How Washington Can Salvage Season, Make Most of Remaining Games

With a 3-8 record, there is very little chance that the Washington Redskins can or will make a miracle playoff run this season. There are just five games remaining and a plethora of issues ailing the team on and off of the field.

That said, Washington needs to make the most of the final games in an effort to salvage an otherwise unsightly season.

Let's assume that Jay Gruden's job is secure. There's no reason to think otherwise, but the Redskins have not always been predictable or rational in their coaching moves during Dan Snyder's ownership.

With that assumption in mind, we can gather that the offensive scheme isn't likely to change much between now and next season. If the coaches and the scheme aren't going to change, the Redskins need to figure out what works, who fits as well as everything and everyone that doesn't.

Robert Griffin III in particular should be a point of emphasis down the stretch.

Griffin has looked both lost and timid in his five games of action this season. His mechanics have been awful, he isn't reading the field the way he should and he has put himself in position to be sacked almost as much as the offensive line has failed to protect him.

The Redskins must decide if they are dedicated to Griffin as their franchise quarterback of the future.

If so, the offense must be simplified, or at least adjusted to account for both the spotty protection and Griffin's grasp of the scheme.

Washington has Alfred Morris, one of the best running backs in the NFL, Roy Helu, one of the most underrated third-down backs in the NFL, and Silas Redd, an unknown commodity who offers a bit of both worlds on offense.

Lean on the running game to start with. Take the ball out of Griffin's hands a bit more so there is less pressure for him to make every play.

Griffin excels as a quarterback when the play action is working, and without an established ground game, he cannot get into a rhythm.

He is not a straight dropback passer, and the Redskins should not try to make him into one.

What made Griffin so effective under Mike and Kyle Shanahan was that they moved the pocket. It not only nullified the poor pass protection, but it forced defenses to account for the shift in their own coverage and the potential for Griffin to run.

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Gruden's offense is different, but rather than force Griffin to run things the way Gruden called them in Cincinnati, he should find a way to work with Griffin and his skill set.

Griffin has a strong arm, he can be an accurate quarterback, but something is off and has been off since the beginning of last season.

Maybe his confidence has been shaken, maybe he still doesn't feel right physically. It could be any number of things. Whatever the reason for his apparent regression, Gruden and his staff should at least try to figure it out as opposed to leaving him to sink or swim on Sundays.

The quarterback situation is just one aspect of salvaging the season. The offensive line needs to be brought up to snuff one way or another, and maintaining the status quo is not helping.

If the line can't give Griffin adequate time to throw or Griffin takes too long to read the field, shorten up the field.

Script a few series to give the line and Griffin confidence. Run slants to Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson. It not only gives Griffin and the offense quick completions, it can lead to big plays if either of them gets into the open field.

Big plays build confidence, which builds on the chemistry the short game brings to the offense.

In terms of personnel, Morgan Moses and Spencer Long were drafted to replace Tyler Polumbus and Chris Chester. Thus far, only Moses has seen the field for any stretch of time, and he has looked overwhelmed the whole time.

Griffin is already taking punishment with the current offensive line, what could it hurt to put the rookies in to see if they make any progress? It certainly doesn't do them or the Redskins any good to hope that learning on the sidelines will be enough to progress their skills toward becoming starters.

In fact, beyond Long and Moses, the Redskins need to start mixing their younger players in to get a feel for their abilities.

Ryan Grant getting more time on offense, the aforementioned running back Redd, Phillip Thomas working at either safety spot, Greg Ducre and Trenton Robinson getting bigger roles to finish the season.

Thomas has been hurt for most of his professional career. But now that he's healthy, there's no reason to see if he's capable of being a replacement for Ryan Clark or Brandon Meriweather.

Tim Sharp/Associated Press

Speaking of the defense, which has been wildly inconsistent for most of the season, the Redskins need to play all out for the rest of the season.

Their best games have come when they brought pressure on a consistent basis, using Meriweather as an eighth man in the box.

They have nothing to lose by turning their players loose more than they have been, even if it means getting beaten deep. Ryan Kerrigan and Trent Murphy are relentless rushers who can create for themselves as well as others with opponents paying extra attention to them.

Possibly more important than the players showing their worth on defense, defensive coordinator Jim Haslett needs to earn his job next season, which would require an amazing run of sacks, turnovers and big plays to achieve.

Washington doesn't have to win any of its final games for it to be better off than when it started the season.

Salvaging this season means finishing it knowing more than when it started, which for the Redskins should be a matter of who they should keep and who they need to replace.

While this seems like a lot for the Redskins to accomplish, they can simplify it to one goal.

Don't beat yourselves.

The Redskins have struggled with their own lack of discipline throughout the season. Ball security through the end of plays, false starts, delay of game penalties, letting the media circus affect the on-field product.

Washington can't hope to improve against its competition if it is consistently beating itself.

If the Redskins can make it out of this season knowing where they stand with their quarterback situation, show a reduction in stupid mistakes and create an environment where everyone, coaches included, is competing for their right to be a part of the team, they will have salvaged more than just pride.