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joecrisp · 10-11-2004, 06:32 AM

As much as I've been disappointed by Portis's performance thus far, I tend to agree more with illdefined's assessment of the running game.

The problem isn't Portis so much as it is the run blocking schemes and the failure to execute them properly. While it's true that the Redskins have a couple of decent blockers in TEs Rasby and Cooley, they have rarely been used as lead blockers. They're generally playing in-line, which means they aren't actually leading Portis into the hole. The problem with that is the O-line has done a poor job of moving off of double teams and hitting the linebackers. When they do get to the linebackers, they do a poor job of sustaining their blocks. Since there's no fullback on most of the plays, there's no lead blocker to take on the linebackers, nor to create a misdirection to freeze the linebackers. Portis is forced to deal with the linebackers entirely on his own in a lot of cases, and there are very few runningbacks that are capable of doing that successfully. Any great running attack is based on the blockers getting to the second level, and it's just not happening with any consistency for the Redskins. The blockers are too slow and aren't throwing the devastating blocks you see from great O-lines.

As far as Brunell goes, he is the primary reason defenses have been keeping 8 and 9 men in the box to keep Portis in check. He's unwilling and unable to throw the deep ball, and is far too quick to throw the ball away, even when the pressure from the pass rush isn't really there. I think Ramsey would do a far better job of getting the ball to the receivers, and is far more capable of stretching the field with his arm. Yes, there is greater risk with Ramsey in there-- he will probably throw more INTs than Brunell- but he'll also throw a lot more TDs, too. Ramsey simply does a better job of moving the offense down the field. This offense needs a spark, and Ramsey is capable of providing it. Brunell is simply no longer a threat. In order to make a defense back away from the line of scrimmage, you have to make them fear the deep ball. Brunell can't do that. Ramsey can.

And yes, the replay challenges have been horrible. I can't believe they're paying someone to make boneheaded decisions like that.

10-11-2004, 06:32 AM	#12
joecrisp The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Charlottesville, VA Age: 49 Posts: 1,501	As much as I've been disappointed by Portis's performance thus far, I tend to agree more with illdefined's assessment of the running game. The problem isn't Portis so much as it is the run blocking schemes and the failure to execute them properly. While it's true that the Redskins have a couple of decent blockers in TEs Rasby and Cooley, they have rarely been used as lead blockers. They're generally playing in-line, which means they aren't actually leading Portis into the hole. The problem with that is the O-line has done a poor job of moving off of double teams and hitting the linebackers. When they do get to the linebackers, they do a poor job of sustaining their blocks. Since there's no fullback on most of the plays, there's no lead blocker to take on the linebackers, nor to create a misdirection to freeze the linebackers. Portis is forced to deal with the linebackers entirely on his own in a lot of cases, and there are very few runningbacks that are capable of doing that successfully. Any great running attack is based on the blockers getting to the second level, and it's just not happening with any consistency for the Redskins. The blockers are too slow and aren't throwing the devastating blocks you see from great O-lines. As far as Brunell goes, he is the primary reason defenses have been keeping 8 and 9 men in the box to keep Portis in check. He's unwilling and unable to throw the deep ball, and is far too quick to throw the ball away, even when the pressure from the pass rush isn't really there. I think Ramsey would do a far better job of getting the ball to the receivers, and is far more capable of stretching the field with his arm. Yes, there is greater risk with Ramsey in there-- he will probably throw more INTs than Brunell- but he'll also throw a lot more TDs, too. Ramsey simply does a better job of moving the offense down the field. This offense needs a spark, and Ramsey is capable of providing it. Brunell is simply no longer a threat. In order to make a defense back away from the line of scrimmage, you have to make them fear the deep ball. Brunell can't do that. Ramsey can. And yes, the replay challenges have been horrible. I can't believe they're paying someone to make boneheaded decisions like that.