How The Redskins Can Navigate The Road Ahead
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sharing
By Rich Tandler
Redskins Correspondent
CSNwashington.com
The road that the Washington Redskins have traveled so far in 2009 has been smooth and relatively clear of difficult obstacles. In spite of that fact the bus is severely dented up, has an oil leak, and the driver is in very shaky condition.
At 2-5 despite having faced one of the easiest schedules in NFL history, the road for the Redskins gets very bumpy, dotted with potholes and crowded with obstacles.
Only one upcoming opponent, the Raiders, is not in serious playoff contention and that game involves a trip to the West Coast. The Saints are undefeated and the Broncos have lost just once. The Giants, Eagles, and Cowboys (on the schedule twice) are fighting it out for the NFC East title and a possible first-round bye.
The Redskins’ next opponents, the Falcons, are battling to keep pace with the Saints in the NFC South. Likewise, the Chargers, Washington’s final opponent on January 3, are trying to keep up with the Broncos in the AFC West.
If the Redskins perform as they have so far this season things could get very ugly. Here are a few changes that could be made to avoid a nine-game nightmare:
• Put in Levi Jones at left tackle—Stephon Heyer hasn’t gotten it done and the left tackle position is too important to leave in the hands of someone who is struggling. Jones was a solid starter in Cincinnati before an injury sidelined him for a good chunk of last year. He’s 30 so he’s not the answer going into the future but they at least need to give him a shot holding things down there until help (hopefully) arrives in the draft.
• Have DeAngelo Hall return punts—Or Santana Moss or Justin Tryon or Devin Thomas. In other words, anyone but Antwaan Randle El. If you take away his long return, a whopping 15 yards, his average is 3.8 yards. That doesn’t take into account the field position he costs the team by calling fair catches with plenty of return room and by fielding punts that seem to be bound for the end zone. His best asset as a returner was that he didn’t turn the ball over and that faded when he cost the team a shot at grabbing momentum by muffing a punt against the Eagles. A struggling offense needs an occasional boost in field position and the Redskins need to try someone else who can provide it.
• Pull out the bag of tricks—Remember how Jim Zorn was blasted for calling a Randle El option pass in the opener against the Giants and then dialing up an ill-fated Clinton Portis pass near the goal line against the Rams? Since then, the gadgets have been put on the shelf and it’s time that Sherm Lewis dusts them off and put them into use. Opponents are over pursuing plays with impunity and a reverse, flea flicker or option pass is just the ticket to make the defense pay for it. And Zorn called a fake punt early in the preseason and he hasn’t called one since. Note to Zorn—I think they’ve forgotten by now, it’s safe to pull it out again.
• Loosen up—This is related to the previous item but it pertains to the team as whole. Teams play their best football when the players are able to find the right balance between being intense enough to play a violent game but calm enough to execute their assignments. The Redskins seem to be playing too tight.
Rich Tandler is the author of The Redskins Chronicle, A Journey Through the History of the Washington Redskins, 1937-2008. For more information on this unique book and to order online visit www.RedskinsChronicle.com.
Tags: redskins, football, deangelo hall, jim zorn, rich tandler, levi jones
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Eww-Line
I don't blame Zorn for the skins issues. This entire organization has a hard time letting go of players that are hurting more then helping! It's time to move on without several players, i.e., most of O-Line, Randel El, Portis,
Posted by Deadskin Fan at 9:41 pm Nov 05, 2009 |
Coaching deficiencies
I read something in today's Post that really bothers me. According to the tight ends coach himself, part of what he did with Fred Davis this past week was go back to the basics and work on fundamentals that "Pop Warner kids get taught". How could it be that Davis has been on a professional football team now for a year and a half and no one has taught him these things until now? That is a very clear sign that in addition to obvious front office issues (i.e., get rid of Vinny already!) this coaching staff is not cutting it. It appears the problems with all 3 of last years 2nd round picks have as much to do with the coaching they've been getting as much as their own flaws.
Posted by fanofskins at 7:59 am Nov 04, 2009 |
Don't dog the Rock
I think Rock Cartwright should be no. 1 RB and start running the football with some passion. Did you see him last game? He looked like the only one on offense that played with a chip on his shoulder. Give 'em the ball. Let some one else run back kick returns. Bench Portis - he seems to be a step away from falling down every run. Let's start slamming the ball down some throats and forget about pass protection because it ain't gonna happen with the o-line we got.
Posted by Redman at 9:26 pm Nov 03, 2009 |
Hey Wishbone boy
I love trying some crazy plays, and we need em.......but there is no Mason. remember he was cut. We just need to try anything and everything. We have a horrible line. Campbell is a No. 2 and thats all, but even a No. 2 can move on and win games, but he isnt the answer. What happend to the long ball down the field? Im so tired of inside screens, and little 2-3 yard pop shots that its annoying. We GOT TO OPEN up the playbook. Gotta get crazy with the play calls. Portis up the middle, portis to the left, incomplete by Campbell seems to be a broken record. I know its execution, but its also playcalling. Put players in position to win. Even the rams won a game, even though it was against the Lions. Gotta be more pro-active untill we strengthen the line, get younger @ RB, get a better QB, and wait for our best pass receiver (cooley) to return from injury. Defense needs play harder. Phillip Daniels needs to go to the bench and put Orakpo in at DE, put Chris Wilson in at LB and start applying pressure. This seems so elementry to me. Cmon skins.........lets do it baby, or just sit and wait for a good draft pick. Gruden or Cowher.....please come save this team and bring intensity and a pair of nuts to this team.
Posted by Chuck at 11:22 am Nov 03, 2009 |
Skins Fans Need to Navigate
Up the road to Baltimore - wonder how Dan would feel if the fan base moved their loyalty to Baltimore? - Dan needs a few pointers from his neighbor - got a good owner, coaches,
Posted by skinsfan81 at 9:58 am Nov 03, 2009 |
Country Boy
Hey Danny and Cerrato, how bout hiring a good ole country boy for your alls head coachin job. Someone real ole school.... Someone with a Charlie Manuel or Dan Antolik attitude.
Posted by CNU_DCFan at 8:53 am Nov 03, 2009 |
run the wishbone
Run the wishbone with Randel El at QB (so he won't return punts) and Portis, Betts, and Mason in the backfield. Hire Paul Johnson to be the "new offensive consultant" to help implement the wishbone. Then run, run, run their way toa 5-11 record.
Posted by washfan222 at 9:06 pm Nov 02, 2009 |
AMEN, AMEN, AMEN, RICH
Rich T you got it right! And somebody PLEASE tell Zorn to light a fire under his TEAM -- forget this "medium" stuff -- it ain't workin'!! Zorn needs to make himself and his players ACCOUNTABLE for their mediocre play. This team is much better than that! Need someone tough on these players. Too many DIVA'S.
Posted by Dyan at 5:06 pm Nov 02, 2009 |
How The Redskins Can Navigate The Road Ahead
Sound advice. It isn't as if they had anything to loose. One thing they could loose and that's Cerrato.
Posted by Captain Kirk at 2:55 pm Nov 02, 2009 |
special teams
dont let randel el return punts any more let some one else do it that has speed same as for kickoff returns rock cartwright has lost alot of speed put someone else in there to do it. and the defensive secondary get rid of your egos you guys stink up the place just like dan synder and vinny cerrato and they are the ones that do not know football.
Posted by redskinsfanin newportnews va. at 12:48 pm Nov 02, 2009 |