Smoke Signals: That was the easy part

As we wrote yesterday, the Redskins have decided to replace Antwaan Randle El with CB DeAngelo Hall as the team's primary punt returner. Considering the punchless offense and the need for help from the special teams, the only question is why this move wasn't made long ago. The answer, of course, is that the Redskins are not run properly. Read it.

With TE Chris Cooley on the shelf for at least another month, TE Fred Davis is determined to seize the opportunity provided by extra playing time. He canceled his bye week vacation plans to stay at Redskins Park and work on his blocking, which was atrocious in the team's Monday night loss to Philadelphia.

And blocking has not come naturally. That's why he stuck around with tight ends coach Scott Wachenheim during the bye week. He focused on Davis' footwork and hand placement. "I'm strong enough to block somebody," Davis said. "I'm not a weak guy. It's not a matter of how strong a guy is. If the guy gets under your pads, he's going to win. "People say, 'He can't block.' But I got thrown in there and I wasn't a good blocker, but I know I can be. Sometimes your role changes and I'm ready to adjust. There are very few great blocking tight ends in the league. You just have to get the job done. That's what I'm trying to do now. The pass catching is natural. I'm not worried about that."

The obvious question why is Davis so poor with footwork and hand placement? He's not a rookie anymore. What was he doing during the entire offseason, training camp and preseason? This is Pop Warner stuff he's learning. What has the coaching staff been doing with this kid?

Read and discuss the best way to protest the evil reign of Dan Snyder. Read it.

The bye week gives players a chance to come back with a renewed sense of optimism, but few people at Redskins Park seem in the dark about what they're facing with a much tougher schedule coming up.

"It's going to be a tough November for us," receiver Malcolm Kelly said, "but if we don't make many mistakes we have a shot."

I think a better way to put it would be: "If we keep playing like we have, we will be shot." Indeed, the schedule is about to get MUCH tougher.

Read it all

http://dcprosportsreport.com/2009/11/03/smoke-signals-that-was-the-easy-part.html

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