Washington Redskins Have a Silver Lining at 1-2
by Kevin Ewoldt on Sep 28, 2009 8:31 PM EDT
in Redskins Analysis
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So it has been an interesting 24 hours for Redskins Nation:
- One Redskins' Fan put his loyalty on sale for ebay
- I was calling for the team to be blown up for draft picks
- Thousands of people calling for Snyder to step down, Zorn to be Fired, Campbell to be benched
- Comical tweets making there way around the internet
@ Adam_Schefter Best headline about the Lions victory over the Redskins: "Washington Bails out Detroit Again."
@Lizzs_Lockeroom What do the Redskins and possums have in common? Both can play dead at home and get killed on the road
@Lizzs_Lockeroom What do the Redskins and Billy Graham have in common? Both can make 90,000 people stand up and yell 'JESUS CHRIST!!'
Zorn and the Redskins are the laughing stock of the NFL, and a lot of journalists are jumping on Zorn's optimistic outlook after the Lions loss:
"In the big picture things are progressing, we're getting better. We're just going to continue to press on and take care of the details. ... We have to look and see what happens and take care of the details and take care of the things that will help us win."
For those regular to Hogs Haven, I am quite critical of the Redskins, which is easy given our front office mistakes, but when outsiders take shots, I will be the first to defend our once beloved franchise. The Skins are 1-2, and we have a rookie coach learning on the job. In regards to this season, being 1-2 is not the end of the world. Anyone remember Joe Gibbs starting 0-5? (No, I don't think Jim Zorn is Joe Gibbs). However, there are a lot of statistics that highlight the Redskins are succeeding:
| Redskins Stats | |
| Offensive Stats | Ranking |
| Yards/game - 341.3 | 13th |
| Passing Yards/play (avg) - 5.8 | 6th (tied w/ 3) |
| Rushing Yards/play (avg) - 4.0 | 17th (tied w/ 4) |
| QB Rating - 92.5 | 9th |
| Passes 20+ yards - 9 | 11th |
| Runs 20+ yards - 2 | 11th (tied w/ 7) |
| 1st downs - 44 | 4th |
| QB Completion % - 67.0 | 5th |
| Defensive Stats | Ranking |
| 3rd down % - 51.0 | (32nd) |
| Forced Fumbles - 5 (2 kept) | (10th tied w/ 3) |
| Points Allowed Avg (16.3) | 6th |
The stats show that the Redskins ARE effective. They're throwing the ball efficiently and are getting first downs. Obviously, this is a team looking to find its' identity, mainly because the Redskins don't have a designated "go-to" guy. Portis was that guy, but it's obvious he's not anymore. So, if the passing game is so solid, why run it at all? Let the passing game setup the running game. It doesn't have to be the other way around. Skins rank 26th in both rushing attempts (68) and time of possession (27:19). Obviously, Blache needs to get our defense off the field quicker, which is evident in the statistic that the Redskins D ranks LAST in 3rd down conversions.
Portis wants the ball, and Zorn has to have learned now that #26 is not his best option. Like I said after each of the Giants, Rams, and now Lions game, more lessons learned ,and now the offense should be able to get some red zone success this week.
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Loving the attitudes around here.
Keep it up fellas.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
it's not easy
This whole argument is based on Jim Zorn NOT losing the locker room. All the players said that post-game they back Zorn, including Cooley, Daniels, and Hall. So…we’ll know for sure on Sunday. They can’t lay 3 eggs in a row.
by Kevin Ewoldt on Sep 28, 2009 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Bucs look as bad as the Rams, and you guys barely beat them. But I think your team will bust out sooner or later. Both your lines need to step it up a bit, but Haynesworth coming back hopefully should be able to do that on the defensive side. You guys have the talent of a 11-5 team, but the mentality does not seem to be there. Wish Sean Taylor was still around……
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Once a month. Woke up with a strange wet spot in my pants. Mommy said I am no longer a little boy. Oh, gotta go. My PBJ with the crust cut off is ready. Home she made me chocolate milk to ; )
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
so many
Home she made me chocolate milk to
ways I could go with that, but I’m gonna play nice leave it alone. Congrats on the Ravens. They look like the best team in the league right now. You would think that would give you something to talk about on the B-More blog.
