So, I've got some good news and some bad news.
Bad News: The Redskins' 2010 Red Zone Conversion Percentage through 8 games is currently the worst in our franchise's history since they started recording the stat in 2000. Yes, a full 15 percentage points WORSE than last year. (Hunter Smith time?)
Good News: In the last 3 games, the Redskins have converted 71.43% of their red zone chances, which ranks 4th in the NFL (tied with the G-Strings). Skins went a perfect 2-2 in their last game vs Detroit.
So, this is where one could say: "Shanahan is a worse red zone coach than Spurrier, Zorn and Sherman2!!! I mean, our offense was DEPLETED last year, and the Redskins still have a healthy OLine (knock on wood).
What's most baffling is that the top 2 Redzone teams this season are the 0-8 Bills going 11-16 (68.75%) and the 2-6 Detroit Lions, who have converted 17-24 (70.83%). The Lions I can believe since Calvin Johnson has 8 TDs and is built for those plays. The Bills, however, are quietly impressing. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Stevie Johnson's stat lines are nothing to laugh about. Either way, the lack of Redskins' offense has been all too depressing. With eight weeks of film and two weeks of study, I should be confident that Shanahan has figured things out for the rest of the year.
I firmly believe this would be the case if it wasn't for Shanahan's comments yesterday:
"Right now, according to (head athletic trainer) Larry Hess, [McNabb] has improved from last week, but by no means is he full speed."
Ugh. A week and half ago McNabb said he was physically fine, which was evident with that 30-yard scramble. Whatever. Shanahan left the door open for him to be benched again due to ‘injury.' It is what it is. McNabb played horribly that DET game (triple coverage INT and a shoulda-been pick 6) and he felt the wrath. As David Elfin pointed out, the Redskins are on pace for three fewer TDs than last year, which is depressing in itself. Can I blame Suisham?
Redskins red zone stats for the last 10 years after the jump....
Year |
Red Zone Conv (M/A) |
Red Zone Conv Pct |
2000 |
23-48 |
47.9% |
2001 |
18-44 |
40.9% |
2002 |
26-44 |
59.2% |
2003 |
24-45 |
53.3% |
2004 |
23-44 |
52.3% |
2005 |
30-47 |
63.8% |
2006 |
21-42 |
50.0% |
2007 |
27-55 |
49.1% |
2008 |
23-48 |
47.9% |
2009 |
26-46 |
56.6% |
2010 |
8-20 |
40.0% |