Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

Now that the draft is over and all of the teeth knashing and hand wringing over the Rogers and Campbell picks and the whining about Taylor and Moss not being here is obviously getting us nowhere let's focus our energies on what needs to happen for the Redskins to be successful in '05..

1. Ramsey needs to step up his game.. From early in the season last year it was clear to anyone that wasn't on the Redskins sidelines wearing a hat with an R on it that Brunell was done. We all called for Ramsey and finally got him. He played efficiently in the games he won and didn't beat us in the games we lost. It's time for him to win those games he was efficient in convinclingly and make plays to put is in position to win the games that we lost. His performance or lack thereof will drive our teams record more than anything else.

2. The WR situation needs resolution.. This is a make or break year for our at least 3 of our WR. Taylor Jacobs & Darnerian McCants need to become consistent and viable weapons in the passing game. Flashes of ability are no longer acceptable from them. Jacobs needs to put up a 50 catch, 800 yd, 5 TD season to secure a future with this team.. McCants needs to establish himself as a red zone specialist or a possession receiver. Rod Gardner is the other Redskin facing a make or break season. The talent is there, we've seen him put up numbers, but what we have not seen is consistency. Moss will be locked up long term and Patten will see regular duty as well but with Thrash and Patten in their 30's and on the downsides of their careers there needs to be a breakout WR this year to solidify that position.

3. Jansen's return needs to stablize the OL.. With the signing of Rabach and the continued maturation of Dockery the line should improve right away. Jansen returning should help Randy Thomas who struggled last year. Improved line play will help Portis gain 1500 yds, give Ramsey more time to throw and make the offense more potent. This unit could actually be a strength this year instead of the weakness it has been for the past 4.

4. Returning to health.. Despite the losses of Pierce and Smoot on defense, with the healthy returns of Barrow, Arrington, Daniels & Bowen our defense should actually improve. Barrow and Arrington are Pro Bowlers, Daniels is solid and Bowen was playing his best football last season when he got hurt. The emergence of Ryan Clark allows Bowen to come back a little slower but just adds depth and flexibility for Gregg Williams to call blitzes and be creative. Despite our wishes at #9, the Redskins drafted their CB of the future. While Harris may start, Rogers needs to be the starter by midseason and be the defensive playmaker that Smoot occasionally was. As a whole the defense needs to 'change the field' meaning create turnovers that give the offense better field position more often..

5. Coaches need to join us in '05.. We've heard admissions from coaches and players that the staff was stuck in 1992 last year, now it's time to see if they've caught up.. We need to see the shotgun, more screen plays, more reverses, more imagination in routes, more tosses and sweeps for Portis.. The game has changed so we need to see that reflected in the offensive gameplans..

Keep the faith Warpathers.. It looks bleak now but camp is ony 3 months away!

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

Good thing is, I read Gibbs MIGHT try shotgun on long-yardage situations! )

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

I think Portis can be deadly out of the backfield in passing situations leave him in on third downs. Let Betts come in and give him a breather when he gets tired but I want Portis in on third unless its third and short then maybe put in a bigger back. He actually won that GreenBay game but a penalty broguht it back and Brunnell threw a pick the next play he split two defenders it was amazing.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

I can see Portis being very much like Westbrook. He is VERY dangerous in the open field.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

Let them put 8 in the box and try to blitz them let one of their linebackers try to keep up with Portis that would slow that blitz down a little bit he showed he has good hands too.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

Definitely. It seems to me when he was thrown the ball just on short dump passes, he gained HUGE yardage after the catch.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

[QUOTE=TheMalcolmConnection]I can see Portis being very much like Westbrook. He is VERY dangerous in the open field.[/QUOTE]

I know I'm very biased in saying this. I dont really think Portis is the best running back in the NFL right now; but I think he could be the most complete. He can run the ball, catch it short and pick up some yac; and the guy blocks his ass off down feild which is awsome too see. When you looked at the highlights of Ronnie Brown and saying how he was so complete, I could only think of Portis watching those clips. I'm excited to see Clinton this year.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

I definitely see Portis being a great complete back. He DOES block his ass off. I saw a few highlights of him laying out linebackers. I think he's more dangerous catching passes than truly running. I would love to see his receptions and yards after catch. Anyone got that info?

