Mark Maske: Don't Panic Yet

MTK · 08-16-2004, 04:29 PM

Email Exclusive

Don't Panic,Yet

So is it time for ardent Washington Redskins followers to be alarmed about the ragged look of the team's offense in two preseason games? Not yet.

And it's not so much about Coach Joe Gibbs's desire to run a "vanilla" offense during the exhibition season to keep his secrets safe for the regular season. It's about Gibbs sticking to the basics so that he can evaluate players.

Once the games begin to count, Gibbs undoubtedly will come up with a weekly offensive wrinkle or two for which his opponent didn't prepare. That was the hallmark of his first go-around with the Redskins that produced three Super Bowl titles.

For now, though, Gibbs isn't even trying to do that. His offense is running the most basic of plays, with the simplest of blocking schemes. Gibbs's coaches know that they could help players with a more creative scheme, but they don't want to do that in the preseason because that way they wouldn't necessarily find out which of their players can really play and which can't. So, the coaches have their blockers lining up and going head to head with defenders to see which players win the individual battles.

The truly meaningful work of installing the real offense now is being done in closed-door practices. Gibbs probably will have to show just a bit more of his hand as the preseason progresses so that his players get to work on some things under game conditions. But people in the inner circle at Redskins Park aren't worried -- although they would like to see better execution of the simple plays by the front-line offensive players. Quarterback Mark Brunell finally took a step forward with his 61-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Darnerien McCants in the third quarter of Saturday night's 23-20 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers at FedEx Field.

But the other competitor in the starting-quarterback derby, Patrick Ramsey, continues to struggle. Ramsey appears to be playing to avoid mistakes instead of cutting loose on his throws, and he has done nothing to take advantage of Brunell's early-camp struggles. He probably must score a decisive victory to take the job from the veteran.

At least now the murmurs about Tim Hasselbeck entering the quarterback competition can cease after his two-interception outing Saturday.

Going, Going ...

There is growing impatience at Redskins Park with safety Ifeanyi Ohalete, the former starter who lost his job to Andre Lott (and, soon, to Sean Taylor) and his jersey number to Clinton Portis. He was beaten for one of the two long touchdown catches by Panthers rookie wide receiver Keary Colbert on Saturday. Coaches have become increasingly disenchanted with his attitude, and he could be released even before the NFL-mandated roster cutdowns if he doesn't pull things together quickly.

--By Mark Maske

oldswill · 08-16-2004, 04:38 PM

thanks matty, the claming voice of reason made me feel better. what about releasing cliff russel?

EEich · 08-16-2004, 04:40 PM

Cliff is already gone... Iffy might be saved with the proper motivation. Consider this his motivation.

Redskins_P · 08-16-2004, 04:46 PM

Matty you the man.

I think Ohalete should get by cut today if possible. He really isn't playing with any confidence or desire and Franz has played decently (he had an INT). Like I said before, Iffy is just too damn slow not only physically, but mentally too. He has a hard time reading and reacting to the play. Maybe that's all because he's pissed about being on the 3rd team when he was a starter last year. If he gets released I'm pretty sure someone will pick him up.

Bergman14 · 08-16-2004, 05:19 PM

How many safeties is it normal to keep, and on that note, does anyone know where I can find a solid depth chart? I know most of it but I just want to look at the visual, and redskins.com's isnt up yet

Beemnseven · 08-16-2004, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EEich

Cliff is already gone... Iffy might be saved with the proper motivation. Consider this his motivation.

Cliff Russell is gone? When did this happen?

Not that I'm upset or anything. If it's true, then that's another brilliant 3rd round choice by Danny and Co. flushed down the toilet.

That Guy · 08-16-2004, 05:40 PM

Depth chart, from nfl.com:
http://www.nfl.com/teams/depthcharts/WAS

bedlamVR · 08-17-2004, 01:47 AM

Russell was a Marty pick i belive not sure but he was hit by injuries he never managed to recover from and there were also issues about him being more of a burner than a catcher.

huntz · 08-17-2004, 04:13 AM

Didn't they sign Ohalete to a decent contract a few months ago to keep him from going elsewhere? :confused:

joecrisp · 08-17-2004, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bergman14

How many safeties is it normal to keep, and on that note, does anyone know where I can find a solid depth chart? I know most of it but I just want to look at the visual, and redskins.com's isnt up yet

Ourlads' depth chart appears to be more accurate than NFL.com's, based on the lineups and rotations that were used in Saturday's game.

http://www.ourlads.com/secure/depthchart.cfm?index1=WAS

You'll notice this one is much more reflective of what we saw Saturday night.

joethiesmanfan · 08-17-2004, 07:20 AM

Antonio Pierce looked pretty good out there against Carolina what do yall think?

joethiesmanfan · 08-17-2004, 07:22 AM

Todd Franz and Bowen over Ohalette, Keyshawn is gonna burn us.

backrow · 08-17-2004, 08:11 AM

Can you or Matty make the Ourlads Dept chart a main staple of this site someplace? It would be great knowing the depth of the team on a constant 24/7 basis.

Redskins_P · 08-17-2004, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joethiesmanfan

Todd Franz and Bowen over Ohalette, Keyshawn is gonna burn us.

Keyshawn ain't burning anyone trust me. He's probably the slowest WR in the NFL.

