How the Washington Redskins Can Right the Ship

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Needless to say, the 2-3 Redskins have underachieved to this point in the season.  

Game by game, their season is slowly slipping away. They have an anemic and unimaginative offense, their defense has allowed a disappointing 41.2 percent of third-down conversions, and the special teams have been less than special.

With two home games on the horizon, one against the 0-5 Chiefs and the other against division rival Philadelphia on Monday night, the Redskins can circle the wagon one last time to salvage the 2009 season.

But changes need to be made—drastic changes, at that. To date, Redskins coach Jim Zorn’s offensive approach to moving the ball via the West Coast offense has been ineffective and mind-numbing, to say the least.

With LT Chris Samuels out for an unknown amount of time, the Redskins’ offensive line heading in to the Kansas City game now gives new meaning to the description “patchwork.” Outside of LG Derrick Dockery, the remaining linemen would have trouble starting for any other offensive line in the NFL.

At 28, RB Clinton Portis is running the ball like he is 38. This is due in part to the bone spurs on his ankles, which flair up on occasion. Additionally, he is running behind a line incapable of creating enough space for a gazelle to run through.

The result? Through five games the Redskins offense has scored a total of seven touchdowns—three more than San Francisco’s defense has put on the board this season.

With a makeshift line and flustered running back, it is time for change in Washington.  This time, real change!

If Zorn truly wants to save his job, he has to be willing to trash his current offensive approach. It is time to break out the June Jones “Red Gun” offensive attack.

Maybe it is too late in the season to make such a change, but Campbell and the offense have seen their greatest success running the “no-huddle” spread offense.

With weapons like WRs Marko Mitchell, Devin Thomas, Antwaan Randle El, and TE Fred Davis rotting away on the sidelines, Zorn must utilize his entire arsenal. He should let Campbell air it out with a four or five-receiver set.

Campbell’s strength is his ability to hit receivers in motion on short routes. If Zorn were to spread the field, allow WR Santana Moss and TE Chris Cooley to operate against one-on-one coverage, and allow Campbell to connect on short three-step drop routes, the Redskins receivers will only need to break one tackle to pick up huge gains.

The “Red Gun” will allow Campbell to deliver the ball quickly, thus mitigating the impact of an offensive line in shambles.     

Campbell may end up throwing the ball 50-plus times a game, and turnovers are part of the deal. Zorn, however, would add life to an offense already on life support.

Pick plays, slants, curls, and receiver bubble screens are all part of the package in the “Red Gun” offense. It is all about putting pressure on the defense. One missed tackle or an untimely blitz could result in six points. 

Right now, the Redskins' offense is extremely predictable. Defenses sit back and allow them to shoot themselves in the foot. It is time to turn the tables. It is time to go on the attack.

Statistically, the Redskins' defense has been one of the best in the league, allowing opponents a mere 290 yards per game.

Statistics do not win football games. 

Several weeks ago, defensive coordinator Greg Blache said he would “take more chances” to get opposing offenses off the field. We have seen very little change to this point. 

LB/DE Brian Orakpo is still dropping back in pass coverage, DT Albert Haynesworth is hurt every other play, and S LaRon Landry still sits 30 yards deep.

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