What do you want to see on offense?
 

Coming from the perspective we are nearly certain to have an elite defense this year I'm sort of committed to focusing/thinking about offense for the time being. It's no secret we were a terrible offensive unit by the end of '08, so the questions are 1) what have we done/can we do to improve it 2) what needs to happen on the field to give us a shot at the playoffs? I have some thoughts but as always want to hear all of yours...

1) Further reinforce the o-line. I think this can probably be done in one or two transactions. First we need to sign a really talented OT vet from the FA market as teams cut based on the draft. This should IMO be the biggest money signing we do from now to opening day. We have three current OTs, all coming off injury-plagued seasons, two of which are older and the younger a questionable starter. Maybe most importantly, if Chris gets nicked up we just don't have a tackle talented enough to step in and keep the offense running smoothly...in fact w/o Chris the offense falls to pieces. We should spend what it takes to get a very talented vet to come in and start at RT but who could switch to the left side if necessary and play at a high level. This allows Jansen to be a backup (he'll be a good one IMO and may be very useful at RG down the road) and gives Heyer one more year to work off the rest of his baby fat and learn to bend is knees.

The caveat to o-line is if a talented center came available i'd like to replace Rabach in a heartbeat, but I think we all know this is pretty unlikely to happen.

With the above I think we become a very strong line again. Dock was a blessing no doubt, but his return isn't enough.

2) Change our running game to a community effort (really this time). I, like many, was disappointed we didn't add a RB this draft. But it doesn't change the reality that giving Portis 300+ carries in the first 14 or so games means our offense is in trouble. Betts has to step up big no doubt, but Zorn has to work to his strengths i.e. get him lots of carries in a row early in the game, have him catching passes out of the backfield (Betts has good hands IMO and isn't this supposed to be a WCO anyway) and emphasize downhill running while Betts is in. I would really like to test the strategy of Betts getting the majority of carries in the 1st half, splitting up the 3rd quarter, and giving the game to Portis in the 4th if it's close...or giving him some more rest for once. This is not a knock on CP at all, please don't mistake me. This is acknowledging his workload over several seasons and the simple fact he's an unbelievable talent who should do his best work in the playoffs instead of Sept and October :)

3) If Devin Thomas doesn't look to be our true 2nd WR by camp I wearily prefer we make a big WR acquisition somehow. We can't expect to have a consistent, dynamic offense w/ Moss and ARL for primary targets - two years history proves it. Malcolm Kelly hasn't been healthy enough to develop timing/chemistry w/ JC and it's unclear when he'll be able to do so. I would just say the probability of Kelly contributing much this year is very slim. So a great deal rests on DT's shoulders. We are hearing good things no doubt...he's spending the time w/ Jason and working out and learning his routes. However, if Thomas can't be the legit #2, posting several catches every game and taking some focus off Moss, I don't see our offense doing anything special this year...i just don't see it.

I guess the caveat to DT and the WR situation is the possibility of Davis/Cooley working some dynamic two TE sets to make up for the lacking in the WR corp. Zorn hasn't done much in this sense but Davis is a phenom talent like Cooley so i would like to think it's viable.

re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

F...mods please change the title to "What do you want to see on offense?"

Thanks.

re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

One word...points! I agree with you on adding another WR though. Aside from Moss and Cooley I doubt anyone is afraid of our receiving corps. Its never too late for Ocho Cinco. (Kidding) An ideal situation would be at least one of last years rookies blossomed into something this season.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

i agree. i am substance over style. i don't care how many long drives we have. or how balanced the play calling is. we need to score more points

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

[quote=The Goat;551779]...

1) Further reinforce the o-line. I think this can probably be done in one or two transactions. First we need to sign a really talented OT vet from the FA market as teams cut based on the draft. This should IMO be the biggest money signing we do from now to opening day. We have three current OTs, all coming off injury-plagued seasons, two of which are older and the younger a questionable starter. Maybe most importantly, if Chris gets nicked up we just don't have a tackle talented enough to step in and keep the offense running smoothly...in fact w/o Chris the offense falls to pieces. We should spend what it takes to get a very talented vet to come in and start at RT but who could switch to the left side if necessary and play at a high level. This allows Jansen to be a backup (he'll be a good one IMO and may be very useful at RG down the road) and gives Heyer one more year to work off the rest of his baby fat and learn to bend is knees.

The caveat to o-line is if a talented center came available i'd like to replace Rabach in a heartbeat, but I think we all know this is pretty unlikely to happen.

With the above I think we become a very strong line again. Dock was a blessing no doubt, but his return isn't enough.