Plenty to talk about. But I am surrounded by Redskins all the time and keep up with my NFC team. Thanks for the compliments. Gosh darnit, bed time.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
hahaha
he’s another college student, what a badass!
by Grand Tanyon Sturtze on Sep 28, 2009 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions
err i mean intern
like none of us have ever been that
by Grand Tanyon Sturtze on Sep 28, 2009 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions
ps cjhutch
you were totally right about this guy, he randomly pipes up out of no-where when he runs out of PBJs
by Grand Tanyon Sturtze on Sep 28, 2009 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Where's the
stats for stupid decisions by the coach? I know all coaches make them, I just want to see where we rank.
has to be 1st
Danny Smith should stand by Zorn’s side at all times…that should eliminate at least two of them per game.
by Kevin Ewoldt on Sep 28, 2009 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions
How is it...
that Zorn goes for it on 4th and 1 (goal to go) early in the game and is vilified as a complete dolt while Bill Belichick goes for it 4th and 1 on his OWN 24, late in the game and he is lauded as a complete genius?
Well:
- Belichick’s team rose to the occasion and got the first (Brady and his teammates were practically jumping for joy that he gave them the opportunity to step up to the plate.)
- Belichick has a proven record of success, so no matter what he does it has a ring of sagacity to it, even if it countermands conventional wisdom.
- Belichick called for a big strong back to pound it up the middle on a play they can make 80% of the time
- Zorn called a play that we have proven unable to make with near certainty. It was also the longest distance between two points with the end zone being a large step forward rather than 30 yds to the left.
- I think Zorn called the play our of fear of other consequences besides making the play (long runback of FG attempt, or whatever)
- Belichick called the play to put fear into his opponents.
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
by Scott E on Sep 29, 2009 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That redskins picture is great
I’m baffled by how poorly the defense is playing. I can’t even put it into words or try to give my take on it. I just get too upset.
I am optimistic about the passing game, though yesterday we saw the same 3rd down completions two yards short of the marker, pussy footed checkdowns to the flat, and lack of a viable deep threat that plagued the team all last season.
The running game is the biggest concern. I don’t think there’s any hoping for it to turn around, the physical tools just aren’t there anymore.
Too bad you win football games down the stretch with a running game and defense.
Washington Redskins Have a Silver Lining at 1-2...Huh???
One big problem with looking at those stats and seeing a silver lining… two of the Redskins three games this year were against the Rams and the Lions who are now a combined 3-35 since last season in regular season games. Also, it is interesting to note that two of those three victories by the Rams and Lions came against the Redskins.
well, if you're to go back to last year...
the Skins beat the Eagles 2x and the Birds almost went to the Super bowl. Also beat the Saints…it’s odd. I’m not saying everything is rosy…just that there are some positives.
They just can’t blow out anyone.
by Kevin Ewoldt on Sep 28, 2009 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
#26 will always be our #1 option
Dont expect that to change. Why? Take a look at his contract. Snyderrato has to much pride to not own up to Portis slowing down.
All that talk about this team trading away draft picks and how someday it will come back to bite us in the ass, well, it just hit the wall.
This will take a few years to rebuild from the point at which Snyderrato starts using the draft properly and stops shelling out 55 mil for players like Hall. So you tell me when that’s going to happen?
Here’s a suggestion, add up the amount of alcohol you drink on gameday and now times it by 2 , add 1 bottle of grain alcohol, if your married get a girlfriend on the side, but not the other way around. Take for 17 consecutive Sundays starting the first NFL weekend. Discontinue only when Dan Snyder sells the Redskins.
I would agree with you
and then I look at the stats. He’s averaging less than 16 carries a game. Not exactly #1 option numbers.
TRUE
but thats not what I’m trying to say. I’m simply saying that Portis should not be the #1 back anymore. Even if its only 16 carries a game, it should be to someone else. Now, you might say well who else on this team is worthy of being #1? …..and I would agree their’s nobody who is. But thats just exactly my point, because of his contract, they cant afford not to put him in the #1 spot.
The simple fact is Portis looks tired, he’s always playing hurt, he barely had true breakaway speed even in his prime and now it looks like his best feature which was his ability to cut and slash is gone. Any other team would have demoted him by now IMO…… and so I ask what’s keeping him at #1? It’s his contract, they cant get rid of him.
RB’a arent exactly a dime a dozen in the draft but it’s not far off. We need youth in that position. They haven’t drafted a good RB since Portis got here. The team is handcuffed because of it and no one is really talking about it. Every defense knows these things about Portis.
Some of the same could be said for Moss to. He’s not a true #1 and IMO he has hindered Campbell’s progress because of his height and so forth. We are just finally seeing some younger WR’s being developed.
So I’ll say this, Portis and Moss have this team handcuffed and their’s nothing Zorn can do about it because of the contracts they have.
OK
I’d agree with that. I don’t think Portis should be the feature back. I would be OK with him sharing duties, but we don’t have anyone for him to do that with. Betts is absolutely worthless as a runner these days.
Sure, Portis’ contract is a problem. But so is his relationship with Snyder. Snyder was such an outcast growing up that he’s making up for it now by being friends with all the cool kids. I don’t see Portis leaving here anytime soon.
