Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

I don't know if anyone has been able to catch CC on CBS pregame, but he's pretty inciteful (sp).

He was on WP Live and was asked about the skins redzone problems, JC's problems fumbling, not being able to close out games and/or make the big play at the end.

He said he had talked to some teams that have played the skins who told him that JC really isn't the major problem. He is young and going to make mistakes but they noted the skins have only one redzone threat...Cooley. Well guess what..these teams know that. After that who else? His sources say JC really needs a big WR threat to become more effective.

CC was still high on JC as we all are..most of us are.

Anyways, I know most of us know this so its no secret that other teams do as well.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

And our other threat (helps with blocking and makes things happen) has been injured (Sellers). We need to get this kid Mix in the mix.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

Good post (btw, I believe it's spelled 'insightful' - thanks for noting that you weren't sure)

Like you said, no secret to us here & this week a couple threads have even discussed this. early in the year Cooley was making catches in the red zone a lot, had a few tds. Teams definitely have caught on.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

Casserly's singing the same tune a lot of us have been around here.

We've got to have a big body who can leap at the WR spot.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

I think this means getting McCardell and Caldwell open more down in the Red Zone. Both are capable targets that need to get the ball more in goal line situations.

The other take it that going heavy jumbo, Santana Moss is usually the 1 receiver that is in that set...perhaps replacing him with one of the above will help?

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

One way to deal with red zone problems is to score before you get in the red zone. They need to take more shots from between the 40s.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

I really want to see this Mix dude.
If he is a bust then....well we did pay vertually nothing for him.lol.
I am curious to see him in action

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[QUOTE=70Chip;389132]One way to deal with red zone problems is to score before you get in the red zone. They need to take more shots from between the 40s.[/QUOTE]

That's an excellent point. When's the last time you saw them throw a bomb into the endzone from the 50?

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

I think Casserly makes a valid point. Cooley is our only true red zone threat. With the way teams key on him down there it's surprising that he has as many TDs as he does.

You can't fix this by saying... well just throw more bombs before you get to the red zone. That's really not addressing the issue.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[quote=Beemnseven;389134]That's an excellent point. When's the last time you saw them throw a bomb into the endzone from the 50?[/quote]

They haven't done it enough which is a shame with the way the officials are handing out PI calls lately. The Cowboys are smart in this regard. They take a boatload of shots to the endzone from midfield. Now they have strong weapons to do it with, but he also threw one to Pasano against G.B, and he's not anybody's idea of a downfield threat so it's a philosophical thing for them as well. We, by contrast, seem to have completely gone away from the long ball, which is an indication to me that Saunders is basically having his way, despite what everyone says.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

Sounds like we need some large receivers and/or a line that can bust open some massive holes for CP.

Didn't we have one of the best redzone offenses in the league early on in the season? Cooley seemed to be catching short TD passes right and left. Perhaps teams have figured that out and have just shut him down since we have no other viable threat.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;389137]I think Casserly makes a valid point. Cooley is our only true red zone threat. With the way teams key on him down there it's surprising that he has as many TDs as he does.

You can't fix this by saying... well just throw more bombs before you get to the red zone. That's really not addressing the issue.[/QUOTE]


I agree that we'll need to find another red zone threat. But would you agree that they should take more shots from outside the redzone, when the NFL through pass interference rules, is begging teams to do it?

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

Of course I'd like to see us take more shots down the field, but with ARE being out and Moss not at 100% I think that's really hurt that area of the offense.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[quote=BDBohnzie;389131]I think this means getting McCardell and Caldwell open more down in the Red Zone. Both are capable targets that need to get the ball more in goal line situations.

The other take it that going heavy jumbo, Santana Moss is usually the 1 receiver that is in that set...perhaps replacing him with one of the above will help?[/quote]
I only remember seeing McCardell in the lineup once this season in the red zone and he caught a TD. I like Thrash down there too but only on 1st and second down with Sellers, Yoder, Cooley and him on the field.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[quote=Mattyk72;389145]Of course I'd like to see us take more shots down the field, but with ARE being out and Moss not at 100% I think that's really hurt that area of the offense.[/quote]
Moss seems like another player with his new shoes. Hopefully he'll connect a few times downfield Thursday.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[quote=redsk1;389126]He is young and going to make mistakes but they noted the skins have only one redzone threat...Cooley. Well guess what..these teams know that. After that who else? His sources say JC really needs a big WR threat to become more effective. [/quote]

This was me a few days ago in another thread:


[quote=Southpaw]Cooley has size and strength, and he is the best receiving threat in the red zone, but the problem is every team in the league knows that. Every time Campbell went to Cooley in the endzone yesterday, he was triple covered. I'm actually surprised that Cooley was able to have such good receiving numbers, since there were Bills drapped all over him, all day long.