2) Change our running game to a community effort (really this time). I, like many, was disappointed we didn't add a RB this draft. But it doesn't change the reality that giving Portis 300+ carries in the first 14 or so games means our offense is in trouble. Betts has to step up big no doubt, but Zorn has to work to his strengths i.e. get him lots of carries in a row early in the game, have him catching passes out of the backfield (Betts has good hands IMO and isn't this supposed to be a WCO anyway) and emphasize downhill running while Betts is in. [B]I would really like to test the strategy of Betts getting the majority of carries in the 1st half[/B], splitting up the 3rd quarter, and giving the game to Portis in the 4th if it's close...or giving him some more rest for once. This is not a knock on CP at all, please don't mistake me. This is acknowledging his workload over several seasons and the simple fact he's an unbelievable talent who should do his best work in the playoffs instead of Sept and October :)

3) If Devin Thomas doesn't look to be our true 2nd WR by camp I wearily prefer we make a big WR acquisition somehow. We can't expect to have a consistent, dynamic offense w/ Moss and ARL for primary targets - two years history proves it. Malcolm Kelly hasn't been healthy enough to develop timing/chemistry w/ JC and it's unclear when he'll be able to do so. [B]I would just say the probability of Kelly contributing much this year is very slim.[/B] So a great deal rests on DT's shoulders. We are hearing good things no doubt...he's spending the time w/ Jason and working out and learning his routes. However, if Thomas can't be the legit #2, posting several catches every game and taking some focus off Moss, I don't see our offense doing anything special this year...i just don't see it.

I guess the caveat to DT and the WR situation is the possibility of Davis/Cooley working some dynamic two TE sets to make up for the lacking in the WR corp. Zorn hasn't done much in this sense but Davis is a phenom talent like Cooley so i would like to think it's viable.[/quote]I question two of your points (in bold). At no point would I give Betts more carries than Portis, but I would like to see Betts get 10-12 combined touches per game with Portis getting 18-20.

As for Kelly, is he still so injured that an entire offseason of rest and rehab won't allow him to come back and contribute at full strength? I'm confident that Thomas and Davis will make an impact, and if Kelly does so as well, this offense could improve quickly. That's assuming that somebody steps up big at RT and the O-line keeps Campbell upright.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

We need realy two things to happen on offense this year.

1) Our line has to stay healthy. Most of the line is capable of playing well. Samuels is till good. Dock can do for us what he did before. Why it didn't work in Buffalo I don't know but I don't think he just forgot how to play. Thomas was a very good G just over a season ago. If they can stay healthy then all we have to really worry about is C/RT. Heyer can only get better. He is serviceable. Jansen shouldn't be starting anywhere anymore. Rabach is my biggest cocnern. I think he is as bad or worse than Jansen. If we can just get average at these spots somehow we'll be ok.

2) At least one of the two rookie WRs from last year have to step up and become a target in the redzone. We're forgetting that early on last year, even when we were 6-2, we failed far too often to get 6 instead of 3. If one of those guys can become a legit red zone WR then it improves our point totals immensely.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

I'd like to see a consistent Push from the offensive line, in pass and run blocking. I also would like to see the younger o-linemen to come into their own. ( Heyer, Clark, Geisinger, Rhinehart ) I would like to see at least one WR we drafted last year cement their job as a starter, and the other cement a place as 3rd-4th WR. I'd like to see these 2 TE sets with Kelly in there. (the reason we drafted him) And last but certainly not least, [B]I want to score points, average more than 16 a game, score more than 30 points in a single game this year, score more than 40 points in a single game this year, SCORE POINTS THIS YEAR!!!!![/B]

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

[quote]I question two of your points (in bold). At no point would I give Betts more carries than Portis, but I would like to see Betts get 10-12 combined touches per game with Portis getting 18-20.[/quote]

I couldn't agree with this more. Every season it seems as if we run Portis into the ground early. If we could give Clinton some rest, especially in the 3rd, I think it would make him far more effective late in the game and keep him healthy longer in the season. The era of the one back offense is over, time to adapt. Thats why I wanted Ringer before the Titans got him.

When it comes down to it, we need points. Playing defense is much easier with a 2 score lead. The DL can pin their ears back and go, and the coverage guys know its coming.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

I'm choosing to be positive (some may call naive) about our offensive improvement this season. We're bringing back all of our starters, for better or worse, who are now going into their 2nd season in the system. We're either going to see, very early this season, if the notion that JC simply needs to be left in one offense for consecutive years is true or if he's just not going to develop. Also, it's clearly 'show or go' for Zorn this year so hopefully his ability to 'stay medium' will be beneficial to offset our offseason 'turmoil'.

