Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Dolphins)

I've talked to Plummer directly (about handball mainly) and I know of his dislike for Shanahan, but I also know it wasn't Shanahan that led him to retire. It was that when Shanahan let him go he sent him to a place (Tampa) where he'd have to compete for a spot. And that's not what he was interested in.

As for Elway, who do you think was his offense coordinator in the mid 1980s?

Oh oh oh I know this one. Buddy Ryan.

I agree with SmootSmack. Moss and Davis were the focal points of our passing game. We ran to the left because Trent and Lich blocked well for us.Now Helu, they should be featuring more. Other than that, what do we really have? Our right side of the OL is just passable in both run blocking and pass pro. Rex is inconsistent and Beck is a scrub.

Also, the ZBS does take some time to settle in. Houston used to have a completely awful running game before 2010. Now they are tops in the league with almost the exact same OL.

Another way of reading those same facts is this: That Houston had a "completely awful running game" until Kyle left and brought his "completely awful running game" to Washington.

I've talked to Plummer directly (about handball mainly) and I know of his dislike for Shanahan, but I also know it wasn't Shanahan that led him to retire. It was that when Shanahan let him go he sent him to a place (Tampa) where he'd have to compete for a spot. And that's not what he was interested in.

As for Elway, who do you think was his offense coordinator in the mid 1980s?

My recollection of the situation with the Broncos of the mid-80s was that Dan Reeves was the "offensive guy" and that it was Reeves and Elway who worked together to fashion the offense - - until the two of them had a falling out and it got to the point of "loser leaves town". The owner - - Bowlen - - smartly chose to keep Elway and lose Reeves in that circumstance but by then Shanahan had moved on to Oakland and then SF.

Next time you talk to Plummer, ask him what kind of mentality one should look for in a QB that Mike Shanahan might draft with a "Top Five Pick" in the draft... Here is a guess:

Intelligence of Einstein
Patience of Job
Serenity of Ghandi

I see that he gets guys open, too. But someone who designs nice pass plays is a "play designer," not "offensive coordinator." To be the latter also requires play calling and scheming which is suitable to your talent.

I am not on the "fire Kyle" bandwagon. But to me, this year he has been a great play designer but poor offensive coordinator.

Practical brilliance at work here Lotus, although I think you give Kyle too much credit as a play designer as we've faced some truly awful defenses and been totally unable to execute one big play...shit even the lowly Rams guided by a backup QB can manage that one big play a game where you sit up and yell. Not Kyle though.

I think it's also worth mentioning the Texans' offense has improved since he left. Kyle is a playbook guy at best.

Another way of reading those same facts is this: That Houston had a "completely awful running game" until Kyle left and brought his "completely awful running game" to Washington.

I think my point is worthless since its basis is crappy. Toss it in the dump, folks. I had a stupid moment.

Upon further perusal, I see that the 2008 Texans had a 4.3 YPA(including end arounds, scrambles, etc) with Kyle at the helm. That was their first year.


That said, our 22 or so carries a game is even below the average of 27 carries a game while Kyle was in Houston.

One minute you're saying Shanahan wasn't even there. The next, he was but did nothing?

I've only spoken to Plummer twice, and most recently was 3 years ago. Doubt we'll talk again anytime soon

I know "both" QB's suck, it's hard to believe Rex is better then Beck. But as bad as Rex is I have to mention that again I don't think the INT's were all Rex's fault. The first one Hankerson fell down on his route, the second one I watched #10 WR run a slant route right into the LB. Why? I don't know. But instead of taking his route to the inside of the LB he stopped and started running behind the LB/post route looking for an open section of field.

I totally agree Rex should have seen the LB atleast from my perspective but perhaps not from Rex's. Again I don't want it to sound like I'm dismissing Rex's short comings but I couldn't help but think the WR failed to run the right route.

I know "both" QB's suck, it's hard to believe Rex is better then Beck. But as bad as Rex is I have to mention that again I don't think the INT's were all Rex's fault. The first one Hankerson fell down on his route, the second one I watched #10 WR run a slant route right into the LB. Why? I don't know. But instead of taking his route to the inside of the LB he stopped and started running behind the LB/post route looking for an open section of field.

I totally agree Rex should have seen the LB atleast from my perspective but perhaps not from Rex's. Again I don't want it to sound like I'm dismissing Rex's short comings but I couldn't help but think the WR failed to run the right route.

I guess now it is a moot point, but with the way that Hank was going up in the air and attacking the ball, I don't know why they didn't throw a fade into the endzone and let Hank outjump the CBs. We could technically do the same with Davis, but he just doesn't attack the ball enough to beat the DBs.

Jim Schwartz.

Schwartz. Let's see... This is his third year with the Lions. He's also had the benefit of the #1 overall pick in '09 with Stafford and the #2 overall pick with Suh. Plus he inherited one of the best wideouts in the game with Calvin Johnson. His front office has also set him up nicely -- This year, they were able to collect two second round picks, a pair of 1st rounders in 2009, and another pair of 1st rounders 2010. So he's had much more to work with in Detroit.

Not only that, Schwartz has now lost 3 of his last 4. So no, I stand by my statement that there's not a coach out there who'd be doing any better with what we have.

Schwartz. Let's see... This is his third year with the Lions. He's also had the benefit of the #1 overall pick in '09 with Stafford and the #2 overall pick with Suh. Plus he inherited one of the best wideouts in the game with Calvin Johnson. His front office has also set him up nicely -- This year, they were able to collect two second round picks, a pair of 1st rounders in 2009, and another pair of 1st rounders 2010. So he's had much more to work with in Detroit.

Not only that, Schwartz has now lost 3 of his last 4. So no, I stand by my statement that there's not a coach out there who'd be doing any better with what we have.

Well, Schwartz inherited a team that was a punch-line not just in the NFL, but in all sports nationwide in general. They had been decimated by years of Matt Millen's stewardship. He's been there 2+ seasons, and they've really turned it around in that time. Plus Matt Stafford was hurt for a large chunk of his time as HC.

I'm not ready to bail on Shanny just yet, but I will be if next year at this time the Skins are not leaps and bounds ahead of the hot garbage we're currently witnessing.