The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

I Know what everyone is thinking with this thread. We have the 7th best offense in the league and Portis is having the best season of his career.

This is very true.

However, by giving the ball to Portis so much, I think that it is not allowing Campbell to establish a rythm and it is going to wear down Portis for the playoffs.

Another problem is that our offense ranks 23rd in points scored with 20 per game. We have played two teams that we are much better than the last two games and we lost one and barely pulled off a victory today. Next week we go on the road to play Detroit. This is a really bad team right now. So that does not mean we have to play down to the competetion like we always do.

Lets open up the passing game and Campbell involved and blow these guys out. No reason we should win by atleast 17 and I will be disappointed with anything less. If we are a Super Bowl team, then show it to me.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

fail.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

I wonder if Jason Campbell is playing just a tad bit tight because the interception streak is on his mind?

Hard to knock a guy for not throwing INTs. Most of the long throws yesterday were actually short or intermediate passes that turned into long completions because of RAC yardage.

With the effectiveness of the running game, play action should be deadly against our opponents. But it's not.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

JC tweaked his groin yesterday and I think Zorn just wanted to protect him the rest of the way. And with Brown's D that was awful against the run why not just pound them all day long?

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

[quote=Mattyk72;491913]JC tweaked his groin yesterday and I think Zorn just wanted to protect him the rest of the way. And with Brown's D that was awful against the run why not just pound them all day long?[/quote]That is evident by the 36/23 run pass ratio. I think the Davis end around was supposed to be a pass but he didn't throw it, and the 2 Campbell runs were called pass plays. All in all, they rode the legs of Portis because JZ knows he is the one that gets it done.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

[quote=Mattyk72;491913]JC tweaked his groin yesterday and I think Zorn just wanted to protect him the rest of the way. [B]And with Brown's D that was awful against the run why not just pound them all day long?[/B][/quote]

Exactly. If your opponent can't stop it, run it til they do.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

I think the run is going so good they would be foolish to go away from it. By running the waythe Skins are, it allows JC to be more selective in his passes and not feel like he has to win the game by himself.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

I am sure that as the opposing teams start creeping up to stop portis, the passes will come. Right now teams are trying to shut down Santana, but eventually they have to try and stop CP. I really would love to see a true beat down of Detroit this week.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

[quote=irish;491924]I think the run is going so good they would be foolish to go away from it. By running the waythe Skins are, it allows JC to be more selective in his passes and not feel like he has to win the game by himself.[/quote]

Yeah. Pretty much how I feel. The great thing about the current formula is that CP's play is guaranteeing some good clock control, and the D is playing well enough to ensure that we don't fall too far behind and end up having to switch gears on the offense to play catch up (i.e., we don't have to start relying exclusively on the passing game).

By the way, was it already mentioned in one of yesterday's threads that the
4th quarter touchdown the D gave up was the first touchdown the D had given up since the 1st quarter of the Eagles game? If so, sorry to repeat, although it does indeed bear repeating.

So glad to be starting off another Monday following a win . . .

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

I'm in the run the ball camp, run the ball some more, and by god, run run run! If you can get 5 yards a pop, it's no brainer...wear that defense down and feed the beast that is the O-Line and let the dominate.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

Well if you look at the past twon games maybe the Rams and the Browns are team that are getting better. The Browns just torched the Giants their first loss and their punter never saw the field. The Rams just stomped the Boy's and we handed them the game last week. CP while he is getting alot of runs is not taking a pounding while getting good yards. It funny how the line is now opening up some nich holes after Portis called them out several weeks ago.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

zorn is calling the game as the defense dictates it,imho.the lions have a shitty team,i can't see him not opening it up against them sunday.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

Each week this team gives me hope for some exciting and meaningful games in December and hopefully January. Albeit last week was a bit of a set-back, they still showed heart, and in the end I thought that they would win.

This team is showing signs of greatness, and all around great team play. I also think that this team is on the verge of breaking out offensively with some of the new talent that we have been so desperately waiting for.

I have been most impressed with Portis, Campbell, and the O-line. It finally looks like that our offense is catching up to the defense.

I think that Zorn has called some very good games since our 1st game against the giants. However, I would like to see the Skins play with a bit more sense of urgency at the end of the first half to try and get touchdowns.

I'm greatfull that the team is 5-2, but it is not doing the interior wall of my stomach any good to let teams hang around at the end of games. It looks like some of the creativety in the playbook has gone a little vanilla. And maybe that is because Zorn is trying not to let out some of his tricks on lesser opponents. I just remember in the Norv Turner days when this team would snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory, and I'm glad that nightmare is over.

I really think that this team really believes in itself, and what it can do collectively as a team. This team is finally playing up to it's potential, and it is a beautiful thing to see.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

I agree with you 100%. Pileling up a bunch of yardage week after week doesn't mean a thing if we're not scoring TD's. At some point we've got to start scoring more TD's. Two TD's isn't going to be good enough in most games. We very easily could've lost that game yesterday. Anderson made a bad throw to Edwards at the end of the game that would've given them the ball at the 15. I'm glad we won but it shouldn't have even come down to that. At some point we've got to get more out of the passing game.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

I am not saying that we should abandon the run. But you would think that our great running game would open up our passing game but it really isnt. We only put up 14 points in that game guys. Yes we won but that is not going to cut it. And that play on 3rd and 5 at the end of the game and we elected to run and didnt get it. That is called playing not to lose and that strategy is what killed us the most under Gibbs. We have to get away from that. Points. We have to score points!

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

If we become one dimensional, we are screwed. We HAVE to get those rookie wide receivers up to snuff with the offense so they can contribute and open things up for Santana and Antwann down the field.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

if it isnt broken, dont fix it. i would like to see more passing as well, but with the way were running and how our offensive line is playing, im thrilled. and this is coming from a guy who was lobbying for the redskins to draft a running back in the 1st round in 2009.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

Here's what Zorn said on Matt Terl's blog on Redskins.com:

The assembled media seemed determined to find out if Zorn was disappointed not to be throwing more, until Zorn finally pointed out that the team would likely revolt “If I go in to the meeting today and say, ‘Guys, we’re changing it — the West Coast is a passing game. I forgot.’”

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

[quote=johnerotten;491991]zorn is calling the game as the defense dictates it,imho.the lions have a shitty team,i can't see him not opening it up against them sunday.[/quote]

Agreed. For as easily as their defense has been shredded this season, it wouldn't surprise me to see Zorn throw a little more just to try to get some live game passing rhythm going. I guarantee Pittsburgh's #1 goal will be to stop Portis the following week, and they have the talent to do it. I'm not saying they will, but they could. The passing game is going to need to click a little better if we want to win that MNF matchup week 9.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

I am not so sure about "opening it up". Portis is having a spectacular year and Campbell is very efficient with what he is doing. Another thing is what teams are doing to us defensively. It looked to me that the browns were taking away the deep balls. If they play the safeties back, then we are going to run, that is just fact. I think this week and next you want see Portis carrying the ball 30 times. It just worked out that way with Betts being out and Alexander having just been signed. Ultimately if we are going to run the ball 30 times a game, portis will have about 20 and the back up will have 10+ carries. I think our D and ball control offense right now is a big key to our success. Our D is staying rested with the 5 to 7 minutes drives. Our time of possession in dominating most games and keep offenses on the sidelines. We do need to work on putting points up, no question. Lets not forget that this is a new offense, and Zorn is learning his players also. Teams we are playing are a little soft up front, and Zorn is going to expose that. When we play teams that are a little stout on the run, we will probably open up our passing game a little to give portis some running lanes. it all works together.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

They just need to take a few more downfield shots, especially between the 40s. The short stuff makes less sense if teams are stacked up against the run. Surely their are plays there to be had that we aren't exploiting.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

I sure hope at some point Zorn decides to open it up. Whilst, running on 3rd and 3 isn't a terrible decision, you want to have Portis back there when you do, not Rock.

Also I'm not very fond on doing it more than once or twice a game. Anything further than 3rd and 3 you need to be throwing, not running a draw play.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

[quote=Mattyk72;491913]JC tweaked his groin yesterday and I think Zorn just wanted to protect him the rest of the way. And with Brown's D that was awful against the run why not just pound them all day long?[/quote]

Excellent point. I think the injury to Campbell, the success of the running game and the poor field position dictated more runs than passes. Right now the offense is very low risk relative to turnovers. If they open up the offense, the risk of turnovers will be higher. The team is having good success with the current approach. Why change? I'm not saying that I don't want them to take shots down the field, I just like the cautious approach, picking their shots downfield.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

To be a superbowl contendor the skins need to improve in two areas. Passing offense and defensive sacks. Our defense currently only has 9 sacks. The Steelers already have 25+. We get these two areas improved and we'll be in the mix.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

if it aint broke don't fix it. If portis continues to be the best RB in the league why not control the clock and pound the ball. That way we can keep other teams from seeing all we have to offer and save it for when it really matters....

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

We are still in the first half of the season. IMO, teams are still shaking themselves out and seeing who is for real and who are pretenders. At this point, the good teams are winning anyway they can and, in doing so, learning how to win in a variety of ways.

Right now, just win. Win by one point, win by 30, it doesn't matter. At the end of the season, THAT's when the offense needs to be running on all cylinders. Although clearly he would like to pass more, Zorn is being smart. He is letting the team win any way it can. In return, the players are doing enough to win, taking responsibilty for winning, and building the team up so that it can win in any number of ways - by running the ball (Cleveland), by passing the ball (New Orleans), come from behind (New Orleans, Philadelphia), holding onto a lead (Arizona), in a close one (Cleveland), away (Dallas, Philly), home (New Orleans, Cleveland), with the offense aggresively running out the clock (the "Victory Formation"), with the Defense protecting a lead (Dallas, Cleveland).

December, not now, boys and girls, is when the team needs to win convincingly over teams like Detroit and Cleveland. December is when divisions are won and lost & playoff momentum is gained.

Just ask the Giants.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

Excellent point Joe Redskin.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;492420]

December, not now, boys and girls, is when the team needs to win convincingly over teams like Detroit and Cleveland. [B]December is when divisions are won and lost & playoff momentum is gained.[/B]

Just ask the Giants.[/quote]

It doesn't hurt that by early October all of our division road games had been played and we walked away with a 2-1 record.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

For me, it's not opening the offense up more.

For me, it's stalling just outside of the red zone. It seems we can gash teams from our one yard line all the way up to around the other team's thirty-five yard line. It seems once we're IN the red zone, we do OK.

It's just getting there that's bothering me.

Whether it's a dropped ball or just a bad play, we always seem to stall about ten yards too far for Suisham to make an easy kick or for us to score a TD. If anything I have to say about the playcalling, we could have had at least two TDs late in the game off of playaction. EVERY BROWN was playing the run and yes it was working, but just ONE deep ball would have put the nail in the coffin.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

I say don't show too much offense untill it is necessary like against Dallas, Pittsburgh, and the G-Men later on in the season

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

not to steal a quote, but i say just win, baby. im with Joe on this one. i don't care if its by one, or 30. a win, is a win, is a win. ill take an ugly win, over a pretty loss any day

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

[quote=tatrave;492448]I say don't show too much offense untill it is necessary like against Dallas, Pittsburgh, and the G-Men later on in the season[/quote]

Sometimes you have to do what you have to do to get the W.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

We are winning thats all that matter. FAIL

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

[quote=dmvskinzfan08;492458]We are winning thats all that matter.[B] FAIL[/B][/quote]

I hope you mean HAIL!

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

We should have had another touchdown when JC threw long but out of bounds to Fred Davis. That would have nailed the game for us.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

I'd like to see more passing on first down. But maybe he's setting to screw up Pittsburg's scouting report...

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

I see the Redskins totally breaking out this week and scoring over 30 points. Week 8 could turn out to be like the 49ers game from a couple of years ago when the Skins scored 52. I would love to see Portis break a few long ones, get his 100 yards and a score or two and then let Cartwright and Alexander clean it up after half time or in the 4th Quarter.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

The game Sunday was my first experience @ Fed Ex field and I can honestly say a number of fans around me expressed frustrating that we're not passing more. As Matty said a freak groin injury to JC had everything to do w/ that and probably his accuracy issues. JC would have easily broke 200 yds on the day by completing the TD pass to Davis but accuracy was the issue. I think we'll see JC have some monster games going forward - Zorn is doing what works.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

It should be a rule that Campbell has to throw the ball as far as he can down the field to moss once a game. I think it is an easy play that we are not taking advantage of.

We gotta stick to the run but take shots too.

Re: The Official "Lets Open Up The Offense Jim Zorn" Thread
 

Ok: Offensive excuse was that JC had a pulled groin or whatever. Fine. Portis carried us like the mack he is. Cool. Doubtful Z n Co. have unleashed their arsenal against "inferior" teams although players say they are playing their @$$*$ off. Awesome.

However, in the midst of all the "not so happy about the offense and point differentials" reviews by fans, remember this: Washington is currently 7th on average in offense. We gave the game to the Rams with 3 FUMBLES!!!(-2 in battle) and still almost won. Look at what they did to Dallas. Against Cleveland, we FUMBLED!!, if not for the turnover, the score might have been 21-3 (not to mention we missed a FG as well). Look at what they did to NY. I would love to see stompings as much as anyone but it won't happen if we're careless with the ball. Just be thankful that the turnovers are coming now against teams we still have a chance against. Hopefully they will be coming our way from Pitt.--->on. HTTR