Redskins Have Room for Improvement in Yards After the Catch

by Kevin Ewoldt on Oct 13, 2011 3:12 PM EDT in Redskins Analysis

I don't have many criticisms with this 2011 Redskins team, but one stat that I believe has hamstrung us signigicantly is Yards After the Catch. Sidenote, am I the only one that cringes when people say "YAC!!" over and over? Moving along, it's clear the Skins leave a ton of yards on the field (dating back to Portis' falling down routine). Whether it's Armstrong catching a long bomb then running out of bounds, Moss or Gaffney falling down to protect their reception, or Grossman not hitting guys in strides, the Redskins flat out suck in this category. For sure there have been times we have kicked a Field Goal for a play that should have been six.

I get we don't have WRs that can break tackles or a QB that can hit WRs in stride, so I pulled up the YAC stats for the NFL to take a closer look. Wes Welker leads the NFL with 288 yards after the catch to give you an idea of the high range. The first Redskin to appear on the list is Fred Davis tied for 52nd with 92 yards.

Name	Receptions	YAC
Fred Davis	16	92
Santana Moss	21	83
Tim Hightower	10	79
Roy Helu	5	66
Jabar Gaffney	17	43
Chris Cooley	7	36
Donte Stallworth	2	16
Anthony Armstrong	4	6

Some things that stand out:

- Santana is averaging just under 4 yards after the catch. He goes across the middle a lot, but that is a really low number for that many receptions. A healthy Santana I'd still take.

- Jabar Gaffney also averaging a very low 2.5 YAC. We need better production from our 2 WRs.

- 18 of the spots above Fred Davis are Running Backs. Roy Helu is averaging over 12 yards a reception. Get him in the field. Hopefully the coaches were giving Helu a crash course in pass pro over the BYE. This guy is probably our best player with the ball. Kudos to Hightower as well.

- It can be said protecting the ball and going down after a catch is how a team prevents turnovers. Rex Grossman is the only current Redskins to have fumbled, so there's that.

This week against Philly will be a good chance to bump up those numbers. Practically all of the Bill's pass plays were under 10 yards last week, and since that's what our offense is anyway, let's see our RBs and TEs at work.

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Comments

Cue the Rex Grossman weak arm post in 3...2...1... (despite several videos of his deep ball)

Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions

by Parks Smith on Oct 13, 2011 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

Well, accuracy is different than weak arm. Majority of Grossman’s throws are short. And before ppl go nuts, I’m not trashing Rex…just stating the obvious our offense doesn’t have play makers on it. Hopefully some of these rookies get more time. I was surprised to see Moss and Gaffney’s #s that low.

"It's a dog eat dog world, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear." - Norm Peterson

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by Kevin Ewoldt on Oct 13, 2011 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm just glad people are catching balls.

Gaffney runs a lot of routes that don’t look conducive to YAC though.

Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions

by Parks Smith on Oct 13, 2011 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree.

You tend to see a lot of run route, turn around, catch, and get hit. And as long as they’re catching the balls down past the first down marker, they are effectively gaining yardage, eating up the clock, and putting us in good scoring positions. I would guess that they are still building on working the WR strides and YAC.

Rex has the arm for deep, that’s for sure, but every pass has me holding my heart in anticipation. Ball possession, good running, and good short pass are all very welcome in my book. Lets hope they can succeed better in the red-zone. That’s my one area of concern. Building on YAC would help there for sure.

by Jpage0024 on Oct 13, 2011 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions

its sad that you have to quantify all ur comments now

(I saw how you got ripped for not being a “fan” last week.)

HTTR!

by mkjo on Oct 13, 2011 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think Rex has any FANS around here...

He’s just got Haters and folks who think he’s the best option we have available, but I think EVERYONE agrees we want an upgrade.

For the record, I think Rex is doing fine, and I was a hater last year. He’s been more than servicable, and while his play at Dallas (overall) helped cost us the game (not just the fumble… he never really got completely on track), and he can be MADDENING when he turns it over at the moment he needs to step on the other team’s throat, he’s been more than capable at other points. Since he (IMO) won the game for us against the Cards, he’s been a net “Ok” for the season to date.

