the game in the 2nd half (6 catches, 65 yards in the 1st half, 1 catch, 18 yards in the 2nd). And if that is the case, someone else (ARE, Moss, Kelly, Davis, etc) should have had a field day. The Rams pass defense isn't that good.

It's a shame that Devin Thomas hasn't stepped up to overtake Moss. I'd love to see Moss in the slot abusing nickel and dimers, and push ARE to the 4. Because from the looks of things, Moss will be outplayed all year long in the #1 spot.