AP Article: Redskins offense back to square one!

[artmonkforhallofamein07]

Well I have to be honest here. I just said in another Post that bringing in Al Saunders was a mistake. I love the tone of this article.

Let me give you my reasons why Al was a mistake. Remember after the 2005 run and playoff loss. I remember after that loss that myself and many others were thinking that if we just had a few more weapons would could really make a run at the SB in 06. Well that didn't happen obviously. One because our d was terrible, but two because our offense had taken a huge step back. We were implimenting a whole new offense.

When you have a team that was built by Gibbs ( a smashmouth running team ) you have players that are made for that. Remember Gibbs put this roster together. These guys do not have that finnesse style offense built into their game. The guys here if you look at them aren't the guys to do that. They won't be. They want to hit you in the mouth.

So do Ilike the tone and sound of the article? Yes. It's what we need. A team that is in it together playing the type of football they like to play.

[MonkFan4Life]

I'll like the tone of the article when this works. I liked Saunders coming in but I thought it was too much to bring him in. THe offense Gibbs had in was working he just didn't have more receivers to take the pressure off Moss. Instead of just getting that we got a whole new offense. Which wasn't supposed to be that much of a difference from Gibbs' book. If this "rededication" works then fine if not, then it was all for nothing. Punish the Jets, don't just win but PUNISH the Jets. Impose your will and control the game. Don't just participate, but CONTROL the game.

Hail to The Fuckin Redskins !!!!

[TheCounselor]

Straight from the Post: "Gibbs has altered the intensity of practice since Sunday's loss. He has spent more time engaged in physical "live" run-blocking and blitz protection drills, and the message delivered again to the players this week resonates like so many since 2004, although the results have been mixed at best. The Redskins remain one of the NFL's predominant teams in rushing attempts, while the league becomes increasingly dominated by spread offenses and dynamic passing attacks."

Two points: 1) If we've been a rushing team, why have we not been pounding in practices (injuries are noted: there is still a way to be physical and safe at practice. 2) EVERYBODY including high schools are running the spread offense and it's a great way to help out the running game. For example, on the 1-3 yard line, spread out the troops (as compared to the same tired jumbo package) and then run it up the gut for a TD...

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by TheCounselor

Straight from the Post: "Gibbs has altered the intensity of practice since Sunday's loss. He has spent more time engaged in physical "live" run-blocking and blitz protection drills, and the message delivered again to the players this week resonates like so many since 2004, although the results have been mixed at best. The Redskins remain one of the NFL's predominant teams in rushing attempts, while the league becomes increasingly dominated by spread offenses and dynamic passing attacks."

Two points: 1) If we've been a rushing team, why have we not been pounding in practices (injuries are noted: there is still a way to be physical and safe at practice. 2) EVERYBODY including high schools are running the spread offense and it's a great way to help out the running game. For example, on the 1-3 yard line, spread out the troops (as compared to the same tired jumbo package) and then run it up the gut for a TD...

Running out of the spread does not work consistently in the NFL. It's too easy for the defense to attack downhill and clog up the gaps when only 5 people are blocking.

You can throw out of the spread in the NFL with a lot of effectiveness. That said, you can throw out of pretty much any formation with a lot of effectiveness, so I'm not a big fan of the spread in the NFL.

College, yes, you can at least run the QB out of the spread. Not in the NFL.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Running out of the spread does not work consistently in the NFL. It's too easy for the defense to attack downhill and clog up the gaps when only 5 people are blocking.

You can throw out of the spread in the NFL with a lot of effectiveness. That said, you can throw out of pretty much any formation with a lot of effectiveness, so I'm not a big fan of the spread in the NFL.

College, yes, you can at least run the QB out of the spread. Not in the NFL.

You can not argue that it does help create space. I'm not saying do it on 80-100% of our run plays. But it sure will not hurt to do it more than we currently do. I watch NE run out of spread formations all the time. Of course it doesn't hurt when you have R. Moss on the outside keeping the safties honest.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Spread formations can work in the running game, but only on a limited basis (as skinsfan69 noted). I recall seeing Betts (version 06') rip off a few nice runs on draw plays in which the offense was in a spread formation.

[saden1]

Getting Al Saunders on board wasn't mistake IMO...I mean, he was well qualified, had something in common with Gibbs, plus Gibbs was getting burned out.

What has been a mistake I suppose is the lack of adjustment by Saunders and his inability to recognize what this team can and can't do. To be honest I don't think he has any authority (not his fault) and he doesn't seem to have the respect of the players. I never bought into the whole too many cooks in the kitchen thing but I'm starting to.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by saden1

Getting Al Saunders on board wasn't mistake IMO...I mean, he was well qualified, had something in common with Gibbs, plus Gibbs was getting burned out.

What has been a mistake I suppose is the lack of adjustment by Saunders and his inability to recognize what this team can and can't do. To be honest I don't think he has any authority (not his fault) and he doesn't seem to have the respect of the players. I never bought into the whole too many cooks in the kitchen thing but I'm starting to.

well put, it's hard to put a value on Gibbs' health & endurance in relation to the rigors of the job. We wouldn't want him wearing out from calling plays & that may have been more serious than we know in 04 & 05.

I'm torn on the whole Al experiment, but I agree w/you about the authority & respect from players. Sad thing to me is, w/our o-line banged up, we seem to protect better than run block, and a free Saunders would seem to be the kind of play caller that could mix it up enough to compensate.

[BleedinBurgNGold]

I really really Wish we would spread the field on Offense. we are hurting JC's growth by not letting him go down the damn field more often

[skinsfan_nn]

If we are at square one sitting at 5-3 OK.

If the running game keeps rollling as it did yesterday, are passing game WILL follow.

We have to take more shots down field and get JC into a groove, I would like to see him make some big steps in the second half of the season. Hard to believe Al is not calling more deep shots...?

[Campbell17]

Running is what we do best, and unless we start passing and getting where we need to go with it, we should stick to running.