Which season was the aberration.....2012...or 2013?

[Stymietee]

Seems to me that there are differing opinions on this question. In 2012 the team won the division with a 10-6 mark. In 2013 they finished with a 3-13 record. All of the talk centered around our offense despite the fact that our defense struggled both seasons and the special teams joined them in 2013.

We all (I think) believe that there should be marked improvements on special teams, some even say that the defense might show step towards becoming a middle of the pack type defensive unit.

So here are my questions:

1. If you think that 2012 was the aberration vs 2013, why? (vice versa works too)

2. What are the indicators that suggest that our defense won't post a 3rd season consistent with the last two?

3. If you think that our defense is now no better than the last two seasons, will our offense have to score first and rely on staying ahead in games, knowing that our defense can't get off of the field?

4. If this season goes as either has gone, does it support the argument that one or the other was the aberration?

5. Are we necessarily seeing improvement IF there are more wins (8 or less) than last season? or will we be seeing the true measure of this team?

 

[Sharkinva]

GUess I will take first crack at this.

2012 was the aberration for a couple of simple reasons.

1. Gimmick offense that worked
2. Healthy Rookie QB running said named gimmick offense that the league really wasnt prepared for.


Think 2013 is the other side of the coin, but I think the team actually falls some where in the middle. The defense gave up alot of yards, but the offenses inability to STAY on the field and put up points did not do any favors for the defense. ST was a train wreck inside a nuclear disaster wrapped in a Sharknado from Mars last year. Thats about all you can say on that front.

I expect the team will improve, but I dont expect the offense to be this all powerful entity. Defense will improve because we have improved the talent and because we are not starting over from scratch. Will they be top ten?? Probably not. Will they be in the bottom five??? Not if the other two units do their part as well.

Realistically i see this team some where between 6-10 and 10-6 depending on Injury, ST performance, and Defensive performance. As much as some will disagree, I see our offense being boom or bust this year. But exciting in either case.

 

[TCB]

We caught the league off guard 2 years ago and RG3 was sensational when he was healthy. Even when Cousins played we rode the momentum of a team playing with a purpose.

Last year was a dead team playing, and a dead coach walking.

I like a good bounce back this year. Defense doesn't do much for my confidence, but I think it will be better.
Offense should be exciting.

 

[TCB]

We caught the league off guard 2 years ago and RG3 was sensational when he was healthy. Even when Cousins played we rode the momentum of a team playing with a purpose.

Last year was a dead team playing, and a dead coach walking.

I like a good bounce back this year. Defense doesn't do much for my confidence, but I think it will be better.
Offense should be exciting.

Plus now we have 2 or 3 legitimate return guys.

 

[j_y19]

I think its possible that both seasons were an aberration. As mentioned here, 2012 we had an offense that took many by surprise as well as we had a couple of lucky breaks bounce our way. In 2013, also as pointed out here, we had a team that was completely dysfunctional due to coaching issues, internal strife, and injuries that stunted the development of our QB. I'm of the belief that our defense was not as bad as many here believe. If I'm not mistaken, we were 18th in yards given up. That's middle of the pack. We were piss poor, however, in turnovers. We also gave up a ton of points, but not all of that was on the defense. In reality, we probably were a 7-9/8-8/9-7 type team both years.

I expect an improvement this year. The defense should be an better with the addition of talent and a more aggressive scheme, allowing our playmakers to do that....make plays. I also think our offense could be lethal. RG3 is healthy, motivated, and has had an offseason to improve his game. We have one of the best WR corps in the league. We have a PB caliber RB. We have a budding star at TE. We have a perennial all pro at LT. We also have a HC that has a creative offensive mind. I expect we will be top 10 in the league in offensive production. Finally, our STs will improve. They have to. They can't get worse. I'll still maintain we go 9-7 this year. OF course, I am a homer.......

 

[Stymietee]

GUess I will take first crack at this.

2012 was the aberration for a couple of simple reasons.

1. Gimmick offense that worked
2. Healthy Rookie QB running said named gimmick offense that the league really wasnt prepared for.


Think 2013 is the other side of the coin, but I think the team actually falls some where in the middle. The defense gave up alot of yards, but the offenses inability to STAY on the field and put up points did not do any favors for the defense. ST was a train wreck inside a nuclear disaster wrapped in a Sharknado from Mars last year. Thats about all you can say on that front.

I expect the team will improve, but I dont expect the offense to be this all powerful entity. Defense will improve because we have improved the talent and because we are not starting over from scratch. Will they be top ten?? Probably not. Will they be in the bottom five??? Not if the other two units do their part as well.

Realistically i see this team some where between 6-10 and 10-6 depending on Injury, ST performance, and Defensive performance. As much as some will disagree, I see our offense being boom or bust this year. But exciting in either case.

