My thoughts so far

[HailYeah21]

Anyone calling for RG to be benched is over reacting. That's just not the right move to make. It would ruin his relationship with Mike and even worse, the FRANCHISE....

This is the guy we gave up 3 firsts and 2nd for.... And you want to bench him.. now? Cmon skins fans we are better than that.

Its obvious hes rusty... the only way he will get through this is by playing through it. We have to believe he is healthy. He wouldnt be playing if he weren't.

What we need to be concerned with is the state of the offense. Ive hated the play calling so far. I've been wondering where the Read Option is and i understand when we cant run the ball, we cant run the R/O.

But where are the bootlegs we saw so much last year? Teams are just loading up to blitz knowing Robert wont go out the pocket... And his mechanics are not where they need to be to be a great pocket passer right now.

Oh, and the pathetic Defense. I want Haslett gone at the end of the year. But it would not be wise to fire him right now.
I heard something on the radio i agreed with. A caller said we have been using a lot of 2 DT/DE and 5 LB's in our sets. He made a great point saying we dont have a push up front. We need Cofield and Bowen to be affective. Maybe its the LDE position. We could certaintly use Jenkins now. Anyways id like to see more bulk on D line and worry more about London and Riley in coverage. Fletcher has been awful... we should have likely moved on this past offseason. Losing Robinson really hurts.

As for the secondary... Hall/Wilson are trash. Rambo looks like he doesnt belong so far. Amerson struggled recently.

All i know is after this season we need to spend some money on the Oline and secondary and ILB.

 

[Shenanihanigans]

Agreed, though the only qb that got a lot of bootlegs is Cousins.

RG3 ran the read option, Cousins ran the boots.

Why Kyle Shanahan won't boot with RG3 is beyond me.

 

[duke1861]

Wow, this is my first post since the ESPN boards. Good to see the old crew around. Needless to say, I am pretty disappointed in the season this far and am concerned like everyone else. The season isn't over but we have some major issues.

1. The defense continues to be a mess. It was last year as well, however, our offense masked the major problems. Our secondary is a disaster and we just don't have enough talent back there. At some point, we have to blame Shanahan and Allen for not addressing the issue. I understand that we got nailed with the cap penalty, but my heavens...we are awful. Haslett is not the answer nor has he ever been. We need to promote Morris and let him take the reins at this point. We had the worst pass defense last year and we are on pace to be the worst defense in the league and will break records in doing so.

2. Shanahan needs to fix the overall mess. This is year 4 and we still have several problems. I am begining to think last year was a fluke as we simply ran an offense tha confused other teams. RG3 is outstanding but we still have OLine and WR problems just like we have prior to Shanahan getting here. Year 4 cannot be a rebuilding year. We need to add at least add the following this offseason either by free agency or with early draft picks (in no order of importance): RT, WR, ILB, SS and CB. We should have the cap to address most of these and we can use our 2nd rounder to fill one of the slots. Bottom line is that we have to acquire talent. I am not saying we should have Vinny Cerrato Part 2, but we cannot use the draft to address all problems for 2014.

3. We need to go back to the zone read but modify it. Our offense is terrible as the points and yards gained in the 2nd half are catch-up points only. Its good to see production but the stats are misleading for sure. Again, we are lacking talent as usual. RG3, Garcon, T.Williams, Morris and Reed are about the extent of it. We have some great role players, but we need a solid RT and another WR who can beat press coverage.

4. Its not time to panic, but it is time to realize we are what we are. The 10-6 and 9-7 projections are out the window at this point. We are looking at 8-8 or maybe 7-9. We will get better for sure, but there are several issues that have to be resolved even if it takes next offseason to do so.

 

[j_y19]

Those that are calling for the benching of RG3 are out of their minds. Clearly he isn't playing to the level that he played to last year (yet), but he isn't playing that bad. His numbers are middle of the pack or slightly better. He just needs to get more reps to get his mental confidence back.

As for the rest of our offense, our real weakness is our OL. In both the first 2 games, the middle of our OL is getting pushed back into the pocket. Montgomery is getting abused. While he is not giving up sacks he is ending up right in front of RG3, not allowing him to step up into the pocket. MOnty is just not big or strong enough to be a pocket protection center. We fix this problem, and a lot of other problems go away. The next issue is the play calling. Clearly Mike and Kyle are not yet comfortable calling any plays that require RG3 to run, or even the option to run. Not sure why, but it is stifling our offense. We are built to run the read option, bootlegs, QB keepers, and misdirections. Our OL is made up of smaller, quicker, more athletic blockers that excel in zone blocking. They need hesitation by the defensive front 7 to gain a step at the point of attack to cut off their man and give cutback lanes to Morris. But when their is no threat of RG3 keeping it, the Defense can just pin their ears back and push forward.

