Some interesting points made here that go go much further than the game this past Sun. Wonder if players are feeling the stigma of the past Skins franchise dysfunction more than we know.
We heard about the positive impact of Bill Callahan’s tutelage with the offensive line in the offseason and all through camp. All of the offensive lineman have been working together all offseason, yet the run blocking continues to struggle and have missed assignments. Do you think the blocking scheme is too complicated?
– Rick Edwards
No, the schemes aren’t too complicated. Callahan spends so much time in practice instructing his players, and extra time after practice working with them to make sure they have all of the mental and physical tools needed to go toe-to-toe with defenders. But, right now the Redskins have young linemen who have played better than expected on some days, and other days they have showed the inexperience and inconsistencies that go along with youth.
Tackle Tom Compton, left, tackle Morgan Moses, center, and guard Brandon Scherff. (Toni L. Sandys/ The Washington Post)
It’s no coincidence that Washington’s run game began to diminish once left guard Shawn Lauvao was lost for the season with injury, and then regressed even further after center Kory Lichtensteiger got hurt and landed on injured reserve as well.
The latest game, which featured the Redskins versus a very good Panthers defensive front, was the worst of the season for Washington’s linemen. But part of the problem also had to do with the ball security issues. The Redskins didn’t have the ball long enough to develop any kind of rhythm in their rushing attack, and they spent the last three quarters of the game in such a hole, that they had to go with a pass-heavy attack, which puts even more pressure on the linemen.
Remember how good they looked against the Saints the week before? The linemen had their way with New Orleans defenders. Last Sunday, the Panthers had their way with them. The true indication of where Bill Callahan’s unit stands is probably somewhere in the middle for now.