But Washington still needs a true possession receiver. A big receiver with good hands that can bail Campbell out when his passes are a foot or two off the mark. Something which Santana Moss seems unable to do. I don't know how or where they'll find this guy, but they need to do it ASAP.[/quote]

It's not rocket science. Every team in the league has figured out that Cooley is the only legitimate red zone threat. And yet the coaching staff hasn't done anything to combat this situation.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[quote=Texanskin;389133]I really want to see this Mix dude.
If he is a bust then....well we did pay vertually nothing for him.lol.
I am curious to see him in action[/quote]

Agreed. I said this after the JC INT at the end of the TB game. We have a 6'5" receiver. Throw him the damn fade, not to a 5'9" Moss. If the guy is no good then don't keep him around or put him on the practice squad, but give him a chance.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

I really don't know much about Mix. However, he was dumped by the NYG. Sometimes people, mis-evaluate talent but usually not. I don't think he is the answer.

Someone alluded to last year or earlier this year being pretty good in the red zone. We were good when our oline was intact at the end of last year and could run it and we were good til teams "figured it out" and started doubling Cooley earlier this year.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[quote=rypper11;389149]Moss seems like another player with his new shoes. Hopefully he'll connect a few times downfield Thursday.[/quote]

Yeah but they still don't seem to be sending him deep. Even with the altered shoe he's not 100%.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[QUOTE=redsk1;389176]I really don't know much about Mix. However, he was dumped by the NYG. Sometimes people, mis-evaluate talent but usually not. I don't think he is the answer.[/QUOTE]

I don't know if you remember, but Ricky Sanders was a NE castoff. We know what he did afterwards with us.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[quote=redsk1;389176]I really don't know much about Mix. However, he was dumped by the NYG. Sometimes people, mis-evaluate talent but usually not. I don't think he is the answer. [/quote]

From the info I read on him, the Giants liked him, but the only WR spot he played was the X, which for the Giants is Plaxico Burress. It also appeared the NYG fans weren't happy with him being let go. I'm not saying he is the singular solution to our Red Zone woes, but when you have a 6'5" WR matched up against a 5'10" corner you have to take a shot at a fade. Even if Mix doesn't make the play, it may force the defense to adjust or shift, which may open Cooley or someone else. DBs are always taught to take away the slant inside the 10, and if you have short WRs the DBs can really cheat on the slant because the fade is extremely difficult to throw to a shorter WR.

Based on where we are with our WR corps right now we need to find out if this kid can make plays. If he can great, we found a WR. If not, we will at least have had a chance to evaluate if he can develop and is worth keeping around. He also played with Campbell at Auburn and JC lobbied to get him here. It would go far in showing confidence in JC by giving Mix a chance.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

all we need is a tall receiver. yeah right. the answer to everything. to me, size has nothing to do with getting open. it seems to me that Steve Smith scores his share of touchdowns. whats he? all of 5' 9". Marvin Harrison scores a bunch,. and he is barely 6 foot tall. our line is the problem. once in the red zone, it always seems like Campbell is running for his life. we need to see more of Portis in the red zone. if anything, he has the knack for finding pay dirt

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[quote=dmek25;389204]all we need is a tall receiver. yeah right. the answer to everything. to me, size has nothing to do with getting open. it seems to me that Steve Smith scores his share of touchdowns. whats he? all of 5' 9". Marvin Harrison scores a bunch,. and he is barely 6 foot tall. our line is the problem. once in the red zone, it always seems like Campbell is running for his life. we need to see more of Portis in the red zone. if anything, he has the knack for finding pay dirt[/quote]

Good points. It seems like the smaller recievers Harrison, Smith catch alot of their td passes by big plays (not all, but alot). Big plays...meaning 25 yards or more. We have a problem w/ that too no doubt.