As far as our Defense is concerned, we just suck right now. I expected major issues from our 2 rookies in the secondary, and we have seen that. Rambo has no business starting in the NFL right now, he is just not mentally or physically ready. We all understand now why he lasted until the 6th round. AMerson has serious potential, but he also is very raw and was completely confused last sunday. His issues can resolve themselves by just playing and gaining experience. The surprising problem with our defense has been the front 7's inability to stop the run. Fletcher appears to be done. He had one solo tackle on sunday in a defense that is designed to free up ILBs to make the majority of tackles. In the first 2 games, he was a liability. He was consistently 2 steps to late. The other issue is our DEs. Where has Bowen been? I don't recall him making one play Sunday. We are getting beat at the LOS, this may be due to the 5 LB sets we have been running. This is coaching.

The final area we are killing ourselves is penalties. This is completely out of control and again is a coaching issue. Our average field starting position is well inside the 20. Our opponents is closer to 30-35 yd line. That is a huge difference on what plays you can run. ANd it is mainly due to penalties on STs. This needs to stop immediately and some heads need to roll to serve as an example of the intolerance going forward for stupid mental mistakes.

 

[Sleepy T]

They always say games are won and lost in the trenches, and I think that is very true. For the most part, the OL and DL (as a unit) has played poorly. If that isn't improved on..it will be a long season on both sides of the ball.

Some of the front 7 (primarily Kerrigan) has been getting good pressure on the QB and we have a number of sacks. But if the secondary can't hold up their end of the deal when Haslett is blitzing..they will continue to get torched. I was optimistic about Rambo and Amerson..they will make mistakes. But some of the ones they made (in coverage) Sunday were BAD. The poor tackling doesn't help their cause. A bonafide top notch corner is needed in FA this year to lockdown opposing teams bext WR. These young guys will be fine long term IMO.

 

[SoCalWizFan]

What we need to be concerned with is the state of the offense. Ive hated the play calling so far. I've been wondering where the Read Option is and i understand when we cant run the ball, we cant run the R/O.

Huh? Who said the Redskins can't run the ball? Morris had 107 yds on 13 carries against the Packers & looked very effective. I believe he is destined to have another great season barring injury.

The problem is that you can't run the ball when you are down by 2-3 TDs. Part of that falls on RG3 & how he is being used, and I truly believe that they will correct that for the most part. Again - RG3 is coming off a major injury & there is a mental factor that probably requires several games for adjustment. Hopefully he is at that point within the next several weeks.

The bigger issue is the defense. They were bad at the beginning of last season but not this bad & you rarely saw leads like the ones in the last two games. It is certainly an area where improvement is possible (how can it not be) - time will tell.

 

[Sleepy T]

Hopefully he is at that point within the next several weeks.

I sure hope it isn't several weeks or this season could slip away fast. I know it is only two games and I am not dooming and glooming.. but in the next month or so Detroit, @Oakland, @Dallas, Chicago, and @Denver. If there isn't some big improvement (on both sides)..Oakland is the only team on that list I would feel confident about beating or even competing with.

They will get it together and win some of these games though..

 

[SoCalWizFan]

I sure hope it isn't several weeks or this season could slip away fast. I know it is only two games and I am not dooming and glooming.. but in the next month or so Detroit, @Oakland, @Dallas, Chicago, and @Denver. If there isn't some big improvement (on both sides)..Oakland is the only team on that list I would feel confident about beating or even competing with.

They will get it together and win some of these games though..

I said "within" the next few weeks which means it could be as early as the next game. In any case - you can't rush this. They may not be using the Read Option for a reason. Again - RG3 might still be at that stage where he still needs to completely recover mentally. It will happen when it happens - we need to accept that fact. I still believe that they can compete in most of these games as long as the defense doesn't completely lay down like they have thus far. They don't need to be great, but they also need to stop being pathetic.

 

[sublime4eva]

RG3 is not getting benched lol

 

[enkay21]

LL is tweeting to expect a lot more boots this weekend with RG3, and his intel is typically accurate.

 

[enkay21]

Just tweeted 3m ago:

HTTR24-7.com ‏@HTTR24_7 3m
@P_Hazard Asked about that.. No bootlegs because of the teams we were playing. They will be used this week.

 

[HailYeah21]

Huh? Who said the Redskins can't run the ball? Morris had 107 yds on 13 carries against the Packers & looked very effective. I believe he is destined to have another great season barring injury.

The problem is that you can't run the ball when you are down by 2-3 TDs. Part of that falls on RG3 & how he is being used, and I truly believe that they will correct that for the most part. Again - RG3 is coming off a major injury & there is a mental factor that probably requires several games for adjustment. Hopefully he is at that point within the next several weeks.