Redskins_P · 08-17-2004, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joethiesmanfan

Todd Franz and Bowen over Ohalette, Keyshawn is gonna burn us.

Keyshawn ain't burning anyone trust me. He's probably the slowest WR in the NFL.

08-16-2004, 04:29 PM	#1
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 52 Posts: 99,832	Mark Maske: Don't Panic Yet Email Exclusive Don't Panic,Yet So is it time for ardent Washington Redskins followers to be alarmed about the ragged look of the team's offense in two preseason games? Not yet. And it's not so much about Coach Joe Gibbs's desire to run a "vanilla" offense during the exhibition season to keep his secrets safe for the regular season. It's about Gibbs sticking to the basics so that he can evaluate players. Once the games begin to count, Gibbs undoubtedly will come up with a weekly offensive wrinkle or two for which his opponent didn't prepare. That was the hallmark of his first go-around with the Redskins that produced three Super Bowl titles. For now, though, Gibbs isn't even trying to do that. His offense is running the most basic of plays, with the simplest of blocking schemes. Gibbs's coaches know that they could help players with a more creative scheme, but they don't want to do that in the preseason because that way they wouldn't necessarily find out which of their players can really play and which can't. So, the coaches have their blockers lining up and going head to head with defenders to see which players win the individual battles. The truly meaningful work of installing the real offense now is being done in closed-door practices. Gibbs probably will have to show just a bit more of his hand as the preseason progresses so that his players get to work on some things under game conditions. But people in the inner circle at Redskins Park aren't worried -- although they would like to see better execution of the simple plays by the front-line offensive players. Quarterback Mark Brunell finally took a step forward with his 61-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Darnerien McCants in the third quarter of Saturday night's 23-20 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers at FedEx Field. But the other competitor in the starting-quarterback derby, Patrick Ramsey, continues to struggle. Ramsey appears to be playing to avoid mistakes instead of cutting loose on his throws, and he has done nothing to take advantage of Brunell's early-camp struggles. He probably must score a decisive victory to take the job from the veteran. At least now the murmurs about Tim Hasselbeck entering the quarterback competition can cease after his two-interception outing Saturday. Going, Going ... There is growing impatience at Redskins Park with safety Ifeanyi Ohalete, the former starter who lost his job to Andre Lott (and, soon, to Sean Taylor) and his jersey number to Clinton Portis. He was beaten for one of the two long touchdown catches by Panthers rookie wide receiver Keary Colbert on Saturday. Coaches have become increasingly disenchanted with his attitude, and he could be released even before the NFL-mandated roster cutdowns if he doesn't pull things together quickly. --By Mark Maske __________________ Support The Warpath! \| Warpath Shop

08-16-2004, 04:38 PM	#2
oldswill Camp Scrub Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: rochester, ny Posts: 45	thanks matty, the claming voice of reason made me feel better. what about releasing cliff russel? __________________ "Gibbs thinks I'm a machine." Portis joked

08-17-2004, 08:11 AM	#13
backrow The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: 36.28 x 76.22 Age: 73 Posts: 1,812	Hey Joe! Can you or Matty make the Ourlads Dept chart a main staple of this site someplace? It would be great knowing the depth of the team on a constant 24/7 basis. __________________ '37, '42, '83, '88, '92. Championship!

08-16-2004, 04:40 PM	#3
EEich The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bristol, CT Age: 61 Posts: 1,001	Cliff is already gone... Iffy might be saved with the proper motivation. Consider this his motivation.

08-16-2004, 04:46 PM	#4
Redskins_P Fight for old DC! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Aldie, VA Age: 47 Posts: 4,101	Matty you the man. I think Ohalete should get by cut today if possible. He really isn't playing with any confidence or desire and Franz has played decently (he had an INT). Like I said before, Iffy is just too damn slow not only physically, but mentally too. He has a hard time reading and reacting to the play. Maybe that's all because he's pissed about being on the 3rd team when he was a starter last year. If he gets released I'm pretty sure someone will pick him up.

08-16-2004, 05:19 PM	#5
Bergman14 Special Teams Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Winston-Salem Age: 42 Posts: 138	How many safeties is it normal to keep, and on that note, does anyone know where I can find a solid depth chart? I know most of it but I just want to look at the visual, and redskins.com's isnt up yet

08-16-2004, 05:40 PM	#7
That Guy Living Legend Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: VA Age: 42 Posts: 17,620	Depth chart, from nfl.com: http://www.nfl.com/teams/depthcharts/WAS

08-17-2004, 01:47 AM	#8
bedlamVR Special Teams Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 389	Russell was a Marty pick i belive not sure but he was hit by injuries he never managed to recover from and there were also issues about him being more of a burner than a catcher.

08-17-2004, 04:13 AM	#9
huntz Special Teams Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Harrisburg, PA Age: 68 Posts: 311	Didn't they sign Ohalete to a decent contract a few months ago to keep him from going elsewhere? :confused:

08-17-2004, 07:20 AM	#11
joethiesmanfan The Starter Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,163	Antonio Pierce looked pretty good out there against Carolina what do yall think?

08-17-2004, 07:22 AM	#12
joethiesmanfan The Starter Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,163	Todd Franz and Bowen over Ohalette, Keyshawn is gonna burn us.

Mark Maske: Don't Panic Yet

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