Hazard's Huddle: 1st Down Running vs. Dallas Cowboys (Part 2)

If you didn't catch Part 1, you can find it HERE. Continuing where we left off......

1. Here is a Counter Right out of Singleback Right. Roy Helu is going to take the handoff left and cut back right as the OLine washes down.

Tom Compton lets a DL cross his face so fast Helu has no where to go as soon as he cuts back right.

He spins out of that tackle but is brought down right after for a gain of 1.

2. This is a run to the left out of singleback. I didn't draw it up because all you need to know is Kyle Wilbur comes up showing a run blitz late and that occupies the attention of both Trent Williams and Shawn Lauvao.

Lauvao and Williams double Wilbur and Williams releases to 53. Niles Paul lets Jeremy Mincey go untouched expecting Trent Williams to take him. Meanwhile, Chris Chester is already beat and hugging a defender from behind in the middle and Tom Compton is falling down as Terrell McClain is running free to the backfield. This is all before Morris has gotten the hand-off....

You can imagine how this ended....loss of 4 yards.

3. Here is a read-option play and Robert Griffin III is going to keep it with Niles Paul coming around as a lead blocker after the DE crashes down.

Bruce Carter actually beats Trent Williams to the outside so instead of leading around the corner, Paul helps Williams on that block.

The CB ends up peeling off the Ryan Grant's block and levels Rg3 with a solid hit. Gain of 6.

4. Power Sweep Left from Gun-Left. Chris Chester is pulling around as the lead blocker.

Chris Chester does a nice job getting out and making a solid block on Bruce Carter but DeMarcus Lawrence throws Jordan Reed to the side and hits him at the line of scrimmage.

Alfred Morris keeps his legs churning and is able to fall forward for a gain of 4. Thats the second time he's been hit at the line and was able to turn it into 4 yards.

5. With only 6 in the box, Redskins dial up the draw play hwere from Gun-Right.

This play is blocked really well. RT Tom Compton takes away the inside, RG Chris Chester moves his man inside and TE Jordan Reed cuts off the LB at the second level.

Roy Helu makes Barry Church miss in the open field and then is taken down for a 15 yard gain.

6. Redskins run Read-Option here but the Cowboys are expecting it. Two players lined up outside the RT so one can crash on Helu and one can spy Griffin if he keeps it.

Because of the spy man, Griffin has no choice but to hand it off.

Helu is chased down from behind for no gain.

7. Here is a Power Sweep Right from Gun-Right. Shawn Lauvao is pulling around this time to lead block. I'd also like to point out that TE Logan Paulsen is in at Left Tackle. (Spencer Long is also at RG and Tyler Polumbus is back at RT)

Roy Helu gets past the first level and sees Tyler Polumbus pushing the LB to the right so he tries to cutback but DeMarcus Lawrence on the outside doesn't give up on the play.

Helu cuts into him and stops him for a gain of 3.

To recap both articles, the Redskins had runs of 2, 1, -2, 4, 14, 4, 4, 1, -4, 6, 4, 15, 0, and 3. That's 14 carries for 52 yards and 3.7 yards per carry. If you take away the trick play and the draw against prevent defense, it's 12 carries for 23 yards and 1.9 per carry. This is the #1 reason the Redskins offense couldn't get on track all year. The lack of effective early down running put an even larger burden on QBs trying to learn a new system. The offense was constantly behind the chains and the Redskins poor 3rd down conversion rates became glorified by commentators each week. While there are questions across the board regarding the 2015 Redskins offense, fixing this has to be the top priority.