As the Washington Redskins prepare for the disappointing Seattle Seahawks, I find myself looking across the NFL landscape. Of course, I am actually trying to look at the reality of what this season may mean for the Redskins.
As a Redskins fan, it has been a remarkable season. Perhaps over-achieving during a four-game winning streak following the season opening loss to the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants, followed by a difficult five-game stretch in which they have gone 2-3, it's hard to know what to make of this team.
The only singularly specific thing I can point to definitively is that the offensive line has not played well during the past five games. Many suggest that defenses have "caught up" to rookie head coach and play caller Jim Zorn.
Others say quarterback Jason Campbell just isn't capable of "making" plays, that he is a "game manager" and unless other players step up to "make" things happen, Campbell can't get it done.
My concern is one that was a significant point of discussion during the "offseason".
The age of the offensive line.
With every current starter over 30 years old, I wonder if they simply haven't worn down. Coming out of a very long training camp and five preseason games, perhaps they just don't have much left in the tank.
As evidence, I would point towards the fact that Campbell has been sacked 10 times in the last two games. The league's second leading rusher, Clinton Portis, suffered a partially torn MCL in his left knee against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the holes he once exploited so well have been much smaller.
Defenses have certainly settled into a "crowd the box" strategy. They have challenged the Redskins passing game to make plays, and the Redskins have not responded well. Campbell has shown some indecision (and inaccuracy under pressure), dangerous wide receiver Santana Moss hasn't been so dangerous, and Pro-Bowl tight end Chris Cooley hasn't been able to get "down field" to help either.
Obviously, the question is: Can they put it back together and "get on a roll?"
I don't really have an "answer" to that question. I know that they are capable. There is talent. There is "fire". There is "desire". There is "character" in the locker room. I once thought there was enough "leadership" to pull out of something like this.
At this point however, I am not so sure anymore.
I will be watching though. Watching and hoping.
Hoping to see a rookie make a play on offense.
Hoping to see a quarterback take another BIG step toward being the quarterback this franchise hasn't seen since Joe Theismann.
Hoping to see the quarterback stay clean for MOST of a game...or three...or five.
Hoping to see Clinton Portis get back to gashing defenses.
Hoping to see Santana Moss run by a defensive back, actually make a catch, and keep on running.
The Boys in Blue come to town in 10 days, and they won't go down easily.
The only real shot the Redskins have at turning around this season is to go on a significant winning streak.
That means winning in Seattle, something the 'Skins have done with consistency, as long as it's the regular season.
That means finding a way to beat the best team in the NFL, the Giants.
Hmmmm...doesn't sound promising, does it?
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about 1 month ago
Good stuff, but the Redskins don't have to beat the Giants. The games they must win are @Seattle, home against Philly, @ Cinci, and at @San Fran. They can afford to drop the game to the Giants and the Ravens. Winning 3 out of 4 against NFC teams will be crucial. A loss to Baltimore won't mean anything.
10-6 with an 8-4 conference record will ensure the Redskins a wild card spot.
from about 1 month ago
I wouldn't count on that Shaun. It may be enough, but I don't think it will work if they lose to the Giants. If that happens, it could be too much for them overcome. There is already talk of a little doubt in the locker room, it could get worse if they don't show well against the Giants.
Maybe they'd be OK if they at least make a game of it against the Giants, but I really do think they need to find a way to win that game.
Thanks for the thoughts Shaun, and it's good to see you around again!
from about 1 month ago
Yeah I mean I would love nothing more than for us to beat the Giants. But based on how we've played, and how they have played... I just can't see it happening. It's like two teams going in opposite directions at this point.
Main thing is this; At Seattle is a do or die game. If we lose that, that means we'd have lost 3 straight and dropped to last in the division with a game coming up against New York. If we lose to Seattle, season's over. Scary thought.
about 1 month ago
Craig, you brought up some good points about the line. It would stink if they became a remake of the Over the Hill Gang.
I've seen Campbell, and he is far from the best. I think he is very conservative. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think he just hasn't taking the large amount of chances. I haven't seen him throw deep passes to anyone really. I haven't seen the pass where you have to be pin-point precise to get it just right. I see him throw to the wide open man that may or may not get the first down on a short pass, and the defenses may know that, so they cover up the main guys knowing he'll throw it away or dump it off short.
It is not a bad thing, but I think he is more concerned with throwing an INT than a TD. With Portis helping him so much, I wonder if he really is a franchise QB.
from about 1 month ago
Your absolutely right James, he has been very conservative, perhaps to the point of playing too "careful". He does not take chances, but I also think Zorn has tried to coach him that way intentionally. The simple fact is that the Defense is the "strenght" of the team right now and I think Zorn recognizes that (did before the season started) and has tried to play offense such as to not "screw it up" for the defense to win the game.
This sounds very familiar to Skins fans, but to some extent I agree with, early on I think it was the right way to do things, but it's time to get aggressive, and attack. The question is: can Campbell do it?
Great points James!
about 1 month ago
I wouldn't put all of the blame on the offensive line. A lot of those sacks came from Jason Campbell holding on to the ball too long rather than throwing it away. As for the blocking for Clinton Portis, his results in the last two games have mainly been because of his knee.
I'm more optimistic about the remaining games. There are several factors that give me a reason to be upbeat: Shawn Springs coming back healthy, the continued development of DeAngelo Hall, and Malcolm Kelly as another weapon in the passing game. Also, as Clinton Portis said, this team plays a lot better when their backs are against the wall. After two losses, they're feeling a sense of urgency. I think they'll respond nicely.
from about 1 month ago
There is word that Malcolm Kelly might actually see action this week. It'd be nice if our two top picks decided to contribute sometime before the season is over. That'd be nice.
from about 1 month ago
Absolutely Adam, when I reviewed these last two games, one sack in the Dallas game, and three from Pittsburgh. That leaves SIX, and those aren't ALL on the line either, but I also saw guys simply losing their individual battles, battles they weren't losing 5 weeks ago.
And that's why I am concerned. There is much to be "hopeful" for, and if you have read any of my other work, you would know I am more often accused of being TOO optimistic, but there is also reason for concern. And I know it.
Thanks for the comments Adam, there is still a lot of football left to play.
about 1 month ago
I though he would just open the field up with are wrs but now we don't do anything but slants screens and hitches
from about 1 month ago
Zorn is seriously trying to avoid getting JC killed these past two weeks. But, I think he fell into the habit of leaning too heavily on the run, and then couldn't get out of it.
He does need to get the ball out, hell he just needs to complete some passes when they pressure the line, move the chains.
Thanks again Travis!
about 1 month ago
The problems are all of the above, the line is older and are wearing down, Campbell is holding the ball to long, Zorn doesn't allow Jason to throw downfield to stretch the D, to much use of Portis is starting to show with nagging injuries. The list goes on but in order for them to make the playoffs they can't afford to lose more than 1 game.
from about 1 month ago
The "more than 1 game" part is the key, and I agree. They need to get on a serious run here, and keep it going.
I do think Zorn is calling plenty of the plays to get it downfield though, pressure, perceived or otherwise, is keeping JC from throwing it, and the wide outs are not consistently getting open. Including Moss.
Things need to change for sure, we'll see. Thanks Eric!
about 1 month ago
I agree with Travis that we need to stretch the field more. We can do that early in a game and get away with it. Waiting until the third and fourth quarters like in the Cowboys game doesn't scare anyone. By that point the Cowboys knew they could put pressure on Campbell and they weren't afraid of the bomb.
To me however, the problem with the Skins lies in that they just aren't getting up to play. They show little emotion and go through the motions. They have been doing this since the Philly game. They just need to get fired up and play football.
They have talent and they are just wasting it. Every year we make the play-offs we do it with our back against the wall the last month of the season. Here we have an opportunity to get in without all the pressure and we are throwing it away. One or two more losses and we will be in desperation mode. Let's avoid that and win the games we should win i.e. Philly, Cincy, Baltimore, Seattle, and the Niners. If we do that we are 11-5. Get it done boys!
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Jack, as I responded to Travis, it's not a matter of calling the plays, there is so much that goes into 'getting the ball downfield'. There were plays called early against the 'Boys, and the WRs didn't get any separation, that's not on JC or the O-Line. When they were open, JC was feeling the pressure, sometimes he shouldn't have been worried about the pressure, and others it was very much there.
And let's be realistic, when was the last time Moss (or any other receiver besides Cooley) made the type of catch that makes a QB trust him to take some chances on a big play. Moss had the opportunity to turn that game around and he couldn't make the catch, JC threw it into some coverage, placed it in the only spot it could have been placed and Moss couldn't make the catch.
JC has to get past it, but he doesn't seem to have much faith in his WRs beyond Cooley.
I do agree that they need to get on a big time run, and they need to do it now.
from about 1 month ago
Yeah Craig I see your point. Depth at receiver has been a big problem as well. Moss is a quality receiver, but he reallt can't consistently carry a team. Devin Thomas doesn't look like he will do that to me. He's doesn't seem to have much burst.
Maybe Malcolm Kelly will come into his own next year. We wil lhave to wait and see, but I have to say the draft class is looking poor thus far. Sure there's still plenty of time, but not much is impressing me.
Except for Horton. He's played better than Landry this year.
from about 1 month ago
There is still plenty of time for Kelly and Thomas to show us something THIS year. Kelly should be active this week, so we just might get the opportunity to find out a little about the guy.
The Skins entered this season with all 22 starters returning, the draft class wasn't needed to show us much, but it's time they did.
about 1 month ago
We need to take 5-6 plays at least down field to spread the defense out and that will open up holes for the running game. The last few weeks we start out running and they stack the box and there are no holes to run in. We have the talent and Campbell has the arm. It's starting to look like Gibbs II conservative offense out there.
from about 1 month ago
It does look familiar doesn't it? I agree, JC just needs to cut it loose several times a game, just to prove that he WILL. Even if it doesn't connect, it could server to scare the defense enough to loosen up the under neath stuff more.
Thanks for the thoughts William!
from about 1 month ago
Lately I have been calling the coach, Jim Gibbs.
from about 1 month ago
That's good, Dakota! LOL!!!
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