What I Learned from the Washington Redskins' Season Opener

The Washington Redskins are 0-1 and did not look particularly good against the New York Giants. There are a great number of things wrong with the Redskins, but only a few need to be highlighted.

I can personally say that after one game I am not at all confident in Jason Campbell. I spent a great deal of time and energy, through my words, defending Campbell and pleading that fans give him the chance.

Even against the defense of the New York Giants, I can give Jason Campbell no slack. He threw an interception on a pass that he threw while beyond the line of scrimmage, which derailed a somewhat productive drive.

Later, on yet another seemingly promising drive, he holds the ball down at his waist, doesn't step up in the pocket and has the ball stripped and returned for a touchdown by Osi Umenyora.

Campbell's final stats weren't as poor as his actual game performance may have suggested. He was 19 of 26 for 211 yards, a touchdown and an interception passing to go along with the fumble.

He overthrew and threw behind Santana Moss, who was held to a paltry six yards on two receptions, with a long of eight yards. Yes, he lost yardage with his second catch.

Aside from Jason Campbell's play,the offense never seemed in sync.

After a 34-yard run to open the game, Clinton Portis was limited by Zorn's play calling. Portis was given the ball just 19 times during the game and beyond the opening drive run managed just 28 yards the rest of the game.

The bright spots on offense were Chris Cooley and Antwan Randle El. Cooley totaled 68 yards on seven catches and scored a late game touchdown. Randle El had seven receptions for 98 yards and set up the Redskins first score of the game.

The first score of the game for Washington came in the form of a fake field goal run in by Hunter Smith.

When the first score of the season is put in by the punter there is something wrong.

The offense was not alone in their underwhelming performance as the defense did not impress either.

Albert Haynesworth was relatively quiet against the Giants' offensive line, totaling four tackles, but the line overall didn't apply much pressure and didn't apply it often enough. Eli Manning had ages to throw on most of his drop backs.

The secondary for Washington gave the young and untested receivers for New York huge cushions to work with, which the NFL's new richest man Eli Manning took advantage of.

Poor tackling by Fred Smoot, DeAngelo Hall, and LaRon Landry led to key first downs and big gains for the Giants and was a major factor on Mario Manningham's 30 yard touchdown catch and run.

The linebackers for the Redskins were everywhere, with veteran London Fletcher accounting for 15 tackles in the losing effort.

Rookie Brian Orakpo was relatively quiet, mustering just two tackles on the day, though he did have a few plays where he applied serious pressure from the down defensive end position.

The defense forced two turnovers, which is not stellar but is much better than none.

Overall, the Redskins did not show very much in terms of consistency despite that being the lingering theme from the offseason.

Jim Zorn has preached time and time again that this is the second season for the players under his offensive system.

The passing game did look noticeably better, but mistakes and turnovers put a stop to anything the Redskins attempted to do against the Giants.

The run game showed some life early, but the Redskins had to make up so much ground later that it fell by the wayside and didn't factor into the final decision.

If the Redskins intend to win at all this season they are going to have to change some things on both sides of the ball.

The defense needs to apply more pressure more often, even if that means blitzing. If there is one thing the defense did not do enough it was blitz.

The corners and safeties need to get up close and personal with opponents' receivers. If Rogers, Hall, and Landry don't get physical with receivers, quarterbacks will eat them up with short routes and then burn them over the top.

The offense needs to lean a little more on the running game and Clinton Portis. Statistics have shown that the more touches Portis gets, the more the team wins.

Jason Campbell will have to come back strong next week against a down St. Louis Rams team that should be a pushover. But if history has shown us anything it is that Washington can make even the worst team look like a contender.

If this game tells fans anything it is that the 2009 season could be a long one if the Redskins don't do something to turn things around after a huge week one stumble.