The bigger issue is the defense. They were bad at the beginning of last season but not this bad & you rarely saw leads like the ones in the last two games. It is certainly an area where improvement is possible (how can it not be) - time will tell.

Correct me if im wrong but the majority of those yards came on 2-3 big runs. On the rest alfred didnt seem to effective... especially not in the RO.


To me, the biggest issues are obviously, the defense. And then the Oline. Continuity is one thing. Have talent on the line is another. I want a freaking ROCK at RT..... i want a Center who can control the LOS.... Monty has been awful so far. Suh will dominate him

 

[enkay21]

Correct me if im wrong but the majority of those yards came on 2-3 big runs. On the rest alfred didnt seem to effective... especially not in the RO.

Isn't that how it always works? Chip away with 2, 3, 5 yards, break one for 15. Rinse, repeat. That's what most RBs will tell you, too.

 

[j_y19]

Correct me if im wrong but the majority of those yards came on 2-3 big runs. On the rest alfred didnt seem to effective... especially not in the RO.


To me, the biggest issues are obviously, the defense. And then the Oline. Continuity is one thing. Have talent on the line is another. I want a freaking ROCK at RT..... i want a Center who can control the LOS.... Monty has been awful so far. Suh will dominate him

Alfred did have a couple of big runs, but he also had quite a few 5-6 yd runs. Alfred is doing fine. He actually leads the league in yds/attempt for RBs with over 6yds/run. If we weren't in such a hole both games, he would probably be leading or close to leading the league in rushing. By the 4th qtr of both games, he is basically on the sideline. The RO will only be effective if there is the option for RG3 to keep it. So far, there hasn't been. We've only run the RO 5 times all season and RG3 has yet to keep it and turn the corner.

I agree about Monty. He has been manhandled both games and will be this game also. Too bad Leribius ate his way off the 53 man active list, we could use him at center.

 

[SoCalWizFan]

Isn't that how it always works? Chip away with 2, 3, 5 yards, break one for 15. Rinse, repeat. That's what most RBs will tell you, too.

Yep - if you were to maintain that a decent RB is one who does not rely on big runs then Barry Sanders would never be in the HOF. No team is going to get big runs on every play of every game. Morris is fine & should have another stellar year.

Agree that they need to upgrade the O-line during the offseason. However - barring major improvements this year there now appear to be too many areas to address at one time including O-line, secondary & inside LB. Oh well - the team doesn't need perfection just improvement.

I am not really concerned about the running game for this team - Shanahan's teams will always do well in that area & an evolving RG3 will certainly help. Also - a spark from any area on this team (offense, defense or special teams) should motivate the other areas. We need something positive - I am sure that everyone is tired of bitching.

 

[SoCalWizFan]

Alfred did have a couple of big runs, but he also had quite a few 5-6 yd runs. Alfred is doing fine. He actually leads the league in yds/attempt for RBs with over 6yds/run. If we weren't in such a hole both games, he would probably be leading or close to leading the league in rushing. By the 4th qtr of both games, he is basically on the sideline. The RO will only be effective if there is the option for RG3 to keep it. So far, there hasn't been. We've only run the RO 5 times all season and RG3 has yet to keep it and turn the corner.

I agree about Monty. He has been manhandled both games and will be this game also. Too bad Leribius ate his way off the 53 man active list, we could use him at center.

What a shame that they have dug such huge holes for themselves & have to play the 2 minute drill for almost the entire 4th QTR. Helu appears to be the perfect compliment for Morris & together with an effective RG3 they could really control the clock if they had the lead or were even slightly behind. Really longing for the ball control days from last season. Hopefully - this starts to occur soon.

 

[j_y19]

They have to figure out how to convert on 3rd downs. They are the worst in the league and were also bad at it last year. Play calling has to be part of the problem.

 

[SoCalWizFan]

They have to figure out how to convert on 3rd downs. They are the worst in the league and were also bad at it last year. Play calling has to be part of the problem.

As someone mentioned to me the other day - one of the problems with the Redskins offense might be that they practice against the Skins defense & get a false sense of confidence.

 

[raptorlife4]

run the fucking ball and learn how to tackle and this team will be fine

 

[Lonewate44]

run the fucking ball and learn how to tackle and this team will be fine

A sound running game does wonders for a team...Ram it down thier throats....Its BEAUTIFUL!!!!! And We need RGIII to run it a couple times.....early...just to make the defense worried about it.....After all..he is healthy right??/ if not..he shouldn't be out there....Move the chains...eat up clock.....score points, and keep the D off the field and fresh!!!!