While I agree with you that the offense won't be some sort of juggernaut, I just don't see the improvements in personnel from the defensive viewpoint. Maybe I've missed something, but beyond a now recovering Jason Hatcher and a quite possibly over the hill Ryan Clark, who are the additions that are talented improvements?

It worries me that this team will probably field practically the same guys from the last two seasons defensively. Worse the same coordinator will be leading them. Unless we see major contributions from 2nd and 3rd year players I'm afraid the outcomes won't differ much from that side of the ball.

I don't want to end on such a sour note, so it is very likely that offense and special teams play will aid our defense with scoring leads and worse field position for opposing teams.

 

[Stymietee]

I think its possible that both seasons were an aberration. As mentioned here, 2012 we had an offense that took many by surprise as well as we had a couple of lucky breaks bounce our way. In 2013, also as pointed out here, we had a team that was completely dysfunctional due to coaching issues, internal strife, and injuries that stunted the development of our QB. I'm of the belief that our defense was not as bad as many here believe. If I'm not mistaken, we were 18th in yards given up. That's middle of the pack. We were piss poor, however, in turnovers. We also gave up a ton of points, but not all of that was on the defense. In reality, we probably were a 7-9/8-8/9-7 type team both years.

I expect an improvement this year. The defense should be an better with the addition of talent and a more aggressive scheme, allowing our playmakers to do that....make plays. I also think our offense could be lethal. RG3 is healthy, motivated, and has had an offseason to improve his game. We have one of the best WR corps in the league. We have a PB caliber RB. We have a budding star at TE. We have a perennial all pro at LT. We also have a HC that has a creative offensive mind. I expect we will be top 10 in the league in offensive production. Finally, our STs will improve. They have to. They can't get worse. I'll still maintain we go 9-7 this year. OF course, I am a homer.......

Interesting........but what does this mean? Are you suggesting that any improvement over last year's 3-13 finish that results in a record of 7-9...8-8....or less is not really an improvement, just more of the same?

 

[j_y19]

While I agree with you that the offense won't be some sort of juggernaut, I just don't see the improvements in personnel from the defensive viewpoint. Maybe I've missed something, but beyond a now recovering Jason Hatcher and a quite possibly over the hill Ryan Clark, who are the additions that are talented improvements?

It worries me that this team will probably field practically the same guys from the last two seasons defensively. Worse the same coordinator will be leading them. Unless we see major contributions from 2nd and 3rd year players I'm afraid the outcomes won't differ much from that side of the ball.

I don't want to end on such a sour note, so it is very likely that offense and special teams play will aid our defense with scoring leads and worse field position for opposing teams.

Stymietee, I see a couple of areas where we should improve. You mention hatcher, that's one. Clark may have lost a step, but he has to be better than anyone we've fielded in the last few years If for no other reason than his experience and leadership. Another spot is CB. Amerson starting instead of Wilson should be a marked improvement. Finally, a more aggressive scheme should allow Rak and Kerrigan to do what they do best, cause mayhem. Will these changes make us a top 10? Doubtful, but we should be more competitive and turnovers should increase

 

[j_y19]

Interesting........but what does this mean? Are you suggesting that any improvement over last year's 3-13 finish that results in a record of 7-9...8-8....or less is not really an improvement, just more of the same?

Oh, I expect improvement over last year because I think last year was an aberration. I might not have been clear, but I thought we should have been an 8-8 (give or take a game or two) type team last year if not for the extenuating circumstances that turned the year into a circus. And as I have stated, I think it's realistic we could go 9-6 this year and win the division, mainly because our division may be the weakest in the league.

 

[SoCalWizFan]

First of all - I see no way it can get worse than last season. Beyond the record both the coaches and players kind of went through the motions during the latter part of the year for the most part.

The special teams have to be better by default and as previously mentioned they actually now have legit returners. Defense is a tough call but there is reason for optimism. They added a few young LBs, are probably better since while I love LFB he was a shell of himself last season, Amerson should be ready to breakout, added Hatcher & finally should have at least improved safety play. Will it translate into a much better defense? Who knows - we can only hope.

As for the offense - well - barring major injuries this should be a lot better than last season. Put up or shut up time for RG3, but there is hope since he is no longer injured, won't be wearing a brace, has a new coaching staff, has more weapons & has the benefit of an entire offseason devoted to learning the position under very capable hands. Obviously - barring injuries - the receiving corps is significantly better & I have to believe that the O-line is (almost again by default) better than last year's unit.

I agree with a previous poster that both the 2012 and 2013 seasons were aberrations. This is a new era for this team. HTTR

 

[Sportster 72]

Both seasons were an aberration:
2012 the year of the Zone Read Offense catching the entire league unprepared --- GREAT coaching
2013 - the year of the Griffin injury and the year the cap penalty caught up to the point that STs were not only bad but were horrific

I sort of agree with j_y that in some ways we should have been an 8-8 team both years but reality also says you are what you are. So 8-8 would be an improvement over last year probably because of improved ST play and a healthier QB. Griffin can't be the QB of 2012 because the league has caught up to some extent to that offense. A healthier Griffin who has had an off season should be an improvement over 2013 Griffin.