I agree
1-2 is not the end of the world. I’m getting a little tired of the Jason Campbell should be benched rhetoric . Has anyone even checked out his stats so far. Alright he’s 9th in the league in overall QB statistics. He has a 67.6 completion percentage and thrown for 793 yards with 3 touchdown passes and 2 interceptions(92.5 RTG). There is NOT a another quarterback in the top ten with less than 2 interceptions. If your going sling the ball all around the field it’s going to get picked off sometimes and yes that holds true to the best quarterbacks in this league. He also doing it with inferior talent that some of the best quarterbacks have. Tom Brady has Randy Moss, and Wes Welker. Peyton Manning has Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. Kurt Warner has Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. I love Santana Moss but I don’t think you can honestly put him in that top group of receivers. Chris Cooley is a different story and he’s certainly one of the best tight ends in the game. The running game and pass protection have been suspect so far this year. So at the end of the year if Jason contract is not renewed and they let him go who’s your replacement? (names please)
I COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT ANY BETTER MYSELF !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You made some very valid points . It amazes me that some people don’t see what kind of player and person JC 17 is all you need to do is watch his interviews !! He takes the high ground in all of them . He could easily pass the blame but he does not !!! It is amazing how Zorn has been so easily passing blame !! He talks about execution being a problem . That is part of the problem but that is not the main problem!!! The difference between winning and loosing most games comes down to coaches making good choices during key times in the game !!! The problem is that he normally makes the wrong choices !! For example how many times will we run CLINTON PORTIS TO THE LEFT ON THE GOAL LINE !!!!!!!!!!! If we drove the ball all the way down the field on the arm of JC 17. Why not get it in the endzone on that same arm ???? We have big receivers lets start using them !!! If you have the choice of making a team kick a field goal 4th and 3 to go versus 3 and long !! Get your defense off the field don’t give them another chance to pick up a 1st down !!!!! If you have seconds left on the clock to win the game dont “HOOK AND LATTERAL” it only works in little league football games and in the back yard !!! Hint, Hint throw the ball in the endzone JC has a cannon for a arm !!! You will have a good chance of getting pass interference or a touchdown !!!! This happens all the time and works !!! Look at Brett Farve Minnesota was in the same situation but they threw to the endzone and won the game !!!!!
We are not a power running team so stop thinking we can pound the ball we can’t !!!! We need to open up the run with the passing game !!! It is amazing that Portis understands this and Zorn has yet to figure it out !!! Portis said as much in his interview last week !!! Throw the ball down field to open up the running lanes ! We need creativity not gadget plays to win !!
by LETJASONPASS on Sep 29, 2009 6:31 AM EDT up reply actions
+100
need better WRs…. a core of micro-midgets with good hands works well for a play or two- but eventually you need those big fast guys to add an extra 3 yard window down the field (arm span & leg length).
JJ Fe
Not to mention
campbell is putting up all these stats with almost zero help from the running game.
by Kevin Ewoldt on Sep 29, 2009 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Pass protection has been fine
Run blocking has been horrendous. Campbell put up some decent numbers (against the Lions) this past weekend and, as usual, looked good between the 20’s.
Be prepared to lose our beloved logo
We used to be able to say that the term “Redskin” was an honorable term for our football warriors. Now we make shame and embarrass ourselves and all indigenous peoples of the Americas. Why thank you, Mr. Snyder. May we have another.
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
year 18
It’s just another year of mediocrity. If you’re new to this roller coaster game then I can understand the extra frustration but for us long term fans this is just another down turn in an all too familiar cycle. Perhaps it hurts more because the game management has been worse than ever (it even tops Spurrier). Or maybe it’s because last year we had a good defense and this year it looks horrible. Maybe it’s because the team isn’t totally devoid of talent but the coaching and half hearted play are limiting the team quite a bit. Really thius should be a mediocre, not a terrible team.
no O line
the O line is the breakdown of everything offense. without that your passing game struggles and your running game doesn’t exist. Instead of discussing replacing the QB, WR’s, RB, Coach etc, I think the skins should just Hire Holmgren as GM Like Miami did with Parcells and then let him make the rest of the decisions. Cerrato is the ONLY person snyder hasn’t fired and the skins have remained the same since Casserly left. Helloooooo …..
no faith in JC
I’m not a JC hater nor a JC fan. personally i liked Ramsey over Brunell. but here’s the thing about JC. In the redzone, the coaches don’t allow JC to participate. Hand of to Portis over and over. If you have no faith in your QB, bench him otherwise allow him the chance to succeed. JC"s stats are decent partially because they play him conservitively. Thats not working so open it up and play as if your job depends on it, most likely it does.
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