No Danny, Nooooooo - Tom Landry, 1982., and Washington Redskins fans, 1999-

by BillWard on Oct 13, 2011 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I can live with Rex for now...

He has improved in becoming more comfortable under pressure and throwing off his back foot. He seems to look at any mistake he makes now and mentally moves on, where he used to get stuck on them. And he at least throws the ball away more so now. There’s just not much we can do at the QB position but hope he gets better or at least keeps the wins coming with all the tools he has. I rooted for Beck in the off-season, but obviously there was more experience with Rex.

by Jpage0024 on Oct 13, 2011 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Until next season it's just game by game with him.

by Jpage0024 on Oct 13, 2011 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

i really agree he knows how to move on from mistakes.

(guess thats a good thing)

HTTR!

by mkjo on Oct 13, 2011 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions

He's had a damn nuff of them

he should know how to move on

Author @ HogsHaven, Writer for NFLTouchdown.com, Contributor/Scout for Scout.com, Football Coach/Strength Conditioning Coach at Farmington High

by Tiller56 on Oct 13, 2011 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey where did that other comment go?

by Elaw6 on Oct 13, 2011 3:28 PM EDT reply actions

what comment?

"It's a dog eat dog world, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear." - Norm Peterson

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by Kevin Ewoldt on Oct 13, 2011 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

The comment from Troller McTrollerson, he's posted the same thing several times today.

Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions

by Parks Smith on Oct 13, 2011 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions

i guess u took care of it. nice.

"It's a dog eat dog world, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear." - Norm Peterson

Follow @HogsHaven

by Kevin Ewoldt on Oct 13, 2011 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

"And before ppl go nuts, I’m not trashing Rex…"

HTTR!

by mkjo on Oct 13, 2011 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

And that is why we have Hankerson and Niles Paul on the roster.

Unfortunately, it will not be until next year that we see the fruits.
(maybe, hopefully at the midway point of the season)

by jmpalomo on Oct 13, 2011 3:35 PM EDT reply actions

No video this week?

Or did I miss it?

HTTR!

by mkjo on Oct 13, 2011 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

You mean the Hail Yeah! posts?

Seems like they’ve been abandoned…. we were supposed to get one no later than before the Rams game, two weeks ago, and should have had one for this week.

No Danny, Nooooooo - Tom Landry, 1982., and Washington Redskins fans, 1999-

by BillWard on Oct 13, 2011 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

we're filming one tonight. should be up tomorrow.

"It's a dog eat dog world, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear." - Norm Peterson

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by Kevin Ewoldt on Oct 13, 2011 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

nice

u guys ever have/need a studio audience?

HTTR!

by mkjo on Oct 13, 2011 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

haha that would be pretty good

Editor at Hogs Haven - Redskins Blog
Twitter: @RVAparks Check it out for the latest Redskins news and opinions

by Parks Smith on Oct 13, 2011 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions

We’re hoping to have a Carson Daly Total Request Live atmosphere….have the set surrounded by 200+ screaming 13 year olds. Ken is refusing to dress like Lady Gaga so we’re having problems.

"It's a dog eat dog world, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear." - Norm Peterson

Follow @HogsHaven

by Kevin Ewoldt on Oct 14, 2011 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions

nice...LOL

HTTR!

by mkjo on Oct 14, 2011 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

For the Rams game, Ken had to go out of town all week for work then I did last week.

"It's a dog eat dog world, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear." - Norm Peterson

Follow @HogsHaven

by Kevin Ewoldt on Oct 13, 2011 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Hank, Paul, and Austin

I wonder if they will get more opportunities as the season progresses. I wish they would cut Stallworth already. I would like to see what those three can do for us to help the offense. Hank showed some flashes in the preseason.

When life gives you potatoes, make potato salad.
When life gives you shit, make shit salad.

by 64ShagginWagon on Oct 13, 2011 6:46 PM EDT reply actions

T Austin

Yes, he was good running after the catch this pre-season. He took a bubble screen to the house and I remember him looking very quick in other plays as well. I’d like to see more of him.

by SonicFog on Oct 13, 2011 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions