Deep thoughts on the passing game
 

Nice breakdown of YAC in the game against the Texans. As I suspected, Brunell passed for only 40 yards in the air, with the rest of his 260 passing yards being YAC. [U][B]HOWEVER[/B][/U], I was thrilled by what I saw this week from Brunell - he definitely picked it up against the Jags this week, although he still had a few shaky passes once he got beyond 15 yards. If he keeps improving his accuracy and confidence week-to-week (and the O-line holds up), we're looking at a few extra games this season!

[URL="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/29/AR2006092901577.html?nav=rss_sports/redskins"]Few Deep Thoughts on Passing Game - washingtonpost.com[/URL]

[code]FIRST HALF
Rec. Dist. Play YAC
Portis -3 74 77
Moss -3 13 16
Lloyd 3 9 6
Cooley 2 6 4
Randle El -6 23* 29
Sellers 0 1 1
Sellers -2 3 5
Portis 3 4 1
Cooley -4 0 4
Betts 7 14 7
Moss 5 6 1
Cooley -5 9 14
Patten 25 25 0
Randle El 4 4 0

SECOND HALF
Rec. Dist. Play YAC
Randle El 7 7 0
Moss -2 7 9
Sellers 3 5 2
Betts -5 8 13
Moss 1 5 4
Lloyd 6 11 5
Moss 7 13 6
Moss -2 6 8
INC -- ball knocked down
INC -- play defended
Cooley 1 3 2
Betts -4 5 9
INC -- dropped pass
Totals 38 261 223[/code]

Re: Deep thoughts on the passing game
 

I'm not a big believer that we have to go down the field to be successful.

Yes, you do have to do it on occasion to keep the defense honest and with our speedy WRs it's certainly not a bad idea... BUT with guys like Moss and Randle El who are very slippery in the open field, all you have to do is get the ball in their hands and let them do the rest.

There's no harm or shame in getting big YAC numbers. Montana and Rice made Hall of Fame careers out of taking short passes the distance.

I think we're starting to find a nice balance. With a successful short passing game, it's only going to help open up the deeper stuff. Once you start hitting the deep stuff, it will only help keep defenses honest when it comes to the shorter stuff. It works hand in hand.

Re: Deep thoughts on the passing game
 

I agree - I'm not saying we need the long ball. All I'm saying is we need the [U]option[/U], or, at least, we need other teams to know that we [U]could[/U] go deep if they don't keep a safety back. It's just another weapon.

Re: Deep thoughts on the passing game
 

Yes. I think the biggest thing to come out of this game is the fact that we now have shown several different ways we can win. It is so difficult to defend a team that you know can get the ball into the hands of guys like Moss in space while at the same time be prepared to get streched form sideline to sideline on runs and yet still know we will pound it up the middle. You really are gambling by stacking against any one facet.

Re: Deep thoughts on the passing game
 

[quote=onlydarksets;222427]I agree - I'm not saying we need the long ball. All I'm saying is we need the [U]option[/U], or, at least, we need other teams to know that we [U]could[/U] go deep if they don't keep a safety back. It's just another weapon.[/quote]

And I definitely agree.

I just don't agree with those that make it seem like going deep is as simple as just going deep, or that it's the answer to everything that was wrong with the offense.

All aspects of the offense build off one another.

Re: Deep thoughts on the passing game
 

I was impressed with how El saw that there was not an open WR so he pulled the ball down making a positive play from a blown play. Thats just smart football any way you look at it.

Re: Deep thoughts on the passing game
 

Take what the defense gives you. Most teams play two deep safeties. So the short underneath stuff is usually open. Plus we have the skill position talent to break them.

I can not help but think all this talk about YAC in the last two games is indirectly aimed at discrediting Brunnell.
That is ok, eveyone is entitled to their opinions.
This is still a team sport and when the O-line is clicking on all cylinders we play well. Did anybody watch the Chicago vs Seattle game? Hasselbeck was running for his life. He looked terrible. Oh wait, he had no protection.
Team sport!

Re: Deep thoughts on the passing game
 

[quote=Defensewins;222444]Take what the defense gives you. Most teams play two deep safeties. So the short underneath stuff is usually open. Plus we have the skill position talent to break them.

I can not help but think all this talk about YAC in the last two games is indirectly aimed at discrediting Brunnell.
That is ok, eveyone is entitled to their opinions.
This is still a team sport and when the O-line is clicking on all cylinders we play well. Did anybody watch the Chicago vs Seattle game? Hasselbeck was running for his life. He looked terrible. Oh wait, he had no protection.
Team sport![/quote]

Nice post.

The QB always takes too much heat when things are going bad, it just comes with the territory, but it just seems like Brunell takes way, way too much heat and when things are going well, he gets very little credit.

Give it up for MB. With a running game and time to throw, he can still get it done.

Re: Deep thoughts on the passing game
 

I would like to see that same breakdown done for the Jax game. It would be an interesting comparison.

Re: Deep thoughts on the passing game
 

[quote=onlydarksets;222408]Nice breakdown of YAC in the game against the Texans. As I suspected, Brunell passed for only 40 yards in the air, with the rest of his 260 passing yards being YAC. [U][B]HOWEVER[/B][/U], I was thrilled by what I saw this week from Brunell - he definitely picked it up against the Jags this week, although he still had a few shaky passes once he got beyond 15 yards. If he keeps improving his accuracy and confidence week-to-week (and the O-line holds up), we're looking at a few extra games this season!

Some people want perfection or they are not happy!! Sheesh!!!!

Re: Deep thoughts on the passing game
 

[quote=onlydarksets;222408]If he keeps improving his accuracy and confidence week-to-week (and the O-line holds up), we're looking at a few extra games this season![/quote]

If the Redskins offense puts up 450+ yards per game regardless of how far the ball travels from QB hand to WR hand, we'll be playing the Bears for the NFC championship. If the secondary can get their act together with or w/o Springs then this team could challenge anybody, anywhere.

Re: Deep thoughts on the passing game
 

[quote=724Skinsfan;222473]If the Redskins offense puts up 450+ yards per game regardless of how far the ball travels from QB hand to WR hand, we'll be playing the Bears for the NFC championship. If the secondary can get their act together with or w/o Springs then this team could challenge anybody, anywhere.[/quote]

it'll have to be with. rumph and wright just aren't starting CBs and springs is the only guy with great speed at CB.

Re: Deep thoughts on the passing game
 

I have a deep thought to share

Maybe in order to understand mankind we have to look at
that word itself. MANKIND. Basically, it's made up of two separate words
"mank"and "ind." What do these words mean? It's a mystery and
that's why so is mankind.
--Jack Handy Deep Thoughts