I don't disclude smaller recievers it just seems like the bigger WR are better threats to score when the ball is in the red zone. Just my opinion. I think what other teams said was our lack of a big play WR hindering JC, not necessarily a big WR. I do think a big talented play making receiver would be a tremendous benefit. They don't grow on trees though.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

Reason #207 why I love living in the DMV, being able to listen to Doc Walker. He was saying it doesn't matter what kind of name or reputation they have, the question is can they produce?

That said, I have a hard time believing that Gibbs, Saunders & company aren't doing everything they can to fix this. Maybe it doesn't show in the results, but something has to give, and soon.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;389129]Casserly's singing the same tune a lot of us have been around here.

We've got to have a big body who can leap at the WR spot.[/QUOTE]

I guess he doesn't consider Portis a red zone threat?

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[QUOTE=HOGTIMUS PRIME;389242]I guess he doesn't consider Portis a red zone threat?[/QUOTE]

I think he means, when JC drops back to throw Portis is not a red zone threat. Even though he really isn't on the ground anymore either but that's a whole different topic.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

This is somewhat OT, but Anthony Mix wasn't on the street. He was on the Giants practice squad. Any player on a team's practice squad is eligible to be signed to another team's 53 man roster. In recent years, we lost Robert McCune (Dolphins) and Buck Ortega (Browns) this way.

I also feel that our best chance of scoring is from 25-30 yards out (with our current offensive line). It gives those small receivers room to work (and run after the catch).

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[QUOTE=SFREDSKIN;389189]I don't know if you remember, but Ricky Sanders was a NE castoff. We know what he did afterwards with us.[/QUOTE]

Well if Mix turns out to be great he could solve this problem

Until then, however, we are going to continue to have trouble in the redzone for the aforementioned reasons.

I still contend that it would be worthwhile looking at a receiver in the first round. With our last three first round picks busting out (Howard, Westbrook, and Gardner) odds say we are due for HOF'er :)

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

I'd like to see us take more shots between the 40s, but that also requires pass protection.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

Are there any big play receivers out there in the draft or free agency? I know Roy Williams wants out of Detroit but he wants to go back to Texas. Any chance of a second or third round guy falling to us? If so, who is out there?

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[quote=21InOurHearts;389330]Are there any big play receivers out there in the draft or free agency? I know Roy Williams wants out of Detroit but he wants to go back to Texas. Any chance of a second or third round guy falling to us? If so, who is out there?[/quote]
Bernard Berrian and Bryant Johnson appear to be the best chances for us in Free Agency. Haven't looked into the Draft class yet.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[QUOTE=dmek25;389204]all we need is a tall receiver. yeah right. the answer to everything. to me, size has nothing to do with getting open. it seems to me that Steve Smith scores his share of touchdowns. whats he? all of 5' 9". Marvin Harrison scores a bunch,. and he is barely 6 foot tall. our line is the problem. once in the red zone, it always seems like Campbell is running for his life. we need to see more of Portis in the red zone. if anything, he has the knack for finding pay dirt[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I've always dismissed the importance of a tall receiver. The Rams in '99 seemed to do just fine with Bruce, Holt, and Az-Hakim -- all 6'0 or less.

A lot of it has to do with your offensive scheme, which, I don't think anyone can define what the Redskins' scheme is or is supposed to be.

As for the red zone problems, another thing that needs to be done is drop the 'jumbo' package. Joe Theismann was a guest on the John Riggins Show this afternoon, and he's another former player who's gone on record to say that you need to spread things out a bit, and that the Redskins don't have the players to line up everybody in one spot and bulldoze the defensive line.

Give Campbell better protection, get Campbell to be smarter with the ball, and the redzone issues get resolved. Throw in a 6'2 or 6'4 wideout if you want to, but all the height in the world won't matter when your QB keeps throwing the ball to the wrong guys while he's running for his life.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[QUOTE=Beemnseven;389336]As for the red zone problems, another thing that needs to be done is drop the 'jumbo' package. Joe Theismann was a guest on the John Riggins Show this afternoon, and he's another former player who's gone on record to say that you need to spread things out a bit, and that the Redskins don't have the players to line up everybody in one spot and bulldoze the defensive line.[/QUOTE]

Joey T. hit it right on the head, the Skins under Gibbs 1 always had a bruiser back like Brandon Jacobs. My solution on the redzone is feed the ball to Sellers till he gets it in, he's proved that he can run it, now give him the chance to pound it in.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

Here's what Paul Woody from the Sporting News has to say:

The team's red zone offense borders on abysmal. The Redskins can get the ball inside the 10, but then they hit roadblocks. They can't get enough of a push off the line to run the ball. They can't find enough room in the compressed area to make the passing game work. TE Chris Cooley is their most effective red-zone receiver, something teams have figured out. The lack of a big receiver all but eliminates running fade routes. Also, injuries to the receivers limit their practice time with QB Jason Campbell on timing routes across the back of the end zone.