Thomas, Kelly and Davis have all talked, individually, about understanding much more now what's going to be required of them to be impact players and by all accounts are working hard to achieve that. I'm in the minority in thinking that Heyer will be fine at RT. This is his 3rd season and he's played quite a bit for an UDFA in his first two years. Getting all the reps with the first team should greatly benefit him.

Bottom line, we need to see an uptick in production, scoring and offensive effectiveness. I think we're going to have an elite-level defense (especially if we somehow add Leroy Hill) so a moderately improved offense will make a 2-3 game difference in the standings.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

Touchdowns

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

Wait, so you want to give Portis just 1.5 quarters a game? Yeah Portis could probably use some rest but Betts isn't good enough to just fill in for Portis for 2.5 quarters. Especially if we open up the passing game, I'd rather have Portis catching LBs than Betts; sure that adds to his wear-down, but it slows down the wear-down on Campbell

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

ConsistEncy!

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

[quote=jsarno;551961]Consistancy![/quote]

Positive consistency, that is.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

[quote=tryfuhl;551964]Positive consistency, that is.[/quote]

HAHA...oops...edited.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

A few quick ones:

Heyer to excell at the RT
Rinehart become a starter by early mid-season
Rabach to stop getting pushed back or get replaced by someone that won't
Actually use 2 TE passing sets instead of giving the idea lip-service
More passing into the endzone from the 20 yard line and in
Throw the long ball to Thomas and Kelly instead of Moss/ARE/Thrash

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

what do I want to see on offense?

an offense that doesnt get scared once they pass the 35. We choked more than any other team inside the 35.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

Points. This offense need to generate points. I don't care how they do it - run, pass, fumblerooskies - get into the damn endzone.

Everything else - everything - is just window dressing. If Zorn's system doesn't work with the players he's got, then he needs to adapt (more spread offense? ARE in the wildcat?). Successful coaches adapt systems to players not vice versa. I like Zorn, a lot. BUT - he seems more wedded to his "system" than to his players. I hope this is just a new coach coming in and figuring out [I]how[/I] to adjust rather than simply [I]refusing[/I] to adjust.

Just win baby.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

I was going to come on here and say 50 points per game. lol. Since you all started out having a serious discussion......we need a change of pace back. Portis is the hard hitting slam the ball down their throats. Betts is the closest thing we have as a back up to this. but this is not a change of pace as to what we do. Honestly, I would get rid of Rock either let him go or trade him but he would be gone. Keep bets to field punts and KR if needed. Keep one of the RB's we picked up prior to draft as a change of pace back, plus both have been doing punt return duties previous.

WR, I would look to find Thrash's replacement.

QB, let Collins go. JC would be considered a vet on any other team by now.

Hope all the OL we picked up become backups. lol.

Watch our defense become #1 in the league in sacks, and INT.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

[quote=tryfuhl;551956][B]Wait, so you want to give Portis just 1.5 quarters a game? Yeah Portis could probably use some rest but Betts isn't good enough to just fill in for Portis for 2.5 quarters. [/B] Especially if we open up the passing game, I'd rather have Portis catching LBs than Betts; sure that adds to his wear-down, but it slows down the wear-down on Campbell[/quote]

Early in the season...yeah that's the idea man. Again Betts has to step up big and I think he's capable if Zorn does it right. Basically we need to avoid CP taking hundreds of carries early in the season...so best case scenario the rolls are reversed in December and a healthy, rested CP takes the majority of the carries then and in Jan/Feb he's still money :)

...maybe I'm alone here but CP wearing down early is one of my biggest fears every season.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

[quote=The Goat;551980]Early in the season...yeah that's the idea man. Again Betts has to step up big and I think he's capable if Zorn does it right. Basically we need to avoid CP taking hundreds of carries early in the season...so best case scenario the rolls are reversed in December and a healthy, rested CP takes the majority of the carries then and in Jan/Feb he's still money :)

...maybe I'm alone here but CP wearing down early is one of my biggest fears every season.[/quote]

Well yeah the wear down is a concern, but to take him out of most of the game is a bit drastic, then you have to worry about HIM finding his legs. Plus you know Portis will definitely not be happy with that type of scenario and we don't need that drama.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

[quote=tryfuhl;551981]Well yeah the wear down is a concern, but to take him out of most of the game is a bit drastic, then you have to worry about HIM finding his legs. Plus you know Portis will definitely not be happy with that type of scenario and we don't need that drama.[/quote]

So it's bend to the superstar and go 6-2 (or better) in the beginning only to have him nicked up late in the season and rely on Betts/whoever at that time...

