O-line The Real Problem

If they punch it in on one of those runs the "playcalling" is a non-issue.

Like I said, if you can't punch it in on 1st and goal there's a problem that is deeper than the playcalling. If you have to get creative on 1st and goal, that's a problem.


Matty, until the Redskins win the Super Bowl, some "fans" will have no faith in Joe Gibbs whatsoever.

Skinsguy and Mattyk: Agreed! Right on target. As I have said in the past... our first and foremost priority in the off-season is to improve our O-line. That's where it all starts for any offense regardless of who the head coach is. Jansen is a lock and I think Samuels is a lock as well but we need to renegotiate his contract is possible. Thomas is a lock as well. I'd be anxious to see what the rookie linemen can do. I know the one rookie that started seemed to do well but got hurt (Wilson or something like that?). Ray Brown could be kept as a back up if not too expensive and the same goes for Cory Raymer. He may have been something years ago but injuries have really hurt his game. Trust me guys, a solid O-line will solve about 90% of our offensive woes. The other ten percent comes with time to gel.

How many times have we scored on Tthrowing as opposed to running? 14 throwing TDs and 5 rushing TDs. So obviously throwing works. We tried going around the side once, and had Portis not run 15 yards backwards it would have netted the same gain as running up the middle. We don't have a dominating interior (or exterior) for that matter. I'd also rather try for a TD than virtually give up by trying to run between the tackles.

I still feel playcalling is too conservative. Especially in the redzone.

irrespective of how poor the O-line played, Clinton Portis did not come out with any intensity yesterday - he looked rather lackadaisical and dazed for the most part. Anyone else agree?

I agree, going across the country to play after coming off a very emotional division loss isn't an easy thing to do in the least bit.

I was very pleased with the effort against the 49ers.
So was I Matty... end result- it got us another W. Anyone that wants to argue a win, be my guest. All I know is, there's no need to feel good about yourself because you played a good game and lost. There's no need to make excuses about coulda woulda shoulda, because you won. The real project is to focus on next week's game against the 'Boys and what we need to do to win it!

nothing wrong with running up the middle on first and goal, i just wish gibbs would spread the defense out by going with four or even five wideouts. the "jumbo package" doesn't work very well with portis at rb.

If they punch it in on one of those runs the "playcalling" is a non-issue.

Like I said, if you can't punch it in on 1st and goal there's a problem that is deeper than the playcalling. If you have to get creative on 1st and goal, that's a problem.


Exactly! That is the problem Gibb's is faced with right now figuring a way to get short yardage without a running game when the opposing team know's you can't run it, that makes it very difficult to fool defenses, the problem with Portis under these circumstances is he is not a YAC guy [yard's after contact] but the way our line block's right now very few back's if any could get short yard's in our offense when the defense know's what's coming.

How many times have we scored on Tthrowing as opposed to running? 14 throwing TDs and 5 rushing TDs. So obviously throwing works. We tried going around the side once, and had Portis not run 15 yards backwards it would have netted the same gain as running up the middle. We don't have a dominating interior (or exterior) for that matter. I'd also rather try for a TD than virtually give up by trying to run between the tackles.

I still feel playcalling is too conservative. Especially in the redzone.


I have to disagree with you on this one Daseal, I know your rational look's good on paper but if throwing TD's was working we would average more than 18 point's a game if that, it's not working that's why we have to get a running game, those number's you refered to only show the ineptitude of our offense to run the ball, not the success of our passing game. Do we throw the ball better than we run it right now? Yes, but we are also 5-9, 5 rushing td's in almost a full season is absolutly horrible.

nothing wrong with running up the middle on first and goal, i just wish gibbs would spread the defense out by going with four or even five wideouts. the "jumbo package" doesn't work very well with portis at rb.


Gibb's is a master at spreading out defenses the problem with that right now is our line is not winning any 1 on 1 matchup's which put's the QB in a vulnurable position when the defense doesn't respect the run.

Offiss: The problem is a big part O line, but shouldn't you gameplan around that? I mean, if they can't get the push in tight situations you have to try something new. We're easy to play defense against in the red zone (Hey, they're going to run!)

Now, don't get me wrong. Especially in a tight game, I'm all for running in the redzone. I'd just like to see a little variety in the type of run plays being called. Not to mention the occassional play action/rollout/normal drop back would work wonders. I can think of one time we threw it inside the 10 last week, and we spent a lot of time there!