What's wrong with our Red Zone offense?

Jim Zorn. HB pass in the red zone! Please keep it basic run, run, run, from DIFFERENT FORMATIONS then playaction pass. Keep it simple Joe Gibbs style.

Bad play calling, bad execution. There's no simple answer.


The 3rd down call when Zorn opted for an option pass with Portis throwing, it was interesting to note Sonny Jurgensens' take. Sonny said he would have either called an audible, or called time-out. Zorn's reply was, he would have taken him out of the game too. Sorry Sonny.......

The red zone offense is very problematic. We should have put 28 on the board against the Lambs.

That said, if red zone offense is our biggest problem, there is reason for optimism. This situation beats the heck out of never getting to the red zone.

I'll add bad personnel groupings. How have we gone 2 games and not once used Kelly, Thomas, Mitchell, Cooley & Davis as a RZ package? When we trot 3 TE out there that gives away that we're going to run the ball.

Well, we wouldn't want to go to just the shotgun... that would let them know we intended to pass. <sarcasm>

Just to be clear -I agree with your sentiment.

Exactly.

I felt like, despite average play calling, we still should be able to execute one of the average calls effectively enough to score.

First, we dropped two probable scores. That's a game changer right there. We're not having the same conversations if even one of those balls is caught. Maybe a little grumbling but not the onslaught of negativity.

Second, only the Portis option was what I consider a bad play call. It was a really low percentage play to begin with so it should never have been called. The other plays were "top of list" plays. Zorn's post game conference gave a small window into their thinking. He commented that the 4th and 1 play at the goal line was their #1 goal line run. Now ignoring the fact that they actually had that ridiculous play as their #1 goal line run you can tell they simply followed script. They take a gander at the list of plays and pick one near the top. What concerns me is that not all goal line situations are the same. So you can't just call your #1 play. You have to consider what the defense has been doing, what you have been doing, how much yardage you need, etc... To me the #1 run there isn't the right call even though it is your default #1 run play on your list. You need 18 inches you go up the gut or simply sneak it. You made that list in your office two days ago. Forget it. It should only be a starting point.

Zorn needs to get more in tune to the game and more reactive to what is happening rather than trying to simply hit the high notes on a checklist of "good plays". Scarp all the pre-game theoretical play calls and figure what is going to work in the situation that is playing out in front of you.
Bam! You hit the nail right on the head!

Zorn needs to be more in tune with the game situation.

You do not call a halfback option pass on 3rd and 8 yards to go. No defense in it's right mind is looking for a run on 3rd and 8. If you are running the ball well, that play works on first down, maybe second down but not third down when you have to convert. That was a bad call, I don't care what Zorn says.

The situation is 4th and less than a yard. To me, the smart call is run a quick running play. Do not give the defense an opportunity for penetration. Any slow developing play, has a potential for negative yards, not advisable in this situation. You have a 6' 5" 230 lb quarterback, how about a quarterback sneak, that should get a 1/2 yard.

Yeah no doubt. Get all those big targets on the field at once and take your best shot. We have the horses, for whatever reason they're not being used.

Im tired of seeing two TE's and Moss split wide at the 5 yard line. Why did we get these big receivers if we arent gonna use them? The fact that we cannot run right sure hurts when we get down there as well. Zorn is the biggest problem IMO, but he is too busy defending his calling a RB pass from the 7 yard line.....what a dumbass!

Bam! You hit the nail right on the head!

Zorn needs to be more in tune with the game situation.

You do not call a halfback option pass on 3rd and 8 yards to go. No defense in it's right mind is looking for a run on 3rd and 8. If you are running the ball well, that play works on first down, maybe second down but not third down when you have to convert. That was a bad call, I don't care what Zorn says.

The situation is 4th and less than a yard. To me, the smart call is run a quick running play. Do not give the defense an opportunity for penetration. Any slow developing play, has a potential for negative yards, not advisable in this situation. You have a 6' 5" 230 lb quarterback, how about a quarterback sneak, that should get a 1/2 yard.

My sentiments exactly....Sure you're not a football player on this team, sounds like players talking among themselves.

Im tired of seeing two TE's and Moss split wide at the 5 yard line. Why did we get these big receivers if we arent gonna use them? The fact that we cannot run right sure hurts when we get down there as well. Zorn is the biggest problem IMO, but he is too busy defending his calling a RB pass from the 7 yard line.....what a dumbass!

He's too busy thinking...

It seems we also call a lot of plays, on both sides of the ball, that require far too much exact execution, to succeed. Maybe it isn't reasonable to expect 100% proper technique and execution play after play. Maybe working some plays/schemes in there that allow a little more wiggle room could help. Like I don't know, roll the f*cking QB out once in a while to give the play time to develop. Stop being a slave to the WC theory...or whatever theory.

Redskins are 19th in total offense right in front of the Bears. Skins are 18th in the run and 18th in the pass. Jim Zorn needs to figure if he wants to be a running team or a passing team. I suggest Run that how we were 6-2 last running. Running less that 30 times a game is not going to get it.

Redskins are 19th in total offense right in front of the Bears. Skins are 18th in the run and 18th in the pass. Jim Zorn needs to figure if he wants to be a running team or a passing team. I suggest Run that how we were 6-2 last running. Running less that 30 times a game is not going to get it.

We haven't been able to consistently run the ball all pre-season or in the first two games.