Around the League Including Tonights Giants/Cowboys

I can probably guess who it is.

I'm watching the game again right now myself and what's really striking me is that the offense seems to play to get to the red zone and then start over from there, as opposed to playing to get to the end zone (for the most part).

Haynesworth and Griffin really had great games yesterday. Dockery's false starts were pretty disappointing, as was some of Moss' efforts blocking.As someone who has broken down 17 of the last 18 Skins games, I often feel like I'm inside of Zorn's head with regard to the playcalling. Over the last 12 games or so, Zorn has made a slow evolution from run-first coach to pass first coach. The results are astounding, as you can see the progression of formations and mismatches that make the Redskins passing offense so effective.

But when we get close to the red zone, it's almost like watching the old Zorn who thinks that, because his players got him there, it's his job to make sure he pays them off with a touchdown. And so, Zorn always leaves the script in the red zone and tries to call that one play that will make the Redskins' drive count. So you get comfort runs, screen passes, designed swings, and it just really looks like he is trying too hard.

The HB pass seemed like a frusteration play. He doesn't seem to understand why the Redskins haven't been able to run the ball in the red zone since Week 5 of last season. And because he has no answers, I can understand why he thinks that the next run will be the one that works.

But it's just not the case. We can get a yard or two on the goal line, but we can't pound the ball in from the 8 or 9. And the sooner Zorn realizes this, the sooner he'll make the necessary adjustments. But until he realizes that the calls in the red zone are a problem, I can't expect him to find a solution.

As someone who has broken down 17 of the last 18 Skins games, I often feel like I'm inside of Zorn's head with regard to the playcalling. Over the last 12 games or so, Zorn has made a slow evolution from run-first coach to pass first coach. The results are astounding, as you can see the progression of formations and mismatches that make the Redskins passing offense so effective.

But when we get close to the red zone, it's almost like watching the old Zorn who thinks that, because his players got him there, it's his job to make sure he pays them off with a touchdown. And so, Zorn always leaves the script in the red zone and tries to call that one play that will make the Redskins' drive count. So you get comfort runs, screen passes, designed swings, and it just really looks like he is trying too hard.

The HB pass seemed like a frusteration play. He doesn't seem to understand why the Redskins haven't been able to run the ball in the red zone since Week 5 of last season. And because he has no answers, I can understand why he thinks that the next run will be the one that works.

But it's just not the case. We can get a yard or two on the goal line, but we can't pound the ball in from the 8 or 9. And the sooner Zorn realizes this, the sooner he'll make the necessary adjustments. But until he realizes that the calls in the red zone are a problem, I can't expect him to find a solution.

Well we also have to remember that when Zorn first started he really put a lot of focus on allowing Bugel and the running game to dictate things while he (Zorn) and the passing game got comfortable. I really believe the passing game there is for the most part, just not the part where it counts.

As someone who has broken down 17 of the last 18 Skins games, I often feel like I'm inside of Zorn's head with regard to the playcalling. Over the last 12 games or so, Zorn has made a slow evolution from run-first coach to pass first coach. The results are astounding, as you can see the progression of formations and mismatches that make the Redskins passing offense so effective.

But when we get close to the red zone, it's almost like watching the old Zorn who thinks that, because his players got him there, it's his job to make sure he pays them off with a touchdown. And so, Zorn always leaves the script in the red zone and tries to call that one play that will make the Redskins' drive count. So you get comfort runs, screen passes, designed swings, and it just really looks like he is trying too hard.

The HB pass seemed like a frusteration play. He doesn't seem to understand why the Redskins haven't been able to run the ball in the red zone since Week 5 of last season. And because he has no answers, I can understand why he thinks that the next run will be the one that works.

But it's just not the case. We can get a yard or two on the goal line, but we can't pound the ball in from the 8 or 9. And the sooner Zorn realizes this, the sooner he'll make the necessary adjustments. But until he realizes that the calls in the red zone are a problem, I can't expect him to find a solution.

Would you mind terribly calling him and telling him this exact thing. I think you are dead on target here, and it's why i hope once he figures it out, assuming he does, we will have a good offensive coach.

There is a Redskins receiver who I will probably lambast for poor performance and it's not Santana Moss. I make no promises though.

Not fair. You need to give us some kind of a hint?

Read Tripp's past posts (say you focus on a his comments about the 2008 draft) - I imagine that would be a big hint for you.

Read Tripp's past posts (say you focus on a his comments about the 2008 draft) - I imagine that would be a big hint for you.

I know he supports Kelly just like I do, but I was nervous something might have showed up on tape.

DT is a lost cause as far as I am concerned. If it's him I could really care less.

Not fair. You need to give us some kind of a hint?Well, I want to see how the game progresses before I decide how relevant his performance is to the larger picture. In the first half, Zorn has been mixing his personnel so that everyone plays (I haven't seen Marko in the game yet, but I know he got some PT in the second half).

To this point in the game (8:00, 2nd qtr), the Redskins have only had one unsuccessful drive, and both passes on that drive were Campbell throwing to Kelly. So I need to see more of what is failing the offense before I pass judgement.

Anyway, here's a hint. On consecutive plays, the Redskins threw quick passes designed to go to their young receivers. Standard "50 game" passes, a WCO staple. On the first play, the receiver badly rounded off his route, and Campbell gave up on him about 3 seconds into the play, came over the middle and hit Sellers for 12 yards and a first down. On the very next play, the Redskins changed their receiver personnel and ran an incredibly similar passing play and this time Campbell stayed with his No. 1 target drilling him in tight coverage.

Against a competent defense, Sellers is probably covered and the ball would have to be thrown away. Because it was the Rams, Campbell created something out of nothing.

I'm more concerned with grading Zorn's reaction to this development than anything else, but again, I haven't reached that point in the game tape.

Anyway, here's a hint. On consecutive plays, the Redskins threw quick passes designed to go to their young receivers. Standard "50 game" passes, a WCO staple. On the first play, the receiver badly rounded off his route, and Campbell gave up on him about 3 seconds into the play, came over the middle and hit Sellers for 12 yards and a first down. On the very next play, the Redskins changed their receiver personnel and ran an incredibly similar passing play and this time Campbell stayed with his No. 1 target drilling him in tight coverage.

Against a competent defense, Sellers is probably covered and the ball would have to be thrown away. Because it was the Rams, Campbell created something out of nothing.

I'm more concerned with grading Zorn's reaction to this development than anything else, but again, I haven't reached that point in the game tape.

I must say, unless you have access to certain non-tv camera angles that only some people have then that's a big assumption to make about a certain receiver

I must say, unless you have access to certain non-tv camera angles that only some people have then that's a big assumption to make about a certain receiver
I've always felt GTripp was very friendly with BB's camera crew ;)