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

[quote=The Goat;551985]So it's bend to the superstar and go 6-2 (or better) in the beginning only to have him nicked up late in the season and rely on Betts/whoever at that time...[/quote]

Who says that Betts can carry us to 6-2?

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

[quote=The Goat;551985]So it's bend to the superstar and go 6-2 (or better) in the beginning only to have him nicked up late in the season and rely on Betts/whoever at that time...[/quote]

It wasn't Portis' fault that we sank in the second half last year.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

The obvious: more points, more improvement and TD's from JC, Oline improvement and most importantly some major improvements from Kelly, Thomas, and/or Davis.

Not so obvious:

I'd like to see ARE at QB a time or two per game. Even if it's a run play. Then switch it up a little. It doesn't necessarily have to the "wildcat" as ARE can throw a little to. Be original.

I'd like to see more of LB this year. We need some change of pace some explosive plays here and there.

I'd like to see improvement in Jim Zorn's playcalling this year. It's like he ran out of idea's after game 6 last year. For example, we were blitzed for a whole half before we called a quick route/screen last year. Adjustments please.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

[quote=redsk1;551997]The obvious: more points, more improvement and TD's from JC, Oline improvement and most importantly some major improvements from Kelly, Thomas, and/or Davis.

Not so obvious:

I'd like to see ARE at QB a time or two per game. Even if it's a run play. Then switch it up a little. It doesn't necessarily have to the "wildcat" as ARE can throw a little to. Be original.

I'd like to see more of LB this year. We need some change of pace some explosive plays here and there.

I'd like to see improvement in Jim Zorn's playcalling this year. It's like he ran out of idea's after game 6 last year. For example, we were blitzed for a whole half before we called a quick route/screen last year. Adjustments please.[/quote]

If he's known to be the QB I don't think that we'll have much luck. Sure guys like Portis and ARE can put a ball up but it's usually on trick plays. Even though ARE played QB in college it's just not his forte. These guys loft the ball up there and if the CB doesn't bite it could be a pretty easy INT. Surprises me sometimes that the corners and safeties can't close as long as the ball is in the air when they throw it.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

Honestly, i think what would be ideal for us in terms of our RB situation would be for both of our backs to EACH have 1000+ yard seasons as opposed to combining for 2000+ yards (with the yards being skewed towards CP with 1500). This would reduce the wear and tear on CP and more importantly would keep Betts mentally and physically prepared to contribute in the December and the playoffs. I think it would be good if you used one more than another (depending on matchup). Imagine if a team had to prepare for both RB's when they played us. They wouldn't be able to key in on a certain type or style of running.

I guess im picturing something like this...A fantasy team manager has both Betts and Portis on their team and doesn't know which one to start b/c either could have the 200 yard 3 TD game, haha. He keeps kicking himself in the ass cuz he keeps starting the wrong one from week to week. I want opposing defenses to have to go through the same dilemma.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

[quote=tryfuhl;552003]If he's known to be the QB I don't think that we'll have much luck. Sure guys like Portis and ARE can put a ball up but it's usually on trick plays. Even though ARE played QB in college it's just not his forte. These guys loft the ball up there and if the CB doesn't bite it could be a pretty easy INT. Surprises me sometimes that the corners and safeties can't close as long as the ball is in the air when they throw it.[/quote]

ARE is not a pro QB, he could sling it in college though, but get w/ me here...

ARE, shotgun, 2 backs, fakes to LB's underneath, roles out w/ the option to run or pass.

Just something to keep them guessing a little. Insert your own playcall.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

I would like to see Zorn go back to the first half of the season and see that where he was aggressive, going on 4th downs, short screens, etc our offense responded.
Also, somehow, he has to develop his play calling when we are in opponents territory. Realize the subtle shifts the defense makes as we get closer to scoring.
The offense needs to click early in the games. Taking the 1st quarter off every game makes for a 8-8 season at best. Again, I think this is Zorn developing the game as he watches it. Hopefully, he will quicken his recognition and strengthen his pre-game planning.
Gtripp gave kudos alot to Zorn's playcalling and hammered execution, so I am hoping to see better execution and synchronicity (not Police's album) on offense.
Finally, as everyone else said, score more points!

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

[quote=redsk1;552025]ARE is not a pro QB, he could sling it in college though, but get w/ me here...

ARE, shotgun, 2 backs, fakes to LB's underneath, roles out w/ the option to run or pass.