Todd Yoder has been adequate filling in for FB Mike Sellers (back), but Yoder is strictly a blocker. Sellers gives the team the option of sending a 284-pound back into the middle of the line as a runner. Sellers can push the pile, which is something the team needs near the goal line. ...

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

During our 5 game winning streak at the end of 2005 didn't something like 13 of our last 14 Red Zone drives end in touchdowns?

So what's so different now that we don't have the same success?

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[quote=Beemnseven;389336]Yeah, I've always dismissed the importance of a tall receiver. The Rams in '99 seemed to do just fine with Bruce, Holt, and Az-Hakim -- all 6'0 or less.....

Give Campbell better protection, get Campbell to be smarter with the ball, and the redzone issues get resolved. Throw in a 6'2 or 6'4 wideout if you want to, but all the height in the world won't matter when your QB keeps throwing the ball to the wrong guys while he's running for his life.[/quote]
The '99 Rams and '06 Colts both had receivers at 6' that could score inside the 10 yd line, Bruce and Holt, both Pro Bowlers. The stats are strikingly similar for '99 Bruce and '06 Harrison both had 7 of 12 TDs they scored on the season inside the 10. However '99 Hakim has only 2 of 8 and Holt 0 of 6. Reggie Wayne '06 had 3 of his 9 TDs inside the 10. What is my point; if you have a Pro Bowl caliber receiver who runs precise routes and has outstanding hands you can throw for TDs inside the 10 with some consistency. '99 Kurt Warner and '06 Manning had something to do with these TDs also.

A big physical receiver is a weapon that is invaluable to a young QB or a team with a struggling OL. A fade is a one step and throw, the OL almost cannot be beat on this protection. The QB isn't making any decisions, he is throwing to a spot and letting the WR physically beat a smaller DB. Timing is key to the throw, but since Campbell and Mix played together at Auburn they should be able to get back on the same page quickly.

I don't believe a big receiver would magically put us at 8-4 instead of 5-7, but being able to throw the fade could have made a difference in several drives this year where we stalled at the goal line. Do we have other issues in the red zone with the OL not getting the job done, Portis not being a big physical back able to make tough yards on his own, and a young QB who will make mistakes, absolutely. But the option of throwing a fade to a 6'5" receiver can take some pressure away from issues we cannot solve in the short term.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[quote=Beemnseven;389134]That's an excellent point. When's the last time you saw them throw a bomb into the endzone from the 50?[/quote]

Good point. Although the offense is more open it looks like we throw to get 1st downs and not to score.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[QUOTE=Slingin Sammy 33;389331]Bernard Berrian and Bryant Johnson appear to be the best chances for us in Free Agency. Haven't looked into the Draft class yet.[/QUOTE]


draft choices as far as recievers isnt that deep. but Jackson from Cal, and Kelly from the Sooners or maybe Sweed from Texas..those guys will fit pretty well in our system.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[quote=SmootSmack;389378]During our 5 game winning streak at the end of 2005 didn't something like 13 of our last 14 Red Zone drives end in touchdowns?

So what's so different now that we don't have the same success?[/quote]

Fabini and Wade instead of Thomas and Jansen is the most obvious difference. Patten was on IR then so we were really hurting at wideout for that stretch. Actually Thomas got hurt in the Dallas game as well so I suppose the main difference is Saunders calling the plays now. Don Breaux has taken a lot of heat but his red zone plays were actually very good. That one to Sellers was money and we haven't seen it much since 2005.

Re: Charley Casserly's Take on the skins Redzone Problems
 

[QUOTE=SmootSmack;389378]During our 5 game winning streak at the end of 2005 didn't something like 13 of our last 14 Red Zone drives end in touchdowns?

So what's so different now that we don't have the same success?[/QUOTE]

We caught lightening in a bottle for that 5 game stretch in '05. Quite simply, we had "it". Whatever that is. Call it chemistry, call it rising to the occasion, call it 'making plays.'

It's everything we're not doing now.