Redskins vs Broncos Red Zone Recap

by Kevin Ewoldt on Nov 16, 2009 11:36 AM EST in Redskins Analysis

Strike up the Bandwagon! The Redskins offense is 6-9 in their last 3 red zone trips, which I certainly did not see coming given the porous start against all those cellar-dwelling, winless teams. The key thing is the Redskins need to stay Medium. The secret is definitely out on their trick plays, all of which have come at high stake moments. With the momentum from the win, the Redskins need to get their offense going early and consistently. to avoid situations where trick plays are needed to bail their offense out. Live by the sword, die by the sword. I'm sure McDaniels will be catching a lot of heat for botching that trick play even after the Skins showed their cards:

"They were setting up something -- we knew it," defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday said. "They came back, and I think they may have even yelled out on their sideline, 'Let's just punt it. Let's just punt it.' And I guess we just bought into it, because we didn't lock in on the play and what was going on. It seems like it took forever to unfold. You've got to know coming into a game like this, with a team like this, to expect it."

The Skins' red zone defense has been quite solid last year, although it is a bit misleading since they've given up 3 deep balls over the last 3 games.

I cannot imagine the heat Zorn and Fred Davis would be dealing with right now if that punt trick failed. Thank the Lord it worked out because I'm exhausted from covering poor play calls and missed opportunities.

Redskins Red Zone Statistics 2009
	*Redskins Offense*	*Opponent's Offense*
*@Giants*	2-3	0-3
*Rams*	0-5	1-3
*@Lions*	1-2	1-3
*Buccaneers*	1-3	1-1
*@Panthers*	2-3	2-3
*Chiefs*	0-1	0-2
*Eagles*	2-3	0-0
BYE	-	-
@Falcons	2-2	1-2
Broncos	2-4	0-1
Total	12-26	6-18

This post is sponsored by Comcast's NFL RedZone Channel, which allows you to see all the action from inside the 20 for every NFL game.

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Sherm "The Bingo Caller" Lewis ....

Kevin when will people get it that play calling and play selection have been our biggest problem along with our o-line this year. Now with the Sherm " The Bingo Caller" Lewis and Sherm Smith calling plays we have some creativity on offense. To say that we lost those games due to execution was and is a crock of s—-t. But this was the Jim Zorn cover story to blame his players instead of his poor play calling / selection. The sad thing is most of you guys bought into the crap.

by LETJASONPASS on Nov 16, 2009 2:18 PM EST reply actions

Portis looked just as bad with Zorn or either Sherm

Running is the skins path to winning but when your running back falls down because he’s trying to mask his injuries and wear and tear and protect his 50 million dollar contract and then gets up and blames everyone else, it becomes more than a problem. The O line is not fixed either, it is a temporary band aid that’s going to fall apart again at some point. Levi has really let everyone else go back to their normal positions.

Betts ran many of the same plays that Portis has and yet it looked completely different. Fresh legs tends to do that. What’s going to be the excuse when Portis comes back and continues his 2.0 ypc average? I can’t wait to hear it.

Zorn deserves some blame, but when you can’t run your bread and butter plays, playcalling breaks down completely. Yesterday was a prime example. Running effectively opened up the whole play book.

by skinsymets on Nov 16, 2009 4:07 PM EST up reply actions

Execution

I too thought at first the execution was a load of crap, but it is true. One play can make a huge difference in the game & there were countless mistakes by the players that should have worked.
Devin Thomas’ dropped ball in the end zone. Sellers missed block on 4th and 1 from the 1. The missed block on the safety… The missed blockon that 70 yard Portia run. I’m more in the boat that Zorn wasn’t disciplining his players. Take away that trick score yesterday and the skins would still be near their high of 17 points. I do think Sherm Lewis is doing a better job but it’s not cut and dry.

by Kevin Ewoldt on Nov 16, 2009 5:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Great blocks by Sellers and Yoder on Betts TD though

I’ve watched it a few times on the NFL.com site and I tell you the whole left side of our line just mostered Denver on that play and forced them back not just over the line but half way into the EndZone

Pommylee

by Pommylee on Nov 16, 2009 11:45 PM EST up reply actions