This is all guess work though because there are so many variables we either don't know about or can't forecast right now.

 

[SoCalWizFan]

I expect the team will improve, but I dont expect the offense to be this all powerful entity.

As much as some will disagree, I see our offense being boom or bust this year. But exciting in either case.

Obviously RG3 will be a big part of this equation. However - I believe that the O-line will be just as big if not a bigger part of all of this. If that unit can actually consistently pass block then this unit can be very good.

 

[SoCalWizFan]

This is all guess work though because there are so many variables we either don't know about or can't forecast right now.

And that is what makes the NFL so much fun to watch!

 

[skinsdad62]

the 10-6 year was a mirage . we were probably worse then our record

3-13 was also a mirage

i think we had /have 6-10 talent

 

[Sharkinva]

the 10-6 year was a mirage . we were probably worse then our record

3-13 was also a mirage

i think we had /have 6-10 talent

So wait, we got a QB worth 4 draft picks, two number one WR's, a TE who most think is Pro Bowl talent, a legit Pro Bowl RB and we just up'd the pass rush... and we are a 6-10 team???


Whats wrong with this picture??

 

[skinsdad62]

we have an aging defense and very unproven special teams and an o/line issue 6-10

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Seems quite a few people I've heard lately (not just on this board, radio and rival fans too) have referred to the RO as a gimmick offense. I don't feel that way myself. I would, if that was the only package an O used.

It's not like that WAS the offense in 2012, it was used quite sparingly and after Griff was injured in the Ravens game, even less so. It was only used a select few times per game and worked amazingly well when implemented. That was it's purpose, to keep defenses guessing.

I would be shocked if we didn't see it a few times this year tbh. Now designed QB runs for big yardage gains would be foolish IMO, but the threat of a mobile QB and an effective scramble towards the nearest sideline would be smart to keep opposition defenses on their toes against us. Course, this means a QB has to know when to slide and run towards the sideline....

The more offensive packages we have, the harder it will be to defend. And we've got more weapons now, just gotta gel...

 

[Hbomb]

2013.


Cap penalty and injuries decimated the team last year. Jordan Reed was second leading receiver despite missing 5 or 6 games at the end of the year and working his way into the rotation at the beginning.

And don't get me started on Special Teams.



Hail to the Redskins!!

 

[Sportster 72]

Seems quite a few people I've heard lately (not just on this board, radio and rival fans too) have referred to the RO as a gimmick offense. I don't feel that way myself. I would, if that was the only package an O used.

It's not like that WAS the offense in 2012, it was used quite sparingly and after Griff was injured in the Ravens game, even less so. It was only used a select few times per game and worked amazingly well when implemented. That was it's purpose, to keep defenses guessing.

I would be shocked if we didn't see it a few times this year tbh. Now designed QB runs for big yardage gains would be foolish IMO, but the threat of a mobile QB and an effective scramble towards the nearest sideline would be smart to keep opposition defenses on their toes against us. Course, this means a QB has to know when to slide and run towards the sideline....

The more offensive packages we have, the harder it will be to defend. And we've got more weapons now, just gotta gel...

What you say is true. The read option is not a gimmick offense. It was considered a college offense that would not work in the NFL where players are so much faster and better. Along with the read option Kyle installed the Pistol. Whether it was a zone read play or another option in their offense the opposing D had to respect the zone read potential. It caught the league by surprise and worked immensely well. We all remember ends crashing down to soon or not crashing down at all. First reads were routinely open on play action. Safeties and backers getting caught in between. It worked so well that in mid-season Seattle and San Fran deployed.

Defense's caught up after that first season. Is it still an offense that can be used. Of course, the wide open big plays are not there like they were the first year. So you are correct it wasn't a gimmick offense but defenses have adapted.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

What you say is true. The read option is not a gimmick offense. It was considered a college offense that would not work in the NFL where players are so much faster and better. Along with the read option Kyle installed the Pistol. Whether it was a zone read play or another option in their offense the opposing D had to respect the zone read potential. It caught the league by surprise and worked immensely well. We all remember ends crashing down to soon or not crashing down at all. First reads were routinely open on play action. Safeties and backers getting caught in between. It worked so well that in mid-season Seattle and San Fran deployed.

Defense's caught up after that first season. Is it still an offense that can be used. Of course, the wide open big plays are not there like they were the first year. So you are correct it wasn't a gimmick offense but defenses have adapted.

Yep. And the potential to use it successfully, very sparingly...remains. Even Gruden has said this.