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

SEASON RECEIVING STATS
Year G Rec Yds Avg Lg TD 1st YAC Trgt
2004 15 40 235 5.9 18 2 10 175 57

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

I agree with all but a few points

a) Taylor Jacobs and Darnarian McCants must prove themselves this season. Someone needs to let these two guys play. I'm sure they've been wanting to play for some time, but they can't just jump on the field. Unfortunately for Jacobs he's stuck behind other receivers in his mold. I for one hope both of these players get a lot of time!
b) Bown a pro bowler? Bowen was/is a great blitzer, especially in those first couple games (namely TB) but here's the problem. He's a liability in coverage. He played the same role as Champ last year - reading the back of a jersey. I'd rather have Ryan Clark or Andre Lott start at SS than Bown.

Otherise I agree with everything. Great post!

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

Thanks Gmanc... Not too shabby. I think if he got involved even more in that, I could see his receiving yards grow exponentially.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

Yeah I think Portis is very well rounded. Gotta give the nod of most complete back to LaDainian Tomlinson though. 100 catches in a season. Tough inside runner. Speed to outrun people. And a very sound blitz-picker-upper. If that's even a word.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

You just made it one... :)

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

well Williams likes to rotate safeties which is good get them all playing time it worked well last year.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

I like how we have so much depth, our defense must NEVER get that tired.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

Good list.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

Yeah I think Ramsey is the biggest key of all, going hand-in-hand with team continuity. Last year, the offensive line played like hell in the beginning of the season, and then got a bit better as time went on. Ramsey played so much better than Brunell. We all saw what happened when Ramsey was playing and the o-line started to come together a bit, they went 3-2 in the last 5 games, and before that they had a very competitive game against the Steelers. If Ramsey just plays like he did last year, and the offensive line pretty much picks up where it left off, as long as the D doesn't lose too much ground, that could be 8-8 or 9-7 right there. Now, if Ramsey takes that key step forward, he could take us to 10-6 or maybe even better.

I really like the fact that we're beefing up our goalline offense too. Do you guys remember how many 3rd and 1's and goalline runs we got stoned on? Imagine if we were able to keep those chains moving a bit more, and actually punch a few of those goalline tries into the end zone. Could have made the difference between 6-10 and 8-8. A Gibbs offense has to be able to use power when running the ball, I don't care how fast our receivers are.

I like the direction we're headed. Everybody just pull for Patrick!

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

For that matter how many first and 1's and 2nd and ones we got stonewalled on. Though I feel your outlook is a bit too optimistic, I agree.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

I really like the fact that we drafted a battering ram as a fullback. :)

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

[QUOTE=Daseal]For that matter how many first and 1's and 2nd and ones we got stonewalled on. Though I feel your outlook is a bit too optimistic, I agree.[/QUOTE]

I'm sure we'll have our fair share of challenges. We like to think the line will be so much better with a healthy Jansen, and it will be. But we often don't stop to think what will happen if Samuels goes down, God forbid. Or any other key offensive player, for that matter.

I also think our receiver/QB connections will be fuzzy in the beginning of the season. I wonder if they will be on the same page?

I also wonder if we'll be able to replace Pierce's brain as the signal caller in the middle of the D. Somebody needs to be calling the shots out there.

I don't worry about Walt Harris, Sean Taylor, Lavar Arrington, or Carlos Rogers. Gregg Williams can make do without any one of them. But we'll face challenges for sure. But even if we show weakness in dealing with some of those challenges, I think Ramsey can carry the day if he steps forward, and we get better at goal-line running.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

Exactly. Just like you were saying, being able to punch in a few of those goalline plays would have made the difference between a losing team and a winning team.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

I also like the fact we added some beef to the backfield. With the two fullbacks we added I hope one will emerge as a short yardage back as well. Surely something that was missing last year that we can look to improve upon this year. Having that guy who can move the pile for us will be huge. While Portis is basically a good all around back, blocking, catching, and running in the open field, it nothing like having that Gerald Riggs type guy just to score touchdowns when we get inside the ten. In addition they will also help on special teams which is greatly needed.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

I like the post--here's what I'd add:

Coaches on offense MUST adapt and get a winning game plan. So much is about coaching these days. Look at Williams did even with all the injuries last season. We need that kind of coaching job on the offensive side of the ball. A healthy O-line will help everything in that department, but it all lies on Gibbs, Buges, Breaux, Musgrave, etc. TIme for them to show their stuff.

Re: Keys to success in '05 (long)
 

I'm just confident he'll stick to his promise of opening it up. I would feel more comfortable if he said BLOW IT WIDE OPEN because simply opening it up after last year would be maybe adding ANOTHER sweep.