Just something to keep them guessing a little. Insert your own playcall.[/quote]

Nice! I keep seeing another play in my head...we all know the play where JC us under center and stands straight up to throw that quick slant to Moss (usually). It gets about 5 yards and CBs cheat more and more...so I want to see JC fake that quick throw turnaround for a fake handoff to the RB, meanwhile Moss/Thomas/Kelly cuts hard back toward the sidleline and downfield leaving the CB in the dust and on the rollout JC connects for a TD pass. (I hope i wrote that how it looks in my head)

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

Betts won't get 1000 yrds rushing as long as CP is healthy. Plus he's more then likely to fumble. The RB coach said in a preseason interview on Redskins Nation that he would like a change of pace back....he said a scat back.

I could see CP being the leading rusher. Then have a scat back in one of the two RB's we picked up prior to the draft. Then have the new FB Eddie Williams out of the back field with Sellers leading the to pick up the hard short yardage.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

I would like to see the creativity on offense, look for a defenses weaknesses and exploit them, use your OF coordinator to help with the play calling, 2nd year WR's step up, a 2nd good RB so that we can have a 1 - 2 punch and of course more points.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

I want to see them win plain and simple. I really want to see them beat NJG.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

[quote=Trample the Elderly;552076]I want to see them win [B]plain and simple[/B]. I really want to see them beat NJG.[/quote]

Hey Trample, does that mean no reverses, or HB option passes ;)

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

"Once you get to this point, it's all about putting everything else aside and just going out there to be the type of leader your coaches and teammates expect you to be," Campbell said. "I'm the quarterback of this team, I know Coach Zorn and the whole coaching staff is counting on me, and I haven't put in all this hard work to go out there now and let everybody down. Everybody always looks to the quarterback, so you understand it starts with you."

"Looking back isn't going to help me have a great year for our team. That's not going to help me be the type of quarterback I need to be to help us accomplish our goals. Right now, with minicamp, then with OTAs and training camp coming up, it's all about getting yourself prepared for the season. It's not about anything individual. I'm always going to put team goals ahead of myself, and right now I'm thinking about my coaches and my teammates. That's really what I'm focused on."
-Jason Campbell

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;552077]Hey Trample, does that mean no reverses, or HB option passes ;)[/quote]

I don't care what they do. Yeah, I would like to see some different stuff out of them. It looked way to vanilla last year. Either way they need to win more games.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

[quote=horny4zorny-nohomo;552137]"Once you get to this point, it's all about putting everything else aside and just going out there to be the type of leader your coaches and teammates expect you to be," Campbell said. "I'm the quarterback of this team, I know Coach Zorn and the whole coaching staff is counting on me, and I haven't put in all this hard work to go out there now and let everybody down. Everybody always looks to the quarterback, so you understand it starts with you."

"Looking back isn't going to help me have a great year for our team. That's not going to help me be the type of quarterback I need to be to help us accomplish our goals. Right now, with minicamp, then with OTAs and training camp coming up, it's all about getting yourself prepared for the season. It's not about anything individual. I'm always going to put team goals ahead of myself, and right now I'm thinking about my coaches and my teammates. That's really what I'm focused on."
-Jason Campbell[/quote]

Honestly we couldn't ask for a classier QB. I have a feeling that JC will step up not only on the field as an improved player but also as a fiery leader. It seems like he is ready to take that step.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

[quote=horny4zorny-nohomo;552137]"Once you get to this point, it's all about putting everything else aside and just going out there to be the type of leader your coaches and teammates expect you to be," Campbell said. "I'm the quarterback of this team, I know Coach Zorn and the whole coaching staff is counting on me, and I haven't put in all this hard work to go out there now and let everybody down. Everybody always looks to the quarterback, so you understand it starts with you."

"Looking back isn't going to help me have a great year for our team. That's not going to help me be the type of quarterback I need to be to help us accomplish our goals. Right now, with minicamp, then with OTAs and training camp coming up, it's all about getting yourself prepared for the season. It's not about anything individual. I'm always going to put team goals ahead of myself, and right now I'm thinking about my coaches and my teammates. That's really what I'm focused on."
-Jason Campbell[/quote]

Damn that guy always knows what to say.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

A new right side to OL.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

I have a feeling Fred Davis is gonna break out... it takes him a full year to adjust to the next level of competition (did the same in college). Watch out for another pass-catching threat in the red zone... I see some killer offensive calls with Cooley and Freddy D outside the tackles.

Re: What do you want to see on offense?
 

[quote=itvnetop;552661]I have a feeling Fred Davis is gonna break out... it takes him a full year to adjust to the next level of competition (did the same in college). Watch out for another pass-catching threat in the red zone... I see some killer offensive calls with Cooley and Freddy D outside the tackles.[/quote]

Zorn seems to be excited about him, so we will find out soon enough..